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The Great Gatsby

A closer look at chapter one…

The Development of Three Central Attributes of the Novel

Here Tom epitomizes the idea that the Old World, European ways are not gone in the New World. He is like ‘American Royalty’ who amasses his estate thanks to his birthright, as opposed to his talents and efforts. His accomplishments at Yale are not academic nor are they founded in discovering a calling or purpose in his life. He spent money and the defining moment of his life is at 21 on the football field.

Attribute 1: Criticism of (not rejection of) Unexamined American Values

- Tom as ‘Old Money”  p. 11 “His family were enormously wealthy…”.

Nick “emigrates” to New York seek opportunity, stating that many others have done likewise. Opportunity awaits and is plentiful enough for all.

Nick as an opportunity seeker (American Dream)

p. 9 “the Middle West now seemed like the ragged edge of the universe – so I decided to go East and learn the bond business. Everybody I knew was in the bond business, so I supposed it could support one more single man.”

In both cases Nick is contemptuous of predictability and ready-made phrases. He goes on to describe Gatsby in wholly original and articulate terms

Attribute #2: Exemplifies Modernism in Literature        

- Nick as valuing originality of expression p. 7. “The intimate revelations of young men, or at least the terms in which they express them, are usually plagiaristic and marred by obvious suppressions” p. 8. “ “This responsiveness had nothing to do with that flabby impressionability which is dignified under the name of the ‘creative temperament’”

No sunrise or dove or flower or biblical light. Why can a green light on the end of a dock not be symbolic?

- The green light as symbolic p. 25. “He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling.  Involuntarily I glanced seaward--and distinguished nothing except a single green light,minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock.”

Fitzgerald contrasts Nick’s newness to life in New York with Jordan’s casual observation about her friend’s adulterous husband.

Attribute #3: Criticism of Changing Values in American Culture - Infidelity and pain as entertainment for the observers p. 20 “ You mean to say you don't know?" said Miss Baker, honestly surprised. "I thought everybody knew.""I don't.""Why----" she said hesitantly, "Tom's got some woman in New York.""Got some woman?" I repeated blankly.Miss Baker nodded."She might have the decency not to telephone him at dinner time. Don't you think?"

Nick and his more traditional small-town, “America’s Heartland” values are presented here in reaction to the evening with Tom, Daisy and Jordan. He distances himself morally from these others. It is hard to tell, though, whether he is recalling his reaction as it was, or inventing it as he looks in retrospect. In spite of his feeling of moral superiority to these characters, he does not entertain the idea of urging Daisy to leave the violent and unfaithful Tom.

- Nick as the moral compass of the novel p. 24 – “I was confused and a little disgusted as I drove away. It seemed to me that the thing for Daisy to do was to rush out of the house, child in arms--but apparently there were no such intentions in her head. As for Tom, the fact that he ‘had some woman in New York’ was really less surprising than that he had been depressed by a book.”