Nick & the Buchanans
What advice does Nick's father give him about judging others?
Remember that not everyone has had the same advantages.
Which Egg is associated with old money?
East Egg
What is the Valley of Ashes?
A polluted industrial area between the Eggs and Manhattan
What does Nick want to do when he first arrives at Gatsby's party?
Meet Gatsby
What is Nick's general opinion of the behavior of Gatsby's party guests?
They behave like drunken fools.
How did Nick's family originally make its money?
Hardware stores in the Midwest
What color is most closely associated with Daisy Buchanan in Chapter 1?
White
What is the name of Myrtle Wilson's husband?
George Wilson
What surprises Owl-Eyes about the books in Gatsby's library?
They are real books rather than fake decorations.
How is George Wilson different from Tom Buchanan?
George is poor and powerless; Tom is wealthy and powerful.
Why does Nick move East after returning from World War I?
To pursue a career in the bond business on Wall Street
What is Jordan Baker's profession?
Professional golfer
What do the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg potentially symbolize?
The eyes of God watching over society's sins
What unexpected experience do Gatsby and Nick have in common?
They both served in World War I.
What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize?
Moral decay, poverty, and corruption
What book does Tom discuss at dinner, revealing his racist beliefs?
The Rise of the Coloured Empires
What does Jordan's discussion of Tom's affair reveal about her personality?
She is a gossip who seems to enjoy others' drama.
What does the puppy Tom buys Myrtle symbolize?
Impulsive decisions and a lack of responsibility
How does Gatsby's behavior at his party differ from that of his guests?
He remains sober, formal, and reserved.
What does Gatsby's unusually careful and formal speech suggest about him?
He is trying to create a particular image of himself.
What advice from his father does Nick share at the beginning of the novel?
He is a good listener who tries not to judge others.
What does Gatsby's trembling as he reaches toward the green light suggest?
He deeply longs for something important to him.
Why is Tom unlikely to leave Daisy for Myrtle?
Myrtle is beneath his social class, and he does not truly love her.
Why is Jordan skeptical when Gatsby claims he attended Oxford?
He seems to be trying too hard to impress people.
Why is Jordan's statement that she hates careless people ironic?
She is dishonest, irresponsible, and careless herself.