The Great Gatsby Study Guide

Transcription

1 Chapter One: 1. Why is first person narrative an effective and appropriate way of telling this story? Why is Nick Carraway the narrator? Can the reader trust his observations and judgments? 2. In discussing East Egg and West Egg, Nick states: To the wingless a more arresting phenomenon is their dissimilarity in every particular except shape and size. Indicate what the dissimilarities might be? 3. Fitzgerald s description of Tom, Daisy, and Jordan creates not only an impression of physical appearance, but also contains added information. What does the reader learn about their history, interests, gestures and mannerisms? 4. Why does Daisy always speak in such exaggerated phrases? 5. What is the significance of Tom s reference to the book he is reading? 6. Why does Daisy hope her child will be a beautiful fool? 7. When Nick leaves the Buchanan s house, he is confused and a little disgusted. Why? 8. Though the reader does not meet Gatsby until Chapter Three, references to him in the conversation of others is given. What impressions does one get? 9. What impression does the reader get from Nick, the first time Nick sees Gatsby? Why does Gatsby reach out to the water? 10. Describe the setting. How does Fitzgerald use setting to emphasize the differences between social classes? 1

2 Chapter Two: 1. In what way is the description in the opening paragraphs of Chapter Two appropriate to the total atmosphere of this chapter? What is symbolic about the Valley of Ashes, and the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg? 2. Contrast the setting of the Valley of Ashes with that of East Egg and West Egg. 3. Why is Wilson covered with dust from the ashes? 4. Evaluate Myrtle s talk of her unhappy marriage. What does she seem to be trying to justify? 5. How does Myrtle s speech reveal her character? Why does she behave with such hauteur, both toward her husband and in the city apartment? What does this behavior reveal about both Myrtle and Tom? 6. Myrtle says of the elevator boy, These people! You have to keep after them all the time. Why is this ironic? One of the novel s themes concerns paradoxes. How does the character of Myrtle Wilson illustrate this theme? 7. How does Catherine rationalize her sister s affair with Tom? 8. What does Tom do when Myrtle screams Daisy s name at him? Why is Tom s reaction ironic for Myrtle? 9. What two facets of Tom s personality are revealed when he breaks Myrtle s nose? 10. Describe some of the similarities between Tom s party in New York and Gatsby s huge affairs in the West Egg. 2

3 Chapter Three: 1. How does Nick happen to attend one of Gatsby s parties? 2. What is revealed when Nick says that people aren t actually invited to Gatsby s parties, but that they just sort of go there? Give details about the party itself, about the guests and about their conversation and behavior. How do they behave toward their host? 3. What is the significance of the owl-eyed man? Why does the owl-eyed man describe Gatsby as a real Balasco? 4. What are some of the rumors that circulate about Gatsby? 5. Describe the meeting between Nick and Gatsby. Comment on Fitzgerald s skill in preparing for Gatsby s entrance into the story. What does Gatsby show Nick to prove his story about his background is true? 6. In what way are Nick and Gatsby similar at this point? Why are they paradoxical? 7. What is the contrast between Gatsby and his party? 8. What is the reason for Nick s breaking the story at this point? Read the section beginning with Reading over what I have written so far 9. At the end of Chapter Three, Nick meets Jordan again. Fitzgerald includes several episodes that emphasize her carelessness and basic dishonesty. Discuss these instances. What do they reveal about Jordan? About Nick? 10. What chaotic scene concludes Gatsby s party? 3

4 Chapter Four: 1. The introductory section of Chapter Four gives a long roster of those who attended Gatsby s parties. Through these people Fitzgerald symbolizes the Jazz Age. What do the people s names and descriptions say about their personalities and about the Jazz Age in general? What is the significance of these names being written on a disintegrating timetable? 2. Describe Gatsby s car. 3. Discuss the details that Gatsby shares with Nick about his past. Does Nick believe Gatsby s story? 4. Who is Meyer Wolfsheim? What are some interesting aspects of his character? What seems to be his connection with Gatsby? Discuss how the characterization of Meyer Wolfsheim is very anti-semitic. 5. What is ironic about Gatsby s appraisal of Jordan? 6. What information does Jordan divulge about Daisy and Gatsby? 7. What is significant in Jordan s remark that Daisy s voice has an amorous tinge? According to Jordan, why did Daisy want to call off her bridal dinner? 8. Explain the epigraph on the title page of the novel. What does it reveal about Gatsby and his love for Daisy? 9. When Gatsby spoke to Jordan in his library in Chapter Three, he had devised a plan involving Nick. What is the plan? Why did he not ask Nick directly? 10. Does the reader know why Gatsby has so many parties? Why did he buy the house? Explain. 4

5 Chapter Five: 1. Gatsby s action in preparing for Daisy s arrival seems both flamboyant and absurd. What does he do? Why? 2. Why is Nick involved in Gatsby s attempt to see Daisy? 3. Why is Gatsby dressed in a gold tie and silver shirt? 4. Discuss Gatsby s actions once Daisy arrives. How does Daisy seem to be affected by this reunion? 5. Why is it important to Gatsby that Daisy sees his house and possessions? What hint is given in the story of how Gatsby s house was built? 6. What is ironic about the cottage owners refusal to put thatched roofs on their homes? 7. What does Daisy seem to be the most impressed with while touring Gatsby s house? What does Daisy s reaction suggest? 8. Who is Klipspringer and what does he do? What is significant about his song? 9. In Chapter Five, why does Nick say, Now it was again a green light on a dock? His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one.? 10. At the end of Chapter Five, Nick sees that the expression of bewilderment had come back into Gatsby s face, as though a faint doubt had occurred to him as to the quality of his present happiness. Why does Gatsby look bewildered? Why, in his opinion, is Daisy not at fault? How does his apparent bewilderment related to the idea that a dream attained may be less satisfying than a dream pursued? 5

6 Chapter Six: 1. Why does Fitzgerald reveal the truth about Gatsby s background at this particular point in the novel? What is Jay Gatsby s real name, and where was he born? Why and when had he changed his name? 2. In what way was Dan Cody involved in Gatsby s destiny? What is ironic about Dan Cody? 3. What parallel is suggested by the fact that Gatsby never gets the inheritance bequeathed to him by Cody? 4. What doesn t Gatsby realize about Mrs. Sloane s dinner invitation? 5. Why does Tom attend Gatsby s party? How does this scene reveal the contrast between Gatsby and Tom? 6. What is deeply ironic in Tom s statement, I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me.? 7. Note the reactions of Tom and Daisy at different times during Gatsby s party. Did they enjoy themselves? Explain in detail. 8. What suspicions does Tom have about Gatsby? What does he vow to do? 9. What do Nick and Gatsby talk about after the party? 10. What is Gatsby expecting of Daisy that prompts Nick to warn him, I wouldn t ask too much of her You can t repeat the past.? 6

7 Chapter Seven: 1. What changes has Gatsby made that concerned Nick enough to go and check on him? 2. Analyze Daisy s attitude toward her child, Pammy. Is she a good mother? Explain [Gatsby looked] at the child with surprise. 3. What startling discovery does Tom make shortly after lunch? 4. What does Gatsby mean when he says that Daisy s voice is full of money? 5. What plan does George Wilson reveal to Tom when they stop for gas? When Myrtle looks out the window, what incorrect assumption does she make? 6. Why does Tom s defense of family life and traditional institutions amuse Nick? In what ways is Tom a hypocrite? 7. Does Daisy know what love is? Whom does she really love? 8. What happened to Myrtle Wilson? Who was driving the death car? 9. What are Nick s feelings toward Gatsby? What does Nick means when he says, I guessed at the truth? 10. Why is Gatsby left standing outside watching over nothing and Tom and Daisy are reconciled? 7

8 Chapter Eight: 1. What had prompted Gatsby to talk freely to Nick now, when he was unwilling to do so in the past? 2. Why is Gatsby s love for Daisy described in religious terms? Why does Daisy s wealth always remain in the foreground of Gatsby s feelings and memories of her? 3. What is the significance of Gatsby s acceptance that if Daisy did love Tom once, it was just personal? 4. As Nick leaves Gatsby the morning after the accident, he remarks, They re a rotten crowd. Who and why? 5. What is the compliment that Nick pays to Gatsby? Why does Nick feel compelled to commend Gatsby? 6. Why is the irony of the reference to Gatsby s ancestral home? 7. Explain Nick s meaning when he balances Gatsby s supposed corruption against his incorruptible dream? 8. How does Wilson view the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg? 9. How does Wilson link Gatsby with his wife s death? 10. Trace the movements of Gatsby and Wilson at the end of Chapter Eight. What is Nick s meaning when he says, the holocaust was complete? 8

9 Chapter Nine: 1. What is the significance of Nick s taking charge of Gatsby s funeral arrangements. Specify the things he did. 2. What version of the tragedy appeared in the newspapers? Why? 3. How had Gatsby really made his money? How does Nick react to the phone call? 4. How had Gatsby s father learned of the tragedy? To what extent does the father know his son? What additional information does Mr. Gatz give about his son? What is the significance of Mr. Gatz s arrival? 5. What is the significance of Gatsby s boyhood program for self-improvement? 6. How do Gatsby s acquaintances respond to his death, especially Wolfsheim? Who does attend the funeral? How does Gatsby s funeral reinforce the actual position Gatsby had attained in society? Why is the funeral ironic? 7. What is the significance of Jordan s comment about the bad driver? 8. What part had Tom played in Gatsby s death? Why does Nick finally shake hands with Tom? 9. What moral judgment does Nick made about Tom and Daisy? Explain. 10. Why does Nick feel that Gatsby s tragedy is a contrast between East and West Egg? 9