Chapter 8-9 Background Information

Chapter 8:
Eyes of T.J EckleBurg - Loss of spiritual values in America
The Green Light -  Gatsby's dream, which is Daisy
Valley of Ashley - Poverty & hopelessness; Farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills

Chapter 9:
Gatsby's Mansion - Justifies that from Gatsby living alone, the time period of 1920 was filled with emptiness; also Gatsby's love for Daisy
Green Breast - The light blinking across the bay that belonged to Daisy

      

Chapter 5,6 & 7 Background Information

Background Information

Chapter 5:

Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States.

Delicatessen is a term meaning "delicacies" or "fine foods". In English, "delicatessen" originally meant only this specially prepared food.

Clay's Economics is an introductory economics text, written by the British economist Henry Clay

Marie Antoinette born an Archduchess of Austria, was Dauphine of France from 1770 to 1774 and Queen of France and Navarre from 1774 to 1792.

Chartreuse is a French liqueur made by the Carthusian Monks since the 1740s.

A hydroplane (or hydro, or thunderboat) is a fast motorboat

Chapter 6:

Long Island is an island in the U.S. state of New York. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean

Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally demarcated Great Lakes of North America. 

Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. 

Bootlegging, is the illegal business of transporting (smuggling) alcoholic beverages where such transportation is forbidden by law.

Chapter 7:

Trimalchio is a character in the 1st century AD Roman work of fiction Satyricon by Petronius.

Bona fide definition, made, done, presented, etc., in good faith; without deception or fraud: a bona fide statement of intent to sell.

Coupe A closed four-wheel carriage with two seats inside and one outside. 2. A closed two-door automobile. 

The Plaza Hotel New York is a testament to timeless elegance.

Yale University is a private Ivy League research university located in New Haven, Connecticut.

Chapters 5, 6, & 7 Vocabs!

Chapter 5
Bleared (p. 87) : Make dim; blur
Demoniac (p. 92) : Possessed or influenced by a demon
Incredulously (p. 93) : Indicating; Showing unbelief 
Thatched (p. 93) :  Cover (a roof or building) with straw or similar material 
Meditatively (p. 94) : Given to; characterized by 

Chapter 6
Transpire (p. 97) : To occur; happen; take place
laudable (p. 97) : deserving praise; praiseworthy  
meretricious (p. 98) : Attractive w/ out integrity
ramification (p. 99) : an action that complicates a situation
senile (p. 101) : showing a decline or deterioration of physical strength or mental functioning lethargic (p. 106) : drowsy; sluggish; slow
dilatory (p. 108) : tending to delay or procrastinate; slow; tardy   

Chapter 7
caravansary (p. 114) : any large inn or hotel 
boisterous (p. 121) : rough and noisy; unrestrained   
precipitate (p. 125) : proceeding rapidly 
inquest (p. 136) : an inquiry; unexpected death

expostulation (p. 138) : the act of expressing protest
laden (p. 138) : burdened; loaded down
luminosity (p. 142) : the quality or condition of radiating or reflecting light 
rift (p. 144) : an opening made by splitting, cleaving, etc.

Chapter 5, 6, 7 Questions

Chapter 5
1. What does Jay Gatsby offer to Nick?
2. When Gatsby met with Daisy, how does he react? Support your answers.

Chapter 6
1.How was Gatsby able to measure the success of his party?
2. Infer about how Tom feels about Gatsby at the meeting?

Chapter7
1. Why is Myrtle upset when she sees Tom and Jordan? Explain.
2. Infer what consequences after the accident?

Vivian Nguyen

Phuong Ha (answers)
1. Gatsby offers Nick a job because he knows that Nick has financial problems.
2. When Gatsby met Daisy he was extremely nervous because as stated on page (...) he hid behind the room doors so that when Daisy and Nick opened them, he would not be there instantly.

1.

Chapter 3 & 4 Summaries

Chapter 3 

In this chapter, we realize Gatsby is so famous in New York, because of his lavish parties that he throws in his mansion. Nick gets an invitation from one of Gatsby's butlers, in which through curiosity he attends. Immediately, Nick overhears many rumors about Gatsby, and realizes no one personally knows him. After running into Jordan Baker, he feels more comfortable, and the whole chapter describes the luxurious setting, embracing the 1920's Flapper scene. Jordan later has the opportunity to meet Gatsby, but reveals no information to Nick. And finally, Nick starts to see Jordan, and despite her dishonesty he is attracted to her. 

Chapter 4

Nick and Gatsby form a friendship, and take many trips together. As it seems that Gatsby began to trust him, he told him about his upbringing. He also mentioned ridiculous accomplishments in the past with vague truth, which leaves Nick unsure whether to believe him or not. When Nick sees Jordan that afternoon, she finally tells him about her encounter with Gatsby that night. She reveals his love for Daisy Buchanan and the actions he took to win her heart back. Gatsby apparently moved to West Egg to be closer to her. Finally, she introduces Gatsby's plan for Nick to arrange tea at his house with Daisy, so Gatsby could surprise her. 

Vocab Chapter 3-4

Chapter 3
Omnibus(p.43): bus; a volume of reprinted works of a single author or of works related interest 
Scampered(pg.43): run or go quickly 
Oboes(pg.44):a woodwind instrument having a slender conical, tubular body and a double-reed mouthpiece.
Prodigality(pg.44)an instance of it.
Spectroscopic(pg.49)an optical device for producing and observing a spectrum of light or radiation from any source
Contralto(pg.51)the lowest female voice or voice part, intermediate between soprano and tenor.
Quavering(pg.56)to shake tremulously
Sheepishly(pg.56):embarrassed or bashful
Discordant(pg.58): Disagreeing 

Chapter 4
Punctilious(pg.68): Strict or exact
Elicited(pg.71):  To draw or bring out fourth
Fender(pg.72): the pressed and formed sheet-metal part mounted over the road wheels of an automobile
Juxtaposition(pg.75): An act or instance
Ferocious(pg.75): savagely fierce; extreme or intense 

Vivian Nguyen

Chapter 3-4 Questions

1. How does Gatsby interact with the guests?


2. Why did Fitzgerald feel the need to list the people that attended Gatsby's party?


3. What makes Nick different from the other guests at Gatsby's party? 

Chapter 3 & 4: Background Information

Rolls-Royce makes and sells luxurious, high-quality, prestigious British cars and vehicles.

East Egg & West Egg are two different cities that are separated by the Valley of Ashes.

East Egg had residents who are from rich families and were usually snobby, greedy, and mean. They were generally less sophisticated and portrayed as corrupt.

West Egg was filled with humble residents that were less fashionable and had wider, friendlier lawns. Most residents had morals and ethics to live by.

Oxford is a university that has a world class reputation for research, teacher education, and its Master and doctoral programs.

World War I was a war between the allies.

Montenagro is a country in Southeastern Europe.

In the 1919 World Series, there was a Black Sox scandal that 8 players of Chicago White Sox intentionally lost games which allowed the Cincinnati Reds to win the World Series.

Chapter 1 & 2 - Illustration & Vocabulary

Illustration for Chapter 1

"Inside, the crimson room bloomed with light. Tom and Miss Baker sat at either end of the long couch and she read aloud to him from the "Saturday Evening Post" -- the words, murmurous and uninflected, running together in a soothing tune. The lamp-light, bright on his boots and dull on the autumn-leaf yellow of her hair, glinted along the paper as she turned a page with a flutter of slender muscles in her arms." (22)

Illustration for Chapter 2

"Then I heard footsteps on a stairs and in the moment the thickish figure of a woman blocked out the from the light office to the door. She was in the middle thirties and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously as some women can. Her face, above a spotted dress of dark blue crepe-de-chine..." (29)

Vocabulary: Chapter 1

(Pg. 11) – supercilious: contemptuous, disdain

(Pg. 20) – gayety: the state or quality of being lighthearted or cheerful.

(Pg. 21) – veranda: a kind of covered balcony with roof extending.

(Pg. 21) – turbulent: violently disturbed or confused

(Pg. 23) – rotogravure: a printing system using rotary press with intaglio cylinder.

(Pg. 24) – Nordic: of or relating to Scandinavia, Finland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands.

Vocabulary: Chapter 2

(Pg. 21) – oculist: eye disease specialist

(Pg. 29) – anaemic: suffering of anemia

(Pg. 34) – proprietary: an owner, especially shop or hotel.

(Pg. 35) – vitality: liveliness and energy

(Pg. 35) –pivot: pin or center of which anything balances or turns

(Pg. 38) – gypped: to defraud or rob by some sharp practice; swindle; cheat

(Pg. 38) – kyke: a Jewish person

Summaries Chapter 1 & 2

Summary Chapter 1

     Nick Caraway, the narrator of this novel, first introduces where the story of The Great Gatsby takes place; he then introduces the main characters and their roles within the novel. Nick discusses how he learned from his father not to be judgmental of people and understands that not everyone has the personality traits that he has. He then continues to introduce the location of this novel which is, The East and West Egg; the West Egg is home to the new rich and the East is home for people that are lower class. As he goes more into detail about the location he stumbles over the topic of living next to a man named Gatsby that lives in a mansion. F. Scott Fitzgerald showcases his novel in a chronological organization that consist of flashbacks. 

Summary Chapter 2 

     As Nick Caraway familiarizes the reader more about the significance of each character in the novel, he transitions to discuss about Tom Buchanan taking him to George Wilson's garage. Tom's mysterious mistress, Myrtle Wilson, finally appears. Tom forces Myrtle and Nick to accompany him to the city where they attend Myrtle's sister, Catherine's, party; little did they know this party wasn't going to fulfill their high expectations, one reason was because Myrtle left with a bloody, broken nose. 

Background Information

Francis Scott Fitzgerald the author, was born from St.Paul, Minnesota on September 24, 1896 through December 21, 1940. He was a American author during the roaring twenties or in his words, the "Jazz Age." Jazz, is a style of music that was known by its complex mix of rhymes  Fitzgerald, along with other authors of the time were apart of the "Lost Generation." The "Lost Generation," was a period after World War l. His famous book was, "The Great Gatsby." It represented the sense of emptiness and disillusionment of Europe and United States after World War l. This book was able to capture the reality of corruption and sadness portrayed in human condition. The Roaring twenties, was a time of drinking, partying, and the growing of liberal. This period, was right before the stock market crash, and it was a spirit of rebellion in the U.S. But, this book was able to show the darker side of the roaring twenties. During this time frame, America had passed the 18th amendment that prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol in America.  As a result, the prohibition made millionairess out of the bootleggers alcohol, making Jay Gatsby rich.
-Vivian Nguyen

Chapters 1-2 Questions

1. Is Tom Buchanan ashamed of his affair with Mrs. Wilson? How does this contribute to his character?

2. Why isn't Myrtle content with her marriage? Explain why you think they haven't gotten a divorce. (pg. 39)

3. Predict how Nick will meet Gatsby. Would you be intimidated or intrigued?

 Phuong 

1. Tom Buchanan is everything but ashamed of his affair with Mrs. Wilson. Tom takes Mrs. Wilson out on dates in public contributing to him not being ashamed that he is a married man. This shows that he has no respect for his wife, and the people that believe his actions are misconstruing.  

2. Myrtle isn't content with her marriage because she once believed that her husband was a gentlemen and could provide a content life for her but he was the total opposite. The reason why Myrtle and Wilson have not gotten a divorce was because she is Catholic and Catholics don't believe in divorce. 

3. I predict that Gatsby will run into Nick around their neighborhood and Gatsby will invite Nick to one of his house parties. If I were to meet Gatsby I would be intrigued; I would be intrigued by him because from what Nick has stated, Gatsby seems mysterious and mysterious people attract me therefore, I would be intrigued enough to want to get to know him better. 

                                                               Vivian
1.Tom Buchanan, is definitely not ashamed of his affair with Mrs.Wilson. He is not ashamed because he flaunts Mrs. Wilson in front of Daisy by taking her on public dates even though, he is clearly married. This shows that he is shady. He is shady because he does not care about cheating on Daisy even if its in front of her face. 

2.Myrtle is not content with her marriage because at a point in her life, she believed her husband possess positive qualities as a husband, but he was everything but positive.  They have not gotten a divorce yet, because they are both Catholic and it would be against  their religion to get a divorce. 

3.I believe that Gatsby would meet Nick though Tom or unexpectedly meet since they are neighbors. I would be intrigued, because many people talk highly of Gatsby, and for Nick to meet him, it will show what kind of man Gatsby really is .