Great Gatsby Chap. 8-9

17. Explain the last sentence on p. 180 in the context of the novel. (All groups)

During this time many Americans were trying to achieve "The American Dream", but they were often restricted and looked down upon by the "current" who were made up of wealthy white males who inherited their money. While Americans worked to achieve a similar kind of wealth, they found themselves getting pushed back by this current for every step they took forward. <10>

9. Michaelis replies on p. 159 that the billboard of Eckleburg is "just an advertisement." Considering #8 and #9 together, what commentary is Fitzgerald making about the perversion of the American Dream in the 1920s?

Fitzgerald is basically saying that the "American Dream" wasn't made or based off good morals, and religion. People wanted the "American Dream" and would do anything for it. They'd become greedy, immoral and criminals to live the "American Dream". <10>

3. In light of the revelations of #1 above, what commentary is Fitzgerald making about the American upper class when Nick says of Tom, Daisy, et al., "They're a rotten crowd. You're worth the whole damn bunch put together." (p. 154)

Fitzgerald is saying the American upper class are all horrible except for Gatsby. Nick doesn't really like Tom because he wants only white, inherited rich males to dominate and that should not only be the rich people. Nick likes how Gatsby worked for his money, unlike most wealthy people in New York who were handed down the wealthiness. Even though Gatsby got his money in an illegal way, he still worked for the things he has, and has a moral sense of living. Nick likes how society is changing where people are working for the money they have, instead of the elite doing nothing, and still staying rich. He is saying the hegemony of the white Christian upper class isn't very fair minded. He is trying to show that they are hypocritical. Tom criticizes Gatsby for bootlegging while he himslef drinks alcohol. Also he criticizes Gatsby for hitting on a married woman while he himself is off having an affair. <10>

10. What happens at Gatsby's house? Catalog all the ironic elements of this "holocaust" as Nick calls it on p. 162. (G)

Gatsby decides to go swimming in his pool because he hasn't been there all summer. He tells his butler to bring him the phone if anyone calls, because he was waiting for a call from Daisy. Then him and his chauffeur blow up the pneumatic mattress. He then disappears from his chauffeur and he heads for the pool alone. Wilson finds his way to the back and shoots and kills Gatsby, taking his life as well. <10>

5. On p. 154, Nick reflects on his summer, particularly the first time he went to a party at Gatsby's. He recalls "the lawn and drive had been crowded with the faces of those who guessed at his corruption—and he had stood on those steps concealing his incorruptible dream." What is his corruption and what is his incorruptible dream and what is the paradoxical relationship between these?

Gatsby's corruption is making his money through an illegal way. His incorruptible dream is to get back with Daisy again. Basically the irony of this is that Gatsby wants the girl of his dreams, and he'll do anything to please her including getting money through illegal ways. <10>

14. What does Gatsby's childhood schedule on p. 173 explain about how he ended up as he did?

Gatsby's schedule at the end of the book shows that Gatsby was a determined kid. He wanted to get ahead in the future. Gatsby's schedule shows how disciplined and committed he was to have a better future. Gatsby's success in having a good future started when he was just a kid. Because Gatsby believed that he could have a better future he tried hard to make one, and eventually, he got one. <10>

12. Among those who do not come to the wake is Meyer Wolfsheim. Why does he refuse to come?

If he wanted to he would go. The downside is, if he goes, he will draw attention to himself and will be noticed by everyone. He was the one that was behind the whole White Sox scandal. He can't be seen suspicious to anyone at the funeral. He is also a gambler. Attending the funeral would just increase his criminal profile. <10>

15. Who is the only person other than Gatsby's father and Carraway to come to the funeral? Why is this appropriate?

Owl eyes came to the funeral as well. This is appropriate because he always felt a sense of loyalty to Mr. Gatsby. Owl Eyes never got to properly meet Gatsby. Even though he went to all his parties and went through his stuff. Thus, he comes to pay respect to Gatsby. MGC's edit: after realizing his books are real, he comes to see Gatsby as a man of substance, unlike the other West Eggers, who do everything for "show." <10>

4. What does #3 explain about the dissolution of Nick's relationship with Jordan on p. 177? (O)

Question #3 explains the dissolution of Nick and Jordan's relationship because Nick does not really like how the white inherited rich people think they can do anything and lie every day just to make them look good. So Nick did not like Jordan a lot because she lies herself everyday so that she would fit in and look right in the rich group. Nick doesn't like fake people or the old days. He wants the society to keep going in the direction it is going towards. <10>

13. Keeping in mind the publication date of the novel, what is revealed by the fact that Wolfsheim's company is called "The Swastika Holding Company." (G)

The book was written in the 1920's and the Holocaust started in 1939. "The Swastika Holding Company" could have been a prediction of world war II. The Swastika was a symbol that the Germans had used. The book was written in the 1920's and the Holocaust was starting to begin around the 1940's??? This shows that the Nazi party was around at the time but they were not very prominent. MGC's edit: At the time that Fitzgerald wrote the novel, Hitler was emerging as a political force in Germany. The Swastika, an inverted cross, had been popular in Germany as a symbol of the Aryan race, which Hitler embraced. By naming the company run by Wolsheim (his name and Nick's disdain suggests he is Jewish), Fitzgerald might be presaging the rise of anti-Semitism in Germany during WWII and the Holocaust. <10>

11. What does the fact that Nick has such a hard time getting people to attend Gatsby's funeral reveal about the American upper class? (P)

The fact that Nick had difficulty with Gatsby's funeral shows that rich people do not really like or have feelings for each other, they just have fun together for individual benefit. Then when something happens where people are needed, no one participates because of the lack of compassion for each other. Also, the fact that he participates in "bootlegging" makes people not want to go. Even though they often participate in the same illegal actions, they are simply being hypocritical. People who are also involved with him in certain business do not want to bring bad attention to themselves, so not attending his funeral was a way to self-benefit from that.<10>

16. On p. 180, Fitgerald/Carraway specifically articulates the meaning behind the light at the end of the dock. What is never answered is: why is it green? Speculate.

The light and the end of the dock is green because it symbolizes envy for Gatsby (someone is green with envy). Daisy represents everything Gatsby wants and works for. When he met her in the army it was hard for her to tell that he came from a poor home, and she easily fell in love with him. However, even after Gatsby was accepted into the club of rich people he had no chance with Daisy. She left him for Tom. Gatsby was first attracted to Daisy because she was all he wanted in his life. The green light also symbolizes the color of money. Along with Daisy, Gatsby dreams of money. Although he is famous and rich, he wants more. Daisy represents all Gatsby's hopes and dreams, his dreams of money. MGC's edit: the fact that the light is at the end of the dock across the bay suggests that the American dream is unattainable for all but the old money elite. <10>

1. In Chapter 6, Nick decides to jump ahead and tell Gatsby's "real" story because of the visit from the newspaper reporter, but the actual revelation comes after the death of Myrtle Wilson in Chapter 8. Why does Gatsby decide to tell the truth to Nick at this point? (G)

The newspaper reporter brings up the mysteriousness of Gatsby, hinting at the illegal work he is doing. Nick decides to jump ahead and inform the readers during this period in order for the flow of the story to transition smoothly. This allows the readers to understand the connection between Gatsby's past and Gatsby's present, and the connection between him to the other characters during the events of the story. <10>

7. On pp. 156 and 159, there are two more examples of the "wasteland" imagery. Given that both are in the context of Nick's relating of the events of the evening after Myrtle's death, what is the significance of two installments of the symbol in such a short time span? (See GDQs 1-2, #14 ) (G)

The wasteland portrays the decline of civilization. It is key to note this comparison to the wasteland imagery because everything comes crashing down after Myrtle's death. Gatsby's desire for the American Dream in order to grasp the attention and love of Daisy has led him straight to his death. This death was unjust because he took the blame for something that Daisy had done wrong. Daisy and Tom flee to an unknown destination in order to avoid trouble for both the death of Myrtle and cheating accusations. <10>

2. What does Gatsby mean by the odd statement on p. 152 that Daisy's relationship with Tom was "just personal"?

When Gatsby makes the remark that Tom's and Daisy's relationship is "just personal", he means that there wasn't anything more to it than just a relationship. Gatsby think that Daisy only married Tom for his money. If Gatsby was rich when Daisy and him met, Daisy would have probably married him. Gatsby believes that Daisy didn't actually love Tom, she loved his money. <10>

6. Although everyone else seems to think it is an accident, what does Wilson believe about Myrtle's death and why?

When Tom and Daisy were leaving town, Tom was in the yellow car and Myrtle saw him leaving. She was waiting for them to come back the entire day. Once she saw the yellow car, she assumed it was Tom, but it was actually Daisy and Gatsby. He was told that the person who killed Myrtle is the guy who was she was cheating with. He believes this because someone told him that the guy who was driving the car was the lover of Myrtle. Since Myrtle was killed by a yellow car that was owned by Gatsby. Wilson concluded that Gatsby was the lover of Myrtle and wanted her dead so that she would not reveal the affair. <10>

8. On. p. 159, there is another installment in the "eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg" symbol. What notion does Wilson articulate that we have speculated upon earlier (see GDQs 1-2 #14)?

Wilson articulates you may do things that other people don't want to see.However, there is someone who is watching what you're doing. So do you really feel comfortable with what you're doing, while others are seeing it. Wilson is saying that Gatsby is also doing something illegal and that the "eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg" which represent God is watching and has a frown on his face. <10>