The Great Gatsby Chapter 3

Gilda Gray

Gilda Gray was an American actress and dancer who popularized a dance called the "shimmy". "there is a burst of chatter as the erroneous news goes around that she is Gilda Gray's understudy from the Follies."

old sport

How Gatsby addresses Nick and some other male character. Gatsby's use of the phrase "old sport" is used to show his friendly feelings are genuine, but this is only part of his persona.

the "Stoddard Lectures"

Lectures about John Stoddard's world travels. One of many historical references in the book. "(Owl Eyes) rushed to the bookcases and returned with Volume One of the 'Stoddard Lectures.'"

the Follies

The Follies is a musical about a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theater, scheduled for demolition. "there is a burst of chatter as the erroneous news goes around that she is Gilda Gray's understudy from the Follies."

Mr. Mumble

Three men at Gatsby's party. "we sat down at a table with the two girls in yellow and three men, each one introduced to us as Mr. Mumble."

impetuous

acting or done quickly and without thought or care. "'What do you think?' he demanded impetuously."

vinous

associated with wine. "she threw up her hands, sank into a chair, and went off into a deep vinous sleep."

subterfuges

deceit used in order to achieve one's goal. Used when talking about Jordan's dishonesty.

Carnegie Hall

A concert hall, world-famous for its acoustics, in New York City. "At the request of Mr. Gatsby we are going to play for you Mr. Vladimir Tostoff's latest work, which attracted so much attention at Carnegie Hall last May."

Jazz History of the World

A made up composition played for Gatsby's guests. It's self-important title is Fitzgerald's cynical comment on how jazz tried to present itself as a serious rival to classical music during the 1920s. "'The piece is known,' he concluded lustily, 'as Vladimir Tostoff's Jazz History of the World.'"

Mr. Vladimir Tostoff

A made up jazz composer. "At the request of Mr. Gatsby we are going to play for you Mr. Vladimir Tostoff's latest work, which attracted so much attention at Carnegie Hall last May."

finger-bowl

A small bowl holding water for rinsing the fingers during or after a meal. "champagne was served in glasses bigger than finger-bowls."

Gothic

An elaborate style of architecture characterized by pointed arches, large windows, and flying buttresses. "On a chance we tried an important-looking door, and walked into a high Gothic library, panelled with carved English oak, and probably transported complete from some ruin overseas."

Rolls Royce

Gatsby's car. On weekends it is used like a bus to transport his guests from the city to his party. Cars are used to emphasize the differences in wealth throughout the novel.

Murray Hill Hotel

Murray Hill Hotel was a US hotel situated at 112 Park Avenue in New York City. "After that, if the night was mellow, I strolled down Madison Avenue past the old Murray Hill Hotel, and over 33d Street to the Pennsylvania Station."

Oxford

One to the top institutions of higher learning in the world. Located in Oxford, England. Where Gatsby supposedly went to school. "'Well, he told me once he was an Oxford man.'"

caterwauling

a shrill howling or wailing noise. "The caterwauling horns had reached a crescendo and I turned away and cut across the lawn toward home."

innuendo

an oblique allusion. "casual innuendo and introductions forgotten on the spot","a persistent undergraduate given to violent innuendo"

tumultuous

excited, confused, or disorderly. "Fifty feet from the door a dozen headlights illuminated a bizarre and tumultuous scene."

corpulent

fat or overweight. "I had expected that Mr. Gatsby would be a florid and corpulent person in his middle years."

indignant

feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment. "The hall was at present occupied by two deplorably sober men and their highly indignant wives."

florid

having a red or flushed complexion. "I had expected that Mr. Gatsby would be a florid and corpulent person in his middle years."

echolalia

meaningless repetition of speech. "the voice of the orchestra leader rang out suddenly above the echolalia of the garden."

provincial

of or concerning a province of a region. "But young men didn't—at least in my provincial inexperience I believed they didn't—drift coolly out of nowhere and buy a palace on Long Island Sound."

permeate

spread throughout something. "The bar is in full swing, and floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden outside"

crescendo

the most intense point reached, climax. "The caterwauling horns had reached a crescendo and I turned away and cut across the lawn toward home."