The Great Gatsby Study Guide Questions Ch.

1-9
Chapter 1
1) What can you gather about the narrator, based on the first four paragraphs of the novel (before he explicitly lays
everything out for you)? Make sure that you back your assertion by close reading for diction, syntax, and/or tone. Cover
his class/social status, personality, and reliability as a narrator.

2) Explain what F. Scott Fitzgerald is trying to convey in the following passage: “The only completely stationary object in
the room was an enormous couch… and the two young women ballooned slowly to the floor.” (8)

3) Characterize Miss Baker based on the following passage: “Evidently, it surprised her as much as it did me, for she
yawned … out of a wan, charming, discontented face.”

4) Characterize the relationship between Daisy and Tom. Here is a focusing quote: “‘You did it, Tom,’ she said accusingly.
‘I know you didn’t mean to, but you did do it. That’s what I get for marrying a brute of a man, a great, big, hulking
physical specimen of a – ‘I hate that word hulking,’ objected Tom crossly, ‘even in kidding.’”

5) What do you think of Daisy as a mother? Don’t just write that she is a bad mother – fish around for nuance. Back your
assertion with evidence from the novel, NOT your knowledge of U.S. history and consider the quote “the best thing a girl
can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” (17)

6) What do you think Tom and Daisy want from Nick? How does he feel about them? Why? Remember that the answers
to these questions are not going to be straightforward.

Chapter 2
1) Read the first three paragraphs carefully. Note the diction used to describe the Valley of Ashes. How is characterized?
What tone is dominant? What might the Valley of Ashes be a symbol of?

2) Characterize Myrtle based on the following passage: “Then I heard footsteps on a stairs, and in a moment the thickish
figure of a woman blocked out the light from the office door. She was in the middle thirties…a soft, coarse voice.” (25-26)

2) Comment on one of the following motifs in this chapter: playacting, affectations, gender reversal, artifice, excess,
vulgarity v. refinement, weakness v. strength

3) In what ways are Myrtle and Daisy imitating each other, without having met?

4) Nick finds himself “enchanted and repelled” quite a lot, so far. Since he is a self-described "honest" man, are his
impressions reliable, or is he voyeuristic and irresponsible?

Chapter 3
1) What feeling does Fitzgerald evoke in the first two sentences of the chapter? How does this serve as both a framework
for the novel and a commentary on the society found at Gatsby’s parties?

2) Why does Fitzgerald shift tense when describing the preparations and first arrivals for one of Gatsby’s parties?

3) The phrase “yellow cocktail music” is an example of synesthesia (sin-uh s-thee-zhee-uh), a rhetorical device that
describes or associates one sense in terms of another, most often in the form of a simile. Sensations of touch, taste, see,
hear, and smell are expressed as being intertwined or having a connection between them. Why do you think Fitzgerald
uses this to describe Gatsby’s parties?

4) What does the following quote reveal about Nick: “It was testimony to the romantic speculation he inspired that there
were whispers about him from those who had found little that it was necessary to whisper about in this world”? (44)
5) Explain the quote: “‘Anyhow, he gives large parties,’ said Jordan, changing the subject with an urban distaste for the
concrete.” (49)

6) Who is Owl Eyes? What does he tell Nick about Gatsby? Significance?

7) Comment on the extended metaphor of driving/cars in this chapter.

Chapter 4
1) Explain the metaphor in the first sentence of the chapter.

2) Trace one or two of the following motifs: rumors, race, snobbery, the superficial, cars, love, lies, colors, perception,
possessing, possession, possessions (three words look the same but are not).

3) Why does Nick list so many names at the beginning of the chapter? Why so many? Why does it matter that “[a]ll
these people came to Gatsby’s house in the summer”?

4) List everything we know about Gatsby up to this point that is TRUE (or we think is true).

5) List behaviors, statements, actions that seems affected/studied/fabricated/unnatural about Gatsby.

6) Re-read the section on pgs. 68-69: “Over the great bridge…..Even Gatsby could happen without any particular
wonder.” What is revealed about Nick’s character based on this passage? What does he mean “Even Gatsby could
happen?”

7) So, Meyer Wolfsheim. Quickly research Rosy Rosenthal and the fixing of the World Series. How do these references
help characterize Wolfsheim (and Gatsby)?

8) There is a flashback to Daisy’s and Gatsby’s past (pg. 75-77). What can we conclude about Daisy and Tom’s marriage
based on these revelations?

9) Explain the meaning of: “He came alive to me, delivered from the womb of purposeless splendor” (78).

Chapter 5
Daisy and Gatsby are reunited in this chapter.

1) Is Gatsby simply using Nick to get to Daisy, or does he truly feel close friendship with Nick? Support your opinion with
evidence from the text.

2) What is Gatsby wearing? Comment on colors.

3) How does Gatsby act before Daisy arrives? Support with a quote.

4) (top of pg. 91 “And inside...ghostly laughter) Nick’s description of the inside of Gatsby’s house characterizes his house
as ____________________ (fill in blank).

5) (bottom of pg. 92) What is at the end of Daisy’s dock? Significance of color? Where have we seen this referenced
before?

6) There must have been moments that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dream--not through her own fault, but
because of the colossal vitality of his illusion.” Explain.
7) Is Nick a manipulative social climber? An earnest and sincere friend? An easily manipulated loser with no backbone? A
combination of all three? Discuss.

Chapter 6
1) We learn a lot about Gatsby’s past in this chapter. Be able to discuss…
-​ James Gatz
-​ Dan Cody and significance of his yacht (esp. pg. 100)
-​ Jay Gatsby

2) Comment on the incident with the Sloanes and their dinner invitation to Gatsby – is Gatsby stupid, naïve, or very, very
clever?

3) How does Nick carry himself during the incident with the dinner invitation?

3) Who is the most insecure person in this chapter? Support your opinion with good evidence and commentary.

4) Tom. Discuss. Consider close reading and associating him with details – let me get you started – “heavy,”
“oppressive.”

Chapter 7
1) Explain the allusion to Trimalchio.

2) Why does Fitzgerald personify the automobiles in the first paragraph of this chapter? Compare this to other references
to cars and the metaphors used to describe Gatsby’s cars in chapter three.

3) Compare Nick’s actions and narration during the incident with the woman who “perspired delicately… into her white
shirtwaist” – how would you characterize his actions? How would you characterize his inner monologue?

4) Consider the idea of fantasy/imagination/delusion versus reality. How is this tension exacerbated in the chapter? What
is revealed?

5) Many symbols and significant descriptions are revisited in this chapter.

a) Compare the description of Daisy and Jordan on the “enormous couch” on p. 115 to their description in chapter
one, p.8. Pay attention to literary devices as well as the contrast in setting, mood, tone, etc.
b) Comment on why Dr. T.J. Eckleburg makes another appearance, and compare the “vigil” (124) to what you
wrote for the paragraph about the first portion of chapter 2.
c) Compare the description of Myrtle, post-mortem, to her initial description in chapter 2. Additionally, consider
the relationship between Tom and Myrtle in both chapters. How is the characterization of their relationship
reflected in Tom’s reaction to Myrtle’s murder?

6) Daisy becomes quite erratic as the chapter progresses. What do you think she experiences as she interacts with Nick,
Gatsby, Jordan, Pammy, and Tom?

7) Why does Fitzgerald make the day so HOT? Consider the effect of the heat on each character as well as the description
of the heat.

8) How is Tom humanized near the end of the chapter?

9) What is Myrtle thinking about Jordan? How does Fitzgerald remind the reader of Myrtle’s intangible presence in the
paragraphs after Myrtle mistakes Jordan for Daisy?
10) Why does Nick want to believe in Gatsby so badly? Consider how he feels when Gatsby clarifies his “Oxford”
status.

11) How does Fitzgerald convey the sense of competition between Tom and Gatsby? Who WINS by the end of the
chapter?

Chapter 8

1) How do Nick's and Gatsby's reactions to the situation in the first two pages of the chapter reveal the essence of their
characters? Consider Gatsby's first words, and Nick's advice to Gatsby.

2) Make a timeline of Gatsby's life.

3) What is so compelling about Daisy? Does Gatsby love her? Does Gatsby love her status and wealth? Pull at least two
quotes to support your opinion.

4) Explain what happens to Gatsby. You need to read closely for the details that reveals it. Think about his final scene
symbolically and what it represents about Gatsby

5) Wilson and Michaelis's reactions to the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg are markedly different. Wilson says "God sees
everything" (160), and Michaelis says, "That's an advertisement..." (160). What is the tragedy of Wilson's perspective?

6) Draw as many parallels between Gatsby and Wilson as you can.

Chapter 9
1) Summarize what we learn about Gatsby from his father. How does this change your view of Gatsby, if at all?

2) What do you find interesting about Catherine's testimony at the trial?

3) Gatsby's shady connections ("gonnegtions") come out at the end: how did he make his fortune?

4) What is Nick’s attitude at the end toward Tom? Toward Daisy and Tom?

4) What does the last line mean?

5) What are the possible meanings of the title?

6) Does Gatsby deserve contempt, pity, admiration, disgust? Defend your answer.