The Great Gatsby Study Questions
Title Page 1. The short poem on the title pages is an epigram. Write the definition of an epigram. 2. What would you guess the topic of this book will be as suggested by the epigram? Chapter One
1. Chapter one contains the exposition. An exposition establishes point of view.
a. What kind of point of view does Fitzgerald use?
b. Who is the narrator?
c. The author makes us trust the narrator by telling us some of his characteristics as a person. List three qualities that make him a trustworthy narrator. 1. 2. 3. d. Fitzgerald wants us to see the similarities between his own life and his narrator, Nick’s. List at least three of those similarities. 1.
2.
3. 2. The exposition also establishes the setting.
a. Time
b. Place
c. Describe the Eggs and how they differ
3. The exposition introduces the characters. Below list the characters. To the right of each, jot down a few of your impressions of each. Men
1.
2.
3.
1
Women
1. 2.
4. The exposition introduces the conflict. What two sets of values will probably be in conflict in this book?
_______________ vs. ________________
5. The exposition introduces motifs and symbols. Motif: Symbol: Jot down at least one appearance of each of the following:
a. Colors
white:
gold
green
silver
pink
b. Phone calls
c. Lights
6. The exposition raises questions that motivate further reading and put the plot in motion. List at least three questions which are raised by the first chapters.
a. b.
c.
Chapter Two ­ Chapter two begins the complication of the plot. 1. List the key events in this chapter. 2
2. The action takes place in two new settings. a. b.
3. The chapter develops the main character of ________, who was introduced in chapter one. 4. It introduces the following minor characters. Jot down a few characteristics about each character.
a. b.
c. d.
e.
5. Symbols and motifs
a. Valley of ashes
Literal description:
Symbolism:
b. Dr. Eckleberg’s eyes
Literal description:
Symbolism:
c. Ashes, dust, haze
Examples of this motif: d. clothing Examples of this motif:
e. cars
Examples of this motif:
6. Methods of characterization: Fitzgerald uses the dramatic method of characterization. He shows us characters through what they say and do.
a. We learn about Tom through what he does. List three key actions and what they tell about him.
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b. We learn about Myrtle through what she says. List three key examples and what they show about her. Chapter three ­ Chapter three continues the compilation of the plot. 1. List the key events in this chapter. 2. New setting:
3. The central incident is very similar to the central incident in the first two chapters. What does the action in all three chapters center around? Why did Fitzgerald center three chapters on this? 4. Examine the figurative language on the first two pages of the chapter. Find two similes in the first paragraph.
Find three examples of “money colors” on 39­41 (Hardcover 43­45).
1.
2.
3.
5. The chapter builds a picture of Gatsby through fragments of information and rumors. List five of these. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5. 6. What questions are we asking about Gatsby?
7. Fitzgerald is building a theme of illusion vs. reality. In chapter one the illusion of Tom and Daisy’s happy life is broken by the ________________. In chapter two the charade of Tom and Myrtle’s affair is broken by_________________.
8. He begins to use his motifs as symbols. Include examples and page numbers 4
a. Lights
b. Colors
c. Haziness d. cars
e. phone calls
f. eyes
g. accidents
Chapter Four
1. List the key events.
2. The central incident is, again, a ______________.
3. New setting:
4. New minor characters:
5. The first sentence of the chapter implies the conflict between old fashioned values and the modern materialistic ones by mentioning two buildings, a ___________ and a house______________. 6. The second paragraph reminds us of the mystery about ___________ by reviewing more rumors. These rumors are:
7. Nick comments further about Gatsby’s parties by discussing some of the guests. Their names are interesting because they are not only names but capsule characterizations of the type of people who make up Jazz Age society. Pick any eight that you think give good clues as to the type of people they are.
8. Nick jotted down the names on the margins of a ________ dated __________.
Symbolism:
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9. We learn a great deal about Gatsby in this chapter through a series of impressions. What do we learn from his appearance and behavior when he stops for Nick?
his car?
the things he tells Nick about his past? 10. What is important about the things Nick and Gatsby see on their trip from the West Egg to New York?
What are two things that he see that represent illusion?
What are two things that represent an ugly reality? 11. When Nick and Gatsby arrive at the restaurant, they meet __________ and ___________.
12. Gatsby’s main reason for asking Nick to lunch is:
13. What does Nick learn from Jordan?
14. What questions we previously had about Gatsby are now answered? 15. What new questions arise? Chapter five
1. Why is this such a key chapter in bringing us closer to the climax of the book?
2. The central incident is again a ___________, this time at _________’s house. 3. Gatsby hopes to win Daisy’s love by:
Gatsby tries to buy Nick’s friendship by:
4. Much of the chapter is devoted to discussing Gatsby’s house. Why are the following details important:
Lights:
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The history of the house:
The maid’s behavior:
5. What colors are worn by and what does that color symbolize Daisy?
Gatsby
6. What does the clock symbolize? 7. What do the shirts symbolize?
8. How does pathetic fallacy work in this chapter? 9. What recurring motifs do you find in this chapter? Include page numbers.
8. Summarize the meaning of the paragraph at the middle of page 97 (Hardcover p 101). “As we I went over . . . .”
Chapter six
1. The beginning of this chapter is a __________.
2. It goes back to when Gatsby was _______ years old. 3. __________ tells this information to __________.
4. What do we learn about Gatsby?
Real name?____________
Place of birth? __________
Parents?_______________
Under what circumstances did he decide to become Jay Gatsby?
What part did Dan Cody have in his past?
5. Who is Ella Kaye?
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Gathering at Gatsby’s
1. Characters present
2. Summary of events
3. How are Gatsby and his guests different?
4. How is Gatsby rejected?
Party at Gatsby’s
1. The two key guests are _________ and ___________.
2. Give one example of the use of each of the following colors:
green
gold
lavender­orchid
3. Give one example of the use of motifs:
haze
phones
garbage
accidents
4. How is Gatsby rejected at his own party?
Flashback number two
1. This flashback takes place ______ years earlier.
2. Briefly describe the central incident.
3. On page 112 (Hardcover 117) Fitzgerald indirectly lets us know why Gatsby must fail ­­ his big mistake. He says Gatsby could have lived out his fantasy life he climbed the “ladder to the stars ____________. But he tried to combine his dreams and “unutterable _______” with a _________ woman. She couldn’t live up to his expectations because she was_______________. Chapter seven ­ This chapter concludes the complication portion of the plot.
1. Key events
2. Two settings
3. Why does the author have Daisy tell Gatsby he looks like an advertisement?
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4. Gatsby says Daisy’s voice is full of _________. What is the significance of this?
5. Tom drives _________’s car to town. _______ and _______ go with him.
6. Gatsby drives _________’s to town. _________ goes with him.
7. Gatsby seems stunned when Tom says that you can buy anything at the ____________ nowadays. 8. The eyes of ___________ are again mentioned on the route to New York.
9. Why does Wilson want to buy Tom’s car?
10. Myrtle thinks _________ is Tom’s wife and ________’s car belongs to Tom.
11. Where do the characters meet when they arrive in New York?
What has taken place there earlier?
12. What ironic event is going on in the hotel? Why is it ironic?
13. Which of Gatsby’s earlier claims is revealed as a lie?
14. How does Daisy betray Gatsby?
15. How is Tom’s earlier drugstore remark explained?
16. On the way home _______ and ______ drive Gatsby’s car.
17. ________, ___________, and __________ use Tom’s car. 18. _________’s car kills _________. ____________ is the dirver.
19. Myrtle had run into the road because:
20. Wilson believes ___________ killed his wife?
21. Who is Michaelis?
22. How has pathetic fallacy worked in this chapter?
23. This day was Nick’s ______th birthday. Why is this important? 24. What recurring motifs do you find in this chapter? Include page numbers.
Chapter eight ­ Chapter eight contains the climax
1. The first sentence of the chapter reminds us of the conflict between __________ and __________. Why?
2. The climax is:
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3. What are the similarities between Gatsby and Wilson? Why did Fitzgerald draw these final parallels for us? Gatsby
Gatsby spends the night with his friend ________.
The mood is _________.
What is said about a. Lights
b. Haze
c. Religious images
Wilson
Wilson spends the night with _________.
The mood is _________.
What is said about a. lights
b. haze
c. religious images
4. Explain the irony of the ending. Chapter nine ­ Chapter nine contains the denouement
1. What is an inquest?
What were the findings at the inquest? 2. Who was at Gatsby’s funeral?
Who wasn’t and should have been?
3. What important information is given by Mr. Gatz?
4. What becomes of Tom and Daisy?
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5. Did Tom know Daisy killed Myrtle? Provide evidence to support yourself. 6. What becomes of Jordan and Nick’s relationship?
8. What is Nick’s important decision?
9. Why does Nick still feel Gatsby is still better than all the people he met in the East? 10. The last page outlines what Fitzgerald thinks has happened to America. Explain. 11