Gatsby+Motifs_Homework

=MOTIF NOTES- Put your class next to your name! :) please= Lancelot (2A) __Geography: The East V.S. the West, and the Valley of Ashes__ I noticed that the importance of geography is kept on being mentioned in the book because it is not just the society in which Nick and Gatsby live in, but a representation of America itself. The west, not as developed as the east, is where Gatsby and Nick live at. These are people who are just beggining to get rich and wealthy, but still, they are looked down by the people from the east, just because the west is not as wealthy and developed as the east is. This is true not only for the East and West Egg in the book, but also the East and West Coast in America. Then there is the Valley of Ashes which is supposed to represent the moral decay of the society. These key geographical locations are constantly mentioned in the book and they all have a very important role in Fitzgerald's message to the readers.

**Shann** (2A) __Moral Decay/ American Dream__ In his novel, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald effectively portrays the disintegration of the American Dream and moral decay through the sociology of the wealthy in the era of unprecedented prosperity and material excess. Throughout his novel, Fitzgerald constantly portrays the 1920’s as an era of decayed social and moral values, pointless pursuits of pleasure, greed and corruption. Gatsby’s decadent and opulent parties epitomized the fact that unrestrained extravagant shows of wealth surpassed practical living. The abundance of alcohol at the parties likewise highlights the thriving business in bootlegging, which Gatsby resorts to as his main source of wealth. Tom’s interpretation of the American dream does not consist so much of wealth as much as prestige and power; his urge to feel superior to others is highly influenced by his aristocratic background. The decadence and carelessness of the American dream is also illustrates accurately in Daisy in the situation of the killing of Myrtle and her abandonment of Gatsby just before and after his death. Finally, Gatsby’s illustration of the Valley of Ashes perfectly symbolizes the moral decay within the American Dream. The Great Gatsby accurately embodies the depthlessness within the social morality and hypocrisy within 1920’s America.

It's pretty obvious that books are an important symbol in the Great Gatsby. You can tell a lot about each character based on what they're reading. For example. Nick is reading about finance and making money, Tom is reading about white supremacy, and Myrtle is reading tabloids. Gatsby's library, too, is an excellent contribution to the theme of Gatsby's surreality and illusional lifestyle. At first, his party in chapter three introduces him very much as the hero of a fairy-tale; it begins with a great expedition to find him, as he is an individual so shrouded in mystery that few of his guests have even met the guy. Nothing is real. When Nick and Jordan enter the library, however, they find the room full of real books. Uncut and never having been read, but real. This fact seems to greatly impress one guest, who is apparently a prophet of sorts. Fitzgerald also uses the elaborate show to pursue the idea of having so much knowledge at one's disposal, yet choosing not to pursue it because it isn't really necessary. He was denoting in Gatsby a simpleness in character, essentially. Or a detestable kind of self-satisfaction shared by the rich and the unprincipled. I don't know.
 * Bex (2A) Books.**

4A)Anika: A motif that I found really interesting was the use of the colour yellow, after hearing about all the different representations of this colour in class, I was then able to recognize the words that Fitzgerald uses as motifs in order to provide paradox, or "opposite" meaning. While showing the colours of yellow(gold) in the East to represent the upper class and leisure life, it also tags along a second meaning, one of 'decay' and 'corruption'. This decay and corruption can be of several different things, the one that stands out the most for me though is morals. This can lead to the connection that the increase in gold (wealth) leads to a decay (decrease) in moral values. An example of the decay could be Tom and Daisy's house, full of gold, yet they both have no morals, both commiting adultery/having secret affairs. It also shows the decay in 'care' because there is so much carelessness, that all the lack of moral values seem to be overlooked, since "everyone is doing it" it seems like it is accepted. Esepecially in the "new money" world, that Gatbsy belongs to, full of deciet, lies, and crime going on, but thanks to Nick, it is not described in too much detail, and doesn't make the reader realize how much of a crime is being committed(mr.wolfshiem, gatsby). The yellow expensive Rolls Royce car that Gatsby is driving or just showing off, (all part of his display) is also a part of the yellow=decay motif; it is the same car that kills Myrtle, an act of murder.

Aileen Carpenter 2A. One motif that I find vital in the book The Great Gatsby, is alcohol. Since it is a reoccuring theme in both the book and Fitzgerald's life.It is important to note that it was prohibited during the jazz age although Gatsby offers it at all his parties. This is another way for Gatsby to show off his wealth even though he doesn't partake in drinking alcohol. Alcohol also affects how each character acts and is often used to depict their worst traits. For example, when Tom gets drunk he is even more aggressive and breaks Myrtle's nose. When Myrtle is under the influence of alcohol she is more naive and childish. She gets Tom upset by continually mentioning Daisy's name, and like a child she repeats the name over and over again to annoy him. Nick's worst trait is that he worries about other people more than himself. He tries to get drunk at Gatsby's parties because he is afraid what people will think of him being there alone. Gatsby's life in many ways is linked to the effects of alcohol. He has such a dream like quality and lived in a false reality which is exactly what alcohol tends to do to people. This was his flaw, and it would eventually lead to his death.

Dylan: I would add the following:
 * American Dream and its decline/perversion** - We as a reader notice that the American dream has been perverted throughout the book to represent the lack of morality in the characters and west egg and east egg. The dream is now full of greed and pleasure like the parties, the money, the cars and the girls.


 * The green light** - This one represents Gatsby's American dream. The colour green is very important here as it resembles hope. When Gatsby sees that green light, he knows that Daisy is only across the bay. When he meets Daisy again at Nicks house, the green light is not so symbolic any more as his dream has been obtained.

The Geography in the book means a lot in the story: West Egg - Moral and Social Decay East Egg - Old Aristocracy Valley of the ashes - Plight of the poor New York - Quest for money and pleasure
 * Geography**


 * If someone is stuck for ideas, I thought of weather too, but never got round to writing about it.

Ragna : **// A motif that I noticed, and it may not be very significant, but what I felt was worth mentioning was nature. Nature and nourishment are constantly trying to be achieved in the novel. The word "garden" repeats itself several times throughout the book for example on page 43 it's repeated 3 times, page 55 "...and surviving the laughter and the sound of his still glowing garden" pages 41-42 make several references to them, "-the only place in the garden where a single man can linger..". Throughout the book,many quotes about gardens, nature, the "green" grass, and "yellow" flowers are made. It's important to note this, because I feel that Fitzgerald was using this as a technique to emphasize the importance of-not only the west/east egg- but also the immense difference between the clean, fresh, and green society of the eggs, between the "valley of the ashes". The "Gardens" are also very important settings, its where the majority of Gatsby's parties are held, as well as the pool, it's where Gatsby goes to think, and also to watch Daisy, it's the setting where Gatsby was first introduced as well as killed. Gardens other than Gatsby's are mentioned through the book as well. This is why I feel that the "gardens" as well as Nature play a big role in the novel.


 * Charlotte Van Damme:** //The motif that I noticed the most and constantly wondered about was dishonesty. Everyone in this book is a liar. Nick (as we talked about in class) says he is an honest, non judgmental narrator although his narrating constantly disproves this. He says "...I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known." page 59. A little bit before that on page 58, Nick describes his serious relationship with a girl back in the midwest whilst we know, as the reader, that he has cheated on her several times. That ties into a different even more important part of dishonesty: adultery. Every major character in the book has something to do with adultery. Tom begins the pattern with his mistress Myrtle (who is cheating on her husband, Wilson). Tom is cheating on Daisy, who decides that it doesn't matter because Tom is rich and divorce is against the laws of society; she is being dishonest with herself. Then we find out that Nick is cheating on his long term relationship in the mid west with several girls, including Jordan Baker. Whom, as Nick repeats several times throughout the book, is a liar. Later on, after Gatsby and Daisy reunite, Daisy cheats on Tom with Gatsby. The people in this book need the drama and excitement to survive. I feel like Fitzgerald makes dishonesty and adultery a big motif of the book because he wants to prove to the reader that money really doesn't buy happiness. He wants to show the reader that those who have everything they could ever dream of, find ways to want more. Fitzgerald shows us that in the end you really can't have your cake and eat it too; Daisy kills Myrtle, who's husband thinks it was Gatsby and kills Gatsby right after Tom finds out Daisy never really loved him anyways. The only one left to go back to his girl in the midwest is Nick, who claims he is "inclined to reserve all judgments" page 1.

**Andrea**: Cars as a motif in the Great Gatsby is a way for Fitzgerald to partially to illustrate Gatsby’s need for attention and for showing off his wealth. Gatsby’s yellow Rolls Royce is not only an expensive and exclusive car, but very unusual at the time considering the book takes place right when cares in general started going on the market. Gatsby’s materialistic side is highlighted when he sends off his drivers with a car to give out ‘personal’ (although the guests don’t actually know who Gatsby is) invites; maybe to show the guests the high standard of the party and, of course, to advertise for his own name. Fitzgerald also uses the allusion to the good vs. bad driving. Jordan refers to herself as a careless driver, but says she'll be all right, as long as she does not meet anyone as careless as herself; and there is an incident of bad driving after one of Gatsby's party. The car is supposed to symbolize something great, yet is what gets Myrtle killed. In fact, it is the car accident in the beginning of the novel foreshadows Myrtle’s accident and death.

Teddy: In Korea, there is a cliche called "eyes are the windows for human nature". In other words, eyes play important role in determining one's character. In the distinguished work of //the Great Gatsby//, eyes also occur as vital symbols and motifs. The most typical eyes are those of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, the ones on the billboard. According to the narration, these eyes are gigantic - "their retinas are one yard high". (pg 23) They clearly symbolize the eyes of God, which look everything corrupted and decayed in the Valley of Ashes - indeed, the entire America, in particular the eastern part. The eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg plays the most vital role when George Wilson, looking at the billboard and deploring the death of his wife, saying "God sees everything." (pg 160) The man with "Owl Eyes" is a character who has important eyes. He realizes that Gatsby is merely an illusion by realizing that Gatsby did not even cut the pages in his book - He did not read it. (pg 46) His majastic eyes that look through everything also reoccur in Gatsby's funeral, when the man says "The poor son-of-a-bitch" (pg 175). His eyes have already detected Gatsby is a poor illusion that no one else regards to. In other words, with his big eyes, "Owl Eye" appears the only man who understands the true nature of Gatsby. In conclusion, eyes in //the Great Gatsby// play important roles in terms of motif and symbolism.

Karen: Parties in The Great Gatsby play an important role, for it distinguishes the "new rich" and "old rich". Old riches disparage the new riches, criticizing the parties of the new riches. Not only does it give the readers a fundamental background on the book (Roaring Twenties= wealth=parties), but it also brings the two most important characters together- Gatsby and Daisy. Through the constant partying and meeting new people, Gatsby and Daisy eventually reunited. Moreover, the parties emphasizes the shallow and empty qualities of the upper class, magnifying their materialistic qualities. On page 44, Fitzgerald describes the party scene. "At least once a fortnight a corps of caterers came down with several hundred feet of canvas and enough colored lights to make a Christmas tree of Gatsby's enormous garden." This vivid description of the party illustrates the luxury and extravagance of the rich people.

Dion(4A): One motif I found interesting was alcohol, as it was mentioned towards the end of class. As we all know, the novel takes place during the prohibition era, where alcohol is not allowed in America. Throughout the novel, we see alcohol. There was alcohol in Gatsby's parties, at dinners. This is, however, very ironic given the fact that alcohol is prohibited in America at that time. Also, we do not see any characters mentioning that it was the prohibition era, everyone drinks alcohol as though it is legal. However, we are made aware of the fact that Gatsby achieves his wealth by bootlegging, and supplies alcohol at his parties. Gatsby is criticized for bootlegging by people who also drink the illegal alcohol. These tie in with the the motif of dishonesty, and parties, and how the American dream is being eroded.

Spencer (2A) ====One motif that was mentioned in class that I thought was very interesting was rumors. In the novel, multiple rumors are mentioned about Gatsby. These rumors show that the people at Gatsby’s parties did not know much about Gatsby, yet they still would gossip over this mysterious man. This puzzling supernatural character that Gatsby plays shows that people were jealous of him and very uncertain of his life. Examples of some of the rumors include, “A German spy during the war,” and, “I’ll bet he killed a man” (Fitzgerald, 44). I believe that these rumors show that Gatsby was an unknown man; however, he still has mythical power, and is viewed as a hero to his party guests.====

W eather- To me, this is one of the most obvious motifs. Fitzgerald’s uses weather to describe a character’s feelings. When Gatsby meets Daisy again, Gatsby emerges “with his hand plunged like weights in his coat pockets, was standing in a puddle of water glaring tragically into my eyes” (Fitzgerald 86). This shows that the atmosphere is a bit gloomy and depressed. After they encounter and chatted with each other, the weather changed. Nick said “It’s stopped raining” (Fitzgerald 89) with two intentions-- The literal meaning and the figurative meaning. Nick is implying that the room and atmosphere isn’t that awkward and gloomy anymore. Readers could also notice how the season changes. From the hot summer to the quite fall—in the fall, the whole book seems to move at a different pace then the whole book. This weather foreshadowed winter, the season where everything dies; the weather foreshadows Gatsby’s death.
 * Terrence (2A)**

//**Brenda (2A)**// The clearest motif within the Great Gatsby would be the use of color. Colors not only provide an easy grasp for sensory imagery, the reader has already an associated mood and effective connotation with each color. Within Chapter 3 alone, I found multiple references to colors, including the “blue gardens”, “brisk yellow bug”, “the turkeys bewitched to a dark gold”, “verandas gaudy with primary colors”, “yellow cocktail music”, “the sea-change of …color under the constantly changing light”, “trembling opal”, “robin’s egg blue”, “white flannels”, “slender golden arm”, “twin yellow dresses”, “gas blue with lavender beads”, “silver scales”, “wet, and gray little villages”. Goodness, that is a multitude of colors, and this is only chapter three! Fitzgerald effectively uses colors to enhance his setting and his characters. By describing the landscape with vibrant colors, readers find it much easier to imagine themselves in the situation and get a clearer image of just how awesome the party must really be-with specially arranged and visually appealing objects everywhere. The characters’ outfits are described with color and only heighten the reader’s sense of how rich they are, to afford such vibrantly colored clothing and how conspicuous consumption is. Within the text, the color grey is associated with gloominess and despair, as in the valley of ashes. What’s more interesting was the color yellow, which came to symbolize corruption and moral decay. This is prevalent in Gatsby’s ostentatious yellow Rolls Royce, yellow cocktail music, slender golden arm-referring to Jordan, and the two women and their yellow dresses. The yellow Rolls Royce manages to kill Myrtle in the end, and bootlegging alcohol led to the cocktails. Jordan symbolizes moral decay in that in chapter four; Gatsby makes an ironic statement that she would never try anything underhanded, whereas Nick first recognizes her for her publicized scandal where she may have cheated in her golf tournament. The two women and their yellow dresses only further endorse the raucous parties of the rich society and their illicit drinking and crazy antics. Thus, color is a powerful motif scattered all throughout the book.

Ashley (2A) __Crime/Transgression__ In __The Great Gatsby__, there is a motif of crime and transgression. The theme of crime comes through Gatsby and Mr. Wolfsheim. First of all, Gatsby is a bootlegger, who illegally sells liquor in the United States during the prohibition era. Mr. Wolfsheim, Gatsby's friend, is a gambler that supposedly fixed the World Series, or paid the players to lose so that he could make money. The transgression motif, on the other hand, is seen through the relationship between Tom and Myrtle, and the relationship between Daisy and Gatsby. In the book, both Tom and Myrtle are unfaithful to their spouses, Daisy and Mr. Wilson, because they see each other. Then when Daisy meets Gatsby, she is also unfaithful ther her husband Tom, and Gatsby tries to persuade Daisy to leave Tom to be with him, which is a sin on his part. The theme of transgression adds suspense and conflicts to the plot of the story that makes the book exciting.

A motif which reoccurred throughout the novel was wealth. Wealth is very general, but is also of great importance in __The Great Gatsby__. Without all the money and wealth there would not have been any "lavish parties" nor would there have been any alcohol... the story would have been completely different if Gatsby and Tom, for example, weren't as "loaded" as they are. Tom is part of the upper leisure class and is filthy rich, as they say. He uses his wealth to attract people and he shows the fact that he has a ton of money off. When Nick is at his house, for example, he immediately wants to show off his polo ponies... Gatsby also uses all his money for something (or someone) he really wants. With his wealth he throws gigantic parties, hoping to attract Daisy, who he's longed for for quite a long time. Nick is also associated with wealth because he really wants to be lifted up into that upper leisure class that Gatsby and the Buchanens and Jordan Baker reside in. The lives of these particular wealthy people are then contrasted with those who aren't quite as well of, financially (George Wilson...). Through the theme of wealth, Fitzgerald is trying to show the great difference between the rich society and the poorer one.
 * //Charlotte Moeyens (2A)//**

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One motif that can be found throughout the book, especially since Nick continues to refer to it, are morals. They don’t seem to play a huge part in the character’s life, even though they are all extremely polite to one another, they are participating in adultery, drinking of alcohol even though it is forbidden (after all the book is set during the prohibition) among countless other examples. This motif of course relates to honesty, and distrust, because can you really trust the accounts and stories of these characters when they are morally flawed? Although this motif interrelates a little with some others, it is important to note this one as well.=====

**Connie Wang (4A)**
__Rumors__

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The rumors that were being spread about Jay Gatsby throughout the novel has created a good amount of curiosity among readers. If that was the aim of Fitzgerald, then he has excuted it perfectly. Due to Gatsby's lack of appearance in the first half of the book, the only perception we have of Jay Gatsby is the personal judements that Nick Carraway, the narrator, make. In Chapter One, Nick states that Gatsby is "everything for which I have an unaffected scorn." (Fitzgerald, 6) As the story develops, Gatsby is not only portrayed through the eyes of Nick, but also depicted by the infinite rumors told by. The rumors were never established to be true, but neither were they said to be false, thus Gatsby remained a mysterious figure until the climax of the book, in which his secret love for Daisy is revealed. Indeed the rumors have played a significant role to add the suspense in the novel, making Gatsby a man worth talking about. Without the rumors, the beauty of Gatsby would no longer be there as he would have appeared less important, or rather "great", as he should be.======