The Great Gatsby Chapter 1-3 Quiz

How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of the novel?

He reserves judgement to others

How does Nick describe Tom Buchanan?

Enormously wealthy, violent, forceful, aggressive, sturdy, supercilious, arrogant, aggressive, and cruel

Who is Jordan Baker? What does Nick find appealing about her?

Daisy's friend. He is attracted to her appearance

What is Gatsby doing when Nick first sees him?

Gatsby's reaching out towards something, staring at a green light across the water which Nick says could come from a light at the end of a dock

Describe the ambiguity in Nick's initial descriptions of Gatsby.

Nick says that Gatsby represented "everything for which I have an unaffected scorn," yet he also says that "There was something gorgeous about him," and that he "turned out all right."

How does the tone of Nick's description of Tom reveal Nick's feelings about Tom?

He describes Tom's manner as "supercilious," his body as "cruel," and his voice as gruff and husky, which "added to the impression of fractiousness he conveyed." These physical descriptions indicate the flaws that Nick sees in Tom's character.

How would you describe Daisy's state of mind during dinner? What does she say and do that helps reveal her inner conflicts?

Daisy seems flighty and upset. She confesses to Nick that she has become cynical and overly sophisticated and implies that she is deeply unsatisfied with her marriage.

Nick thinks that, given the state of their marriage, Daisy should leave Tom, but it is clear to him that she has no intention of doing so. What indication is there that Tom and Daisy are closely linked despite their marital difficulties?

The most significant link between Tom and Daisy is implied after Daisy's outburst to Nick when she smirks "as if she had asserted her membership in a rather distinguished secret society to which she and Tom belonged."

What indications are there that the green light will have a powerful emotional significance to Gatsby?

Gatsby's gesture and his trembling help to highlight the significance of the green light.

How does Nick meet Tom's mistress?

They took a train up to New York and it stopped near her husband's shop

How does Myrtle react to Tom's arrival?

She ignores her husband and walks straight up to Tom

Describe George Wilson. How does he react to Tom's arrival?

Spiritless, slightly handsome. Excited to see Tom to fix his car because he needs the money

How does Myrtle behave as the party progresses?

Everyone is drinking at the party which causes Myrtle's behavior to get a little out of hand. She starts chanting Daisy's name that gets Tom mad.

Describe the setting of the valley of the ashes where George and Myrtle live. What aspects of the setting imply that it is intended to have symbolic meaning as well as a literal one?

A massive trash dump. It represents the rotting American dream

How does Fitzgerald describe Myrtle Wilson? Does her physical appearance reflect her character in any way?

He describes her as being stout in her mid 30s and has a coarse voice. Yes her personality is harsh like her.

Compare the setting of the party in this chapter to the setting of the party in Chapter

One.

The first chapter was more reserved and was mostly wealthy people. The second chapter was loud with more people and commotion going on.

Why does Tom attack Myrtle at the end of the party? How does this exemplify Fitzgerald's description of Tom in Chapter One?

He attacks her for chanting Daisy's name and breaks her nose. It shows how is violent as described in the first chapter.

Describe the two ways in which Nick differs from the other guests at Gatsby's party.

Nick was one of the few people that was actually invited. He didn't get drunk.

What does Nick think of Gatsby when he first meets him?

Nick is fascinated with Gatsby. He thinks he is going to be a corpulent businessman but is actually very friendly.

Describe the events and atmosphere of the party

The party was big and extravagant. there was a lot going on at once. Many of the guests were drunk which added to the liveliness of the party. They also had a band and orchestra playing.

What does the owl-eyed man in the library find extraordinary about Gatsby's library?

The books. He notices that the books are real books but have not been read. In the 20s the pages were stuck together before reading them.

What does Nick learn about Jordan Baker after he has spent some time with her?

He learns that she is a dishonest person. She cheats her way to win.

Why does Fitzgerald describe the party (in the passage beginning "By seven o'clock the orchestra has arrived") in the present tense?

To make the reader feel more apart of the story.

How does Nick characterize the guests at Gatsby's party? What do these characterizations tell us about how Nick feels about most of these people? What sense of life in the Jazz age do we get from the description of this party?

Nick observes the people most of the time he is at the party. Most are businessmen that are very wealthy. They are all fake though because they flaunt it. The lifestyle during the 20s was very luxurious and they had extravagant parties with alcohol and expensive things.

Describe the ambiguity in Gatsby's character that strikes Nick.

Nick has always been impressed by Gatsby for his elaborate parties. Nick soon realizes he doesn't have these parties for himself at all. He doesn't care about the superficial things and doesn't enjoy himself.

Describe the two incidents involving automobiles in this chapter. What role do cars seem to play in the novel so far?

In general all the rich people drive recklessly because they don't care what happens. They have an endless supply of money. Another incident is when owl eyes gets into an accident and lands in a ditch because the driver was drunk.