The Great Gatsby Formative–

Close Read Analysis

Directions: In a multi-paragraph response, select a scene from chapter 6, and

complete a close-read analysis through a specific critical lens (marxist, gender/feminist,
race/ethnic, new historical), then, in a second paragraph, connect the analysis to
broader themes in the novel through the lens.

Components of a Close-Read Analysis:

● Make a specific claim about the passage (can use theme statement format)
● Pulling language (words, phrase), from quotes and working them into your
analysis
● Weaving multiple quotes
● Connect to a literary element?

The concept of luxury, expensive belongings, and care-free, lavish lifestyles, Is

notably a running theme in Scott Fitzgerald's “The Great Gatsby”. Various examples of

marxism shown throughout the novel support this concept. James Gatzbys background,

as told in chapter 6, when read through a marxist lens, depicts many examples of extreme

wealth, as well as unnecessarily lavish lifestyles. As James is rowing on a lake he sees a

yacht, which in his eyes was “all the beauty and glamor in the world” (Fitzgerald, 75).

The yacht symbolizes beauty and luxury. Because Gatsby does not come from much, to

some a yacht is just a very nice boat, but to him, it is everything that wealth is. Also

shown in Gatsby's past, his inheritance from Dan Cody of about twenty-five thousand

dollars, which rooted his desire for having an expensive lifestyle. As Gatsby earlier

describes “His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people his imagination had

never really accepted them as his parents at all.” This quote shows that Gatsby never

really had accepted the idea of not living a big lifestyle like Dan Cody had. Overall,
chapter 6 when read through a marxist lens, strongly depicts the idea of lavish, expensive

lifestyles.

Scott Fitzgerald commonly uses Money to show how it can create both good and

bad effects on people. While the lavish lifestyle is a common desire, extravagant

belongings and careless spending can create a negative character, as well as many

conflicts between relationships. Specifically, relationships of those who have new versus

old money. As seen back in chapter 6 when Tom meets Gatsby and shares an awkward

exchange regarding their means of transportation, ““Did you have a nice ride? Very good

roads around here. I suppose the automobiles ——Yeah.” (Fitzgerald 78). This

conversation portrays that there is already a boundary set between the two as they seem

to appreciate their funds in different ways. This concept is reinforced when Mr. Slone

states “I wonder where in the devil he met Daisy.”(Fitzgerald 79), He doesn't seem to

understand how someone of Gatsby’s behavior could be with someone as pure as Daisy.

This common recurrence of issues can really only be attributed to how much power

money has over people. Desires like this can be dangerous for the behaviors of

individuals if they don't know how to manage them well, and Gatsby is a prime example

of this by abusing his power and burning all his bridges as a result.