Show:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
100
Which part of American is Nick from?
the Midwest
100
Where do Myrtle and George Wilson live?
the Valley of Ashes
100
For which character does Nick feel a "tender curiosity"?
Jordan Baker
100
What incident occurs that shows Gatsby's influence?
A police officer pulls Gatsby over for speeding but apologizes and lets him go when Gatsby shows him a card.
100
What is the symbol of Daisy and dreams that loses some significance for Gatsby?
the green light
200
What color are Jordan and Daisy wearing when Nick first sees them in the novel?
white
200
Why does Tom punch Myrtle?
She repeats Daisy's name.
200
What fascinates Owl-Eyes about Gatsby's library?
The books are real.
200
Why does Gatsby leave at the end of the chapter?
Tom appears.
200
Name two examples of Gatsby's behavior before Daisy's arrival.
He sends flowers. He gets Nick's lawn mowed. Despite the preparations, he becomes absent-minded about them ("'What grass?'"). He offers Nick a business connection. He becomes upset that she is late even though there are two minutes left until the time agreed upon.
300
What is the reason Nick's father gives for not criticizing people?
"... all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."
300
What does Myrtle's sister Catherine think is the reason Tom and Daisy can't divorce?
Daisy is (supposedly) Catholic.
300
What are two rumors about Gatsby that appear in the chapter?
He killed a man. He was a German spy in the war. Jordan thinks he did not actually attend Oxford.
300
What is Daisy and Gatsby's background?
They met and fell in love when he was stationed in Louisville. He was sent to the war, and Daisy moved on to other men.
300
How long has it been since Daisy and Gatsby last met.
about five years ("'Five years next November.'")
400
What does Daisy want her child to be?
a beautiful little fool
400
What is the reason Myrtle gives for marrying George?
She thought he was a gentleman.
400
Why does Gatsby personally invite Nick? (This is not directly stated in the book, but we may infer the reason at this point.)
He wants to get closer to Nick so that he can ask him the favor of arranging a meeting with Daisy.
400
Why did Daisy cry before her bridal dinner?
She received a letter from Gatsby.
400
Who is the elderly man in the photograph over Gatsby's desk?
Dan Cody
500
How does Gatsby's name come up in conversation at the Buchanans' house? What is Daisy's reaction?
Jordan says to Nick that he must know Gatsby. Daisy asks, "Gatsby? What Gatsby?"
500
Explain the symbolic significance of the billboard of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg.
The large, faceless eyes look out at the lack of morality around them. They may be representative of the eyes of God or some other divine entity. They could also be representative of the absence of God, since the unused billboard is a meager stand-in for a deity.
500
What does Nick say about Gatsby's smile?
It is a rare smile that assures you and seems to concentrate and favor you. It understands and believes in you and makes you think that you are at your best.
500
What complaint does Nick have against Gatsby that he confronts him about?
Nick says he does not like mysteries. He can't understand why Gatsby won't be straightforward tell him what he wants and instead asks through Jordan.
500
What does Nick see that makes him think there must have been moments when Daisy fell short of Gatsby's dreams?
a bewildered, doubtful expression on Gatsby's face