The Great Gatsby Study Guide
Chapter
1
1.
Explain what Fitzgerald achieved by using Nick’s point of
view to tell Gatsby’s story?
2.
What do we learn about Nick Carraway in the introductory
section of the novel?
3.
In discussing East Egg and West Egg, Nick states: “To the
wingless a more arresting phenomenon is their dissimilarity in every particular
except shape and size.” Indicate what the “dissimilarities” might be.
4.
Compare the homes of Nick, Gatsby, and the Buchanans. How does each home reflect the personality of its owner?
5.
Fitzgerald’s description of Tom, Daisy, and
6.
When Nick leaves the Buchanan’s house, he is “confused and a
little disgusted.” Why?
7.
Though we do not meet Gatsby until Chapter 3, we hear
references to him in the conversations of others. Note each reference. What
impressions do you get?
Chapter
2
8.
In what way is the description in the opening paragraphs of
Chapter 2 appropriate to the total atmosphere of this chapter? What is symbolic
about the “
9.
Evaluate Myrtle’s talk of her unhappy marriage. What does
she seem to be trying to justify?
10.
How does Myrtle’s speech reveal her character?
11.
What does the scene in the
12.
Does Nick enjoy the afternoon at the apartment in
Chapter
3
13.
Chapter 3 describes Gatsby’s “little party.” Enumerate
details about the party itself, about their conversation and behavior.
14.
Describe the meeting between Nick and Gatsby. Comment on
Fitzgerald’s skill in preparing for Gatsby’s entrance into the story.
15.
In what way are Nick and Gatsby similar at this point? How
are they paradoxical?
16.
What is the reason for Nick’s breaking the story at this
point? Read the section beginning with “
17.
At the end of Chapter 3, Nick meets
18.
Notice the last paragraph in Chapter 3. Is Nick being overly
proud here? Discuss.
Chapter
4
19.
The introductory section of Chapter 4 gives a long roster of
those who attended Gatsby’s parties. How do they behave toward their host? Why
do they accept his hospitality?
20.
Describe Gatsby’s car.
21.
Discuss the details that Gatsby shares with Nick about his
past.
22.
Does Nick believe Gatsby’s story? Why or why not?
23.
Who is Meyer Wolfsheim? What seems to be his connection with
Gatsby?
24.
Jordan Baker tells Nick about Daisy, Gatsby, and Tom.
Summarize the story.
25.
Explain the epigraph on the title page of the novel. What
does it reveal about Gatsby and his love for Daisy?
26.
Do we know why Gatsby has so many parties? Why did he buy
the house? Explain.
27.
What new meaning do you see in the last two paragraphs of
Chapter 1? What does Nick mean when he says, “Then it had not been merely the
stars to which he had aspired on that June night”?
28.
When Gatsby spoke to
Chapter
5
29.
Gatsby’s actions in preparing for Daisy’s arrival seem both
flamboyant and absurd. What does he do? Why?
30.
Discuss Gatsby’s actions once Daisy arrives. How do we know
he is nervous? How does he try to impress her?
31.
Toward the end of the chapter, Nick attempts to explain “the
expression of bewilderment that had come back into Gatsby’s face.“ What
explanation does Nick give? Why, in his opinion, is Daisy not at fault?
32.
Describe Daisy’s reactions during the course of her meeting
with Gatsby.
33.
Has Nick been affected by the meeting between Gatsby and
Daisy? In what way?
Chapter
6
34.
What is Gatsby’s real name? Why and when did he change it?
35.
In what way was Dan Cody in Gatsby’s destiny?
36.
Why does Tom attend Gatsby’s party? How does this scene
reveal the contrast between Gatsby and Tom?
37.
What is deeply ironic in Tom’s statement, ”. . . I may be
old-fashioned in my ideas but women run around too much these days to suit me”?
38.
Note the reactions of Tom and Daisy at different times
during Gatsby’s party. Did they enjoy themselves? Explain.
39.
What suspicions does Tom have about Gatsby? What does he vow
to do?
40.
What do Nick and Gatsby talk about after the party?
41.
What is Gatsby expecting of Daisy that prompts Nick to warn
him, “I wouldn’t ask too much of her . . . you can’t repeat the past”?
Chapter
7
42.
Note the use Fitzgerald makes of the weather as a background
for significant events. Point out examples in this chapter and in previous
chapters.
43.
Gatsby has made some changes in his lifestyle that so
concern Nick that he goes to check on him. What changes do you note? Why did he
make them?
44.
Analyze Daisy’s attitude toward her child as evidenced in
this chapter and in Chapter 1. Is she a good mother? Explain why Gatsby looked
“at the child with surprise.”
45.
With whom does Tom talk on the telephone early in the
chapter? About what?
46.
What startling discovery does Tom make shortly after lunch?
47.
What does Gatsby mean when he says that Daisy’s voice is
“full of money”? Why does Fitzgerald put those words in Gatsby’s mouth and not
Nick’s?
48.
What arrangements are made regarding the passengers of each
car on the trip to the city? Why?
49.
Eyes play a significant role in this chapter. Explain.
50.
Explain Nick’s statement paralleling Tom and Wilson: “It
occurred to me that there was no difference between men, in intelligence or
race, so profound as the difference between the sick and the well.” Refer to
the text and explain what prompted Nick to say this.
51.
What does Gatsby do that makes Nick want “to get up and slap
him on the back”? Why does Nick feel this way?
52.
Does Daisy know what love is? Whom does she really love?
53.
In what way is each of the major characters involved in the
tragedy that occurs at the end of this chapter?
54.
Is there any significance in the fact that the day is Nick’s
birthday?
55.
Why is it necessary for the author to introduce a new
character, Michaelis, at this point in the novel?
56.
Explain what Nick means when he says, “. . . suddenly I
guessed at the truth”?
Chapter 8
57.
At the beginning of the chapter, the story is interrupted at
its most dramatic point. What is the author’s purpose in breaking the story
here?
58.
What prompted Gatsby to talk freely to Nick, when he was
unwilling to do so in the past?
59.
What further information do we learn about Gatsby?
60.
As Nick leaves Gatsby the morning after the accident, he
remarks, “They’re a rotten crowd.” Enumerate the people “they” refers to. Why
are they “rotten”?
61.
What is the compliment that Nick pays to Gatsby? Why does
Nick feel compelled to commend Gatsby?
62.
Explain Nick’s meaning when he balances Gatsby’s supposed
“corruption” against his “incorruptible dream”
63.
How does
64.
Trace the movements of Gatsby and Wilson at the end of
Chapter 8. What is Nick’s meaning when he says, “. . . the holocaust was
complete”?
Chapter 9
65.
What makes Nick assume responsibility for the funeral
arrangements? Specify the things he did.
66.
What version of the tragedy appeared in the newspapers? How
would you account for the fact that this version went unchallenged and
uncorrected?
67.
How had Gatsby’s father leaned of the tragedy? To what
extent does the father know his son?
68.
Discuss the significance of Gatsby’s boyhood program for
self-improvement.
69.
What is the irony of Gatsby’s funeral?
70.
What is the significance of including the scene with Jordan
Baker?
71.
What moral judgment does Nick make about Tom and Daisy?
Discuss.
72.
Explain the significance of the last page of the novel in
relation to Gatsby’s dream and to the American Dream.