The Great Gatsby

Question 1

Why are we still reading a book written in the 1920s? What gives a book its longevity?

Answer 1

The Great Gatsby is an important part of American Literature. It is still a wonderful story of a man doing everything for lost love.

Question 2

How was the 1920s a reaction to World War I?

Answer 2

They were celebrating the fact that they were alive. They had jazz, the Charleston, and the stock market was “roaring.”

Question 3

Some people think that having money leads to happiness. Do you agree? Why or why not? What are the advantages or disadvantages of being wealthy (rich)?

Answer 3

Many things can be bought with money such as material things. Howver, it cannot buy love, emotion, people, freedom, or health.

Question 4

Wha tis the “American Dream?” Where did it originate and how has it changed over the centuries?

Answer 4

The American Dream to many people is to own the house with a white picket fence, have 2-3 children, have a dog, and live in a good neighborhood. Over time that has changed to everyone being able to have their own version of a home, children, and/or a dog.

Question 5

Have you ever wanted to relive a moment from your past, to redo it? Describe the situation. How and why would you change the past?

Answer 5

Your answer, Grace

Question 6

Notice how many times Fitzgerals uses the words hope or dream. Why does he do this?

Answer 6

He uses it to show that there is a hope of the future and that Gatsby made his dream a reality.

Question 7

Nick starts the novel by relaying 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.

Answer 7

Nick is a writer. He lives next to Gatsby. He’s intelligent and he works on Wall Street. He was educated at Yale.

Question 8

Pay attention to time. What is the day and year during the first scene at Daisy’s house?

Answer 8

1922, the first day of summer in the afternoon

Question 9

Describe Nick. What facts do you know about him, and what do you infer about him? What kind of a narrator do you think he will be?

Answer 9

He appears to be innocent and naive. He went to Yale and was a bond salesman. I think he will see the truth in everything.

Question 10

What image does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean?

Answer 10

Bright eyes - very intelligent and nosy

Question 11

How does Nick react to Jordan?

Answer 11

He is interested in her.

Question 12

What does Tom’s behavior reveal about his character?

Answer 12

He is a bully and racist. He cheats on his wife.

Question 13

When we first see Nick’s neighbor, Gatsby, what is he doing?

Answer 13

Reaching for the green light.

Question 14

Describe the “valley of ashes.” What does it look like and what does it represent?

Answer 14

grey and depressing. Not a good place to live.

Question 15

Describe Mr. Wilson and Myrtle. Do they seem to fit into the setting?

Answer 15

Wilson looks beaten down and poor and not intelligent. He seems to be beaten down by life. Myrtle says “You can’t live forever.”

Question 16

What more have you learned about Nick? Is he similar or different than the people he spends his time with?

Answer 16

He is different because he is an observer and outside of things. He is also poorer than everyone else in this book.

Question 17

Describe the violent act Tom committed against Myrtle. What does this reveal about him?

Answer 17

He hits her in the face and breaks her nose. He is a bully and abusive.

Question 18

Who is Trimachio? Look this up. Explain how this describes Gatsby.

Answer 18

A freed man who, through hard work and perserverance, has attained wealth. Gatsby worked hard to get where he is because he was poor as a child.

Question 19

Describe Daisy and Gatsby’s new relationship.

Answer 19

Really strange like they were falling in love all over again. Gatsby wants Daisy to run away with him.

Question 20

Compare George Wilson and Tom. What did each man learn about his wife and how did they react?

Answer 20

Both wives cheated on their husbands. Tom wants to comfort Daisy. Wilson wants to leave town with Myrtle.

Question 21

If Daisy says she’s never loved Tom, is there someone whom she thinks she loves?

Answer 21

Gatsby was her first love. She loves herself.

Question 22

Describe the fight between Gatsby and Tom. What do these men think of each other? How are they similar and how are they different?

Answer 22

Both are violent. They hate each other and both want Daisy. Tom is old money and Gatsby is new money and a bootlegger.

Question 23

What was significant about Nick’s 30th birthday?

Answer 23

He hadn’t achieved what he thought he should have by that time/age.

Question 24

What do you think Tom and Daisy were saying to each other in the kitchen? Do you think that tom knew Daisy was driving the “death care?” Why or why not?

Answer 24

I think that Daisy told Tom about driving the “death car” and that Tom was comforting her and telling her not to worry.

Question 25

How would you end the novel?

Answer 25

I would end the novel with Gatsby being foun dout and put on trial.

Question 26

Does this novel have villains and heroes? Why, why not? If yes, who fits into these categories and why?

Answer 26

Yes. Gatsby is a hero or an anti-hero. Tom is a villain and a bully.

Question 27

Nick is both part of the action and acting as an objective commentator. Does tis narration style work? Why or why not?

Answer 27

No, because he is always outside the action, never part of it.

Question 28

How did Fitzgerald use weather to reflect the mood of the story?

Answer 28

The ominous storm before Daisy hits Myrtle.
Hot weather = fight between Tom & Gatsby
Summmer = passion of love bbetween Gatsby & Daisy and Myrtle & Tom

Question 29

Again, why are we still reading a book written in the 1920s? What gives the book longevity (long life)? And which of its themes are eternal in the American psyche?

Answer 29

Because of the strong characters and how Gatsby reflrects the American Dream.