Characters
Who is the narrator of the book?
Nick
What do East Egg and West Egg represent?
Old money and new money (the differences in social class)
'"All right,' I said, 'I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool--that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool'" (17).
The realization that life may be easier if she doesn't have to deal with the difficulties of it--if she could be oblivious instead, then life would be a lot easier (Daisy)
What does the green light symbolize?
Gatsby's hopes and dreams (especially for Daisy)
Who is the author of the book?
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Who helped Gatsby learn about living in high social class?
How is the theme of love/marriage present in the book?
True love doesn't exist, but marriage still exists through the negatives (Daisy and Gatsby don't get together, but Tom and Daisy stay married)
"His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one" (93)
Gatsby may be starting to realize (but not admit) that Daisy has changed in the past 5 years and it was difficult for her to live up to the dream he had of her (Nick).
Weather plays a large role in symbolism for this book. What does the heat symbolize in chapter 7?
The rising tensions of the characters. The boiling point where fights will occur.
What time period did the novel take place? (The ____ Age)
The Jazz Age
Which characters are wearing white and represented as being innocent and pure during chapter 1?
Daisy and Jordan
Which theme is connected to the green light?
The American Dream (especially its difficulty in achieving)
"No... I just remembered that today's my birthday" (135).
These people are so toxic, selfish, etc. that they have completely consumed Nick. His story isn't about his own life, but about the others he was around that summer. (Nick)
As an overseeing "god," what does Doctor TJ Eckleburg witness?
The immorality of the characters in the book. They are judged by this all-seeing being. In particular, the billboard sees the death of Myrtle.
What was the illegal manufacturing/distributing/selling of alcohol called?
What is Jay Gatsby's real name?
What is a theme that relates to Myrtle and her affair with Tom?
Society and class (the goal of climbing the social ladder)
"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And then one fine morning—" (180).
The optimism and hope that one will be able to achieve their dreams, even as they slip away. (Nick)
What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize?
Where was the author born?
St. Paul, Minnesota
Who does Klipspringer represent on a larger scale?
What does the book teach readers about wanting to relive the past?
Through Gatsby, readers learn that it's impossible to relive the past.
"The night had made a sharp difference in the weather and there was an autumn flavor in the air" (153).
The novel is coming to an end. Just as plants die in autumn, readers can infer that something and/or someone will die soon--such as Gatsby and his dream.
What do the colors yellow and gold symbolize?
yellow = attempt to get into high society; fake gold
gold = real wealth, old money
Which character is similar to the author in the book?
Nick