The Great Gatsby
Study Guide Ch 4-6
Name___________________________________Date___________ Period_____
Chapter 4
1. Why is Gatsby restless?
2. In his life story that he tells Nick, how does he make a fool of himself?
3. What is the purpose of Gatsby trying to win approval in this way? How does it relate to Nick’s upcoming
date with Jordan?
4. What is your impression of Meyer Wolfsheim? Of Gatsby for being his friend?
5. What do his cufflinks, made of human molars, reveal about him?
6. When Tom enters the picture, a “strained, unfamiliar look of embarrassment” comes over Gatsby’s face.
What does Gatsby’s abrupt leave imply to the reader?
7. Gatsby bought his mansion just to be near Daisy. What does Gatsby want Jordan and Nick to do? Why do
you think Nick agrees to arrange a Daisy/Gatsby meeting?
8. How does Jordan differ from Daisy? Which woman do you like better? As a suitor, how does Nick differ
from Gatsby?
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby offers Nick a chance to make some money in return for inviting Daisy over. How does this offer
betray Gatsby’s lack of class?
2. What do Gatsby’s improvements on Nick’s cottage reveal about his feelings as he anticipates Daisy’s
visit? What is of importance to him?
3. Describe Daisy and Gatsby’s initial encounter at Nick’s house.
4. What object almost falls off of the mantelpiece? How is this symbolic?
5. What is the weather like at the beginning of this chapter? At the end?
6. Why is it significant that Gatsby’s bedroom is the simplest room of all? Why is the episode of the shirts
important?
7. Why does the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock no longer have any wonder of its own for Gatsby?
Chapter 6
1. How do Tom and his friends show their contempt for Gatsby?
2. Why does Gatsby appear to be naïve here?
3. That evening the Buchanans attend one of Gatsby’s parties. Why doesn’t Daisy like the party or the place?
But why does she nevertheless come to Gatsby’s defense when Tom criticizes him. What makes her
especially nervous?
4. Nick understands Daisy’s reluctance, telling Gatsby, “You can’t repeat the past.” Gatsby insists that you
can. How does this make him a true romantic?
5. On the famous last page of this chapter, Gatsby tells Nick how his commitment to Daisy had cancelled out
his personal aspirations. How does the fact of his burning boyhood dreams make his devotion to Daisy more
believable?
6. How are the dreams and the devotion similar?
The Great Gatsby
Study Guide Questions Ch 7
Name________________________________________Date_____________ Period_______
Chapter 7
1. Why has Gatsby dismissed all of his servants and filled the house with those who have gangland
connections?
2. Describe Daisy’s actions when Tom leaves the room. How does the presence of Daisy’s daughter forcast
Gatsby’s inability to win Daisy?
3. What is wrong with George Wilson that has caused him to become sick? How does Tom react to the
possibility of losing both his wife and his mistress?
4. In stating that his and Daisy’s relationship has been going on for five years, is Gatsby correctly assessing
the depth of Daisy’s commitment?
5. Does Tom prove correct when he says that Daisy did love him when she married him? What is it that Tom
and Daisy share?
6. What do you think is Tom’s REAL objection to Gatsby? (adultery? lower class? shady occupation?
display of money?)
7. What does Tom reveal about Gatsby’s occupation?
8. How is Tom affected by Myrtle’s death? Who looks like the murderer in George’s eyes?
9. A sickened Nick leaves Tom and Jordan at the Buchanan’s home. Why do his feelings toward Jordan
begin to change?
The Great Gatsby
Study Guide Questions Ch 8-9
Chapter 8
1. Gatsby put aside his personal ambitions for glory and Daisy. Do any of the other characters put aside their
personal ambitions for love? Do they have ambitions?
2. Why is it ironic that Gatsby dies in his pool?
3. Is it in character for Tom and Daisy to leave town? What does Nick reveal about “the crowd”?
4. Nick’s relationship with Jordan deteriorates. How does his choice of words in describing her tell us this?
Chapter 9
1. What is Gatsby’s father’s reaction to his son’s house and possessions? Why is it appropriate and
significant that he wants Gatsby to be buried in the East not Midwest?
2. How did Wolfsheim develop the young Gatsby? Neither Wolfsheim not Klipspringer can make it to the
funereal. What are their reasons?
3. What is the purpose of Nick’s recollections of the Midwest? Why do you think Nick decided to leave the
East and go back home?
4. What does Nick say about carelessness and careless people?
5. Why do you think Nick doesn’t tell the truth about Daisy?