Themes/Symbolism
What are the themes of "The Great Gatsby"?
The American Dream
The Roaring 20's
Wealth
Social classes/ roles
Love and desire and idealism
“I hope she’ll be a fool. That’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”
Daisy Buchanan
When was the first time Nick Carraway sees Gatsby?
Jay Gatsby is Nick Carraway's neighbor. Therefore, the first time Nick sees Gatsby was at night, he was reaching out to the green light across the lake.
What is the difference between old money and new money in the novel?
Old money = comes from inheritance
New money = made their own money (are also considered less elegant)
Who is the narrator of the book? Who is the protagonist?
Nick Carraway (narrator) and Jay Gatsby (protagonist)
What is the symbolism of the green light that appears throughout the novel?
The green light is a lamp that marks the end of Daisy and Tom's boat dock. It represents how close Gatsby thought he was to Daisy, his past love that had been lost years before.
“He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life.”
Nick Carraway
What is the importance of the character Owl Eye?
Nick and Owl Eye were the only two people at Gatsby's funeral. That means that, besides Nick, Owl Eye is the only character who truly cares about Gatsby.
Why did Daisy marry Tom Buchanan?
Daisy married Tom because of his wealth and she knew he would be able to give her material comforts.
Who is Tom Buchanan
Daisy's husband. He is a former football player who went to Yale.
How is class depicted in the novel? What point is the author trying to make?
In the Roaring Twenties' Fitzgerald shows the developing class rivalry between “old money”, which Tom comes from, and “new money”, represented by Gatsby.
“And I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy.”
Jordan Baker
How are West Egg and East Egg different?
People, who live in the west egg are self-made rich (new money), they earned the money in their own account, while people who live in the eat egg inherited it (old money).
How are Gatsby's parties and why does he do them?
He did them to gather Daisy's attention. Gatsby's parties are luxurious because there are swimming pools, drinks, and a lot of music.
Why did Gatsby move to the West Egg?
To be closer to Daisy
What are some symbols in "The Great Gatsby?"
The Green Light
Gatsby's mansion
Gatsby's extravagant parties and cars
Nick's mantle clock
The eyes of Doctor. T.J. Eckleburg
The Valley of Ashes
“Can’t repeat the past?…Why of course you can!”
Gatsby
What are the differences between Gatsby and Tom?
Tom and Gatsby are both wealthy men, however, Tom was highly educated and came from money, while Gatsby got his money from selling illegal alcohol and throwing extravagant parties.
How did Gatsby win his fortune?
Gatsby earned his money through scams. He used to sell alcohol, which was illegal to sell in the 20s. He also used fake stocks.
What did Miss.Baker tell Nick about Tom?
That Tom has a mistress.
How does Fitzgerald foreshadow the tragedies at the end?
By writing the sentence "So we drove on toward death" right before Tom meets Myrtle foreshadows that on the next page, Tom learns the fact that Myrtle dies.
“Let us learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead.”
Meyer Wolfsheim
Why is Nick the narrator of the story?
He was the narrator because he knew the life of his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom and he lived next door to Gatsby.
What is the background story of Gatsby?
Gatsby was born in a poor family of farmers. His biological name was James Gatz and he was determined to be very successful, so he learned the rich manners from the man who saved him from a storm – Dan Cod.
Who is Tom Buchanan's mistress?
Myrtle Wilson