The Great Gatsby Ch. VI Opening:
What the Fitz?
The opening paragraphs of Ch.6 are dense, tricky passages. Closely
read and re-read the following two paragraphs from the novel. On a
separate piece of paper, decode Fitzgerald’s words into everyday
language you might use talking to a friend.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
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Make sure you understand the vocabulary words.
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Consider Point of View! Remember, this is NICK talking to us about Gatsby’s past. The word choice
often reveals Nick’s TONE—his attitude about Gatsby’s thinking.
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If there is a metaphor or other figurative language, determine the idea Fitzgerald is expressing.
Passage #1 - Paragraph Five: “I suppose he’d had the name ready for a long time…” (98)
Vocabulary you should have identified and defined while reading:
 shiftless
 Platonic
 conception
 vulgar
 meretricious
Passage #2 – Paragraph Seven: “But his heart was in a constant, turbulent riot…” (99)
*Make sure to re-read the previous paragraph for context. Where is Gatsby, what is he doing for a
living, and how old is he when he’s experiencing the feelings described in this paragraph?
*Also, this paragraph ends with a metaphor that’s a doozy! There’s not really a rock and a fairy’s wing.
You’ve got to decode that figurative language. And keep in mind that Nick is talking to us—not Gatsby.
Nick is coming up with that metaphor. Consider the conclusion he’s drawing about Gatsby’s thinking.
Vocabulary you should have identified and defined while reading:
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turbulent
grotesque
fantastic
conceit
ineffable
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gaudiness
fancies
oblivious
reverie