Old Money, New Money
What is the difference between "old money" and "new money" in The Great Gatsby?
Old money is inherited wealth, while new money is recently earned wealth.
What does the green light symbolize for Gatsby?
Gatsby’s hopes and dreams, especially his desire for Daisy.
Which trait best describes Daisy?
- alluring voice
- Ghost
- Sexist
- Generous
Alluring Voice
The passage uses what type of figurative language?
"There was music from my neighbor’s house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars"
Simile
What scandalous rumor about Gatsby circulates among his guests in Chapter 3?
Some people believe Gatsby is a murderer or a criminal who made his fortune through shady means.
Which character in The Great Gatsby is the best example of "old money," and which character represents "new money"?
Tom Buchanan represents old money, while Jay Gatsby represents new money.
In Chapter 3, what surprises Owl Eyes about Gatsby’s library, and what does this reveal?
He is shocked that the books are real, showing that Gatsby wants to appear authentic and sophisticated, but the fact that they are uncut suggests his wealth and persona may be superficial.
Why does Tom hit Myrtle?
She was making fun of daisy.
Not even the effeminate swank of his riding clothes could hide the enormous power of that body-he seemed to fill those glistening boots until he strained the top lacing, and you could see a great pack of muscle shifting when his shoulder moved under his thin coat.
Tom
How does Tom’s affair with Myrtle Wilson serve as a scandalous secret in the novel?
Tom’s affair is a key secret that reflects his hypocrisy and the moral decay of the upper class, as he openly flaunts his relationship with Myrtle while remaining married to Daisy.
Why does Tom Buchanan look down on Gatsby and people from West Egg?
Tom believes new money lacks the sophistication, traditions, and social status of old money
In Chapter 4, what does Gatsby show the police officer when he is pulled over, and what does it reveal about him?
Gatsby shows a white card, which causes the officer to let him go. This suggests he has connections with powerful or corrupt figures, hinting at his involvement in illegal activities.
I was her bridesmaid. I came into her room half an hour before the bridal dinner, and found her lying on her bed as lovely as the June night in her flowered dress — and as drunk as a monkey. She had a bottle of Sauterne in one hand and a letter in the other.
Jordan Baker
I looked back at my cousin, who began to ask me questions in her low, thrilling voice. It was the kind of voice that the ear follows up and down, as if each speech is an arrangement of notes that will never be played again.
Daisy
What secret does Gatsby share with Nick about his past during their car ride to New York in Chapter 4?
He comes from a rich family and they died so all the wealth was passed down.
What does Gatsby’s mansion symbolize in terms of his status as "new money"?
It represents his attempt to imitate the grandeur of old money but also highlights his outsider status.
What is the significance of the pearl necklace Tom gives Daisy before their wedding?
The pearls symbolize Daisy’s decision to choose wealth and security over true love, as she almost calls off the wedding for Gatsby but ultimately stays with Tom.
A phrase began to beat in my ears with a sort of heady excitement: “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired."
Who is pursuing who?
Nick is pursuing Jordan
The Valley of Ashes is an important and symbolic town in the novel. Describe the Valley of Ashes. Which characters live there?
1. The Valley of Ashes is a dark, dirty place between West Egg and New York, where the poor live in the leftover ruins of factories. It shows the emptiness and decay of society.
2. Myrtle and George Wilson
In Chapter 4, what secret about Gatsby's past does Jordan Baker reveal to Nick?
Jordan tells Nick that Gatsby and Daisy were once in love, and Gatsby bought his mansion in West Egg to be near her.
How does F. Scott Fitzgerald use Gatsby’s lavish parties to critique the excesses of new money?
The parties are extravagant and flashy, showing how new money tries to buy status, but they lack the refinement and intimacy of old money gatherings.
What is the significance of the human molar cufflinks worn by Meyer Wolfsheim?
They symbolize corruption, violence, and the dark side of wealth, reinforcing the theme that Gatsby’s world of new money is tied to criminal activity.
Nick is the narrator of this story. How does Nick describe himself on pages 1-2 of the novel?
He is honest and trustworthy.
Myrtle Wilson is an important character in the novel. Describe her. What does she look like?
She is dissatisfied with her life and marriage to George Wilson, a poor mechanic. Myrtle is portrayed as bold, seeking wealth and status, and often acts impulsively.
What does Nick discover about Tom and Daisy’s marriage in Chapters 1-4, and how does it reflect the theme of dishonesty?
Nick realizes that Tom and Daisy’s marriage is filled with secrets, including Tom’s affair with Myrtle, and they both live in a world of lies and pretense.