Chapter 1
1. How do you interpret what Nick is saying in this last sentence? Why is he done
judging?
2. What is the oxymoron being used here? Why might Nick describe Daisy and Tom this
way?
3. What is odd about Fitzgerald's choice of the word "irrelevantly" in connection to
Nick's seeing her baby?
Characterize Daisy as you perceive her so far.
From what you know about Tom Buchanan, how would you characterize him?
Knowing what you do about Daisy so far, do you think she wants her daughter to be a
fool? What in her own life might prompt Daisy to say this?
A key theme introduced at the dinner party is that of societal expectation. Much of The
Great Gatsby centers on appearances and the rift between who or what one is and who or
what society wishes or expects. Fitzgerald has already given a sense of this dichotomy
when first introducing the Buchanan’s: They're expected to be gracious, generous, warm
and welcoming, but instead seem shallow, superficial, disinterested and rude - among
other things.
Select 2 examples from the chapter that support this theme.
The green light is a symbol in this novel. What might it symbolize?
What might Fitzgerald mean when he describes the darkness as "unquiet"?
Chapter 2
What is an oculist? What 'literally' are "the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg?
Why does Myrtle buy so many things before leaving the train station?
What does "haughtily" mean and what does "regal" mean? What do these words imply
about the way Myrtle is acting?
What is your impression of Myrtle? (Consider her changes in outfits and behaviors)
Explain how Tom is being demeaning to Myrtle in this situation.
How do Daisy and Myrtle differ from each other? Look up what a daisy is and what
creeping myrtle is. What is Fitzgerald implying about these two characters through their
names?
Give two reason why Tom and Myrtle are attracted to each other.
Chapter 3
What can you infer about the party guests, their relationship to Gatsby, and the way they
act?
What about Nick's character has previously kept him from attending the party like the
other guests? Think about how we described him in chapter 1.
What do the two adjectives used with Jordan here tell us about her character? Think back
to the dinner party in chapter 1 and Jordan's and Daisy's attitudes.
What does the paragraph above reveal about Jordan? What can you relate it to?
Give me two reasons Nick's proclamation about his honesty is cause for skepticism.
Chapter 4
What professions do you note in the West Egg (those who came from farther out on the
island) crowd who attend Gatsby's parties? Why aren't the professions of the East Egg
visitors given?
Look back at the various names and decide how they might be symbolic of the social
class and the character of the person. Give 2 examples.
Why do you know this is a lie?
Nick inquires "casually" because he:
Considering what you already know about Gatsby's character, why do you think the
police officer doesn't give Gatsby a ticket AND is so polite to him?
Characterize Wolfsheim and what you think about him.
What has Nick just learned? Contrast Nick's reaction to the information with Gatsby's
reaction.
Look up the definition of "fay." How does this further the characterization of Daisy?
1. What has Tom done in Santa Barbara?
2. What about Daisy's behavior makes you suspect something similar might have
occurred during their three-month honeymoon?
What is Fitzgerald referring to when he writes, "and bought a mansion where he
dispensed starlight to casual moths"?
Give me a reason from this chapter that Nick seems less honest, less moralistic than he
has been claiming to be.
Chapter 5
Why do you think Fitzgerald attributes the colors he does to Gatsby?
Contrast Daisy's response to the time that has passed since their last seeing each other
with Gatsby's response.
Analyze the paragraph above starting with, "He had been full..."What is Fitzgerald
talking about?
Why does Daisy react to the shirts the way she does? What does this say about her?
What did the light symbolize to Gatsby and how might that have changed?
Consider Gatsby's dream of the past five years. What does Nick say the dream has
become over the years? How does Daisy figure into it all?
Chapter 6
Describe young James Gatz, his background and schooling.
So he loses the money to Ella Kaye, but gains an "education." What is this "education?"
Why do they not want Gatsby, and why does Gatsby not realize this?
Why is this statement ironic?
What exactly is going on here?
Look up the definition of menagerie. What is Tom suggesting about Gatsby in this
sentence?
What is Nick suggesting he wishes would happen?
What is flawed about Gatsby's logic here?
Chapter 9
How do you feel about Daisy now?
How does Mr. Gatz’s reference to James J. Hill fit into Fitzgerald’s commentary on the
American Dream?
(Google this!)
How does Mr. Gatz’s pride in his son’s possessions support any theme(s) of the novel?
How does Gatsby’s buying a house for his father reveal a new dimension of Gatsby’s
character or contradict any impressions of his family relationships?
When is the only other time during the novel that rain provides a focus on the action?
What connection can you make between the two events?
Using the analysis from your chapter 3 dialectical journal bout Owl Eyes, why does
Fitzgerald have him reappear at the funeral? What does Owl Eyes provide for us?
Nick declares, “I see now that this has been a story of the West, after all—Tom and
Gatsby, Daisy and Jordan and I, were all Westerners, and perhaps we possessed some
deficiency in common which made us subtly unadaptable to Eastern life.” What in the
last paragraph best indicates Nick’s motivation behind that statement?
Why do you think Nick says this? Why has hi beliefs on "honor" changed?
Tom says Gatsby “threw dust into [Nick’s] eyes just like he did in Daisy’s.” Literally,
what does Tom mean? How do Tom’s words connect to themes of the novel?
How does Nick's analysis of Tom and Daisy summarize the novel's themes?
Re-read Nick's last comments, starting with "And as the moon rose higher..." How does
this sentence connect to Fitzgerald’s commentary on the American experience?
In your own words, how do you interpret these last two paragraphs.