Lecture notes
The Great Gatsby- Chapter 1
- Institution
- CCEA
This is a comprehensive linguistic analysis of Chapter 1 of the Great Gatsby
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The Great Gatsby: CHAPTER 1Page 7
- The novel begins and ends with frame narrative passages which look back retrospectively.
- In the opening narrative, Nick moves from the mid-west to the east but at the end of the
book, returns to the west again. The west symbolises a more conservative world while the
focus of the east seems to be on money and wealth.
- Nick’s move from west to east can be read as a subversion of the pioneer’s story, where
Europeans travelled west to America to seek opportunities. However, it is now the east that
has become the centre of money and opportunity. The subversion of the original pioneer’s
story allows an argument for the poem to be read as a satire. The implosion of the pioneer
story suggests that their aspirational qualities have become debunked and debased. There is
a satire of the American dream
- In the opening passage, there is a focus on Nick as the character of the narrator. All we read
is filtered from Nick’s subjective perspective and this leads us to question the reliability of
the narrator. However, in the opening section of the book, there is an implication that Nick
will be a more objective, less critical presence in the novel, “Whenever you feel like criticizing
anyone just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you
have had.” / “I’m inclined to reserve all judgements”. The implications of objectivity suggests
a degree of suitability for the role of the narrator
- The reader is given insights into the personality of Nick in the opening passages. He appears
to be a person who people gravitate to, “Most of the confidences were unsought.”
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- Nick’s first reference to Gatsby evokes a sense of contemptuousness towards Gatsby,
“represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn.”
- However, we are also introduced to Nick’s ambivalence towards Gatsby, “something
gorgeous about him.” This both problemises our attitude to Nick and complexes our opinion
of Gatsby.
- The romantic language “heightened sensitivity to the promises of life” suggests Gatsby’s
capacity to dream. However, the rye, hyperbolic language “one of those intricate machines
that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away” appears almost mocking
- The parallel grammatical structure, “Their responsiveness had nothing…not likely I shall ever
find again” suggests that Gatsby’s ability to aspire despite his flaws redeems him
- Despite his ambivalence, Nick ultimately sides Gatsby, “Gatsby turned out all right in the
end”
- The reference to dust, “foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams” is an important motif
and linguistic pattern in the novel as it relates to the moral aspects and themes of the book.
- The theme of family is also introduced, “My family have been prominent, well-to-do people
in this Middle Western city for three generations.” The rootedness of Nick’s family contrasts
with Gatsby’s self-created persona. In this sense, Nick acts as a structural foil for Gatsby. The
mid-West is also associated with conservatisms which contrast with the money-centred
values of the East.
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