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Gatsby review
This document contains a study guide for The Great Gatsby with questions about the novel's characters, themes, symbols and quotes. It analyzes Nick's changing views of Gatsby, Daisy, Tom and Jordan throughout the story. The document also examines the novel's commentary on the American Dream, morality in the 1920s, and Fitzgerald's negative views of the wealthy classes.
Gatsby review
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- 2. Study of Motivations 2. What is Nick’s opinion of Gatsby? Gatsby represents everything Nick disproves of, and yet, Nick admires Gatsby for his unending hope and dedication to his dream.
- 3. Study of Motivations1. What is Nick’s attitude toward the Buchanans and Jordan in the beginning of the novel? He says as he drove away from Daisy’s, he is confused and a little disgusted at them.
- 4. Study of Motivations 3. What is Nick’s attitude toward Tom at the end of the novel? He realizes that Tom in his ignorance believes that what he did was the right thing. He feels like Tom is a child who doesn’t know right from wrong and he pities him.
- 5. Study of Motivations 4. Why does Nick end his relationship with Jordan? She represents that Eastern crowd and now everything about the East disgusts Nick including Jordan.
- 6. Study of Motivations 5. What does Nick’s view of Daisy? She and Tom are careless and destructive people who create messes and leave other people to clean up after them.
- 7. Study of Motivations6. How has Nick changed by the end of the novel? He has a new attitude about the East and decides to stick to the morals and traditions of the West instead.
- 8. A Study ofLifestyle 1. Why does the era of Prohibition lend an added significance to the hypocrisy emphasized in The Great Gatsby? During the Prohibition people still bought, sold, and drank liquor (actually probably even in larger quantities than before the Prohibition) which is hypocritical and fake just like the people of the novel.
- 9. A Study ofLifestyle 2. What are the values and goals of the world described in this novel? The characters of the novel value wealth and status. They are very materialistic and selfish people who do not care or sympathize with others especially those of lower class than themselves.
- 10. A Study ofLifestyle 3. What was Fitzgerald’s overall opinion of this time period in which he lived? He felt that the American Dream was no longer real and it was being replaced by materialism and greed. He felt that the rich were disgusting and the poor were hopeless. It was a very negative view.
- 11. A Study ofTheme 1. Some critics have suggested that Nick and Gatsby represent two opposing sides of Fitzgerald’s own personality and a battle within himself between his love and disgust at the time period in which he lived. What two kinds of personalities are represented by Nick and Gatsby? Gatsby’s desire to be a part of the flashy and materialistic side of the 1920s and Nick who is constantly struggling with his morals and the immoral East.
- 12. Study of Theme Readers and critics often believe that Fitzgerald’s work was preoccupied with a recurring theme of failure. Is this true of Gatsby The poor such as Myrtle and Wilson and even Gatsby, even when they attempt to better themselves or climb the social latter will end up dissatisfied and even killed. Even the rich who supposedly have everything are not satisfied with their lives. All of the characters in this novel fail to achieve any and all of their goals.
- 13. Theme 1. Theidealistic American Dream has been replaced by materialism and greed.
- 14. Theme 2. TheWest has its simple virtue; the East is corrupt and evil.
- 15. Theme 3. Wealthis power. Wealth and power corrupt.
- 16. Theme 4. Beliefin romantic destiny has dire consequences.
- 17. Theme 5. Thereare distinct differences between social classes.
- 18. Theme 6. Thepast plays a role in dreams of the future.
- 19. Literary Terms Applyeach of the following literary terms to The Great Gatsby. 1. Point of view: 2. Tone 3. Tense 4. Setting (Time & Place) 5. Protagonist 6. Major conflict 7. Climax 8. Foreshadowing
- 20. Know the followingcharacters and their significance in the novel. Jay Gatsby Nick Carraway Daisy Buchanan Tom Buchanan Jordan Baker Myrtle Wilson George Wilson Pammy Catherine Mr. & Mrs. McKee Meyer Wolfsheim Klipspringer Michaelis Mr. Gatz Owl Eyes
- 21. East Egg Howis it used in the novel? This is where Daisy and Tom live. It is described as the more fashionable ―egg‖ What does it mean/represent? The old rich; old money
- 22. West Egg Howis it used in the novel? This is where Nick and Gatsby live. It is described as the less fashionable ―egg‖ What does it mean/represent? The new rich; new money; usually bootleggers and actors/actresses or directors
- 23. The Green Light How is it used in the novel? Gatsby reaches out for the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. Becomes meaningless when he has Daisy because he’s now holding it. Called the ―orgastic future‖ in the last line of the book. What does it mean/represent? It represents Daisy, but, more so, it represents what Gatsby wants, his goal, his hopes, which is to recreate the past with her and be part of the ―old rich‖.
- 24. The Valley ofAshes How is it used in the novel? This is where the poor working class characters live including Myrtle and George Wilson. It is described as a place where ashes grow and people are made out of ashes. The people there seems lifeless and broken. What does it mean/represent? It represents a contrast from the bright and colorful world in which the rich live. It shows the conditions in which the poor lived and emphasized the hopeless situation the people of the working class live in, the failed American Dream. This is what Gatsby was trying to escape from.
- 25. The Eyes ofDr. T.J. Eckleburg How is it used in the novel? An advertisement in the Valley of Ashes. It is described by Nick as scary (almost angry) and keeping a ―watchful vigil.‖ George references the eyes when he tells Myrtle that she cant fool God. What does it mean/represent? It represents the eyes of God and a not very happy God who is watching over all of these immoral events taking place. The ironic thing is that the only God in this world of Gatsby is an advertisement which emphasizes the materialism and greed in the novel.
- 26. Weather How isit used in the novel? The day Gatsby and Daisy meet it is rainy and dreary until Gatsby and Daisy finally make up. It is the hottest day of the year in Ch.7 It’s the first day of fall when Wilson kills Gatsby. What does it mean/represent? The weather correlates with the feeling and emotions of the characters or the events in the story.
- 27. Cars How isit used in the novel? Wilson is always asking Tom to buy his car. Wreck outside Gatsby’s at party. Gatsby’s yellow car kills Myrtle. What does it mean/represent? It represents the materialism and carelessness of the rich.
- 28. What about OwlEyes? Owl eyes is the only person that can see the ―real Gatsby.‖ He is the one who notices the Gatsby’s books are real. He is also the one who actually feels any sympathy for him after his death. Owls are a symbol of wisdom, but can also be an omen of death Did you notice that it was the owl-eyed man who had the car accident outside of Gatsby's house? And that, shortly after he got out of the car, he revealed that someone else was driving? Possibly to warn us about a future car accident???? Then who was also there at Gatsby’s funeral?
- 29. Quotes ―Her voiceis full of money.‖ Gatsby
- 30. Quotes "They're suchbeautiful shirts. It makes me sad because I've never seen such – such beautiful shirts before.‖ Daisy
- 31. Quotes ―God knowswhat you’ve been doing, everything you’ve been doing. You may fool me, but you can’t fool God!‖ George Wilson
- 32. Quotes ―He ranover Myrtle like you’d run over a dog and never even stopped his car.‖ Tom
- 33. Quotes ―Everyone suspectshimself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.‖ Nick
- 34. Quotes ―I’d tojust get one of those pink clouds and put you in it and push you around.‖ Daisy
- 35. Quotes ―I hatecareless people. That’s why I like you.‖ Jordan Baker
- 36. Quotes ―I hopeshe'll be a fool—that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.‖ Daisy
- 37. Quotes ―It’s upto us who are the dominant race to watch out or these other races will have control of things.‖ Tom
- 38. Quotes ―It’s abona fide piece of printed matter. It fooled me. This fella’s a regular Belasco. It’s a triumph. What thoroughness! What realism! Owl Eyes
- 39. Quotes 20. ―Idid love him once – but I loved you too.‖ Daisy
- 40. Quotes 19. ―Letus learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead. . . After that my own rule is to let everything alone.‖ Meyer Wolfsheim
- 41. Quotes ―Daisy! Daisy!Daisy! I'll say it whenever I want to!‖ Myrtle
- 42. Quotes ―You alwayslook so cool.‖ Daisy
- 43. Quotes ―Can’t repeatthe past? Why of course you can!‖ Gatsby