Plot Structure Of The Great Gatsby

MAJOR WORKS REVIEW
AP Lang Version

GENERAL
1. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2004. Print.
2. Fiction

STRUCTURE
1. Point of View: 1st person; the narrator, Nick Carraway
2. Relationship of POV to meaning: Nick Carraway provides an outsider, “non-judgmental” outlook on the story of wealthy members of the Long Island Society.
3. Plot Structure
a. Exposition: Nick Carraway goes to dinner at Daisy and Tom Buchanan’s house, allowing readers to meet these important characters. Tom invites Nick to come along with him to Manhattan, while he spends time with Myrtle, his mistress. Nick attends Gatsby’s party, which allows Nick and Gatsby to become acquainted. Jordan Baker tells Nick that Gatsby and Daisy were once lovers,
Thematic or plot-oriented purpose: Jordan Baker is simply representative of the superficial, wealthy women that are prevalent in the Jazz Age. Thus, she helps develop the motif of moral corruption. Furthermore, she also is important because through her, Nick becomes aware of Gatsby’s plan for a reunion with Daisy.
6. Other Significant Characters
a. Name and significance of name: Myrtle Wilson; N/A
b. Characteristics: Myrtle is a member of the lower class, who does not experience the sophisticated lifestyle of West/East Egg. However, she is having an affair with Tom, who is able to expose her to the glamorous life that he lives.
c. Thematic or plot-oriented purpose: Myrtle and her lifestyle are often used to juxtapose against the wealthy characters of the suburbs. In addition, her death is the climax of the novel, which ultimately leads to the death of the protagonist, Gatsby.
7. Other Significant Characters:
a. Name and significance of name: George Wilson; N/A
b. Characteristics: George Wilson is Myrtle’s wife. He is basically lifeless, and is subsequently bossed around by his wife. He is hopeless and tired, which is representative of the Valley of Ashes, the economic wasteland in which he
Main conflict: Gatsby vs. Buchanan
a. type of conflict: External
b. values embodied in conflict (expressed as opposition—something vs. something) Man vs. Man
c. thematic significance of conflict: Because Daisy was married to Tom, Gatsby is unable to reach his “American Dream,” which for him is to get Daisy for himself and repeat their past love story. Gatsby’s struggle to acquire this dream is representative of the major theme that the American dream is impossible to achieve because people, like Tom Buchanan, are morally corrupt. Furthermore, Gatsby’s conflict with Tom displays the theme that the past is not able to be repeated because of a gradual progression of time. Because time passed, allowing Tom to appear in Daisy’s life, Gatsby was not able to go back and regain the life he lived with Daisy.
2. Minor conflicts and thematic significance: Man vs. Self; Gatsby constantly has this illusion that he can repeat his past with Daisy if he can be wealthy enough, and appear as stylish as she is. Therefore, he is always struggling internally with the challenges of this unattainable dream. Gatsby’s internal struggles to get his dream reflect the major theme that the American Dream is impossible to