CHAPTER THREE THE GREAT GATSBY

GATSBY’S PARTIES Examine simile re: “moths” Examine imagery re: oranges & lemons (p. 39) Examine switch to present tense: “By seven o’clock the orchestra has arrived” (40) Parties are all light, show, staged illusion (“amusement park” – lack of reality – pretend world )

PARTY SCENES: 1974 version: version (starts at 2:30): version: Making of:

OWL EYES READ pp Assumption that books would be fake – impressed by the great lengths to which Gatsby has gone in order to create his world David Belasco = Broadway producer known for elaborate, realistic sets …. Significance?? (Gatsby’s parties are staged, resemble a Movie Set)

GATBSY: RUMORS & BEHAVIOR Murderer, German spy, American army, “an Oxford man” … “It was testimony to the romantic speculation he inspired that there were whispers about him from those who had found little that it was necessary to whisper about in this world” (43-44) Phone calls from Chicago, Philadelphia (Chapter 4: insinuation that he’s a bootlegger) “Young men didn’t... drift coolly out of nowhere and buy a palace on Long Island Sound” (49) Gatsby at his own party: isolated, sober – doesn’t partake in the “fraternal hilarity” Does Gatsby have a nobler purpose in staging his parties?

END OF PARTY Partygoers are reluctant to leave Married relationships (sacred institution) are devalued and crumble (p. 51) Accident : demonstrates lack of concern, responsibility (These are careless people, unconcerned and unaware of the consequences of their actions) Again, a party (illusion) ends in violence (reality)

JORDAN AND NICK Jordan’s lies, carelessness (pp ) Nick = traditional values, morality – honesty Jordan NEEDS a man like Nick to fix the problems her carelessness will create EMERGING MOTIFS: CLOTHES, CARS, EYES, COLORS