The Great Gatsby Chapters 1-3 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Who is the narrator of the story?

Nick Carraway

Where does Nick live?

West Egg

Where does Gatsby live?

Next to Nick in West Egg

Who is Daisy Buchanan?

A distant cousin of Nick's; she is married to Tom Buchanan; lives in East Egg Signup and view all the answers

What type of business is Nick in?

Bond business Signup and view all the answers

Who is Tom Buchanan?

The husband of Daisy; an old friend of Nick's; arrogant and racist; has a girlfriend in NYC Signup and view all the answers

Why is Tom and Daisy's divorce not going through?

Daisy is said to be Catholic, however she is not Signup and view all the answers

Where did Nick and Tom go to college?

Yale Signup and view all the answers

Who is Jordan Baker?

Famous golfer who befriends Nick after meeting at the Buchanans; known for a controversy about her moving a golf ball Signup and view all the answers

Who does Nick see after he gets home from the Buchanans?

Gatsby Signup and view all the answers

What was Gatsby looking at when Nick saw him?

A green light across the bay Signup and view all the answers

What is the green light?

A light at the end of Daisy's dock Signup and view all the answers

How is Nick described?

Tolerant and nonjudgmental Signup and view all the answers

How is Jordan Baker described?

Dishonest, cynical Signup and view all the answers

What does Nick see on his way to the city?

A sign with two huge, blue, spectacle-rimmed eyes; a billboard for Dr. T.J. Eckleburg Signup and view all the answers

What does the billboard symbolize?

God - all seeing Signup and view all the answers

Where does Nick go with Tom on the way to the city?

George Wilson's garage to see Myrtle Wilson who is Tom's girlfriend Signup and view all the answers

In New York, where do Tom and Nick go?

An apartment that Tom keeps for personal use Signup and view all the answers

Who was at the party in the apartment?

Tom, Nick, Myrtle, Catherine (Myrtle's sister), Mr. & Mrs. McKee (friends of Myrtle) Signup and view all the answers

What does Catherine suggest about Gatsby?

That he was a German spy in the war Signup and view all the answers

What does Tom give Myrtle?

A puppy Signup and view all the answers

What is Tom's reaction when Myrtle begins to speak of Daisy?

He tells her not to speak of Daisy ever again Signup and view all the answers

What does Myrtle do that impulses Tom to hit her?

She chants 'Daisy' after Tom told her not to talk about Daisy Signup and view all the answers

What did Tom do to Myrtle?

Broke her nose Signup and view all the answers

What is the landmark between New York City and Long Island?

The Valley of Ashes Signup and view all the answers

What is the Valley of Ashes?

Where coal is dumped Signup and view all the answers

What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize?

Hell Signup and view all the answers

Why is Gatsby famous?

He throws elaborate parties every weekend Signup and view all the answers

What are symbolic colors?

Blue and green Signup and view all the answers

What did the chauffeur bring Nick?

An invitation to Gatsby's party Signup and view all the answers

Who does Nick see at the party?

Jordan Baker Signup and view all the answers

Who is Jordan's friend who talks about Gatsby being a spy?

Lucille Signup and view all the answers

What are things that Nick hears about Gatsby?

That he is a graduate of Oxford and that he once killed a man Signup and view all the answers

Where do Nick and Jordan go to find out more about Gatsby?

A huge library Signup and view all the answers

Who do they meet in the library?

'Owl-Eyes' - a man with huge, owl-eyed spectacles who is reading books in the library Signup and view all the answers

What do Nick and Gatsby realize they have in common?

They both served in the same division in the war Signup and view all the answers

What is odd about Gatsby's behavior at the party?

He doesn't drink and keeps himself separate from the party Signup and view all the answers

What does Nick see on his way home from Gatsby's party?

'Owl Eyes' was struggling getting his car out of a ditch Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the car?

Owl Eyes and another man wrecked the car and the steering wheel was separated from the vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator describe after the party scene?

He describes that he does more than attend parties, he works in New York City and takes long walks and meets women Signup and view all the answers

What does Nick do that follows the advice of Tom and Daisy?

He begins seeing Jordan Baker Signup and view all the answers

How does Nick feel about himself in comparison to Jordan?

He feels he is one of the few honest people he has ever known and that Jordan is very dishonest Signup and view all the answers

What is the central idea of chapter 3?

The introduction of Gatsby and his mysterious, lavish, showy habits Signup and view all the answers

What is Nick's impression of Gatsby?

Nick notices Gatsby's smile, also Nick feels optimistic and hopeful for his and Gatsby's future relationship Signup and view all the answers

What are some oddities about Gatsby?

He knows very few of his party guests, he calls people 'old sport' a lot, & Owl Eyes is surprised the books in his library are real Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characters

Nick Carraway serves as the narrator, providing a lens into the world of wealth and excess.
Daisy Buchanan is Nick’s cousin, married to Tom; she lives in East Egg and represents beauty and charm.
Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s husband, is wealthy, arrogant, and has an affair; he attended Yale with Nick.
Jordan Baker, a professional golfer and friend of Daisy’s, is cynical and dishonest, yet becomes romantically linked with Nick.
Jay Gatsby is the mysterious neighbor of Nick, known for throwing extravagant parties.

Settings

Nick resides in West Egg, a less fashionable area compared to East Egg where the Buchanans live.
Gatsby also lives in West Egg, next to Nick, symbolizing his closeness yet distance from Daisy.
East Egg represents old money, while West Egg symbolizes new money.

Themes and Symbols

The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolizes Gatsby's unattainable dreams and desires.
The billboard with Dr. T.J. Eckleburg's eyes symbolizes the eyes of God watching over the moral decay of society.
The Valley of Ashes represents the moral and social decay resulting from the uninhibited pursuit of wealth.

Plot Points

Nick's bond business connects him to the elite society of the 1920s, providing an insider's perspective.
Tom's infidelity is evident through his relationship with Myrtle Wilson, showcasing themes of betrayal and social class.
Violence emerges when Tom reacts violently to Myrtle mentioning Daisy, highlighting his controlling nature.

Events

Nick is drawn into the lavish lifestyle of Gatsby when he receives an invitation to one of Gatsby’s parties.
The parties hosted by Gatsby are extravagant but also highlight his loneliness, as he remains detached from his guests.
Nick discovers he shares a bond with Gatsby over their shared military service, contrasting Gatsby's flamboyant parties with his personal struggle.

Relationships

Nick's growing connection to Jordan Baker reflects his internal conflict between desire and morality.
The tension between Tom and Daisy’s marriage is punctuated by Tom's racist views and manipulation.
Myrtle’s aspirations for a better life ultimately lead to tragedy, underscoring the theme of unfulfilled dreams.

Nick's Reflections

Nick considers himself honest compared to other characters, despite being increasingly involved in their corrupt world.
Gatsby's peculiar behavior, including not drinking at his party, adds to his enigmatic aura and raises questions about his true identity.
The disparity between Nick’s initial expectations of New York life and the reality of its moral emptiness serves as a critical commentary on the American Dream.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the first three chapters of 'The Great Gatsby' with these flashcards. Explore key characters, locations, and events as narrated by Nick Carraway. Perfect for students and fans of this classic American novel.