In this project, you will plan an imaginary dinner party using characters from The Great Gatsby. Your goal is to create a cohesive experience by selecting a theme and mood, then designing different elements of the dinner to reflect your choices.

Question

Choosing the mood melancholic will help viewers of my presentation understand my theme because it captures the underlying sorrow and disillusionment that permeates F. Scott Fitzgerald's portrayal of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby. The contrast between the glamour of the 1920s and the emptiness of the characters' lives can be effectively highlighted through a melancholic ambiance. This setting will evoke feelings of nostalgia and loss, prompting guests to reflect on the consequences of chasing ideals that lead to moral decay. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder that behind the facade of joy and opulence lies a profound sense of longing and disappointment intrinsic to the human experience.

Instructions
Each character has secretly bought a gift to the party. Each gift is a symbol (a concrete object) that carries great abstract meaning. For each of the gifts, explain the abstract meaning (1-2 sentences) and how the arrival of this gift at the dinner would impact the overall mood (1-2 sentences).

Example: Jay Gatsby has brought a teacup to the party. This teacup is a symbol of a rekindled relationship because he and Daisy met for tea when they first saw each other again. This might make the mood of the party a bit tense when Nick and Daisy see the teacup because they know that this sparked the relationship between Jay and Daisy. For the rest of the party goers, the mood would probably stay the same.

Gift Explanation:

Green Light:
Ad for TJ Eckleburg:
Silk Shirt:
Pearl Necklace:
Mantle Clock:
Toy Car:
Puppy:
Jar of Ashes:

Characters: Nick, Myrtle, Gatsby, George, Jordan, Tom, Daisy, Meyer

Include each characters name in the explanation

Answer 1

Gift Explanations

1. Green Light (Jay Gatsby): The green light at the end of Daisy's dock symbolizes Gatsby's unattainable dreams and the hope he places in his love for Daisy. Its arrival at the dinner would heighten the melancholic mood as Gatsby gazes longingly at it, evoking feelings of yearning and the tragic futility of his pursuits.

2. Ad for T.J. Eckleburg (Nick Carraway): The billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, with its large, all-seeing eyes, symbolizes the moral decay and disillusionment of society during the 1920s. Presenting this ad at the dinner would deepen the sense of despair among the guests, triggering reflections on their own moral failings and the emptiness lurking beneath their glamor.

3. Silk Shirt (Tom Buchanan): Tom's luxurious silk shirt represents his wealth and the superficiality of his status. Its introduction might momentarily elevate the atmosphere, yet it would ultimately underscore Tom's shallow character and his role in the emotional devastation of others, reinforcing the overall melancholic tone.

4. Pearl Necklace (Daisy Buchanan): The pearl necklace symbolizes the materialism that Daisy embodies and the sacrifices she has made for her social standing. When this necklace is presented, it could evoke a bittersweet mood as Daisy reflects on her choices, leaving the other guests to ponder the cost of their pursuits of wealth and love.

5. Mantle Clock (Gatsby): Gatsby's mantle clock represents the passage of time and his desire to recapture the past with Daisy. Bringing this clock to the party would intensify the melancholic atmosphere as Gatsby’s futile attempts to turn back time become painfully apparent, leading to a somber reflection on the inevitability of loss.

6. Toy Car (Myrtle Wilson): The toy car symbolizes Myrtle's aspiration for a lifestyle beyond her means and her tragic quest for fulfillment. Its arrival would evoke a sense of irony and sorrow, as it highlights Myrtle's misguided dreams and the futility of her desires, further deepening the party's melancholic ambience.

7. Puppy (Myrtle Wilson): Myrtle’s puppy symbolizes her fleeting desire for happiness and companionship amidst her existence of unrecognized longing. When it arrives, it would create a momentary lightness that contrasts sharply with the overall mood, but ultimately serves as a reminder of her tragic circumstances and wasteful pursuits.

8. Jar of Ashes (George Wilson): George's jar of ashes represents the remnants of hope and the loss that comes with his wife's death. Presenting this jar at the dinner would cast a heavy pall over the gathering as George’s profound grief becomes palpable, profoundly intensifying the melancholic atmosphere and inviting deep contemplations on loss and the fragility of life.

Together, these gifts create an intricate tapestry of emotions that reflect the core themes of "The Great Gatsby," underscoring the melancholy that pervades both the characters’ lives and the societal landscape of the 1920s.