Character & Voice
Who is the narrator of The Great Gatsby and how does his background (as introduced in Chapter 1) influence his role telling the story?
Nick Carraway; his Midwestern background and reserve provide a reflective, somewhat moralizing narrator.
What is the “valley of ashes”? Give a simple description in your own words.
A desolate industrial wasteland between West Egg and New York symbolizing moral and social decay.
Who is Tom Buchanan married to, and who is Nick related to or connected with in that social circle?
om is married to Daisy; Nick is Daisy’s cousin (and connected socially to Jordan).
Define the term “point of view” and name the point of view used in The Great Gatsby.
Point of view: first-person (Nick Carraway).
From Chapter 1: What does Nick mean when he says he wanted to “become again that most limited of all specialists, the ‘well-rounded man’”? Provide a short interpretation
He means returning to a narrow role specialized in social polish; suggests self-reinvention and social performance.
Nick says he reserves judgment because his father taught him a certain quality. Name that quality and explain briefly whether it makes Nick a reliable narrator.
Quality: the habit of reserving judgments; makes him seem reliable but sometimes biased by sympathy.
What does the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolize for Gatsby (as introduced by the end of Chapter 1 / hinted later)?
The green light = Gatsby’s longing for Daisy and the larger American dream/hope just out of reach.
Describe Myrtle Wilson’s relationship to her husband, George, and one way Fitzgerald shows the differences between them in Chapter 2.
Myrtle is gaudier, more sensual and ambitious; George is pale, depressed, and passive — Fitzgerald contrasts their appearances and desires.
Find an example of a simile or metaphor mentioned in the Chapter 1 or Chapter 2 excerpts and explain its meaning (refer to the provided excerpt text).
Example: “ashes grow like wheat” (simile); suggests growth of decay and industry’s perverse fertility.
In the Chapter 1 party description, Fitzgerald describes two young women “buoyed up as though upon an anchored balloon.” What image is created and what does it suggest about those women?
The balloon image suggests artificial buoyancy and superficiality — they are more decoration than substance.
Cite one line or moment from Chapter 1 that shows Tom Buchanan’s personality; explain what that detail reveals about him.
Example: Tom’s physical, domineering presence (e.g., athletic, aggressive descriptions) — reveals arrogance, entitlement.
Describe the contrast between West Egg and East Egg as introduced in Chapter 1 and explain what social idea Fitzgerald conveys with that contrast.
West Egg = new money, ostentatious; East Egg = old money, established elegance; conveys class division.
Why does Tom bring Nick to the Valley of Ashes and to Myrtle’s apartment? Give one textual reason and one implication about Tom’s character.
Tom brings Nick as company and witness; implies Tom’s need for social validation and control.
How does Fitzgerald use irony in Chapter 1 or 2 to reveal character or social critique? Give one example and explain.
Irony: the wealthy behave worse morally—e.g., lavish parties but spiritual emptiness; shows social critique
Using the Chapter 2 excerpt analysis prompt (the “valley of ashes” paragraph), explain how Fitzgerald creates a sense of bleakness in three details from the passage.
Details: “ridges and hills,” “grotesque gardens,” “powdery air” — creates industrial desolation and human erosion.
Daisy says, “I hope she’ll be a fool — that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world.” What does Daisy mean by this and what does it reveal about her view of society?
Daisy means it’d be easier and safer for a woman to be ignorant of social realities; shows her cynicism about gender roles.
Using the Chapter 2 excerpt about the valley of ashes, identify two sensory images Fitzgerald uses and explain the effect each creates.
Examples: “ashes grow like wheat” (visual/simile), “powdery air” (tactile/texture) — both create bleak, polluted atmosphere.
In Chapter 1, how does the interaction between Daisy and Tom at dinner suggest tension in their marriage? Give one example from the discussion questions/excerpts.
Example: Tom’s bluntness and Daisy’s affectation and sadness at the table; Daisy’s fainting mood and the couple’s curt exchanges suggest strain.
In the Chapter 2 excerpt, Fitzgerald writes “ashes grow like wheat.” Identify the device and analyze its contribution to theme.
Device: extended simile/metaphor; emphasizes that industrial waste has become an ecosystem, showing human degradation.
The Chapter 2 discussion mentions ambiguity about Nick and Mr. McKee. Summarize the ambiguity and propose why Fitzgerald might leave it unclear.
Ambiguity: whether Nick’s night with Mr. McKee was sexual; Fitzgerald leaves it unclear to reflect Nick’s uncertain self-awareness and social confusion.
In Chapter 1 Nick claims “Almost any exhibition of complete self-sufficiency draws a stunned tribute from me.” Explain how this statement shapes our understanding of Nick’s values and how it colors his descriptions of other characters (give a specific example).
The quote shows Nick admires self-reliance; it makes him admire Gatsby’s charisma despite disapproving of others.
Explain the significance of the billboard with Doctor T. J. Eckleburg (as first observed near Chapter 2) and how it acts as a symbol in the novel’s world. Use the Chapter 2 description to support your answer.
Dr. T. J. Eckleburg’s eyes suggest a watching moral or spiritual presence; billboard symbolizes judgment or the loss of godlike oversight.
Based on Chapter 2, explain why Myrtle and Tom’s relationship is morally and socially complicated. Use evidence from the discussion questions to support your explanation.
Their affair mixes class aspiration and cruelty; Myrtle seeks escape upward while Tom uses her for domination and pleasure.
Explain the narrator’s use of juxtaposition in Chapter 1 or 2 (for instance, between glamour and decay). Use specific lines from the provided text to support your answer.
Juxtaposition: West Egg parties vs. valley of ashes; highlights corruption behind glittering surface.
Analyze the longer Chapter 1 excerpt where Nick describes Gatsby as “related to one of those intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away.” Explain the figurative meaning and how it shapes Nick’s fascination with Gatsby.
The machine simile suggests Gatsby is hypersensitive to distant emotional tremors; it frames him as tuned to possibility and illusion.