Questions for chapters 1-9

Chapter 1:

1. After the way the main character (Nick) was raised, why do you think he becomes so fascinated with Gatsby?

2. Why does Nick describe Tom B. as standing with his legs apart when we are first introduced to him? Why does he include this information?
3. Why does Nick describe everything in Tom's house as being coherent to food?
4. Why do you think Tom think's that he is so much better than everyone he meets?
5. Why does Tom interrupt Daisy everytime she mentions their baby?
6. Why is Daisy always described with child-like imagery?

Chapter 2:

1. Think and picture the valley of ashes. What 2 words come to mind? How does it contrast to all of the other places? Is this how the "poor" really live in our country?

2. Can you find any symbolic value in Doctor T.J. Eckleberg's monstrous eyes? How does Fitzgerald male them mysterious? Why do you think Fitzgerald would want us to interpret for ourselves?
3. Name 4 characteristics of New York City that oppose the valley of ashes. Why do you think he put these back to back? Nick goes to New York City with the affaired lovers but why would he show that he doesn't mind?
4. What events/sequences in this chapter define characteristics? How about Wilson? Who does he contrast with? Why?
5. How does Fitzgerald use the party as a tool of mystery? Does Gatsby come to this party? Rumors, like Catherines, not only creates curiosity in the characters but what about the reader? Do you think Fitzgerald did this on purpose?

Chapter 3:

1. What do you think about Gatsby from the way they described theyre house? Do you think that the author wanted him to seem mysterious even at his own party? Even though he appeared twice?
2. I had been actually invited. A chauffeur in a uniform of robin’s-egg blue crossed my lawn early that Saturday morning with a surprisingly formal note from his employer: the honor would be entirely Gatsby’s, it said, if I would attend his “little party.” that night. He had seen me several times, and had intended to call on me long before, but a peculiar combination of circumstances had prevented it—signed Jay Gatsby, in a majestic hand. What do you think this says about Gatsby?
3.What was your opinion about the ending of the story?

Chapter 4:

1. The green light at the end of the Buchanan’s dock seems to symbolize Gatsby’s romanticism and Daisy herself but how does it can symbolize the American Dream for this time period?
2. Fitzgerald takes the time to have Nick go over several names and details on specific people who have attended a party of Gatsby’s at some point. Why do you think he does this? Why does Gatsby hold the parties in the first place?
3. Just to gain Daisy’s approval, Gatsby becomes a millionaire and holds infamous parties out of his love for Daisy with the soul purpose to gain Daisy’s approval. How does Daisy symbolize the American Dream of the 1920’s, and what does she reveal about it?
4. Open ended question for opinion:
5. What does the character Wolfsheim imply about Gatsby?
6. Can you really buy class?

Chapter 5:

1. Why does Nick mention the way Daisy's buttons gleam on her coat?

2. In the beginning of the book, Nick mentions a green light across the bay and in this chapter Gatsby says the green light belongs to Daisy and Tom? How does he know this? Did he buy the house just for the purpose of living across the bay from Daisy?
3. Why does Gatsby put so much effort into making Nick's house presentable for Daisy?

Chapter 6:

1. How does the humiliation of having to work as a janitor in college contrast with Dan Cody's promises? Gatsby became acutely (very much, desperatly) aware of his poverty which leads to what obsession?

2. What do we realize about Gatsby's conception of Daisy? How does he think of her?
3. Gatsby has as much money as Tom and Sloane's but what does Gatsby lack? What is he called as a result of this?
4. Nick is the narrator of this story and yet fails to put any time when Daisy and Gatsby were alone except the reunion. What does this possibly mean? Do you think this is Fitzgerald's way of leaving the affair to our imagination and making us suspicious about Tom?
5. Interpret this quote: "The truth about Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his platonic conception of himself. He was son of God- a phrase which, if it means anything, means just that- and he must be about His Father's business, the service of a vast, vulgar and meretricious beauty. So he invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen year old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end."

Chapter 7:

1. Who is Trimachio? How does this describe Gatsby?
2. Describe Daisy and Gatsby's new relationship.
3. If you compare George Wilson and Tom, what do you think both of them learned about their wives?
4. If Daisy claimed she never loved Tom, then who else would she have loved?
5. How do you think Gatsby and Tom feel toward each other after having the fight? Do you think they are similar? Why? Different? Why?
6. What was the point of Nick’s 30th birthday party?
7. What do you think Tom and Daisy were saying to each other in the kitchen? 

8. Do you think Tom knew Daisy was driving the "death car"? Why, why not?


Chapter 8:



1. How does striving to be high class for Daisy ultimately affect Gatsby?

2. How is foreshadowing used when Nick goes to Gatsby’s because he feels he can’t wait until morning?
3. Why do you think Gatsby finally reveals the truth to Nick?

Chapter 9:


1. How is Gatsby’s death explained by the press in local newspapers?
2. How does Catherine respond to questions about her sister?
3. How does Wolfsheim’s letter attempt to explain his not attending the funeral?
4. Who is Henry C. Gatz?
5. Why does Klipspringer call?
6. When Nick locates Wolfsheim’s office and demands to see him, what is ironic about the situation?
7. How does Wolfsheim remember Gatsby?