Study Guide Questions for The Great Gatsby (TGG) Chapters 1-3
1.
Trace the following themes/symbols throughout the novel:
Themes: The Decline of The American Dream, Society and Social Class, Past
and Future
Symbols: Colors, The Green Light, The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleberg, The
Valley of Ashes, East and West
2.
Critics tend to agree that TGG is a commentary on The American Dream. Some critics
argue that Fitzgerald approved and others say that the book offers some severe criticism
of the American Dream-that it is a story about the corruption of the American dream.
Look for any references to the American Dream as you annotate this week and note
what is being implied about it.
3. Colors are often used in literature to symbolize different ideas and emotions. Examine
Fitzgerald’s use of color as he associates it with one of the characters or one of the scenes
in your reading. Keep in mind that this book is about the American Dream when you
consider what Fitzgerald might be implying by the use of his colors. Also keep in mind
that Fitzgerald often uses color in contrary ways. Also note how he uses color to create
mood, setting, etc.
4. What have you learned about Nick Carraway? How might his background color the way
he tells this story? How trustworthy is Nick?
5. What is the world of West Egg like in comparison with the world of East Egg?
6. What do you learn about Tom Buchanan from his dress, mannerisms, dialogue, house,
and actions (what is he reading)?
7. What do you learn about Daisy Buchanan from her dress, dialogue, and body language?
What do you think she means when she says “And I hope she’ll be a fool-that’s the best
thing a girls can be in this world, a beautiful little fool”?
8. In the beginning of Chapter 2, considerable time is spent describing the “valley of ashes.”
What ideas or concepts do one generally associate with ashes? What do you think the
“valley of ashes” between West Egg and New York symbolizes?
9. Many analyses of The Great Gatsby suggest that the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are a
symbol for God. What evidence in Chapter 2 is there to support this idea? If this is “God”
in the novel, what do you think Fitzgerald is saying by depicting God as a man- made
advertisement overlooking a valley of ashes?
10. In what way does Fitzgerald characterize Myrtle Wilson’s commonness and lack of
intellect? Dramatic irony is when the reader sees a character’s mistakes (which the
character is unable to see). What is ironic about Myrtle’s negative attitudes toward the
“lower classes”?
11. How do you interpret the ending of Chapter 2? Why is it so disjointed?
12. Examine the tone with which Fitzgerald writes about George Wilson. How does he
present George Wilson to the reader? Do you think Fitzgerald wishes for the readers to
sympathize with George Wilson? Explain your answer with examples from the book.
13. Nick says that the three parties central to the first three chapters of the novel were
“merely casual events in a crowded summer,” and that they “absorbed me infinitely less
than my personal affairs.” Nevertheless, what is suggested about the novel’s plot by
focusing the action of the story on these parties? Why do you think Fitzgerald chose to
structure the first three chapters in this way? What do the parties illustrate? How are the
guests and setting at each party different? With what tone does the author write of the
parties in The Great Gatsby? How does he communicate this tone?
14. The party sequence in Chapter 3 is really made up of a series of vignettes, short scenes,
connected only by nick’s wandering around the party. What mood does this give the
chapter? Notice what we learn about the characters through these scenes. Compare this to
the scenes in the last page or two of the previous chapter. What connection might there
be? How is this party scene like the previous party scene?