Gatsby Chapter 5 Discussion Questions

Questions and Answers

What does Gatsby propose that offends Nick?

Gatsby offers to return the favor of making arrangements with Daisy by offering Nick a lucrative business deal. Nick refuses. He doesn't want to be 'bought.'

How does the meeting with Daisy affect Gatsby?

He literally glows with a new well-being.

How does Nick catch Gatsby in a lie?

Gatsby says he earned his money, but earlier he said he inherited it.

Discuss the three emotional states Gatsby moves through upon meeting Daisy again.

Gatsby was at first embarrassed and felt awkward, then filled with joy, and finally consumed with wonder. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think Daisy cries when she sees all of Gatsby's beautiful shirts?

She may be crying over the 'lost years' the accumulation of shirts represents, or she may simply be so materialistic that the sight of the expensive clothing brings her to tears of joy. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Klipspringer unable to refuse Gatsby's request that he play the piano?

Klipspringer is a non-paying self-invited 'boarder' at Gatsby's. He felt either an obligation to grant his host's wish, or a fear that he might be asked to leave if he didn't. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the song 'Ain't We Got Fun?' both appropriate and ironic?

The song is about the rich and the poor, reflecting societal interests in 'having fun' during a solemn and romantic occasion. Signup and view all the answers

This chapter is often seen as the beginning of Gatsby's downfall. Offer suggestions as to how this might be true.

Gatsby cannot see that Daisy is not like his idealized dream of her. Nick notes that Gatsby seems to 'run down' like an overwound clock. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gatsby Chapter 5 Study Notes

Gatsby offers Nick a lucrative business deal as a gesture of thanks for facilitating the meeting with Daisy, which offends Nick as he refuses to be "bought."
Meeting Daisy brings a physical transformation in Gatsby; he experiences a sense of glowing well-being that signifies his emotional uplift.
Nick discovers Gatsby's inconsistency when Gatsby claims he earned his wealth, contradicting his earlier statement about inheriting it, revealing Gatsby's tendency to lie.
Upon reuniting with Daisy, Gatsby undergoes three distinct emotional states: initial embarrassment and awkwardness, followed by overwhelming joy, and finally a state of wonder.
Daisy's tears when seeing Gatsby's collection of beautiful shirts may stem from nostalgia over the lost years represented by the shirts or could indicate her materialistic joy triggered by their opulence.
Klipspringer, a non-paying boarder at Gatsby's mansion, feels obligated to play the piano for Gatsby, fearing he could be asked to leave if he declines, highlighting his dependence on Gatsby's hospitality.
The song "Ain't We Got Fun?" is both fitting and ironic, reflecting the overarching theme of wealth and frivolity prevalent in society, contrasting Gatsby's solemnity with the song’s superficiality during a pivotal moment of his romantic aspirations.
This chapter marks the onset of Gatsby's downfall as he becomes disillusioned with Daisy, realizing she does not embody his ideal image. Nick observes Gatsby's emotional decline, likening it to a clock unwinding, emphasizing the loss of the dream symbolized by the green light, which indicates the inescapability of reality.

Description

Explore key discussion questions and answers from Chapter 5 of 'The Great Gatsby'. This quiz will delve into Gatsby's interactions with Nick and Daisy, examining themes of wealth, deception, and emotional changes. Perfect for deepening your understanding of the chapter's dynamics.