Name______________________Hr.____
JR ENGLISH AGENDA:
-Finish other side of QUIZ
-Go over Gatsby Study Guide
LEARNING TARGET: I can recall plot points from chapters 1-3.
The Great Gatsby Study Guide (Ch. 1-3)
Chapter 1
Recall:
1. Who is the narrator? Describe him. Why has he come to the East? What does he intend to
do?
2. List one word that describes the atmosphere at dinner.
3. What secret of Tom’s is revealed at dinner?
4. What image does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean?
5. How does Nick react to Jordan?
6. What does Tom’s behavior reveal about his character?
7. In chapter one, Nick describes the setting of the novel and introduces the differences
between the East and West Egg of Long Island. Give three examples of each place (use
actual passages with citations).
Literary Devices:
Write one of your annotations from Chapter 1 in the space below. (Include page #)
Think About:
How does this quote relate to the theme of the week? (Hollowness of the Upper Class)
“I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool” ~Daisy
Journal 1: Michael Buble Kissing a Fool
You are far
When I could have been your star
You listened to people
Who scared you to death
And from my heart
Strange that you were strong enough
To even make a start
But you'll never find
Peace of mind
Till you listen to your heart
People
You can never change the way the feel
Better let them do just what they will
For they will
If you let them
Steal your heart from you
People
Will always make a lover feel a fool
But you knew I loved you
We could have shown them all
We should have seen love through
Fooled me with the tears in your eyes
Covered me with kisses and lies
So bye
But please don't take my heart
You are far
I'm never gonna be your star
I'll pick up the pieces
And mend my heart
Maybe I'll be strong enough
I don't know where to start
But I'll never find
Peace of mind
While I listen to my heart
People
You can never change the way the feel
Better let them do just what they will
For they will
If you let them
Steal your heart from you
People
Write a half page describing how this relates to Chapter 1 and the Theme of the Week
(Hollowness of the Upper Class):
The Great Gatsby Study Guide
Chapter 2
Recall:
1. Describe the Valley of Ashes in a short paragraph. What does it look like and what do you
think it represents?
2. Describe Mr. Wilson and Myrtle. Do they seem to fit into the setting? How?
3. What more have you learned about Nick in this chapter? Is he similar or different than the
people he spends time with? How so?
4. Describe the violent act Tom committed against Myrtle. What does this reveal about him?
5. What do you think the purpose of Tom going to New York with Myrtle could be? In other
words, what does New York represent; why not some other place? Why couldn’t they have
stayed in the Valley of Ashes? (Answer this as if it was one question.)
6. Describe the men who are working in the Valley of Ashes. What do you think they
represent?
7. Literally, what are the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg? Does Fitzgerald hint at their meaning?
8. How does Nick feel about the party he attends in New York? Hint: does he want to stay or
leave?
9. What do the people at the party discuss in terms of Gatsby? What purpose do you think this
serves?
Literary Devices:
Write one of your annotations from Chapter 1 in the space below. (Include page #)
Journal: Dave Matthews Band Gray Street
Oh look at how she listens
She says nothing of what she thinks
She just goes stumbling through her memories
Staring out on to Grey Street
She thinks, “Hey,
How did I come to this?
I dream myself a thousand times around the world,
But I can’t get out of this place”
There’s an emptiness inside her
And she’d do anything to fill it in
But all the colors mix together - to grey
And it breaks her heart
How she wishes it was different
She prays to God most every night
And though she swears it doesn’t listen
There’s still a hope in her it might
She says, “I pray
But they fall on deaf ears,
Am I supposed to take it on myself?
To get out of this place”
There’s loneliness inside her
And she’d do anything to fill it in
And though it’s red blood bleeding from her now
It feels like cold blue ice in her heart
When all the colors mix together - to grey
And it breaks her heart
There’s a stranger speaks outside her door
Says take what you can from your dreams
Make them as real as anything
It’d take the work out of the courage
But she says, “Please
There’s a crazy man that’s creeping outside my door,
I live on the corner of Grey Street and the end of the
world”
There’s an emptiness inside her
And she’d do anything to fill it in
And though it’s red blood bleeding from her now
It’s more like cold blue ice in her heart
She feels like kicking out all the windows
And setting fire to this life
She could change everything about her using colors
bold and bright
But all the colors mix together - to grey
And it breaks her heart
It breaks her heart
To grey
Write a half page describing how this song relates to the setting of Chapter 2 and the Theme
of the Week (Hollowness of the Upper Class):
The Great Gatsby Study Guide
Chapter 3
1. What are some of the new rumors that are being told about Gatsby during his party? Why
do you think Fitzgerald tells these rumors before revealing Gatsby’s true character?
2. Describe what Gatsby’s parties are like. Include who attends and where they are from?
3. What particularly stands out about Gatsby the first time Nick actually meets him? How is
Gatsby different from the rest of his guests?
4. Who is Owl Eyes? How do Gatsby and Jordan find him? What happens to him as he leaves
the party?
5. When Owl Eyes describes the books in Gatsby’s library, what does he say? What is Owl
Eyes suggesting by saying he thought the books would be fake?
6. At one point, Nick describes his walking around in New York. What does he say he does
when watching the people? What does this say about him?
7. How have Nick’s feelings for Jordan changed over this last chapter?
8. Near the end of the chapter, what does Nick suggest as to what is holding him back from
being with Jordan?
Literary Devices:
Write one of your annotations from Chapter 3 in the space below. (Include page #)
Think About:
“Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest
people that I’ve ever known (Fitzgerald 64).
How does this relate to the theme of the week? (Shallowness of the Upper Class)
Journal: Adele Rumour Has It
She, she ain't real
She ain't gon' be able to love you like I will
She is a stranger
You and I have history or don't you remember?
Sure, she's got it all but baby is that really what you
want?
Bless your soul, you got your head in the clouds
She made a fool out of you and, boy, she's bringing you
down
She made your heart melt but you're cold to the core
Now rumour has it, she ain't got your love anymore
Rumour has it
(Rumour)
Rumour has it
(Rumour)
She is half your age
But I'm guessing that's the reason that you've stayed
I heard you been missing me
You've been telling people things you shouldn't be
Like when we creep out, she ain't around
Haven't you heard the rumours?
Bless your soul, you got your head in the clouds
You made a fool out of me and, boy, I'm bringing you
down
You made my heart melt yet I'm cold to the core
But rumour has it I'm the one you're leaving her for
Rumour has it
(Rumour)
Rumour has it
(Rumour)
All of these words whispered in my ear
Tell a story that I cannot bear to hear
Just 'cause I said it, it don't mean that I meant it
People say crazy things
Just 'cause I said it, don't mean that I meant it
Just 'cause you heard it
Rumour has it
(Rumour)
Rumour has it
(Rumour)
But rumor has it he's the one I'm leaving you for
Write half a page describing how this connects to Chapter 3 and the Theme of the Week
(Hollowness of the Upper Class):
The Great Gatsby Study Guide (Ch. 4-6)
Name______________________Hr.____
Chapter 4
Recall:
1. List all of the rumors told about Gatsby.
2. What is the story of Gatsby’s life according to him?
3. Why does Gatsby tell Nick about his life? Do you believe Gatsby? Does Nick?
4. Who is Meyer Wolfsheim? What type of work does he do? What are the suggestions as to
the events he has had his hands in?
5. What is Gatsby’s connection to Daisy? Tell the story of their life together.
6. Why did Gatsby want Daisy to see his house?
Literary Devices:
Write one of your annotations from Chapter 4 in the space below. (Include page #)
Think About:
“There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.”~ Nick
What does he mean by this? Where do each of the characters in the novel fit into that
philosophy? List each character and how it applies.
“Unlike Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, I had no girl whose disembodied face floated along the dark
cornices and building signs, and so I drew up the girl beside me tightening my arms” (Fitzgerald 85).
Look at the front cover of the novel. What could this possibly represent? What seems to be
the ultimate prize to the men who seem to have everything possible? Is Daisy worthy of
their efforts?
Journal: The Beatles Can’t Buy Me Love
Can't buy me love, love
Can't buy me love
I'll buy you a diamond ring my friend
If it makes you feel all right
I'll get you anything my friend
If it makes you feel all right
'Cause I don't care too much for money
For money can't buy me love
I'll give you all I've got to give
If you say you love me too
I may not have a lot to give
But what I've got I'll give to you
I don't care too much for money
For money can't buy me love
Can't buy me love
Everybody tells me so
Can't buy me love
No no no, no
Say you don't need no diamond rings
And I'll be satisfied
Tell me that you want the kind of things
That money just can't buy
I don't care too much for money
Money can't buy me love
Can't buy me love
Everybody tells me so
Can't buy me love
No no no, no
Say you don't need no diamond rings
And I'll be satisfied
Tell me that you want the kind of things
That money just can't buy
I don't care too much for money
Money can't buy me love
Can't buy me love, love
Can't buy me love, oh
Write a half page about how this song connects to Chapter 4 and the Themes of the Week
(Wealth as a symbol of Decay and Corruption/Inability to change the Past):
The Great Gatsby Study Guide
Chapter 5
Recall:
1. How is Gatsby acting before and during the first few moments with Daisy?
2. At one point, Gatsby almost knocks a clock over and Nick says, “ I think we all believed for
a moment that it had smashed into pieces on the floor.” What could be the symbolism
behind this event?
3. Why does Daisy cry? Why do you think she is really crying?
4. What was the green light that Nick saw Gatsby staring at the first time he saw him? What do
you think that light had come to symbolize for Gatsby? Why is it green?
Literary Devices:
Write one of your annotations from Chapter 5 in the space below. (Include page #)
Think About:
Describe the meaning of both quotes listed below.
Nick says,“Almost five years! There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of
his dreams—not through her own fault but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. It had gone beyond her,
beyond everything, He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion, adding to it all the time, decking it out
with every bright feather that drifted his way. No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store
up in his ghostly heart” (Fitzgerald 101).
Daisy put her arm through his abruptly but he seemed absorbed in what he had just said. Possibly, it had
occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever. Compared to the great distance
that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close as
a star to the moon. Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by
one” (Fitzgerald 98)
Journal: Jack Johnson Do you Remember?
Do you remember when we first met? I sure do.
It was some time in early September
You were lazy about it, you made me wait around
I was so crazy about you I didn't mind
I was late for class, I locked my bike to yours
It wasn't hard to find ‒ you painted flowers on it
I guess that I was afraid that if you rolled away
You might not roll back my direction real soon.
I was crazy about you then and now
The craziest thing of all,
Over ten years have gone by
And you're still mine,
We're locked in time
Let's rewind
Do you remember when we first moved in together?
The piano took up the living room
You'd play me boogie woogie, I played you love songs
You'd say we're playing house, now you still say we are.
We built our get away up in a tree we found.
We felt so far away but we were still in town.
Now I remember watching that old tree burn down
I took a picture that I don't like to look at.
Well, all these times they come and go
And alone don't seem so long
Over ten years have gone by
We can't rewind,
We're locked in time
But you're still mine
Do you remember?
Write a half page about how this song connects to Chapter 5 and the Themes of the Week
(Wealth as a symbol of Power and Corruption/Inability to Change the Past):
The Great Gatsby Study Guide
Chapter 6
Recall:
1. Tell the story of Gatsby’s real life as revealed by Nick in Chapter 6.
2. Who is Dan Cody and what happened to him?
3. Describe the meeting of Tom and Gatsby. What does this meeting reveal about them? (Hint:
pg. 110 & 114-115)
4. Much of Gatsby’s parties go to satisfy the needs of East Eggers like Daisy and Tom. At one
point, he describes a woman at the party. “Perhaps you know the lady.” Gatsby indicated a
gorgeous, scarcely human orchid of a woman who sat in state under a white palm tree. How
does this surreal image satisfy those needs?
5. What does Daisy fear as she is leaving the party? She looks up at Gatsby’s window. What
does this tell us about feelings she has for Gatsby?
Literary Devices:
Write one of your annotations from Chapter 6 in the space below. (Include page #)
Think About:
“You can’t repeat the past,” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!” Gatsby clearly has every
possible material want or need at his disposal. Do you think he and Daisy can recreate the
moment they shared five years go. Why or why not? What gives Gatsby the idea that this is
possible?
Journal: Robert Frost Nothing Gold Can Stay
Nature's first green is gold
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Write a half page about how this poem connects to Chapter 6 and the Themes of the Week
(Wealth as a symbol of Power and Corruption/Inability to Change the Past):
The Great Gatsby Study Guide (Ch. 7-9)
Name______________________Hr.____
Chapter 7 Part one (113-125) (119-131)
1. How does Tom find out about the relationship between Daisy and Gatsby? What is his
reaction?
2. Where does George Wilson claim to be taking Myrtle? How does Tom react to this
information? (123) (130)
3. What do George and Tom have in common? (123) (130-131)
4. Who is staring out the window from behind a curtain? What does she think she sees?
Part Two (126-145) (131-153)
1. What is the color of the car Tom is driving to New York? Home?
2. What is the color of the car Gatsby is driving to New York? Home?
3. Immediately after Tom makes everyone aware that he knows about the affair, Daisy tells him
to have some self-control. What is his reaction?
4. Gatsby explains to Tom that Daisy “never loved you.” What is Daisy’s final reaction to
Gatsby’s claim?
5. We finally find out what Gatsby really does for a living, though we have had suspicions,
What are his drug stores a cover for?
6. What conclusion does Daisy ultimately reach concerning both Gatsby and Tom?
7. What is the significance of the events occurring on the day of Nick’s birthday?
8. What happens to Myrtle and whom do you think did it initially? Who really did it? Explain
exactly what happened?
9. What is the purpose of the brutal description of Myrtle’s death?
10. How does Michaelis refer to the car that hit Myrtle? What color is it?
11. When everyone returns to the East Egg, where does Nick find Gatsby? What is Nick’s
reaction beginning with “somehow that seemed a little despicable occupation”? What is the
significance of his reaction?
12. Why did Myrtle run towards the car?
Literary Devices:
Write one of your annotations from Chapter 6 in the space below. (Include page #)
Think About:
“So I walked away and left him standing there in the moonlight—watching over nothing” (153). How
does Nick find Daisy and Tom when looking through their window? What type of feeling
does this evoke? Is Gatsby’s dream dead?
The Great Gatsby Study Guide
Chapter 8
Recall:
1. What does Nick tell Gatsby now that he hadn’t before? What does he still leave out?
2. In Gatsby’s description of how he fell in love with Daisy, he repeatedly references one
important aspects of Daisy that made her so desirable. What is it (155-157)
3. What erroneous impression does he give hr about his life? Do you think this mattered to
Daisy? Why? (156)
4. What does Nick’s statement “you’re worth the whole bunch put together” mean? How does
it show a change in Nick’s attitude from the beginning of the book?
5. What does George Wilson see in the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg? Is he right? Or is he crazy?
(`167)
6. How does this final tragic note affect Nick and his views on the American Dream?
7. Do you think Nick ever really believed in the American Dream (Gatsby’s Dream)?
8. How does Nick imagine Gatsby’s final moments? Specifically, what does he suppose Gatsby
was thinking about? (169)
Literary Devices:
Write one of your annotations from Chapter 8 in the space below. (Include page #)
Journal: Langston Hughes Hold Fast to Dreams
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams.
For when dreams go,
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Write a half page about how this poem connects to Chapter 8 and the Theme of the Week
(The Failure of the American Dream):
The Great Gatsby Study Guide
Chapter 9
Recall:
1. How long has it been since Nick left the East and began writing the account of his time in
New York?
2. How does Catherine (Myrtle’s sister) react when questioned by reporters and police? What
does she reveal about her sister’s affair?
3. What is the significance of Nick’s responsibility for Gatsby’s funeral arrangements?
4. Nick continually makes an effort to find mourners to attend Gatsby’s funeral. How
successful is he at doing this and what social commentary does this make about people in the
East?
5. Who unexpectedly shows up for the funeral? Why do you think he is the only one who
shows up?
6. Nick discusses the fact that Gatsby, Jordan, Tom, Daisy and himself were all westerners with
some deficiency in common. What does he mean by this?
7. What do we find out about the day that George went to Tom and Daisy’s?
8. Nick refers to Tom and Daisy as “careless people” who “smash up things and creatures and
then return into their money and vast carelessness.” What do you think he means by this?
9. The arrival of Henry C. Gatz gives us two more insights into Gatsby’s life. How do Mr.
Gatsby’s impressions of his son differ from what Nick thinks of him? (176 & 182)
Literary Devices:
Write one of your annotations from Chapter 9 in the space below. (Include page #)
Think About:
What do you make of the last four paragraphs? (Hint: think big—Fitzgerald is not just talking
about Gatsby here, but perhaps something bigger, more universal, something definitively
American.
Journal: Edgar Lee Masters George Gray
I have studied many times
The marble which was chiseled for me-A boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor.
In truth it pictures not my destination
But my life.
For love was offered me and I shrank from its
disillusionment;
Sorrow knocked at my door, but I was afraid;
Ambition called to me, but I dreaded the chances.
Yet all the while I hungered for meaning in my life.
And now I know that we must lift the sail
And catch the winds of destiny
Wherever they drive the boat.
To put meaning in one's life may end in madness,
But life without meaning is the torture
Of restlessness and vague desire-It is a boat longing for the sea and yet afraid.
Write a half page about how this poem connects to Chapter 9 and The Theme of the Week
(The Failure of the American Dream):