Welcome back! I hope your spring Welcome back! I hope your spring break was everything you hoped it break was everything you hoped it

would be, and that you’ve returned to would be, and that you’ve returned to class with your batteries recharged!class with your batteries recharged!

You may sit where you like today, at You may sit where you like today, at least for part of the day; we’ll do part least for part of the day; we’ll do part

of the PowerPoint today, and use of the PowerPoint today, and use some time during the second half of some time during the second half of class to meet with your party groups.class to meet with your party groups.

For now, please take out your For now, please take out your notebooks and a pen or pencil!notebooks and a pen or pencil!

They Were Careless People: They Were Careless People: Another Look at Another Look at The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby

FeracoFeraco

American LiteratureAmerican Literature

14 April 200814 April 2008

It was all very careless and confused. It was all very careless and confused.

They were careless people, Tom and They were careless people, Tom and Daisy – they smashed up things and Daisy – they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back creatures and then retreated back

into their money or their vast into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that carelessness or whatever it was that

kept them together, and let other kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had people clean up the mess they had

made…made…

Can you describe the other characters Can you describe the other characters as vividly? Give it a shot! Write a as vividly? Give it a shot! Write a

similarly descriptive sentence about similarly descriptive sentence about the character of your choice (besides the character of your choice (besides

Gatsby – we’ll get to him).Gatsby – we’ll get to him).

Our List of CharactersOur List of Characters

Major Characters Major Characters (The Big Seven):(The Big Seven): NickNick DaisyDaisy TomTom GatsbyGatsby JordanJordan MyrtleMyrtle GeorgeGeorge

Minor Minor Characters:Characters: Meyer WolfshiemMeyer Wolfshiem Owl EyesOwl Eyes MichaelisMichaelis KlipspringerKlipspringer CatherineCatherine

What’s the Real Story?What’s the Real Story?

Early: James Gatz grows up in North Early: James Gatz grows up in North Dakota, meets Dan Cody, and begins to Dakota, meets Dan Cody, and begins to pursue a life of wealth and fortune pursue a life of wealth and fortune after Cody’s deathafter Cody’s death

Semi-Early: While serving in the Semi-Early: While serving in the military (before going off to serve in military (before going off to serve in World War I), Gatz (now Gatsby) heads World War I), Gatz (now Gatsby) heads to Louisville, Kentucky for additional to Louisville, Kentucky for additional trainingtraining He meets Daisy Fay and (indirectly) Jordan He meets Daisy Fay and (indirectly) Jordan

Baker while in LouisvilleBaker while in Louisville

The Girl With the The Girl With the Glittering VoiceGlittering Voice

Gatz (now Gatsby) fell head over heels Gatz (now Gatsby) fell head over heels for Daisyfor Daisy

She represented everything he aspired She represented everything he aspired to obtainto obtain WealthWealth StatusStatus StabilityStability The Girl!The Girl!

She represented everything he aspired She represented everything he aspired to obtainto obtain In order to seem worthy of her hand, he In order to seem worthy of her hand, he

lied about his heritage and historylied about his heritage and history

Not EnoughNot Enough

The lies were enough for a while, The lies were enough for a while, and Daisy promised to wait for and Daisy promised to wait for him while he went off to warhim while he went off to war

Unfortunately for Gatsby, Daisy Unfortunately for Gatsby, Daisy married Tom during the conflictmarried Tom during the conflict Tom represents the type of person Tom represents the type of person

someone with old money was someone with old money was expected to marry – someone expected to marry – someone elseelse with old money, status, and with old money, status, and tradition on their side, rather than tradition on their side, rather than someone who’s new to the partysomeone who’s new to the party

When He Returns…When He Returns…

Gatsby came home to find that Daisy Gatsby came home to find that Daisy has married another man…has married another man… Apparently, the letter that sent her into Apparently, the letter that sent her into

a tearful tirade on the night before her a tearful tirade on the night before her wedding night wasn’t enough to stop wedding night wasn’t enough to stop her from going through with it!her from going through with it!

……and we meet him at the peak of his and we meet him at the peak of his “new life,” the self-constructed “new life,” the self-constructed identity that aims to steal Daisy identity that aims to steal Daisy backback

The New ArrivalThe New Arrival

Nick arrives just in time to meet Nick arrives just in time to meet our colorful cast of characters our colorful cast of characters before they all crash into one before they all crash into one another (and destroy each others’ another (and destroy each others’ lives)lives)

Tom’s affair with Myrtle poisons Tom’s affair with Myrtle poisons two marriages (and reveals that two marriages (and reveals that he’s an unlikable person), but it he’s an unlikable person), but it also helps to set the book in motionalso helps to set the book in motion

Look at This!Look at This! Look at the way Fitzgerald structures his Look at the way Fitzgerald structures his

story!story! Chapter One: Nick arrives, meets Tom, Daisy, Chapter One: Nick arrives, meets Tom, Daisy,

and Jordan; we see them basking in their and Jordan; we see them basking in their wealth, carrying on empty conversations and wealth, carrying on empty conversations and generally bathing in their own unhappinessgenerally bathing in their own unhappiness

We see that Jordan is unashamedly curious – We see that Jordan is unashamedly curious – and get hints that she’s somewhat dishonestand get hints that she’s somewhat dishonest

We see that the Tom/Daisy marriage is a shamWe see that the Tom/Daisy marriage is a sham We even see that Daisy is somewhat dishonestWe even see that Daisy is somewhat dishonest We’re also introduced (indirectly) to Myrtle - We’re also introduced (indirectly) to Myrtle -

and to Gatsbyand to Gatsby

Look at This!Look at This! Chapter Two: We’re introduced to Myrtle, Chapter Two: We’re introduced to Myrtle,

George, and CatherineGeorge, and Catherine We see that Tom is no nicer to his mistress We see that Tom is no nicer to his mistress

– or anyone else – than he is to Daisy– or anyone else – than he is to Daisy At least he’s consistent…At least he’s consistent…

We also have a “meaningless” item We also have a “meaningless” item introduced – the dog collar – that ends up introduced – the dog collar – that ends up playing a critical roleplaying a critical role The old “gun on the mantle” ruleThe old “gun on the mantle” rule

Finally, “God” and the valley of ashes are Finally, “God” and the valley of ashes are introducedintroduced

Look at This!Look at This! Chapter Three: We meet Gatsby and Owl Eyes, Chapter Three: We meet Gatsby and Owl Eyes,

and are treated to a longer look at Jordan Bakerand are treated to a longer look at Jordan Baker We now We now knowknow that Jordan is dishonest – and Gatsby that Jordan is dishonest – and Gatsby

strikes us as oddstrikes us as odd We see that Jordan and Gatsby have something secret We see that Jordan and Gatsby have something secret

to talk about; this turns out to be Daisyto talk about; this turns out to be Daisy Finally, we see Owl Eyes – an important introduction Finally, we see Owl Eyes – an important introduction

with the books, as well as a critical “car crash” scenewith the books, as well as a critical “car crash” scene The crash serves two purposes: It works as a metaphor The crash serves two purposes: It works as a metaphor

for Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy (“Let’s back up.” “But the for Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy (“Let’s back up.” “But the wheel’s wheel’s offoff!” “No harm in trying…”) while !” “No harm in trying…”) while simultaneously foreshadowing the fatal encounter with simultaneously foreshadowing the fatal encounter with MyrtleMyrtle

We look at the phony, shallow, uninteresting We look at the phony, shallow, uninteresting people that surround Gatsby – although they people that surround Gatsby – although they surround him without getting close to himsurround him without getting close to him

Gatsby is alone in a crowd – a relic in a modern age Gatsby is alone in a crowd – a relic in a modern age that has left him behindthat has left him behind

Look at This!Look at This! Chapter Four: We meet Meyer Wolfshiem – Chapter Four: We meet Meyer Wolfshiem –

a a veryvery shady character – and learn Gatsby’s shady character – and learn Gatsby’s backstorybackstory

This is a particularly effective narrative This is a particularly effective narrative technique because it allows us to hear all technique because it allows us to hear all of the false impressions about Gatsby – of the false impressions about Gatsby – thus placing us in a constantly skeptical thus placing us in a constantly skeptical positionposition

Why should we be skeptical? Because Why should we be skeptical? Because Gatsby is a deeply imperfect character in a Gatsby is a deeply imperfect character in a deeply imperfect world, and it’s important deeply imperfect world, and it’s important to remember this without romanticizing to remember this without romanticizing himhim

Look at This!Look at This! Chapter Five: We see Gatsby trying to bring Nick Chapter Five: We see Gatsby trying to bring Nick

into his “circle of work”; more importantly, we into his “circle of work”; more importantly, we finally have the Daisy-Gatsby reunion on our finally have the Daisy-Gatsby reunion on our hands (note that it’s at Nick’s house) hands (note that it’s at Nick’s house)

It’s an incredibly awkward reunion, and it reveals a lot It’s an incredibly awkward reunion, and it reveals a lot about Gatsby – but it also furthers some of our about Gatsby – but it also furthers some of our suspicions about himsuspicions about him

Fitzgerald foreshadows the importance of the Fitzgerald foreshadows the importance of the swimming pool on the chapter’s first pageswimming pool on the chapter’s first page

He also shows Gatsby knocking over the clock; He also shows Gatsby knocking over the clock; Gatsby is able to catch it, but the moment Gatsby is able to catch it, but the moment symbolizes his slippery grasp of time (and his symbolizes his slippery grasp of time (and his futile attempts to recapture the past)futile attempts to recapture the past)

Nick finds himself thinking about whether Gatsby sees Nick finds himself thinking about whether Gatsby sees Daisy as she is or as she wasDaisy as she is or as she was

Think about the “loss of the green light”Think about the “loss of the green light”

As We Begin…As We Begin… Sit wherever you like today!Sit wherever you like today! Please take out your rough draftsPlease take out your rough drafts Trade with the person who looked over your Trade with the person who looked over your

thesis, and sign your name at the bottom of thesis, and sign your name at the bottom of the first pagethe first page

Spend the next ten minutes looking over the Spend the next ten minutes looking over the draft; concentrate on content more than draft; concentrate on content more than mechanics, and offer honest feedback to mechanics, and offer honest feedback to your partneryour partner

I will come by and check each paper as you I will come by and check each paper as you work; remember, each paper must be at work; remember, each paper must be at least three pages long in order to earn least three pages long in order to earn credit!credit!

Look at This!Look at This! Chapter Six: We find out the truth about Chapter Six: We find out the truth about

James Gatz, and how he became Jay Gatsby James Gatz, and how he became Jay Gatsby (although we don’t know the truth about (although we don’t know the truth about how he’s sustained his wealth until the last how he’s sustained his wealth until the last chapter)chapter)

Establishes the pattern of Gatsby’s dreams Establishes the pattern of Gatsby’s dreams being thwarted by others (his denied being thwarted by others (his denied inheritance), as well as underscores Gatsby’s inheritance), as well as underscores Gatsby’s attempt to recreate his past affair with Daisyattempt to recreate his past affair with Daisy

Just as we looked at the loss of the green Just as we looked at the loss of the green light in Chapter V, Nick begins to look at the light in Chapter V, Nick begins to look at the uneasy balance between what we have and uneasy balance between what we have and what we want – and what dreams are worth what we want – and what dreams are worth once we’ve realized themonce we’ve realized them

Finally, this is the first hint that Tom won’t Finally, this is the first hint that Tom won’t go quietly – he’s actively fighting Gatsby go quietly – he’s actively fighting Gatsby herehere

Look at This!Look at This! Chapter Seven: It all goes to pieces; we watch in Chapter Seven: It all goes to pieces; we watch in

horror as Fitzgerald smashes his carefully laid horror as Fitzgerald smashes his carefully laid “domino structure” (think “V for Vendetta”)“domino structure” (think “V for Vendetta”)

This is similar to the way that Gatsby has discontinued his This is similar to the way that Gatsby has discontinued his elaborately staged gatheringselaborately staged gatherings

If you look at the novel’s message – as well as its If you look at the novel’s message – as well as its symbolism and characterization – you realize that symbolism and characterization – you realize that Myrtle Myrtle hashas to die to die

She’s constantly described as vibrant, passionate – almost She’s constantly described as vibrant, passionate – almost overstuffed with lifeoverstuffed with life

You also understand why Gatsby won’t tell anyone You also understand why Gatsby won’t tell anyone Daisy was driving, even though you instinctively Daisy was driving, even though you instinctively realize that this is serious – that this will probably realize that this is serious – that this will probably destroy himdestroy him

Finally, we endure Tom’s bitter triumph – and Finally, we endure Tom’s bitter triumph – and watch him continue to manipulate those around watch him continue to manipulate those around him even in the face of a terrible personal losshim even in the face of a terrible personal loss

We also see that final, chilling night between Daisy and Tom – We also see that final, chilling night between Daisy and Tom – and you realize, horrified, that Gatsby’s been wrong about Daisy and you realize, horrified, that Gatsby’s been wrong about Daisy all alongall along

Look at This!Look at This! Chapter Eight: The end comes swiftly, and Gatsby Chapter Eight: The end comes swiftly, and Gatsby

and George are sacrificed to the Buchanans’ plansand George are sacrificed to the Buchanans’ plans Before dying, Gatsby confesses the rest of what we Before dying, Gatsby confesses the rest of what we

really already knew; by the end of this chapter, the really already knew; by the end of this chapter, the “story” is basically over (but Chapter IX remains)“story” is basically over (but Chapter IX remains)

We don’t hate George, even after he murders We don’t hate George, even after he murders GatsbyGatsby

We see that he’s been used and abused by Tom, and we We see that he’s been used and abused by Tom, and we re-direct our hatred at Tom as surely as if he’d shot re-direct our hatred at Tom as surely as if he’d shot Gatsby himselfGatsby himself

The things Fitzgerald set up earlier in the book – The things Fitzgerald set up earlier in the book – the dog collar, the unused pool, the unusually the dog collar, the unused pool, the unusually cream-colored car, and the eyes of God over the cream-colored car, and the eyes of God over the Valley of Ashes – come together perfectlyValley of Ashes – come together perfectly

It’s a truly masterful move; reading this chapter is like It’s a truly masterful move; reading this chapter is like watching a great painter put the finishing touches on a watching a great painter put the finishing touches on a work, changing it from a mere collection of paint into work, changing it from a mere collection of paint into something beautiful and sadsomething beautiful and sad

Look at This!Look at This! Chapter Nine: Everything else is revealed in Chapter Nine: Everything else is revealed in

something of a haunting epilogue; the introductory something of a haunting epilogue; the introductory paragraphs of the first chapter now make sense to paragraphs of the first chapter now make sense to usus

We see Gatsby abandoned by those who once We see Gatsby abandoned by those who once leeched off his wealth, and by those who know the leeched off his wealth, and by those who know the truth about what happenedtruth about what happened

It is a frustrating, infuriating finale – but that’s the It is a frustrating, infuriating finale – but that’s the pointpoint

A happy ending wouldn’t send Nick back to the Midwest in A happy ending wouldn’t send Nick back to the Midwest in the state he’s in at the beginning of the storythe state he’s in at the beginning of the story

Finally, we have the last line – where everything Finally, we have the last line – where everything Fitzgerald has been playing with regarding dreams Fitzgerald has been playing with regarding dreams and time comes togetherand time comes together

Our dreams are dependent on our history – and we often Our dreams are dependent on our history – and we often find ourselves unwittingly chasing something that’s find ourselves unwittingly chasing something that’s already passedalready passed

This is why we beat against the current – we try to avoid This is why we beat against the current – we try to avoid getting lost in our past, but it isn’t that easygetting lost in our past, but it isn’t that easy

This also says something about our American dreamThis also says something about our American dream

Parallels Between the Parallels Between the CharactersCharacters

Now we’ll concentrate on the Now we’ll concentrate on the many interesting parallels many interesting parallels between Fitzgerald’s main between Fitzgerald’s main figuresfigures Daisy and MyrtleDaisy and Myrtle Gatsby and GeorgeGatsby and George Tom and GatsbyTom and Gatsby Jordan and DaisyJordan and Daisy

CollarsCollars Look at the gifts Tom gives the women in Look at the gifts Tom gives the women in

his life:his life: Daisy receives pearls on the night before her Daisy receives pearls on the night before her

wedding – and, eventually, a childwedding – and, eventually, a child Myrtle receives a dog collar the night Tom Myrtle receives a dog collar the night Tom

breaks her nose – and a dog as wellbreaks her nose – and a dog as well The pearls are for his trophy; the collar is for The pearls are for his trophy; the collar is for

his possessionhis possession He also harms both women – Daisy’s finger, He also harms both women – Daisy’s finger,

Myrtle’s nose – underscoring his brutality and Myrtle’s nose – underscoring his brutality and ruthlessness; it doesn’t surprise us one bit ruthlessness; it doesn’t surprise us one bit when it turns out that Tom told George that when it turns out that Tom told George that Gatsby was responsible for Myrtle’s deathGatsby was responsible for Myrtle’s death

But did Daisy tell Tom the truth?But did Daisy tell Tom the truth?

DreamersDreamers

George is a Gatsby who does not George is a Gatsby who does not dare to dreamdare to dream He sits and wastes his life in the He sits and wastes his life in the

ash-heaps, struggling to sustain a ash-heaps, struggling to sustain a colorless, unenjoyable marriagecolorless, unenjoyable marriage

Gatsby and George “lose” to Tom Gatsby and George “lose” to Tom BuchananBuchanan•The women they love are drawn to TomThe women they love are drawn to Tom•His dishonesty leads to their deathsHis dishonesty leads to their deaths

FrustratedFrustrated Tom and Gatsby are prisoners of the Tom and Gatsby are prisoners of the

fleeting glories in their pastfleeting glories in their past Both men are unhappily rich, chasing Both men are unhappily rich, chasing

something they’ll never get backsomething they’ll never get back Neither is really a “stand-up guy” – after Neither is really a “stand-up guy” – after

all, Gatsby all, Gatsby isis trying to steal another trying to steal another man’s wife (and he’s a criminal!)man’s wife (and he’s a criminal!)

Still, we have to root for someone – and Still, we have to root for someone – and it’s better to root for the Great Gatsby it’s better to root for the Great Gatsby than for the simple, confused, nasty than for the simple, confused, nasty TomTom

ShinyShiny Finally, we get to the two women we meet Finally, we get to the two women we meet

in the first chapter – Daisy and Jordanin the first chapter – Daisy and Jordan Gatsby and Nick fall for them, but neither Gatsby and Nick fall for them, but neither

pair is well-matched; for all of the hints pair is well-matched; for all of the hints that Nick isn’t a completely noble figure, that Nick isn’t a completely noble figure, he’s still not nearly as dishonest as Jordanhe’s still not nearly as dishonest as Jordan

I find it interesting that Jordan is suddenly I find it interesting that Jordan is suddenly engaged to another man; while it’s not engaged to another man; while it’s not identical to the Daisy/Tom/Gatsby triangle, identical to the Daisy/Tom/Gatsby triangle, it’s meant to remind us of itit’s meant to remind us of it

Now…the Thematic Now…the Thematic Assignment!Assignment!

I want you to do something more complex than the I want you to do something more complex than the “scavenger hunt” type of work we did before break.“scavenger hunt” type of work we did before break.

This week, I want you to look closely at This week, I want you to look closely at why why Fitzgerald uses the themes you chose at the Fitzgerald uses the themes you chose at the beginning of the story, rather than simply beginning of the story, rather than simply wherewhere each theme appears.each theme appears.

What is he saying through his decision to focus on What is he saying through his decision to focus on ______?______?

For example, if you were dealing with the “time” For example, if you were dealing with the “time” theme, a sample sentence would not be “Fitzgerald theme, a sample sentence would not be “Fitzgerald uses time a lot in uses time a lot in The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby.” .”

Instead, try something else – something like Instead, try something else – something like “Fitzgerald’s emphasis on time reveals a deeper flaw “Fitzgerald’s emphasis on time reveals a deeper flaw in Gatsby’s American dream – the tendency of the in Gatsby’s American dream – the tendency of the dreamer to focus on the past rather than the dreamer to focus on the past rather than the present.”present.”

The StandardThe Standard 3.2 Analyze the way in which the theme 3.2 Analyze the way in which the theme

or meaning of a selection represents a or meaning of a selection represents a view or comment on life, using textual view or comment on life, using textual evidence to support the claim. evidence to support the claim.

You have two themes. Let’s start by You have two themes. Let’s start by coming up with a sentence explaining coming up with a sentence explaining why each theme is important. What why each theme is important. What view (or comment) is Fitzgerald view (or comment) is Fitzgerald expressing?expressing?

When you are done, I want you to find When you are done, I want you to find those who share your theme and trade those who share your theme and trade analyses with them.analyses with them. I’ll post the theme list on the boardI’ll post the theme list on the board

Loss – Kim, Stephen, Bruce, CurtisLoss – Kim, Stephen, Bruce, Curtis Opportunity – Catherine, Anthony Gar, Alexandra, Matt S.Opportunity – Catherine, Anthony Gar, Alexandra, Matt S. Love/Desire – Jei, Alice, Helena, PhilLove/Desire – Jei, Alice, Helena, Phil Community/Class – Anthony Gar, Matt S, Matt V, Community/Class – Anthony Gar, Matt S, Matt V,

CharlieCharlie Hope – Matt V., Melissa, David, AliceHope – Matt V., Melissa, David, Alice Truthfulness – Megan, Lauren, Julia, PhilTruthfulness – Megan, Lauren, Julia, Phil Independence – Alexandra, Michael, Robert, TinnaIndependence – Alexandra, Michael, Robert, Tinna Secrets – Tinna, Lauren, Andrea, Anthony WSecrets – Tinna, Lauren, Andrea, Anthony W Enlightenment – Anthony Gab, Jei, NilomEnlightenment – Anthony Gab, Jei, Nilom Betrayal – Julia, Edmund, Anthony W, HelenaBetrayal – Julia, Edmund, Anthony W, Helena Death/Decay – Curtis, Anthony Gab, Ashley, Death/Decay – Curtis, Anthony Gab, Ashley,

JonathanJonathan Disappointment – Catherine, Bruce, Stephen, KimDisappointment – Catherine, Bruce, Stephen, Kim Revenge – Jonathan, Grace, David, CharlieRevenge – Jonathan, Grace, David, Charlie Identity – Robert, Nilom, Megan, AshleyIdentity – Robert, Nilom, Megan, Ashley Desperation – Kenna, Grace, Michael, EdmundDesperation – Kenna, Grace, Michael, Edmund Reputation – Kenna, Melissa, AndreaReputation – Kenna, Melissa, Andrea

LossLoss

OpportunityOpportunity

Love/DesireLove/Desire

Community/ClassCommunity/Class

HopeHope

TruthfulnessTruthfulness

IndependenceIndependence

SecretsSecrets

ENlightenmentENlightenment

BetrayalBetrayal

Death/DecayDeath/Decay

DisappointmentDisappointment

RevengeRevenge

IdentityIdentity

DesperationDesperation

ReputationReputation