gatsby

• portrayed as a quixotic character

  • extremely idealistic and unrealistic
• first seen in chapter 3
• self-interest is a dominating feature of this capitalist society, no one knows gatsby nor do they care --> this foreshadows the final chapter
• gatsby is described as god-like and every other creature is a moth --> death underlies this as starlight will kill moths
• "we've met before"


  phrase brings the past into the present, he wants Daisy to remember their history --> manipulation perhaps
• "it took me just 3 years to earn the money that bought it"


  Gatsby's facade begins to slip in this chapter, his worry and nerves about reuniting with daisy are affecting him, signifying the pivotal moment for him
• gatsby has a relentless need for the past 


  makes missed communication a common theme

  "she used to understand"

  "just as if it were 5 years ago"
• party in chapter 6 is very different to the one in chapter 3. the one with daisy and tom doesn't work , it is awkward and less spectacular with the lack of mystery regarding Gatsby now
• compared to trimalchio, who was a character from roman fiction, known for throwing lavish parties

  "his career as trimalchio was over" - chapter 7
• when the green light disappears at the end of chapter 7 it symbolises gatsby's dreams of daisy are gone, nothing is left, all hope has diminished
• even after death, gatsby is a result of rumours, stories and finger pointing --> all blame was put on him, tom and daisy were able to leave without any consequences raising the question of responsibility
• chapter 9 nick describes gatsby with bitter disappointment as to what he should've been compared to what he turned out to be (juxtaposes initial description)
• offer considered a product of america, the epitome on the dream however his early traits are mainly European based (Oxford, the saying 'old sport')

  due to the fact america lacks culture and depth due to its newness
• america went from nothing to the most powerful nation on earth --> gatsby came from nothing to become extremely rich and successful (American Dream)
• he is an unashamed social climber