Podcast
Questions and Answers
How does the narrator describe Gatsby?
How does the narrator describe Gatsby?
Everything the narrator hates but he somehow likes Gatsby above everything else. Feels Gatsby had a promise in life. Hopeful. A romantic. He turns out OK but there is something that preys upon him.
From where did the narrator come from and why?
From where did the narrator come from and why?
He came from the mid-West. He came to New York to learn the bond business.
Describe the narrator's house.
Describe the narrator's house.
It's a weather-beaten cardboard bungalow.
Describe the Buchanan's House.
Describe the Buchanan's House.
How does Nick know Daisy and Tom?
How does Nick know Daisy and Tom?
What is our impression of Tom Buchanan in Chapter 1?
What is our impression of Tom Buchanan in Chapter 1?
What kind of person is Daisy?
What kind of person is Daisy?
What did Miss Baker tell Nick about Tom?
What did Miss Baker tell Nick about Tom?
When asked about her daughter, what does Daisy say?
When asked about her daughter, what does Daisy say?
How is Gatsby introduced into the novel?
How is Gatsby introduced into the novel?
What is the 'valley of ashes'?
What is the 'valley of ashes'?
What are the 'eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg'?
What are the 'eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg'?
Who did Tom take Nick to meet?
Who did Tom take Nick to meet?
Identify Myrtle Wilson.
Identify Myrtle Wilson.
Identify George Wilson.
Identify George Wilson.
Identify Myrtle and George's relationship.
Identify Myrtle and George's relationship.
What did Mrs. Wilson buy while she was out with Tom and Nick?
What did Mrs. Wilson buy while she was out with Tom and Nick?
Where did Tom, Nick, and Myrtle go?
Where did Tom, Nick, and Myrtle go?
Identify Catherine.
Identify Catherine.
Identify Mr. McKee.
Identify Mr. McKee.
Identify Mrs. McKee.
Identify Mrs. McKee.
What does Catherine tell Nick about Gatsby?
What does Catherine tell Nick about Gatsby?
What reason did Myrtle give for marrying George Wilson?
What reason did Myrtle give for marrying George Wilson?
What did Tom do to Myrtle when she mentioned Daisy's name?
What did Tom do to Myrtle when she mentioned Daisy's name?
Describe Gatsby's wealth. List some of the things that represent wealth.
Describe Gatsby's wealth. List some of the things that represent wealth.
What kind of people come to Gatsby's parties?
What kind of people come to Gatsby's parties?
Why did Nick Carraway go to the party?
Why did Nick Carraway go to the party?
How does Nick meet Gatsby?
How does Nick meet Gatsby?
What are some of the stories about Gatsby?
What are some of the stories about Gatsby?
Is Gatsby a 'phony'?
Is Gatsby a 'phony'?
Describe Nick's relationship with Jordan.
Describe Nick's relationship with Jordan.
What point of view is 'The Great Gatsby' written in?
What point of view is 'The Great Gatsby' written in?
Whose point of view is 'The Great Gatsby' written in?
Whose point of view is 'The Great Gatsby' written in?
What is the setting of 'The Great Gatsby'?
What is the setting of 'The Great Gatsby'?
What kind of people live in West Egg?
What kind of people live in West Egg?
What job does Nick Carraway want?
What job does Nick Carraway want?
Where does Nick Carraway live?
Where does Nick Carraway live?
What is Nick Carraway's personality?
What is Nick Carraway's personality?
Where did Nick Carraway live previously?
Where did Nick Carraway live previously?
Where is Nick originally from?
Where is Nick originally from?
How does Nick Carraway describe himself?
How does Nick Carraway describe himself?
Where does Jay Gatsby live?
Where does Jay Gatsby live?
How old is Jay Gatsby?
How old is Jay Gatsby?
Who knows Jay Gatsby?
Who knows Jay Gatsby?
What did Jay Gatsby do before he got rich?
What did Jay Gatsby do before he got rich?
What does Jay Gatsby refer to Nick Carraway as?
What does Jay Gatsby refer to Nick Carraway as?
What kind of parties does Jay Gatsby have?
What kind of parties does Jay Gatsby have?
What kind of host is Jay Gatsby?
What kind of host is Jay Gatsby?
What kind of people live in East Egg?
What kind of people live in East Egg?
Who is Tom Buchanan's spouse?
Who is Tom Buchanan's spouse?
How is Tom Buchanan's figure described?
How is Tom Buchanan's figure described?
How could Tom Buchanan's wealth be described?
How could Tom Buchanan's wealth be described?
What sport did Tom Buchanan play?
What sport did Tom Buchanan play?
How famous of an athlete was Tom Buchanan?
How famous of an athlete was Tom Buchanan?
What kind of personality does Tom Buchanan have?
What kind of personality does Tom Buchanan have?
How old is Tom Buchanan?
How old is Tom Buchanan?
How is Daisy and Tom Buchanan's relationship?
How is Daisy and Tom Buchanan's relationship?
What kind of personality does Daisy Buchanan have?
What kind of personality does Daisy Buchanan have?
What is the significance in Daisy Buchanan wearing white?
What is the significance in Daisy Buchanan wearing white?
Is Daisy Buchanan aware of the affair?
Is Daisy Buchanan aware of the affair?
Other than Tom and Nick, who else is in Daisy Buchanan's family?
Other than Tom and Nick, who else is in Daisy Buchanan's family?
What does Daisy Buchanan hope for her daughter?
What does Daisy Buchanan hope for her daughter?
How are Nick and Daisy Buchanan related?
How are Nick and Daisy Buchanan related?
What is the significance of Daisy Buchanan's dress fluttering?
What is the significance of Daisy Buchanan's dress fluttering?
What sport does Jordan Baker play?
What sport does Jordan Baker play?
Who is Jordan Baker currently living with?
Who is Jordan Baker currently living with?
What scandal surrounded Jordan Baker's golf career?
What scandal surrounded Jordan Baker's golf career?
What can be said about Jordan Baker's honesty?
What can be said about Jordan Baker's honesty?
Is Jordan Baker a careful person?
Is Jordan Baker a careful person?
Study Notes
Character Descriptions and Relationships
- Nick Carraway describes Jay Gatsby as someone he hates yet admires, seeing a promise in Gatsby's hopeful and romantic nature.
- Nick is Daisy Buchanan's cousin and attended school with Tom Buchanan, bridging these social connections.
- Tom Buchanan is viewed as arrogant and rude, while Daisy is portrayed as both sad and lovely.
- Myrtle Wilson is characterized as heavy-set and not conventionally beautiful, yet exudes excitement and life.
- Tom's affair is hinted at early in the story, with Myrtle being his mistress.
Setting and Atmosphere
- The narrative begins in Spring of 1922, primarily set in New York and its affluent areas.
- West Egg residents are described as "new rich," having earned their wealth, whereas East Egg is home to the "old rich," inherited wealth and status.
- Nick lives in a modest, weather-beaten bungalow in West Egg, which emphasizes his outsider status compared to the luxurious lifestyles of other characters.
Symbols and Themes
- The "valley of ashes" symbolizes decay and lost hopes amidst the industrial landscape.
- The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg represent a watching force, often interpreted as a symbol of God observing the moral decay in society.
- Daisy's comments about her daughter reflect a cynical view on female innocence, desiring her daughter to remain blissfully unaware of reality.
Events and Actions
- Tom physically assaults Myrtle when she mentions Daisy's name, showcasing his violent nature and control.
- Gatsby's wealth is represented through extravagant parties, luxurious possessions, and a vast mansion with a private beach.
- Gatsby's mysterious background includes rumors of being a war hero, a spy, or having connections to Kaiser Wilhelm.
Personalities and Conflicts
- Nick's relationship with Jordan Baker is marked by trust but underlying dishonesty, as Jordan is described as incurably dishonest.
- Tom Buchanan's wealthy and athletic persona contrasts with his cruel and pushy character traits.
- Daisy’s charm is juxtaposed with the underlying tension in her marriage, as she is aware of Tom's infidelity.
Gatsby’s Introduction and Role
- Gatsby makes his first appearance gazing at a green light across the bay, symbolizing his unattainable dreams.
- Nick accidentally meets Gatsby, which contrasts with the elaborate introductions of other characters at the parties.
- The lively atmosphere of Gatsby's parties includes a mix of invited guests, curious onlookers, and celebrities, illustrating the allure and chaos of the Jazz Age.
Social Commentary
- The narrative critiques social stratification, focusing on issues of wealth, class, and the American Dream.
- Both Tom and Daisy Buchanan represent the emptiness of the upper class, leading superficial lives marked by wealth yet lacking genuine connection.
- The story hints at the moral decay and disillusionment that lies beneath the glamorous facade of 1920s America.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore key concepts and characters from the first three chapters of 'The Great Gatsby' with this set of flashcards. This quiz helps reinforce your understanding of the narrator's perspective and pivotal themes introduced early in the novel.
