Narrative and Character Analysis

NARRATIVE ANALYSIS

Title of Book: The Great Gatsby

Film Director: Jack Clayton  (1974), Baz Luhrmann (2013)

Book Genre: Modernist Novel, Jazzage, Novel of Manners, Romantic Tragedy

Main Character: Jay Gatsby

Secondary Characters: Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson, George Wilson, Nick Carraway, Jordan Baker

Background Characters: Owl Eyes, Dr T.J.Eckleburg

What is the background of this book, why did the autor write it?

Ftzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby in order to reveal the hollowness of the rich and social class during the 1920's. He also addressed the 'impossible dream', which many people have been known to live in the past because they never accomplish dreams. He wanted to depict the social and moral values of the 20's. He wanted to express the greed and the empty persuit of pleasure. Although this is what everyone wanted at the time, he found it important to show that these things couldnt and didnt bring anyone happiness.

F.Scott Fitzgerald

My Brief Summary of the Plot:

The Beginning:

The novel is introduced with Nick Carraway as the narrator. He had moved to East Egg to live with his cousin, Daisy Buchanan and her husband, Tom Buchanan. Nick meets Gatsby, who is known for his lavish parties and his wealth. Nick discovers a lot through everyone, and it is him that tells the story. He knows that Myrtle and Tom are having an affair, that Gatsby is in love with Daisy, and meets Jordan who he is with throughout the majority of the novel. Gatsby and Daisy begin to realise their love for each other and feelings start to be rekindled and reunited, causing the main buil up for the rest of the novel.

The Middle:

Tom become suspicious of Gatsby and Daisy's affair. He tries to prove that Gatsby isn't who he seems. Daisy becomes enraged at Tom's behavior and tells him that she will leave him for Gatsby. However, she finds out the truth about Gatsby and his wealth, discovering he isnt who she though he was. She learns that he has a criminal background and all his money comes from bootlegging, so refuses to leave Tom. Daisy then drives home from the day out upset. She is behind the wheel of Gatsby's car and Gatsby is in the passengers seat. Driving upset and not concentrating, she hits Myrtle and kills her. 

The End:

George Wilson finds out about his wife having an affair. He asks around about the car that hit her, and eventually finds out its Gatsby's. (The car is bright yellow and extremely recognizable). When he discovers who the car belongs to, he then thinks that everything was Gatsby's fault, including the affair. He goes to Gatsby's house and shoots him, proceeding then to shoot himself. Only a select few attended Gatsby's funeral, including Nick. Daisy and Tom later move to Chicago and no one is left behind. Fitzgerald's point is proven - no one gets the American Dream.

Describe the Time Period:

The novel was set in 1922 - the era of Roaring Twenties, the post WW1 prosperous time in the United States. The time period had a divide in social and moral class.

Historical, Political and Economical Background:

1922 - An era of class hierarchy. Upper class and lower class had an extremely obvious divide. there was a big divide in NYC, the rich area and the poor area. There was also a strong selection of characters, from rich to poor, mysterious, criminal and outsiders. No one really fit in, but that was the point of the novel.
 

Describe the Location/Setting/Atmosphere:

There are three main places in the novel. East Egg, which represents the old aristocracy. West Egg, which represents the newly rich, the Valley of Ashes, which represents the social and moral decay and then New York City, where the quest is money. 

What is the Moral of the Story:

Fitzgerald wanted the moral of the story to be about dreams. The stroy throughout shows hunger for money and wealth, or love and happiness - a constant quest for what people cant always have. No character in the novel successfully gets what they want. He explained how each character failed to adapt to the life of the Egg, and wanted people to realise that they should be happy with what they have and stop looking for more. Things will come along if they are supposed to, but if you are constantly trying to force things to happen then you will always end up minserable, alone, or dead.

Important Themes of the Novel:

Love, Quest for Success, Justice, Personal Ambitions, Violence, The Past and Failure.

Personal Opinion:

The novel has a lot of interesting themes that are each built up but the characters. There are many symbolic things that are representative to the characters, which helps to build up and learn about them. However, there are some things I am not so keen on such as the simplicity to some of the characters appearance. This is why I have chosen Myrtle, because she seems to have a bit of an edge to her which will be really exciting to pull together for a shoot. She also links the idea of emotional change extremely well, with the drastic change in life and death that her characters experiences. She has a brutal story line like that of the main protagonist, Gatsby. The images could be made contemporary with a link almost to 'chavvy' and 'prostitution' styling and makeup. She almost makes me think of Alex Box's crazy makeup and colour choices (but not so creative) and Path McGraths catwalk that expresses an edgy, urban look, different to the norm. I also get reminded of Vivienne Westwood when I think of her styling, because the colours are clashing and patterned. However, not the idea of it being boyish.

CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Character Name: Myrtle Wilson.
Character Age: Mid 30's.
Voice: Sharp, more common, "impassioned".
Posture: "thickest figure", "faintly stout".
Walk: "carries herself sensuously", probably heavier footed - larger woman.
Distinguishing Marks: large eyes, broken nose at one point from when Tom punched her.
Physical Description: not beautiful but still attractive, "continually smouldering".
Occupation: Wife of a run down auto shop owner.
Interests, Hobbies, Talents: Becoming rich, gossiping.
Location: The Valley of Ashes.

Give a detailed description of the Location: The Valley of Ashes is between the rich and the poor areas near NYC. Its a run down, derelict area which is just a strip. It looks unloved and uncared for, described as dusty, smokey and almost Western like. Its associated with the lower working class poor people.

Describe the Styling: Colour clashes, corsets, fishnets. Tries to be upper class but doesnt do it right. Linked with the idea of 1920s actresses and prostitution.

How is your character different from you?
Myrtle is different from me because she doesnt appreciate the things she has. She takes things for granted and acts ungrateful.

How is your character similar to you?
Always looking for a way to better herself and considering how you can make life more exciting. But different intentions as to how!!!

What is the characters relationship with other characters?
In love with Tom. Nick thinks she is odd. Husband is besotted by her. Women differ from her completely, looked down their nose upon her. Similar to Gatsby with the life of tragedy and death, but never managed to succeed to money like Gatsby did.

^ A very helpful video with a description abou Mytle. The video shares a comparison between Myrtle and Daisy, comparing apperance, status, overall charater and dream.

Skip to these times for just the information of Myrtle:

1:16 - Myrtles Apperance
2:08 - Myrtles Status
2:57 - Myrtles Character
4:27 - Myrtles Dream