The Great Gatsby
Journal
Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Summary (pgs 1-21)
Character Description #1: Nick Carraway
- Not judgmental
- Doesn't criticize people
- Attended Yale
- Currently working as a bonds man
- Family has owned a hardware store for generations
- Family has been well-to-do for three generations
Nick Carraway is the narrator of the novel, which means we get to hear the story from his point of view and his opinions of what is happening. Since he is not judgmental, many people tell him things that they wouldn't normally share with just anyone. He relates to the main characters because Daisy is his second cousin, Tom was an old college acquaintance, and Mr. Gatsby is his neighbor. Since he lives next door to Mr. Gatsby we also get an incite into his fancy parties.
Quote #1
I think this quote is really interesting because it is saying that you never fully understand what someone else is going through, which I definitely agree with. Each person may have a reason for being the way they are or may not have it as good as you do. This means you can't really judge a person because you will never know their whole story.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2: Summary (Pgs 23-38)
Character Description #2: Tom Buchanan
- Big/strong man
- Went to Yale
- College friend of Nick's
- Abusive
- Cheats on his wife
- Played football in college
Tom Buchanan plays the role of Daisy's husband and Tom's college acquaintance. He demonstrates an example of infidelity by having an affair with his girlfriend, Myrtle. Tom also symbolizes the common theme throughout the story, which is an unhappy, dishonest marriage.
Quote #2
This quote is important because it shows how people's personalities change with their surroundings, which happens a lot throughout the story. For example, when people go to Mr. Gatsby's parties, for that night, they feel like an important somebody. Just like when Myrtle puts on a new dress, she feels fancy and wealthy, bringing out a different side of her.
Chapter 3
Chapter 3 Summary: (Pgs 39-59)
Character Description #3: Jordan Baker
- Dishonest
- Cheats in golf
- Pro-golfer
- Attends Mr. Gatsby's parties
- Begins to date Nick
- Small, athletic
Jordan Baker is important in this story because she links Jay Gatsby and Daisy together. She talks to Gatsby about finding a way for them to meet. Also she represents the continuous theme of lies, by being a dishonest person and cheating at golf.
Quote #3
This quote is talking about Gatsby's smile, which has a huge affect on people. It is like when you see someone and, by the look on their face, you can tell they have more confidence in you than you do in yourself. I think this is really interesting because it also puts Gatsby up on a pedestal, making him superior to everyone else.
Chapter 4
Chapter 4 Summary: (Pgs 61-80)
Character Description #4: Jay Gatsby
- Mysterious
- Throws many parties
- Extremely wealthy
- Was once Daisy's lover
- Wishes to get back together with Daisy
- Lives in an extravagant mansion
- Went to Oxford
- Tries to become friends with Nick
- Was a lieutenant in the army
- Inherited his money when his entire family died
- From the Midwest
Mr. Gatsby is the main character in this story. He knows many people, throws lots of parties, and is still a mystery to everyone. No one knows for sure what his past was like but there are certainly many stories. However, he does slowly start opening up to Nick in order to get closer to Daisy.
Quote #4
I'm not completely sure what is meant by this quote, but I still find it interesting. These categories seem like an odd way to categorize people, but I guess it is sort of true. There are these four stages: people trying to reach their goals, people that have reached them, people that have too much other stuff to worry about, and people that gave up and are tired. That is my interpretation at least.
Chapter 5
Chapter 5: Summary (pgs 81-96)
Character Description #5: Daisy Buchanan
- Nick's second cousin
- Lives on East Egg
- Married to Tom
- Really quiet, draws people in
- Charming
- Had a relationship with Gatsby
Daisy's role in the novel is that she has connections to Gatsby. Before she was married to Tom, she loved Gatsby and realized she is still in love with him when she met up with him at Nick's house. Gatsby is willing to do anything to be with her and goes to great lengths to win her over. Daisy is experiences internal conflict throughout the story because she is in love with her husband and Gatsby.
Quote #5
I think this quote is really good because it is saying that nothing can change what you have your heart set on. If you want something or someone badly enough, you'll do anything in your power to get it. For Gatsby, he has his heart set on Daisy and won't let anything (even her husband) get in the way of getting her back.
Chapter 6
Chapter 6 Summary: (Pgs 97-111)
Character Description #6: Meyer Wolfsheim
- Sketchy
- Notorious gambler
- Fixed the World Series
- Has business connections
- Possibly involved in secret crimes
- Friend of Gatsby
Meyer Wolfsheim is a mysterious character that is very shady. We aren't really sure what kind of business he is running, but we are told he is a gambler. Gatsby tells Nick that he fixed the World Series but that he is too wealthy and powerful to be caught. This sort of implies that Gatsby could be involved in his crimes, making Gatsby a sketchy character as well.
Quote #6
I disagree with this quote because I think looking at things from a new perspective can make something a lot better. It can also be fascinating to see something as others see it instead of the way you do. From my experience I think it is really interesting to hear someone else's perspective because it is something I never would have seen on my own. Other people's opinions can open your eyes to a totally new way of viewing things.
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 Summary: (Pgs 113-145)
Character Description #7: Jay Gatsby
- Idealist
- Stuck in the past
- Becomes more obvious with his affair
- Willing to do anything for Daisy
- Possibly a bootlegger
- Self-made man
Gatsby becomes more obsessed with Daisy and is convinced that things between them will go back to the way they were five years ago. His character is an example of someone that sees things only the way they want to see them and doesn't consider the reality of things. He is also an example of someone living the American Dream. Gatsby is an extremely wealthy and independent man who doesn't have to struggle and has worked hard to get where he is.
Quote #7
This quote shows Gatsby's surprise when he sees Daisy's child. Until he had seen the little girl, he never really saw her as actually having a child with Tom. He was shocked to see her because it brought him back to reality for a little while. The reality was that things can't be the way they were five years ago because Daisy is married to Tom and has a daughter.
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 Summary: (Pgs 147-162)
Character Description #8: George Wilson
- Physically sick because of Myrtle's infidelity
- Owns a car garage
- Discovers his wife's affair
- Kills Gatsby
- Commits suicide
- Blonde, spiritless man
George Wilson plays a major role in this chapter because he ignites the climax of the story. He kills Gatsby which changes the story drastically. No more parties will be held at his house and the relationship that began to grow between him and Daisy is over.
Quote #8
This quote is explaining that George Wilson considers the eyes of Doctor Eckleburg as the eyes of God. He believes that they see everything just as he does. George also states that Myrtle could try to fool him about her affair, but not God. This shows that he believes, in the end, that she would be punished for what she did.
Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Summary (163-180)
Character Description #9: Nick Carraway
- Actually judges everyone
- Plans Gatsby's funeral
- Moves back to the Midwest
- Doesn't get involved in arguments
- Helped Gatsby and Daisy meet up
- Disappointed with the East
Nick Carraway is sort of hypocritical because in the beginning he says he doesn't judge anyone, but he most definitely does. He describes himself as an honest, good man when he isn't exactly that either. Also, Nick's opinion of Gatsby constantly changes throughout the story, but in the end he sees him as a good friend and mourns after his death. Finally, he brings closure to most of the story's issues and the people at the end of the story.
Quote #9
This quote sums up the theme of the story into one sentence. It is saying that we all have dreams and ambitions but no matter how hard we try to make them happen we will always be pushed backward at some point and have to fight our way back. This relates to Gatsby as he has a dream to be with Daisy, but he is stuck in the past and can no longer be with her like he would prefer to be.