The Great Gatsby Test

Question 1

Foreshadows Gatsby’s Life

Answer 1

Dan Cody

Question 2

A post war vision of America

Answer 2

the valley of ashes, road to New York

Question 3

A heartless uninvolved God

Answer 3

the billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg’s eyes

Question 4

The inability to control time

Answer 4

Gatsby knocking over the clock

Question 5

An unattainable goal

Answer 5

Green light

Question 6

The end of the dream, the end of Gatsby

Answer 6

the changing of seasons; first day of fall; end of summer

Question 7

Danger in luxury

Answer 7

Cars (Owl Eyes’ wreck)

Question 8

The ruin of America

Answer 8

Gatsby’s death

Question 9

Parodies the Jazz Age

Answer 9

Party at Gatsby’s

Question 10

Gatsby’s lonely funeral

Answer 10

foreshadowed by the hearse coming over the bridge

Question 11

What term did Fitzgerald coin?

Answer 11

The Jazz Age

Question 12

Who did Fitzgerald marry?

Answer 12

Zelda Sayre (from Alabama)

Question 13

What are 2 things that the green light is symbolic for?

Answer 13

Gatsby’s dauntless romantic optimism, Daisy (he’s reaching for her but can’t capture her) an unattainable goal, The American Dream

Question 14

What does Nick call Gatsby that reflects Gatsby’s connection to time?

Answer 14

“an over-wound clock” wants to live in the past or freeze time but is unsuccessful in doing so

Question 15

How does Nick become acquainted to Daisy, Tom, and Gatsby?

Answer 15

Daisy: his second cousin once removed
Tom: Daisy’s husband. He stays with both of them after WWI in Chicago. When Nick moves to West Egg, Daisy invites him to their house in East Egg. He had met Tom in college at New Haven
Gatsby: Nick has heard rumors of him and saw him reaching towards the green light once but first meets him at one of his parties that Nick was actually invited to They were talking about what they were in the military

Question 16

Why is the use of “Ain’t We Got Fun” ironic?

Answer 16

It implies a carefree life and is a contrast with the oppressiveness of society. The lyrics, “no money, oh but honey ain’t we got fun” are ironic because Daisy originally rejected Gatsby because of his lack of wealth and now he’s got all this money and she’s having an affair with him

Question 17

What is significant about the telling of Dan Cody’s story?

Answer 17

Dan Cody is basically another Gatsby. He was a self-made millionaire from humble beginnings who was generous with his money. His downfall was also brought on by his lover. Gatsby became himself because of Dan Cody. Gatsby reinvents himself and tries to perfect himself because of him. Gatsby changes his name but keeps it similar to show he is reinventing himself on his own terms. Gatsby’s childhood adds to the concept of the poor child becoming a self-made man . The janitorial job shows his sensitivity to class, sophistication, and elegance.

Question 18

What is ironic about Tom saying “You can buy anything at the drug store nowadays”?

Answer 18

He is implying that anyone get illegal liquor from the drugs stores that Gatsby has opened. He is implying that with money and a good social status you can buy anything.

Question 19

How is it possible for Daisy to be everything to Gatsby but nothing at the same time?

Answer 19

She represents everything Gatsby wants to be- an aristocrat, sophisticated. Because she is all Gatsby wants to be, she can never anything to him. Daisy won’t lower herself to be with Gatsby because it would be social suicide. Her love of Gatsby doesn’t compare to her love of social status

Question 20

Who kills Myrtle and why?

Answer 20

Daisy- she knows about Tom’s affair with Myrtle, and she wants to hurt Tom like he hurt her

Question 21

How is Gatsby a man of the past?

Answer 21

He wants to live in the past or at least freeze time. Nick calls him “an over-wound clock”. Gatsby and his issues with time are symbolized with the knocking over of the clock. He desires to stop time, but is unsuccessful in doing so. He is always trying to fight the passage of time. This is seen in how gatsby tries to be a European aristocrat in America. He has a gothic style mansion, British antiques, and shirts from England.

Question 22

Explain how Daisy and Gatsby change under the influence of each other?

Answer 22

Gatsby shows off his wealth to Daisy because he wants to show he’s like an aristocrat. He also is in a dream and tries to live in the past with her. Gatsby becomes discrete and concerned about public appearance. Daisy, instead, almost flaunts the affair. In Gatsby’s presence, she becomes more human. There appears to be some substance to her

Question 23

Gatsby’s death happens on the first day of fall, how is swimming typical Gatsby behavior?

Answer 23

Gatsby swims on the first day of fall. It’s too cold to swim, but he can’t accept the fact that summer is fading. He is yet again fighting the passage of time

Question 24

What is no longer possible in America?

Answer 24

America, as an entire entity, was founded on ideals of progress and equality, for people like Gatsby. The Buchanan’s and people like them have tried to reestablish an aristocracy that is prejudiced against the ultimate dreamer, but failed. America has failed to transcend Europe. The death of Gatsby represents the death of the American Dream.

Question 25

What foreshadows Gatsby’s death?

Answer 25

The death of Dan Cody foreshadows Gatsby’s death. In the novel, Dan Cody is shown as another Gatsby. Dan Cody and Gatsby are both self-made millionaires that came from humble beginnings, and they are both generous with their money. They also have are unable to find their place in society. Dan Cody’s downfall was brought on by his lover. She came on his yacht one night, and the next day he had mysteriously died. Because they mirror each other, Gatsby’s downfall should be brought on by his lover, and indeed it does. Daisy will not be with Gatsby because she won’t lower her social status, Gatsby is murdered because of his devotion to Daisy. His dream is over.