“There was something gorgeous about him, some heightened ...



The Great Gatsby – Key QuotesCharacter/ Devotion to a DreamGastby’s ambition and hopefullness“There was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life” – illustrates the passion in Gatsby’s life/ the enthusiasm for the future, his hopes and his dreams“Jimmy was bound to get ahead. He always had some resolves like this or something.” – Gastby’s father reveals his son’s focus and resolve from a very young age/ his desire to create a perfect version of himselfLengths he goes to – library/ first meeting“They’re such beautiful shirts. I’ve never seen such, such beautiful shirts before” – Although seeming to the reader superficial, Daisy is in awe/ admiration of what Gatsby has achieved – his ambition and drive almost pay offGastby and the American Dream“shiftless, unsuccessful farm people” Gatsby comes from humble beginnings and has worked hard to achieve success"See!" he cried triumphantly. "It's a bona-fide piece of printed matter. It fooled me. This fella's a regular Belasco.” Owl Eyes is in disbelief at the lengths Gatsby has gone to in order to create the persona of an Oxford educated, upper class character – the library shows Gatsby’s character is a fa?ade in order to attract Daisy.“In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.” The people who attend Gastby’s parties are ‘moths’ – superficial – have no purpose/ reason. The ‘champagne and the stars’ reveal the decadence of Gatby’s parties/ the hedonistic lifestyles of those who attend.“It was a factual imitation of some Hotel De Ville in Normandy, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy.” – Gastby’s wealth and success is evident. However, this ‘factual imitation’ is a fa?ade and so is Gatsby’s persona – Fitzgerald reveals the American Dream as flawed – despite Gatsby’s hard work, his dream leads to his downfallGatsby’s obsession with the past“Luckily the clock took this moment to tilt dangerously at the pressure of his head, whereupon he turned and caught it with trembling fingers and set it back in place.” This could represent the time Gatsby has lost with Daisy and that he now wants to catch up on time missed. It also generally symbolises the importance of time for Gatsby – he is determined to turn the clock back and recapture his past with Daisy.“Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously, “Why, of course you can!” – Gatsby believes he can recapture a time gone by. When Nick suggests this is an unattainable dream, Gatsby is defensive and resolute“There must have been moments, even that afternoon, when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams, not through any fault of her own, but through the colossal vitality of his illusion.” – Nick sees that Gatbsy will never be satisfied – in his mind, Daisy is the perfect woman. However the words ‘colossal’ and ‘illusion’ reveal the idea that reality will never live up to Gatsby’s dreams – and Gatsby will never recapture the past“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” Gastby has struggled to achieve the American Dream/ to win Daisy. However, despite his efforts, he is not able to escape his past. Fitzgerald suggests that it is the same for everyone as they pursue the unachievable American Dream. ................
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