Lecture Notes: The Great Gatsby Overview

Introduction

• Focus on Nick Carraway, an honest narrator
• Describes life in the 1920s, especially 1922
• Key figure: Gatsby

Setting

• Nick moves from the Midwest to New York City, rents a cottage in West Egg
• Neighbor to Gatsby's mansion
• Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan, lives in East Egg with husband Tom Buchanan

Key Events

Dinner at the Buchanans'

• Nick invited by Daisy
• Meets Jordan Baker (standoffish)
• Tom's affair with Myrtle Wilson revealed
• Gatsby seen by Nick, reaching towards a green light across the bay

Introduction to Tom's Mistress

• Myrtle Wilson lives in the Valley of the Ashes
• Tom visits under the pretense of discussing cars
• Party at Tom and Myrtle's ends violently

Gatsby's Parties

• Nick formally invited to a Gatsby party
• Initially isolated, but Jordan Baker accompanies him
• Finally meets Gatsby

Gatsby's Story

• Drives Nick to the city, shares life story
  • Claims to come from wealth, served in war, educated at Oxford
  • Gatsby's tales corroborated by medal and photo

Connection to Daisy

• Learned from Jordan: Gatsby loved Daisy before the war
• Gatsby throws parties hoping Daisy will come
• Nick to arrange a meeting at his cottage without Daisy knowing Gatsby will be there

Reunion with Daisy

• Awkward but eventually comfortable
• Tour of Gatsby’s mansion

Gatsby’s Background

• Real name: James Gatz
• Son of poor farmers, reinvented himself at 17
• Mentored by millionaire Dan Cody

Conflict with Tom Buchanan

• Tension during Buchanans' lunch invite
• Tom discovers Gatsby's affair with Daisy
• Trip to New York leads to confrontation

Tragic Events

• Myrtle Wilson killed by Gatsby’s car driven by Daisy
• Tom blames Gatsby, avoids responsibility
• George Wilson seeks revenge

Climax and Resolution

• Gatsby killed by George Wilson
• Nick attempts to organize Gatsby's funeral
• Few attend, including Gatsby’s father and owl-eyed man

Aftermath

• Nick disillusioned with East Egg society
• Breaks up with Jordan Baker
• Returns to the Midwest

Themes and Conclusion

• American Dream: Gatsby's aspiration and its downfall
• Critique of the 1920s wealthy society (Buchanans)
• Reflection on dreams, reality, and consequences

These notes outline the key elements of "The Great Gatsby" as discussed in the lecture, focusing on character interactions, the storyline, and deeper themes within the narrative.