“The Great Gatsby”
Reading Guide
Chapter I
1) How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of the book?
2) Why has Nick come to the East?
3) How does Nick describe Tom Buchanan? How does Nick know Tom?
4) Who is Daisy?
4) Who is Jordan Baker? What does Nick like about her?
5) Nick starts the novel by retelling his father’s advice, “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” List Nick’s advantages. Does it appear that Nick doesn’t judge people?
6) What is Gatsby doing when Nick first sees him?
7) How does Daisy react to the phone calls from Tom’s woman in New York City?
Chapter II
8) Describe the “valley of ashes.” What does it look like and what does it represent?
9) Describe George Wilson and Myrtle. Do they fit into the setting?
10) Why, according to Catherine (Myrtle’s sister), has Tom not left Daisy to marry Myrtle?
11) What more is revealed about Nick in this chapter? Is he similar or different than the people he spends time with?
12) Describe the violent act that Tom committed against Myrtle. What does this reveal about his character?
13) What is the importance of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg?
Chapter III
14) What is the significance of the owl-eyed man?
15) Describe Gatsby the first time Nick sees him.
16) Why does Gatsby throw huge, expensive parties for people he doesn’t know?
17) What does Nick think about Gatsby after meeting him?
18) How is Gatsby different than the guests at his party?
19) What does Nick learn about Jordan after spending some time with her?

The Great Gatsby Chapters 4-9 Study Guide
Chapter IV
20) List all of the rumors told about Gatsby.
21) According to Jordan, what did Daisy do on her wedding day? Why? What does this reveal about Daisy?
22) Why does Gatsby want to have tea with Daisy at Nick’s house? Why doesn’t Gatsby ask Nick for this favor himself?
Why did Gatsby want Daisy to see his house?
23) Why does Gatsby tell Nick about his life? Do you believe Gatsby? Does Nick?
24) Nick says, “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” What does Nick mean? How does each character in the novel fit into this schema?
Chapter V
25) Why does Gatsby deliver so many goods and service to Nick’s house?
26) Describe the meeting between Daisy and Gatsby.
27) Explain the importance of the green light.
28) How does Gatsby reply when Nick asks him how he makes his money? Why does Nick find this significant?
29) How does the rain affect the plot?
Chapter VI
30) Describe the meeting of Tom and Gatsby.
31) How did Gatsby measure the success of his party?
32) How truthful was Gatsby when he told the story of his life to Nick? Why did the author tell the story of Jay Gatz at this point in the novel?
Chapter VII
33) Why does Gatsby stop throwing parties?
34) Why is Myrtle upset when she sees Tom and Jordan?
35) Describe the fight between Gatsby and Tom. What do these men think of each other?
36) Why is Nick pleased with Gatsby’s honesty about Oxford?
37) Why does Tom insist that Daisy and Gatsby drive home together?
38) Do you think Tom knew that Daisy was driving the “death car”? Why or why not?
Chapter VIII
39) How does the author set a melancholy mood at the beginning of the chapter?
40) How are the seasons used as a part of the novel?
41) Who is Dan Cody? What was his significance in Gatsby’s life?
42) How does Nick’s statement, “You’re worth the whole bunch put together” show a change in Nick from the beginning of the novel?
43) How does Dr. T.J. Eckleberg affect Mr. Wilson?

Chapter IX
44) Why did Nick take care of Gatsby funeral?
45) Why do Tom and Daisy leave?
46) How did Nick react to the phone call revealing Gatsby’s criminal activity?
47) What is the importance of Mr. Gatz’s arrival?
48) Who attended Gatsby’s funeral? How and why is this significant?
49) What was the purpose of Nick’s last meeting with Jordan?
50) Why does Nick call Tom and Daisy “careless people”?