Exam Revision Flashcards
American Dream
Jay Gatsby follows the ‘American Dream’ – that anyone can become anything – by creating a new image and identity for himself.
Roaring Twenties
Gatsby’s life of reckless pleasure-seeking reflects the glamour of the ‘Roaring Twenties’.
Lost Generation
Nick, Gatsby and Daisy can be seen as part of the ‘Lost Generation’ – although glamorous they are restless and dissatisfied with life.
Consumer society
The characters inhabit a consumerist society dominated by fashion and new technology such as the photograph.
Form
Modernist novel: he adopted a narrative form characterised by economy of expression and clarity of design and to develop his themes through a method of implication rather than by explicit statement.
Chapter 3 (Rising action)
Many events start heightening the action. Nick gets to know Gatsby and is fascinated by his lifestyle. Nick hears unsavoury rumours about Gatsby, During the party, a car crash outside which is an omen of dark things to happen .
Chapter 4 (Rising action)
Gatsby visits Nick’s house for the first time, and talks of his wartime experiences. They travel into the city, where Gatsby introduces Nick to Meyer Wolfshiem. Later Jordan tells Nick about Daisy’s past, her brief love affair with gatsby, and her subsequent marriage to Tom.
Chapter 6 (Rising action)
Nick reveals more about Gatsby’s past, his humble origins and his time with Dan Cody. The Buchanans attend one of Gatsby’s parties, and the growing tension between Tom and his host is evident.
Chapter 7 (Falling Action)
Falling Action: Daisy, in confusion over the brawl of the two men in her life, drives her car recklessly. Myrtle, thinking it is Tom driving the car, suddenly appears in the road. Daisy hits her and Myrtle dies on the spot.
Chapter 9 (Epilogue)
Nick’s meditation on the original settlers’ vision of America and Gatsby’s failure to realise his dream.
Freytag’s Pyramid
time, chronology, point of view.
