Questions and Answers
What gesture did Gatsby make as a formal farewell?
His hand up in a formal gesture of farewell
What did Nick feel due to his lack of Gatsby's presence?
A haunting loneliness
What did Nick do in response to his feelings of isolation and Gatsby's love?
He drew up the girl beside him, tightening his arms.
How did Nick feel when he realized the intensity of the love between Daisy and Gatsby?
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What did Gatsby stretch out his hand to try to reach?
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What does Gatsby's pale appearance foreshadow during his first meeting with Daisy?
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What is suggested by Gatsby leaving his sentences unfinished?
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Gatsby's nervousness is first seen in Chapter 1 with his trembling.
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How is Myrtle portrayed in her relationship with George?
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What does Nick think about Tom and Daisy's actions?
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What does Daisy's comment about her daughter imply?
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Gatsby's past is characterized by _____ and dissatisfaction.
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How does Gatsby view Daisy's feelings for him?
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Gatsby thinks he can repeat the past.
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Match the following quotes to their themes:
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Why does Nick feel isolated amidst Gatsby and Daisy's love?
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How is Gatsby interpreted in modern day?
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What does Tom Buchanan's character represent in terms of relationships?
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Why does Gatsby value Daisy more because of her past?
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What feelings does Daisy experience during her first meeting with Gatsby?
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What does Myrtle's behavior suggest about her character?
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What does Nick notice about Gatsby when he is in love with Daisy?
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Gatsby loses control of his self-presentation in the presence of ______.
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How does Gatsby's idealism affect his interaction with Daisy?
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What does Nick nearly remember while being influenced by Daisy and Gatsby's love?
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Why does Nick's language become more majestic around Gatsby?
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What does Nick's compliment to Gatsby imply about their relationship?
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What does Gatsby represent for Nick?
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Daisy's fickleness is highlighted when she marries Tom without a ______.
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What underlying theme is suggested by Daisy's relationships with Tom and Gatsby?
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How does Tom's aggression manifest in his relationship with Myrtle?
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Tom Buchanan is portrayed as a loving and supportive husband.
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What motif is prevalent in Daisy's description as a character?
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What significant moment occurs when Gatsby hangs up on a phone call?
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Daisy and Tom's relationship is depicted as ideal and happy.
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How does Gatsby's social class affect his love for Daisy?
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Study Notes
Fatal, Tormented Love
- Gatsby is described as "pale as death," highlighting his lovesickness during his first encounter with Daisy, foreshadowing tragedy (page 55).
- His nervousness and emotional depth are evident when he leaves sentences unfinished, distinguishing him from other characters (page 41).
- Gatsby’s haunting love for Daisy is suggested through his "tense, unhappy eyes" (page 56).
- Daisy's awareness of her child’s resemblance to Gatsby indicates her emotional complexity and the intermingling of past and present love (page 74).
Female Cruelty
- Jordan Baker is characterized by her instinctive avoidance of sincere men, cementing her as a symbol of dishonesty (page 38).
- Tom and Daisy's recklessness is encapsulated in Nick's judgment that they "smashed up things and creatures," showing their moral irresponsibility (page 114).
- Myrtle's perception of George as a ghost reflects her emotional detachment and carelessness towards him (page 18).
Maternal Love
- Daisy's failure to exhibit maternal instincts suggests her carelessness, marking her as a flawed mother figure (page 74).
- Gatsby's surprise at the existence of Daisy's daughter reinforces the permanent ties within Daisy's marriage to Tom (page 74).
- Daisy’s lack of presence and affection towards her child foreshadows her prioritization of social status over familial obligation (page 8).
Unrequited, Unattainable Love
- Daisy's emotional ambivalence causes pain for both Tom and Gatsby, depicting her as a catalyst of heartbreak (page 85).
- Gatsby's fluctuating view of Daisy's affection demonstrates his inner struggle between idealism and reality (page 97).
- Nick's feelings of isolation amidst Daisy and Gatsby's passionate bond highlight his unfulfilled love for Gatsby (page 62).
Possessive, Obsessive, Sexual Love
- Gatsby's fixation on Daisy's reaction to his possessions shows his deep-seated nostalgia, illustrating his troubled relationship with reality (page 59).
- The portrayal of Myrtle's tragic fate underscores the violent dynamics within love, particularly concerning social class and ownership (page 88).
- Gatsby's desire for Daisy to renounce Tom signifies his obsession and belief in an idealized past (page 84).
Eternal Love
- Gatsby's inability to accept the passage of time reveals his tragic heroism and fixation on reclaiming the past relationship with Daisy (page 70).
- The symbolism of the clock emphasizes Gatsby's struggle against time and his longing for a perfect love that has slipped away (page 63).
- Nick's loyalty to Gatsby after understanding his enduring love serves as a poignant reminder of friendship amidst disillusionment (page 2).
Love as a Chase / Hunt
- Gatsby's strategic acquisition of his mansion illustrates his determination to win Daisy back, symbolizing the complexities of love and obsession (page 51).
Ideal Love
- Gatsby's dreams eclipsing Daisy's reality suggest that his idealization of her ultimately leads to disappointment (page 62).
- The metaphor of Daisy being a flower encapsulates her beauty and the illusion surrounding her, contrasting with the decay of their reality (page 96).
Materialistic Love
- Tom's accusation of Gatsby’s criminal background serves to undermine Gatsby's social status in Daisy's eyes, revealing societal judgments based on wealth (page 85).
- Daisy's emotional response to Gatsby's beautiful shirts illustrates her materialistic values intertwined with romantic feelings (page 59).
- The objectification of Daisy during Gatsby's pursuit emphasizes the commodification of love within the American Dream context (page 94).
Spiritual / Religious Love
- Gatsby’s transformation upon reuniting with Daisy depicts a surreal, almost divine quality to his love for her, illustrating the novel's magic realism theme (page 57).### Romantic Experience and Idealistic Love
- Gatsby's presence evokes a religious experience for those around him, particularly in his interaction with Daisy, demonstrating the theme of romantic idealism.
- Nick's perception shifts when experiencing Gatsby's love, awakening his own desire for love and highlighting the emotional impact of Gatsby's unreciprocated affection.
- Daisy appears enamored by Gatsby's possessions rather than him personally, emphasizing the materialistic nature of their relationship and idealistic love.
Isolation and Unrequited Love
- Nick feels an intense isolation as he observes the deep connection between Gatsby and Daisy, illustrating his own unfulfilled romantic feelings, particularly towards Jordan.
- The intensity of Daisy and Gatsby's relationship leaves Nick feeling excluded, underscoring themes of jealousy and unrequited love rooted in his complex feelings for Gatsby.
Critique of Materialism in Love
- Nick provides a backhanded compliment to Gatsby, reflecting his disdain for the corrupt nature of those around him while acknowledging Gatsby's unique qualities as a hopeful dreamer.
- Daisy's love is intertwined with material wealth, suggesting a critique of the emptiness of love based on material possessions rather than genuine emotional connection.
Selfishness and Sacrifice
- Daisy's crying before marrying Tom indicates her fickle nature and the shallow values she upholds, which Fitzgerald critiques through her character portrayal.
- Moments of genuine emotion are rare in the novel, and Daisy’s emotional state hints at inner conflict regarding her love for Gatsby versus the security Tom represents.
Female Beauty and Male Gaze
- Women are often observed through Gatsby's idealizing lens; descriptions are fewer and less nuanced unless they fit his dreamy perspective, revealing a sexist undertone in Fitzgerald's narrative.
- Jordan and Daisy's ethereal beauty, likened to fairies, captures a fleeting essence that aligns with the novel's themes of unattainability and the ephemeral nature of wealth.
Infidelity and Unhappiness in Marriage
- Tom's infidelity starkly contrasts the superficiality of his marriage to Daisy, highlighting themes of betrayal and the hollowness of their relationship.
- Daisy's detachment from her child symbolizes the dysfunction in her marriage, exacerbated by Tom's unfaithfulness and neglect.
Misogyny and Gender Roles
- Tom's portrayal as possessive and aggressive outlines a patriarchal view, emphasizing societal expectations of male dominance and female submission, particularly in the context of affairs.
- Daisy's wish for her daughter to be a beautiful fool reflects her resigned acceptance of the limited roles available to women in society.
Forbidden Love Dynamics
- The contrast between Gatsby's status as "Nouveau Riche" and Daisy's aristocratic background creates a barrier in their relationship, underscoring themes of class and social mobility.
- Gatsby’s misguided belief in his worthiness of Daisy’s affection illustrates the novel's exploration of the pursuit of the American Dream and its inevitable tragedies.
Loss, Isolation, and Hope
- Gatsby's dreams of rekindling his relationship with Daisy reflect his unrelenting hope, even as it drives him into emotional isolation and despair.
- The recurring motif of flowers juxtaposed with decay symbolizes the fleeting nature of beauty and dreams, particularly in connection to Daisy's character.
Conclusion of Unconventional Love
- The unconventional love typical of Gatsby and Daisy is made tragic by social constructs and personal delusions, depicting the complexities of relationships impacted by class and materialism.
- Despite moments of intimacy and connection, the destructive forces of isolation and the relentless pursuit of unattainable dreams lead to a bleak commentary on love and life in the 1920s.
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Explore the profound and tragic love quotes from 'The Great Gatsby'. These flashcards highlight key moments and phrases that capture Gatsby's tormented love and the theme of love sickness. Ideal for those studying Fitzgerald's classic and analyzing its romantic elements.
