Junior English
The Great Gatsby—Annotation Notes for Chapters 1-3
Remember, book annotations will be done in lieu of Daily chapter quizzes. You need to highlight the specific references,
and then write margin notes to yourself.
*DON’T FORGET!! For all chapters, you should periodically label the major scenes in the book. This will make it easier
to flip back through and review the text.
Chapter Four
 Find and underline/highlight at least three specific details Gatsby gives about his past during the car ride into the
city AND be sure to underline/highlight the specific EVIDENCE Gatsby provides for these facts about his past.
 Find and underline/highlight at least three specific details that describe Meyer Wolfshiem as a character (not
physical characteristics, but details about him as a person).
 Find and underline/highlight at least three specific details that describe the history between Gatsby and Daisy in
Louisville.
 Margin Notes: Gatsby claims to be from the Midwest. Why does this seem unlikely?
 Margin Notes: Why doesn’t the officer give Gatsby a speeding ticket?
 Margin Notes: In what way does Gatsby want Nick’s help?
 At the end of the chapter, summarize the reasons why Gatsby was stretching his arms across the bay on the first
night that Nick saw him. What does the Green Light represent?
Chapter Five
 When Gatsby sees Nick again, he makes Nick several offers in order to befriend him. Find and
underline/highlight at least three specific offers that Gatsby makes to Nick in order to win his friendship.
 Find and underline/highlight at least three specific details that show Daisy’s reaction to Gatsby after all of their
years apart.
 Margin Notes: At Nick’s house, when Gatsby first sees Daisy, he clumsily knocks something off the mantel.
What does Gatsby knock over and WHY might this be significant?
 Margin Notes: What is Daisy’s reaction when she sees Gatsby’s collection of shirts? Why might she react this
way?
 Margin Notes: At the end of the chapter, Nick details his fears about Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship. What
does Nick mean that he fears that Daisy won’t live up to Gatsby’s vision of her?
Chapter Six
 The opening of Chapter Six details Gatsby’s real history. Find and underline/highlight the following details about
Gatsby’s life: His real name, his birthplace, his educational history, his first major employer.
 Find and underline/highlight at least three specific details that demonstrate Tom’s dislike or distrust of Gatsby.
 When Daisy and Tom attend Gatsby’s party, Nick describes the party much more unfavorably. Find and
underline/highlight at least three details that show how this party might be different from the other parties.
 Margin Notes: Dan Cody was an alcoholic. In what way does this detail shed light on Gatsby’s behavior?
 Margin Notes: Nick and Gatsby argue over whether or not it is possible to recreate the past. Who is right?