Event 1: Jay Gatsby's extravagant parties
Summary: Throughout the novel, Jay Gatsby hosts extravagant parties at his mansion, inviting countless guests who do not really know him.
Importance: These parties are crucial to the story because they serve as a major part of Gatsby's persona. They help to reveal his desire to reunite with Daisy, as he hopes she will come to one of his parties. The parties also demonstrate the excess and shallowness of the Jazz Age society in which the characters live. Without these parties, readers would not fully understand the extent of Gatsby's yearning for Daisy or the societal context in which the characters are operating.
Predicted Outcome: If the parties were left out of the novel, readers would miss out on a crucial glimpse into Gatsby's character and his obsession with Daisy. The parties also help to introduce the theme of superficiality and excess in the novel, so without them, this theme would not be as prominent.
Event 2: Tom Buchanan's affair with Myrtle Wilson
Summary: Tom Buchanan, Daisy's husband, is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson, who is married to George Wilson, the owner of a garage in the Valley of Ashes.
Importance: This event is important because it introduces conflict into the novel. It creates tension between the characters, particularly between Tom and Gatsby, as Gatsby is in love with Daisy. Tom's affair with Myrtle also provides insight into his character, revealing his selfish and arrogant nature. Without this event, the tension between the characters and the complexities of their relationships would not be as vivid.
Predicted Outcome: If Tom's affair with Myrtle was left out of the novel, there would be less conflict and tension between the characters. The dynamics of the love triangle between Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom would not be as pronounced, and Tom's character would not be as fully developed.
Event 3: The death of Myrtle Wilson
Summary: Myrtle Wilson is killed in a hit-and-run accident involving Gatsby's car, but Daisy is driving.
Importance: This event is crucial to the plot as it sets off a chain of events leading to the tragic conclusion of the novel. Myrtle's death further intensifies the conflict between the characters, particularly between Gatsby and Tom. It also serves to highlight the consequences of the characters' actions and decisions. Without this event, the novel would not have the same impact or resolution.
Predicted Outcome: If Myrtle's death was left out of the novel, the story would lack a pivotal moment that drives the plot towards its climax. The consequences of Daisy's actions would not be as fully realized, and the tragic ending of the novel would not have the same emotional weight.
Step One: Select Events
Select the three events that you think are the most significant from The Great Gatsby. These could be events that you think help create a theme, move the plot along, or help to develop a character(s).
Step Two: Explain The Significance
For each of the events that you have selected, explain WHY it is crucial to the novel. You will need to write/present a total of three paragraphs, one for each event. Each paragraph should include the following:
Summarize the event.
Explain why the event is important.
Does it move the plot along? How?
Does it introduce conflict?
Does it create/develop a theme?
Does it help us understand a character?
Predict what you think would have happened if this event was left out of the novel.
1 answer