The Great Gatsby A Level Notes

General Notes

Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Set in New York in the Prohibation Era.

Post WWI.

Set in the 1920's (Summer of 1922)

Themes

Society and Class

Love

Visions of America

Wealth

The past & memories

Dissatisfaction

Isolation

Mortality

Marriage

Gender

Lies & Deciet

Education

Compassion & forgiveness

Religion

Materialism.

The Wall Street Crash

Characters

Narrated by Nick Carraway, a 30 year old Yale Graduate and veteran.

'Nick' is based on Fitzgerald's actual feelings about the 1920's.

Nick lives next door to Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionare who's lavish parties and lifestyle does not bode well with Nick.

Daisy Faye is the love interest of Gatsby. She is Nick's second cousin, once removed and later marries Tom Bucanan.

Tom Bucanan is a millionare former football star at Yale. He is the husband of Daisy.

Jordan Baker is Daisy's friend and Nick's girlfriend. She is a proffesional golfer and has a shady reputation.

George B. Wilson is a mechanic and owner of a garage. Both Tom and George's wife Myrtle think him as dumb.

Myrtle Wilson is George's wife and Tom's Mistress.

Chapter One