The Green Light

The Green Light is a symbol and also a metaphor in the noval. Situated at the end of Daisy’s East Egg dock and barely visible from Gatsby’s West Egg lawn, the green light represents Gatsby’s hopes and dreams for the future. Gatsby associates it with Daisy, and in Chapter 1 he reaches toward it in the darkness as a guiding light to lead him to his goal. Because Gatsby’s quest for Daisy is broadly associated with the American dream, the green light also symbolizes that more generalized ideal. In Chapter 9, Nick compares the green light to how America, rising out of the ocean, must have looked to early settlers of the new nation.

It also represents represents Gatsby's ultimate aspiration: to win Daisy's love. Nick's first vision of Gatsby is of his neighbor's trembling arms stretched out toward the green light (26). Later, after Daisy and Gatsby's successful reunion, a mist conceals the green light, visibly affecting Gatsby. Nick observes, "Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever....Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one" (98). This image suggests Gatsby realizes he must face the reality of Daisy, rather than the ideal he created for her.

Source: http://www.novelguide.com/thegreatgatsby/metaphoranalysis.html

Dan Cody

As time goes by, a reporter was curious of Gatsby's past and reveals"Dan Cody." Gatsby was originally born in North Dakota, on a farm. His original name was James Gatz. He also attended college there but dropped out after being humiliated for his janitorial work that paid for his tuition. After he dropped out, he worked at Lake Superior where he fished for Salmon and clams.

One day while at work he spotted a yacht which was owned by Dan Cody. Dan was a wealthy and rich man. Dan warned Gatsby of a storm that was approaching and took him into his services as a personal assistant on his journey's in the yacht. After he took him in, he names him Jay Gatsby. He was in charge of taking care of Dan when he was drunk. When Cody died, he left money to Gatsby but his mistress did not allow the money to go to him. After this incident he was committed to work hard and become a wealthy man.

Source:http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gatsby/section6.rhtml

The Great Gatsby film versions

The Great Gatsby is a 1974 American romantic drama film distributed by Newdon Productions and Paramount Pictures. It was directed by Jack Clayton and produced by David Merrick, from a screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola based on the novel of the same title by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The film is the 3rd filmed version of the novel.

The film won two Academy Awards, for Best Costume Design (Theoni V. Aldredge) and Best Music (Nelson Riddle). It also won three BAFTA Awards for Best Art Direction (John Box), Best Cinematography (Douglas Slocombe) and Best Costume Design (Theoni V. Aldredge). It won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress (Karen Black) and received three further nominations for Best Supporting Actor (Bruce Dern and Sam Waterston) and Most Promising Newcomer (Sam Waterston).

Cast:

• Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby A.K.A. James Gatz
• Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan
• Bruce Dern as Tom Buchanan
• Karen Black as Myrtle Wilson
• Scott Wilson as George B. Wilson
• Sam Waterston as Nick Carraway
• Lois Chiles as Jordan Baker
• Edward Herrmann as Ewing Klipspringer
• Sammy Smith as Comic
• Kathryn Leigh Scott as Catherine
• Vincent Schiavelli as Thin Man
• Roberts Blossom as Mr. Gatz
• Beth Porter as Mrs. McKee
• Howard Da Silva as Meyer Wolfsheim
• Patsy Kensit as Pammy Buchanan

Source: http://www.contactmusic.com/new/film.nsf/reviews/thegreatgatsby

East Egg vs. West Egg

East Egg

Map of Both Eggs

Gatsby Mansion

East Egg and West Egg are both prefect size ovals and are separated by a bay. There are many things that were different between these two eggs. East Egg is known for being more fashionable group, and is known to be the "old money" because the people that lived there already had money. West Egg was where all the newly rich people lived, also known as "new money" because the people there worked hard and made earned their money.

In the Great Gatsby, Daisy and Tom are perfect examples of people that live in East Egg because both of them were born and raised in a wealthy family and lived in the upper class. The people in East Egg are known to be spoiled, and to have no mortality. As for West Egg, where Jay Gatsby and Nick lived, there life styles were way different then East Egger's. Jay Gatsby represented "new money" because he had recently made his money threw corrupt business dealing. People in West Egg were honest people with morals. But as the story goes on, it seems like West Egg was trying to fit in with the East Egg by spending money on not needed items.

Source: http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2006/5/23/94857/9061

Jealousy

Jealousy is an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, such as a relationship, friendship, or love. Jealousy often consists of a combination of emotions such as anger, sadness, and disgust. It is not to be confused with envy.

Jealousy makes Daisy keep bringing Tom along to Gatsby’s parties even if she is truly devoted to Gatsby. She flaunts her love affair in front of Tom. Tom is having an affair. Everyone knows about it. She wants her revenge. However, she never plans on leaving him. Daisy after all is human. This explains why when Gatsby forces the confrontation, she backs down.

At the hotel room in New York, Tom strikes Myrtle across the mouth, and he is demeaning toward George Wilson at his garage. Later, he manipulates George by playing upon his hatred and jealousy of Gatsby by leading Wilson to believe that Gatsby, as the lover of Myrtle, is responsible for her death -- a strategic play in order for him to "win" and save Daisy's reputation.

Source: http://www.echeat.com/essay.php?t=27130

Gangsters & Mafias of the 1920's

Al Capone

Jay Gatsby

Bonnie&Clyde

Speakeasies

Gangsters were people that took part in illegal actions, and a group of them was known as a mafia. The mafia was known to be engaged in many illegal activities such as smuggling, racketeering, and murders. In 1920's after prohibition which banned alcohol, more gang related activities were occurring. Gang members in the 1920's were involved in bootlegging and bank robberies.

Al Capone, Bonnie & Clyde, and John Dillinger were one of the most notorious criminals of their time period. Al Capone smuggled and bootlegged liquor since it was illegal in the 1920's. He had opened up many illegal bars in Chicago. He was sent to Federal prison, and stayed some time Alcatraz prison, for tax fraud.

In the Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby who is one of the man characters in the novel is involved in gang related activities. Jay and Mr. Wolfsheim are involved in smuggling and bootlegging liquor. The whole time in the book, Jay lies about how he is so rich, and at the end he reveals his true identity.

Source: http://www.online-literature.com/fitzgerald/greatgatsby/9/

Unrequited Love

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