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Questions and Answers
What is Chapter 1 about?
How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of the book?
He reserves judgement to others
Why has Nick come to the East?
To learn the bond business
How does Nick describe Tom Buchanan?
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Who is Jordan Baker and what does Nick find appealing about her?
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How does Daisy react to the phone calls from Tom's woman in New York?
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What is Gatsby doing when Nick first sees him?
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Why does Fitzgerald use the words hope or dream frequently?
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Does Nick reserve judgement in the novel?
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What is the day and year during the first scene at Daisy's house?
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What facts do you know about Nick, and what do you infer about him?
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What image does the author use to describe Jordan Baker?
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How does Nick react to Jordan?
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What does Tom's behavior reveal about his character?
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What is Chapter 2 about?
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How does Nick meet Tom's mistress?
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How does Myrtle react to Tom's arrival?
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Describe George Wilson. How does he react to Tom's arrival?
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How does Myrtle behave as the party progresses?
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Why, according to Catherine, has Tom not left Daisy to marry Myrtle?
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Why did Tom break Myrtle's nose? How is this consistent with the author's description of him in Chapter 1?
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Describe the 'valley of ashes.' What does it look like and what does it represent?
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Describe Mr. Wilson and Myrtle. Do they seem to fit into the setting?
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What more have you learned about Nick in this chapter? Is he similar or different than the people he spends his time with?
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What is Chapter 3 about?
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Why does Gatsby throw huge, expensive parties for people he does not even know?
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Describe two ways in which Nick differs from the other guests at the party.
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What does the owl-eyed man find extraordinary about the books in Gatsby's library?
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Why does the owl-eyed man describe Gatsby as a real Belasco?
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What is the significance of the owl-eyed man?
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What does the reaction of the drivers of the wrecked automobile suggest about the values of Gatsby's guests?
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What does Nick learn about Jordan after he's spent some time with her?
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What is the significance of Jordan's lies?
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Pay attention to Nick's judgments. What do they reveal about his character that he does this?
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Describe Gatsby the first time Nick sees him.
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What rumors have been told about Gatsby? Why does Fitzgerald reveal rumors rather than fact?
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What does Nick think of Gatsby after meeting him?
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How is Gatsby different from his guests?
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Why does Nick choose to share his thoughts and feelings with Jordan?
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Nick thinks he's one of the few honest people he knows. Why?
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What is Chapter 4 about?
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What does Gatsby tell Nick about himself?
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What accomplishment of Meyer Wolfshein's does Gatsby describe to Nick? How does Nick react?
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According to Jordan, what did Daisy do on her wedding day? Why? What does this reveal about her?
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Why does Gatsby want to have tea with Daisy in Nick's house? Why doesn't Gatsby ask Nick for this favor himself? What did Gatsby want Daisy to see his house?
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What does Tom do when he and Daisy return from their honeymoon?
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What does Gatsby's friendship with Meyer Wolfshein imply about his own background?
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List all the rumors told about Gatsby.
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Why does Fitzgerald list all of Gatsby's party guests?
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Why does Gatsby tell Nick about his life? Does Nick believe him?
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What role does Meyer Wolfshein play in the novel? What does this tell you about Fitzgerald's politics?
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Nick says 'There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.' What does Nick mean?
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What does Gatsby offer Nick in return for Nick's cooperation in inviting Daisy to his house?
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What is the meeting between Gatsby and Daisy like initially?
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How are Daisy and Gatsby different when Nick returns to the house after an hour?
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What are Gatsby's feelings by the end of the chapter?
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What does Gatsby reply when Nick asks him how he makes his money? Why does Nick find that significant?
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Why do you think Daisy sobs when Gatsby shows her his shirts?
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What is the weather like in chapter 5? How does it reflect the emotional climate of Gatsby and Daisy?
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In this chapter, Gatsby's dream seems to be fulfilled. What indications are there that reality cannot satisfy his dream?
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Why does Gatsby deliver so many goods and services to Nick's house?
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Describe the effect of rain on the plot.
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Why does Gatsby offer Nick work? How does Nick feel about this?
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Explain the significance of the green light.
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Why does Gatsby get so many phone calls? What does this say about him?
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What is Chapter 6 about?
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When does James Gatsby change his name? Why?
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What is Daisy's real response to the party, according to Nick?
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What does Gatsby tell Nick he wants Daisy to do?
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With this in mind, what would you say Nick means when he says, 'Jay Gatsby sprang from his Platonic conception of himself?'
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What is ironic about Dan Cody?
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What parallel is suggested by the fact that Gatsby never gets the inheritance bequeathed to him by Cody?
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How truthful was Gatsby when he relayed the story of his life to Nick? Why does Fitzgerald tell the story of Jay Gatsby now?
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Describe the meeting of Tom and Gatsby. What does this meeting reveal about them?
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Why did Daisy and Tom find Gatsby's party loathsome?
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How did Gatsby measure the success of his party?
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When Nick told Gatsby that 'you can't repeat the past', Gatsby replied, 'Why of course you can!' Do you agree with Nick or Gatsby?
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What is Chapter 7 about?
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Why does Gatsby stop giving parties?
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When does Tom first realize that Daisy loves Tom?
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Why is Myrtle Wilson upset when she sees Tom and Jordan?
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Why does Gatsby view Daisy's child with surprise?
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Why does Gatsby object to letting Tom drive his car?
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What ironic situation is occurring on the drive to town?
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What is the significance of 'blocks' Biloxi?
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Why is Nick pleased with Gatsby's honesty about Oxford?
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What has increased Tom's hatred of Gatsby?
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Why does Tom refer to the liaison between Daisy and Gatsby in terms of intermarriage?
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Why does Tom's defense of family life amuse Nick?
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What is the significance of Nick's thirtieth birthday?
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Why does Tom insist that Daisy and Gatsby drive home together?
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Why does Nick change his feelings toward Jordan?
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What is Nick's attitude toward Gatsby?
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Why are Tom and Daisy reconciled?
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Who is Trimachio? Explain how this describes Gatsby.
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Describe Daisy and Gatsby's new relationship.
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Compare George Wilson and Tom. What did each man learn about his wife and how did they each react?
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If Daisy says she's never loved Tom, is there someone whom she thinks she loves?
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Describe the fight between Gatsby and Tom. What do these men think of each other? How are they similar and how are they different?
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Study Notes
Chapter 1
- Nick Carraway is a narrator who reserves judgment about others.
- He moves to the East to learn about the bond business.
- Tom Buchanan is described as arrogant, wealthy, and athletic.
- Nick is attracted to Jordan Baker, who is a friend of Daisy.
- Daisy feels compelled to be polite during Tom's phone calls with his mistress.
- Nick first sees Gatsby standing in his yard, gazing at a green light across the bay.
- Words like "hope" and "dream" are frequently used to symbolize the American Dream.
Chapter 2
- Nick meets Tom's mistress, Myrtle, during a trip to New York.
- Myrtle dismisses her husband upon seeing Tom.
- George Wilson is described as spiritless and slightly handsome; he is eager for Tom’s help with his car.
- Myrtle becomes more outspoken as she drinks at the party.
- Catherine claims Tom doesn't leave Daisy because she is a Catholic and doesn't believe in divorce.
- Tom breaks Myrtle's nose when she repeatedly mentions Daisy’s name, highlighting his abusive nature.
- The "valley of ashes" symbolizes the decay of the American Dream.
Chapter 3
- Gatsby throws extravagant parties to attract Daisy's attention.
- Nick is different from the guests, as he is actually invited and is American.
- An owl-eyed man finds Gatsby's library remarkable because the books are real.
- Gatsby is likened to Belasco, a theatrical producer, for crafting his persona.
- Nick learns that Jordan is a dishonest person, sharing similarities with Gatsby.
- Gatsby’s demeanor contrasts with his guests; he remains sober.
Chapter 4
- Gatsby tells Nick he is a son of wealthy Midwesterners and educated at Oxford.
- He claims that Meyer Wolfshein fixed the 1919 World Series, shocking Nick.
- On her wedding day, Daisy got drunk and held on to a letter from Gatsby, showing her lingering feelings for him.
- Gatsby wants Nick’s help to connect with Daisy, asking for a tea meeting.
- Tom's car accident indicates recklessness, paralleling the chaos of his relationships.
- Gatsby’s friendship with Wolfshein suggests a hidden criminal background.
Chapter 5
- Gatsby expresses disappointment that reality cannot fully satisfy his dreams.
- The weather changes reflecting Gatsby and Daisy's emotional journey, starting with rain.
- Daisy weeps when Gatsby shows her his shirts, signifying regret over lost opportunities.
- The green light symbolizes Gatsby's hopes and dreams for the future.
- Gatsby's lavish preparations for Daisy illustrate his desire to impress her.
Chapter 6
- James Gatsby changes his name at 17, rejecting his past.
- Daisy feels offended by Gatsby’s party, seeing it as devoid of genuine emotion.
- Gatsby desires Daisy to confess she never loved Tom.
- Nick comments on Gatsby's idealized self-conception, drawing a parallel with Plato.
- Gatsby's inheritance from Cody reflects his desire for Daisy's love rather than material wealth.
- Tom grows increasingly resentful of Gatsby due to his closeness with Daisy.
Chapter 7
- Gatsby ceases his parties now that he and Daisy are closer.
- Tom first realizes Daisy's love for Gatsby during an intense moment before they head to New York City.
- Tom's disdain for Gatsby is fueled by class prejudice; he views Gatsby's wealth as inferior.
- Nick's 30th birthday signifies a turning point into adulthood and societal expectations.
- Daisy’s admission of love for Gatsby comes at the risk of losing her marriage to Tom.
- The fight between Gatsby and Tom reveals both men's insecurities but exposes Tom’s brutishness.
General Themes
- The novel explores the decay of the American Dream through symbols like the valley of ashes and the green light.
- Various characters demonstrate contrasting attitudes towards wealth, love, and morality.
- Nick serves as a lens through which readers see the hypocrisy and complexities of the society around him.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of Chapter 1 of 'The Great Gatsby' with these flashcard questions. Explore key characters, themes, and Nick's perspective in the beginning of the novel. Perfect for students aiming to deepen their understanding of this classic work.