Lecture notes
The Great Gatsby- Chapter 9
- Institution
- CCEA
This is a comprehensive linguistic analysis of Chapter 9 of the Great Gatsby
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The Great Gatsby: Chapter 9- This chapter acts as an epilogue / coda to the novel
- The continuous temporal references, “after two years” emphasises the theme of time
- This is told from a retrospective point of view (perspective)
- Through the exploration of the theme of media we see the scandalous curiosity of the press
who vociferously prey on Gatsby. Technology acts a conduit for gossip, scandal and
voyeurism. This vociferous curiosity parallels with Hall-Mills murder. Technology has actually
had a pejorative effect on society.
- Paradoxically, despite the list, “endless drill of police and photographers and newspaper
men” Gatsby’s funeral is only attended by a small number of people- moral decadence/
apathy
- The irony of situation evokes the immorality of the age. The “endless drill” contrasts to
Myrtle. The satire of law and order evokes the gap between rich and poor
- Catherine is presented ambivalently. Is the fact that she “didn’t say a word” a sign of deceit
or saroral affection / sisterly loyalty to her sister by not tarnishing her memory?
- In this chapter, Nick’s heroic status is elevated as he takes on Gatsby’s funeral (re-
collaboration of Nick’s moral compass)
- Irony of situation- despite all she has done Daisy will not attend funeral. This is an attempt of
self-preservation
- Wolfsheim’s formally distancing letter evokes his callous indifference
- The pathos of Gatsby’s father’s arrival emphasises the reality of who Gatsby is
- Gatsby’s father adds a poignant touch and his emotion, “His eyes leaked continuously with
excitement” suggests the tragic impact of Gatsby’s death.
- The nascent origins of Gatsby’s dream are presented through his father
- There is a suggestion that Gatsby’s father is more impressed by his wealth than grieved by
the demise of his son, “his grief began to be mixed with an awed pride.”
- The idea that Gatsby is a self-conceived identity is evoked through his denial of his origins /
lineage / heritage
- The phone call with Klipspringer is ironic. The motivation for the phone call is an attempt to
give Gatsby a deferent send-off but Klipspringer just wants his shoes- moral apathy
- Klipspringer leeches off Gatsby but will not attend his funeral
- Sympathies for Gatsby are balanced through the reference to Wolfsheim who acts as a
reminder for Gatsby’s criminal behaviour. At no stage in the novel is there unchallenged
sympathy for Gatsby
- The ironic, satirically comic name, “The Swastika Holding Company” is shady and cynical
- The comic detail, “pulled from his pocket a ragged old copy of a book called Hopalong
Cassidy” suggests the puerile, juvenile nature of the dream. The core of Gatsby’s dream
never changed. While this shows dedication to the dream, it also suggests the naiveté of
Gatsby. This both detracts and evokes sympathy for Gatsby
- The timetable emphasises Gatsby’s illusionary / visionary qualities. Gatsby is a symbolic
representative of the dreamer figure.
- Gatsby’s attempt of social climbing is evoked through, “Practice elocution, poise and how to
attain it.” Gatsby believes he can get ahead if he apes the mannerisms of the wealthy.
However, the novel has shown the impossibility of social mobility
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