Kelso High SchoolKelso High School

English DepartmentEnglish Department

The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby

by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Chapter SixChapter Six

Characterisation Gatsby, Daisy,

Tom

Theme American Upper

Classes

American Dream

Structure

Symbolism

Characterisation - GatsbyCharacterisation - Gatsby

Characterisation - GatsbyCharacterisation - Gatsby

Chapter 6 is important in revealing Chapter 6 is important in revealing detail about Gatsby’s characterdetail about Gatsby’s character

Reveals how sensitive he was when Reveals how sensitive he was when he was younger – until he meets Dan he was younger – until he meets Dan CodyCody

Aware of his poverty, he develops a Aware of his poverty, he develops a powerful obsession with amassing powerful obsession with amassing wealth.wealth.

““It was James Gatz who had been It was James Gatz who had been loafing along the beach that afternoon loafing along the beach that afternoon …but it was already Jay Gatsby who …but it was already Jay Gatsby who borrowed a row boat…”borrowed a row boat…”

It is as if Gatsby is rechristening himselfIt is as if Gatsby is rechristening himself Symbolises his desire to forget his lower Symbolises his desire to forget his lower

class identity and recast himself as the class identity and recast himself as the wealthy man he envisions.wealthy man he envisions.

Discussion: Is this why he finds Daisy Discussion: Is this why he finds Daisy so attractive?so attractive?

For her, wealth and luxury comes For her, wealth and luxury comes effortlesslyeffortlessly

She is the reason he invented Jay She is the reason he invented Jay Gatsby.Gatsby.

Links to Links to STRUCTURE and and SYMBOLISM ““His parents were shiftless and His parents were shiftless and

unsuccessful farm people”unsuccessful farm people” Stark contrast to his later Stark contrast to his later

extravagant lifestyle.extravagant lifestyle.

DISCUSSION – What does Gatsby’s DISCUSSION – What does Gatsby’s transformation tell us about the type transformation tell us about the type of person he is?of person he is?

What do we admire about him?What do we admire about him?

We discover that Gatsby never We discover that Gatsby never received the money from Cody.received the money from Cody.

It is Gatsby’s power to make his It is Gatsby’s power to make his dreams real that makes him ‘great’.dreams real that makes him ‘great’.

““Can’t repeat the past?” he cried Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!”incredulously. “Why of course you can!”

This illustrates his capacity to delude This illustrates his capacity to delude himselfhimself

Also illustrates his boundless capacity Also illustrates his boundless capacity for hopefor hope

DISCUSSION: Does the quote influence DISCUSSION: Does the quote influence our feelings towards Gatsby?our feelings towards Gatsby?

Characterisation - DaisyCharacterisation - Daisy

CHARACTERISATION - DAISYCHARACTERISATION - DAISY

““But the rest offended her...was But the rest offended her...was appalled by West Egg,”appalled by West Egg,”

DISCUSSION: Why is Daisy so DISCUSSION: Why is Daisy so appalled by the people at the party?appalled by the people at the party?

Does her reaction come as a surprise Does her reaction come as a surprise to the reader?to the reader?

The main problem with Gatsby’s The main problem with Gatsby’s conception of Daisy is that it is a conception of Daisy is that it is a dream. dream.

He still thinks she is the girl who He still thinks she is the girl who loved him in Louisvilleloved him in Louisville

But she would never desert her own But she would never desert her own class and background to be with class and background to be with Gatsby.Gatsby.

CHARACTERISATION - TOMCHARACTERISATION - TOM

““I may be old-fashioned in my ideas I may be old-fashioned in my ideas but women run around too much but women run around too much these days to suit me.”these days to suit me.”

The reader sees how hypocritical Tom The reader sees how hypocritical Tom is being here considering his own is being here considering his own behaviourbehaviour

DISCUSSION: In your opinion would DISCUSSION: In your opinion would Tom ever believe that Daisy would Tom ever believe that Daisy would have an affair?have an affair?

STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

When Gatsby reinvents himself he is When Gatsby reinvents himself he is transforming himself and Daisy into transforming himself and Daisy into his ideal of radiant life and beauty.his ideal of radiant life and beauty.

STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

““Tom was evidently perturbed at Tom was evidently perturbed at Daisy’s running around alone”Daisy’s running around alone”

Tom’s concern is used to move the Tom’s concern is used to move the narrative alongnarrative along

This exposes the suspicions of Tom This exposes the suspicions of Tom that will eventually lead to that will eventually lead to confrontationconfrontation

SymbolismSymbolism

The name ‘The Great Gatsby’ makes The name ‘The Great Gatsby’ makes his almost seem like a magician. his almost seem like a magician.

His reinvention is almost magical.His reinvention is almost magical.

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM

““Lake Superior”Lake Superior” This is a realistic geographical detail This is a realistic geographical detail

but symbolic in a sense.but symbolic in a sense. Gatz must recreate himself as Gatz must recreate himself as

Gatsby in order to become superior Gatsby in order to become superior and it is at this location that he does and it is at this location that he does that.that.

THEME – Shallowness of the THEME – Shallowness of the American Upper ClassesAmerican Upper Classes

““Mr Sloane didn’t enter into the Mr Sloane didn’t enter into the conversation, but lounged back conversation, but lounged back haughtily in his chair...”haughtily in his chair...”

They treat Gatsby with contemptThey treat Gatsby with contempt He has the money but lacks their He has the money but lacks their

superior social qualities (in their superior social qualities (in their minds)minds)

Even among the very rich there are Even among the very rich there are class distinctionsclass distinctions

DISCUSSION: Think about Gatsby’s DISCUSSION: Think about Gatsby’s treatment and actions towards his treatment and actions towards his guests (the Sloanes). What do they guests (the Sloanes). What do they reveal about his character?reveal about his character?

THEME – American DreamTHEME – American Dream

““Can’t repeat the past?” he cried Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!”incredulously. “Why of course you can!”

Gatsby’s future is an attempt at Gatsby’s future is an attempt at restoring a golden moment from his restoring a golden moment from his past rather than something new.past rather than something new.

Historically, early American settlers felt Historically, early American settlers felt that the New World offered them the that the New World offered them the opportunity to return to the Garden of opportunity to return to the Garden of EdenEden

The concept of an ideal future is The concept of an ideal future is often a form of nostalgia for a Golden often a form of nostalgia for a Golden Age.Age.

An age that supposedly existed in An age that supposedly existed in the distant past.the distant past.

DISCUSSION: Can Gatsby’s dream DISCUSSION: Can Gatsby’s dream ever come true? ever come true?

Well-done!!!!Well-done!!!!