Jordan 1

Timothy Jordan
Storer
English 3H: American Literature Block 5
20 February 2020
Socratic Reflection on The Great Gatsby

The following quotes and Socratic discussion are based upon F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel
The Great Gatsby. The first question which our inner circle, facilitated by Amalia, discussed was
the prompt regarding the power versus weakness of characters in the novel. For most of our time,
we discussed the power and weakness of Jay Gatsby. Amalia, Max, Samantha, and Alex all
contributed quotes regarding Gatsby’s power. In general, our group agreed that Gatsby was
powerful because of his wealth and his ability to escape arrest as a con artist. This is
demonstrated in the novel when Fitzgerald writes, “‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried
incredulously. ‘Why of course you can!’” (Fitzgerald 98). In addition, the group discussed how
Gatsby’s vulnerability is his anxieties and his obsession with Daisy. For example, the book states
that, “It passed, and he began to talk excitedly to Daisy, denying everything, defending his name
against accusations that had not been made” (Fitzgerald 134). Next, I brought up the power and
vulnerability of Tom. I explained how in physical stature Tom is powerful, but on an intellectual
level Tom is insecure. Wentao further developed this argument by explaining how Tom is
egotistical and how in the book he feels the need to show off whenever Daisy is talking. Michael
cited the quotation from the book in which Myrtle teases Tom until he snaps and punches her in
the face. Next, Kate brought up how Myrtle has power of George but is submissive in her
relationship with Tom. Finally, in conclusion to this question, Wentao made the connection that
gaining power in one aspect causes a person to lose power in another aspect. After this, we began
to discuss whether or not Gatsby was a Christ figure. Both Max and Emilio started off the
argument by giving evidence for both Gatsby as a Christ figure and not as one. Max brought up a
great quote in which the book literally calls Gatsby a son of God, but also discussed how Gatsby
was a liar and bootlegger, unlike Christ. Next, Wentao made the connection that Gatsby is not a
Christ figure because Gatsby was always looking toward the past, while Christ was always
looking toward the future. Victor further described how Gatsby’s actions and crimes were
evidence of Gatsby not being a Christ figure. After this, our discussion concluded.
The two most original arguments from my inner circle were made by Maximo and
Wentao. In our inner circle’s discussion about Gatsby’s power. Max brought up how Gatsby
built up his reputation and power of wealth through bootlegging and through parties that made
him feel more power. However, Max stated that because Gatsby implores that he does everything
for Daisy, Daisy is Gatsby’s weakness. This was an insightful thought because everything that
was being said about Gatsby and power fell under the same argument as what Max had initially
said, and was a great summary of the entire power scheme of Gatsby. In addition, Wentao had a
great original argument when we were discussing whether or not Gatsby was a Christ figure. In
this discussion, Wentao brought up the point that Gatsby was not a Christ figure because Gatsby
was always focused on the past, while Christ was always focused on the future of humanity. This
is an insightful quote because no other person had made this connection and it helped develop
the argument against Gatsby as a Christ figure well. I think that Michael had the best textual
 Jordan 2

evidence. The quote which Michael used in our discussion about the vulnerability of Tom was
“‘Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!’ shouted Mrs. Wilson. ‘I’ll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai——‘
Making a short deft movement Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand” (Fitzgerald
37). I think this was a well-used quote because it perfectly described the vulnerability of Tom
that Wentao and I were discussing. Overall, I feel that our inner circle had a great discussion.
If I were to write a thesis statement, my thesis statement would be “Jay Gatsby cannot be
considered a Christ figure because he has a self-centered personality, craves material wealth and
popularity, and participates in unholy practices of bootlegging and adultery.”
The first main point of my essay would describe how Gatsby believes the world revolves
around him and Daisy. I would discuss how he takes control of many situations and does not let
others gain power. This is unlike Christ because Jesus lived his entire life centered around others.
Second, I would discuss the material wealth and pleasure which Gatsby seeks out. This is unlike
Christ because Jesus stressed spiritual wealth rather than earthly wealth. Finally, I would discuss
the malpractices and crimes which Gatsby commits. Christ was not an actual criminal.
The setting and occurrences of The Great Gatsby are very common with the Post World
War 1 time period which we are learning about in APUSH. As we are learning in APUSH, we
have talked about immigration to the east coast which Nick references at the end of the novel. In
addition, the depictions of New York as a newly industrialized city is consistent with the
industrial revolutions of the time period. The idea of people attending parties at night is also
consistent with the “Roaring 20s” time period before the Great Depression. Therefore, Fitzgerald
sets the book in times that are consistent with history itself.