Gatsby’s Dream & Past
What does it mean when Nick says Gatsby “committed himself to the following of a grail”?
Gatsby devoted his entire life to chasing an impossible ideal – his vision of Daisy, her money, and the perfect dream she represents.
What does the green light symbolize by the end of the novel?
The fading green light shows that Gatsby’s dream—and the American Dream—has become unreachable.
Who kills Gatsby, and why?
George Wilson because he thought Gatsby was the one driving when Myrtle was killed
What does Daisy’s “voice full of money” reveal about her?
Her beauty and charm are tied to wealth and privilege. Gatsby loves her partly for what she represents socially and financially.
Which character, "paid a high price for living too long with a single dream"?
Gatsby
Gatsby waits for Daisy to call her after the car accident.
Does Daisy call him before Gatsby is killed by George Wilson? Yes or no.
No
What do the "yellowing trees" represent at the end of chapter 8?
They represent decay, and a fading hope and dream.
Who warns Gatsby to leave town, and why?
Nick warns him because he believes Tom will blame Gatsby for Myrtle’s death.
What does the contrast between Tom and Gatsby reveal?
Class divisions – Tom represents "old money" and a higher status than Gatsby.
Gatsby represents "new money" and he's less respected due to his shady businesses and ties to gamblers, swindlers, etc. Gatsby's wealth is fragile. Tom's is cemented and firm.
Who is Gatsby referring to?
Daisy
What does Mr. Gatz (Gatsby's father) show Nick at the end of the story in Chapter 9, that shows a glimpse of Gatsby's motivation and drive?
He shows Gatsby's childhood schedule for self-improvement:
What was the "thin red circle" in Gatsby's pool?
Blood from Gatsby after he was shot by George Wilson
What does the small turnout at Gatsby’s funeral show?
His “friends” only liked his parties. Gatsby tragically dies isolated and unappreciated despite all of his efforts to achieve the American Dream.
What does Fitzgerald mean by calling Tom and Daisy “careless people”?
They cause harm to others, avoid responsibility, walk away, and are always protected by wealth.
Who said it?
"It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson’s body a little way off in the grass."
Nick (narrating)
Why does Gatsby’s father compare his son to James J. Hill while talking to Nick at the end of the story?
He sees his son, Gatsby, as a self-made man who could've built something great. He thinks Gatsby had a ton of potential.
What do the "ash-gray men" symbolize, near where George Wilson worked?
Why doesn’t Wolfshiem attend Gatsby’s funeral?
Wolfshiem is worried that it will bring more trouble for him. His loyalty with Gatsby was based in shady business dealings, not based in Gatsby himself.
Why does Nick decide to return to the Midwest?
He’s disgusted by the East’s corruption and longs for honesty and stability.
What does the line “So we beat on, boats against the current” mean?
People keep striving for dreams even though the past can often pull us back.
How does Gatsby’s dream represent and reflect the American Dream?
It shows both the beauty of hope and the corruption of materialism.
Explain the "American Dream." What is it, and how is it reflected in The Great Gatsby?
The belief that anyone can achieve happiness and success through hard work.
Why does Daisy choose Tom over Gatsby?
Tom because he offers wealth, protection, and familiarity.
Gatsby offers something too unpredictable for her, and she knows that Gatsby's illusion of Daisy is impossible to live up to.
What does Nick mean when he says “the East was haunted for me now”?
The moral emptiness and tragedy of the East. The dream of the East is dead and corrupted for him.
"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
What does this mean?
It means the "American Dream" is something we all strive for continuously, but it can seem impossible to fully realize, or it can feel out of reach.
We continue to strive for it nonetheless because dreams are powerful motivators.