Characters
Historical Context
Events
Symbols
Plot Line
100
What is the full name of Nick Carraway's love interest in the novel?
Jordan Baker
100
During what time period does The Great Gatsby occur?
The Roaring 20s Post-WWI Pre-Great Depression
100
What is the similarity between Tom Buchanan and George Wilson?
Their wives are cheating on them
100
In the novel, what colors represent wealth?
Gold, silver, white, green.
100
How is the novel introduced?
1. We meet the narrator, Nick, & find out about his background. 2. He has moved from the Midwest to West Egg. 3. We find out that a man named Gatsby is his neighbor.
200
The meeting with what man prompted Jay Gatz to change his name?
Dan Cody
200
What is bootlegging?
Bootlegging is alcohol smuggled over land.
200
Why does Myrtle run out into the street before her death?
Because she thinks Tom is in the car, and she is trying to get his attention.
200
Considering the events that are associated with cars, what could they represent in the novel?
1. Recklessness & carelessness (Myrtle's death) 2. Excessive wealth & luxury (the types of cars) 3. Deception & lies (In his car, Gatsby tells Nick lies about his life & Tom lies to George Wilson when he says Gatsby's car is his)
200
What is the climax of the novel?
1. Gatsby and Tom fight over Daisy at the Plaza Hotel. 2. Daisy kills Myrtle.
300
What initially interested Myrtle about George Wilson? What initially interested Myrtle about Tom?
She thought he was a gentleman. His expensive clothing.
300
Name two things that defined America in the 1920s. Think culture, society, events.
1. Prohibition: the ban of alcohol. 2. Great Economy: prosperous and wealthy. 3. Organized Crime: alcohol smuggling and gangs. 4. Flappers: culture of empowered women. 5. Speakeasies: the result of Prohibition.
300
In Chapter 5, why does Nick question Gatsby when Gatsby says it took him, "just three months to earn his money"?
Previously, Gatsby said that he inherited his money from his dead family.
300
What does the green light at the end of Daisy's dock symbolize? Think about Gatsby "reaching" for the light...
Green can symbolize wealth (the color of money). Because the light is associated with Daisy, Gatsby seems to be "reaching" for the light in the same way he "reaches" for Daisy.
300
What is the resolution of the novel (resolution of all conflict)?
1. All of the main characters leave West & East Egg 2. Nick cuts ties between him and Tom, Daisy and Jordan.
400
What excuse does Tom give Myrtle for not being able to divorce Daisy?
Because Daisy is a "Catholic."
400
The flapper culture began in the 1920s. Flappers were seen as empowered women who smoke and drank. Also, during this time, women were starting to gain rights. In what ways does Fitzgerald portray women in The Great Gatsby differently than their new status in 1920s society?
Daisy: indecisive, a "tease", money and power hungry, dependent, weak, insecure. Myrtle: determined but money hungry, jumps from man to man in search for $, weak against Tom
400
Specifically, what two things does Gatsby show Nick that validate Gatsby's story of his life?
A medal from Montenegro. A picture from Oxford.
400
What do changing seasons represent in the novel? Refer specifically to Spring, Summer and Fall.
Spring = growth, new beginnings Summer = life, energy, heat/boiling point Fall = change, death
400
What is the falling action (events after the climax)?
1. George seeks revenge for Myrtle's death. 2. George kills Gatsby. 3. Nick arranges Gatsby's funeral because no one else will.
500
What are two things we find out about Meyer Wolfsheim that, as readers, would make us suspicious of him or of Gatsby's friends?
He fixed the 1919 World Series. He is wearing human molar cufflinks.
500
Through The Great Gatsby, what kind of commentary could Fitzgerald be making about society in the 1920s? Use specific examples from the text.
1. Wealth made the rich snobby and careless. 2. Gov't ban of alcohol made alcohol use even worse. 3. Organized crime and corruption was everywhere. 4. Society was obsessed and preoccupied with money & attaining wealth 5. Social status meant everything. 6. Decadence: pleasure, but no morals.
500
Our narrator, Nick, tells this story from the first-person. Name two reasons why seeing everything through Nick's perspective makes the events & situations difficult to believe. How is he an unreliable narrator?
1. The story is a retelling (he is narrating about past events). 2. Drunk & distorted on a couple occasions. 3. Can't see all or tell all. Not omnipresent 4. Nick is not present in all events that are described (He's not there when Daisy and Gatsby hit Myrtle & he is not there when George Wilson talks to Michaelis after Myrtle's death).
500
Although West and East Egg symbolize wealth, they represent different kinds of wealth. Name 4 differences between the two different kinds of wealth in the novel.
West vs. East: 1. First-generation earned $ vs. Inherited, generational $ 2. Try hard to impress vs. Don't have to try to impress 3. Playful & romantic vs. Snobby & uptight 4. Modern vs. Traditional 5. Social vs. Reserved 6. Up & coming in society vs. Well-established
500
What is the rising action of the novel (what conflicts lead or build up to the climax)?
1. Daisy and Gatsby meet for tea, they spend the afternoon together. 2. Daisy and Gatsby begin to see more of each other. 3. Tom finds out that Daisy knows who Gatsby is. 4. Tom and Daisy go to one of Gatsby's parties. 5. Tom sees Daisy kiss Gatsby & tell him she loves him
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