Lecture Notes: The Great Gatsby and the American Dream

Introduction

• Channel: Giglet
• Focus: Analysis of The Great Gatsby and the American Dream
• Special Mention: Shout out to Lava Dragon for comments; good luck on tests covering The Great Gatsby
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Purpose of the Video

• Encourage taking notes, commenting, and repeated viewings
• Emphasize practicing by applying quotations to enhance understanding

Context and Background

• Understanding the American Dream:
  • Coined by James Trlo in 1931
  • Represents a "dream of a land" where life is better, richer, fuller
  • Opportunity according to ability or achievement
• Five Pillars of the American Dream:
  • Opportunity
  • Freedom
  • Equality
  • Upward Mobility
  • Hard Work

The Great Gatsby and the American Dream

• Focus on Jay Gatsby:
  • Reinvented himself from James Gats to Jay Gatsby
  • Pursues wealth and social status
  • Tries to assimilate into "old money" society
  • Symbol of parties and freedom (carnivalesque)
  • Dubious wealth through bootlegging (illegal activities)

Gatsby’s Barriers to the American Dream

• Dual Pursuit: Wealth and Daisy Buchanan
• Barriers:
  • Old money barriers (Tom, Daisy)
  • Rumors and gossip (Sinister figure)
  • Past and time constraints (5-year pursuit of Daisy)

Key Quotes and Analysis

• Chapter 1:
  • Green light symbol (unreachable dream)
  • Tom Buchanan’s search for past glory (American Dream for old money)
• Chapter 3:
  • Parties symbolize the American Dream (illusory nature)

Middle of the Novel

• Gatsby’s Storytelling:
  • Flaws in portraying his life story (hurried, swallowed, choked)
• Gatsby and Daisy:
  • Fulfillment when with Daisy (glowed, radiated, filled)
  • Gatsby’s pursuit is more about past than future

End of the Novel

• Gatsby’s Creation:
  • Reinvention from James Gats (platonic conception, Son of God)
• Final Reflection:
  • Nick’s reflection on American Dream’s duality (faster, farther vs. past)
  • Cautionary ending (ceaseless pursuit of the past)

Conclusion

• Final Thoughts:
  • Duality of the American Dream as aspiration and cautionary tale
  • Gatsby’s pursuit intertwines with desire for Daisy, representing both ambition and nostalgia

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