Name:_________________________________________ Date:___________ Hour:________
Junior English
The Great Gatsby—Study Guide 1 (Chapters 1-5)
Directions: Respond to the following questions in complete sentences. Some of the questions also have blanks. Fill out the
blanks prior to answering the questions.
1. What is an iconoclast?
2. The book opens with Nick’s recollections about his father’s advice. Nick’s reactions to this piece of
advice reveal him to be an unreliable and even hypocritical narrator. In what ways does Nick reveal
himself to be a hypocrite in this opening chapter?
3. In the opening chapter, Nick visits his cousin, Daisy, and her husband, Tom. How does Nick
initially describe Tom?
4
Before he leaves, Nick realizes that he already knows Miss Baker. Why does he already know who
she is?
5. Specifically explain Gatsby’s actions at the end of Chapter 1.On what object does he focus?
6. What, exactly, is the valley of ashes? What is the source of all of the ash?
7. The billboard over the Valley of Ashes advertises the services of Dr. _____________________.
What does this billboard represent?
8. Name three specific rumors about Gatsby’s past that are mentioned in the book through Chapter
three.
9. Although Nick starts seeing Jordan, he questions her morally. Why does he have moral questions
about Jordan Baker?
10. Explain why “Owl Eyes” is so surprised by Gatsby’s library and explain what happens to Owl Eyes
at the end of the chapter.
11. In Chapter 4, Gatsby recounts the story of his past, which seems to have elements of both truth and
lies. What about Gatsby’s story seems to be true, and what seems to be lies?
12. What happens when the policemen pulls Gatsby over for speeding?
13. At lunch, Gatsby introduces Nick to a gangster named ______________________. In what
notorious crime was this man supposedly involved?
14. According to Jordan Baker, what was the “astonishing” piece of information that Gatsby told Nick
at the party?
15. According to Jordan, why did Daisy drink until she was numb the night before her wedding?
16. Why does Gatsby want Nick to have a tea party at his house?
17. What, exactly, is Gatsby’s Green Light?
18. What does Gatsby offer to do for Nick when Nick agrees to have the tea party?
19. What does Gatsby knock over when he first arrives at the tea party?
20. What is Gatsby’s reply when Nick asks him how he makes his money, and why does Nick find he
response significant?
21. What is Gatsby’s real name? Briefly describe his childhood and background.
22. Who is Dan Cody, and what role does he play in Gatsby’s life?
23. What happened to the money that Dan Cody left to Gatsby?
24. When Daisy and Tom finally attend one of Gatsby’s parties, the atmosphere seems entirely different.
Contrast this party scene with the earlier party scenes in the book. How is this party different?
25. Find Nick and Gatsby’s conversation about the past. What does Nick tell Gatsby about the past?
What is Gatsby’s angry response?