Podcast
Questions and Answers
Nick's father advised him to _____ because others did not have the ____ he had.
Nick's father advised him to _____ because others did not have the ____ he had.
reserve judgement, advantages
How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of the book?
How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of the book?
He describes himself as highly moral and highly tolerant.
What information does Nick give us about himself in the prologue?
What information does Nick give us about himself in the prologue?
That he reserves judgment about people, last autumn he returned to the Midwest from the East, he still has a great affection for Gatsby.
What does Nick say is 'gorgeous' about Gatsby?
What does Nick say is 'gorgeous' about Gatsby?
According to Nick, what is personality?
According to Nick, what is personality?
What is Nick's last name?
What is Nick's last name?
Where did Nick graduate from?
Where did Nick graduate from?
Where did he go after college?
Where did he go after college?
Who did his family descend from?
Who did his family descend from?
What is Nick's socio-economic background?
What is Nick's socio-economic background?
What job is he currently seeking/in?
What job is he currently seeking/in?
What are the two prominent land features of the island (Long Island)?
What are the two prominent land features of the island (Long Island)?
And what are their respective names?
And what are their respective names?
Near which does Nick live?
Near which does Nick live?
Who lives in the mansion next to Nick's small house?
Who lives in the mansion next to Nick's small house?
How is West Egg different from East Egg?
How is West Egg different from East Egg?
How much does it cost to rent Nick's house?
How much does it cost to rent Nick's house?
Who are Nick's friends who live at East Egg?
Who are Nick's friends who live at East Egg?
What is Nick's relation to Daisy?
What is Nick's relation to Daisy?
How did he know Tom?
How did he know Tom?
Before meeting him, what do we learn of Tom Buchanan?
Before meeting him, what do we learn of Tom Buchanan?
What sport was Tom very good at in college? What does he play now?
What sport was Tom very good at in college? What does he play now?
How was Tom described? (Main physical attribute)
How was Tom described? (Main physical attribute)
When the men come into the house, what color stands out?
When the men come into the house, what color stands out?
How was Daisy described?
How was Daisy described?
How old is Daisy's daughter?
How old is Daisy's daughter?
What is the name of Daisy's younger friend?
What is the name of Daisy's younger friend?
What does Nick tell Daisy about Chicago?
What does Nick tell Daisy about Chicago?
When does Daisy want to have a party-ish-thing?
When does Daisy want to have a party-ish-thing?
How is Daisy injured? Who does she blame?
How is Daisy injured? Who does she blame?
What book does Tom ask if Nick has read?
What book does Tom ask if Nick has read?
What is Tom upset about?
What is Tom upset about?
What is the 'secret' that Daisy tells Nick?
What is the 'secret' that Daisy tells Nick?
Who calls?
Who calls?
What does Daisy call Nick when Tom leaves the table?
What does Daisy call Nick when Tom leaves the table?
How does Daisy react to phone calls from Tom's woman in New York?
How does Daisy react to phone calls from Tom's woman in New York?
What did Daisy say when her daughter was born?
What did Daisy say when her daughter was born?
Study Notes
Character Insights
- Nick Carraway, the narrator, values moral judgment and believes he has advantages over others due to his background.
- Describes himself as both highly moral and tolerant, establishing his perspective on societal behaviors.
Background Information
- Nick, who reserves judgment about people, has returned to the Midwest after spending time in the East.
- Affection for Gatsby is evident, indicating a complex relationship that may develop.
Gatsby's Character
- Gatsby is characterized by his heightened sensitivity to life, extraordinary hope, and romantic readiness.
- Nick metaphorically compares Gatsby's perception to a machine capable of sensing distant earthquakes.
Social Context
- Nick's background is affluent; his family has roots in a successful wholesale hardware business.
- West Egg symbolizes new money while East Egg represents old money, highlighting social divisions.
Geographic Details
- Long Island features two main areas: East Egg and West Egg, notable for their contrasting social classes.
- Nick resides in West Egg, neighboring Gatsby's mansion, indicating his proximity to the mysterious character.
Relationships and Social Dynamics
- Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and cruel man, is Daisy’s husband and also Nick’s college acquaintance.
- Daisy is portrayed as charming and has a young daughter whom Nick has never met.
Symbolism and Themes
- The color white appears prominently during Tom's entrance, symbolizing purity or façade in a morally ambiguous setting.
- Daisy's low, thrilling voice captivates those around her, hinting at her charm and complex role in the narrative.
Social Commentary
- Tom’s racist views are exposed through his discontent over racial dynamics, illustrating themes of power and dominance.
- Daisy expresses cynicism about societal expectations for women, wishing for her daughter to be a "beautiful little fool."
Personal Conflicts
- Daisy's injury, caused by Tom, reflects the tensions in their relationship.
- Tom's phone call from his mistress signifies infidelity and the strain in his marriage with Daisy.
Notable Events
- Daisy's desire for a summer gathering on the longest day of the year highlights characters' penchant for indulgence and escapism.
- The secret surrounding the Butler's nose adds a touch of humor, illustrating subtle societal observations.
Closing Reflections
- Daisy’s remark about beauty and foolishness encapsulates the era's expectations for women, setting the stage for further societal critique throughout the narrative.
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Description
Explore the intricate character dynamics in 'The Great Gatsby'. This quiz focuses on Nick Carraway's moral perspective and relationship with Gatsby, along with social commentary on wealth and class divisions. Test your understanding of key themes and character insights within the novel.
