Mann 2015
Name: ____________________ Period: _____
Gatsby Chapter 1 character discussion
Directions: Each member of the group will complete the questions for a different
character (the sixth member can work on ODDS AND ENDS). After each member is
finished, share your answers so the rest of the members can record the responses.
GATSBY
Our initial impressions of Gatsby come in Nick’s very vague and hyper-stylized
introduction, where he says that “there was something gorgeous about him, some
heightened sensitivity to the promises of life.” Based on Nick’s initial remarks, how do
you think Gatsby contrasts with the Buchanans and Nick?
The end of chapter one presents a series of images of Gatsby that seem mysterious but
are clearly significant. Read the last page and a half and try to throw out some ideas of
what you make of the following:
“It was Mr. Gatsby himself, come out to determine what share was his of our
local heavens”
“he stretched out his arms towards the water in a curious way…I could have
sworn he was trembling.”
“a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been at the end of a
dock.”
DAISY
1
Mann 2015
Name: ____________________ Period: _____
Find and copy down as many key descriptors of Daisy’s physical features and
appearance as possible (and there are a lot). What impression is Fitzgerald trying to
leave us with? What’s the author’s purpose in describing her with these terms?
What do you think is suggested by the fact she is always leaning forward, or people are
always leaning towards her? (Tom is also described this way.)
How would you define Daisy’s relationship with Tom? Find evidence in the text to
support this.
TOM
Find and copy down as many key descriptors of Tom’s physical appearance as possible
(and there are a lot). What’s Fitzgerald’s purpose in describing him with these terms?
2
Mann 2015
Name: ____________________ Period: _____
Copy down a line that best describes Nick’s feelings towards Tom. How does he think of
him, and what makes Nick feel this way?
How would you define Tom’s relationship with Daisy? Find evidence in the text to
support this.
NICK
Write down everything the reader knows about Nick by the end of the first chapter.
3
Mann 2015
Name: ____________________ Period: _____
What is Nick’s attitude (tone) towards the Buchanans? Jordan? Gatsby (at the end of
the chapter)? Himself?
With the little you know so far, what guesses could you take about Nick’s role as
narrator? In other words, why would Fitzgerald, as the author, intentionally use him to
help express the significance of this story?
JORDAN
Find and copy down as many key descriptors of Jordan’s physical appearance and
character as possible. What impression does the reader and Nick get of her?
4
Mann 2015
Name: ____________________ Period: _____
The first time we see Jordan (and Daisy) is a fantastic description. Look at this passage:
What do you think Fitzgerald is suggesting about these two women through this
imagery? What other evidence is given in the chapter to support that idea?
How does Jordan respond to the idea of Tom’s affair? What does this say about her
attitude toward marriage?
ODDS AND ENDS
Tom is, of course, a racist, something we learn early on. The question, however, is
why: 1) why does he want to believe this? 2) Why does Fitzgerald characterize him this
way? Think about the way he is physically described by Nick. Also, what does Daisy’s
reaction to his comments tell us about their relationship?
5
Mann 2015
Name: ____________________ Period: _____
What do you make of Nick’s reaction to Daisy’s self-deprecating comments? After a
string of comments mocking her lifestyle, he feels that her words are “insincere,” which
is proven by the “absolute smirk” she gives him.
What is meant, then, by the line “she asserted her membership in a rather distinguished
secret society to which she and Tom belonged”?
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