F.SCOTT FITZGERALD’S THE GREAT GATSBY

1. F.SCOTT FITZGERALD’STHE GREAT GATSBY CHAPTERS 1-4 Studied by: Mumbi Ngosa

2. Please note that all writing is written in the opinion of MUMBI NGOSA.SOME EXAMPLES FROM THE TEXT WILL BE SPOKEN DUE TO THEIR EXCESSIVE LENGTH.

3. BORN on 14th September 1896 in St. Paul Minnesota. • His dad worked for a small grocer, after a failed furniture business which then led his family to move house. He eventually lost his job and they had to over back to St Paul where they lived of his mothers inheritance. AUTHOR BIOGRAPHYF.SCOTT FITZGERALD

4. He was intelligent as a boy and he had his first piece of writing published at the age of 13.He was encouraged to pursue writing at the age of 15. • He went to Princeton University but during the course of his studies he had to drop out to join the army for World War I • He was commissioned as a luitenent in Alabama where he met the beautiful Zelda Sayre (the daughter of an Alabama Supreme Court judge). • When discharged he moved to New York where he hoped to obtain a career in advertising convincing enough for Zelda to marry him. F.SCOTTFITZGERALD

5. A week after publishing a famous novel This Side of Paradise he married Zelda and they had a daughter. • However he later got caught up in his new celeb and extravagant lifestyle which gave him a playboy identity. • He then in 1924 moved to France where he wrote the famous Great Gatsby. • His wife suffered from mental issues and he suffered from alcoholism. • He wrote some of his writing based on his own life experiences. • He died on December 21st in 1940 at the age of 44 believing of himself to be a failure. F.SCOTTFITZGERALD

6. BY F.SCOTT FITZGERALD: “it was an age of art, it was an age of excess, and it was an age of satire.“ Gives us slight insight of his motivation behind writing this novel. • IN THE BOOK: “I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool”-spoken by Daisy to Nick as she recalls the birth of her daughter” –has no direct significance to the novels main theme but brings particular reference to how women where not highly regarded to be able to do much in the jazz age. FAMOUS QOUTES

7. ‘…and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away,…when I looked once more for Gatsby had vanished…’ • This is from chapter one. • Refers to Gatsby peering across to what is later revealed to be the porch of Daisy’s home. • One would think Fitzgerald is trying to say Gatsby’s pursuit for Daisy engulfed him. FAMOUS QOUTES

8. MAIN THEME is the American Dream which refers to a high style of living and wealth desired by people. • This is vividly brought out by Gatsby’s pursuit for riches(through which he hoped to attract the attention of Daisy). • Also by the high living standard of The Buchanan's. (chp1) • Romance- shown by Gatsby’s pursuit for Daisy for over four years. Egg.“…because it seemed romantic to me…” (chp4) -as well as Nicks romantic experience with Jordan. • Purposeless living- shown by Gatsby attaining wealth and throwing parties to simply attract Daisy. • As well as Tom’s unrestful movement from one country to another. THEMES

9. The clash of the classes-Nick feels he cannot get married because he is “too poor” • He is looked down up by Tom who claims he does not what a bondsman is, as if to tease him. • West Egg is less fashionable than East Egg • Myrtle teases Mrs. McKee saying “I’m going to give you this dress..’ after she earlier changes dresses. –this shows the difference in appearances held by people according to the class of people they were around and the environment they were in. THEMES

10. Novel begins with introduction of the narrator Nick, who gives a brief background of himself –gives reader perspective as to who is telling the story and brings to perspective why narrator may say certain things during the writing. • Main character and purpose for writing is revealed early so readers know (a bit of) what to expect. • Relation of characters are revealed sequentially so that reader is not confused. • Focus of narrator is made clear so that the reader is not confused Eg:’Daisy was my second cousin…’ • Writing is structured such that information is revealed sequentially to maintain the readers interset.eg. The intentions of Gatsby’s kindness towards Nick is only revealed about a chapter later. STRUCTURE

11. Writing ishumorous: egg. ‘as drunk as a monkey’ –captures readers attention. • Writing is narrative as it gives an account of events that have taken place over a period of time. • It is written in a descriptive manner as the writer gives details about the things he hears,sees,feels and thinks.eg.’…a pair of enormous eggs; identical…domesticated body of salt…’ • It is written in first person style STYLE

12. Imagery-gives a clear picture (to the reader) of the events taking place and what's the look like • Simile- “…as drunk as a monkey (chp4) • Repetition-”..she had done gay , exciting things just a while since and that there were gay, exciting things hovering the next hour”(chp1) • Concrete-The writer describes the setting of Gatsby's party • Characterization- The writer describes the persona of Gatsby. • Dialogue-conversations between people. LITERARY TERMS USED

13. Firstly the novel has reflections of the life of Fitzgerald himself.Eg: -his personal pursuit after his wife Zelda. -his position as lieutenant in the army -the unrecognition of some of his own written works (shown by Nicks occupation being unknown) -his playboy lifestyle(shown through Tom and his mistress) -his celebrity lifestlye (shown by Gatsby's parties) • It strongly brings out the American dream shown by the desperation of Gatsby as he goes as far as living across the bay from Daisy and throwing parties in hope that she attends one of them. • Romance between different characters is shown. • It shows the pursuit for satisfatcion: -Tom being unsatisfied by his own marriage (by cheating on his wife with a mistress) -Daisy’s unhappiness e.g. ’ You see everything is terrible anyhow’ - Gatsby’s desire to be Daisy ANALYSIS

14. The writer shows a differentiation of lifestyle by involving two parties that take place during this section of the novel. • These are Tom’s and Gatsby's. • Gatsby’s is big and extravagant and full of people he barely knows. • Tom’s party is small and it has people he knows and has relationship with. • The writer refers to Doctor T.J Mecklenburg's billboard as if it where a reference to God staring down over man. • He once exchanges a frown with Tom suggesting his actions do not agree with God’s ways.(because he is cheating on his wife) • He refers to the setting between West and East Egg to be the ‘valley of ashes’ and the people who live there as ‘ash-grey men. This states that they have adapted to their surroundings. • West Egg being less fashionable than East Egg could be a way of suggesting the different classes in society and then the valley of ashes represents the lowest class. ANALYSIS

15. I I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS PRESENTATION!!