Who said it and what does it mean?
“He’s the man who fixed the World’s Series back in 1919.”
Who said it? Who is it about? What does it mean?
Gatsby says this to Nick, he is talking about Meyer Wolfsheim. Meyer Wolfsheim is a gambler who rigged the World Series game of 1919.
Use the word scrutinize in a sentence.
What sport does Jordan play?
Golf
What decade is the novel set in?
The 1920's
West Egg
“If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him….”
Who is it about and who said it? What is the context?
Nick says this about Gatsby, it is the first time he sees him in person at Gatsby's party.
Use the word languid in a sentence.
Languid means lacking energy, tired, physical weakness
What color is the light at the end of the dock?
Green
What is prohibition and how did it backfire?
Prohibition is when making, selling, or consuming alcohol is illegal. It backfired because it made alcohol really cheap and accessible, and the bootlegging business boomed.
Where do George and Myrtle Wilson live?
The Valley of Ashes
“I married because I thought he was a gentleman… I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn’t fit to lick my shoe.”
Who said it, who are they talking about, and what made them come to this realization?
Myrtle says this about her husband, George, she realized he is poor when she found out that he rented his wedding suit.
Use the word "feign" in a sentence that demonstrates the meaning of the word.
feign means to fake.
Ex: Ms. V feigns amusement when watching a sports.
What is Gatsby's given name?
James Gatz
What was this era in history called? (Hint: Think decade)
The Roaring 20's (The Jazz Age/The Harlem Renaissance are acceptable answers as well)
What does the American Dream mean? What is Gatsby's American Dream?
The American Dream is the belief that in the US, no matter where you come from (ie: no matter your social status, class, race, etc.) you can achieve success if you work hard.
Gatsby's American Dream was to become rich and a part of the upper class society, as well as be with his long lost love, Daisy.
“I came into her room half an hour before the bridal dinner, and found her lying on her bed as lovely as the June night in her flowered dress —and as drunk as a monkey. She had a bottle of Sauterne in one hand and a letter in the other.”
Who said it, to whom? What are they talking about?
Jordan says this to Nick. She recounts what Daisy was like the night before her wedding - she was drunk and upset because of the letter that Gatsby wrote her.
Use the word sparse in a sentence.
Sparse means not enough of, lacking, few, meager,
What are the eyes of Doctor TJ Eckleberg and what do they represent?
The eyes are on an old billboard ad for an eye doctor, they represent the eyes of God.
The "first" generation of independent women were known as ...
Flappers
Who said "civilization is going to pieces"?
What does it mean, why did they say it, and what does it tell us about this character?
Tom Buchanan said this, he means that society is getting worse because Black people and other people of color are gaining rights and status.
"I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life."
Who said it, what is the context, and what does it mean?
Nick says this after the first time Tom takes him into the city. Nick gets drunk and is both intrigued by and disgusted by all the different ways that people live (specifically the wealthy people in NYC)
What does juxtaposition mean? Give an example.
A juxtaposition is when two things that are unlike (or opposites) are put together or next to each other to emphasize the contrasting effect between them.
Ex: The stars in the night sky create a juxtaposing visual effect.
Who is the unexpected guest who shows up at Gatsby's funeral? What does he have to say for there being so few people there?
Owl Eyes - the man who was marveling at how all of Gatsby's books were real at the first party. He is shocked and disappointed when he learns that no other people who frequented his parties were able to make time for his funeral and he feels bad for Gatsby.
What was the golden age (in the time period of Gatsby) of African American artists, writers, musicians called?
The Harlem Renaissance
What incorrect assumption does Wilson make about the owner of the yellow car? What does this ultimately result in?
Wilson assumes that the owner of the yellow car is the man who Myrtle is having an affair with. Wilson ultimately tracks down Gatsby (the car owner) and shoots him and then shoots himself.