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The Great Gatsby in 10 Minutes
Introduction
Jay Gatsby
Daisy Buchanan
Nick Carraway
Tom Buchanan
Jordan Baker
The Mysterious Jay Gatsby
The Rekindling of Old Flames
The Love Triangle
The Tragic Accident
The Betrayal
The Betrayal
The Tragic End
The Funeral
The Green Light
Lesson Details & Resources
In a Nutshell
- What: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- When: Written in the 1920s
- Who: Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, Daisy Buchanan
- Theme: The decline of the American Dream, the superficiality of the wealthy, and the consequences of obsession and unattainable dreams
List of Characters in The Great Gatsby
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Jay Gatsby
Jay Gatsby is a mysterious, wealthy man who throws extravagant parties in the hopes of winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan.
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Nick Carraway
Nick Carraway is the narrator of the story and becomes involved in the lives of his wealthy neighbors, including Gatsby and the Buchanans.
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Daisy Buchanan
Daisy Buchanan is a beautiful and shallow woman who is torn between her love for Gatsby and her comfortable but unhappy marriage to Tom.
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Tom Buchanan
Tom Buchanan is Daisy's wealthy and arrogant husband who is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson.
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Jordan Baker
Jordan Baker is a professional golfer and friend of Daisy's who becomes romantically involved with Nick Carraway.
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Myrtle Wilson
Myrtle Wilson is Tom Buchanan's mistress who is unhappy in her marriage to George Wilson.
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George Wilson
George Wilson is Myrtle's husband and the owner of a run-down garage in the valley of ashes.
Timeline of The Great Gatsby
Nick Carraway moves to West Egg and becomes neighbors with Jay Gatsby
Nick attends one of Gatsby's extravagant parties and learns about his mysterious background
Nick reunites with his cousin Daisy Buchanan and her husband Tom, who live in East Egg
Gatsby reveals his love for Daisy and asks Nick to help him reconnect with her
Gatsby and Daisy rekindle their romance, causing tension between Daisy and Tom
Tom discovers Gatsby's criminal activities and reveals them to Daisy
Daisy struggles to choose between Gatsby and Tom
A tragic accident occurs, leading to Gatsby's death
Daisy and Tom leave town, and Gatsby's funeral is attended by only a few people
Nick reflects on the events of the summer and the emptiness of the wealthy elite
Nick decides to move back to the Midwest, leaving behind the world of West Egg and East Egg
Vocabulary List
- Bootlegger
- Gatsby is rumored to have made his fortune as a bootlegger, selling illegal alcohol during Prohibition.
- Flapper
- Daisy Buchanan is described as a flapper, a young woman known for her unconventional behavior in the 1920s.
- Old money
- Tom Buchanan comes from old money, a term used to describe families with long-standing wealth and social status.
- Jazz age
- The Great Gatsby is set during the Jazz Age, a period in the 1920s known for its lively music and social change.
- East Egg
- The Buchanans live in East Egg, a fictional town in The Great Gatsby that represents old money and tradition.
- West Egg
- Gatsby's mansion is located in West Egg, a fictional town in The Great Gatsby that represents new money and ambition.
- Green light
- The green light at the end of Daisy's dock symbolizes Gatsby's hope and longing for a future with Daisy.
- Valley of Ashes
- The Valley of Ashes is a desolate area between West Egg and New York City, symbolizing moral decay and the consequences of the pursuit of wealth.
- Gatsby's parties
- Gatsby's extravagant parties are a symbol of the excess and shallowness of the wealthy elite in The Great Gatsby.
- American Dream
- The American Dream, the idea that anyone can achieve success and prosperity through hard work, is a central theme in The Great Gatsby.
Key Facts
This is the information used in the fact matching game
- - The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
- - It was published in 1925 and is set in the 1920s.
- - The story takes place in the fictional town of West Egg on Long Island, New York.
- - The narrator of the novel is Nick Carraway, who becomes friends with the mysterious Jay Gatsby.
- - Gatsby is known for throwing extravagant parties at his mansion.
- - The novel explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream.
- - Gatsby is deeply in love with Daisy Buchanan, who is married to Tom Buchanan.
- - Tom Buchanan is a wealthy and arrogant man who represents the old money elite.
- - The green light at the end of Daisy's dock symbolizes Gatsby's longing for her.
- - Gatsby made his fortune through illegal activities, including bootlegging.
- - The Valley of Ashes, a desolate industrial area, represents the decay of the American Dream.
- - Myrtle Wilson is Tom's mistress and is married to George Wilson, a mechanic.
- - The novel ends tragically with the death of both Gatsby and George Wilson.
- - Gatsby's funeral is attended by only a few people, highlighting the emptiness of his wealthy lifestyle.
- - The Great Gatsby is considered one of the greatest American novels.
- - It is often studied in schools and universities for its themes and literary techniques.
- - The novel explores the shallowness and moral decay of the Jazz Age.
- - F. Scott Fitzgerald drew inspiration from his own experiences and observations of the wealthy elite.
- - The Great Gatsby has been adapted into several films, including a 2013 version starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
- - Fitzgerald's portrayal of the American Dream in the novel continues to resonate with readers today.
Analysis & Significance
Impact on Literature
‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald has had a profound impact on literature, particularly in the way it explores the American Dream and the decadence of the Jazz Age. Its use of symbolism and complex characters set a new standard for storytelling, influencing countless writers to delve deeper into the human psyche and societal critiques.
Enduring Themes
The timeless themes of love, wealth, and the pursuit of happiness in ‘The Great Gatsby’ still resonate with modern audiences today. The novel’s exploration of the emptiness of materialism and the consequences of living in pursuit of an unattainable dream continue to be relevant in our society, making it a classic that stands the test of time.
Cultural Significance Today
‘The Great Gatsby’ remains a staple in American literature and popular culture, with numerous adaptations in film, television, and theater. Its themes of love, betrayal, and the corruption of the American Dream continue to captivate audiences, proving its enduring legacy. The novel’s impact on popular culture can be seen in everything from music to fashion, solidifying its place as a cultural touchstone in today’s society.
The Great Gatsby Games
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