| How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of the book? | He is not a judgmental person allowing us to trust any observations produced by him and we can trust his point of view is non bias. |
| Why has Nick come to the East? | To become rich: achieve “the American Dream”. This will be accomplished by being in the bond business/ broker. |
| How does Nick describe Tom Buchanan? | He is a rich man who loves the spot light. His peak was being on the Yale football team. He lives for the glory and the status. |
| Who is Jordan Baker? What does Nick find appealing about her? | She is a pro golf player and a friend of Daisy’s. She is self reliant and reserved. She is attractive and has a power with her presence. |
| How does Daisy react ti the phone calls from Tom’s women in New York? | She is awkward because she clearly knows about it but does not want to admit to it and appear as imperfect to her guests. |
| What is Gatsby doing when Nick first sees him? | Standing outside in front of the water trembling reaching out for a green light. Then when Nick looks again Gatsby has disappeared. |
| Notice how Fitzgerald uses the words hope, or dream. Why does he do this? | Because a theme of the book is relating to how every character has their aspirations and wants which also represents the American dream of this era. |
| Nick starts the novel by relaying his fathers advice “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’v e had.” Does he reserve judgment in this novel? | Yes because he gives facts and observations yet does not form opinions on the matters in which he observes. |
| Pay attention to time. What is the day and year during this first scene at Daisy’s house. | June 7th 1922 |
| Describe Nick. What facts do we know about him and what can we infer about him? What kind of narrator do you think he will be? | He has recently moved to the east coast to become a Bond person. He is non judgmental and will tell the whole truth and non bias, accurate description of the story. Since he is so not judgy and easy to talk |
| What image does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean? | Balancing something on her chin; her nose is in the air: she looks powerful and snotty due to her posture. |
| How does nick react to Jordan? | Describes her as intriguing yet attractive. At first she appears as snotty and uptight yet powerful. nick feels attracted to her. |
| What does Toms behavior reveal about his character? | His voice is gruff and he is buff and husky representing how harsh and strong he is. Proud of his powerful/harsh power above others and is controlling. He is racist and a mistreats women. |
| How does Nick meet Tom’s mistress? | Tom brings Nick to introduce Nick to Myrtle at Myrtles home and bring him along their date in the city. It was not Nicks intention or desire to meet Myrtle but Tom forced him to come along. |
| How does Myrtle react to Tom’s arrival? | She kicks out her husband as if he means nothing. Her husband doesn’t even think anything of it. |
| Describe George Wilson. How does he react to Tom’s arrival? | He is a simple, oblivious man. He owns a car shop and when Tom arrives he believes it is just for business and does’t even notice him leave with his wife or notice their flirtatious attitudes/actions. |
| How does Myrtle behave as the party progresses? | She continues to get less classy and more trashy, loud, and bratty/snobbish |
| According to Catherine why has Tom not left Daisy for Myrtle? | This is a lie that says Daisy is a Catholic who can not divorce “leaving” Tom no choice but to stay with Daisy when in actuality Daisy is the best you can marry and he would never actually leave her and would never marry Myrtle. |
| What is the place that has factories and quarries and which has poverty and the air is grimy and dusty where Myrtle lives? | Valley of Ashes |
| Why does Nick even stay with Myrtle when he is married to the “best” (daisy)? | Because she is low maintenance ( even though she thinks Tom buys her luxurious items when really they are just better than the trash she can afford) and since he is so rich and Myrtle knows who he is really married to and how powerful they are, he can treat her like an object and competently control her because she feels less than him. Also, he couldn’t date anyone classier because if she was rich as well she would be in his social circle causing Daisy to know who she is. |
| What do Dr. Ecklebergs glasses billboard represent? | it symbolizes that someone is always watching |
| Why did Tom break Myrtles nose? How is this consistent with the authors description of Tom? Judging by his treatment of Myrtle and his wife Daisy, what seems to be Tom’s attitude towards women? | Because she kept saying Daisy repetitively. This shows he is abusive and feels women are objects in which he can control and abuse when they don’t abide by his orders. |
| Descibe the valley of ashes. What does it look like and what does it represent? | It is smoggy and foggy and run down. It represent the middle/lower class that these extravagantly rich do not notice or see. |
| Which egg does Nick live in? | Tom and Daisy Buchanan are married and live in East Egg. Gatsby and Nick live in West Egg. Gatsby lives in a mansion; Nick lives in a small cottage next door. West egg is new money and East egg is old money: wealth passed on from your family. |
| Describe Mr. Wilson and Myrtle. Do they seem to fit into the setting? (Valley of Ashes) | Yes because they have only ever lived in the middle/lower class and do not even know any higher standard. |
| What have we learned about Nick in Chapter 2? Is he similar or different than the people he spends his time with? | He is different than the people he spends his time with. He is not as fancy as Daisy and not trashy like Myrtle. He blends in. |
| Why does Gatsby throw huge parties for people he does not even know? | Ultimately he is hoping it will attract Daisy to come by. To show off his huge house and money. |
| Two ways Nick differs from the other party guests. | He does not drink and he was formally invited. |
| What does the owl eyed man find crazy about the books in Gatsby’s library? | They’re real books. |
| Why does the owl eyed man describe Gatsby as a real Belasco? | because he is really rich and above the expectations and a legit rich. He’s genuine. Everything is over the top. |
| What is the significance of the owl eyed man? | He looks like the billboard: glasses represent people are always watching |
| What does the reaction of the drivers of the wrecked automobile suggest about the values of Gatsby’s guests? | They’re careless because they do not care the ruined their car while drunk driving |
| What does Nick learn about Jordan after spending some time with her? | She is a liar: “Incurably dishonest” |
| What is the significance of Jordan’s lies? | They hide her disadvantages and lies to be ahead of everyone else. She does it to not seem vulnerable and to seem better and perfect compared to everyone else. |
| What do Nick’s judgments reveal about his character | He is brutally honest and observant and has facts and proof behind every detail explained. |
| Describe Gatsby the first time Nick sees him | He has a perfect smile that is externally reassuring. he is a cool guy and a normal one who bonded over the war with Nick. He fits in and is handsome. |
| What rumors have been told about Gatsby? Why does the author reveal rumors rather than fact? | That he was a German spy, an American spy, killed a man. It makes him mysterious and ominous. |
| What does Nick think of Gatsby after meeting him? | That he is nice, yet still a bit confusing/mysterious, but overall interesting |
| How is Gatsby different from his guests? | He didn’t drink and hardly socialized |
| Why does nick choose to share his thoughts and feelings with Jordan? | He is used to people coming to himself for someone to talk to and wanted to bond since he thought she was attractive |
| Nick thinks he is one of the few honest people he knows, why? Do you think he is honest? | he thinks he is honest because compared to other guys who mistreat women such as Tom, he breaks things off officially with his girl from the west even though they are so far away and she would not know plus it was kind of inferred, him, being honest felt he needed to fully say it and no longer write love nick. Yes because most people would not feel the pressure to be that blunt and clear unless their conscious was that honest |
| What does Gatsby tell Nick about himself? | That he came into money from family family inheritance from when his entire family passed. He was a war hero. He joined the war to forget about something bad that occurred. He went to oxford for college. |
| What accomplishment of Meyer Wolfsheim’s does Gatsby describe to Nick? How does Nick react? | He fixed the 1919 world series. This surprises Nick because he always assumed it was something that just happened and was shocked one man could not only produce those outcomes but also get away with it. |
| According to Jordan, what did Daisy do on her wedding day? Why? What does this reveal about Daisy? | She was crying, drunk (which she does not drink usually), took off her $3,500 pearls Tom gave her and told Jordan to give them back to whoever they belonged to and threw them into the garbage. All she could do was hold onto Gatsby’s (assumed) letter. This shows her marriage to Tom was not exactly based off of love or an emotional connection but wealth and status. This reveals she is superficial and had some type of feelings for Gatsby back then. |
| Why does Gatsby want to have tea with Daisy in Nicks house? Why doesn’t Gatsby ask Nike for this favor himself? Why does Gatsby want Daisy to see his house? | He wants to have tea with Daisy in Nick’s house because he is his connection with Daisy and it was an easy location for him to get her to come to. He does not ask Nick himself because coming from someone Nick has a crush on. Jordan, he will be more likely to say yes and have sympathy for Gatsby. Gatsby wants Daisy to see his house so she can see how spectacular it is and prove all his wealth. |
| What does Tom do when he and Daisy return from their honeymoon? | He was off to see his mistress whom was a maid but got caught because he got into a car accident and when documented this other passenger was listed in the accident. |
| What does Gatsby’s friendship with Meyer Wolfsheim imply about his own background? | Since he is acquainted with such a sketchy man whom can perceived as a gangster, this implies Gatsby has to be involved in some type of sketchy business if that is who he is connected to in the business world. |
| List rumors about Gatsby: | He is a bootlegger,an american spy, a German spy, a second cousin of the devil or Kyser Wilhelm |
| Why does Fitzgerald list all Gatsby’s party guests? | To show the diversity of his guests and his contacts. This also shows who has money during this time including many immigrants which means new money |
| Why does Gatsby tell Nick about his life? Do you believe Gatsby? Does Nick? | To show off and prove he was not a nobody. Also, trying to correct any bad rumors and possibly spread good ones; making himself seem like a cool guy. But, his lies do not match up so Nick is suspicious and I think he is lying. |
| What role does Meyer Wolfsheim play in the novel? Why is there so much focus on his nose and what does this tell you about the author’s politics? | He is a clue to Gatsby’s work and background. Also, he adds to the suspicion behind Gatsby due to him being a sketchy gangster. Also, his nose shows he is Jewish which makes the author sound antisemitic or is just adding that to represent some of the racism in politics in this time. |
| What does Gatsby offer Nick in return for Nick’s cooperation in inviting Daisy to his house? | A side job paying a lot of money |
| What is Gatsby’s and Daisy’s meeting like at first? | awkward |
| How are Gatsby and Daisy different after Nick returns from being gone for a half hour? | they are emotional: Gatsby is glowing and Daisy has happy tears |
| What are Gatsby’s feelings at the end of the Chapter? | Wondering/conflicted: at first nervous then joy. He can not believe Daisy actually was with him in his house after all that time. |
| Why does Daisy sob when Gatsby shows her his shirts? | Because it shows his wealth which is what Daisy finds attractive in a man. This is what could have been hers if they stayed together so many years before. |
| What does Gatsby reply when Nick asks him how he makes his money? Why does Nick find that significant? | He said it is his personal affairs. Then he realizes that sounds sketch and says he used to be in drugs and ads and now he is not. This makes Nick confused and suspicious. |
| What is the weather like in this chapter? How does it reflect the emotional climate of Gatsby and Daisy? | At first sad and rainy, then sunny and joyful. The weather patter follows the mood created by the two characters. |
| How many years has it been since Gatsby has been with Daisy? | 5 years this November. |
| Gatsby’s dream seems to be fulfilled with Daisy coming. What indications are there that reality cannot satisfy his dream? | He can be with her but not like how it could have been in the past and he can never go back in time even with all the money in the world, this is one thing he can not buy back. This is represented by the broken clock |
| Why does Gatsby deliver so many goods and services to Nick’s house? | He needs it to be perfect for Daisy |
| How does Nick respond to Gatsby offering him work? | he declines and does not want a pity job |
| What is the significance of the green light | It represents Daisy and when he had her the green light could not be seen (because the storm) |
| Why does Gatsby get so many phone calls? What does this say about him? | For business and that he has a sketch job because you can never truly understand what they are speaking of. Also, he is a hard worker |
The Great Gatsby chapters 1-5
April 12, 2020