THE Great Gatsby PDF

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THE GREAT GATSBY. ...

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The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald CHAPTER ONE 1 a. Who is narrating the story? Briefly summarize what the reader learns about him from this chapter. The story is narrated by a man named Nick. He decided to move East because when he came back from the war, living in his home in Middle West was no longer like “the warm center of the world [and seemed more like living on] the ragged end of the universe” (pg.3). Nick moved East in pursuit of learning the bond business. b. What is significant about the narrator’s comment that he’s “inclined to reserve all judgments”? (pg.1) The narrators comment that he’s “inclined to reserve all judgements” (pg.1) is significant because it is what he took away from the advice his father gave him as a young child. When the narrator was in his more vulnerable years, his father advised him that whenever he felt like criticizing any one he should remember that not everybody was given the advantages that he had received. So in the present moment, the narrator is naturally inclined to reserve all his judgements. 2. Referring to the novel, explain what the literary term ‘flashback’ means. The literary term flashback means to look back or think upon events that have previously occurred in one’s life. Referring to the novel, Nick is doing just that—thinking upon previous events from his life. As the reader, we are reliving Nick’s past with him and this would explain why the novel is in past tense. “I participated in … the Great War” (pg.3), “I decided to go East and learn the bond business” (pg.3). 3 a. Describe the general setting of the novel. The general setting of the novel is between the East and the West. The narrator lived in the West but moved to the East (New York) to learn about the bond business. b. Describe the difference between East and West Egg. The difference between East and West Egg is a matter of money. Those from East Egg are form old money and born into their wealth. The inhabitants of West Egg come from new money, this means that they worked hard for their fortune. Nick also mentions that West Egg is “the less fashionable of the two” (pg.5). 4. In point form notes, describe the characters of a. Tom Buchman · “enormously wealthy” (pg.6) o wealthy enough to buy a string of polo ponies after permanently moving to the East egg · “among various physical accomplishments [was] one of the most powerful ends to ever play football at New Haven

· knew the narrator in their college years b. Daisy Buchman · married to Tom Buchman · second cousin, once removed of the narrator c. Jordan Baker · referred to as Miss Baker · mentioned Mr. Gatsby 5. What suspense is created about Mr. Gatsby in this chapter? The suspense created about Mr. Gatsby in this chapter is because of the ambiguousness in his character. At this point in the book, the reader is aware that there is a correlation between Mr. Gatsby and West Egg as well as the fact that Miss Baker seems familiar with him but it is not yet known why. From Nicks close encounter with him, it is clear that Mr. Gatsby is “content to be alone” (pg.20) and quickly after Nick saw him stretching “out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way … he had vanished” (pg.20-21). This is not necessarily natural behavior without a proper explanation which creates a suspense surrounding Mr. Gatsby’s character. CHAPTER TWO 1. Describe the “Valley of Ashes”. The “Valley of Ashes” runs for about a quarter of a mile where the motor road joins the railroad, and is halfway between West Egg and New York. The author uses much imagery, “ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens” (pg.23) to describe the intensity of the ash and dust that abounds in this valley. 2. Explain the symbolism of Doctor T.J Eckleburg’s billboard sign. (pg.26) Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes were “blue and gigantic—their retinas [were] one yard-high” (pg.23). The Doctor’s eyes have been there for quite a while —the other characters don't seem fazed by the sign and it is also worn out— and they are big enough to look over the valley. Based on this information, the sign gives an omnipresent feel and may symbolize God watching over the people in the Valley. 3. In point form notes, describe the characters of: a. George Wilson · owns a car garage · “blond, spiritless man, anaemic, and faintly handsome” (pg.25) · according to Tom Buchanan, George is “so dumb [that] he doesn't know he’s alive” (pg.26) b. Myrtle Wilson · unfaithful wife of George Wilson; Tom Buchanan’s mistress · “middle thirties, and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously” (pg.25) · spends money unnecessarily

o “she bought a copy of Town Tattle and a moving picture magazine, and in the station drug-store some cold cream and a small flask of perfume” (pg.27); also, she spontaneously wanted to buy a police dog but settled for an Airedale 4. What do Tom Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson have in common? Both Tom Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson are untrue to their spouses. “Neither of them can stand the person they’re married to” (pg.33). 5 a. Briefly outline the party Nick spends with Myrtle, Tom, Catherine, Chester and Mrs. McKee. At the party, they discuss a variety of topics such as Mr. Gatsby and the party he had a while back, Tom and Myrtle’s affair with each other. Catherine mentions that the only thing keeping Tom and Myrtle apart is Daisy because she’s catholic—but this was just an elaborate lie (pg.33). b. How does it end and why is this significant? The party ends because Tom and Myrtle didn't see eye to eye when it came to whether Myrtle had the right to say Daisy’s (Tom’s true wife) name. Mrs. Wilson believed she had every right and began to shout “Daisy! Daisy! Daisy! … I’ll say it whenever I want to!” (pg.37). Tom clearly disagreed and in a “short deft movement, [he] broke [Myrtle’s] nose with his open hand” (pg.37) 6. Explain the new mystery that is added about Mr. Gatsby’s character in this chapter. The new mystery added about Mr. Gatsby in this chapter lies in where his wealth comes from. According to the sister Catherine, Gatsby is either a “nephew or cousin of Kaiser Wilhelms’s. That's where all his money comes from” (pg.32). CHAPTER THREE 1. Describe each of the following: a. Gatsby’s Parties Gatsby’s parties are rather big and they last very long. On weekends, they’ll start at nine in the morning, and continue long past midnight. The following Monday consists of “eight servants, including an extra gardener” (pg.39) working all day to clean the chaos of the night before b. Gatsby’s Guests Of the guests that show up at Gatsby’s parties, few are actually invited. “Sometimes they came and went without having met Gatsby at all, came for the party with a simplicity of heart that was its own ticket of admission” (pg.41) c. Stories about Gatsby There are many rumours about Gatsby. One is that he “killed a man once” (pg.44). Another speculates that “he was [either] a German spy [or in

the] American army during the war” (pg.44). The rumour most often repeated however is that Gatsby killed a man. d. Nick’s impressions of Gatsby According to Nick, Gatsby had the most understanding smile and was “an elegant roughneck, a year or two over thirty, whose elaborate formality of speech just missed being absurd” (pg.48). Nick got the strong impression that Gatsby was carefully picking his words. Nick also couldn't comprehend how Gatsby could “drift coolly out of nowhere and buy a palace on Long Island Sound” (pg.49). e. Relationship between Nick and Jordan At first, Nick “wasn't actually in love, but [he] felt a sort of tender curiosity” (pg.57) in regards to Jordan. Later though, Jordan admitted to liking Nick, shifting their relationship. For a brief moment soon after, Nick thought he loved her but his morals are slowing him from truly doing so. He knew that first he had to get himself out of his tangle back home because his cardinal virtue is being “one of the few honest people that [he] has ever known” (pg.59) CHAPTER FOUR 1. Outline Gatsby’s version of his own life story. According to Gatsby, he’s “the son of some wealthy people in the Middle West [and] was brought up in America but he educated at Oxford” (pg.65). In addition, all of Gatsby’s family had perished, and as a result, he inherited a great deal of money. After that, he “lived like a young rajah in all the capitals of Europe[,] collecting jewels, [and] little things for [him]self [while] trying to forget something very sad that happened to [him] long ago” (pg.65-66). When the war came around, it was a “great relief, and [Gatsby] tried very hard to die, but [he] seemed to bear and enchanted life [as he has survived up until now]” (pg.66). 2. What are Nick’s impressions of Gatsby’s “story”? When Gatsby “hurried the phrase ‘educated at Oxford’” (pg.65), it seemed as if he was lying and Nick began to wonder if there wasn’t something “a little sinister about [Gatsby] after all” (pg.65). Nick also had to “restrain [his] incredulous laughter” (pg.66) after Gatsby mentioned that at a certain point in his life, he had lived like a young rajah. 3. What three things convince Nick of the truth of Gatsby’s story? 1. When Nick took a glance at Gatsby after he stated that received money after his family’s death. “[Gatsby’s] voice was solemn, as if the memory of that sudden extinction still haunted him. For a moment I suspected he was pulling my leg but a glance at him convinced me otherwise” (pg.65). 2. Once Nick had seen the authenticity of the medal Gatsby received during the war. “To my astonishment, the thing had an authentic look [and it said] ‘Major Jay Gatsby’ … ‘For Valour Extraordinary’” (pg.66-67)

3. After Nick had finally seen a picture of the younger Gatsby. “Then it was all true … I saw him opening a chest of rubies to ease with their crimsonlighted depths [and] the gnawings of his broken heart” (pg.67). 4 a. Describe Mr. Meyer Wolfsheim. “A small, flat-nosed Jew … with two fine growths of hair which luxuriated in either nostril” (pg.69). Mr. Wolfsheim is also fifty years old and “becomes very sentimental at times [he is also] quite a character around New York—a denizen of Broadway” (pg.73). Lastly, Wolfsheim’s grammar does not show him to have a very high level of education, he says ‘connection’ as “gonnegtion” (pg.70) and ‘Oxford’ as “Oggsford” (pg.71). Wolfsheim is street smart however as the police still can’t find and arrest him for fixing the World Series back in 1919. b. Is it surprising that Meyer Wolfsheim is an associate of Gatsby’s? Why or why not? No, Gatsby’s association with Wolfsheim is not too surprising. Gatsby is still a man of many mysteries even after his life story was told and even though the rumours surrounding Gatsby may be wild and untrue, they are certainly not unfounded. For example, the rumour about him being a spy stemmed from the fact that he served during the war, so who’s to say that the rumour about Gatsby killing a man is unbased. In addition to the rumours, the introduction of Mr. Wolfsheim and the business ‘gonnegtion’ in this chapter just add to the ambiguousness of Gatsby’s character proving that there’s much we as the reader still don’t know about him, so his associations shouldn’t come as a surprise. 5. How does Gatsby respond when he first meets Tom? A “strained, unfamiliar look of embarrassment came over Gatsby’s face” (pg.74) when he meets Tom. After the awkward exchange, Nick and Tom share some very brief dialogue and then Nick “turn[s] toward Mr. Gatsby, but he was no longer there” (pg.74). Mr. Gatsby’s behaviour led me to believe that either he knew about Tom and didn't want Tom to know about him or that they both knew each other and it wasn't for a good reason. However, Gatsby’s behaviour makes more sense later in the chapter as it becomes apparent to the reader that he wants to get to know Daisy—Tom Buchanan’s wife. 6. Explain the irony in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s comment about alcohol (pg.77). According to Jordan Baker, “[Daisy] doesn't drink. It’s a great advantage not to drink among hard-drinking people. You can hold your tongue” (pg.77). This is ironic because when Daisy was prevented from going with Gatsby to the war, she held her tongue. She didn't speak to her family for several weeks and she wasn't drunk (pg.75). The night before she married Tom, Jordan found her “drunk as a monkey” (pg.76) and she couldn't hold her tongue and was telling Jordan that she changed her mind about

marrying Tom and she wanted her to tell everybody too but the next evening when Daisy was no longer drunk, she married Tom. 7. Briefly explain Jordan Baker’s story concerning Daisy’s youth marriage. In Jordan bakers story about Daisy’s youth and marriage she says that Daisy was two years older than her—Daisy being eighteen while Jordan was sixteen. and the most popular girl in Louisville. According to Jordan, she witnessed Gatsby looking at Daisy in “a way that every young girls want to be looked at” (pg.75). There were rumours that Daisy had intended to go with Gatsby to the war but her mother had stopped her from doing so. As if to forget about Gatsby and her heartbreak, Daisy became engaged to a man from New Orleans, she married Tom Buchanan. The night before her wedding, Jordan went into Daisy’s room and saw her drinking heavily with a letter from Gatsby in her hand. When asked what was wrong, Daisy told Jordan to tell everyone that she’s changed her mind about marrying Tom. Then Daisy began to cry. After the bridesmaids had helped her calm down, she’d married Tom the next evening without a protest. 8. What revelations of Jordan’s cause Nick to say that “[Gatsby] came alive to me, delivered suddenly from the womb of his purposeless splendour”? (pg.78) When Gatsby had told his version of his past, Nick was a bit skeptical, it was even difficult for him to hold his incredulous laughter. However, after hearing Jordan tell the true story, Gatsby’s ambitions seemed to have a real meaning seeing as how before Nick likely thought of Gatsby as an enigmatic figure that acts without purpose. Nick says the quote after Jordan tells him that Gatsby bought his house across the bay from Daisy so that he can be closer to her, showing that he now understands Gatsby and sees that his ambitions stem from his love for this girl. CHAPTER FIVE 1. Explain Gatsby’s reaction when Nick says he will invite Daisy over to his house for tea. When Nick tells Gatsby that he will invite Daisy over for tea, his mood changed as if he was trying to hide his excitement. Initially, him and Nick were having small talk but when it seemed like the conversation was finished “[Gatsby] waited, looking at [Nick] with suppressed eagerness” (pg.82). Gatsby’s look of expectancy pushed Nick to tell him that he was inviting Daisy—as Gatsby had hoped for, but Gatsby just brushed it off. He responded with “‘Oh that's all right,’ he [it] said carelessly. ‘I don't want put you to any trouble.’” (pg.82). 2. Explain the importance of pathetic fallacy on the day of Nick’s tea party. Pathetic fallacy is a literary device where the author attributes human emotions to nature or inanimate objects. On the day of Nicks tea party, the author uses pathetic fallacy to correlate the weather to Gatsby’s emotions

about meeting Daisy. Outside was “pouring rain [with] soggy, whitewashed alleys [and] a damp mist, through which occasional thin drops swam like dew” (pg.83-84) and Gatsby was regretting the idea altogether. He “informed [Nick] in an uncertain voice, that he was going home … as if there was some pressing demand on his time elsewhere” (pg.84-85). 3. Briefly describe the meeting between meeting Gatsby and Daisy. At first, Gatsby was extremely nervous making their conversation awkward and uncomfortable, but eventually things became more normal as Gatsby decided to give a tour of his house and he “hadn’t once ceased looking at Daisy” (pg.91). Later, Gatsby instructed one of his servants— Klipspringer—to play the piano. “His hand took hold of [Daisy’s] and as she said something low in his ear he turned toward her with a rush of emotion [so then Nick] went out of the room … leaving them there together” (pg.96). 4. Explain the symbolism of the clock (pg.84). Gatsby was very nervous whilst initially meeting with Daisy and clumsily knocked Nick’s clock off of his mantle but caught it before it fell. The clock represents the time Gatsby lost with Daisy so his catching of the clock represents him making up the time. It could also show how anxious he is about meeting Daisy, because of his alert anxiety, he awkwardly knocks over the clock. However, Gatsby’s catching of the clock can represent that in due time that evening, he will be able to compose himself for a successful reunion between Daisy and himself. 5. Find a reference to Gatsby’s background and source of income from this chapter. When Gatsby was bragging about how splendid his mansion was, he mentioned that it “took [him] three years to earn the money that bought it” (pg.90). However, Gatsby didn't mention that he worked for any money while telling Nick his life story so Nick replied to him, saying “I thought you inherited your money” (pg.90) and Gatsby automatically said that he did in fact inherit it but he “lost most of it in the big panic … of the war” (pg.90). 6. Why is Gatsby so eager to show his house and all his wealth to Daisy? It is possible that Gatsby was so eager to show off his house to Daisy for two reasons. The main one being to impress Daisy by showing her the immense wealth he possesses. The second is likely for Daisy to finally realize that Gatsby’s house is very close to her own. The only reason Gatsby bought his house so close to Daisy’s was in hopes that she’ll wander there one night while he’s having a party and they’ll be able to reunite. 7. What is symbolic of the shirt scene? (pg.92) The fact that Gatsby and Daisy find such prominence and stature in a mere piece of cloth goes to show how superficial they are. This explains their poor ability to have a proper relationship with others as they only find value

in materialistic things as opposed to friendships and time spent with others. To expand on that thought, Daisy never really had a true relationship with Tom as he has never been faithful to her and she wasn't really close enough Tom or even cared enough to notice. Gatsby on the other hand has many negative rumours surrounding him and he could have worked on his image as well as tried to build positive relationships with people that will speak well of him but Gatsby tends to seclude himself. However, Gatsby is trying to build a relationship with Nick and Daisy so that shows promise of becoming less materialistic.

8. Explain the importance of the following quotations: a. “Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever” (pg.93) At this time, it is raining and Gatsby mentions that if it wasn't for the mist, they’d be able to see Daisy’s home from across the bay as there is usually a green light at the end of her dock (pg.92). Daisy responds by putting her arm through his, showing her affection but Gatsby was so absorbed in what he said. It seems as though Gatsby realized that light used to be the only thing connecting him to Daisy, but the ‘colossal significance had now vanished’ since he now has Daisy’s affection as she rests in his arms. b. “There must have been some moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams—not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion” (pg.95). This quote is important because it shows a tragic flaw of Gatsby’s. He spent years of his life gaining wealth to become a rich socialite and change his persona to chasing his dream—Daisy. Whilst doing so he idealized her, imagined her to be the perfect woman she never was. Gatsby is clearly lovestruck and the phrase ‘love is blind’ certainly comes into play here; for example, it isn’t unknown that Jordan Baker does not tend to dabble in honesty, she has even admitted to it herself. Gatsby however is clearly not up to speed as he believes that “Miss Baker’s a great sportswoman [and] she’d never do anything that wasn't all right”. He encourages Nick to pursue a relationship with Jordan because it will bring him closer to Daisy even though Nick tells him that she’s dishonest. Gatsby is wi...