The Great Gatsby Film Analysis Part2: Chapters 7-9 and the Valley of Ashes (representation, what it is, and symbolism)

How long has it been since what?

5 years since Gatsby and Daisy have been together.

What does the Valley of Ashes consist of between West Egg and New York City?

A long stretch of desolate land created by the dumping of industrial ashes.

What did Gatsby tell Nick?

About his poor upbringing and why he made up stories.

What does the weather: dark clouds represent?

Anger and conflict

Why do you think Fitzgerald and the director chose Nick to be the narrator? Explain this choice and why it works for Nick to tell the story of Gatsby?

Because Nick is an outsider, this makes him the right one to reel The Great Gatsby Story. He does not always act like the others at the parties. The perspective of an ordinary guy(Nick) gives us perspectives that we can relate to.

What was the next scene that happened after the Plaza hotel Scene: Tom calls him a common swindler. He reveals the corrupt drug store business. Tom says, we're different-born different. They all were surprised by Gatsby's anger?

Daisy and Gatsby drive Tom's blue car to drive Daisy home after Tom realized that Daisy won't leave him for Gatsby.

After Gatsby's death, what is Nick's attitude toward Eastern society/New York? Explain?

Disgusting and haunted. Nick says they were, "Careless people and retreated back to their money." No one attended the funeral and Nick was the only one who cares.

How long did Gatsby went to Oxford?

For 5 months.

What is the "valley of ashes"?

Industrial area (place) where New York's industrial ashes are dumped between West Egg and NYC (which consists of a long stretch of desolate land created by the dumping of industrial ashes). It represents the moral and social decay that results from the uninhibited pursuit of wealth, as the rich indulge themselves with regard for nothing but their own pleasure.

What did Nick idolize?

Jay Gatsby's hope.

What does the weather sunny represent?

Love

During the Plaza Hotel scene, the director adds in some commentary about Old Money versus New Money. Gatsby says he's equal, and Tom replies that he's not. The directors also add in some violence when Gatsby loses his temper. How does these changes impact the film? What is their effect?

Plaza hotel Scene: Tom calls him a common swindler. He reveals the corrupt drug store business. Tom says, we're different-born different. They all were surprised by Gatsby's anger. Gatsby went to Oxford for 5 months. It was 5 years since Gatsby and Daisy have been together.

In the movie, what was Daisy doing?

She was driving Gatsby's yellow car and thought it would steady her.

What does the weather: rain represent?

Tense

What was the truth about Gatsby's poor upbringing, his made up stories, descions, and wealth?

That this was for Daisy.

What does the perspective of an ordinary guy (Nick) give us?

The perspectives that we can relate to.

Why do you think the director chose to have the phone ring as Gatsby is shot by Wilson? What is the effect of this choice?

The phone rings as Gatsby is shot by Wilson. This signifies the corruption of relationships. The effect is that he will not get Daisy because he's dead. Finally, Nick Caraway was the caller.

What does the Valley of Ashes also symbolize?

The plight of the poor, like George Wilson, who live among the dirty ashes and lose their vitality as a result.

Mark a tally every time the weather is mentioned. Then explain what the weather represents. Use details from the film to support your analysis?

The weather is mentiond 111 times and it represents emotions. Sunny represents love. Rain represents tense. Dark clouds represent anger and conflict.

What did Nick say in Chapter 9 when his attitude was disgusting and haunted toward the Eastern society/ New York?

They were, "Careless people and retreated back to their money."

As Myrtle is hit by the car, the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg are shown. Why do you think the director chose this? What is the effect of this choice?

When Myrtle is not by the car, the Ryes of T.J. Eckleburg represents God. The effect is that the fading old billboard represents the spiritual values going away. People are turning away from God as they pursue wealth. In the movie, Daisy was driving Gatsby's yellow car and thought it would steady her. Gatsby told Nick about his poor upbringing and why he made up stories. Nick idolized Gatsby's hope. The truth was that this was for Daisy.

What does the Valley of Ashes represent?

the moral and social decay that results from the uninhibited pursuit of wealth, as the rich indulge themselves with regard for nothing but their own pleasure.