A
What kinds of activities take place at Gatsby’s house during the summer nights?
People attend huge parties with music, dancing, drinking, swimming, boating, eating, and socializing.
Why does Nick feel uncomfortable when he first arrives at Gatsby's party?
He knows very few people, feels awkward, and cannot find Gatsby.
What do Nick and Jordan find when they enter Gatsby’s library?
They find Owl Eyes, a drunken man, marveling at Gatsby’s books.
How does Nick finally meet Gatsby?
Nick speaks to a man at his table and then realizes that the man himself is Gatsby.
What details show the wealth and extravagance of Gatsby’s lifestyle?
His mansion, orchestra, expensive food and drinks, luxury cars, servants, caterers, and enormous parties all show his wealth.
How does Jordan Baker behave when Nick finds her at the party?
She is cool, detached, casual, and somewhat uninterested, though she allows Nick to join her.
Who is Owl Eyes, and what is his reaction to Gatsby’s books?
Owl Eyes is a drunken party guest, and he is amazed that Gatsby’s books are real.
Why is Nick surprised when he discovers the man he is talking to is Gatsby?
He expects Gatsby to seem more dramatic or sinister, but Gatsby appears polite, calm, and ordinary.
How does Nick describe the people who come to Gatsby’s parties?
He describes them as glamorous, restless, careless, and often superficial people who come and go freely.
What do the two girls in yellow reveal about Gatsby?
They reveal stories and rumors about him, including that he once replaced Lucille’s torn dress and that people speculate wildly about his past.
Why might the fact that the books are real but unread be symbolic?
It suggests that Gatsby’s image looks authentic on the surface, but much of it may be only for show.
What is significant about Gatsby standing apart from his guests?
It shows that although he is the host, he is also isolated and separate from the world he creates.
Why is Nick unusual among Gatsby’s guests?
Nick is unusual because he is one of the few guests who is actually invited.
What rumors do the guests spread about Gatsby?
They say he killed a man, was a German spy, and has a mysterious past.
How does Fitzgerald show that the party becomes more chaotic and careless as the night progresses?
The guests become more drunk, relationships unravel, people behave foolishly, and the evening ends with a car accident.
Why does Gatsby ask to speak privately with Jordan Baker?
He wants to tell her something important and personal, though the reader does not yet know what it is.
How does Gatsby invite Nick to the party?
A chauffeur delivers a formal written invitation to Nick.
How does Fitzgerald create an atmosphere of mystery around Gatsby?
He uses gossip, rumors, Gatsby’s absence from much of the party, and the fact that few people really know him.
How does Jordan describe large parties, and what does that reveal about her?
She says large parties are intimate because there is more privacy in a crowd. This reveals her preference for distance and emotional detachment.
How does the car accident symbolize the recklessness and carelessness of Gatsby’s world?
It represents the irresponsibility, confusion, drunkenness, and lack of control that characterize the party guests and their lifestyle.