F. Scott Fitzgerald’s

The Great Gatsby

“How to be a Millionaire or Just Look Like One: Jay Gatsby: The Artful Poseur”

THE IMPORTANCE OF CLOTHES AND HAVING THE RIGHT IMAGE

HOW IMPORTANT IS FASHION TO JAY GATSBY?

At 17, when Jimmy Gatz decides he is really Jay Gatsby, his mentor, Dan Cody, takes him to Duluth and “[buys] him a blue coat, six pairs of white duck trousers, and a yachting cap” to sharpen Gatsby’s image (100).

GATSBY’S CLOTHES ARE MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE NOVEL.

There’s a “caramel-colored suit” (64) He shows Nick a picture of himself and

other young men in “blazers” at Oxford (67).

He wears a “white flannel suit, silver shirt, and gold-colored tie” when he meets

GATSBY’S SUITS ARE MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE NOVEL.

There’s a “caramel-colored suit” (64) He shows Nick a picture of himself and

other young men in “blazers” at Oxford (67).

He wears a “white flannel suit, silver shirt, and gold-colored tie” when he meets Daisy at Nick’s house (84).

HIS MULTIPLE SHIRTS MOVE DAISY TO TEARS.

When he gives Daisy a tour of his house, Gatsby shows her his wardrobe:

“…he opened …two hulking patent cabinets which held his massed suits and dressing gowns and ties, and his shirts, piled like bricks in stacks a dozen high” (92). He took out a pile of shirts…shirts of sheer linen and thick silk and fine flannel…”

Daisy comments to Gatsby: “You resemble the advertisement of the man” (119).

Tom makes fun of Gatsby’s “pink suit” (122)

"How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something, but to become someone."

--Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel

JAY GATSBY HOBNOBS WITH STARS

Chapter 4 mentions among Gatsby’s party guest list: Newton Orchid who controlled Films Par Excellence and Eckhaust and Clyde Cohen and Don S. Schwartze, and Arthur McCarty, all connected with the movies… (these are fictitious names). [62].

Hollywood, where images are created, actors change their names to something the public will like, where fortunes can be lost and made quickly, and where scandals abound, has made ILLUSION

one of the most lucrative businesses in this country.

A STAR IS BORN: GRETA GARBO, 1925

REINVENTING THE SELF

Garbo: born Greta Louisa Gustafsson in Stockholm, Sweden on September 18, 1905. Her father died when she was 14.

Worked as a “lather girl” in a barber shop, then as a salesgirl and occasional model

in a department store. Met Mauritz Stiller, Sweden’s

foremost film director.

FROM JIMMY GATZ TO JAY GATSBY

What motivates Gatz’s transformation? When did it begin? How does Gatsby become wealthy? Does Gatsby represent the American

Dream or a Corruption of that Dream?

•James Gatz’s parents were “shiftless and unsuccessful farm people” from North Dakota (98).

At a young age, James puts himself on a rigorous self-improvement plan, trying to follow Hopalong Cassidy’s advice.

Hopalong Cassidy American Icon:

Henry Gatz tells Nick that“Jimmy” had a copy of the book,Hopalong Cassidy, when he was a boy.On the back fly-leaf“Jimmy” printed his“self-improvement” schedule (173).

HOPALONG’S CREED

The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty. Be truthful at all times.

Your parents are the best friends you have. Listen to them and obey their instructions. If you want to be respected, you must respect others. Show good manners in every way.

Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don't be lazy.

Your good deeds always come to light. So don't boast or be a show-off.

If you waste time or money today, you will regret it tomorrow. Practice thrift in all ways.

Many animals are good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to them.

A strong, healthy body is a precious gift. Be neat and clean.

Our country's laws are made for your protection. Observe them carefully.

Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad and proud you are an American.

Hopalong Cassidy’s character was invented by author Clarence Mulford, who wrote 26 books about the cowboy between 1907-1941. Several films followed.

DOES JAY GATSBY ADHERE TO HOPALONG’S CREED?

We know Gatsby is NOT honest.

We know he does not honor his parents.

We know that Gatsby has impeccable manners.

We know that Gatsby does not believe hard work and academic perseverance will earn him the respect or status he wants:

He drops out of St. Olaf College (MN) after 2 weeks because he doesn’t like working as a janitor to pay his tuition (99).

We know he does not obey the law (he bribes a police officer about to give him a speeding ticket; his affiliation with Meyer Wolfsheim suggests Mob connections).

We know that instead of being modest, Gatsby goes to great lengths to display his wealth to lure Daisy Buchanan.

Instead of practicing “thrift” he epitomizes ostentatious, careless spending.

We do not know if Gatsby was kind to animals.

Gatsby runs away from his background, disowns his parents (he tells Nick they are dead), and reinvents himself.

At 17, when he meets Dan Cody, whose yacht on Lake Superior represents an “opportunity,” James Gatz becomes JAY GATSBY.

Dan Cody, 50, is an alcoholic who made his fortune in silver and copper mines.

Cody discovers that Gatsby is ambitious and intelligent. Gatsby stays with Cody for 5 years. It is Gatsby’s apprenticeship to teach him how to “behave like a rich person” so he will blend in.

Gatsby meets Daisy when he is stationed in Louisville, Kentucky.

He “takes her” under false pretenses, for he presents himself of a man from a family of high social standing.

Daisy represents Jay Gatsby’s entry into a world of sophistication and wealth.

Gatsby cannot acquire status by marrying a rich woman, since this would violate social expectations and reverse gender roles (the 1920s).

GATSBY’S TRANSFORMATION CONT.

Gatsby not only wants to erase his own past, as a product of poor farmers from North Dakota, he also wants Daisy to deny that her past with Tom held meaning for her.

•In short, Gatsby wants to turn back time and meet Daisy again, now as someone “worthy” ($) of her.

GATSBY’S DREAM

•Gatsby dreams of one day being reunited with Daisy Buchanan. •To win her back, he makes a fortune–apparently through dealings with mobsters.•His dream of gaining entry into the East Egg society is shattered. •Daisy allows Gatsby to take the blame for Myrtle Wilson’s death.

Jay Gatsby

GREED WINS THE DAY

In The Great Gatsby, the central characters achieve wealth and social status, but Nick Carraway, the narrator, comes to see them at the novel’s end as shallow people who lack empathy. Daisy pretends she did not run over Myrtle Wilson, Tom continues his boorish ways, and Gatsby winds up dead (as do Myrtle and George Wilson).

“Gatsby was overwhelmingly aware of the youth and mystery that wealth imprisons and preserves, of the freshness of many clothes, and of Daisy, gleaming like silver, safe and proud above the hot struggles of the poor” (150).