Transcript Kelso High School English Department The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Kelso High School
English Department
The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Chapter Six
Characterisation
Gatsby, Daisy,
Tom
Theme
American Upper
Classes
American Dream
Structure
Symbolism
Characterisation - Gatsby
Characterisation - Gatsby
Chapter 6 is important in revealing detail
about Gatsby’s character
 Reveals how sensitive he was when he
was younger – until he meets Dan Cody
 Aware of his poverty, he develops a
powerful obsession with amassing wealth.

“It was James Gatz who had been loafing
along the beach that afternoon …but it
was already Jay Gatsby who borrowed a
row boat…”
 It is as if Gatsby is rechristening himself
 Symbolises his desire to forget his lower
class identity and recast himself as the
wealthy man he envisions.

Discussion: Is this why he finds Daisy so
attractive?
 For her, wealth and luxury comes
effortlessly
 She is the reason he invented Jay Gatsby.
 Links to STRUCTURE and SYMBOLISM
 “His parents were shiftless and
unsuccessful farm people”
 Stark contrast to his later extravagant
lifestyle.

DISCUSSION – What does Gatsby’s
transformation tell us about the type of
person he is?
 What do we admire about him?

We discover that Gatsby never received
the money from Cody.
 It is Gatsby’s power to make his dreams
real that makes him ‘great’.

“Can’t repeat the past?” he cried
incredulously. “Why of course you can!”
 This illustrates his capacity to delude
himself
 Also illustrates his boundless capacity for
hope
 DISCUSSION: Does the quote influence
our feelings towards Gatsby?

Characterisation - Daisy
CHARACTERISATION - DAISY
“But the rest offended her...was appalled
by West Egg,”
 DISCUSSION: Why is Daisy so appalled by
the people at the party?
 Does her reaction come as a surprise to
the reader?

The main problem with Gatsby’s
conception of Daisy is that it is a dream.
 He still thinks she is the girl who loved him
in Louisville
 But she would never desert her own class
and background to be with Gatsby.

CHARACTERISATION - TOM
“I may be old-fashioned in my ideas but
women run around too much these days
to suit me.”
 The reader sees how hypocritical Tom is
being here considering his own behaviour
 DISCUSSION: In your opinion would Tom
ever believe that Daisy would have an
affair?

STRUCTURE

When Gatsby reinvents himself he is
transforming himself and Daisy into his
ideal of radiant life and beauty.
STRUCTURE
“Tom was evidently perturbed at Daisy’s
running around alone”
 Tom’s concern is used to move the
narrative along
 This exposes the suspicions of Tom that
will eventually lead to confrontation

Symbolism
The name ‘The Great Gatsby’ makes his
almost seem like a magician.
 His reinvention is almost magical.

SYMBOLISM
“Lake Superior”
 This is a realistic geographical detail but
symbolic in a sense.
 Gatz must recreate himself as Gatsby in
order to become superior and it is at this
location that he does that.

THEME – Shallowness of the
American Upper Classes
“Mr Sloane didn’t enter into the
conversation, but lounged back haughtily
in his chair...”
 They treat Gatsby with contempt
 He has the money but lacks their superior
social qualities (in their minds)
 Even among the very rich there are class
distinctions


DISCUSSION: Think about Gatsby’s
treatment and actions towards his guests
(the Sloanes). What do they reveal about
his character?
THEME – American Dream
“Can’t repeat the past?” he cried
incredulously. “Why of course you can!”
 Gatsby’s future is an attempt at restoring
a golden moment from his past rather
than something new.
 Historically, early American settlers felt
that the New World offered them the
opportunity to return to the Garden of
Eden

The concept of an ideal future is often a
form of nostalgia for a Golden Age.
 An age that supposedly existed in the
distant past.
 DISCUSSION: Can Gatsby’s dream ever
come true?

Well-done!!!!