The Great Gatsby: Chapter 4

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Goals for today 

Consider the setting in  chapter 4 

Consider narrative point of view and narrative voice 

Investigate persuasion to inform characterisation 

What is the significance of this to the reading you have done in chapter 4? Write down your answers

Fo

Queensboro Bridge  is one of four vehicle bridges directly connecting Manhattan Island and Long Island. 

Setting 

Extract from "I had a glimpse of Mrs Wilson" to "any particular wonder." 

1. “ I had a glimpse of Mrs Wilson straining at the garage pump with panting vitality.” – what is your interpretation of this quote? (p.66)

2. Pick out the references to death as Nick and Gatsby cross Queensboro bridge. Why did Fitzgerald include them? (p.67)

3. Comment on the description of the “three modish negros” on page 67.

4. What does this passage starting with “Over the great bridge” to “particular wonder.” Suggest to you about the American Dream?  

Narrative point of view 

Whatever the narrator's opinion is, we, as readers, will accept as the 'truth' in the world of the novel, until the author reveals another interpretation. 

Goals for today 

Consider narrative point of view and narrative voice 

Investigate persuasion to inform characterisation 

Annotating and forming a draft response to a question 

Chapter 5 - the turning point of the novel 

Section 1
1= Liar, liar! ...10 = complete trust

Read section 1 from p. 63

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Textual evidence (quote) and explanation as to why you chose that number.

Section 2
1= Liar, liar! ...10 = complete trust

Read section 2 from p. 64

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Textual evidence (quote) and explanation as to why you chose that number.

Section 3
1= Liar, liar! ...10 = complete trust

Read section 3 from p. 64 - 65

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Textual evidence (quote) and explanation as to why you chose that number.

Section 4
1= Liar, liar! ...10 = complete trust

Read section 4 from p. 65 - 66

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Textual evidence (quote) and explanation as to why you chose that number.

Narrative voice

write your answers 

1. Which of the narrator's reactions do we, the reader, consider to be correct? 
   
2. How has this conversation influenced our opinion of Gatsby? 
   
3. Do we know any more of Gatsby's background that we didn't know before? What? 
   

Persuasion 

“He hurried the phrase ‘educated at Oxford’, or swallowed it, or choked on it,...bothered him before” p. 64

Suggests that Gatsby is lying and further adds to the mystery surrounding him. This is continued:

“After that I lived like a young rajah in all capitals ...trying to forget something very sad that had happened to me long ago.” p. 64

Persuasion 

“With an effort I managed to restrain my incredulous laughter.” p.64

However, Nick’s impression is challenged when Gatsby shows him a medal he received in the war.

“To my astonishment, the thing had an authentic look” p.65

Gatsby then shows Nick a picture of himself at Oxford and Nick says,

“Then it was all true.” p. 64

Nick now appears to believe in Gatsby's version of his background. How does that affect our understanding of the protagonist? 

Dialogue 

Direct dialogue = 'Turn it.' (no dialogue tag/attribution) 

Dialogue tags/attribution  = 'What part of the Middle West?' I inquired casually

Uses of dialogue: aiding characterisation, gives a 'voice' to the character which may convey information about class, education, social status, relationship with other characters etc. 

Consider the use of and the lack of dialogue tags/attribution. How does that impact the reader's interpretation of the way something is said? 

Annotation approach

There are two aspects to annotations:

1. Topic/focus of the content 

2. Literary/stylistic techniques 

For each section aim at writing down at least two topics. 

Annotate the left side of your extract for the topics, issues, focus of interest of the passage. 

Only when above is completed, on the right hand side note the literary and/or stylistic techniques. 

Do not start 'spotting' technique before you understand the intention of the extract. 

Guiding question 

How and to what effect does the author develop the relationship between the narrator and the protagonist in this extract? 

Respondent 1

Respondent 1: Feedback on the thesis statement in the introduction. Have they included an original idea (not in the guiding question)? Have they added evaluative language? Have they given an idea of how their argumentation will be constructed? 

Give constructive feedback

Respondent 2

Respondent 2: Check the content requirements for an introduction. What do they need to add? Should they remove anything? 

Give them constructive feedback. 

INTRODUCTION PAPER 1 

Hook

The name of the extract is stated

The author or originating source is given

The text type is clearly identified without elaboration

where the text appeared is stated 

When it was produced is stated

The content is discussed: what does the text actually say (briefly)

The intended audience/reader is stated (if definable) 

The purpose(s) is stated

The social, cultural and temporal context is addressed (if available)

The thesis: what you find most important about the text (without elaboration) (main idea/main theme)& plan of development is stated 

Respondent 3

Respondent 3: Check the use of language. Have they used subject specific terminology? Have they used academic and formal register?  Are there certain words that you can commend, or others that they should have avoided? 

Give them constructive feedback. 

Power and influence 

The incident with the policeman is a strange one. What does it suggest?

"Taking a white card from his wallet, he waved it before the man's eyes. 

"Right you are,' agreed the policeman, tipping his cap. 'Know you next time. Mr Gatsby, Excuse me!'" please. p.67

Does Gatsby have influence over people because of his past?

What does this add to the reader’s impressions of him?

Discuss in your groups

Chapter 4  Mr Wolfshiem

Read the extract carefully from "Mr Carraway, this is my friend Wolfshiem" to "Series back in 1919" p.68 -71  write down your thoughts on the following topics :

• How Fitzgerald describes how Mr Wolfshiem eats and the restlessness of his eyes
  
• Wolfshiem's molar cufflinks
  
• What he tells Nick about his business activities 

AWL

Define 

Derive 

Establish 

Chapter 4 

Daisy’s story – From "One October day"p.72 to "in her white car." p.76

In this section Jordan tells Nick about how Daisy and Gatsby first met, and then Daisy’s subsequent marriage to Tom.

1. What is the effect of this change in narrator? 

2. How has the diction changed to reflect the change in narrative voice? Give examples. 

Daisy's story 

chapter 4 

21:44

Listen to this extract 

Jordan 

The change to Jordan as narrator here is important. It enables us to have an insight into the relationship between Daisy and Gatsby.

Jordan can tell the story better than Nick because she was there but also has the distance needed for a successful narrator because she was not directly involved. 

Daisy characterisation 

Her behaviour is contrasted to that of Gatsby.

She is briefly distressed, but marries Tom ‘without a shiver’. p. 75

Gatsby’s constancy highlights his loyal and romantic nature.

“Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.” p.76

Nick’s perceptions of Gatsby’s character have changed – he is no longer just a show off

Have the reader’s perceptions of Gatsby changed because of this new information – how do we see him now?

Structure chapter 4 

Chapter divided into three parts:

 

1) Nick lists the party guests. He also lists their misbehaviour. This again links with the themes of SHALLOWNESS OF THE UPPER CLASSES and the theme APPEARANCE vs REALITY

2) Gatsby’s lunch with Wolfshiem. We see the real Gatsby. What is he hiding with his outrageous stories? Does his connection with Wolfshiem suggest he may be a criminal?

 3) Jordan’s description of Gatsby’s past romance with Daisy gives a different impression of Gatsby. It portrays him as innocent, romantic and shows another side to his personality.

This different impression adds another layer of mystery.

Structure chapter 4 

Jordan’s story also suggests none of the characters have changed:

Gatsby is still obsessed with Daisy and continues to have a ‘romantic’ desire for her.

Tom's cheating clearly began early in his marriage and has continued throughout. 

Daisy is easily led. She initially decides not to marry Tom, but is then persuaded to go ahead with the wedding. 

Teams files (homework 15th Dec) 

In the Teams' files for chapter 5 answer the following questions. 

1 - 7 (PEE and page numbers for quotes) 

Add your answers to your class notebook