The Great Gatsby: Chapter 3

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Goals for today 

Planning up to 8th April

Chapter 3 structure

Human experience concepts 

Chapter 4 dialogue and character interaction  

Planning 

12th March completed TGG 

Project week - I'm absent Mon 16th & Tue 17th March 

Week 6th April no lessons

18th & 19th March paper 1 

Week 23rd March paper 2 

Week 30th March paper 1 & 2 (choice) 

Re-read your 3 paper 2 choices and take notes 

AWL

Benefit 

Concept 

Consist 

https://www.eapfoundation.com/vocab/academic/awllists/

Chapter 3 

The overriding impression that Fitzgerald creates in his initial description of Gatsby's party is one of a coming together of a group of people who neither know nor care who the crowd are. There is no connection between the people who attend the parties on an emotional or spiritual level. The emphasis is on excessive consumption but there is no deeper meaning or human connection to the event. ​

Moths 

amusement park 

How do these link to your reading of chapter 3 ? 

Consider these four elements in chapter 3: 

1. Description of party preparations

2. Owl eyes library scene 

3. Rumours about Gatsby

4. Drunk driving scene

Consider each element of Gatsby’s party and analyse Fitzgerald’s purpose behind including each element. 

Discuss in your group. 

	Purpose
Description of party preparations
Owl eyes library scene
Rumours about Gatsby
Drunk driving scene

Make a table like this in your exercise book and complete it individually.

	Purpose
Description of party preparations	This thorough description mirror’s Gatsby’s deliberate preparations that go into each and every party, highlighting the extravagance (and money) involved. Gatsby is clearly “putting on a show,” although we do not know why just yet. This makes readers wonder why he throws these extraordinary parties.
Owl eyes library scene	This scene reveals that Gatsby is perhaps a little more genuine than others, but yet he still does things for the sake of his appearance. The books are real, but their pages are uncut, so Gatsby “knew when to stop.” Also, it is important to note that “Owl Eyes” here is the only person who attempts to get to know the real Gatsby— everyone else just shows up to party and gossip about his background.

Make a table like this in your exercise book and complete it individually.

	Purpose
Rumours about Gatsby	The various rumours add to the mystery of the one and only Gatsby, increasing readers’ anticipation for when Nick finally meets him. The rumours also serve to heighten readers’ suspicion. Should we trust Gatsby if no one else does? Fitzgerald has delayed the entrance of the Gatsby to increase this suspense, and he will continue to delay the reveal of Gatsby’s true background.
Drunk driving scene	This scene highlights the reckless behaviour of the upper class and serves as a reminder that their wild actions do have consequences. The guests behave wildly all night, but their night “crashes” by the end, when people start fighting and crying. Luckily, no one is injured in this car crash, but it serves as a warning. Foreshadowing?

	Key quote ( a couple of sentences) stylistic choice	Effect (author/reader relationship)
Description of party preparations
Owl eyes library scene
Rumours about Gatsby
Drunk driving scene

What is the significance of this to your reading of chapter 3 ?

pgs 46 - 47

Why the name Owl-eyes?
What are the connotations?

The party is an elaborate theatrical production. People do not even really like each other - "East Egg condescending to West Egg". Does Owl-Eyes perhaps suggest that Gatsby's whole life is merely a show? 

The man in the library = Owl-Eyes 

Belasco 

An American theatrical producer and playwright whose important innovations in the techniques and standards of staging and design were in contrast to the quality of the plays he produced.

Source: Britannica.com

"Absolutely real - have pages and everything..they are absolutely real...it fooled me. pg 47

Owl Eyes is surprised to discover that the books are real and not just empty book covers or cases. Does this suggest that the people of West and East Egg are also ornate covers too? Does their outward show of opulence cover up their inner corruption and moral decay? 

The man in the library = Owl-Eyes 

Owl Eyes is surprised to discover that the books are real and not just empty book covers or cases. Does this suggest that the people of West and East Egg are also ornate covers too? Does their outward show of opulence cover up their inner corruption and moral decay? 

The man in the library = Owl-Eyes 

Symbolism 

	Key quote ( a couple of sentences)	Effect (author/reader relationship)
Description of party preparations
Owl eyes library scene
Rumours about Gatsby
Drunk driving scene

Why did Fitzgerald wait until halfway through chapter 3 to introduce our "old sport" Gatsby? 

Fitzgerald is simply adding to the mystery of Gatsby and heightening readers’ anticipation for the meeting of Gatsby and Nick. Fitzgerald wants us to wonder about the man this book is named after, in the same way that Nick has wondered about his mysterious neighbour who reaches toward a light across the bay at night. By delaying the introduction of Gatsby and introducing him in this way, Fitzgerald is able to keep readers curious about the real Gatsby. Fitzgerald continues with this technique and rumours and suspicions will continue to mount in the coming chapters, but readers won’t know the “real Gatsby” until Chapter 7.

Chapter 3: Our first real meeting with Gatsby 

Choose one key word, one key phrase and one key sentence 

Up to chapter 3, what do you already know about Gatsby? What do you want to know? Write down your answers 

Act 1

Human Experience concepts Literature  

The Great Gatsby 

Human Experience Concepts: 

Belonging    Dreams    Authenticity    Insecurities 

Do different characters embody different emotional concepts?