The Great Gatsby | F. Scott Fitzgerald | Cliff Note Books

The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and published in 1925, is a classic American novel set during the Roaring Twenties. It explores themes such as the pursuit of the American Dream, the excesses of wealth, and the disillusionment of the era.

The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest who moves to the fictional village of West Egg on Long Island, New York. Nick rents a house next to the opulent mansion of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire known for throwing lavish parties.

Nick’s cousin Daisy Buchanan and her husband Tom live across the bay in the more elite East Egg. Tom, a wealthy and arrogant man, is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson, whose husband George owns a garage in the desolate “valley of ashes.”

As Nick becomes acquainted with Gatsby, he learns that Gatsby is in love with Daisy, whom he had met before he left to fight in World War I. Gatsby’s fortune and extravagant lifestyle were built solely to impress and win Daisy back. Gatsby and Daisy eventually rekindle their love affair, but Tom grows suspicious and confronts Gatsby, revealing that Gatsby’s wealth comes from illegal activities.

The situation spirals out of control when Myrtle, thinking Tom is in Gatsby’s car, runs out into the road and is struck and killed by the vehicle. Tom tells George that Gatsby was driving the car, and George, seeking revenge, shoots and kills Gatsby before taking his own life.

In the aftermath, Nick is disillusioned by the moral decay and emptiness of the wealthy society surrounding him. He arranges Gatsby’s funeral but finds that few people attend, despite Gatsby’s many so-called friends. Disenchanted, Nick decides to return to the Midwest, reflecting on the tragic tale of Gatsby and the illusion of the American Dream.

Characters

Quotes

Themes

Symbollism

Author

Summaries

CHARACTERS

1. Jay Gatsby (James Gatz): The enigmatic and wealthy protagonist who throws extravagant parties at his West Egg mansion in an effort to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan.
2. Nick Carraway: The novel’s narrator and Gatsby’s neighbor. A young man from the Midwest, Nick is both involved in and critical of the extravagant lifestyle of the wealthy characters around him. He is also Daisy’s cousin.
3. Daisy Buchanan: A beautiful and wealthy woman from East Egg who is married to Tom Buchanan. Gatsby’s former lover, she becomes involved with him again, leading to tragic consequences.
4. Tom Buchanan: Daisy’s wealthy and arrogant husband, who comes from old money. He is unfaithful to Daisy and becomes an antagonist to Gatsby.
5. Jordan Baker: A professional golfer and friend of Daisy’s. She becomes romantically involved with Nick, and her dishonesty and carelessness are representative of the moral decay of the time.
6. Myrtle Wilson: Tom Buchanan’s mistress, who is married to George Wilson. She lives in the valley of ashes and is desperate to escape her unhappy life.
7. George Wilson: Myrtle’s husband and the owner of a garage in the valley of ashes. He is a hardworking and honest man, whose life is ultimately destroyed by the actions of the wealthy characters.
8. Meyer Wolfsheim: A shady businessman and friend of Gatsby’s, who is rumored to have been involved in fixing the 1919 World Series. His character represents the criminal underworld and the source of Gatsby’s wealth.
9. Owl Eyes: A mysterious partygoer at Gatsby’s mansion who is fascinated by Gatsby’s extensive library. He is one of the few people who attend Gatsby’s funeral.
10. Klipspringer: A parasitic guest who lives at Gatsby’s mansion, taking advantage of his hospitality. He represents the superficial and self-serving nature of many of Gatsby’s so-called friends.

QUOTES

1. “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” (Chapter 9)
2. “In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.'” (Chapter 1)
3. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter — tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.” (Chapter 9)
4. “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired.” (Chapter 4)
5. “I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” (Daisy, Chapter 1)
6. “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.” (Chapter 9)
7. “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.” (Chapter 2)
8. “You can’t repeat the past.” (Nick, Chapter 6)
9. “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” (Gatsby, Chapter 6)
10. “It takes two to make an accident.” (Jordan, Chapter 3)

THEMES

1. The American Dream: The novel critiques the idea of the American Dream, presenting it as an elusive and unattainable goal. Gatsby’s pursuit of wealth and love reflects the broader societal pursuit of success, happiness, and upward mobility.
2. Social Class and Stratification: The novel highlights the divisions between the wealthy elite of East Egg, the nouveau riche of West Egg, and the impoverished residents of the “valley of ashes.” It emphasizes the importance of social status and the difficulty of transcending one’s social class.
3. Love and Relationships: The complex relationships between Gatsby, Daisy, Tom, and others in the novel explore themes of love, betrayal, and infidelity. The novel raises questions about the nature of true love and the consequences of pursuing it at any cost.
4. The Roaring Twenties and the Jazz Age: “The Great Gatsby” is set in the 1920s, a period known for its decadence, excess, and materialism. The novel captures the spirit of the era, reflecting the hedonistic lifestyle of the time and the eventual disillusionment that followed.
5. The Corruption of Wealth: The novel portrays wealth as both alluring and corrupting. The characters’ pursuit of wealth often leads to moral decay and ethical compromise, highlighting the darker side of the American Dream.
6. The Past and the Future: The novel explores the relationship between the past and the present, as well as the challenge of letting go of the past. Gatsby’s obsession with recapturing the past ultimately leads to his downfall.
7. Identity and Self-Invention: “The Great Gatsby” addresses the theme of identity and the idea of self-invention. Gatsby, in particular, reinvents himself to achieve his goals, demonstrating the power and limitations of self-creation.
8. Illusion and Reality: The novel examines the distinction between illusion and reality, as Gatsby constructs a glamorous facade that masks the truth about his background and the source of his wealth. This theme also extends to the characters’ relationships, as they struggle with the gap between their idealized visions of each other and the reality of their situations.

SYMBOLLISM

1. The Green Light: The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock represents Gatsby’s hopes and dreams, particularly his pursuit of Daisy and the unattainable ideal of their past love. The light also symbolizes the larger idea of the American Dream and the relentless pursuit of success.
2. The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg: A billboard featuring a pair of bespectacled eyes represents the eyes of God or a higher power watching over the characters’ actions. The eyes serve as a reminder of the moral decay and spiritual emptiness in the world of the novel.
3. The Valley of Ashes: This desolate area between West Egg and New York City symbolizes the moral and social decay resulting from the pursuit of wealth and materialism. It also represents the plight of the poor and the stark contrast between the lives of the rich and the impoverished.
4. East Egg and West Egg: These two fictional Long Island communities represent the division between old money (East Egg) and new money (West Egg). East Egg is associated with sophistication, tradition, and inherited wealth, while West Egg is associated with the nouveau riche and the pursuit of the American Dream.
5. Gatsby’s Mansion: Gatsby’s opulent home symbolizes his wealth, ambition, and desire to impress Daisy. It also represents the superficiality and emptiness of the extravagant lifestyle he has constructed in pursuit of his dreams.
6. Gatsby’s Car: Gatsby’s luxurious yellow car symbolizes his wealth and the excesses of the Jazz Age. The car ultimately becomes an instrument of destruction, leading to the deaths of Myrtle and Gatsby himself.
7. The Color Yellow: Throughout the novel, the color yellow is associated with wealth, corruption, and illusion. Examples include Gatsby’s car, his luxurious parties, and the yellow cocktail music playing in the background.
8. The Color Green: In addition to the green light, the color green is used to represent various aspects of the novel, such as hope, envy, and the characters’ desires for a better life.

AUTHOR

F. Scott Fitzgerald, born Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, was an American novelist and short story writer. He was born on September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Edward Fitzgerald and Mary “Mollie” McQuillan. Fitzgerald is widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century and a key figure of the Jazz Age, a term he himself popularized.

Fitzgerald attended the St. Paul Academy and later the Newman School in New Jersey, where he honed his writing skills. In 1913, he enrolled at Princeton University but struggled academically. He became heavily involved in writing for the university’s literary magazine, the Nassau Lit, and participated in the Triangle Club, a prestigious theater group. Due to his academic difficulties, Fitzgerald left Princeton in 1917 to join the U.S. Army during World War I.

While stationed in Alabama, Fitzgerald met Zelda Sayre, a Southern belle who would later become his wife. They married in 1920, after the publication of his first novel, “This Side of Paradise,” which gained him instant fame and financial success. The couple became well-known for their glamorous and tumultuous lifestyle, embodying the spirit of the Roaring Twenties.

Fitzgerald published several novels, including “The Beautiful and Damned” (1922), “The Great Gatsby” (1925), and “Tender Is the Night” (1934). Although “The Great Gatsby” received mixed reviews upon publication, it is now considered his masterpiece and one of the greatest American novels. He also wrote numerous short stories, many of which were published in popular magazines like The Saturday Evening Post.

Fitzgerald’s heavy drinking and the strain of Zelda’s mental health issues took a toll on their marriage and his writing career. Zelda was eventually hospitalized, and Fitzgerald struggled financially. In the late 1930s, he moved to Hollywood to work as a screenwriter but continued to battle alcoholism.

F. Scott Fitzgerald died of a heart attack on December 21, 1940, at the age of 44. His final novel, “The Last Tycoon,” was unfinished and published posthumously in 1941. Despite facing obscurity at the time of his death, Fitzgerald’s work experienced a resurgence in the 1950s and has since been celebrated for its distinctive style, evocative prose, and insightful portrayal of the American experience.

SUMMARIES

Chapter 1: Nick Carraway, the novel’s narrator, introduces himself and describes his background. He moves to West Egg on Long Island and rents a house next to the mansion of the mysterious Jay Gatsby. Nick’s cousin Daisy Buchanan and her husband Tom invite him to dinner at their home in East Egg, where he meets Jordan Baker, a professional golfer. Tom receives a phone call, which Daisy implies is from his mistress.

Chapter 2: Nick accompanies Tom to New York City. On the way, they stop in the valley of ashes, where they meet George Wilson, the owner of a garage, and his wife Myrtle, who is Tom’s mistress. Tom, Nick, and Myrtle go to an apartment in the city, where they drink and hold a small party with several other guests. Nick becomes increasingly uncomfortable with the situation and drunkenly observes the events.

Chapter 3: Gatsby hosts one of his extravagant parties, and Nick, as Gatsby’s neighbor, attends the event. He meets various guests and hears rumors about Gatsby’s background. Eventually, Nick encounters Gatsby himself, though he doesn’t initially realize who he is. Gatsby and Nick strike up a conversation, and Gatsby takes an interest in him. Later, Nick talks with Jordan, who reveals that Gatsby has a mysterious past with Daisy.

Chapter 4: Gatsby invites Nick to accompany him on a drive to the city. During the drive, Gatsby shares details about his past, which Nick finds dubious. Gatsby also reveals his connections to the underworld, introducing Nick to Meyer Wolfsheim, a notorious gangster. Later, back in West Egg, Jordan tells Nick the story of Gatsby and Daisy’s past romance and how Gatsby wants to rekindle that relationship. Gatsby asks Nick to help arrange a meeting between him and Daisy.

Chapter 5: Nick agrees to help Gatsby and invites Daisy to his house for tea, without revealing that Gatsby will also be present. Gatsby is nervous about the reunion, but when he and Daisy finally meet, they rekindle their lost love. Gatsby invites Daisy and Nick to his mansion, where he shows them his wealth and possessions, hoping to impress Daisy. The connection between Gatsby and Daisy becomes apparent, and they share a tender moment while Nick observes.

Chapter 6: Nick reveals more about Gatsby’s past, including his real name (James Gatz) and his humble beginnings. Gatsby continues to pursue Daisy, despite the fact that she is still married to Tom. Tom and Daisy attend one of Gatsby’s parties, but Tom becomes suspicious of Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship, while Daisy is disillusioned by the party’s vulgarity. Gatsby is disappointed that the evening did not go as he had hoped.

Chapter 7: On a sweltering summer day, Gatsby, Nick, and Jordan are invited to the Buchanans’ home for lunch. Sensing Gatsby’s intentions, Tom confronts him about his relationship with Daisy. Gatsby admits that he is in love with Daisy and insists that she reciprocate his feelings. Daisy struggles to admit her love for Gatsby, and tensions escalate. The group decides to go to the city to escape the heat.

In the city, the confrontation between Tom and Gatsby continues. Daisy is unable to completely renounce her love for Tom, leaving Gatsby heartbroken. The group decides to return to Long Island, with Gatsby and Daisy driving together in Gatsby’s car. On the way, they accidentally hit and kill Myrtle Wilson, Tom’s mistress. They leave the scene, while Tom, Nick, and Jordan later discover the accident.

Chapter 8: Gatsby tells Nick about his and Daisy’s past, revealing that they were once deeply in love before he left for World War I. Meanwhile, George Wilson, devastated by Myrtle’s death, seeks revenge. He learns about the owner of the car that killed her and, believing Gatsby to be the culprit, tracks him down at his mansion. George shoots and kills Gatsby before turning the gun on himself.

Chapter 9: In the aftermath of Gatsby’s death, few people attend his funeral, exposing the shallow nature of his so-called friends. Nick becomes disillusioned with the East Coast lifestyle and the moral decay he has witnessed. He breaks up with Jordan and decides to return to the Midwest. In the novel’s final pages, Nick reflects on Gatsby’s life and the nature of the American Dream.

These chapters bring the novel to its tragic conclusion, as the characters face the consequences of their actions and the true nature of their relationships is revealed. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of wealth and the pursuit of the American Dream.

“The Great Gatsby” is considered a classic in English literature for several reasons:

1. Timeless Themes: The novel explores themes that remain relevant to readers across generations, such as the American Dream, love and relationships, social class, and the corruption of wealth. These themes continue to resonate with contemporary audiences, allowing the book to maintain its relevance and impact.
2. Rich Symbolism: Fitzgerald employs a variety of symbols throughout the novel, such as the green light, the valley of ashes, and the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. These symbols add depth to the story and allow for a more profound exploration of the novel’s themes and characters.
3. Evocative Prose: Fitzgerald’s writing style is often praised for its lyrical and evocative quality, which captures the mood and atmosphere of the Roaring Twenties. His vivid descriptions and memorable turns of phrase contribute to the novel’s enduring appeal.
4. Memorable Characters: The novel features a diverse cast of complex and intriguing characters, each with their own motivations and desires. These characters, particularly Jay Gatsby, have become iconic in their own right and continue to captivate readers with their stories.
5. Social Commentary: “The Great Gatsby” provides a snapshot of the Jazz Age, a period of decadence, excess, and rapid social change. The novel serves as a critique of the American Dream and the moral decay of society during the 1920s, providing valuable insights into the era’s values and attitudes.
6. Narrative Structure: The novel’s first-person narration, as told by Nick Carraway, allows readers to experience the events of the story through his perspective. This narrative choice adds a layer of intimacy and personal connection, while also providing a critical lens through which to view the other characters and their actions.
7. Influence and Legacy: “The Great Gatsby” has had a lasting impact on literature and popular culture, influencing numerous works and adaptations in various media. Its status as a classic has been cemented through its inclusion in academic curricula, critical acclaim, and ongoing popularity among readers.

These factors, combined with the novel’s engaging story and memorable characters, have contributed to “The Great Gatsby” being considered a classic in English literature. Its enduring appeal and continued relevance demonstrate the power of great storytelling and the universality of its themes.