Chapters 1-2
What advice does Nick's dad give him?
He advises him not to judge others.
What rumors are spread about Gatsby?
Killed a man; German spy; criminal connections.
What does Gatsby tell Nick about his background?
Wealthy Midwest family; Oxford education; war hero medals.
Why does Gatsby want Daisy to come to Nick’s house?
Private reunion; rekindle romance.
What is Gatsby’s real name?
James Gatz
Where does Nick move, and why?
West Egg, Long Island; to work in the bond business.
How does Nick finally meet Gatsby?
Conversation at party; Gatsby introduces himself unexpectedly.
Who is Meyer Wolfsheim?
Organized crime figure; fixed 1919 World Series; Gatsby connection.
How does Gatsby behave when he first sees Daisy again?
Nervous, awkward, self-conscious.
Who is Dan Cody?
Wealthy mentor; introduces Gatsby to luxury lifestyle.
What mysterious thing does Gatsby do at the end of the chapter, and why is it significant?
Reaches toward green light; symbolizes longing for Daisy and his dream.
What happens to Owl Eyes after the party?
Car crash outside Gatsby’s house.
Why did Gatsby leave Louisville?
to fight in World War l
How does Daisy respond to Gatsby’s wealth?
Overwhelmed; emotional; impressed by shirts.
Why does Tom attend Gatsby’s party?
Suspicious of Gatsby; investigating Daisy’s connection.
What is the Valley of Ashes? How does the Valley of Ashes symbolize larger themes in the novel?
Gray industrial wasteland between West Egg and NYC; It symbolizes decay, class division, consequences of greed.
How does Fitzgerald use Gatsby’s party to comment on wealth and society?
Carelessness, superficial relationships, excess without meaning.
Why did Daisy marry Tom?
for financial security
What does the green light represent at this point?
Gatsby’s dream; hope; Daisy.
Why is Gatsby disappointed after the party?
Daisy unimpressed; party not romantic enough.
Why does Tom hit Myrtle?
She repeats Daisy’s name; Tom loses control.
What does Nick find in the library?
Nick finds a drunk man (later called “Owl-Eyes”) who is surprised that Gatsby’s books are real. He expected them to be fake props but discovers they are actual, uncut books.
What happened to Daisy the night before her wedding?
The night before her wedding to Tom Buchanan, Daisy got drunk, cried, and nearly called off the wedding after receiving a letter, presumably from Gatsby. She threw away a $350,000 pearl necklace given by Tom
What object does Gatsby nearly break during the reunion, and what might it symbolize?
clock; represents his desire to stop time and relive the past
What does Gatsby want Daisy to say about Tom?
Say she never loved Tom