GLiterary context Flashcards
What genres does The Great Gatsby belong to?
The Great Gatsby incorporates elements of tragedy, realism, modernism, and social satire. It critiques 1920s American excess while portraying Gatsby’s downfall as a tragic figure.
Why is The Great Gatsby considered a tragedy?
The novel follows Gatsby’s pursuit of an unattainable dream, leading to his ultimate downfall and death. His tragic flaw is his idealistic obsession with recreating the past.
How does The Great Gatsby fit into the genre of realism?
Fitzgerald sets the novel in a recognizable version of New York, referencing real places like the Plaza Hotel and events like the 1919 World Series. The novel also depicts realistic social issues like infidelity and class struggle.
In what ways is The Great Gatsby a modernist novel?
The novel explores themes of alienation, disillusionment, and the decline of traditional values. It also employs a fragmented narrative structure and an unreliable narrator.
Why is The Great Gatsby considered a social satire?
Fitzgerald mocks the shallow, materialistic culture of the wealthy elite in the 1920s. Through irony and exaggeration, he exposes the moral decay beneath the glamorous facade.
Who is the narrator of The Great Gatsby, and how does this affect the story?
Nick Carraway narrates the story from a retrospective point of view, shaping the reader’s perception of Gatsby. His biases and selective storytelling make him an unreliable narrator.
How does Fitzgerald structure the novel?
The novel follows a non-chronological structure, revealing Gatsby’s past through fragmented memories and second-hand accounts. This structure heightens Gatsby’s mystery and aligns with modernist storytelling techniques.
What is significant about Nick’s retrospective narration?
Nick tells the story two years after the events, meaning his perspective is influenced by memory and personal reflection. His narration is subjective, making Gatsby’s character feel both romanticized and elusive.
How does Fitzgerald create suspense in the novel’s structure?
Gatsby’s identity and past are revealed gradually, keeping the reader intrigued. The novel’s central turning point—Gatsby and Daisy’s reunion—marks the shift from hope to inevitable tragedy.
Why does Fitzgerald not use Gatsby as the narrator?
By having Nick narrate, Fitzgerald adds an outsider’s perspective, allowing Gatsby to remain mysterious. This also creates room for irony, as Nick sometimes misinterprets events or omits key details.
What does the green light symbolize?
The green light represents Gatsby’s dreams and his longing for Daisy. It also symbolizes the unattainable nature of the American Dream.
How does The Great Gatsby critique the American Dream?
The novel portrays the American Dream as a hollow pursuit, where wealth and status fail to bring true happiness. Gatsby’s downfall highlights how the dream is ultimately unattainable.
What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize?
The Valley of Ashes represents moral and social decay, as well as the consequences of wealth inequality. It is where the lower class suffers while the wealthy thrive.
Why is Gatsby’s car significant in the novel?
Gatsby’s flashy car symbolizes his wealth and status but also becomes the instrument of Myrtle’s death. This event ultimately leads to Gatsby’s own demise, reinforcing the theme of fate.
What role do clocks and time play in the novel?
Clocks symbolize Gatsby’s obsession with the past and his desire to stop time. When he knocks over a clock during his reunion with Daisy, it foreshadows the impossibility of reliving their past love.
How is Jay Gatsby characterized in the novel?
Gatsby is a self-made millionaire who is obsessed with rekindling his past romance with Daisy. His idealism and pursuit of an illusion ultimately lead to his downfall.
What is significant about Daisy Buchanan’s character?
Daisy represents beauty, charm, and wealth, but she is also shallow and careless. She ultimately chooses security with Tom over love with Gatsby.
How does Nick Carraway describe himself?
Nick claims to be honest and non judgmental, yet he often contradicts himself. His reliability as a narrator is questionable, as he withholds information and shows bias.
What role does Tom Buchanan play in the novel?
Tom is the embodiment of old money privilege, arrogance, and entitlement. He is aggressive, hypocritical, and unwilling to accept responsibility for his actions.
Who is Jordan Baker, and what does she represent?
Jordan is a professional golfer and friend of Daisy’s, known for her dishonesty. She represents the superficiality and cynicism of the upper class.
What does Gatsby’s mansion symbolize?
Gatsby’s extravagant mansion symbolizes his desire to impress Daisy and recreate the past. It also represents the emptiness of wealth, as it becomes meaningless without her.
How does Fitzgerald use colors as symbols in the novel?
Colors like green (hope), gold (wealth), and gray (decay) reinforce major themes. The contrast between these colors highlights the novel’s critique of social class and materialism.
Why is the billboard of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg important?
The billboard’s faded eyes symbolize a godlike presence watching over the characters. It represents the moral decay of society and the lack of true divine judgment.
What does Gatsby’s dream represent?
Gatsby’s dream represents the larger American Dream—hope, ambition, and self-made success. However, it is ultimately unattainable and built on illusion.
