Jay Gatsby Flashcards
What is Gatsby’s main catchphrase and where does it originate from?
“old sport”
Gatsby adopts this catchphrase, which was used among wealthy people in England and America at the time, to help build up his image as a man from old money, which is related to his frequent insistence he is “an Oxford man.”
What does Nick describe Gatsby as being in chapter 5 and why is it significant?
“He was running down like an overwound clock.” (5.114)
For the first time, we see Gatsby’s genuine emotions, rather than his carefully-constructed persona
. Gatsby is running down “like an overwound clock.” In that sense, this moment gently foreshadows the escalating tensions that lead to the novel’s tragic climax.
Gatsby’s single most famous line and what it shows about his character. HINT: past
“Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!”
shows his naiveté and optimism, even delusion, about what is possible in his life.
What is Gatsby’s quote when arguing with Tom about how Daisy never loved him and what does it mean?
“Your wife doesn’t love you,” said Gatsby. “She’s never loved you. She loves me.” (7.238)
This is the moment Gatsby lays his cards out on the table, so to speak – he risks everything to try and win over Daisy. His insistence that Daisy never loved Tom also reveals how Gatsby refuses to acknowledge Daisy could have changed or loved anyone else since they were together in Louisville.
What is Nicks final analysis of Gatsby?
“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.”
Our last image of Gatsby is of a man who believed in a world (and a future) that was better than the one he found himself in
Gatsby lying about how he makes his money in chapter 5 to Nick and the implications of this
‘I think he hardly knew what he was saying, for when I asked him what business he was in he answered, “That’s my affair,” before he realized that it wasn’t the appropriate reply.’
Gatsby may be lying but he is not very good at this and in Nick’s eyes this makes him more honest that half of the liars and fakers around him
Gatsby talking about Daisy and making excuses for her behavior to suit himself in chapter 8 and what this shows about Gatsby
“You must remember, old sport, she was very excited this afternoon… and the result was she hardly knew what she was saying”
making excuses for her behavior to suit himself. Gatsby actually rewrites the past to make it look like his version of events. he wants to keep hold of Daisy and wants her to say yes, but she really does mean no this time
Gatsby yet again making excuses for Daisy and implications
“Yes,” he said after a moment, “but of course I’ll say I was. You see, when we left New York she was very nervous and she thought it would steady her to drive”
gatsby immediately takes the blame- means daisy never has to take responsibility for her actions and never has the chance to grow up
Daisy and money quote and what it means
‘her voice is full of money’
the point is that money isn’t something you can separate from the body. If you’re born with money, you’re actually born with money. That’s why everyone knows Gatsby’s faking it.
MONEY IS AN INNATE PART OF HER
