The Great Gatsby
Chapters 1 and 2
The Facts, Chapter 1
1) Nick describes himself as
a person who is taught
not to judge others; he is
also someone you can
confide in.
Is this a good or bad trait?
The Facts, Chapter 1
2) Tom Buchanan
seems to be elitist,
ignorant, racist, and
sexist.
He is also described with
adjectives that seem
brutish.
The Facts, Chapter 1
3) Jordan Baker is a
golfer whom Nick has
been introduced to.
While listening to the
Buchanans argue, we
find out she is equally
cynical as her friends
are.
The Facts, Chapter 1
4) When we first see
Gatsby, he is looking
across the bay at a
green light.
***Be sure to
remember this event.
Interpretation Questions
1) Nick’s Description of Gatsby:
“Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my
reaction - Gatsby, who represented everything for which I have an unaffected
scorn”
2) Nick’s feelings about Tom:
“‘Never heard of them,’ he remarked decisively. This annoyed me”
Interpretation Questions
3) What can we learn about Daisy’s state of mind during dinner? What does she say that helps
reveal her inner conflicts?
“ I told her how I had stopped off in Chicago for a day on my way East, and how a dozen people
had sent their love through me. ‘Do they miss me?’ she cried ecstatically.”
“‘I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool - that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a
beautiful little fool.’”
“‘Well, I’ve had a very bad time, Nick, and I’m pretty cynical about everything’”
4) What indication is there that Tom and Daisy are closely linked despite their marital difficulties?
“...I was confused but disgusted as I drove away.”
Interpretation Questions
5) What
indications are there that the green light will have a powerful emotional
significance to Gatsby?
The Facts, Chapter 2
1) Nick meets Myrtle,
Tom’s mistress, when
Tom invites Nick to
New York one
afternoon.
Myrtle lives with her
husband near the train
station in Valley of
Ashes.
The Facts, Chapter 2
2) Myrtle reacts in a cool,
collected manner. She
asks her husband to fetch
some chairs for everyone
to sit; a pretext to make a
meeting time with Tom.
The Facts, Chapter 2
3) George Wilson is
friendly, though he is
intimidated by Tom.
He also asks Tom if he will
be able to acquire his
vehicle (so he can repair it
and make a profit).
The Facts, Chapter 2
4) We see some of the
following behaviours from
Myrtle during the party:
-
loud
obnoxious
self-important
confrontational
Interpretation Questions
1)
Describe the setting of the valley of ashes where George and Myrtle live. What
aspects of the setting imply that it is intended to have a symbolic meaning as well
as a literal one?
Interpretation Questions
2) How does Fitzgerald describe Myrtle Wilson? Does her physical appearance reflect her
character in any way?
Interpretation Questions
3) Compare the setting of the party in this chapter with the setting of the party in Chapter One.
One party is more peaceful than the other...relatively speaking...
4) Why does Tom attack Myrtle at the end of the party? How does this exemplify
Fitzgerald’s description of Tom in Chapter One?
“‘Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!’ shouted Mrs Wilson. ‘I’ll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai-’”