Characters
Who is the narrator of The Great Gatsby, and what is his relationship to Gatsby?
Nick Carraway is the narrator. He is Gatsby’s neighbor and becomes his friend and confidant.
Where and why does Gatsby first meet Daisy, and how does this meeting set up the central conflict?
Gatsby first met Daisy in Louisville during World War I; his love for her becomes an obsession, setting up his motivation to gain wealth and status.
What does the green light symbolize?
Answers may vary.
What is one major theme of The Great Gatsby?
Answers may vary. (Ex: the American Dream, corruption)
What type of narration is used in The Great Gatsby, and why is it important?
First-person narration from Nick Carraway provides a subjective view that influences our perception of events and characters.
What is Daisy's "green light," and what does it symbolize for Gatsby?
The green light symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams, especially his desire to be with Daisy, as it is at the end of her dock.
What major event occurs at Tom and Daisy's house in Chapter 7, and how does it lead to the climax?
The confrontation at Tom and Daisy’s house in Chapter 7, where Tom exposes Gatsby’s background, marks the story's climax as it disrupts Gatsby’s dream of being with Daisy.
How does the Valley of Ashes represent moral and social decay?
The Valley of Ashes represents moral and social decay, illustrating the corrupting influence of wealth and industrialization.
How does the novel explore the idea of the American Dream through Gatsby’s life?
The novel critiques the American Dream by showing how Gatsby’s pursuit of wealth and status ultimately leads to his downfall.
Identify an example of irony in the story and explain its significance.
Irony is evident when Gatsby throws lavish parties for strangers yet dies almost friendless, underscoring the emptiness of his life.
Explain the significance of Tom Buchanan’s wealth and how it influences his character’s actions and beliefs.
Tom Buchanan’s wealth gives him a sense of entitlement and superiority, leading him to act carelessly and dominate others without facing consequences.
How does Gatsby's death impact Nick's view of the American Dream?
Gatsby’s death causes Nick to become disillusioned with the American Dream, as he realizes Gatsby's idealism was wasted on an empty pursuit.
Describe the significance of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s billboard and its connection to the theme of judgement.
The billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes represents the idea of an omnipresent judgment or moral reckoning, often interpreted as a godlike gaze over the characters’ immorality.
Describe how the theme of love versus materialism is presented through Daisy and Gatsby's relationship.
The theme of love vs. materialism is shown in how Daisy chooses Tom, despite her affection for Gatsby, as she prioritizes social status and security.
How does Fitzgerald use foreshadowing in relation to Gatsby’s tragic end?
Foreshadowing is used when Nick hints at Gatsby’s tragic end, creating a sense of inevitable failure in Gatsby’s pursuit of his dreams.
How does Myrtle’s character highlight the theme of the American Dream?
Myrtle represents the American Dream's allure and false promise, as she pursues wealth and status through Tom but meets a tragic end.
Describe the argument between Tom and Gatsby in the Plaza Hotel. What themes are highlighted through this conflict?
In the Plaza Hotel argument, Tom and Gatsby fight over Daisy. This scene highlights themes of possessiveness, class, and the illusion of love.
How does Gatsby’s mansion serve as a symbol of his desires and ultimately his disillusionment?
Gatsby’s mansion symbolizes both his wealth and his aspiration to win Daisy back, ultimately highlighting the futility of his dream.
In what ways does Nick’s perspective change as he realizes the flaws in the American Dream?
Nick becomes disillusioned, realizing that the American Dream is largely an illusion that conceals selfishness and moral decay.
How does the structure of the novel, with flashbacks, enhance the theme of lost time?
The novel’s non-linear structure and flashbacks highlight Gatsby’s fixation on the past and his inability to move forward, emphasizing the theme of lost time.
In what way does Jordan Baker represent the idea of carelessness that Fitzgerald critiques?
Jordan Baker embodies the careless and morally detached lifestyle of the wealthy, reflecting Fitzgerald’s criticism of the moral decay in 1920s society.
How does Fitzgerald use the setting of Gatsby’s parties to critique wealth and extravagance?
Gatsby’s parties symbolize the emptiness of wealth and the pursuit of pleasure without purpose, critiquing the era's extravagance.
Explain the symbolism behind Gatsby’s swimming pool, especially in the final scenes of the novel.
Gatsby’s swimming pool represents his attempt to hold onto his dreams and his refusal to let go of his vision of the American Dream, even in his final moments.
How does the novel portray social class divisions, and what message does Fitzgerald convey about these divisions?
The novel portrays class divisions through characters like Tom and Daisy, who are wealthy and careless, and Myrtle, whose pursuit of wealth leads to tragedy. Fitzgerald critiques the rigid social hierarchy and its detrimental impact.
Describe how Fitzgerald’s use of vivid imagery contributes to the atmosphere of the 1920s setting.
Fitzgerald’s imagery vividly captures the glitz and glamour of the 1920s while also revealing its hollowness, contributing to the novel’s critical tone.