3.1.2
Analysis of Chapter One
Chapter One - Analysis
Chapter One - Analysis
Nick devotes the first part of Chapter One to describing his background and the class rivalry of Long Island.
Analysis of father's advice
Analysis of father's advice
- Nick's father's advice is that he should 'just remember that all the people in the world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.'
- Nick says that, because of this advice, he is non-judgemental and accepting of others.
- The 'advantages' that Nick’s father is referring to come from their wealth and high social status. Nick’s family clearly represent ‘old money’.
- By highlighting how he is not quick to judge others based on their class, Nick is implicitly suggesting that other people of his social status are not so tolerant.
Analysis of Nick's background
Analysis of Nick's background
- The insights into Nick’s background, particularly his family history and his privileged education at one of America’s top universities, further emphasise that he comes from an ‘old money’ background.
- The revelation that he fought in World War I is also significant, because this event disrupted the traditional order of society: whether rich or poor, men were required to go and fight.
Analysis of East and West Egg
Analysis of East and West Egg
- The 1920s is often referred to as the ‘roaring twenties’ because many people made their fortunes in places like New York City.
- These newly rich people were said to lack the social refinement of the ‘old money’ people.
- This rivalry between old and new money is illustrated by the fact that the two communities, West and East Egg, face each other across the bay.
- While Nick is from an ‘old money’ background, he lives in the ‘new money’ neighbourhood, possibly suggesting that he is split between the two worlds.
Analysis of Gatsby's house
Analysis of Gatsby's house
- Nick describes how his own small rented house is next to Gatsby’s mansion, 'a colossal affair by any standard', and a replica of a French hotel.
- The suggestion here is that the ‘new money’ people of West Egg compensate for their lack of refinement and social connections with excessive displays of wealth. The ‘old money’ class of East Egg find this to be garish and tacky.
Chapter One - Analysis
Chapter One - Analysis
In the main narrative of Chapter One, Nick visits Daisy and Tom Buchanan. He meets Jordan Baker and learns of Tom Buchanan's mistress.
Analysis of Tom's clothing
Analysis of Tom's clothing
- Tom is dressed in 'riding clothes' - this clearly signifies that he is part of the ‘old money’ class: horse riding was an expensive hobby associated with people with large country homes, and not something those with ‘new money’ would have been likely to do.
- But despite his high social status, Tom is presented as an unlikeable character.
Analysis of Jordan Baker
Analysis of Jordan Baker
- Jordan’s boredom with life is perhaps Fitzgerald’s suggestion that the ‘old money’ world is hollow and unfulfilling.
- Jordan’s contempt of West Egg again highlights the snobbish attitudes held by the ‘old money’ class.
Analysis of Tom's racism
Analysis of Tom's racism
- Tom urges the others to read The Rise of the Colored Empires so that they can understand how important it is that they protect 'the dominant race'.
- This racist outburst reveals a lot about Tom and the ‘old money’ class in general. While he hides among the pretense of refined taste and class, really he is hate-filled and prejudiced.
- The 1920s was a time of huge social change in the USA, and many members of the ‘old money’ class would have felt insecure about their changing place in the order of society.
Analysis of Tom's affair
Analysis of Tom's affair
- The revelation that Tom has a mistress shows him to be hypocritical. He wants to show off his seemingly perfect family, but really he is hiding sinister secrets. This seems to be a criticism of the ‘old money’ class.
Analysis of Gatsby's green light
Analysis of Gatsby's green light
- Nick sees Gatsby stretch 'out his arms towards the dark water in a curious way'. Nick only sees a 'single green light' in the distance.
- It is not yet clear to the reader what Gatsby is doing, but he already seems to be a mysterious character.
- Later on, we learn that Gatsby is a character who is desperately seeking to fulfil an unachievable dream. The seemingly unremarkable green light turns out to be a symbol of hope for Gatsby.
1Specification Overview
1.1Specification Overview
2Context
3Plot Summary
3.1Chapter One
3.2Chapter Two
3.3Chapter Three
3.4Chapter Four
3.6Chapter Six
3.7Chapter Seven
3.8Chapter Eight
4Character Profiles
4.3Daisy Buchanan
4.5Minor Characters
5Key Ideas
6Writing Techniques
6.1Structure, Genre & Narrative Voice
7Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis
7.1Love Through the Ages
Jump to other topics
1Specification Overview
1.1Specification Overview
2Context
3Plot Summary
3.1Chapter One
3.2Chapter Two
3.3Chapter Three
3.4Chapter Four
3.6Chapter Six
3.7Chapter Seven
3.8Chapter Eight
4Character Profiles
4.3Daisy Buchanan
4.5Minor Characters
5Key Ideas
6Writing Techniques
6.1Structure, Genre & Narrative Voice
7Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis
7.1Love Through the Ages
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