THEME: appearance vs reality/the facade

Question 1

“If personality was an unbroken series of successful gestures”

Answer 1

• CH1
• “Gestures” - immediately brings in this idea of an outward appearance. Gestures hold so much meaning in spite of a lack of words, perhaps reinforcing this idea of being perceived without being known, just as Gatsby is.
• “Series of successful” - sibilance creates a soft and sure tone. Emphasises.
• “Unbroken series” - will it be the broken though?

Question 2

“However glorious might be his future as Jay Gatsby, he was at present a penniless young man without a past, and at any moment the invisible cloak of his uniform might slip from his shoulders.”

Answer 2

• CH8 (beginning area)
• “At present a penniless young man without a past” - plosive. Emphasising the issue of him being poor, just as it is emphasised in society.
• “Invisible cloak” - this idea of fantasy and magic. The dream is not a harsh cold reality, though he wishes it was.
• “Cloak” - connotations of hiding your appearance. He doesn’t want to be seen for his true self.
• “Shoulders” - links to phrase of the weight of the world on your shoulders?

Question 3

“it was a factual imitation of some Hôtel de Ville in Normandy”

Answer 3

• CH1
• Gatsby tries to imitate the old money with the design of his house.
• It is clearly emphasised in the quotation that this is only an imitation, though. He can never gain the wealth he aspires to have, so he consumes in order to act like he has that old money wealth. Fake it until you make it.
• “Factual” - this suggests it is researched, an allusion to Gatsby’s obsession with old money.

Question 4

Use of “yellow” as a symbol.

Answer 4

• An imitation of gold.
• Links to Wizard of Oz and the yellow brick gold. The whole idea of Wizard of Oz is that the wizard is a facade. Gatsby is the wizard.
• Symbolises the American dream.

Question 5

“It was James Gatz who had been loafing along the beach that afternoon in a torn green jersey and a pair of canvas pants, but it was already Jay Gatsby who borrowed a row-boat, pulled out to the TUOLOMEE and informed Cody that a wind might catch him and break him up in half an hour.”

Answer 5

• CH6
• “Row-boat” - think of the extended metaphor of water. He is manipulating this barrier between him and the life he dreams of. Boats also symbolise journeying - this is the beginning of his journey.
• “Green jersey” - the colour of the dream. The dream is imminent throughout his life.