The Great Gatsby (1-6)

Chapter 1

1. How does the narrator describe Gatsby?

The narrator describes Gatsby as having something gorgeous about him, that he is optimistic about life, and is romantic in a way no one else is.

2. From where did the narrator come and why?

The narrator comes from the Middle West and moves East after the Great War (WWI) as he felt the Middle East grew boring and wanted to learn the bond business.

3. Describe the narrator's house.

The narrator’s house is at the tip of the West Egg. It is a small bungalow in a New York City commuting town on an island that is in the middle of two big mansions.

4. Describe the Buchanan's house.

The Buchanan’s house is a colonial mansion in the East Egg that overlooks the bay with a big lawn that goes all the way to the beach from the front door. The front had a line of French windows, and the yard had roses and a garden.

5. How does Nick know Daisy and Tom?

Nick knows Tom from college and knows Daisy from being his second cousin once removed.

6. Describe Tom. What is our impression of him in Chapter 1?

Tom is a big guy who used to be one of the most powerful ends to play football in New Haven. He is a thirty-year-old man with sturdy straw hair, a hard mouth, and arrogant eyes. Tom grew up wealthy and was very opinionated and judgmental. Based on this chapter, he doesn’t seem likable.

7. What kind of person is Daisy?

Daisy is a kind in charming person that seems to be happy but has an underlying sadness. She has bright eyes, a passionate mouth, and face full of excitement.

8. What did Miss Baker tell Nick about Tom?

Miss Baker tells Nick that Tom has “a woman in New York”.

9. When asked about her daughter, what does Daisy say?

Daisy said that when her daughter was born that she was glad she had a girl but hoped that she would be a fool because in this world, the best thing a girl can be is a beautiful fool.

10. How is Gatsby introduced into the novel?

Gatsby is introduced by him coming up in discussion at dinner at the Buchanan’s. When Nick gets home, he sees Gatsby standing outside staring at the sky. He meant to call out, but Gatsby was trembling and looked out to a green light on the water and soon disappeared.

Chapter 2

1. What is the "valley of ashes"?

The “valley of ashes” is a desolate area between West Egg and New York.

2. What are the "eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg"?

The “eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg” is a billboard.

3. Who are Myrtle and George Wilson.

George and Myrtle Wilson are a married couple that live in an apartment above George’s auto shop. Myrtle is Tom Buchanan’s mistress.

4. Identify:

• Catherine

  • Myrtle’s younger sister

• Mr. and Mrs. McKee

  • Friends of Tom and Myrtle that live in the flat below them

5. What does Catherine tell Nick about Gatsby?

Catherine told Nick that Gatsby is the nephew or cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm and that's where he gets his money from and mentions that she is afraid of Gatsby.

6. What reason did Myrtle give for marrying George Wilson?

Myrtle said she married George Wilson because she thought he was a gentleman and knew something about breeding but later found out that he was faking being rich.

7. What did Tom do to Myrtle when she mentioned Daisy's name?

When Myrtle mentioned Daisy’s name, Tom broke her nose by slapping her.

Chapter 3

1. Describe Gatsby's wealth. List some of the things that represent wealth.

Gatsby’s wealth is new and is spent on fancy things to show it off. Some of the things that represent Gatsby’s wealth is his fancy mansion, the huge parties he throws, and a big library full of books.

2. What kind of people attend Gatsby's parties?

A variety of people come to his parties but most are the rich and famous from New York. Most of the guests are never invited and are simply friends of the invited or just show up.

3. Why did Nick Carraway go to the party?

Nick Carraway went to the party because he was invited by Gatsby’s chauffeur with a formal note.

4. How does Nick meet Gatsby?

When he meets Gatsby, he doesn’t even realize its him. Nick starts talking to him and soon realizes its Gatsby when he mentions not meeting the host. Gatsby reveals who he is and Nick gets embarrassed.

5. What are some of the stories about Gatsby?

Some stories about Gatsby are that he killed someone, was a German spy, and that he was an Oxford man. Nick also heard from one of the women that she ruined her dress at one of his parties and Gatsby sent her an expensive dress.

6. Is Gatsby a "phony"?

Gatsby isn’t a phony. He is genuine when talking to Nick and invites him on his hydroplane the next day.

7. Describe Nick's relationship with Jordan.

Nick says that at first it was curiosity and not love. After Gatsby’s party, he didn’t see her until the middle of summer and start going to parties together and become friends. He realizes that she lies a lot but still starts liking her. After they talk in the car about Jordan being careless, he talks about needing to break it off with a girl at home before starting anything new.

Chapters 4

Journal: Why do you think Fitzgerald lists Gatsby’s guests? What effect does it have? What patterns do you see? (5 Points)

I think Fitzgerald lists Gatsby’s guests because he wants us to get a sense of who they are. The effect that it has is it shows the variety of people that go to the parties. A pattern of these guests is that some deaths of the people were disturbing.

1. Who is Klipspringer?

Klipspringer is a man who was at Gatsby’s house so much and for extended periods of time that he became known as “the boarder”.

2. What does Gatsby tell Nick about himself?

Gatsby told Nick that he is the son of wealthy people from San Francisco who were dead now. He went to Oxford, traveled around Europe doing things like collecting jewels, hunting, and painting. He did all this to forget a painful event in the past and then joined the army where he worked his way up to being a major.

3. What "matter" did Gatsby have Jordan Baker discuss with Nick?

Gatsby told Jordan to talk to Nick to set up a meeting for Gatsby to see Daisy again.

4. Who is Mr. Wolfsheim?

Mr. Wolfsheim was a gambler who fixed the World Series in 1919.

5. What does Mr. Wolfsheim tell Nick about Gatsby?

Mr. Wolfsheim told Nick that Gatsby was an Oxford man, that he was handsome and a gentleman, and that he was careful about women and would never even look at a friend’s wife.

6. What does Jordan tell Nick about Daisy, Gatsby and Tom?

According to Jordan’s story, Gatsby and Daisy dated when they were younger and something caused them to break up. She started seeing other men and ending up marrying Tom. The day before her wedding, she got a letter that caused her to cry and get drunk. Then Tom and Daisy went on their honeymoon and later had her daughter. Jordan met Gatsby and he told her that he only bought the house he had because he wanted to be closed to Daisy and hoped to see her.

Chapter 5

1. Describe the meeting between Gatsby and Daisy. Why is he so nervous?

At first at the meeting, both Gatsby and Daisy are very awkward. They are both embarrassed and Gatsby even knocks over Nick’s mantelpiece clock. Gatsby is so nervous because he loves Daisy and wants her to love him again. The meeting at Nick’s house ended with Gatsby glowing with happiness and Daisy crying.

2. How long did it take Gatsby to make the money to buy the mansion?

It took Gatsby three years to make the money to buy the mansion.

3. Why did Gatsby want Daisy to see the house and his clothes?

Gatsby wanted Daisy to see his house and clothes because Daisy was always taught to look for a man’s wealth and social standing, so he wants to show all of her accomplishments to prove that he’s worthy of her, that he’s better than Tom.

4. What had the green light on the dock meant to Gatsby?

The green light to Gatsby represented a possible future with Daisy that he always wanted and hoped to be close to her again.