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Essay Questions
1.
The notion of the American dream figures prominently in this story. How should
readers define “American dream”? Morevoer, is pursuing the American dream
necessarily a good thing, as evidenced by The Great Gatsby?
2.
Explore the character of Nick. How are readers supposed to feel about him? In
what ways does he come off as reliable or unreliable?
3.
Fitzgerald’s story shows the clear delineations between different strata of society:
new money, old money, some money, and no money. How are readers to interpret his
comments on each of these groups? Does he hold any one group above the other? Are
there ways in which people of all groups are alike?
4.
Throughout the story, Gatsby has difficulty accepting that the past is over and
done with. Where do you find evidence of his trying to recapture the past? What does this
say about him? Should people live their lives yearning for something in the past? Why or
why not?
5.
Part of Fitzgerald’s strength as a writer comes from his imagistic style. His writing is
very sensory-oriented. What examples of sensory-oriented imagery (sight, taste, touch,
smell, sound) can you find in the story? What kind of atmosphere do these details help
create? How do they affect you as a reader?
6.
It is not uncommon to hear the term “a self-made man.” In what possible ways
might this term be explained? How does Gatsby fit that definition? In what ways does he
take it too literally?
7.
Although Gatsby professed to love Daisy, there is a sense that he was not in love
with her as much as he was in love with the idea of her. Where can you find
evidence of Gatsby’s devotion to an ideal rather than an actual person?
8.
Although Nick Carraway has his reservations about Gatsby, it is clear he thinks of
him fondly; after all, he titles the book The Great Gatsby. He leads a questionable
existance and comes to a tragic end, yet Nick (and by extension, the readers) feel
empathetic toward him. Does Gatsby deserve to be called “Great”? In what ways
is he great? In what ways is he not? In the end, which wins out: greatness or
mediocrity?
9.
Trace the use of the color white in the novel. When does it falsify a sense of
innocence? When does it symbolize true innocence?
10. Do a close reading of the description of the "valley of ashes." How does
Fitzgerald use religious imagery in this section of the novel?
11. Discuss the historical accuracy of The Great Gatsby.
12. Compare and Contrast the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald to that of his character
Jay Gatsby.
13. In the novel The Great Gatsby,how does the author F. Scott FItzgerald use symbolism and
characterization to portray that through the pursuit of materialism and excess, man will
become empty.
14. Discusses the theme of the loss of innocence.
15.
Discuss F. Scott Fitzgerald and his use of The Great Gatsby to expose the corruption of the
American Dream.
16. Examine the lies and corruption which pepper the novel as well as the hidden
truths and secrets of major characters.
17.
Discuss how American author F. Scott Fitzgerald depicts the 1920s culture through his
novel, The Great Gatsby.
18.
Discuss jay Gatsby and how his dream corrupts him.
19.
Discuss how throughout the novel, Fitzgerald uses foreshadowing to prepare the reader for
Daisy's complete rejection of Gatsby, which culminates with her failure to attend his
funeral.
20.
Discuss the powerful symbolism in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald and how it
adds power and depth to the narrative. Key symbolic meanings lie in the differences
between West Egg and East Egg, the Valley of Ashes, the dock's green light, and Doctor
Eckleburg's huge blue eyes.
21.
Discuss social hierarchy in the Great Gatsby and how it is true to the time period.