The Great Gatsby: Key Concepts and Characters

Questions and Answers

Who has been asking questions about Gatsby's wealth?

A reporter

What is Gatsby's real name, and where is he originally from?

James Gatz from North Dakota

Who was Dan Cody and what responsible thing did Gatsby do for him?

Dan Cody is a multimillionaire. Gatsby saved Cody from an approaching storm.

What lowly jobs did Gatsby do when he was younger?

Clam digger and salmon fisherman Signup and view all the answers

Where did Gatsby go to college, and how long did he stay, and why did he leave?

Gatsby went to St. Olaf for two weeks and left because he felt janitorial work was beneath him. Signup and view all the answers

How did Dan Cody become a multi-millionaire?

He was a miner for metals such as copper and silver. Signup and view all the answers

What jobs did Gatsby do for Dan Cody while aboard his yacht?

Steward, skipper, and jailor Signup and view all the answers

What did the women in Dan Cody's life want from him?

His millions of dollars Signup and view all the answers

What happened one week after Ella Kaye boarded Dan Cody's yacht?

Cody died Signup and view all the answers

Why is Gatsby probably not a drinker?

Because of Dan Cody's drunkenness turning him off of alcohol. Signup and view all the answers

Who took possession of the $25,000 that Dan Cody left to Gatsby?

Ella Kaye Signup and view all the answers

From whom did Nick Carraway learn about the truth of Jay Gatsby?

Gatsby told Nick himself Signup and view all the answers

Who randomly shows up on horseback at Gatsby's house?

Tom Buchanan Signup and view all the answers

What aggressive comment does Gatsby say to Tom?

'I know your wife.' Signup and view all the answers

What did Gatsby fail to realize about the dinner invitation that is extended to him?

The invitation wasn't sincere. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Tom so perturbed (upset)?

He doesn't like that Gatsby knows Daisy. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Nick not enjoy the next party at Gatsby's?

Tom is at the party Signup and view all the answers

At Gatsby's party, how does Gatsby repeatedly introduce Tom Buchanan to the guests?

He refers to him as the 'polo player.' Signup and view all the answers

What is Daisy probably implying by offering Tom her 'little gold pencil'?

She is hinting at Tom's infidelity. Signup and view all the answers

For Daisy, what is the only enjoyable aspect of the party?

Talking with Gatsby at Nick's house. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Tom suspect Gatsby gets his money? What is Daisy's belief about it?

Tom suspects Gatsby is a bootlegger. Daisy thinks he owns drug stores. Signup and view all the answers

According to Daisy, why doesn't Gatsby remove the uninvited guests?

He is too polite. Signup and view all the answers

When Daisy leaves the party, what possibility seems to worry her?

That Gatsby could fall in love with a pretty girl at the party. Signup and view all the answers

How does Gatsby expect his dream of being reunited with Daisy to unfold?

He wants Daisy to tell Tom she never loved him. Signup and view all the answers

What is Nick's advice regarding Gatsby's expectations?

You cannot ask too much of Daisy; you cannot repeat the past. Signup and view all the answers

How does Gatsby react to Nick's advice?

He disagrees and believes the past can be repeated. Signup and view all the answers

Five years earlier, while Gatsby walked with Daisy, what did his imagination transform into a magical ladder?

The concrete sidewalk. Signup and view all the answers

During that same evening stroll, what did Gatsby do that was like a magical fairy tale?

He kissed Daisy. Signup and view all the answers

What does Nick reveal about himself by criticizing Gatsby for his 'appalling sentimentality'?

He is critical of Gatsby and reveals his own judgment. Signup and view all the answers

What is Nick reminded of when considering Gatsby's romantic, idealistic view of life?

Gatsby's tendency to romanticize and idealize everything. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Questions about Gatsby

A reporter is inquiring about Gatsby's wealth, reflecting the growing curiosity surrounding his fame and mystery.
Gatsby's real name is James Gatz, originally from North Dakota; he adopted the name Gatsby to appear more sophisticated.

Dan Cody's Influence

Dan Cody, a multimillionaire with a drinking issue, was saved by Gatsby from a storm while aboard his yacht.
Gatsby engaged in various jobs for Cody, such as steward and skipper, and was responsible for overseeing Cody's drinking.
Dan Cody amassed wealth through mining metals like copper and silver.

Gatsby's Early Life

In his youth, Gatsby worked as a clam digger and a salmon fisherman.
He attended St. Olaf College briefly on a janitorial scholarship, leaving after two weeks as he found the work degrading.

Relationships and Tensions

Ella Kaye, Cody's ex-wife, inherited the $25,000 intended for Gatsby after Cody's suspicious death.
Nick Carraway learned about Gatsby's history directly from Gatsby himself over time.
Tom Buchanan unexpectedly arrives at Gatsby's house with acquaintances, including a mysterious woman.

Gatsby's attempt to socialize with Tom leads to tension; Gatsby's aggressive claim, "I know your wife," amplifies the conflict.
Tom's discontent arises from Gatsby's relationship with Daisy, questioning the propriety of women socializing independently.

Party Perspectives

Nick's enjoyment of Gatsby's parties diminishes with Tom's presence; he finds Tom's company distasteful.
Gatsby refers to Tom as the "polo player," which irritates Tom during social interactions.
Daisy's only moment of happiness at the party comes from her conversation with Gatsby at Nick's house.

Perceptions of Wealth

Tom suspects Gatsby of being a bootlegger, while Daisy assumes he owns drugstores.
Daisy observes that Gatsby is too polite to remove uninvited guests from his gatherings, indicating social class awareness.

Daisy's Concerns

Daisy worries about Gatsby potentially falling for another woman at the party after she leaves.
Gatsby desires Daisy to assert that she never loved Tom and hopes to rekindle their romance exactly as it was five years prior.

Gatsby's Aspirations and Reality

Nick advises Gatsby to temper his expectations of Daisy, emphasizing that the past cannot be recaptured.
Disagreeing, Gatsby insists that it is possible to recreate the past.
His recollections of a romantic stroll with Daisy transform mundane memories into ideals of perfection.

Commentary on Gatsby

Nick's criticism of Gatsby’s "appalling sentimentality" reveals his own biases, rendering him somewhat unreliable as a narrator.
Through Gatsby's romanticized view of life, Nick confronts his own tendencies to idealize experiences.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores significant themes and characters in 'The Great Gatsby,' including Gatsby's background, his relationship with Dan Cody, and the influence of wealth on identity. Dive deep into the motivations and tensions that drive these characters in Fitzgerald's classic. Test your knowledge of Gatsby's early life and the pivotal events that shape his story.