Characters
Who is Nick Carraway’s cousin in the novel?
Daisy
Where does Nick Carraway move to at the beginning of the novel?
Nick Carraway moves to West Egg, Long Island, at the beginning of the novel.
What theme does the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock represent?
The green light symbolizes Gatsby's unattainable dream, representing his longing for Daisy and the broader theme of the elusive American Dream.
How does Fitzgerald use symbolism in The Great Gatsby?
Fitzgerald uses symbols like the green light, the Valley of Ashes, and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg to represent themes such as the unattainability of the American Dream, moral decay, and the illusion of wealth.
What does Gatsby mean when he says, “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!”?
Gatsby’s belief that he can recreate his past with Daisy reflects his idealism and refusal to accept the passage of time, embodying the novel’s theme of the destructive nature of obsessive nostalgia.
What are Tom Buchanan’s main character traits?
Tom Buchanan is arrogant, aggressive, and self-centred. He embodies old money's entitlement and uses his wealth and status to dominate others, showing little regard for their feelings or well-being.
How does Gatsby try to impress Daisy Buchanan?
Gatsby impresses Daisy by displaying his immense wealth through extravagant parties, his luxurious mansion, and a grand tour showcasing his opulent lifestyle, all in an attempt to rekindle their past romance.
What does the East Egg and West Egg symbolise in terms of social class?
East Egg represents old money and inherited wealth, while West Egg symbolizes new money and the self-made, often seen as less refined. The two areas highlight the social divide between the established aristocracy and the nouveau riche.
How does Fitzgerald use foreshadowing in The Great Gatsby?
Fitzgerald uses foreshadowing to hint at the novel's tragic end, such as through ominous descriptions of Gatsby’s parties, the recurring references to death, and the buildup to the car accident.
Analyse the quote, “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness.”
This quote criticizes Tom and Daisy’s irresponsibility and lack of moral accountability. Their wealth shields them from the consequences of their actions, illustrating the moral emptiness and selfishness of the upper class.
What role does Meyer Wolfsheim play in Gatsby’s life?
Meyer Wolfsheim is a key associate of Gatsby and is involved in organized crime. He is implied to have helped Gatsby accumulate his wealth through illegal activities, symbolizing the corruption behind Gatsby's success.
What is the significance of the car accident in the novel?
The car accident, in which Daisy kills Myrtle Wilson while driving Gatsby’s car, symbolizes the recklessness and moral decay of the upper class. It also triggers the chain of events leading to Gatsby’s downfall.
What is the novel’s commentary on the American Dream?
The novel critiques the American Dream by showing how it is corrupted by materialism and unattainable ideals, leading to disillusionment and tragedy for those who chase it.
How does Fitzgerald use motifs to develop key themes in the novel?
Motifs like colours (green, white, yellow), weather, and cars are used to reinforce themes such as the corrupting influence of wealth, the passage of time, and the superficiality of the American Dream.
How does the quote, “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life,” reflect Nick’s perspective?
This quote captures Nick’s conflicted feelings as both an observer and participant in the lives of the wealthy. He is fascinated by their lifestyle yet disturbed by their moral shortcomings, highlighting his ambivalent stance.
In what ways is Daisy Buchanan both a victim and a perpetrator in the novel?
Daisy is a victim of the expectations and constraints of her social class, yet she also perpetuates these same social norms by choosing comfort and security over love, leading to tragic consequences for others, including Gatsby.
How does the novel’s non-linear timeline influence the reader’s understanding of the plot?
The non-linear timeline creates suspense and allows the reader to piece together Gatsby's past, enhancing the mystery surrounding his character and the eventual tragic unfolding of events.
How does Fitzgerald critique the moral emptiness of the upper class through the novel’s themes?
Fitzgerald portrays the upper class as morally bankrupt, using characters like Tom and Daisy Buchanan, who prioritize wealth and status over human relationships, leaving destruction in their wake.
Name at least two language techniques used in this quote: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
The quote uses metaphor (comparing life to boats against the current) and alliteration (“borne back ceaselessly”) to emphasize the struggle against the inevitable pull of the past.
What does the quote, “The rich get richer and the poor get—children,” suggest about the novel’s perspective on wealth?
This quote cynically reflects the widening gap between the rich and poor, suggesting that wealth accumulation benefits the already wealthy, while the poor continue to struggle with basic survival, illustrating the novel’s critique of social inequality.
How does the character of Myrtle Wilson serve as a critique of the American class system?
Myrtle Wilson's tragic fate highlights the illusion of social mobility in America. Her desperate attempt to escape her lower-class status by associating with Tom Buchanan ends in her destruction, illustrating the rigid and unforgiving nature of the class system.
How does the novel’s resolution reflect the inevitability of the tragic events that precede it?
The novel’s resolution, with Gatsby’s death and the subsequent abandonment by those he tried to impress, underscores the futility of his dreams and the inevitable downfall that comes from pursuing an idealized past.
How does Fitzgerald use the novel to comment on the idea of social mobility?
Fitzgerald suggests that social mobility is an illusion, as characters like Gatsby, who attempt to rise above their class, ultimately fail due to the entrenched social divisions and the moral decay that accompanies the pursuit of wealth.
How does the author’s use of paradoxes contribute to the novel’s exploration of human nature?
Fitzgerald’s use of paradoxes, such as Gatsby’s simultaneous success and failure, reflects the complexity of human desires and the contradictory nature of the American Dream, highlighting the tension between aspiration and reality.
How does the quote, “His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it,” reflect the central themes of the novel?
This quote encapsulates Gatsby’s tragic pursuit of an unattainable dream. It reflects the central theme of the American Dream's illusion, showing how Gatsby’s idealism ultimately leads to his downfall.