Who Is It?
The narrator of the story.
Who is Nick Carraway?
"Can't repeat the past? Why, of course you can!"
Who is Jay Gatsby? (Chapter 6)
Describe Gatsby's American Dream.
Gatsby's American Dream is to be with Daisy and be accepted into the upperclass/wealthy.
In Chapter 2, we are introduced to the Valley of Ashes. What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize? (3)
Moral and Social Decay: moral and social decay that results from pursuing wealth and ignoring the poor
Failure of American Dream: as compared to those in West and East Egg
The Life of the Poor: those that are left behind as the rich get richer
Describe the difference between West Egg and East Egg in regards to money and social class.
West Egg: "Wild West", new money, middle/upper middle class
East Egg: Snobs, old money, high class
This character is married to Daisy and has an affair with Myrtle.
Who is Tom Buchanan?
"I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."
Who is Daisy Buchanan? (Chapter 1)
Give examples of the complicated nature of love and relationships in the novel. Which characters risk their lives for love and how do they risk their lives?
Several characters are cheating on their spouses: Tom is cheating on Daisy with Myrtle. Daisy is cheating on Tom with Gatsby. Myrtle is cheating on George with Tom.
Gatsby is so in love with Daisy that he is willing to take the fall for her and ruin his reputation (and life).
Myrtle is so in love with Tom that she jumps in front of a speeding car for him.
Daisy is continuously associated with the color white. What does this symbolize for Daisy?
The color white symbolizes how Daisy is supposed to be pure and innocent. However, she is not. She is guilty of cheating on her husband and killing Myrtle.
On their way into the city in Chapter 7, who was in the blue car? Who was in the yellow car?
Blue: Daisy and Gatsby
Yellow: Tom, Nick and Jordan
This person is known for being dishonest and played a professional sport.
Who is Jordan Baker?
“I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn’t fit to lick my shoe.”
Who is Myrtle Wilson? (Chapter 2)
Give an example of how wealth, status, and social class have an effect on characters.
Gatsby is so obsesed with being accepted by the rich and wealthy that he allows mostly strangers to attend his huge, expensive parties.
Tom and Daisy live in East Egg and they think they are above everyone else because of their money and status.
The Wilsons live in the Valley of Ashes where they are completely seperated from West and East Egg in a poor, rundown town. George wants to take Myrtle and get out of the Valley of Ashes and escape their life of struggle.
Before Gatsby is finally reunited with Daisy in Chapter 5, Gatsby accidentally knocks over and breaks a clock. What does this symbolize?
Gatsby's hope of repeating the past and foreshadowing that he will not be able to repeat the past.
What does Gatsby claim that Wolfsheim fixed?
The 1919 World Series.
This man attended Gatsby's parties and his funeral. He was often very intoxicated.
Who is Owl Eyes?
“Every one suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.”
Who is Nick Carraway? (Chapter 2)
Morality (being able to choose right from wrong) is a major theme in our novel. Describe scenes or behaviors of characters that demonstrate a lack of morals.
Illegal business (Wolfsheim and Gatsby)
Partying (at Gatsby's and destoying his home)
Affairs (Tom, Daisy and Myrtle)
Illegal drinking (Prohibition)
Murder (Myrtle, Gatsby and George)
Gatsby throws lavish parties in his expensive mansion. What does this symbolize in regards to what people valued and Gatsby's goals?
- Superficiality: people in the 1920s cared about showing off their wealth and partying
- Materialism: Gatsby has nice things but is still alone
- Gatsby's American Dream: to recreate the past, be with Daisy, be accepted with the rich and elite
Describe Gatsby's odd behavior at his parties. (2)
1. He doesn't know or talk to any guests outside of our characters.
2. He doesn't participate in the drinking/partying.
Daisy's daughter.
Who is Pammy?
"And I like large parties. They're so intimate. At small parties there isn't any privacy."
Who is Jordan Baker? (Chapter 3)
What is the message that the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, is saying about the reality of the American Dream? Does Fitzgerald think it's achievable? For who?
He is trying to tell readers that:
-the American Dream is not always achievable through hard work and dedication (Gatsby)
-that certain people (the rich) have easier access to the American Dream due to their status and access to money
Water is seen throughout the novel as an important symbol. What does the bay under the green light and Gatsby's pool symbolize?
Bay: large body of water that literally separates Gatsby from Daisy and symbolizes how "far" he is from his unattainable dream of Daisy
Pool: Symbol of his wealth and his American Dream to be rich (but he dies in it)
A form of "baptism," symbolizing a cleansing of his soul and a potential for a new life after death
What is Nick's job?
Bond salesman (involved in selling bonds and studying investments)