Quotes - Great Gatsby Flashcards
Memory
I hope she’ll be a fool - thats the best thing a girl can be in this world, is a beautiful fool
Characterisation: The quote reflects the speaker’s (Daisy Buchanan’s) perspective on femininity and societal expectations in the 1920s. By wishing for her daughter to be a “fool,” Daisy reveals her own disillusionment with the world she inhabits. It suggests that ignorance may be a form of protection against the harsh realities of life, particularly for women.
Irony: There is a profound irony in Daisy’s hope for her daughter. While a “fool” may seem like a simplistic or naive state, it also implies a lack of awareness and agency. Daisy’s statement suggests that the world is so cruel and unforgiving that being oblivious might be preferable to facing its challenges.
Symbolic: The term “fool” symbolizes the societal roles that women are often confined to. In the context of the novel, it reflects the limited options available to women and the idea that beauty and charm can be more valuable than intelligence or ambition.
Juxtaposition: The juxtaposition of “beautiful” and “fool” highlights the cultural value placed on physical appearance over intelligence or autonomy. It underscores the tension between societal expectations and individual potential.
So we drive on towards death through the cooling twilight
Imagery: The phrase “cooling twilight” evokes a vivid visual and sensory image. Twilight suggests the transition between day and night, symbolizing change, uncertainty, and the passage of time. The word “cooling” can imply a sense of calmness or a waning intensity, enhancing the feeling of approaching the end of something, possibly life itself.
Symbolism: Both “twilight” and “death” serve as significant symbols in literature. Twilight often represents the end of a phase, be it day or metaphorically, life. Death is a universal theme that resonates with the inevitability of mortality. The juxtaposition of these symbols suggests a journey that is not only physical but also existential, highlighting the transient nature of life.
Metaphor: The entire phrase can be interpreted as a metaphor for life itself. The “drive” symbolizes the journey of life, and the “cooling twilight” represents the latter stages of life, leading ultimately to death. This metaphor invites deeper reflection on how we navigate our lives and the acceptance of our mortality.
And i like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties their isn’t any privacy
Irnoy: The statement contains a significant irony. Typically, large parties are perceived as impersonal and chaotic, while small gatherings are often seen as more intimate and private. Fitzgerald flips this expectation by suggesting that large parties create a sense of intimacy, while small parties lack privacy. This irony opens up a discussion about the nature of social interactions and the complexities of human behavior.
Paradox: The quote presents a paradox: that large parties can feel intimate despite their size. This contradiction invites readers to think critically about what intimacy means in social contexts. It challenges conventional wisdom and provokes thought about how people connect with one another in various settings.
Jaxtaposition: Fitzgerald contrasts large and small parties, highlighting the differences in atmosphere and emotional experience. The use of “large” and “small” sets up a dichotomy that underlines the complexities of social gatherings. This contrast emphasizes the unexpected nature of the speaker’s preference and suggests that social dynamics can be unpredictable.
Ambiguity: The phrase “so intimate” is ambiguous and can be interpreted in multiple ways. It prompts readers to question what intimacy means—does it refer to the sense of connection one can find in a crowd, or is it a commentary on the superficial nature of large gatherings? This ambiguity allows for various interpretations and deeper engagement with the text.
“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy-they smashed up things and… then retreated back into their money… and let other people clean up the mess they made”
Characterisation:The phrase “careless people” directly characterizes Tom and Daisy Buchanan. This description reveals their moral irresponsibility and lack of accountability for their actions. By labeling them as “careless,” Fitzgerald emphasizes their superficiality and the destructive impact of their privilege.
Imagery:The imagery of “smashed up things” evokes a sense of chaos and destruction. It paints a vivid picture of the havoc Tom and Daisy wreak in their lives and the lives of others. This imagery serves to illustrate the consequences of their carelessness and the collateral damage inflicted on those around them.
Symbolism: The phrase “retreated back into their money” symbolizes the security and comfort that wealth provides to Tom and Daisy. Their wealth acts as a fortress that shields them from the repercussions of their actions, highlighting a central theme of the novel: the corrupting influence of wealth and its ability to create moral detachment.
Juxtaposition: The contrast between the destructive actions of Tom and Daisy and their retreat into the safety of their wealth sharpens the critique of the American Dream. While they enjoy a life of luxury, their actions lead to suffering for others, underscoring the disparity between the rich and the poor and the moral decay lurking beneath the surface of their glamorous lives.
Metaphor:The phrase “let other people clean up the mess they made” serves as a metaphor for societal inequality. It suggests that the consequences of the Buchanans’ actions are borne by the less fortunate, representing the broader social dynamics where the wealthy often evade responsibility for their actions.
“I am still a little afraid of missing something if i forgot that, as my father snobbishly suggested, and I snobbishly repeated, a sense of the fundamental decencies is paralleled out unearthly at birth”
Paradox: The phrase “a sense of the fundamental decencies is paralleled out unearthly at birth” presents a paradox. The idea that fundamental decencies are both inherent at birth yet can be described as “unearthly” suggests a tension between natural instincts and societal expectations. This reflects the complexity of human morality and behavior.
Inroy: The self-awareness in the acknowledgment of snobbery creates an ironic distance. The speaker is aware of their own pretentiousness while also grappling with deeper philosophical questions. This irony invites the reader to consider the contradictions inherent in social conduct and personal beliefs.
Syntax: The structure of the sentence is complex, with multiple clauses that reflect the speaker’s tangled thoughts. This convoluted syntax mirrors the intricacies of human consciousness and the struggle to articulate profound ideas.
Themes: The overarching theme of the quote revolves around the nature of decency and morality. It suggests that while certain moral principles may be innate, they are also influenced by societal perceptions and individual upbringing. The reference to the father adds a layer of familial influence on the speaker’s beliefs.
“Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had”
Paradox: The quote presents a paradox by suggesting that the act of criticism, often seen as a demonstration of superiority, should be tempered by the recognition of others’ disadvantages. This juxtaposition invites the reader to reconsider their instinct to criticize, revealing a deeper moral lesson about empathy and understanding
Juxtaposition: Fitzgerald contrasts “the people in this world” with “you,” emphasizing the differences in experiences and privileges. This stark comparison serves to highlight the arbitrary nature of advantages and the importance of humility in judgment.
“Let us learn to show our friendship for a man when is alive and not after he is dead”
Juxtaposition: The juxtaposition of “when he is alive” and “after he is dead” creates a stark contrast that underscores the theme of mortality. This contrast highlights the often overlooked reality that friendships and affections should be expressed in the present rather than being relegated to the past, especially when it is too late.
Moral Lesson: The quote serves as a moral lesson, urging individuals to value their relationships and to be vocal about their feelings. This didactic element is a common feature in literature, where authors use their work to impart wisdom or ethical considerations to readers.
“Gatsby Believed in the green light, The orgastic future that year by year recedes before us”
Symbolism: The Green Light: The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams for the future, particularly his desire for Daisy and the American Dream. It represents an unattainable goal that constantly eludes him, reflecting the broader theme of the elusive nature of the American Dream.
Juxtaposition: The phrase “that year by year recedes before us” juxtaposes the idea of hope and the inevitability of disappointment. The use of “recedes” implies that as time passes, Gatsby’s dreams become increasingly distant, highlighting the transient nature of ambition and the harsh reality that dreams often remain out of reach.
Foreshadowing: The mention of the green light hints at the futility of Gatsby’s pursuits and foreshadows the tragic outcome of his relentless quest for a future that is perpetually just beyond his grasp. This device sets the tone for the novel’s exploration of unattainable desires.
“there are only the pursued, the pursing and the busy and the tried”
Juxtaposition: of Pursued and The Pursing presents an interesenting antithesis. The pursued are those who are sought after, while the pursing are those who actively seek. this contrast highlights the dynamic nature of relationships and ambition, suggesting a cycle of desire and intention that exsists in human interaction.
Themes: Ambition, desire and human conditions, reflects the dynamics of relationships between individuals in society, suggesting that everyone plays a role in a layer narrative of pursuit and effort.
“Can’t repeat the past?…Why of course you can!”
Irnoy: the statment is irnoic. The speaker Gatsby is expressing a strong belief that once can recreate or return to a previous state of happiness or love, despite the impossibility of truly repreating past experiances. this tension between hope and reality is central in the novel’s themes.
Rhetorical Qs?: implies that Nick belives the answer is obvious and affirmative. this device engages the reader and reflects Gatsby’s naive optimism.
Characterisation: Encapsulates Gatsby’s character. reveals his romantic idealism and his inabiliy to accept the passage of time and change - Tragic flaw of unattainable dream
Theme of Time: tension between past and present. Gatsby’s belief that he can recreate the past speaks to the larger narraitive of the American Dream and the illusion of recapturing lost ideals
Symbolism: “the past” symbolises not just a specific set of memories or experieances but also the broader notion of nostalgia and the human desire to return to a time when things seemed better or simplier. this longing is a driving force in the novel
“I wasn’t actually in love, but i felt a sort of tender curiosity”
Ambiguity: The phrase “said to be their husbands” introduces an element of doubt or uncertainty. This ambiguity raises questions about the nature of their relationships. It suggests that the men may not truly embody the traditional role of a husband, hinting at possible disillusionment or estrangement. This can reflect broader themes of identity and the authenticity of relationships
Characterisation: The mention of “remaining women” hints at a larger narrative where these women have been through significant trials. It characterizes them as resilient yet possibly weary, suggesting that their fights with their husbands are not merely personal conflicts but also indicative of larger societal issues.
“Reserving judgment is a matter of infinite hope”
Paradox: “infinite hope” suggests juxtaposition between the concepts of hope which is often considered boundless or limitless and the act of reversing judgement which implies a form of restrainy or hesitance. this creates a paradox as hope is typicaly assciated with action and forward movement, while reserving judgement suggests caution and contemplation
Theme of Hope and Empathy:
Imagery:
Motif Of Cars
Motif of Cars symbolise the materialism and selfishness behaviour of 1920s America.
Daisy and Tom Buchanan are careless people, and the blue coupe repesents that they are from old money, and Gatsby Yellow tacky car represent new money.
Car accident represents the recklessness and negligence of the weathly class
No consequences
“I want to get one of those apartments. They are nice to have - a dog”
Juxtaposition: The apartment juxaposes the dog as it highlights the contast between materialisic desire and emotional needs. apparement represent status and class and dog represents emotional desire for love and connection
and example of Myrtle Wilson reaching for the American Dream and her being Naive in loving and beliveingTom Buchanan
Imagery
Symbolism
Social status and Relationshiop dynamics
“Most of the remaining women were now having fights with men, said to be their husbands”
Juxtaposition: living and the dead. The Juxtaposition of “when he is alive” and ”after he is dead” emphasies the importance of recognising and valuing relationships while they are still be nurtered. This contrast evokes a sense of regret and highlights the often neglected opportunities to express affection and support.
Philosophical Undertone: nature of human relationships, suggesting that true freindship requires recognition and validation in the present moment, how to treat those we care about
