The Great Gatsby

By: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Content and Analysis Questions

Chapter 1

1. Nick begins the text by quoting his father’s advice to him “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone…just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” Based on the little we know of him, what advantages has Nick had in life? How will the story be affected by having a narrator who actively avoids judging others?

2. What facts do we know about Nick? What details can we infer about Nick (be ready to explain the inference)?

3. What did Daisy say when her daughter was born? What does this indicate about Daisy’s views on life?

4. What image does Nick use to describe Jordan?

5. What type of character is Tom? How do his words and actions establish his character?

6. Describe what Gatsby is doing the first time he is seen by Nick.

 

Chapter 2

1. Describe the “valley of ashes.” What could it symbolize? Describe the “eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg? What could they symbolize?

2. Describe Wilson and Myrtle. How do they fit with their surroundings?

3. How does Myrtle’s sister, Catherine, rationalize Myrtle’s affair with Tom?

4. What does Myrtle do that makes Tom upset? What does Tom do when angry?

 

Chapter 3

1. Why does Nick attend one of Gatsby’s parties?

2. What are the rumours about Gatsby? Why did Fitzgerald choose to introduce the rumours before providing the facts?

3. In ten words or less, describe the party at Gatsby’s house?

4. How does Gatsby differ from the guests at his party?

 

Chapter 4

1. What does Gatsby show Nick to prove that his background story is true?

2. What happens when Gatsby gets pulled over by a police officer? What do you think this indicates about Gatsby?

3. Who is Meyer Wolfsheim? What information does he provide about Gatsby? Why did Wolfsheim need Gatsby in his business?

4. What information does Jordan reveal regarding Daisy and Gatsby?

5. Why did Gatsby buy the particular house that he did? Why did he throw all those extravagant parties?

6. What request does Gatsby make of Nick, through Jordan? Should Nick have agreed? Why or why not?

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Chapter 5

1. Why does Gatsby deliver so many goods and services to Nick’s house?

2. Why does Gatsby offer Nick work? What is Nick’s reaction to the offer?

3. What seems to impress Daisy the most when she tours Gatsby’s house? Why does she have such a strong reaction?

4. What does the green light symbolize?

5. Why does Gatsby get so many phone calls? What does this indicate about him?

 

Chapter 6

1. What is the true story of Gatsby’s life? Who is Dan Cody, and what effect did he have on Gatsby? Why do you think Fitzgerald choose this point in the book to reveal the truth of Gatsby’s past?

2. What doesn’t Gatsby realize about Mrs. Sloane’s dinner invitation?

3. Why do Daisy and Tom find Gatsby’s party to be loathsome? By what measure does Gatsby assess the success of his party?

4. Nick tells Gatsby “You can’t repeat the past.” Gatsby’s response is: “‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘Why of course you can!’” Do you agree with Nick, or Gatsby? What does this indicate about Gatsby?

 

Chapter 7

1. At the opening of the chapter Nick says “and, as obscurely as it had begun, his [Gastby’s] career as Trimalchio was over.” Look up who Trimalchio was, and explain why Nick uses this allusion to describe Gatsby.

2. What does the scene with Pammy suggest about Daisy as a mother? What effect does it have on Gatsby?

3. Compare George Wilson and Tom. What did each man learn about his wife and how did they each react?

4. In the fight between Tom, Gatsby, and Daisy, what does Gatsby want Daisy to say? Does she say it? Why, or why not?

5. What happened to Myrtle? How did the events of the afternoon lead to this outcome?

6. Who was driving the “death car”?

 

Chapter 8

1. When Nick suggests that Gatsby should leave town for awhile, what is Gatsby’s reaction?

2. How long had Gatsby and Daisy know each other back in Louisville?

3. How does Nick's statement "You're worth the whole bunch put together" show a change in Nick from the beginning of the novel?

4. How does George Wilson view the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg? What does George do?

 

Chapter 9

1. Why does Nick plan Gatsby’s funeral?

2. Who attended Gatsby’s funeral? How does this reflect the actual position Gatsby had attained in society?

3. How had Tom contributed to Gatsby’s death? Do you think Tom knows that Daisy was the driver? Do you think Daisy know that Tom told George about Gatsby?

4. Why does Nick say that Tom and Daisy are “careless people”?