The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald - Book Report/Review Example

CHARACTER BEHAVIOR CONSEQUENCES Jay Gatsby Gatsby is, of both the novel's character and its protagonist. Gatsby is a mysterious, fantastically wealthy young man. Every Saturday, his garish Gothic mansion in West Egg serves as the site of extravagant parties. Later in the novel, we learn that his real name is James Gatz; he was born in North Dakota to an impoverished farming family. While serving in the Army in World War I, Gatsby met Daisy Fay (now Daisy Buchanan) and fell passionately in love with her. He worked briefly for a millionaire, and became acquainted with the people and customs of high society. This, coupled with his love of Daisy, inspired Gatsby to devote his life to the acquisition of wealth. Daisy Buchanan Daisy is Nick's cousin, Tom's wife, and the woman that Gatsby loves. She had promised to wait for Jay Gatsby until the end of the war, but after meeting Tom Buchanan and comparing his extreme wealth to Gatsby's poverty, she broke her promise. Daisy uses her frailty as an excuse for her extreme immaturity. Tom Buchanan A brutal, hulking man, Tom Buchanan is a former Yale football player who, like Daisy, comes from an immensely wealthy Midwestern family. His racism and sexism are symptomatic of his deep insecurity about his elevated social position. Tom is a vicious bully, physically menacing both his wife and his mistress. He is a thoroughgoing hypocrite as well: though he condemns his wife for her infidelity, he has no qualms about carrying on an affair himself. Jordan Baker Daisy's longtime friend, Jordan Baker is a professional golfer who cheated in order to win her first tournament. Jordan is extremely cynical, with a masculine, icy demeanor that Nick initially finds compelling. The two become briefly involved, but Jordan rejects him on the grounds that he is as corrupt and decadent as she is. Myrtle Wilson An earthy, vital, and voluptuous woman, Myrtle is desperate to improve her life. She shares a loveless marriage with George Wilson, a man who runs a shabby garage. She has been having a long-term affair with Tom Buchanan, and is very jealous of his wife, Daisy. After a fight with her husband, she runs out into the street and is hit and killed by Gatsby's car. George B. Wilson George is a listless, impoverished man whose only passion is his love for his wife, Myrtle. He is devastated by Myrtle's affair with Tom. After her death, the magnitude of his grief drives Wilson to murder Jay Gatsby before committing suicide himself. 1. In your opinion, what is "The American Dream" Some say, that the American Dream has become the pursuit of material prosperity - that people work more hours to get bigger cars, fancier homes, the fruits of prosperity for their families - but have less time to enjoy their prosperity. Others say that the American Dream is beyond the grasp of the working poor who must work two jobs to insure their family's survival. Yet others look toward a new American Dream with less focus on financial gain and more emphasis on living a simple, fulfilling life. For me, The American dream is the idea held by many that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity. The American Dream is to work hard for what you get and have the right to protect it and ensure it's safety. 2. According to the media, advertisements, salaries, and society in general, what is "The American Dream" How does this compare to your definition of "The American Dream" The concept of the American dream has been the subject of much criticism. The main criticism is that the American dream is now misleading. These critics say that, for various reasons, it simply is not possible for everyone to become prosperous through determination and hard work. The consequences of this belief can include the poor feeling that it is their fault that they are not successful. It can also result in less effort towards helping the poor since their poverty is "proof" of their laziness. The concept of the American dream also ignores other factors of success such as the family and wealth one is born into and inheritable traits such as intelligence. Perhaps a new definition of the American dream will be written. 3. List at least five elements that make up Jay Gatsby's American Dream. (you may use the chart below) to rise above the status he was born into to achieve a place in the upper echelon of wealthy society to fulfill his dream in corrupt and obsessive ways. To reunite with his lover To have a yacht that represented all the beauty and glamour in the world 4. For each of the five elements listed above, consider what is wrong with either his concept of the dream or the way he attempts to attain it. (you may use the chart below) the lengths of lying about his identity, engaging in illegal crime, and being reliant on material acquisitions and attaining high social status Gatsby idolizes money, and through bootlegging alcohol, he is able to obtain it. committing adultery 5. As you read the novel, copy down a specific quotation or quotations that most relate to the concept of the American Dream as it is presented in the novel. Gatsby says, "my house looks well, doesn't it See how the whole front of it catches the light" (95). Gatsby uses this statement to seek reassurance from Nick on the appearance of his house. This statement once again reiterates Gatsby's need for others to his excessive wealth and extravagant lifestyle. Nick says in his narration, "he hadn't once ceased looking at Daisy and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes" (97). This quote shows not only how Gatsby sought approval of his wealth, but also how he based his love of Daisy on material objects. Despite being apart from Daisy for five years, Gatsby still feels that they love each other. Gatsby's love for Daisy is so immense that he "read a Chicago paper for years just on the chance of catching a glimpse of Daisy's name" (84). By describing Gatsby's love for Daisy in this manner, Fitzgerald shows the degree to which Gatsby has longed for Daisy in her absence. Understanding the Historical Context and Setting of the Novel On the surface, perhaps you can add the point that Gatsby has pursuit his dream in a wrong way, thus he pursuit his dream at the expense on others and at all cost, which finally turns out to consume his energy and life. Also, there's a "foul dust" in his dream, which symbolize something not pure in his dream. May be is his wrong vision that he can change his origin and repeat the past. Underlying that, i don't think having hardly anyone at his funeral was a reflection on him but a reflection on those he was associated with, his Chicago and Philadelphia connections of organized crime were represented by Meyer Wolfsheim who said himself about being good friends with a man while he's alive but the link breaks after he's dead. those who went to Gatsby's parties went for the entertainment and the luxury which Gatsby provided them with, he never joined them and his guests were always speculating about him anyhow showing they had no genuine appreciation for him. he was great in terms of being so focused on one particular person not even considering his dream may not come true and doing everything in order to reach that goal he makes his money for her in order to be worthy of her. one point this is shown is at his house when he shows her his shirts and she cries into them. compared to daisy and tom Gatsby is brave he's come a long way but never lost sight of his original plan the other wealthy in the novel like daisy and tom have allowed themselves to be led by money or maybe they were always that way. he is humbling, lonely and brave highlighting daisy and tom's lack of these qualities. besides if Gatsby wasn't great, Robert Redford was sure great playing him. On one hand, one can argue that nothing about Gatsby was great. He lied to everyone about his past, he made his fortune illegally, he centered his entire life around a plan which basically involved breaking up someone's marriage, he had almost no friends (witness the funeral scene with almost no one there) etc. I also think this "great" is meant ironically, or sarcastically (...as in how was the picnic "great, there were ants all over, we forgot the food and it rained. just great") This is only my opinion though, yeah the title was meant to be ironic, just like Gatsby's name REFERENCE F. Scott Fitzgerald. 1999. The Great Gatsby. Read More