Setting & Character Backgrounds
Who is the narrator of the novel?
Nick Carraway
Comes from old money. He is arrogant, abusive, racist, and physically strong. He plays
polo
Tom Buchanan
What is Gatsby doing when Nick sees him for the first time?
He was staring out across the bay at the green light reaching toward it.
Why does Daisy say she hopes her daughter will be a beautiful little fool?
She hopes her daughter will be a little fool because women with intelligence were not valued during this era; the more ignorant she is to the corruption of the world, the less she will suffer.
Why does Gatsby want to show Daisy his house?
Gatsby wants to show Daisy how much wealth he has acquired
What is the setting of The Great Gatsby?
(year, place)
1920s Long Island and New York City
careless, beautiful, and shallow. She is from Louisville and met Gatsby during the war.
Daisy
Why does Tom break Myrtle’s nose?
She was taunting him about Daisy/ wouldn't stop shouting Daisy's name.
What are the eyes of "T.J Eckleburg" and what do they represent?
The eyes of T. J. Eckleburg are eyes on a billboard that is near George Wilson’s garage in the valley of ashes. It’s an advertisement for an oculist, hence the picture of eyes. They could symbolic of God staring down on American society as their morals seem to deteriorate during this time period.
What is the valley of ashes?
The valley of ashes is the depressing industrial area of Queens between West Egg and Manhattan.
Which characters live in West Egg and which live in East egg?
Nick and Gatsby live in West Egg
Tom and Daisy live in East Egg
He was born on a North Dakota farm. He attended college at St. Olaf in Minnesota. He became wealthy with “new money” through illegal activities. He loves Daisy and has an obsession with the past.
Gatsby
How did Gatsby acquire his wealth?
Organized crime & bootlegging
How does Fitzgerald present Gatsby and mysterious?
Fitzgerald presents Gatsby as mysterious in many ways, such as all the rumors that spread about him. Readers don’t know if he’s a German spy, a veteran, or a nephew of Kaiser Wilhelm’s. Gatsby’s background story is always incredulous and readers don’t find out the truth of his upbringing until near the end of the novel.
What impact did Dan Cody have on Gatsby’s life?
Dan Cody took Gatsby under his wing for five years on his yacht where Gatsby would work as his assistant. Cody was Gatsby’s mentor and showed him that its possible to become rich and successful from nothing. Gatsby learned not to drink alcohol like Cody.
How does Nick know Gatsby? How does Daisy know Nick?
Gatsby is his neighbor
Daisy is Nick's cousin
is a notorious gambler and works in organized crime. He claims he
“made” Gatsby out of nothing. He fixed the 1919 World Series.
Meyer Wolfsheim
Why does Gatsby throw extravagant parties every weekend?
He hopes that Daisy will attend them
Name two things the "Green Light" symbolizes?
Daisy
The American dream
Wealth
Greed
Envy
Who attends Gatsby’s funeral and why is it significant?
Owl eyes, his servants, Nick, and his father. It is significant because hundreds of people would attend his parties and yet not a single one showed up to his funeral.
Why does Gatsby move to West Egg
Gatsby moves to West Egg to live across the bay from Daisy.
owns an auto mechanic shop in the valley of ashes. He believes God sees everything. He is weak and spiritless.
George Wilson
When and where did Daisy and Gatsby first meet?
(hint for when it was the year before WW1 ended)
1917 when Gatsby was stationed in Kentucky.
How does the reunion between Gatsby and Daisy play out? How are they each feeling?
Gatsby was nervous, confident, and then doubtful. Daisy was nervous, emotional, and happy.
How do Tom and Daisy respond to Gatsby's death?
They leave town and don't say where they went.
Where did Tom and Nick go to college?
Yale
The Buchanans’ daughter.
Pammy
Why does Nick say Jordan is dishonest?
Jordan was accused of cheating in a golf tournament.
What does Gatsby want Daisy to say to Tom?
He wants her to tell Gatsby she never loved him.
Why did Tom and Daisy leave Chicago?
Tom was having a romantic affair with someone
What is the difference between East and West Egg?
The East Egg is where those with old money live, and the West Egg is where the self-made, rich people
live. West Egg is “the less fashionable of the two.
He is Wilson’s friend who comforts him after Wilson’s wife dies. He is Greek and owns a cafe.
Michaelis
What are the details of Myrtle’s death? Gatsby’s death?
Myrtle was killed by Daisy in Gatsby's car after rushing out into the street. Gatsby was killed because Wilson thought he was both the one who was having an affair with her, and the one who ran her over.
At the end of the novel, what specific word does Nick use to describe Tom and Daisy?
He says they are careless.
What is the difference between new money and old money?
Old money represents anyone who has been born into wealth or has experienced general wealth meaning they inherit all of their funds. New money was anyone in America who became rich by new ventures. Old money was considered superior to new money.