AP LANG - Great Gatsby Final

Q1: How does Nick Carraway describe himself at the beginning of the novel

A: Nick says he is tolerant, nonjudgmental, and inclined to reserve judgment, though he later shows moral judgment.

Q2: What is Nick’s relationship to Daisy Buchanan

A: Daisy is Nick’s second cousin once removed.

Q3: How does Tom Buchanan’s physical appearance reflect his personality

A: Tom is large and aggressive, reflecting his dominance, arrogance, and violent tendencies.

Q4: What are some early clues that Tom is having an affair

A: Phone calls interrupt dinner, and Tom openly talks about Myrtle Wilson.

Q5: How is Daisy introduced, and what impression does she make on Nick

A: Daisy appears charming and beautiful but shallow, careless, and emotionally weak.

Q6: How does Jordan Baker’s behavior reflect her moral character

A: Jordan is dishonest and careless; she cheated in a golf tournament and avoids responsibility.

Q7: What rumors surround Jay Gatsby before Nick meets him

A: People say Gatsby killed a man, was a German spy, was related to Kaiser Wilhelm, or lied about attending Oxford.

Q8: How does Gatsby treat his guests at his parties

A: He is polite and generous but distant, rarely participating in the excess.

Q9: What does Gatsby reveal about his past, and which parts seem questionable

A: He claims inherited wealth, an Oxford education, and a glamorous life, but many details seem exaggerated.

Q10: How does Myrtle Wilson differ from Daisy Buchanan

A: Myrtle is loud and desperate for status, while Daisy is subtle, protected, and privileged.

Q11: How does George Wilson view Tom Buchanan

A: George sees Tom as powerful and trustworthy, unaware of his betrayal.

Q12: In what ways is Gatsby different from the other wealthy characters

A: Gatsby is self-made, hopeful, and emotional, unlike the careless, inherited-wealth elite.

Q13: What happens during Nick’s first visit to Tom and Daisy’s house

A: Nick meets Jordan Baker, witnesses Tom’s affair issues, and senses tension in the marriage.

Q14: What events take place in the New York apartment Tom keeps for Myrtle

A: Drinking, partying, and Tom breaking Myrtle’s nose when she mentions Daisy.

Q15: How does Nick finally meet Gatsby

A: Gatsby reveals himself casually while speaking with Nick at one of his parties.

Q16: Why does Gatsby throw such large, extravagant parties

A: He hopes Daisy will attend one of them.

Q17: How does Gatsby reunite with Daisy

A: Nick invites Daisy to tea and Gatsby appears unexpectedly.

Q18: What role does Nick play in Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship

A: Nick acts as a mediator and facilitator.

Q19: What happens during the confrontation at the Plaza Hotel

A: Tom exposes Gatsby’s criminal past, and Daisy admits she loved Tom too.

Q20: Why does Daisy choose Tom over Gatsby

A: Tom offers social security, wealth, and protection.

Q21: What happens to Myrtle Wilson, and who is responsible

A: Myrtle is killed by Gatsby’s car, which Daisy is driving.

Q22: Why does Gatsby take the blame for Myrtle’s death

A: He wants to protect Daisy.

Q23: How does George Wilson react to Myrtle’s death

A: He becomes desperate and seeks revenge.

Q24: What events lead directly to Gatsby’s death

A: Tom tells George Gatsby owned the car, leading George to kill Gatsby.

Q25: What happens at Gatsby’s funeral

A: Almost no one attends.

Q26: What does the valley of ashes look like, and where is it located

A: A gray, industrial wasteland between West Egg and New York City.

Q27: What are the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg

A: A billboard symbolizing moral judgment and lost spirituality.

Q28: Why does Gatsby call Nick “old sport”

A: To sound refined and upper-class.

Q29: What does Gatsby’s mansion symbolize

A: His ambition and attempt to recreate the past.

Q30: What does Daisy’s voice symbolize to Gatsby

A: Wealth, status, and his dream.

Q31: What happens when people learn Gatsby is dead

A: His former guests disappear.

Q32: How does Tom react after Gatsby’s death

A: He feels justified and shows no remorse.

Q33: What book does Gatsby’s father bring to the funeral

A: A childhood book containing Gatsby’s self-improvement schedule.

Q34: What does the weather reflect during Gatsby and Daisy’s reunion

A: Rain shows tension; sunshine shows renewed hope.

Q35: How does alcohol function in the novel despite Prohibition

A: It highlights hypocrisy and moral corruption.

Q36: What does the green light represent

A: Gatsby’s hope and dreams for the future.

Q37: What does the color white symbolize

A: False innocence and emptiness.

Q38: What does the color yellow or gold symbolize

A: Wealth, materialism, and corruption.

Q39: How does the valley of ashes symbolize moral decay

A: It shows the consequences of greed and exploitation.

Q40: What do Gatsby’s parties reveal about the American Dream

A: Excess does not bring fulfillment.

Q41: How do cars function symbolically

A: They represent carelessness and destruction.

Q42: What do eyes symbolize in the novel

A: Moral judgment and observation.

Q43: What does water symbolize

A: Separation between dreams and reality.

Q44: What does Gatsby’s name change symbolize

A: Reinvention and escape from poverty.

Q45: How does time function as a motif

A: Gatsby believes the past can be repeated.

Q46: How does the novel criticize the American Dream

A: It shows wealth does not equal happiness or morality.

Q47: What does the novel suggest about wealth and happiness

A: Wealth often leads to emptiness and carelessness.

Q48: How is social class portrayed

A: Class is rigid and difficult to escape.

Q49: How is the past both powerful and destructive

A: It motivates Gatsby but leads to his downfall.

Q50: How does Fitzgerald portray moral responsibility

A: The wealthy avoid consequences while others suffer.

Q51: What role does illusion vs. reality play in Gatsby’s life

A: Gatsby lives in illusion and rejects reality.

Q52: How does Nick function as narrator and character

A: He participates in events while offering moral judgment.

Q53: Is Gatsby truly “great”

A: He is great in hope and dedication but flawed in delusion.

Q54: How does love differ between Gatsby and Daisy versus Tom and Daisy

A: Gatsby’s love is idealized; Tom’s is controlling and shallow.

Q55: How does the novel portray carelessness among the wealthy

A: They cause destruction and retreat into money.

Q56: Why does Nick return to the Midwest

A: He is disgusted by the East’s moral decay.

Q57: What does Nick mean by calling Tom and Daisy “careless people”

A: They destroy lives and avoid responsibility.

Q58: What does the final boat metaphor mean

A: Humans struggle between hope and reality.

Q59: What message does the novel send about hope

A: Hope is powerful but dangerous when unrealistic.

Q60: Why is The Great Gatsby still relevant today

A: It critiques wealth, ambition, and the illusion of success.