Chapter 1
Who is the narrator of the story?
Nick Carraway
Describe the Valley of Ashes and its significance
It represents the moral decay of the rich in their attempts of fulfilling the American Dream.
Why did Nick go to Gatsby's party?
Gatsby sent him an invitation
What is the significance of the green light at the end of Buchanan's dock?
It represents Gatsby's longing for Daisy
Describe the relationship between Tom and Daisy Buchanan
They have a strained relationship due to Tom's infidelity and Daisy's obsession with superficial items
What year/era is the story set?
1920s America
What does Nick's journey to the city with Tom tell us about their relationship?
Tom is expressing his dominance over Nick by introducing him to Myrtle and forcing him to attend the party in the apartment
How does Nick describe Gatsby's party?
Lavish and extravagant- gluttonous
How does classism play into the novel?
People are grouped according to their social class and are segregated accordingly
Who is Myrtle Wilson?
What does Daisy say about her daughter once she learns she gave birth to a girl?
She is glad that it is a girl so that she can grow to "be a fool, a beautiful little fool"
Analyze Myrtle and her why she is with Tom
Myrtle strives to be included in the East Egg world and is willing to compromise her marriage and well-being to do so.
What is the significance of the interaction Nick + Jordan have with Owl Eyes in Gatsby's library?
BONUS 200 points: What is significant about the books being uncut?
Demonstrates how Gatsby is unlike the rest of West + East Eggs and is genuinely interested in reading and learning.
BONUS: Gatsby dedicates space to an entire library to better his understanding of the world but he does not actually read the books
How does Nick describe the valley of ashes and what does that suggest about the divided social classes?
It was described as a "desolate and bleak industrial wasteland"
It suggests that the upper class West+East Eggers look down on the rest of the working class people of New York
How would you describe Tom Buchanan?
No comment...
How does Nick describe his relationship with his cousin, Daisy?
He admires her beauty but feels distant from her
What does the confrontation between Tom and Myrtle at the apartment reveal about Tom's character?
It shows Tom's contempt for the lower class people and how he is willing to use them for his own amusement
Describe the illusion of reality at Gatsby's party. What do the interactions amongst the guests reveal about the social gatherings of the 1920s?
It exposes the superficial lifestyle and interactions between the West and Egg people.
What does Gatsby's extravagant lifestyle tell us about the American Dream?
That it CAN be achieved with hard work and perseverance
Characterize the relationship between Nick and Gatsby thus far
Gatsby sees Nick as a vehicle to get what he wants. Nick is genuinely interested in getting to know Gatsby and admires him in a way.
What does Nick mean when he says, "I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life"?
He is confused about his place in society. He feels like he doesn't belong with the Tom and Daisy's of the world, but he is naturally categorized as high class.
In what ways does Fitzgerald use symbolism through the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg?
What does Jordan Baker represent within this chapter?
She is a symbol of deception and the corrupted morals of the high class.
What role does the character of Tom Buchanan play in establishing the themes of power and privilege in the novel?
He is a walking poster-child of privilege with his arrogance and domineering attitude.
How does Gatsby's obsession with Daisy relate to Fitzgerald's personal obsession?
Gatsby's obsession with Daisy is fueled by Fitzgerald's own failure to be with Ginevra due to their differences in social status.