Characters & Relationships
Narrator and Daisy’s cousin; neighbor to Gatsby; participant and observer.
Who is Nick Carraway?
A bleak industrial area between West Egg and Manhattan covered in ash; symbol of moral decay.
What is the "valley of ashes"?
In Chapter 1, what does "feign" most nearly mean?
What is to pretend or give a false appearance?
In chapter 1, what is significant about Nick being Gatsby's neighbor?
What is he is asked about his mysteriously wealthy neighbor multiple times, but hasn't met him yet.
How are Gatsby’s parties described in Chapter 3? (Two details.)
What is loud, lavish, crowded; orchestras, abundant food, and many uninvited guests?
Myrtle Wilson.
Who Tom Buchanan is having an affair with?
Meyer Wolfsheim's Cufflinks
What is made of human molars, these cufflinks symbolize Wolfsheim's ruthless ties to the criminal underworld and his absolute lack of humane boundaries.
What is the definition of "fractious" as used in the novel?
What is irritable, difficult to control?
What do we learn about Daisy’s feelings for her daughter?
She says she hopes her daughter will be "a beautiful little fool."
Who is "Owl Eyes" and what surprises him in Gatsby’s library?
Who is a guest amazed that Gatsby’s books are real, not just for show.
She is considered dishonest (cheats in golf), modern, and socially aloof.
Who is Jordan Baker?
How is West Egg different from East Egg?
West Egg = new money (Gatsby, Nick); East Egg = old aristocratic wealth (Tom, Daisy).
Libel means...
What is a false and malicious written, printed, or published statement that damages a person's or entity's reputation? It is a form of defamation.
Why does Nick go to New York with Tom to meet Tom's other woman?
What is Tom didn't give him an opportunity to decline.
What is one persistent rumor about Gatsby mentioned at his parties?
What is rumors that include that Gatsby is an Oxford man, a murderer, or involved in mysterious business?
Dr. T.J. Eckleburg
What is the billboard with giant eyes overlooking the Valley of Ashes
What is the symbolic contrast between the valley of ashes and Gatsby’s parties?
What is the valley of ashes shows moral desolation beneath the glitter of parties; juxtaposes wealth and decay.
What is an example sentence correctly using the word "apathetically" as it relates to Gatsby's story?
Answers may vary:
In The Great Gatsby, Jordan Baker speaks apathetically about the turbulent drama around her, showing she does not care about other people's feelings or problems.
Which incident reveals Tom’s violent side in Chapter 2?
What is Tom punches Myrtle and breaks her nose when she repeats Daisy’s name?
What request does Gatsby make of Nick that reveals Gatsby’s deeper motive?
What is Gatsby asks Nick to arrange a meeting with Daisy at Nick’s house?
Meyer Wolfsheim.
Who is a gambler/fixer; suggests Gatsby’s ties to shady business?
What detail about Gatsby’s house contributes to the theme of appearance vs. reality?
What is the extravagant, ostentatious mansion filled for spectacle; parties full of strangers masking Gatsby’s loneliness?
What is the meaning of "supercilious" and who is a character that displays this trait?
What is patronizingly haughty; Tom Buchanan often acts superciliously?
What does everyone's response to Tom breaking Myrtle's nose say about the wealthy?
What is they believe that wealth excuses inappropriate behavior?
What is the significance of Meyer Wolfsheim’s introduction and what does it suggests about Gatsby’s wealth?
What is Wolfsheim is presented as a gambler and alleged fixer (e.g., fixed the 1919 World Series); suggests Gatsby’s wealth may come from illegal or morally dubious sources?