The Enigmatic Jay Gatsby
Jay Gatsby, the titular character of "The Great Gatsby", is a mysterious and complex figure whose true identity and background are subjects of much speculation and rumor throughout the novel.
Rumors about Gatsby:
- Suspected of being a German spy
- Believed to have killed a man
- Claimed to have been in the American army
- Rumored to have attended Oxford University
- Thought to have grown up in Germany
Highlight: The various rumors surrounding Gatsby contribute to his mystique and reflect the fascination of society with wealth and success.
Gatsby at his parties:
- Often seen alone at the top of his marble stairs
- Does not drink alcohol
- Appears polite and elegant
- Chooses his words carefully
- Uses phrases like "old sport" to address others
- Shows little interest in the women at his parties
- Prefers to talk with Jordan Baker and Nick Carraway
Quote: "He smiled understandingly—much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life."
Physical description of Gatsby:
- Aged 30-31 years old
- Has short, well-trimmed hair
- Described as having "nothing sinister" about him
Gatsby's character traits:
- Ambitious and determined
- Obsessed with recreating the past
- Idealistic, especially regarding his love for Daisy
- Somewhat naïve in his belief in the power of wealth to achieve his dreams
Example: Gatsby's transformation from a poor boy to a millionaire exemplifies the American Dream, but his methods and motivations reveal the darker side of this ideal.
Themes embodied by Gatsby:
- The corruption of the American Dream
- The power and limitations of wealth
- The conflict between past and present
- The destructive nature of obsessive love
Vocabulary: Nouveau riche - People who have recently acquired wealth, often viewed as lacking the refinement of old money families.
Gatsby's character serves as a critique of the American Dream, showing how the pursuit of wealth and status can lead to moral compromise and ultimately, tragedy. His doomed love for Daisy Buchanan drives the plot and illustrates the novel's themes of love, obsession, and the impossibility of recapturing the past.
Quote: "Can't repeat the past?... Why of course you can!" This quote from Gatsby encapsulates his tragic flaw - the belief that he can recreate a perfect moment from his past through the accumulation of wealth and status.