Great gatsby quotes

• "moths"

  Nick calls the guests 'moths' suggesting that the guests are not there for Gatsby but for the big house, the drinks, the music making them materialists and showing the priorities of the American Dream, just as moths are attracted to light so too are the guests who are attracted to Gatsbys wealth
• “men and girls“

  this shows the superiority of males compared to females it highlights the comparison of sexism views of the 1920s it also shows materialism of the American dream ‘girls’ are viewed as accessories
• “Whisperings” 


  Suggests rumours about gatsby the guests gossip about the things they’ve heard about gatsby that he is supposedly a ‘German spy‘ or that he ‘killed a man’
• ”rotten crowd“ 


  suggests Tom and Daisy are morally corrupt behind their wealth and luxury they are horrible people that are selfish and ignorant deep down which is why they are made for each other they care for no one other than themselves it also highlights the theme of the American dream being fake and exposes the unpleasant side of the upper class
• “Silver idols“ 


  this is a reference to a buddha which is worshiped like an ‘idol’ idols have connotations of fame, popularity, admiration it suggests they are important figures
• “White dresses” 


  This is the colour of daisy’s dress and suggests daisy’s innocence and purity the ideal vision of the American dream
• ”extraordinary gift for hope“

  Fitzgerald links this to the goal of the American dream through gatsbys character the American dream promises a prosperous life and gatsby projects the image of success achieved by determination and perseverance never giving up the hope that he will achieve his goal. In this case the goal is reuniting with Daisy rekindling the flame they once lost
• “He could hardly fail to grasp it“

  Suggests after all gatsbys determination towards wealth, success, social status and the overall American dream along with his obsession for daisy he looses it all when he is killed. Fitzgerald highlights his past and how hard he worked re-inventing himself to then self sabotaging his fake persona by failing to grasp being with daisy
• ”floating trays of cocktails“

  ’floating‘ has connotations of something flying creates a magical setting when in reality it is just the waiters walking around this links to the idealism of the American dream and the superiority of the rich in comparison to the working class. ‘cocktails‘ are a fancy expensive drink adding on to the wealth of the guests
• “Whisperings and the champagne and the stars“ 


  ‘whisperings’ suggests the rumours that gatsby has killed a man or that he is a German spy. ‘Champagne‘ gold/yellow colour suggestion of expensive, extravagant and bubbly. ‘stars’ magical and shinny
• “Common swindler“

  Tom exposes gatsby suggesting his dodgy bootlegging business questioning his wealth this quote shakes Daisy into reality
• “Careless people“

  nick comments on Tom and daisys selfish and relentless actions throughout the novel they ‘smash up’ gatsbys heart, car, life, nicks innocence, myrtles face. Fitzgerald critisises the way the wealthy take advantage of their status to do whatever they please
• “colossal vitality of his illusion“ 


  the word choice of ‘illusion‘ refers to gatsbys whole life and persona being fake and made up
• “Yellow cocktail music“ 


  ‘yellow‘ has connotations of warmth and joy. ‘cocktails’ are expensive and luxurious ‘music‘ suggests a fun and mysterious environment
• “Gold toilet set” 


  When gatsby is giving Daisy a tour of his house. these are materialistic items which he revalues based on daisys reaction. ‘gold‘ connotations of wealth
• “Rare smiles“

  this paints a picture of gatsbys appearance and makes the readers mesmerised and hypnotised as to who gatsby really is ‘rare’ suggests a once in a life time experience showing the importance of this interaction by gatsbys noticeable feature his smile
• “Green light“ 


  this is a symbol signifying gatsbys hope and naivety- connotations of green

  the green light is across the dock at daisy’s house showing how out of reach his dreams are
• “dark water“

  this foreshadows gatsbys downfall and death as he dies in a pool

  ’dark’ has connotations of negativity and death

  The dark water physically separates gatsbys and daisy’s house across the dock
• “Looked at Daisy… in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at“

  this is said through Jordan bakers focaliser where she narrates gatsbys and daisy’s relationship

  This suggests their love was magical and you could see in gatsby eyes how infatuated and obsessed he was with her
• “A stir and bustle among the stars“

  this is a second perspective of Daisy and gatsbys relationship given through nicks narration we learn that it was all romanticised it wasn’t real it was all a fantasy
• Homodigetic narrator 


  First person narrator who is also involved in the story but is not a main character this is nick and he is not a reliable narrator as he jumps from past to present leaving gaps in the story
• “Pale as death“

  gatsby nervous and anxious to reunite with Daisy he is afraid of rejection she might not feel the same way after so many years the final test wether everything he has worked so hard for up until now was worth it
• “Shirts”

  when gatsby gives Daisy a private tour of his house revaluing everything in his house based of daisys reaction shirts represent gatsbys wealth, sophistication and success
• “Cried stormily“ 


  Daisy reminicing lost time with gatsby

  Regretting choices of marrying Tom and not waiting for gatsby

  Thinking of what her life could have looked like if she waited for gatsby
• “Old sport“ 


  shows gatsbys mannerisms makes him look sophisticated and clever, longing for high status but it is all fake
• Pathetic fallacy in reuniting scene

  At first it is raining before gatsby reunites with Daisy rain and clouds has connotations of darkness to come chaos to erupt and gatsbys anxious feelings but after they reunite the sun comes out sun has connotations of happiness and warmth showing gatsbys worries have been diffused
• Pathetic fallacy at plaza

  the temperatures on this day were hot and heavy just like the tension between the character and not addressing the elephant in the room which is the sneaky affair between Daisy and gatsby