Chapter 1
Although Nick claims he is “inclined to reserve all judgments,” this descriptive language he uses for Tom Buchanan reveals that Nick is already forming opinions.
What is Nick’s use of critical and judgmental language (such as describing Tom as arrogant and aggressive)?
In Chapter 2, Nick describes the Valley of Ashes using gloomy and negative imagery. This shows that Nick views this place as this kind of environment.
What is a bleak, hopeless, or lifeless place?
This is the central message or life lesson a reader can learn from a story.
What is the theme?
When a reader decides whether an author successfully communicates an idea and explains why, they are doing this
What is evaluation?
This term refers to the main series of events that happen in a story.
What is the plot?
Daisy often sounds cheerful and playful, but her words also reveal this deeper feeling about her life.
What is that Daisy feels unhappy, disappointed, or dissatisfied?
This setting, filled with ash, dust, and decay, represents the consequences of wealth and the people forgotten by the American Dream.
What is the Valley of Ashes?
When a character’s actions, thoughts, and dialogue reveal what kind of person they are, a reader is analyzing this.
What is characterization?
This is the information from the text a reader uses to support an opinion or judgment.
What is textual evidence?
This is the deeper message or lesson about life that a reader can take away from a text.
What is the theme?
In Chapter 1, the difference between East Egg and West Egg represents this major idea about wealth and social class.
What is the difference between old money and new money?
The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg most strongly symbolize this idea in Chapter 2.
What is a sense of watching, judgment, or moral awareness?
This term describes who is telling the story and how much they know.
What is point of view?
When a reader decides if a character’s decision was right or wrong and supports that judgment with reasons, they are doing this.
What is evaluating a character’s choices?
This describes who is telling the story and the perspective from which it is told.
What is point of view?
Tom’s comments about race help show this big idea about wealthy people in the novel.
What is the moral corruption or flaws of the wealthy?
Tom’s behavior in the New York apartment toward Myrtle shows this negative personality trait.
What is Tom’s cruelty or abuse of power?
When an object, setting, or image represents a bigger idea, a reader is identifying this.
What is symbolism?
When a reader judges whether the author’s use of word choice, tone, or structure was effective, they are focusing on this.
What is evaluating the author’s craft?
When an author uses clues early in a story to hint at what will happen later, they are using this technique.
What is foreshadowing?
Gatsby does not speak in Chapter 1, but his action toward the green light represents this idea.
What is hope or dreaming about something he cannot have?
Nick claims to be honest, yet his passive reaction to Myrtle’s mistreatment suggests this about his role in the story.
What is that Nick is not completely objective or reliable?
When a reader explains why an author included a specific detail to create meaning or impact, they are doing this type of thinking.
What is analysis?
A strong evaluation always includes this to explain why the opinion makes sense.
What is reasoning supported by evidence?
These are quotes or details from the text that help support a reader’s answer or opinion.
What is textual evidence?