Character Identification
Who is the narrator of the story who lives next to Jay Gatsby?
Nick Carraway
What do Daisy and Jordan's white dresses symbolize as they are introduced (Chapter 1)?
*Purity (they are elegant, upperclass women)
*Wealthy (White shows the decadence of East Egg)
Explain the type of people who live in West Egg and East Egg
West Egg- New Money
East Egg- New Money
Where does Gatsby live?
West Egg in New York
Explain why Daisy and Tom have an unhealthy marriage.
*Tom might abuse her
*Tom cheats on her
*Daisy likes to get under Tom's skin
Who is Nick's cousin who lives in East Egg and is described as "charming?"
Daisy Buchanan
What is the symbolism behind Nick wearing a white suit to Gatsby's party in chapter 3?
*He is naive and innocent/unaware of what he is getting himself into. He does not realize that all the party goers are not aware if they have met Gatsby themselves, so Nick looks foolish asking for him
What kind of people live in the Valley of Ashes?
Working Class
What favor does Gatsby ask of Nick in chapter 4?
To meet with Jordan, and she relays the message that Gatsby wants Nick to invite him and Daisy over for tea one afternoon
Why would Myrtle be interested in dating Tom? (therefore cheating on her husband)
She hates George since he is poor. Tom is wealthy and provides her with many items like a dog, magazines, cosmetics, and an apartment
Which character attended Yale University with Nick, used to be a football star, and now, lives in East Egg where he converted a garage into a stable for his polo ponies?
Tom Buchanan
What is symbolically important about the colors gray and blue in the Valley of Ashes?
*Gray represents the working class and their hardships
*Blue represents their hope
A billboard of whose eyes hang over the Valley of Ashes?
T.J. Eckleburg
Which character is Gatsby's business associate who wears human molars as cufflinks?
Meyer Wolfshiem
Explain Gatsby and Daisy's history in the past.
Gatsby and Daisy used to be in love, but Gatsby was sent to war. Daisy married Tom, but wanted to wait for Gatsby
Which character is a professional golfer who likes big parties, and speaks with Gatsby privately?
Jordan Baker
What is symbolic about the green light that Gatsby reaches toward in chapter 1?
*It represents the unattainable and Gatsby's desire froo wealth, ambition, and acceptance from the people of East Egg
According to Jordan, why did Gatsby buy his house?
It is across the bay from Daisy. He wanted to reconnect with her
List 3 rumors we have heard about Gatsby so far
1. He is a German spy
2. He is related to the Kaiser
3. He is related to Von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil
4. He killed a man
5. He was an American soldier
Provide 2 specific pieces of evidence that suggests that the party at Tom and Myrtle's apartment was wild.
*Nick's hat was on the chandelier
*There was so much cigarette smoke that it was hard to see who was in the room
*Nick was so drunk he could not remember some of the night
*Myrtle's nose was broken
Which character was totally stunned by the real books in Gatsby's library?
A man called Owl Eyes
What is the symbolism behind the books in Gatsby's library?
*They symbolize Gatsby, himself. it shows that Gatsby might be putting on a front or facade or might care more for appearance rather than substance.
(The books are real, but they have never been opened)
In what ways does George's physical appearance show that he belongs in the Valley of Ashes?
In what ways does Myrtle's physical appearance show that she does not belong in the Valley of Ashes?
George is spiritless, pale, and like a ghost compared to his wife. He is covered in ashes.
Myrtle is full of vitality or life and wears bright colors
Gatsby provides information about his backstory: list 3 things that appear untrue about the information he gives.
1. He says he is from the Midwest, but then continues to say San Francisco
2. He says that he inherited his wealth but lives in West Egg
3. He claims that he went to Oxford - he said it unconvincingly and only has a picture of himself outside the univserity as evidence
4. He says that he is well-travelled but does not seem to be good with geography
Provide 3 reasons why Nick is an unreliable narrator.
*He is biased towards Gatsby
*He says that he listens to his father's advice and does not judge people, but criticizes just about everyone in the book
*He downplays how much money he has
*He says he only got drunk 2x in his life in chapter 2, but gets drunk in chapter 3
*He says he is not engaged, but says that he was writing love letters home in the midwest once a week and needs to breaks things off with a woman