Characters
How has Nick described himself in the beginning of the book? What can you infer and predict about him based on that information? Use quotes to support your answer. (1-2)
Nick described himself as someone who reserves judgement to others. He thinks differently from his father.
Quote: "Reserving judgements is a matter of infinite hope" (2).
“‘No, we just went to Monte Carlo and back. We went by way of Marseilles. We had over twelve hundred dollars when we started, but we got gypped out of it all in two days in the private rooms. We had an awful time getting back, I can tell you. God, how I hated that town!’” (34).
Who: Catherine
Why: She was describing her experiences in Europe. This shows that she likes to blow her money, as she is extremely careless.
In the beginning of the novel, Nick says that his father tells him to be grateful for everything he has. What theme/ideas does this revolve around, explain the theme and provide a quote to back up your claim. (1-2)
Theme: "old money"
Meaning: Money is deeply rooted in the family's history
Quote: varies
Where did Nick graduate from, and where did he just come from?
Nick graduated from Yale, and he just came back from service in WW1.
What do you realize in Chapter 2 about Nick’s character?
Nick is very observant and is different from the rest of the people, whether they have new, old, or no money.
Describe Tom Buchanan. What impressions does it give, and what do you think about his character? Use quotes to support your answer. (6-7)
Answers vary.
“‘It’s really his wife that’s keeping them apart. She’s a Catholic, and they don’t believe in divorce’” (33).
Who: Catherine
Why: This shows that Tom is willing to make up a lie to blame Daisy for his affair. He is not willing to divorce and lies to Myrtle and Catherine to keep Myrtle as a mistress.
What does the drunken party symbolize?
It symbolizes the hidden desperation of the Roaring Twenties. It’s the people forcing themselves to have fun by drinking and having affairs.
Whose party did Catherine go to?
She went to Gatsby's party.
How does Nick know Daisy and Tom? How does he feel toward each person? Use quotes to support your answer.
Daisy is Nick’s second cousin, and Tom and Nick went to Yale together. Nick feels like Daisy is a very warm person, but feels distanced towards her. Nick hates Tom because he thinks that Tom is extremely arrogant.
Quotes may vary.
Why does Jordan Baker always yawn?
She is always yawning because despite being wealthy, the "old money" drives her to boredom. It shows that she is tired of the world, and it is one of the effects of "old money" wealth.
“I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool” (17).
Who: Daisy Buchanan
Why: She means that she hopes that her daughter will be beautiful, but oblivious to everything. By being oblivious, she will never have to deal with emotional pain like Daisy did.
What does the “Valley of Ashes” represent? What is the significance of the location? What theme does this connect to? (23)
The "Valley of Ashes" represents all the people in the Roaring Twenties who did not get wealthy. It is placed between West Egg and New York because that is where the ashes from the city are dumped, like a wasteland.
Who's Jordan Baker?
Jordan Baker is a golf player. Nick recognizes her from pictures at Asheville, Hot Springs, and Palm Beach.
What is the irony and symbolism of Nick renting a house in “West Egg”?
West Egg is a town full of "new money" people, whereas East Egg is a town full of "old money" people. Therefore, because Nick, someone with "old money", is living in the town of West Egg, it shows that he is in both worlds. Additionally, the idea that West Egg faces East Egg shows the class rivalry between the two towns.
Describe Myrtle’s character. What do her actions say about her? Use quotes to support your claim.
Answers may vary.
“‘I married him because I thought he was a gentleman,’ she said finally. ‘I thought he knew about breeding, but he wasn’t fit to lick my shoe’” (34).
Who: Myrtle
Why: This proves that Myrtle is extremely disrespectful when it comes to her husband. She feels that she married below her social standing, and reveals about her character that she has no problem with disrespecting him publicly, especially to people she had just met.
What is the significance of Myrtle's preference of Tom over George?
The significance is that because she can't live the American Dream lifestyle with George, she clings onto Tom because of his wealth. This relates back to the theme of the American Dream and old/no money because Myrtle desperately wants to be a part of the world, and Tom is the only way to that. That is why she is willing to be his mistress; she still gets all the benefits.
How did Tom and Myrtle meet up in chapter 2?
Tom and Nick rode a train from Long Island. They went to George Wilson's auto garage. Myrtle distracted her husband by telling him to go get some chairs, while Tom told her to get on the next train with himself and Nick.
What did Tom mean when he talked about civilization? Describe the event and use quotations to support your answer. (12-13)
Tom's outburst was very sudden and violent. His outburst on 'The Rise of the Coloured Empires' shows that the old money is very insecure about the new money's power. He claims that it is scientific and proven, and claims that the old money people are the "dominant race". It shows the hypocrisy of old money because behind the fancy cars and manners lies hatred.
Describe George Wilson. What is the significance of his character, and what does he represent? Use quotes to support your reasoning. (25)
George Wilson is spiritless, weak, and has ashes in his hair. His significance is that he represents the "no money" people, who are unable to fulfill their dreams. This ties back to the American Dream aspect, but in this case, it is the harsh realities.
“–he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward– and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been at the end of a dock” (20-21).
Who: Jay Gatsby
Why: This is a very symbolic gesture of his character because we can see that he is very ambitious. Because of the way that Fitzgerald writes the text, saying that he was stretching his arms out curiously but was trembling, it shows that he wants something. It's clear that Gatsby is a character and symbol of the American Dream.
What does Gatsby's mansion represent?
Gatsby's mansion represents the "new money" people. His mansion is a gigantic replica of a French hotel, which has a trail of ivy and has lush lawns and gardens. This is overcompensation for its lack of social connections. The "old money" class thinks that this is extremely tacky, which makes them feel superior to the "new money" group.
What does the ending of chapter 2 reveal about Tom’s character? What happened and what irony is present in the situation?
Tom broke Myrtle’s nose, proving that his character is very bad. Even with the rules of society, where it is generally known that men should not hit women, he hit her, showing that he feels that nothing applies to him and that he can do whatever he wants. It is also ironic that Tom hit Myrtle because she brought up Daisy, but Tom is the one that is cheating on Daisy with Myrtle, which is interesting because he shows no respect for his relationship but would punch Myrtle.
How did Myrtle first meet up with Tom?
She met him on the train when they were the last two people left. They got into a taxi together, and all Myrtle thought about was the fact that “you can’t live forever”.