Elements of Fiction
Give the five elements of plot structure
Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution
What does the green light symbolize?
A symbol of Gatsby’s dreams and hopes, the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock represents his unattainable desire for Daisy and the broader pursuit of the American Dream. Its distance and elusiveness underscore the futility of his aspirations.
Explain Daisy Buchanan's significance in the novel
Gatsby's love interest and Tom Buchanan's wife, embodying the allure of wealth and privilege but lacking the emotional depth to reciprocate Gatsby's devotion
List the main characters of The Great Gatsby
What role does social class play in shaping the characters’ relationships and motivations?
characters like Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom are shaped by their social status and the divide between old and new money. The novel critiques the impact of class on personal fulfillment, social mobility, and the pursuit of the American Dream
Define characters
the individuals or beings that populate the story (protagonist, antagonist)
What does the title "The Great Gatsby" symbolize?
Gatsby's boundless ambition, optimism, and determination, but also his flawed life built on lies and illegal activities
What was Jordan Baker's profession?
A professional golfer
Explain the setting of the novel
Long Island, New York, during the Roaring Twenties, a time of wealth, excess, and social change. The story takes place in two fictional towns, West Egg and East Egg, which represent the divide between new money and old money.
Explain the theme of Love and Desire
the complexity of love and desire, particularly through Gatsby's obsession with Daisy, and how these emotions can drive people to idealize others and ultimately lead to their downfall.
Define setting
the time and place where a story occurs
What does Gatsby's house in West Egg symbolize?
his aspirations and outsider status among the old-money elite.
What was so shady about Meyer Wolfsheim?
He was a shady businessman, rumored to have fixed the 1919 World Series, representing the corruption and criminality underpinning Gatsby's wealth.
When does the climax occur?
When Tom and Gatsby confront each other in a heated argument
Explain the theme of the American Dream and its Corruption
the pursuit of wealth and status leads to moral decay and emptiness rather than fulfillment.
What is the central idea or underlying message of a story?
Theme
What do Gatsby's parties symbolize?
the excess and decadence of the Roaring Twenties and the emptiness of material wealth
Explain Nick Carraway's character
the narrator of The Great Gatsby, is an honest Midwesterner who gets caught up in the drama of wealthy, careless people and reflects on their flaws and mistakes
When is the resolution?
after Gatsby's death, when Nick reflects on the events, disillusioned by the carelessness of the wealthy
In what ways do the themes of The Great Gatsby still resonate in modern society?
In today's world, the pursuit of wealth and success often leads to similar disillusionment as in the novel. Many people continue to chase material success, sometimes at the cost of their values, relationships, and personal well-being, highlighting the ongoing tension between idealism and reality
Give the four different point of views (POVs). What POV is used in the Great Gatsby?
Third person omniscient, third person limited, second person, first-person. (First person is used in TGG)
What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize?
the moral and social decay resulting from the unbridled pursuit of wealth.
What did Nick call the mysterious man whom he met in the library, and seemed to see through the facade of Gatsby's life?
Owl Eyes
When do the rising and falling action occur?
Rising Action: Nick becomes more involved with Gatsby's world, witnessing the complex relationships between Gatsby, Daisy, Tom, and others. Tension rises as Gatsby’s attempts to rekindle his romance with Daisy clash with Tom’s possessiveness, leading to the confrontation at the Plaza Hotel.
Falling Action: after the confrontation, as Gatsby's death marks the downfall of his dream. Nick's efforts to contact Gatsby’s acquaintances and hold a funeral highlight the emptiness of Gatsby’s life before he reflects on the tragic events and prepares to leave New York
What are 3 possible themes of The Great Gatsby?
-The American Dream and its Corruption
-Class and Social Stratification
-Love and Desire