Plot Basics
He received an invitation in the mail, later learning that he was the only one.
How does Nick know Daisy and Tom?
What do the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg primarily symbolize?
The eyes of God, which can see all and are always watching.
Nick works selling "bonds," which means what?
He works on Wall Street, where stocks and bonds are sold and traded to give companies money to operate with. People who buy stocks and bonds are then repaid over time as the company makes more money.
What do Nick and Tom do when they go into the city?
They have a party, which ends with Tom hitting and breaking the nose of Myrtle Wilson, his mistress.
Who is Jordan Baker?
Jordan is Daisy's best friend, a professional golfer, and dates Nick for a while.
What does Fitzgerald typically associate the color yellow/gold with?
Wealth, death, decay, and dishonesty. Examples: Eckleburg's glasses, Gatsby's car and other possessions.
What is the difference between East Egg and West Egg?
East Egg is where Tom and Daisy live, along with other "old money" types - people who are rich because of their families. West Egg is where Gatsby lives, along with other "new money" types - people who have gotten rich recently.
Why does Nick invite Daisy over for tea?
Gatsby asks him to so that he and Daisy can reconnect.
How did Daisy and Gatsby first meet?
Gatsby was stationed in Louisville while training for World War I, where they started a relationship that ended with Gatsby being deployed.
What does the Valley of Ashes represent?
The Valley of Ashes, which is full of trash, industrial waste, and decay represents the way that the wealthy characters in the novel use up resources and people, then discard them.
What does "bootlegging" mean?
"Bootlegging" was the process of producing and selling alcohol illegally during Prohibition. We later learn that this is how Gatsby made his money.
Who is driving the car that hits and kills Myrtle Wilson?
Daisy, driving Gatsby's car.
Who is George Wilson?
George Wilson is a mechanic who owns a gas station in the Valley of Ashes. His wife, Myrtle, has an affair with Tom and is later killed by Daisy driving Gatsby's car. George then kills Gatsby and himself.
How does the green light at the end of Tom and Daisy's dock represent Daisy and Gatsby's relationship?
Although Gatsby can see the light and it seems close, he can never reach it. Similarly, he tries to recreate the past relationship he had with Daisy, but doing so is impossible.
Where is the billboard of the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg located?
The Valley of Ashes, between the Eggs and New York City.
How does Gatsby die?
George Wilson shoots him after learning that the car that hit and killed Myrtle was owned by Gatsby.
What is Gatsby's real backstory?
He was from a poor family in North Dakota and made his money through bootlegging after serving in World War I.
Besides Gatsby and Daisy's past relationship, what does the green light at the end of Tom and Daisy's dock represent?
The American Dream.
Why did Gatsby choose to live in West Egg?
To be close to Daisy.