The Great Gatsby: Chapter 1

 

Introduction

The novel begins with great fanfare and accomplishment.

Questions

Answer the following questions thoroughly. They require thought.
    1. Describe the narrator. Not only what does he look like, but what does he believe?

      2. • Where does the The Great Gatsby take place? Describe what we know of the area from the book's first chapter.

    2. How does Fitzgerald describe Daisy and Jordan?

      3. What are these women like?

      What do they talk about?

    3. Nick (the narrator) visits his cousin and her husband. What doesn’t he like about the two of them?

      4. • What are Daisy and Tom's lives like?

      What are they interested in?

      What's their marriage like?

    4. What do you think of Tom?

      5. What kind of man is he?

      What was he like in college and what is he like now?

       

    5. Nick (the narrator) visits his cousin and her husband. What doesn’t he like about the two of them?

      6.  

    6. What does Gatsby do at the end of the chapter?

• Compare Gatsby and Tom based on our introduction to them in the first chapter.

Thought

Answer the following question in at least a page of writing.

Fitzgerald’s famous line is "The Rich are different from you and me." How could that be true.

Close Reading

Look at page 8, when Nick enters the room where Jordan and Daisy.

How does Fitzgerald describe the twowomen?

What does that tell you about Nick?

What happens when Tom enters the room?

 

 

The Great Gatsby: Chapter 2

 

Introduction

Now that all the characters are introduced, it’s time for the plot to begin.

Reading

Read the opening four paragraphs and answer the following questions.
    1. Why does the road join the railroad?
    2. What do the ashes do in the valley?
    3. Symbolically, why is everything made out of ashes? What are ashes?
    4. What do the eyes do?
    5. Why is it important that everybody has to wait there?
    6. If Myrtle and Mr. Wilson live there, what are they made of?

 

 

Question

Answer the following questions completely.
    1. Who is T.J. Eckleberg?

      2. Symbolically, what are those eyes doing?

      Describe the valley in your own words.

    2. Who is Tom’s mistress? What is she like?
    3. What is Mrs. Wilson most concerned with?
    4. Why do Tom and Myrtle get so drunk? (Thought)

      5. Why does he hit her?

    5. How is Mr. McKee a little bizarre?

Thought

Answer the following in about a page of writing.

Fitzgerald tries to write as if the narrator is drunk. What stylistic tricks does he do to show that? Try to write that way.

 

The Great Gatsby: Chapter 3

 

Introduction

Gatsby becomes the main character.

Questions

Answer the following questions thoroughly.

 
    1. What does he compare his guests to?

      2. Describe Gatsby's party, including the preparations and the party itself.

       

    2. What high class gear does Gatsby have?

      3. Why does Fitzgerald take pains to use the labels?

       

    3. What are some of the stories people tell about Gatsby and his background.

 

4. How does Gatsby introduce himself to Nick? What do they talk about?

 

 

 

 

5. What are Nick's first impressions of Gatsby?

 

6. What does Jordan mean when she says large parties are "so intimate" and small parties have no privacy?

 

 

 

 

7. Describe Gatsby's guests. What are they like? How do they behave?

 

 

 

 

 

8. What is Nick's daily routine? Do you think he's happy with his life?

 

 

 

9. How does Nick describe himself? What does he say is his "cardinal virtue"? How does he compare to Jordan in this way?

 

 

 

 

Reading

Read pages 42-44
    1. Why does Nick feel purposeless and alone?

      2. 2. How does Jordan treat him? Quote a line.

    2. Why did Gatsby send her a dress?
    3. Why do they suspect all these things of Gatsby?

Are these compliments?

 

The Great Gatsby:

 

Introduction

Gatsby begins his sell job.

Questions

Answer the following questions thoroughly.

 

1. What is the make and color of Gatsby's car?

 

2. What does Gatsby tell Nick about his background?

 

3. Who does Nick meet at lunch with Gatsby. What does this man do for a living? What are his cufflinks made of?

 

4. What does Jordan tell Nick about Daisy and Gatsby's history? What's the story behind Daisy and Tom's wedding?

Ch. 5

1. What does Nick arrange for Gatsby?

 

2. How do we know Gatsby is nervous about meeting Daisy?

 

3. Describe the scene when Daisy and Gatsby finally meet at Nick's house.

 

4. How does Daisy react when she sees all Gatsby's shirts? What does she do?

 

5. What do you think will happen between Daisy and Gatsby from this point on in the book? What evidence from the book supports your opinion?