The Great Gatsby
Great Gatsby, The: Research/Discussion Topics
Chapter 1
1. Consider the references to people in literature or history in the chapter. What purpose(s) do they serve?
2. Write a character sketch of Daisy (or Tom or Jordan), focusing on the recurring “tag” used to describe them. Daisy leans forward and talks in a low voice; Tom is restless and hulking; Jordan balances something on her chin almost in an athletic stance. What is Fitzgerald’s purpose in thus describing them?
3. Explain how the first chapter of this novel is critically important in the development of plot, characters, and themes.
Chapter 2
1. Consider the possibilities of an agrarian society being the epitome of the American Dream. Find evidences of farming or pastoral scenes and diction in the first two chapters which suggest the belief that such a society fulfills the ideal American Dream.
2. Contrast the green light at the end of Chapter 1 and the gray images in the Valley of Ashes in Chapter 2. What thematic statement do the contrasting images reveal?
3. How can George Wilson be said to symbolize the American Dream? Consider the Horatio Alger (“rags-to-riches”) motif, as well as his undying desire to better his situation.
4. Write about Fitzgerald’s poetic style, focusing especially on the vivid metaphors and images, such as this description from Catherine: “Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle, but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face.” How is Fitzgerald a disciplined writer with great control of his prose?
5. Research descriptions of archetypal heroes, including their mysterious beginnings associated with rumors and mythical power. Consider Gatsby as such a hero, based upon the rumors surrounding him.
Chapter 3
1. Trace references to music in the Jazz Age—specific songs, types of instruments, description of the sounds—and draw a conclusion about their purpose(s). Discuss the dominant musical types of the 1920s.
2. Find a list of the seven deadly sins and the seven cardinal virtues. Analyze some or all of the characters in regard to these sins and virtues. Which vice or virtue does each manifest?
3. Study Nick as a symbol of honesty and Jordan as a symbol of dishonesty. Write a character sketch which reveals their likenesses and differences in terms of veracity and credibility.
Chapter 4
1. Show how the American Dream associated with America’s past has succumbed to mercenary, almost exclusively materialistic values, derived from get-rich-quick schemes. Find evidence of the historical basis in fact and corresponding evidence in the novel.
2. Elaborate on the epigram: “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” Show how it contributes to the development of plot, character, and theme in the novel. Give justification for its being the single most important line in the novel.
3. Determine where this chapter fits on the pyramid of dramatic structure: antecedent action (or what has taken place before the action of the novel begins), inciting moment (or the catalyst which creates interest in the actions and conflicts which follow), rising action (or the intensifying of interest and suspense), climax (or most intense moment from which there is no turning back for the protagonist), reversal (or falling action), and denouément (or tying up of loose ends). Defend your decision.
4. Select one or more of the names Nick lists on his timetable, and research to discover their stories and to comprehend Fitzgerald’s choice of those names. How were they involved in American history?
5. Research Montenegro and discern its role in World War I. Gauge Gatsby’s account of wartime activity by these historical findings.
Chapter 5
1. Consider ways in which Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote.
2. Consider ways in which Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are alike, in that the wives of both men are capable of being lured away by another man. Therefore, both men, different as they are, are cuckolds (a Middle Ages term, defining men whose wives are unfaithful. In the legendary account, such husbands were said to grow horns, thus becoming monsters).
3. The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby, a rather sordid relationship, signals simultaneously the beginning and the end of Gatsby’s dream and of his success. Justify this statement.
Chapter 6
1. Study the various parties and guests at the parties in order to construct a thesis and arguments that typify America and Americans at play in the 1920s. What do the parties reveal about these guests?
2. Consider all the meanings of Daisy’s admiration for the movie director leaning over his wife. Does she see herself in that image? Is Fitzgerald simply magnifying film, a new medium in the 1920s?
3. Gatsby grew into adolescence after being introduced to a tawdry lifestyle on Dan Cody’s yacht. Show how the boy on the yacht was ironically more worldly and realistic than the unrealistic adult gazing longingly at the green light.
4. In what ways can Nick be said to be the real hero of the story? Prove your answer.
5. Select a line or a passage about time and show its thematic significance.
Chapter 7
1. Compare Trimalchio, the hero or protagonist of The Satyricon, to Gatsby.
2. Trace the recurring image of eyes, and ascertain the purposes of those images. Consider blindness on any level as well as sight.
3. Compare the two passages below from T. S. Eliot’s The Wasteland with remarkably similar ones from The Great Gatsby. Better still, find a copy of the poem and discover other passages which correspond. What do the similarities suggest?
“I think we are in rats’ alley
Where the dead men lost their bones . . . ”
“What shall I do now? What shall I do?
I shall rush out as I am, and walk the street
With my hair down, so, What shall we do tomorrow?”
and from Gatsby, Chapter 2:
“It seemed to me that the thing for Daisy to do was to rush out of the house, child in arms—but apparently there were no such intentions in her head.”
and from Chapter 7:
“What’ll we do with ourselves this afternoon?” cried Daisy, “and the day after that, and the next thirty years?”
4. Explain the significance of the comments: “They weren’t happy . . . and yet they weren’t unhappy either. There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture, and anybody would have said that they were conspiring together.”
Chapter 8
1. Some of the characters in the novel symbolize a production ethic; others symbolize a consumption ethic. Classify the characters accordingly, and draw a conclusion about the American Dream, as you understand it, from Fitzgerald.
2. Eyes and sight recur frequently in the novel. What is Fitzgerald’s statement about the ability to distinguish between illusion and reality?
3. How is this story an ironic inversion of a knightly quest for the grail?
Chapter 9
1. Why does Nick compare the Dutch sailors to Gatsby? How does the comparison help to state Fitzgerald’s conclusion?
2. How is the story an ironic twist of the American Dream? Consider Daisy and Gatsby, Daisy and Tom, Myrtle and George Wilson, Myrtle and Tom, Nick and Jordan.
3. Nick speaks of the “corruption” of Gatsby’s guests and Gatsby’s “incorruptible dream.” How do these phrases begin to pull all the threads of the story together?
4. How does Fitzgerald make statements about pseudo-intellectualism?
5. Fitzgerald demonstrates the power of proper names. Prove this statement.
6. Compare the beginning and the ending of the novel. Has Gatsby changed? Has Nick changed? Explain and justify your responses.
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The Great Gatsby
Chapter 1
1. Columbus is referenced in order to describe the eggs that Nick lives in. Since the moral of the Columbus story is that one cannot perform certain actions until they are shown, the Columbus story adds to effect of the description because in a way the author is expressing how the egg that Nick lives in cannot be described without an explanation of the description, which involves the Colombus story. The other references to Midas, Morgan, and Maecenas express Nick’s goals and could foreshadow the success of Nick’s goals. For instance, Midas was very successful in making a profit. Nick could be successful in making a profit.
2. The description, “Tom is restless and hulking,” emphasizes Tom’s arrogant attitude. Someone who is arrogant is restless since he or she can be ready to argue for a standpoint at any moment. Therefore, this small description shows Tom’s restless energy, which could be used to win any argument in order to defend his own standpoint. The author uses this specific description along with his small descriptions for his other characters in order to give emphasis on each character’s main trademark. For example, Tom’s trademark is arrogance. To emphasize such a characteristic, the author describes Tom’s restlessness in order to portray the energy that an arrogant man emits.
3. The first chapter is important in the development of the plot since it gives us an idea of what the plot could be. We realize that Nick has his dreams, which he wants to pursue, Nick’s friends want to bring together Nick and Jordan as a couple, and a mystery revolves around Gastby. For the characters, the first chapter introduces the main characters, which are Gatsby, Nick, Tom, Daisy, Gatsby, and Jordan. It reveals their current situations and relationships allowing for new developments. Finally, for the themes, the chapter reveals the foundation for the themes, which could be the rich, since the characters are wealthy, success in goals, since they all seem to hold an agenda such as Nick who wants to profit or relive his old exciting moments, love, between Nick and Jordan, and mystery, Gatsby.
Chapter 2
1. One point that could possibly prove that an agrarian society is the epitome of the American Dream is when the valley of ashes is described. The valley of the ashes is the by-product of an industrial society. The valley is portrayed terribly, and it contains the only poor people. This valley can be considered as the home of an industrial society. The Eggs on the other hand hold an agrarian society since the people who live in the Eggs are less industrial and own a great amount of land that is not industrial. These two locations symbolize the agrarian society as the greater society, which represents the American Dream, the higher way of life.
2. The green light was portrayed as an interesting dream while the valley was portrayed as a dump where no human being would ever want to exist in. The thematic statement revealed by both factors could be that people should not aim for low goals but should aim as high as they can. The green light would take the place as the higher dream since it featured Gatsby’s attention. In a sense when the scene was taking place, it could be viewed that Gatsby was aiming for a high and impossible goal when raising his hand for the light but accomplished so much while pursuing it. The valley on the other hand contained the lowest class of people. Therefore, it represents someone with low goals who failed in life because of his low expectations.
3. George Wilson can symbolize the American Dream since he is in the worst possible situation. He is very poor, but he continues to stick to his dreams. The American Dream portrays the people of our nation growing up and eventually becoming rich by following their dreams. George Wilson continually stays with his dreams and tries to become rich.
4. Fitzgerald is a very disciplined writer considering that he does not rant on with his descriptions. For instance, the author wrote, “Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle, but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face.” He kept the description concise and controlled. He kept it simple and sweet enough to give the reader a good mental picture.
5. The great Gatsby can be compared to the super hero known as The One from the Matrix. Like Gatsby, no one knows what the origins of The One are. People know that The One can be different people, but no one truly knows why or how The One was truly created. While Gatsby also has many riches, The One on the other hand has many powers such as the ability to bend the Matrix to his will giving him ultimate power.
Chapter 3
1. The main reference to the Jazz Age is given when the orchestra announces that is going to play the latest work of Mr. Vladimir Tostoff, “Jazz History of the World.” I was not able to find any information about Mr. Tostoff, which makes me conclude that he is fictional. Another reference is made by mentioning Gilda Gray, a famous dancer of the Jazz Age. Overall, the reference to music is mostly given by the description of the instruments played by the orchestra—oboes, tombrones, saxophones, viols, cornets, piccolos, low and high drums, banjos, traps, and a piano—as well as the description of the sounds—groaning of the horns, boom of a bass drum. The purpose of all these details is to give a description of the spirit of the Jazz Age. The dominant musical type of the 1920s was jazz. It was developed by black Americans and it evolved in other forms very popular at the time such as Ragtime and Blues. A characteristic of this type of music is that the musician improvises within the conventions of a chosen style.
2. Gatsby could portray gluttony since at this point he seems to waste food and drink just because he is rich, though he represents justice since he seems to compensate others for his small mistakes. For instance, a girl ruined her dress in his household in chapter three. He sent her a new dress. Tom could represent pride since he is so arrogant, though his virtue could be charity since he was giving to Nick when trying to set him up with Jordan.
3. Nick and Jordan are different and similar in veraciousness and credibility. Veraciously, Nick takes the standpoint of the honest one, the one not willing to lie, since it has not been revealed if he has really lied so far while Jordan is the dishonest one, the one willing to lie since it has been confirmed that she has lied to win a golf tournament. Credibly, Nick would take the place of the one who is not credible since at one point he states that he only goes out with Jordan because of her fame putting us into a position where we question whether Nick truly has an interest in Jordan or is lying about his small interest in her. Jordan is credible since everything she has done or said so far has not had a double meaning compared Nick. When she lies, we shall know it. When she does not lie. We shall know it.
Chapter 4
1. The American dream has always been focused on materialistic value. In the past, the object that made men rich was land. People used to trade it around as if it was candy. People who had more land were rich. Now, smaller property has become the focus of our materialistic value. People who have more property such as housing and small appliances in life are considered rich. In fact, the novel describes how the people who are the richest are people with biggest house and have the most property.
2. The epigram, “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired,” is a universal statement for the whole novel. It justifies how the book is focused on the rich class since the rich class is composed of pursuers. They pursue what they must in order to make a profit. Each of the characters within the novel pursues a goal. The plot focuses on Gatsby’s pursuit for Daisy. The theme focuses on rich’s pursuit for their goals.
3. It does not follow dramatic action since the chapter does not really focus on an intense story. It just explains how the rich go by their business or try to get what they want. For instance, it was just showing how Gatsby wanted to be reunited with his lover.
4. Stonewall Jackson was a conservative civil war commander, who died in combat. Fitzgerald could have used such important historical names in order to give more emphasis on the class of each of the people.
5. Montenegro, a small country in the Balkans, was a constitutional republic during the First World War, where Nicholas I was the self-appointed king who aligned with the axis powers. For this reason, it would have been difficult for Gatsby, an American, to have obtained a medal from this country during the conflict, as he affirms.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby could be the counterpart to Don Quixote since they are both in the pursuit of a similar goal. They both want to win a woman’s heart. Other than that, they are not really similar. One is mad. The other is drunk with riches.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are the same in the perspective that their wives are unfaithful. They are attracted to the same type of woman. If they switch places, they could also be similar since if Tom could only be as arrogant as he is since he knows he is rich while George is spiritless as he is because of his current conditions. If they switched places, they could end up as the same.
3. This could be true since maybe winning Daisy’s heart was Gatsby’s dream all along. Therefore, if Gatsby could continue down this road, his dream would be fulfilled, and he could achieve success possibly his last success.
Chapter 6
1. The parties in the Great Gatsby reveal a sort of conflict in social classes during those times. It was the “old moneys” looked down upon the “new moneys.”
2. Daisy sees herself as the wife since she is yearning for that same touch that the director is giving his wife. She could be suffering from discontent with her current husband since as it was stated earlier in the novel that she was unsure on whether she should marry Gatsby or Tom. Tom also does not seem to be affectionate. Therefore, she might be lacking a certain affection, which she craves for.
3. The boy on the yatch could be considered more realistic since children are given opportunities to pursue their dreams, while a man who has accomplished his goals along with gaining more riches than he could possibly imagine and is staring at a green light is unrealistic.
4. Nick can be the real hero of the story since he seems to be the only one who is not in pursuit of truly selfish interests but instead acts as the helping hand. For instance, he helps Gatsby in attempts to win Daisy. He satisfies Jordan’s attention while disregarding her lies.
5. “The arrangement lasted five years, during which the boat went three times around the Continent.” The thematic significance in this statement is how dreams that are in effect can be very surreal.
Chapter 7
1. According to my findings (I have not read the book) Trimalchio, the protagonist of the Satyricon by Petronius, was a gaudy man who went from being a slave to acquiring a great wealth. He can be compared to Gatsby in the sense that they both made hosting lavish parties and providing entertainment as the major focus of their lives. The original title of The Great Gatsby was Trimalchio in West Egg.
2. In this chapter, there are several instances where Fitzgerald uses images of eyes to describe mental processes and emotions, “…disapproval in her eyes…,” “…gazed around with fascinated eyes…,” “shading his eyes…,” and more. There is a definition of blindness but not as a physical characteristic, rather as a mental state—“… She looked at him blindly…” On the other hand, sight is perceived both as a physical conditions—“…leaving them out of sight…”—and as a sixth sense—“… I have a—“…almost a second sight…” There is an overall hidden definition of blindness not as a physical characteristic but as a mental state in that the characters of the story are blind to their own frivolousness and lose sight of real problems.
3. The similarites within the first passages are that they both speak of an evil sort of place that one would try and escape. The similarities of the second passages are that both question what one should today and in the future.
4. It explains the relationship between the two people at the moment. It shows how they are indifferent towards each other. They are acting more as accomplices.
Chapter 8
1. Gatsby would represent a production ethic since most of his actions are meant to produce something such as when he made the parties to impress Daisy. Nick could represent a consumption ethic since he seems to mostly use his assets to satisfy himself. He uses Gatsby in order to have some company or Jordan to have some famous company. Jordan could represent a production ethic since shes uses her own asset in order accomplish somethings. She lies in order to get what she wants. The American Dream in Fitzergerald’s perspective seems to be that one must produce in order to consume. For instance, Gatsby seems to produce to parties in order to consume or achieve Daisy.
2. In this chapter, as in others, Fitzgerald recurrently uses images of eyes to describe mental processes and emotions, “…it increased her value in his eyes…,” “…it was all going by too fast now for his blurred eyes…,” “half-bewildered look came back into his faded eyes…,” and more. Nevertheless, there is one instance where the image of eyes is viewed as a more universal concept. When Michaelis looks at Doctor Eckleburg’s eyes and Wilson remarks that God sees everything, it emphasizes that their way of life was not left unnoticed. In the case of Gatsby, Fitzgerald makes a statement about his inability to distinguish between illusion and reality when he writes, “…There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams –nor through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. It had gone beyond her, beyond everything."
3. This story can be an inversion of the Grail since Gatsby is acting like the knight who is in search of Daisy or the Grail.
Chapter 9
1. Just as the Dutch Sailor viewed the new world with a sense of excitement and wonder so did Gatsby look to his dream with the exact same sense. The vision of the new world by the Dutch sailor that is eventually corrupted and destroyed with the development of cities and destruction of nature can be compared to the destruction of Gatsby’s dreams regarding his relationship with Daisy and the horrible consequences.
2. The book is a twist on the American dream since it features dreamers trying to achieve their goals. For instance, Tom and George, the dreamers have accomplished their goals, Daisy and Myrtle, and Daisy and Myrtle act like money, which can be spent completely at any second. Gatsby could be considered a dreamer who is still in pursuit of his dream, Daisy.
3. The corruption of the Gatsby guests refers to their lack of character, in that, they would eat the food, drink the liquor, and sponge off Gatsby, and then move onto the next party, while Gatsby was unstoppable in his quest to realize his dream of attracting Daisy.
4. By featuring the rich within the book, pseudo-intellectualism is incorporated since the rich, like Gatsby, may seem intelligent, but in reality, their minds are similar to the common man. For instance, Gatsby seemed to be sure of himself and full of intelligence, but when the time came to meet Daisy, he showed nervousness proving that he was not an exceptional being.
5. Many people of high class changed their names in order to show their wealth. Gatsby used to have his name as Gats but changed it in order to stand out. With his new name and status, he became a legend.
6. Gatsby has not changed since in reality he never truly attained his goal. He did get close enough to Daisy but was not successful in his goal. Therefore, he did not change because he was still chasing after his dream. Nick on the other hand matured since his experience with Gatsby, the rich, and the vices of the rich showed him another side of the world ultimately heightening his knowledge. He shows his transformation when he calls Tom a child since he realizes how the vices and illusions that surround the rich are childish.
Chapter 1
1. The references to people in literature/history in the novel were an imperative aspect. They give us a better understanding of the things the narrator is saying and describing by making the explanations deeper and more comprehensive. For example, the reference to Tom Buchanan’s life as a football player in college is used to show how he is a figure who puts in great effort and always goes for the top and the best, as well as the fact that he is very wealthy and has opportunities. “Her husband...a national figure in a way, one of those men who reach such an acute limited excellence...even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach.”
2. Jordan appears as a somewhat reserved young woman, who hardly talks much. She seems to act formal and mature in a sense. Also, she has a habit of balancing objects on her chin (or head) with serious and dedicated concentration, as well as being very competitive at golf. Fitzgerald’s purpose in describing the characters is to give us a solid idea of who they are and what they’re like. This also assists us in comprehension of events that happen and things the characters do or say later in the novel.
3. The first chapter of the novel is vital in the development of the plot, characters, and themes. This chapter is a very descriptive introduction which gives us a solid, strong image of the characters, as well as some universal ideas, in which the narrator gives us a taste of by referring to objects and facts. This helps a lot in our understanding of how the characters are and how they would respond and act, which foreshadows what is to come, and leading to the plot of the story.
Chapter 2
1. Evidence of farming or pastoral scenes and diction that suggest the belief that such a society fulfills the American dream is scarcely present in the novel. IT seems that such a society would not completely fulfill the American Dream. There is no generic pursuit of wealth, as the rich just appear to consider nothing but themselves, as greed and corruption encircle them. The resulting mortification is shown in the valley of ashes, as quoted, “A fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens..of men who move dimply and already crumbling through the powdery air.”
2. The images reveal how the American Dream was only a fantasy, a thought in the head that the people desired. The time period of the novel is depicted as an era of the corrosion of moral values and principles. This is shown through the greed and obscurity of the spoiled wealthy, where seeking to fulfill blind pleasures was the hub, revolves around the hopes and dreams of the future.
3. He has hopes and desires for a better future, by means of changing the situation he’s in so he could make his life better. In other words, he wants to go up from the position he is in now by obtaining/making lots of money, which is basically what he’ll need in order to improve things and make them better.
4. His poetic style is very fashionable, as it gives a profound perspective and allows the reader to perceive the information in a detailed manner. The comparisons he makes and images he describes, as well as the impressions he generates, gives the reader a defined picture portrayal of what is being described.
5. Gatsby is very well known and famous, yet no one appears to have any provable or confirmable information about him. This makes him mysterious, as great excitement and mystery revolves around him in the novel. Also rumors like the one Catherine spreads about him render the curiosity and question the people have about him.
Chapter 3
1. Individualism was a huge aspect of the age, and there was greater preeminence on the pursuit of pleasure and enjoyment in wake of all the misery, destruction, and ravage of the previous measures precedingly faced. The soft, over-romantic type of singing known as crooning became popular and was dominant (in the United States) during the 1920s.
2. Nick does have a sense of pride in him, as he does compare himself a bit with the strong, rich, and wealthy. Tom, it seems, does have greed, as his tough and rarely rowdy personality precedes him. He is rich and does seek his own pleasures, which also manifests him to gluttony. Gatsby appears to have generosity, as he uses his money to throw many parties in which he allows everyone to attend and enjoy while he just stands aside watching them please themselves. Just the fact that he doesn’t drink with the others or go past the moral limits shows his faith and temperance. Myrtle does have some lust, as she very desperately seeks to improve her situation, whereas she chooses Tom as an object of her substantial desire.
3. Jordan is beautiful, yet she is also competitive and self-centered, not to mention dishonest. Nick, on the other hand, is honest. He also tends to hold back his judgment, as well as being tolerant. This tolerance is what would allow a relationship with Jordan to work. Being opposite plays a part in making their relationship credible. For example, no two magnets will append if they are the same, but if they are opposites, they’ll attach to each other.
Chapter 4
1. The commonness of crimes that occur with the cosmic increase in the wealth of the general public during this era contributed largely to the reckless, indulgent decay, due to the pleasure seeking and omission that took place. Gatsby, seemingly the richest of all the people, throws many parties for everyone, and yet he has ties to the life involving bootlegging and alcohol. He has hopes and overwhelming desires to attain his dreams, and how it all fits together with his obtaining money. Additionally, he has a sense of individualism, the same individualism that was dominant in the 1920s era.
2. This is explaining the main circulation taking place through the novel. Some of the characters are in full pursuit of the American dream and seeking to gain wealth, and improve their life, both emotional and physical. Some of the characters are seen in pursuit of love, as well as the money they already want. Gatsby, for instance, is already very wealthy, and only seeks to win Daisy as a part of his life. The females in the novel are usually the ones being pursued, as the male tries to win the heart of one. The ones who are not pursuing the American dream are busy, as they already have a package on their hands that they are living with. Then there are the “tired” people. They’re just empty and have nothing to do but live life till the end.
3. I do not think that this chapter fits on the pyramid of dramatic structure. It tells of the preceding events which occurred before the story, that which is about Gatsby and his love for Daisy in a war period. It also includes the inciting moment, which is where the present conflict between Gatsby, his love for Daisy, and the “battle” against Tom had sprouted. Besides that, there isn’t much that would fit on the pyramid at all. It all sort of just plays out at this point and leads directly to giving the reader a taste of what is to come in the following chapter.
4. All the people listed on Nick’s timetable were materialistic. They all worked as owners of companies or businesses, or even politicians. It gives the impression as though they were all people in pursuit of money, and probably the American Dream.
5. The wartime activity, as gauged by Gatsby’s account, was optimized by sudden pursuit to obtain more power and wealth. Materialism had been dominating the life with the war that was going on. There was a connection between the desires being pursued, and the success of power and wealth
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby is a very well-known person, that of high stature in the society. He was born into a rich family, which is why he was very wealthy. Yet, he did obtain some of his wealth through criminal acts and other slightly immoral things. Don Quixote, on the other hand, was not known among the society, as his stature was just of the common people. Secondly, he was not born into any wealth like Gatsby was. He did seek to improve life and make things better, but only in the rightful and moral way.
2. George Wilson and Tom Buchanan are alike in a sense relating to their situation with their wife. Both of them have wives who aren’t faithful toward their marriage. Tom’s marriage is a blind and untruthful one, whereas Daisy, his wife, does not have existent true love for him, but tries to hide it. In George’s marriage, his wife Myrtle has desires for another man, rather than her own husband.
3. Gatsby, in reuniting with Daisy, has restarted a relationship that had been cut in the preceding events, which makes this the beginning of his dream to live a happy loving life with Daisy. Now that it started, Gatsby will continue down the path to the point where he has achieved his dream life with Daisy, which is when he will have fulfilled his ambitions, ending his dream of desiring to live with Daisy (because he would already be with her).
Chapter 6
1. The parties reveal the type of people the guests are. The guests give the impression that they simply just love to go party and have a fun and wild time. It appears as though in the 1920s American lifestyle involved music, drinking, and partying to a great extent. In the novel, the same guests are constantly attending the same parties, some of which were never invited in the first place.
2. Daisy’s admiration for the movie director leaning over his wife shows how she is fond of that exacting love which takes place between two people. She does look as if she can see herself in that image, but just not with the director leaning over her, but her love. I would believe Fitzgerald is simply “magnifying film.”
3. The boy on the yacht was ironically more worldly and realistic than the unrealistic adult gazing longingly at the green light. The life he was living was more dramatic and theatrical. He did not have an American fantasy as Gatsby did. Gatsby was too much of a dreamer, and all he did was try to live dreams, while the boy on the yacht had himself strapped to reality life.
4. Nick can be said to be the real hero of the story. Firstly, Nick is the narrator of the story, which he is fit for because of his characteristics, which is packed with moral values, as he is very honest, tolerant, and has good self-control. Furthermore, he does assist in the love affair between Gatsby and Daisy. He does seem to act as a voice for the author, as well, like when elaborating about the American Dream, etc.
5. “He wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy. His life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he could once return to a certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he could find out what the thing was.” Gatsby has some slight confusion about his past, a time when he and Daisy had absolute love for each other. The time has brought about changes, and now Gatsby seeks to fulfill his dreams, and try to remake the past. Gatsby can’t fully remake the past, as he wishes he could go back in time, but he can start fresh and go from there.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio and Gatsby are quite similar people. Trimalchio was a former slave, who was fat. Just like Gatsby though, he had acquired immense amounts of wealth. He is also known for throwing extravagant parties with lots of food and drinks, just as Gatsby does all the time. The difference, it seems, is that Trimalchio was known, with verifiable information about who he was, and not baffling as Gatsby was.
2. The eyes symbolize that God was always watching over the area and everyone who was in it. He was watching everything that happened, like the corruptness brought out in the society.
3. The similarities suggest that everything in life has an end. It is showing how when a journey ends, and the dream is fulfilled, then the dream ends. There is nothing that you can do to continue on with your dream, for only a new and divergent dream can be desired in order to continue through the avowed journey of ones ambition.
4. Tom and Daisy were not in a complete marriage full of love and dedication to each other. There was love outside of their marriage two. This leveled out the relationship inside the marriage and outside the marriage, making neither happiness nor unhappiness lie between the two.
Chapter 8
1. Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, and Tom Buchanan symbolize production ethic. Daisy Buchanan, Myrtle and George Wilson, and Jordan Baker symbolize more of a consumption ethic. The American Dream cannot be reached through corruption. The obtaining of wealth should not be taken without the consideration of how that wealth is used or what it’s used for.
2. Illusion and reality can be seen through and differentiated, but with more than just your eyes. The ability to distinguish between illusion and reality depends on the type of person. People can easily be blinded from reality. You must not let yourself accept an illusion and try to perceive things as they are or how they can be at the best.
3. Gatsby is like a knight seeking Daisy, his version of the “holy grail.” A knight seeking the holy grail has to face consequences, for if not treated and used in a correct manner, the result will negative. Gatsby, as seen in the novel, seeks to obtain Daisy and her heart in order to fulfill his dream in life, just as a knight seeks the holy grail in order to give him the power to live in the manner he chooses, which would make his life better.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares the Dutch sailors to Gatsby in order to show the two different lifestyles. Gatsby was rich and famous, as his life in the society was somewhat easy, not regarding his personal life with Daisy. The Dutch sailors had a different lifestyle. Firstly, they worked and were not that of the wealthy class. The American dream that Gatsby was trying to live up to would not take the same path as life for the Dutch sailors and their ambitions.
2. The hopes of reaching the American dream had left to different results, depending on the position and situation the person was at in the society. One would think those who were rich would have it going all good, when in reality this stature is what helped cause the consequences of their actions. It turned out that the dreams can blind a person from the reality.
3. Gatsby was trying to live an incorruptible dream, while he is surrounded with revolving corruption, that of the people in the society around him. The corruption was like a virus that spread through and eventually had its turn on Gatsby and his dreams, which led to problems and corruptness.
4. He makes statements about pseudo-intellectualism through the life of Gatsby. His dreams of wealth and living with Daisy blinded him from the truth and factual reality. Even though Gatsby only had good intentions to go along with his good morals, he blinded with illusions, which led him to his death.
5. Fitzgerald does show the power of proper names in the novel. The use of the proper names was used to augment the intellectuality that was used to expand on the articulateness of the characters and their physical eminence.
6. From the beginning of the novel toward the end, Gatsby doesn’t seem to have changed much at all. He was the same man in pursuit of the same dreams with hopes of reuniting with Daisy. Nick appears to have undergone little change throughout the novel. In the beginning Nick was just some person seeking to satisfy curiosity about Gatsby and all. Through the novel, and as the story was continuing on, Nick would learn from his experiences with different classes, lifestyles, and people like Gatsby, Tom, and Daisy.
- Enrique Vivar
Ch.1
1) References to people in history were evident in the first chapter. The purposes they served were to add on a deeper and specific meaning of whatever Nick said. For example, his reference to Midas, Morgan, and Maecenas, on the topic of books dealing with money, gives the reader the thought of how meaningful the books are, which only they, early Roman Gods, could unfold the secrets.
2) Tom was a brawny, vicious looking man with a deep intimidating voice. He seems like a man who feels the need to have full control of everything, for example being the man of the house. Fitzgerald’s purpose of describing them is to give us insight on who they are, and what their characteristics are, which will help out in our better understanding of them as the story carries on.
3) The first chapter is critically important in the development of the plot, characters, and themes. We get a lot of insight on who these characters are and this foreshadows what is coming. From the characters, more specifically Daisy and Tom, we find out that they are very concerned about the colored race taking over the whites. The theme of white supremacy can be seen through Tom's excitement of the "Nordic" race, and their need to keep the other races under suppression. Also, from this chapter we see the disillusionment of the people, as Nick tries to seek a future of happiness after being involved in the devastating World War 1.
Ch.2
1) In the beginning of chapter one, Nick refers back to the Middle West, where he “left a country of wide lawns and friendly trees.”P.3 That society is associated with more traditional moral values. Also, the agrarian belief was evident in early chapter 2, when nick described the valley of ashes as “a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges.”P.23 Later on, he talks about how East Egg’s society was rich, for example Tom and Daisy’s beach side mansion, and cared about no one else but themselves. Therefore, belief that the agrarian society was the epitome of the American Dream was there.
2) The green light in the beginning of the chapter had the symbolic meaning of Gatsby’s goal in quest of the wealthy Daisy, who is part of the rich society. In contrast, the valley of ashes corresponds to the less fortunate who failed in their pursuit of wealth. I believe both fall in the category of the American dream with the thematic idea of great wealth, as Gatsby has a piece missing, a woman, and is in quest for her, and the valley of ashes where they are also in pursuit for it, like Mr. Wilson.
3) He can be seen as perusing the American dream, in terms of his quest to become wealthy, as those in East and West Egg. His desire to better the situation is possible by obtaining money, in which he puts full effort to.
4) Fitzgerald’s poetic style puts more interest and imagery to the novel. It allows us to visualize what he is saying, and at the same time, maintains control of his prose, as seen here, “ I bought a dozen volumes on banking and credit…they stood on my shelf in red and gold like new money …promising to unfold the shining secrets that only Midas and Morgan and Maecenas knew.”Pg.4 He also uses similes for further imagery, and still preserves his flow. For example, “the late afternoon sky bloomed in the window for a moment like the blue honey of the Mediterranean.” Pg. 34
5) The rumors surrounding him, such as Some speculating that he killed a man, or was a German spy and others think he had served in the American Army during World War I, makes him a mysterious archetypical hero. We can say his success was wealth and mansion, and his assistant through out his journey is his Rolls Royce. Also, Gatsby becomes a hero by leading men into a dangerous situation and holding territory despite overwhelming odds during the war.
Ch.3
1) Jazz was an extremely popular type of music in the 1920’s. It was also present in the beginning of the novel in Gatsby’s party where Nick first met him and a specific song was played, Vladimir Tostoff’s “Jazz History of the World.” Jazz was rhythms not swung, but played exactly as written, and creating it was less complex. Their purpose was to have a way to express someone’s feelings through music and create relaxing tones. The dominant musical type in the 1920’s was the blues, which became a popular African American music. Blues tended to be slow and somewhat sad in character.
2) Dante’s list of seven deadly sins and seven cardinal virtues are: lust, pride, greed, envy, anger, sloth, and gluttony. The virtues against which it sins are: humility, generosity, love, kindness, self control, faith and temperance, and zeal. Greed and pride can be inferred to Tom as he has no generosity and is apprehensive of other races overtaking the white supremacy. Mr. Wilson represents anger as he goes against self control in quest to find the murderer of his wife.
3) Jordan Baker was a woman who could not resist being in any disadvantage. She is a very dishonest as seen when they had the argument of careless drivers, where she denied being “careless”. She has two different personalities, where she can change right away. Nick is tolerant, open-minded, quiet, and a great listener. He is very honest, clearly seen in the beginning of the novel where he courageously expresses how he feels to Daisy, “ you make me feel uncivilized , Daisy”.p12
Ch.4
1) The American Dream associated with America’s past has succumbed to mercenary. This is evidently seen with Gatsby’s style of living, only for the wealth. It caused several problems in the early 19th century, such as the Valley of Ashes, which results from the carelessness of the affluent people.
2) The epigram is without a doubt the single most important line of the novel. It correlates with the development of the plot and characters. The perusing can be referred to Gatsby, as he seeks Daisy, the missing piece of his jigsaw puzzle of life, and Mr. Wilson, who is determined to reach the American Dream, “I’ve been here too long. I want to get away. My wife and I want to go west.”p.123 Nick defines “busy” as he is caught in the middle of drama and takes the initiative to look out for Gatsby. The perused is clearly the women like Daisy and Myrtle.
3) The pyramid of dramatic structure includes many parts where this chapter does not fit into. This chapter is only the inciting moment, mainly because Nick is asked to set up the meeting, which occurs in ch.5 and is the climax of the story. The only thing we discover from this chapter is Gatsby’s mysterious past, where he confesses the truth. Overall, this chapter does not fit in the pyramid of dramatic structure.
4) The people listed by Nick were the most affluent and important individuals in the nation. The purpose for Fitzgerald to use these specific people was to show us the true popularity and great magnitude of Gatsby’s parties. Also clearly indicative of a man from East Egg. Doctor Webster Civet was one of those significant people mentioned by Nick. He reflects education and class, characteristic of those from the more fashionable Egg societies.
5) Montenegro thus became the only Allied nation to lose its independence after the war. Montenegro also suffered invasion in January of 1916 and for the remainder of the war remained in the possession of the Central Powers. Montenegro suffered severely in World War I. At the first invasion of Serbia by the Austrian armies, Montenegro lost no time in declaring war against the Central Powers. Gatsby was involved in battle due to some actions that occurred, like Montenegro’s.
Ch.5
1) Don Quixote did not acquire such great wealth like Gatsby. In other words, being affluent sprouted his popularity in society. In contrast, Quixote could be considered unheard of. In addition, it is acceptable to call Don Quixote the counterpart of Gatsby.
2) Tom and Wilson are correspondingly identical in many ways. Most importantly, they both have wives which aren’t loyal to their marriage. Both Daisy and Myrtle feel uncomfortable in the relationship and are having secret affairs. Ironic enough, Tom is seeing Myrtle behind Wilson and Daisy’s back. Although not much devotion is shown, deep down inside they both truly love their wives. Tom expresses his true feelings for Daisy, “I love Daisy too…in my heart I love her all the time.”
3) The meeting between Gatsby and Daisy initially went dreadful, as he believed “this is a terrible mistake,”p.89 as there was many moments of silence and confusion. After gaining confidence, he was able to converse with Daisy without any trouble. What marked the end of his dream and successes was when Daisy saw the enormous mansion, and fell back in love with him.
Ch.6
1) The luxurious parties thrown by Gatsby were of great magnitude. Most notably, the guests were the most affluent and important individuals in the nation, varying from famous film directors to the finest doctors. With guest like those, it reveals that they attended the most lavish parties and their style included drinking. Also, being spotted at one of these celebrations is vital for their status in society.
2) Fitzgerald is magnifying film, mainly because he does make something appear close like daisy’s admiration for the movie director leaning over his wife. With this image that she is seeing, she can see herself as the woman, in which she would be pleased and content with one love.
3) Dan Cody did influence Gatsby in many ways; most importantly, watching Cody's excessive drinking, made Gatsby drink very little Gatsby was steward, mate, skipper, secretary and even jailer for Dan Cody, and was very trusted by him. This seemed to be the more realistic Gatsby, who was a hard worker and fulfilled his dreams. In contrast, the Gatsby looking at the green light depicts a Gatsby who is afraid of perusing his dreams.
4) Nick, the narrator of the story, can be suggested to be the real hero of the story. One way he depicts that is by serving in the war, a courageous action. Also, he defines the aspects of a hero, in which Nick is broadminded, fearless, and caring. Most of all, he is trustworthy, as Gatsby depends on him and is open, “I’m going to tell you about my life.” Nick is also the hero by being caught up in the middle of the Daisy and Gatsby affair, in which he has success. “He wants to know if you’ll invite daisy to your house some afternoon and then let him come over.” Last, he stood in the hotel room in New York to make sure a fight didn’t break out during Gatsby and Tom’s argument, therefore showing the personality trait of caring. Overall, Nick was the true hero of the story.
5) “Who is 'Tom'? … we haven’t met for many years.”p.87 This quotation shows that she knows the nature of the meeting, where time is a factor in remembering such things like love. After a while both were right on track where they left off five years ago. The thematic theme present in this passage is love and reunion, showing that it never fades.
Ch. 7
1) In the Satyricon, Trimalchio was an overweight man who was a former slave and acquired a massive amount of wealth in which he spend it wildly on luxurious dinner parties. Some one very similar to him was Jay Gatsby, who also threw lavish parties and was affluent. Gatsby seems more mysterious though in the novel rather than Trimalchio where his identity is directly seen.
2) Eyes were seen in the billboard of the Valley of Ashes. The massive blue eyes represent purity as it watches over the valley. Most significant, the eyes symbolize God watching over the poor area. Times were changing and God was not, people's main concern in life anymore.” Michaelis saw with shock that he was looking at the eyes…just emerged, pale and enormous…god sees everything.” P.160
3) Both passages allow us to discover a significant meaning of life. The first passage “there were no intentions in her head,” showed the lack of love towards children, a shameful thing to commit. Also, being wealthy and fulfilling the American Dream leads to no goals and wonder of what is next for their lives, as seen in Daisy’s quote, “what will we do with ourselves this afternoon... thirty years.”
4) The significance of those comments was of great magnitude. This made Gatsby himself realize that Daisy did love Tom at once when they were initially married. This realization though didn’t affect his spirit and thoughts that she loved him and only him. These were comments of confusion, but later gathered up his thoughts.
Ch. 8
1) Gatsby represents the production within the novel. He clearly produces the most lavish parties. Along with that, he defines individualism with his bootlegging business and acquired wealth. Jordan seemed to be the one consuming some of the wealth by staying at Tom’s colonial mansion. Also, I’d say Gatsby is also with the ancestral riches.
2) Illusions frequently occur in the novel. For example, Nick is the first to experience the mysterious sights. “When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again into eh unquiet darkness.” P.21 Also, the blue eyes in the billboard of the valley of ashes were frequently seen as if they watched over the area. The ability do distinguish them depends on the situation, for example Nick was drunk that night where he had the disappearing illusion of Gatsby, and Mr. Wilson with the eyes, devastated after Marytle’s death.
3) This story is truly an ironic inversion of the knightly quest. The Holy Grail resembles the beauty of Daisy and how much its worth, in Gatsby’s case it meant buying a mansion in front of hers and wait for five years. He also goes through troubled obstacles like a knight would go through, for example Tom. These obstacles prevented Gatsby from fulfilling his dream of Daisy. Also, ironically, death came to Gatsby, in which the knightly quest, it was common.
Ch.9
1) The Dutch sailors weren’t associated with wealth and popularity as much as Gatsby, who was a major asset to society. Nick’s purpose for the comparison is to illustrate the greatness of Gatsby and how no other compared to him. He truly fulfilled the American Dream.
2) There certainly was an ironic twist to the American dream. The dream will always have some sort of trouble in it, which in the novel the case is affairs. Although they all lived in comfort, they got married for the wrong reasons. Also, as stated in the back cover, “sex was the national obsession,” which gives us a reason for their actions. It is ironic how there is almost a secret triangle of affair with Tom, Daisy, and Myrtle.
3) The corruption spoken about was which Gatsby was trying to avoid in his life. The guests were corrupt, as they attended his parties and showed friendship, but when most needed, they weren’t there. At his funeral no one showed up, therefore displaying the corruptness of his guest as they basically used him and showed no love for him.
4) The use of pseudo-intellectualism by Fitzgerald could be applied to Gatsby. At times, he was not authentic or sincere, in spite of appearances. For example, his meeting with Daisy and the talk with Nick in the Rolls Royce in the beginning of the novel. He wasn’t seen as expected, despite what was said about him.
5) The power of proper names was asserted into the novel by Fitzgerald. It is evidently seen through Gatsby. When he was in adoscelence where he was a hard worker and triumphed in every aspect, his name was James, the original and proper. With that name, he was perceived with great status. He later changes his name to Jay, a shorter version and improper. It gave the affect of Gatsby not sounding and seen so dominant.
6) Nick evidently underwent a minor transformation from the beginning to the end of the novel. Initially, he was an ordinary man with descent wealth and attitude to seek a better life. He starts changing his attitude when he gets drunk in the apartment in New York where he meets Tom’s friends. Before that, he only experienced that twice, and to fit in, he drank. He was caring, but it seemed to alter as the novel progressed. His interest and caring about Gatsby grew to the point where leaving him made him feel different. “I didn’t want to go to the city. I didn’t want to leave Gatsby.” P.153 Gatsby remained the same through the course of the novel. He never gave up on the only thing missing in his life, a woman, Daisy. He continued his pursuit, undergoing obstacles like Tom, with the same attitude and personality. Overall, there were minor changes in the two protagonists.
-E. Vivar
Chapter 1
1. They serve as a way to bring more life into the novel. To help us understand better what point in time it takes place. It help us the reader grasp a deeper understanding of the time period. By bringing in outside sources we have an increased advantage to understanding what it is about.
2. Daisy is a young beautiful woman that happens to belong to the higher society. On the upside she is beautiful and charming. On the down side she is also but fickle, shallow, bored, and sardonic. Nick describes her as a careless person who smashes things up and then retreats behind her money. Daisy proves how she really is inside when she chooses to allow Gatsby to take the blame for killing Myrtle Wilson even though she herself was driving the car. Finally, rather than attend Gatsby’s funeral, Daisy and Tom move away, leaving no forwarding address. Daisy loves money, ease, and material luxury. She can be affectionate but not of constant loyalty or care. She is indifferent even to her own daughter, never discussing her and treating her as an afterthought when she is introduced or mentioned. Daisy represents the amoral values of the aristocratic East Egg set. He wanted to show what the wealthy side of society and what their values were.
3. The plot is somewhat explained and the readers get an understanding of what the novel is about. The themes are also introduced and as well as hoe each theme is represented. If it were not for the first chapter the reader would be lost when it came to the characters and the many themes. Nick Carraway’s observations and attitudes about the events and characters of the novel are key to. The first pages set up certain disagreements in Nick’s point of view. He describes himself as tolerant and nonjudgmental. Even though Nick has a strong negative reaction to his experiences in New York and even though he had a feeling of disgust, Gatsby stands out for him as an exception. Nick admires Gatsby, even though Gatsby represents everything Nick scorns about New York. Gatsby clearly poses a challenge to Nick’s customary ways of thinking about the world.
Chapter 2
1. Fitzgerald portrays the 1920s as an age of decayed social and moral values, showed in the pursuit greed, and empty pursuit of pleasure. The recklessness that led to corrupted parties and wild jazz music resulted ultimately in the corruption of the American dream, as the unrestrained desire for money and pleasure surpassed more noble goals. It was symbolized in The Great Gatsby by the wealthy parties that Gatsby throws every Saturday night.
2. Located at the end of Daisy’s East Egg dock and barely visible from Gatsby’s West Egg lawn, the green light represents Gatsby’s hopes and dreams for the future. Gatsby connects it with Daisy, and in Chapter I he reaches toward it in the darkness as a guiding light to lead him to his goal. Because Gatsby’s quest for Daisy is largely related with the American dream, the green light also symbolizes that more generalized ideal. First introduced in Chapter II, the valley of ashes between West Egg and New York City is made up of a long stretch of desolate land created by the dumping of industrial ashes. It represents the moral and social decay that results from the unrestrained pursuit of wealth, as the rich indulge themselves with regard for nothing but their own pleasure. The valley of ashes also symbolizes the plight of the poor, like George Wilson, who live among the dirt and lose their life as a result.
3. George Wilson symbolizes the American dream in that he went from being a poor man to being a wealthy one. He also shows how Americans want to better their situation. They want than what they already have, for the more they have the more they want. He is like any other American wants which is economic wealth and prosperity. He has a small business and he dreams of becoming more than what he is. He wants to build his wealth on the tiny business he has.
4. Fitzgerald knows how to describe attributes and yet not make them seem overly used. He has control over his use of language and he knows how and when to use it. He is a man that knows how to make his characters more alive by using descriptive language. He uses metaphors to convey his meaning. To portray more effectively what the American dream was and how the characters all symbolized a part of it.
5. Gatsby is like the old heroes when no one knew who they were. They had great riches but no one knew how they got them. Their past was a great mystery even from their friends. No one knew who they were or where they came from. Gatsby was a mystery to all his guest.
Chapter 3
1. Jazz was born sometime around 1895 in New Orleans. It combined elements of ragtime, marching band music, and blues. American jazz music was a major influence to social dance. Jazz was characterized by the widespread use of improvisation, often by more than one player at a time. Jazz represented a break from Western musical traditions. The 1920's would soon be known as the emergence of the Jazz Age. Jazz gained international praise at this time and bands grew in size.
2. Tom has many of the seven sins. He has the sin of lust for he desires sex with a person outside marriage. He goes behind Daisy’s back and takes Myrtle as his mistress. He also has greed. He wants more than what he already has for example he wants another women even though he already has one. Tom also possesses wrath. He wants revenge on Gatsby so he tells George it was Gatsby who ran over Myrtle. Tom also possesses envy, which stems from his greed, and wrath. He was jealous of the way Daisy looked at Gatsby, with love or something close to it. Thanks to this jealousy he blamed Gatsby for Myrtles death to get rid of him. He also had pride and a lot of it. He hates to be taken for a moron. Nick on the other hand has no sins. He has some of the virtues. He has moderation for he is mindful of others feelings. He has humility for he is respectful to others even those he doesn’t like.
3. Nick doesn’t like the fact that tom has a mistress where as Jordan doesn’t seem to mind. Jordan was said to have cheated in one of her golf tournaments. Nick tells the truth and is an honest man were a Jordan gets off telling lies and deceiving others. She doesn’t vale the truth much and she prefers to lie where as Nick likes the honest truth.
Chpater 4
1. The American dream is to get rich without having to do much work. People want money fast but aren’t willing to work hard to get it. People only care about what they can buy, about material things and not what really matters. They get into so many get rich quick schemes where they end up losing everything.
2. It shows how there are only a certain few groups and everyone fits into those few. It pretty much shows what the inner challenges of the novel are. It’s a line that conveys what society believe and teaches.
3. This is the antecedent action for the action of the novel has yet to begin. It’s bearably setting us up for what is to come. The author is giving us backgrounds of the characters. It is setting the audience up for what is yet to come.
4. P. Jewett knew wealth and poverty too just like Gatsby. They both were poor as children and through their own means become wealthy.
5.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby and Don Quixote are both alike in that they have created their own illusions. They both have their own dream world where they live in daily. Don Quixote has his monsters he’s trying to destroy and Gatsby has Daisy he’s trying to win over. They both have a goal which they are trying to achieve although a little differently.
2. Tom and George both cant hold on to their wives. They both loose them to temptation. Both wives are tempted to go with other men because they don’t care about their husbands. Tom took George’s wife and Gatsby took tom’s wife. Both are men that are greedy in different ways.
3. The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby, a rather sordid relationship, signals simultaneously the beginning and the end of Gatsby’s dream and of his success. With their reunion Gatsby dream of her perfection started to disintegrate.
Gatsby had this illusion of Daisy. When he finally saw her again after so many years he realized the illusion he created wasn’t true. It also signaled his downfall in that it was Daisy’s greediness and fickleness that led to his death.
Chapter 6
1.The plays were a place where people went to gossip. The play producers and goers loved to talk about others and were very nosy. All the parties seem to revolve around gossip and who was doing what and with whom.
2. Daisy sees herself in that image. She is the young lady and tom is the one always leaning toward her. Never giving her enough space to just breath. She longs for the freedom that Gatsby represents.
3. As a young boy he understood more of what was going on. He knew what was possible and what was not. As an adolescent he understood the way the world worked. The man looking into the green light was a man with so many dreams and illusions that could never come true.
4. He seems to be the only one that is level headed. He tries to help Gatsby with Daisy even though he was a little bit reluctant. Nick is the only one that does not seem to wish ill will on to others.
5. “…the organic future that year by year recedes before us (182)” Time is alive and it’s tangible. It passes by so fast and waits for no one to catch up. Time just continues on its merry way and cares not if people are ready for it to pass.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio was a gaudy, fat man, formerly a slave, who had recently acquired great wealth and taken to extreme excess. He is, however, lovable, in a Falstavian fashion. He as well as Gatsby are known for throwing lavish dinner parties, where their numerous servants bring course after course of exotic delicacies. Fitzgerald makes a reference to Trimalchio in the introduction to Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby: It was when curiosity about Gatsby was at its highest that the lights in his house failed to go on one Saturday night--and, as obscurely as it had begun, his career as Trimalchio was over.
2. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are a pair of fading, bespectacled eyes painted on an old advertising billboard over the valley of ashes. They represent God staring down upon and judging American society as a moral wasteland. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald suggests that symbols only have meaning because characters give them with meaning. The connection between the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg and God exists only in George Wilson’s mind. The eyes also come to represent the essential meaninglessness of the world and the arbitrariness of the mental process by which people invest objects with meaning.
3. The similarities suggest that life in America is lived in a rush. People are rushing everyone with no conscious thought in their minds. People also are indecisive for they have too much going on in their lives. They are only concentration on specific things.
4. They were planning on how to deal with Gatsby. Tom and Daisy were not happy or unhappy they just were. They both knew what could happen and wanted to avoid it. Tom and Daisy are alike in that they are both shallow and fickle and care only about their own wellbeing.
Chapter 8
1. Some of the characters in the novel symbolize a production ethic; others symbolize a consumption ethic. Classify the characters accordingly, and draw a conclusion about the American Dream, as you understand it, from Fitzgerald.
The American Dream as I understand it is to become wealthy by any means. Like Gatsby, many turned to illegal acts to get money. Daisy and Tom represent a consumption ethic because they use money to but their way into things. Gatsby symbolizes production because he gets thinks done even if it’s not in a legal way.
2.Fitzgerald is trying to say that Americans have a hard time telling the difference between illusion and reality. People are living in their own little made up world where nothing is real. Gatsby is living in his own little dream world where he believes he’s going to get Daisy.
3. The knight and Gatsby are both on a quest to get something that can very well be unattainable. They both are trying to get something that they can only possible get in their own dreams. They both are willing to go to any lengths to get what they seek.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares Dutch soldiers to Gatsby because they are in their own illusions. They are fighting for something which they may never get.
2. It’s ironic that they failed. Gatsby represented the newly wealthy and the American dream was that they would prevail. In the novel he lost his life and his dream.
3. Nick speaks of the “corruption” of Gatsby’s guests and Gatsby’s “incorruptible dream.” This causes the story to come together in that Gatsby’s corrupted past begins to unfurl. His past becomes known to all about how he gained his wealth.
4. Fitzgerald makes statements about pseudo-intellectualism by showing the opposite of true intellectualism. It manipulates others as in the novel some characters did.
6. Gatsby still loves Daisy as he did in the beginning but he became more disillusioned. He knows now that things are not the way he imagined and dreamed of. His illusion of perfection started to crumble and eventually shattered. Nick in the beginning looked at Gatsby with a little bit of distaste. Towards the end he pitied him because not many went to his funeral.
Chapter 1
1. Fitzgerald references people in literature and history to make the characters and story realistic. Also, it helps the readers to visualize and understand the beginning of the story. “The Carraways… we’re descended from the Dukes of Buccleuch, but… on to-day.” By using people from history and literature, it makes it easier to identify the characters in later chapters.
2. The author “tags” Tom as a restless and hulking to give the readers a visual of Tom. Restless and hulking, as the author describes, comes from his hobbies and physical appearance. “Her husband, among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven-” Tom needs to be in a good physical condition to play football. Fitzgerald’s purpose in describing them in “tag” is to give the characters a distinct identity in the story. The author gives identity, which the author describes, their personalities and physical appearance, and makes it easier for the readers to visualize the characters in later chapters.
3. The first chapter is important in the development of plot, characters, and themes because first impression is important. To have the development in the first chapter makes the novel less confusing. The author guides the readers how to visualize and think in the first chapter to keep them going on the same direction as Fitzgerald. “I lived at West Egg, the – well, the less fashionable of the two…” The description helps the readers to follow where the author wants to go in the novel.
Chapter 2
1. Fitzgerald describes an agrarian society than talking about it. “This is a valley of ashes - a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills… air.” (Chapter 2) Although it is talking how the ashes grow like the crops in farms, it can, also, be taken as farming is dull. Americans can fulfill their dreams by doing work, like farming. By doing work, they can achieve their goals.
2. The green light in chapter 1 represents dreams and goals. “But I didn’t call to him… he was content to be alone – he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way… he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward – and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock.” (Chapter 1) This was mostly referring to Gatsby’s dreams and goals. Nick, the speaker, can see Gatsby has a goal, but it’s far away to obtain it. The light motivates him to reach for his goal, but the green, the grass on the lawn, makes him struggle to get it. In contrast, the gray images, the Valley of Ashes in chapter 2, is reality. “This is the valley of ashes… grotesque gardens… men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air.” (Chapter 2) The grey, or the ashes, makes the image dull and less exciting because this is how the author sees about reality. Everyone will suffer from something to reach their goals and dreams.
3. George Wilson can be said to symbolize the American Dreams because he a simple man who works hard to support his wife and himself. While George is working hard, his wife is having fun, which is an example of the 1920s where the men works hard and the women, they were called flappers, are out to have a fun time. “‘Wilson? He thinks she goes to see her sister in New York. He’s so dumb he doesn’t know he’s alive.’” (Chapter 2) During this time, the women had more freedom than before, so they took the chance to find excitement, like what Mrs. Wilson is doing in the novel.
4. Fitzgerald uses metaphors and images to describe people and places. Catherine, for example, was described in metaphors to show how beautiful she is. “Her eyebrows… but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face.” (Chapter 2) Nick sees how beautiful her eyebrows blend with her face. The metaphors show the beauty of Catherine than just describing in simple words. Fitzgerald is a disciplined writer with a great control of his prose because he writes the novel, but he tries to be accurate with his description, which makes the story interesting.
5. There are many archetypal heroes that are in stories. One of the heroes is King Arthur. There are many version of King Arthur, but they are similar. The stories starts off where a young man takes the sword, Excalibur, out of the rock and recruits knights to join him at the round table. Arthur fights enemies and creatures, such as dragons, which makes him noble to his kingdom. Gatsby can be considered a hero because people talk about him. “’Well, they say he’s a nephew or a cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm’s. That’s where all his money comes from.’” (Chapter 2) The rumors make Gatsby famous and everybody will start to know if there are rumors spreading in different places.
Chapter 3
1. The Jazz Age happened in the 1920s in the United States. Jazz started in New Orleans by African Americans. Some of the most famous Jazz musicians were Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Louis Armstrong was famous for playing the trumpet and singing, which was after he became famous for playing the instrument. Some of the famous songs he played were “A Kiss to Build a Dream On,” “All of Me,” “Cabaret,” and many others. Duke Ellington was a famous piano player in the Jazz Age. The purpose of the Jazz was to bring happiness to America. It was a time when America was beginning a new life after the World War I. Jazz was a dominant music during the 1920s because it influenced everybody to refresh their life.
2. The seven deadly sins are lust, pride, greed, wrath, envy, gluttony, and sloth. The seven cardinal virtues are faith, hope, love, prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. In the novel, most of the women are making the sins and the men are the virtues. Jordan and Myrtle are the ones who are sinful in the novel because Jordan lies about things, such as the golf tournament, and Myrtle go out to have fun while her husband is working to support her and him. One of the women who are honest is Daisy. Although Daisy doesn’t like her husband as much as she did before, she stays with him. Nick, Gatsby, Tom, and George are men who follow the seven cardinal virtues. Nick is justice, Gatsby is hope, Tom is love, and George is fortitude. All of the characters know the vice and virtue, but Nick is the one who tries to follow virtue.
3. Fitzgerald shows the honesty in Nick and dishonesty in Jordan in chapter 3. “‘You’re a rotten driver,’ I protested. ‘Either you ought to be more careful, or you oughtn’t to drive at all.’” Nick is being responsible for Jordan. “I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.” Nick even admits that he is honest through his eyes and knowledge. Also, Nick admits that Jordan is dishonest. “She was incurably dishonest.” “At her first big golf tournament… a suggestion that she had moved her ball from a bad lie in the semi-final round.” This is one of the examples where she lied and makes an impression on Nick. There are few things they are similar, but one thing that stands out is their innocent and immaturity in their love and relationship towards each other. “‘I hope I never will,’ she answered. ‘I hate careless people. That’s why I like you.’” “Her gray… and for that moment I thought I loved her.”
Chapter 4
1. During the 1920s, the stock market was increasing in points, which meant that it was easy for people to get money. This is known as get-rich-quick schemes. The stock market increased until 1929, where it started to decline and Great Depression began. Before the decline, people were getting money and the rich got richer. Gatsby was some of the few who were lucky enough to get money and buy goods such as cars, house, and other. “‘Meyer Wolfsheim? No, he’s a gambler.’” “He saw me looking with admiration at his car.” Those who were unlucky were not able to buy things and own things like Nick.
2. The epigram: “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” means that there are only those kinds of people. It puts people in different categories. Gatsby can be put in as “the busy” because he is trying to meet Daisy. This is important in the novel because it enlightens the readers to think about the characters and their situation.
3. This chapter fits between antecedent action and inciting moment. The antecedent action is when Jordan and Gatsby tell Nick about Gatsby and Daisy’s past. “‘Well, I’m going to tell you something about my life….’” “One October day in nineteen-seventeen-” It’s a little background story. This chapter is also inciting moment because Gatsby asks Nick a favor to invite Daisy to his house. The conflict between Gatsby and Daisy, which involves Nick and Jordan to make this happen, makes the story interesting. “‘She’s not to know about it. Gatsby doesn’t want her to know. You’re just supposed to invite her to tea.’” The readers do not know what’s going to happen in later in the chapter because this can end up either good or bad in the end.
4. Stonewall Jackson Abram, as mentioned in the novel, was a Southern Civil War hero. He lived in the East Egg, but moved to the West Egg because he was an honorable man. This person is involved in the novel because it shows how famous Gatsby’s parties were and the West Egg had many famous people.
5. During World War I, Austria declared war on Serbia. Montenegro had a close tied to Serbia, so Montenegro fought with Serbia, but lost. Montenegro’s role was to help Serbia, but failed because their enemies were stronger. When Gatsby was fighting against Montenegro, they won because the country was too weak for them. “‘I was promoted to be a major, and every Allied government gave me a decoration –even Montenegro, little Montenegro down on the Adriatic Sea!’” This meant that they were easy to win against.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote because they both think differently from other people. They both want to achieve their goals, but they have a hard time concentrating to achieve it. “‘I want to get the grass cute,’ he said.” Gatsby wants to go through with his plan, but he can’t think straight, so he changes the subject in his conversation.
2. Tom and George are alike because their wives have lost interest in them. “Myrtle considered. ‘I married him because I thought he was a gentleman.’” (Chapter 2) Myrtle only married George for his money, but she found that he’s not rich at all, which made Myrtle lose interest in him. Daisy is more faithful than Myrtle, but she still had a feeling for Gatsby. “His hand took hold of hers, and as she said something low in his ear he turned toward her with a rush of emotion.” (Chapter 5) The two situations are different because Myrtle lost interest in her husband because of the money while Daisy became unfaithful to Tom because of her feelings towards Gatsby.
3. Gatsby meeting with Daisy signals simultaneously the beginning of his dreams because the reunion will start a conflict among Daisy, Gatsby, and Tom. Gatsby will try to find a way to get Daisy away from Tom. Also, this is the end because for five years, he’s been chasing Daisy and trying to get her to be with him. Since Nick arranged tea for both Daisy and Gatsby, his dream came true. “There might have been 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. It had gone beyond her, beyond everything.”
Chapter 6
1. Each person has different reason to attend to a party. During the 1920s, party was just a get together with everyone from different places and sharing their stories. The parties reveal many things about the guests, depending what situation they are in. Some may talk it all out from being drunk while others may show from their body language. “…and I knew that except for the half-hour she’d been alone with Gatsby she wasn’t having a good time.”
2. When Daisy sees the director leaning over his wife, she admires it. “‘I like her,’ said Daisy, ‘I think she’s lovely.’” She is awed by this and she sees herself in that possession, but only in her fantasy. Daisy wants to be something out of her life and gets annoyed when she can’t be someone famous.
3. Boy on the yacht is more realistic than an adult gazing longingly at the green light because there is more action and description when Gatsby was on the yacht. “He never understood the legal device that was used against him, but what remained of the million went intact to Ella Kaye. He was left with his singularly appropriate education; the vague contour of Jay Gatsby had filled out to the substantiality of a man.” To have Gatsby becoming a man from his youth seems to make it realistic than to have him, as an adult, stare at the green light.
4. Nick is a real hero in the story because he’s considering people’s feelings about different situations and helping them, even though he doesn’t want to. “Gatsby looked at me questioningly. He wanted to go, and he didn’t see that Mr. Sloane had determined he shouldn’t.” Nick is almost like a parent for Gatsby, which saves Gatsby from getting hurt.
5. The line that shows its thematic significant is “‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘ Why of course you can!’” This shows that time has past significantly between the events. The theme takes time to build up, which the author made this quickly by skipping some of the events in the past and made it into a short summary.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio and Gatsby are alike because they are odd and have interesting parties. “There was music from my neighbor’s house through the summer nights.” (Chapter 3) Gatsby had many parties and it was one of the well-known parties because famous people from different places went to his parties. Sometimes, people that Gatsby didn’t know went there.
2. Fitzgerald described the characters’ eyes in unique ways. “Her expression… I realized that her eyes, wide with jealous terror, were… whom she took to be his wife.” The author described the eyes with details because people can tell how a person is feeling through their eyes. The eyes show anger, sadness, happiness, and other emotions. The purpose is to show how angry, happy, sad, and other emotion the person was. Although they can see through their eyes, the characters can be blind by not thinking ahead. “‘Perhaps I am, but I have a–almost a second sight, sometimes, that tells me what to do.’” Tom was able to see what Gatsby planned, but Tom only realized it when the event happened. Therefore, he was blind temporarily.
3. The similarities suggest that people can’t predict the future. They can plan ahead, but there’s no absolute assurance that it’s going to go as they planned. The quote from chapter two tells that Daisy is doing something, but has no knowledge what she is doing. She doesn’t look ahead towards the future. In the quote from chapter seven, Daisy is asking what they will do later on. What she is trying to ask is what she’s going to do rest of her life. Daisy wants someone to guide her and tell her what she needs to do because she is like a child who has no knowledge.
4. The quote is trying to say that Daisy and Tom looked unhappy with each other, but in their hearts, they were happy. Daisy and Tom are trying hard to fix things that happened in the past. The incidents may involve from Daisy’s relationship with Gatsby to the accident that happened at the car station. People could see they were trying to support each other because they loved each other.
Chapter 8
1. The some characters in the novel symbolized production ethic while others symbolized a consumption ethic. The characters that symbolized a production ethic were Nick, George, Tom, and Jordan. The characters that symbolized consumption were Gatsby, Daisy, and Myrtle. There were more people who exemplified consumption ethics than production because 1920 was a new start for some people. It was after the war and everybody started to make new rules for themselves and the world. The few who symbolized production were famous people such as Charles Lindberg, Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, and many others. They were examples and role models for the people. People had American Dreams because they were influenced by famous people.
2. Eyes and sight recur frequently in the novel because it shows more emotion than just saying how they feel. Fitzgerald’s statement about the ability to distinguish between illusion and reality is the look in their eyes. “… wide with jealous terror…” (Chapter 7) This is reality because jealousy is a real emotion which can be acted as well. “… came back into his faded eyes.” (Chapter 8) The faded eyes are more illusion because a body can’t act as faded unless the person is a ghost. Nick can assume that the eyes are faded to him, but to another person, it might look something else.
3. This story is ironic to the knightly quest for the grail because Gatsby didn’t know how great Daisy was until he was close to her. “He had… he had committed himself to the following of a grail. He knew that Daisy was extraordinary, but he didn’t realize just how extraordinary ‘nice’ girl could be.” The knights went to go search for the grail, they knew how valuable and great it was before they obtained it.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares the Dutch sailor to Gatsby because they had a dream they wanted to get. “Its vanished… greatest of all human dreams… he neither understood nor desired, face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder.” They were trying to get to their goals, but they hadn’t realized that they were getting close to it. The comparison helps Fitzgerald’s conclusion because it makes the message clear for the readers to understand.
2. The story is an ironic twist of the American Dream because the most of the characters thought they reached their dreams and goals, but they still had many obstacles to overcome. Tom and Daisy were perfectly fine with each other until Daisy met Gatsby. This made the situation difficult for Tom and Daisy.
3. It pulls the threads together when Nick speaks of the “corruption” of Gatsby’s guests and Gatsby’s “incorruptible dream” because it shows how important Gatsby was to his guests. Since no one showed up for his funeral except his father, Nick, and owl-eyed glasses, it meant that people didn’t like Gatsby very much. “The minister glanced several times at his watch, so I look him aside and asked him to wait for half an hour. But it wasn’t any use. Nobody came.” His guests were not loyal enough to come to his funeral.
4. Fitzgerald makes the statements about pseudo- intellectualism by showing what happens when a person gives out the wrong information. When Tom told George that Gatsby killed Myrtle in the accident, George killed Gatsby and himself. Pseudo- intellectualism has a strong influence to people, which depends on the situation.
5. Fitzgerald demonstrates power of proper manes by putting different names to people, which shows how important they are. Jay Gatsby is referred to as Gatsby because it sounds more great and formal. Although Nick was a good friend of Gatsby and took care of him, he referred to him as Gatsby to show some manners.
6. Both Gatsby and Nick changed from the beginning of the book to the end. “‘You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.’” (Chapter 8) Nick admits that Gatsby changed over the years. Gatsby changed because he reached his goal, which was to meet with Daisy. Nick changed throughout the novel. He became more responsible of Gatsby like a parent would take of his child.
Chapter 1
1. The author refers to famous people in history and literature to make the time period of the novel clear.
2. The low voice that Daisy exhibits throughout the novel foreshadows secrecy and her adulterous affair later in the novel. She is an example of the trickery that pervaded the industrial scene in America.
3. The novel establishes a foundation through its setup of the characters in the first chapter. The unique traits of the characters and associated tags represent the themes of the developing industrial country.
Chapter 2
1. The notion is unreasonable in that an agrarian nation would be unable to thrive in the world market. Lackluster descriptions of an industrial America in the first two chapters give hints of this type of thought.
2. The gray ashes are symbols of poverty and depravity. This is in contrast to the green light of industrialism, which predicts success. The valley is a result of the capitalistic endeavors.
3. George Wilson essentially accomplishes Fitzgerald's interpretation of the American dream in that he remains happy despite life in the dreary by-product of capitalism.
4. Fitzgerals uses metaphors and a keen poetic style to uphold his views of the corrupt industrial age and capitalistic enterprise. However, many of them seem a bit over-the-top or without any real meaning.
5. Odysseus could be considered an archetypal hero due to his perserverence; Gatsby could be considered such as well but for much different reasons.
Chapter 3
1. Jazz dominated the music industry in the 1920's. Its wide-ranging harmonies reflected the turmoil many underwent during the smetimes harsh industrial age.
2. Each character seems to represent some virtues, but also present in the characters are signs of sin. Such varying traits foreshadow a twisting plot.
3. By remaining distant from the corrupt industrial world, Nick manages to remain an image of the honest man. On the other hand, Jordan's trickery represents the dishonesty of capitalism in that era.
Chapter 4
1. The American Dream of agrarian prosperity gave way to corruption in the form of industry; the greed of humans brought forth a lust for monetary wealth above all other desires. Thus, the business scene becomes darkly twisted.
2. The novel basically revolved around four characters, each taking on a role as follows: "There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired." This basically summarizes the state of the populace.
3. The primary concern of chapter four is Gatsby's questionable past. It can be considered a denouément within the story, as the reader discovers the mysterious facets of Gatsby's character.
4. Nick provides a list of those who attend Gatsby's weekly parties. Those listed are among the most wealthy and powerful in America; this is a representaton of the elitist state of industrial America.
5. Montenegruo was one of the republics of Yugoslavia. The republic was an independent kingdom during the first World War.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby and Don Quixote may be considered counterparts in that their character traits are almost opposites. Gatsby believes the acquisition of wealth is the goal of life; Don Quixote believes that the acquisition of honor and glory is the goal of life.
2. George Wilson and tom Buchanan are similar in that they both have certain unlikeable traits that lead to disloyalty on the parts of their wives. They cannot be trusted themselves but expect perfect behavior from their wives.
3. Gatsby is murdered shortly after he reunites with Daisy. Tom discovered the affair and it was not long until George acted on his angry impulse.
Ch. 6
1. The parties of American people during the 1920's can be seen as somewhat unpleasant gatherings which the host holds in order to either prove some point or achieve some status. These parties are weak methods of entertainment ad are mainly to establish those of high status.
2. Fitzgerald is simply magnifying film, a new medium in the 1920s. Daisy does see herself in that image since she is so willing to leave her husband for Gatsby.
3. The boy on the yacht (Gatsby as a child) had an actual role and structure to his life, given to him by his father. However, the adult Gatsby is entirely unrealistic with his dreams of Daisy and idea that wealth alone can grant him all blessings.
4. Nick can definitely be said to be the real hero of the story in that he is the only character who does not succumb to the destructive path which America has taken, the path of capitalism. He befriends the members of both worlds but prefers the better of the two.
5. Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. And then one fine morning— So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." This quote concludes the novel and finds Nick returning to the theme of the significance of the past to dreams of the future.
Ch. 7
1. Trimachilo was a gaudy, fat man, formerly a slave, who had recently acquired great wealth and taken to extreme excess. he was also known for his lavish dinner parties. In such manners he is correlated to Gatsby.
2. The recurring image of eyes serves to remind the reader of the blindness with which the characters are proceeding in their endeavors. this is similar to the blindness with which Americans proceeded with their plight for industrialization.
3.The passages are similar in that both capture the essence of the real dilemma of life. These similarities suggest a regression of The Great Gatsby into the difficulties of making a liiving during the industrial age.
4. The quote is meant to show the illusiveness in which the characters dealth with their problems. They show no signs of remorse for cheating but rahter a suspicious look of conspiracy.
Ch. 8
1. I can conclude that Fitzgerald's message about the American dream requires an appropriate balance of production and consumption.
2. Fitzgerald's statement is essentially that one must be competent in separating illusion from reality in order to fulfill the American dream.
3. This story is an ironic version of the knightly quest for the grail because different groups of people (knights) strive for the American Dream (the grail) in different ways.
Chapter 9
1. The comparison between Gatsby and Dutch sailors is drawn by Nick to show that both relate only with their most prosperous neighbors in a type of elitist relationship.
2. The story is an ironic twist of the American Dream because the effort that people put forth to be successful only brings them further from the happiness that they originally wished to achieve.
3. The threads of the story are pulled together by these phrases as they represent the rise of corrupt business trusts and organizations; this is a primary focus of "The Great Gatsby".
4. Fitzgerald refers to pseudo-intellctualism consitently throughout the novel. The concept of pretentiousness is a core of the elitism that erupts during Gatsby's endeavors.
5. The names of Fitzgerald's characters are a reflection of their personality and individual characteristics. For example, Nick represents the typical honest man and thus has a standard name. All others are somewhat strange in a way and show something about the character they represent.
6. Gatsby seems to realize in the end of the novel that his odd, extravagant goals cannot ever be fully attained. In this way he morphs into a more realistic person. Nick realizes that his old life is preferable to one involved in the bustling but corrupt industrial scene.
Chapter 1
1. The references to people in history and literature in this chapter help to give the book and its narrator some solid foundations to build off of. History and Literature is comfortable for people because it has already been accepted. “…promising to unfold the shining secrets that only Midas, Morgan, and Maecenas knew,” (p.4). This reference to well-known men from ancient literature makes Fitzgerald more credible as an author, for being able to talk about them in a relevant way.
2. Tom Buchanan displayed his personality greatly through his physical appearance. He was a sturdy, straw haired man who was very conceited and acted as though he were superior to the rest of the world. He had a very hard mouth, aggressive eyes, a husky speaking voice, and was easily irritated. Overall, he was a very hard man to get along with because he was always very condescending toward everyone. “’Now don’t think my opinion on these matters is final’, he seemed to say, ‘just because I’m stronger and more of a man than you are,’” (p. 7). Fitzgerald’s purpose in describing these characters in this way helps to tell how they act, and who they are. Tom’s aggressive and arrogant outward appearance is exactly what his personality is like. The descriptions help give the reader a very clear picture of the characters which helps understand their actions throughout the story better.
3. The first chapter in this novel is packed full. The foundations for many sub-plots are laid and we are introduced to themes that are presented throughout the whole story. For example, in only the first chapter, we find out that Tom has a mistress that his wife is fully aware of, but pretends that nothing is going on. The entire mood of the story is negative and cynical and all of the characters seem utterly miserable with themselves and their lives. “All right, I said, I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool - that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool,” (p. 17). This statement alone tells us that Daisy is very unhappy with her life and that knowing that she could have a better life just makes her more miserable. This makes her want her daughter to be a fool, so that she can just bumble about through life without knowing about anything better than what she ends up with. The main theme that I saw had to do with “The American Dream”. The negative vibes that I felt while reading this chapter seemed to be saying that the idea of having all this money and living in America is the ideal life was all a lie. According to the dream, Daisy, and Tom should have been completely happy and satisfied with their lives, however they were exactly the opposite.
Chapter 2
1. Having an agrarian society be the epitome of the American dream makes sense because when you farm, you are entirely self-sufficient. This means that if you are successful, you should feel fulfilled because you were able to start from nothing and turn a profit and support yourself and family while living in an environment where the whole family helps contribute to the success. In the first two chapters, this idea is supported in a couple of spots. The first time that he mentions life being fresh and good was when he talks about summer beginning. “And so with the sunshine, and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer,” (p.4). This part suggests that in a place where you are close to nature, such as an agrarian society, you are able to start over again with the seasons and have fresh lives. The second allusion the author made to the benefits of living in an agrarian society was at the beginning of chapter 2. “This is a valley of ashes – a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke…” (p.23). Here, when Fitzgerald describes agrarian objects, such as farms, or trees, he uses words like fantastic and when he talks about the cities, they become ashy and not as nice.
2. The green light at the end of chapter one represents a feeling of hope and possibilities. The ashy lands described in chapter 2 seem like a place where hope doesn’t reside. It Is described as this abandoned area in between the two eggs where old dreams died and all that there is left is this ghost of life. “…so as to shrink away from a certain desolate area of land,” (p.23). The thematic statement that these contrasting images convey is the want for success. The green light represents hopes and dreams, but for many people, all of the hopes and dreams are never realized fully, and instead a bunch of this waste is created instead, such as illness, or debt, or failure. The ashes, which were the literal waste of all of the industrial improvements in America, represent these failures that came from the hopes and dreams, or the green light.
3. George Wilson is the example of someone who had great hopes and dreams for himself, but ended up being chewed up and spit out by the tough American economy. “ He was a blond, spiritless man, anemic, and faintly handsome,” (p.25). He is a miserable man who is living everyday making just enough to get by, and is described as tired and worn out. “When he saw us, a damp gleam of hope sprang into his light blue eyes,” (p.25). This suggests that at one time, Wilson was full of hope, but that now, he hardly ever thinks about making his life better because he feels stuck in the position he is in. Wilson is the perfect example of the reality of the American Dream: most people don’t reach the level of wealth and prosperity that they set out to reach. Then they end up cynical and used up, like Wilson.
4. As I read The Great Gatsby I was greatly impressed by the writing skill that Fitzgerald had. His descriptions were very detailed and artfully written and I was able to really see each character in my mind. My favorite part about his descriptions was that they were so artfully composed. He didn’t just say that Mrs. Wilson is fat and ugly, he says “She was in the middle thirties, and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously as some women can. Her face, above a spotted dress of dark blue crepe-de-chine, contained no facet or gleam of beauty, but there was an immediately perceptible vitality about her as if the nerves of her body were continually smoldering,” (p.25). In this description, we don’t just find out what Mrs. Wilson is like physically, we also have some idea of what her personality is like too. Fitzgerald is a disciplined author because he had to really think about his characters and choose his words carefully instead of just using a few adjectives for his descriptions.
5. A prominent archetypal hero is Hercules. Hercules was mysteriously abandons as a child and is raised by mortal parent. As Hercules grows up, he discovers his superhuman strength. This leads to all of the townspeople to form rumors about him such as him being a monster, or some strange evil being. In the end, Hercules is God that does good for mankind. Jay Gatsby follows this pattern in a way. He appears out of nowhere with no family history, and becomes this prominent wealthy figure in society. The people that live nearby form all sorts of opinions and stories about him, and his origin because nobody knows the true story. “Who is he?’ I demanded. ‘Do you know?’ ‘He is just a man named Gatsby’,” (p.48). This shows that not even his closer friends knew where he was really from.
Chapter 3
1. The dominating music type of the 1920’s was Jazz. A few leading artists of the time period include Bessie Smith, George Gershwin, and Duke Ellington. The main reference to music in this book was in chapter three at Gatsby’s party. “The Piece is known,’ he concluded lustily, ‘as Vladimir Tostoff’s Jazz History of the World,” (p. 49) The individual instrument that Fitzgerald references is a bass drum. “There was a boom of a bass drum, and the voice of the orchestra leader rang out suddenly above the echolalia of the garden,” (p.48). His book confirms that during this time period Jazz was the dominating music genre.
2. The seven deadly sins are envy, sloth, gluttony, greed, wrath, pride, and lust. The seven cardinal virtues are faith, hope, charity, fortitude, justice, temperance, and prudence. The characters in this book mostly can relate to the seven deadly sins. The guests at all of Gatsby’s parties are horrible, shallow, selfish people that are envious, greedy, proud, and lazy. Nick is one of the few characters who possesses a virtue. He is an honest man. “Every one suspects himself 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,” (p. 59). Ironically enough, Nick seems to take pride in this fact, which happens to be one of the deadly sins. Jordan Baker seems to have sloth like qualities. When Nick first met her, she didn’t even get up to greet him, and throughout the novel, she walks about as if the very act of standing up is too much work. Tom is very proud. This sin causes many people to hate him, and often causes problems for him. I didn’t really like most of the characters in this novel because almost all of them are awful people consumed with the seven deadly sins.
3. Nick is a symbol of honesty because he always speaks honestly when he talks to his friends. “You’re a rotten driver,’ I protested. ‘Either you ought to be more careful, or you oughtn’t drive at all,” (p.58). Here, he bluntly tells the woman that he likes that she is a horrible driver, because she truly is. He doesn’t try to sugarcoat things, and this makes him credible as the narrator of the story. It makes the reader feel that his perspective on events that happened is accurate. Jordan is a symbol for dishonesty because she is never honest. “She was incurably dishonest. She wasn’t able to endure being at a disadvantage and given this unwillingness, I suppose she had begun dealing in subterfuges when she was very young in order to keep that coo, insolent smile turned to the world and yet satisfy the demands of her hard, jaunty body,” (p.58). She never tells the whole story about anything, and will even change past events if it is to her advantage. This makes everything she says not credible, which is why she would make a terrible narrator. She would change what actually happens in the story to make her look better.
Chapter 4
1. The American Dream was the idea that a family could come to America and be wealthy and happy. Unfortunately, this fooled millions of families and most of them ended up in ruin and spiritless. Most people did not want to work hard for their money, and instead were attracted to the “get rich quick schemes” which hardly ever worked. This resulted in a cynical and negative attitude to America and American society in the 1920’s. Being tired and used up was a reoccurring theme among the guests of Gatsby’s parties in the novel. Most of them died in a drunken state, they strangled their spouses, committed suicide, or had fights to the death with bums on the street (p.62-63). That right there is enough to conclude that Americans during this time period has lost their spirits and positive outlooks on life.
2. The quote ““There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” Is linked to the themes of the novel because all of the characters are doing exactly that. Tom has a mistress, who is also married. Tom’s wife Daisy is in love with Jay Gatsby who is also in love with her. Nick is the narrator and he wants to find love, but doesn’t really love Jordan, and Jordan only cares about herself and her well-being. It is a sad existence for all of the characters and in the end nobody is happy or satisfied. “He doesn’t know very much about Tom, though he says he’s read a Chicago paper for years just on the chance of catching a glimpse of Daisy’s name,” (p.79). It is the single most important line in the novel because the entire plot follows that idea. Everyone is always trying to pursue something or someone else, and just ends up busy and tired.
3. I think that Chapter 4 was a part of the rising action because during this chapter we find out a lot of information that gets us more interested in the story. For example, Gatsby tells his version of his life story to Nick and has lunch with him. We also find out a very important plot element when Jordan tells about how Gatsby is in love with Daisy, and how Daisy was in love with Gatsby before she married Tom. “Then it had not been merely the stars to which he had aspired on that June night. He came alive to me, delivered suddenly from the womb of his purposeless splendor,” (p. 78). It is in this chapter, that there are revelations about the characters that help to build up our interest in the events that follow.
4. Mr. P Jewett was head of the American Legion at one time. “…and Mr. P. Jewitt, once head of the American Legion…” (p. 63). It makes sense that Fitzgerald would put him as a guest at Gatsby’s party because the story takes place right after the first World War ended, and Gatsby was a soldier in the war.
5. Montenegro’s role in World War I was very early on in the war when it was still fairly isolated between Austria and Serbia and the small surrounding kingdoms. This conflict happened before the US got really involved in the war making Gatsby’s story not all true.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby could be a counterpart to Don Quixote because they both thought of themselves as these great heroes, when in reality; they were not really that grand. Gatsby tells everyone that he was this Great War hero, and that he made all of his money in these ingenious ways after coming up from nothing. “I was promoted to be a major, and every Allied government gave me a decoration – even Montenegro, little Montenegro down on the Adriatic Sea!” (p. 66). This high opinion of himself is like how Don Quixote believed himself to be a knight. After telling themselves so many times that their life story is true, they began to believe the lie themselves.
2. Both Tom and Mr. Wilson were so preoccupied with something else that their wives began to search for the attention they needed elsewhere. Whether they were too into themselves, or their hopes and dreams, or even other women, it was their lack of attention and affection that led their wives to go astray. Tom was an arrogant, selfish man that had a mistress even though he had a beautiful wife at home. “They’re such beautiful shirts,’ she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. ‘It makes me sad, because I’ve never seen such – such beautiful shirts before,” (p. 92). Here Daisy is really talking about how she feels with her life. She hasn’t felt really loved since she was last seeing Gatsby, and all of the attention he gave her on the day that they had tea, just made her realize how much she missed that kind of love in her life, while Tom was too busy with other people and objects. Wilson’s wife didn’t appreciate all that her husband sacrificed to be with her, she only knew that he wasn’t giving her constant attention or excitement. This caused her to be attracted to Tom, who seemed to offer this life of rich, exciting things. In the end, they all ended up in the same place, or dead, and miserable.
3. Gatsby is deeply in love with Daisy, and has been thinking about her since he first left her side to go off to the war. When he arrived home, his main goal was to find her and win her back. This is why he bought his mansion right across the bay from her house, and also why he wanted to become such an impressive businessman. When Daisy finally meets Gatsby again after all the years had gone by, it was a bit shocking because his whole life’s purpose for the last decade was to find Daisy and talk to her, and now it had happened. “Now it was again a green light on a dock, His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one,” (p.93). This signifies that his dream of Daisy and their meeting is now gone, because it has actually happened. So the reality has begun, but his dream has ended. When it was all over he felt a bit overwhelmed. “He had been full of the idea for so long, dreamed it right through to the end, waited with his teeth set, so to speak, at an inconceivable pitch of intensity. Now in the reaction he was running down like an over wound clock,” (p.92). This is where Gatsby begins to lose any sense of reality. He is overwhelmed and becomes completely consumed with Daisy.
Chapter 6
1. Americans and America in the 1920’s typically consisted of people who were used up, and had been disappointed by the promise of the American Dream which led to a cynical society of people that became consumed with themselves and material objects. The people at Gatsby’s parties show this because all of the people are so unhappy with themselves and their lives that they constantly drink and socialize with people they can’t stand to distract themselves. “But the rest offended her…she was appalled by West Egg, this unprecedented “place” that Broadway had begotten upon a Long Island Fishing village…failed to understand,” (p.107). This gives a general description of the people at the party and the way that they acted generally in the 1920’s.
2. During this party, the only guest that seems to have any element of class is the beautiful movie star and her director. They are in their own little world the entire time and there seems to be a constant glow about them making everyone look at them in wonderment. Even Daisy, who was disgusted by the entire party approved. “I like her,’ said Daisy, ‘I think she’s lovely,’” (p. 107). She also liked any other guests that happened to be involved in the motion picture business. This could be Fitzgerald expressing his support for the new form of entertainment because those guests are the only ones that were described in a positive way.
3. When Gatsby was on the yacht, he was traveling around the world and learning things about himself and the world. He learned from Cody the dangers of drinking and was able to form a whole new identity for himself. His worldliness stopped here unfortunately. Once he became a man with this new identity, he became consumed with his unrealistic dreams. This causes him to become pathetic and a shell of the man that he could have been. “He talked a lot about the past, and I gathered that he wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy. His life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he could once return to a certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he could find out what that thing was…” (p. 110). This shows how his obsession with Daisy consumed his life, and turned him into an unrealistic shadow of the man he once was.
4. Nick can be considered the hero of the story because he is the only one who never becomes obsessed with material objects, or drinking. He recognizes when someone truly is a bad person, and isn’t afraid to let that person know. He remains loyal to his friends and does his best not to judge them. “I stayed late that night, Gatsby asked me to wait until he was free…” (p. 109). Even when he knows that Gatsby is completely losing his grip on reality, he is there for his friend and tries to be there when he needs him.
5. The following passage about time in Chapter 6 is significant to the theme. “I wouldn’t ask too much of her,’ I ventured, ‘You can’t repeat the past.’ ‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘Why of course you can!’ He looked around him wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadow of his house, just out of reach of his hand.” (p.110). This goes with the theme because it shows how Gatsby is so obsessed with his dreams, that he has lost any realistic perspective on his life and the world around him. He is stuck in the past, where he was may have not been respected by others, but at least he respected himself.
Chapter 7
1. The Satyricon is a story written by an ancient author about a man named Trimalchio that was born into a poor family and tired to compensate when he grew up by holding all of these huge, magnificent parties where tons of horrible people came and abused his hospitality. This is very similar to Gatsby’s story. He also held parties where guests came that drank his alcohol and almost never even knew him personally. “I wondered if the fact that he was not drinking helped to set him off fro his guests, for it seemed to me that he grew more correct as the fraternal hilarity increased,” (p. 50). This was the only difference between the two characters was that Trimalchio humiliated himself by always drinking like his guests, while Gatsby never drank, which helped him have control over his actions.
2. Eyes are an important part of each character. In chapter seven, the look in Daisy’s eyes while she is at Gatsby’s party changes his whole behavioral pattern. For years and years, Gatsby had parties at his house every Saturday night, but after Daisy attended one and did not like it, everything changed. “So the whole caravansary had fallen in like a house of cards at the disapproval in her eyes,” (p.114). The look in Daisy’s eyes and the fact that it was Daisy with the look in her eyes, made Gatsby change his lifestyle drastically. This means that eyes played a very significant role in this novel.
3. The passages from both pieces that talk about what they should do in the future are remarkably similar. They show how concerned people are about their futures, especially if they already don’t like their current way of living. I also found that this part of the poem “He promised "a new start," reminds me of the part in The Great Gatsby where Nick talks about a fresh start with summer. “…life was beginning over again with the summer…” (p.4). It is very curious that these two pieces use the same language and discuss the same themes and ideas.
4. The significance of that statement has to do with the characters it is concerning. After a day of confrontation between Daisy and her husband Tom, they ended up sitting at the table together talking things out. It represents the idea that once you make a decision like marriage, you must stick to it. The air of natural intimacy about them makes sense, because they are married, and even though they have had their share of problems, they still did love each other at one time. The discussion these two have in this part of the novel is almost like a reality check. Daisy has to realize that she has a daughter with Tom, and that running off with Gatsby is out of the question. It was the same for Tom as well. His mistress was killed that same evening forcing him to turn back to his existing life and fixing the problems that were present there. After this point in the story, the fantasy world everyone had been living in for the majority of the last few chapter was completely ruined.
Chapter 8
1. The characters in the story that participate in the production ethic are Wilson, Gatsby, and Nick. This is because they produce, whether it be drinks for shallow party goers, or fixing and selling cars like Wilson. The consumption ethic characters are Tom, Daisy, Jordan, Mrs. Wilson, and the party guests. “Lots of people come who haven’t been invited…they simply force their way in and he’s too polite to object,” (p.108). All that they do is suck money or attention, or drinks, etc from other people. It is unfair, and unbalanced, but that is the way that the characters are divided in this novel.
2. The ability to distinguish illusion and reality has to do with your view on the world around you and your priorities in it. Gatsby became so obsessed with finding Daisy, that his illusions became his reality. “A new world, material without being real…through the amorphous trees,” (p.161). When his bubble was finally burst, he could not find a real purpose for living. He spent the day and night just floating there in shock. Gatsby is saying in this novel that living in the past is a dangerous thing to do, because it will fool you and cause you to live in a world that doesn’t really exist. It takes away your ability to distinguish between reality and illusion.
3. The Knight’s quest for the grail is a famous legend from the Middle Ages that tells of brave knights that try to find the prized Holy Grail. Unfortunately, they all ended up being unsuccessful and dedicated their lives to a useless quest that caused them to feel empty and wasted. Gatsby participated in a similar quest with Daisy. He knew that he came from circumstance that were not high enough for her taste, and yet he spent his entire life pursuing her anyway. “…but now he found that he had committed himself to the following of a grail…married to her, that was all,” (p.149). Gatsby became rich and elegant just to impress Daisy, and yet he ended up without her in the end anyway.
Chapter 9
1. Both the Dutch sailors and Gatsby saw green as a symbol for hope when they arrived. For the sailors, the Green was the beautiful green trees, and grass. “ …a fresh, green breast of the new world…capacity for wonder,” (p.180). On the other hand, Gatsby saw his hope in the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. “…when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock,” (p.180). For both of them, the color green signified hope and dreams, and a positive future. It helps conclude the story with a bittersweet theme.
2. The story is an ironic twist of the American Dream because it shows the effects of people who are supposedly living it, and the people who failed miserably at achieving it. Either way, all of the people are unhappy with themselves and their lives. The mood of the story is negative and cynical, and matches the mood of American society during the 1920’s. “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past,” (p.180). Here he describes most of the characters in the novel. The entire time, they keep living in the past when they had hopes and dreams, and were actually happy. Most of the people who failed at the American Dream, preferred to live in the past when they had a chance on improving their way of life.
3. Those phrases pull at the threads because they are pushing on each other. The guests of Gatsby become more and more corrupt, and he becomes more and more consumed with his dream of Daisy. This causes him to get sucked into his own little world of illusion, and yet the guests just keep on taking advantage of him and his wealth. Eventually it all came together and exploded because his corrupt guests disgust Daisy so much that she has a visibly awful time at his party. This causes Gatsby to change his entire way of living, and it all collapses “like a house of cards” (p.114).
4. Fitzgerald makes statements about pseudo intellectualism with Gatsby. Gatsby made up an entire new identity of this extremely sophisticated man who is very intellectual. However, this is all a big lie, which represents pseudo intellectualism. “He hurried the phrase ‘educated at Oxford’…sinister about him, after all,” (p.65). Here, Nick catches on to the fact that Gatsby is lying about his past. Another area in the story that displays some of the pseudo intellectualism in America in the 1920’s is when Nick meets Mr. Wolfsheim. He can’t pronounce Oxford College. He continually calls it “Oggsford College” ,(p.72), and acts very sophisticated while saying it. These are his statements about pseudo intellectualism.
5. Fitzgerald demonstrates the power of proper names when he talks about Gatsby changing his name. In order to go well with his new grand life, he changed his name from James Gatz, to the flashier Jay Gatsby. Also, all of the famous party-goers had these fabulous names. Lastly, when referring to the characters, Fitzgerald usually used Miss Baker, and Mr. Gatsby, rather than Jordan or Jay. This made them seem more important and respectable.
6. At the beginning of the novel, both Nick and Gatsby are hopeful young men ready to achieve their dreams in a new place. They have more positive outlooks on life and are ready for anything. The trials that they face throughout the novel, however, do change their characters. For Mr. Gatsby, the change was very drastic. By the end of the novel, he became completely absorbed in his own little fantasy world where he could no longer tell illusion from reality. This resulted in his death, which ironically enough, happened when he was feeling rather lifeless anyway. “…he must have felt that he had lost the old warm world…” (p.161). This shows his feeling of loss. In Nick’s case, he changed in more subtle ways. He became a bit jaded from being around such dishonest, greedy, shallow people all the time. His outlook on life became more cynical and this slightly changed the way he acted and his relationships with people.
Chapter 1
1. Referencing people in literature or history serves to help show the time period the novel is supposed occur in.
2. Throughout the novel Daisy talks in a low voice to show that she is instable and secretive. This is seen in her adultery later on in the book. The purpose in thus describing her is to to show how industrialists worked in the early 20th century.
3. The first chapter of this novel is important because it makes way for the development of plot, characters and themes. As said in the first question, each character is introduced with and focused on a recurring tag throughout the entire book.
Chapter 2
1. A possibility like this is truly not possible in that the development of an agrarian nation would set the stepping stones of America's utter destruction, as surrounding nations would quickly adopt the industrial system. The first two chapters hint toward this possibility, and even go so far as to claim it the American Dream, through the somewhat unbearable descriptions of industrial society.
2. The gray images in the valley of ashes are pictures of absolute desolation and poverty, unlike the green light, which is meant to depict the bright future of industrialism. The valley is created by industrial dumping and is therefore a by-product of capitalism.
3. George Wilson can be said to symbolize the American Dream in the way that he fulfills Fitzgerald's perspective of the American Dream in that he lives within the sad confines of the by-product of capitalism yet manages to be in a state of happiness.
4. Fitzgerald's poetic style and vivid metaphors help to support his ideas regarding the falsely industrial age and capitalism. However, they are in many cases superfluous as in the following passage: “Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle, but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face.” The condition of the lady’s face is not important when describing America’s new monopoly-run economy.
5. Hercules is considered an archetypal hero based on his mythical strength. Gatsby is such a hero but for a different reason.
Chapter 3
1. The dominant musical type of the 1920's was jazz. This style of music consisted of smooth trumpet playing on top of rhythmic beats of drums; the purpose of the music was mostly likely to express the unfortunate occurrence of the industrial age.
2. Each character possesses different virtues and sins, creating for an overall inventive plot. Virtues are manifested within each character of the novels, but embedded further within each character are sins as well. 3. Nick exhibits the qualities of an honest man through his lack of involvement with the industrial world. Jordan's dishonesty symbolizes the corrupt aspect of capitalism.
Chapter 4
1. The America Dream, which Fitzgerald associates to America's former state of agrarian prosperity and a quest to attain overall happiness, has clearly succumbed to the natural greed of human beings. The happiness that was once sought has secretly transformed into wealth and profit alone, and greed has overcome all humanly aspects. This seems to be the main concern throughout the novel.
2. The novel is centralized on four main characters that take a roll of the epigram: “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” These four titles to each individual personify the groups of people that made the industrial age.
3. Chapter four mainly focuses with the mysterious question of Gatsby’s past. Thus, it can be declared a dénouement to the novel since the loose ends of Gatsby and his past life are being revealed to the reader.
4. Nick lists all of the people who attended Gatsby’s parties, and these were some of the nation’s most wealthy and powerful people. These people helped develop the industrial system which America currently knows.
5. Montenegro was a constituent republic of Yugoslavia, in the southwest part of the country bordering the Adriatic Sea. During World War I, the republic was an independent kingdom.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote in that they exhibit contrasting traits; Gatsby attempts to gain wealth throughout his life and believes that the plight for so is the utter point of existence, but Don Quixote attempts to glorify his name and views fame and respect as the utmost aspiration.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are alike in that they are both deceitful and selfish. They share the same undesirable traits which results in the unfaithfulness of their wives. It’s okay for them to cheat, but it’s not for their wives to do the same thing.
3. As Gatsby reunites with Daisy, his world is literally shattered in that Tom's discovery of the affair results in the murder of Gatsby. Thus, he was not able to continue his dreams.
Chapter 6
1. The parties of American people during the 1920's can be seen as somewhat unpleasant gatherings which the host holds in order to either prove some point or achieve some status. These parties were weak methods of entertainment and were mainly to establish those of high status.
2. Fitzgerald is simply magnifying film, a new medium in the 1920s. Daisy does see herself in that image since she is so willing to leave her husband for Gatsby.
3. The boy on the yacht (Gatsby as a child) had an actual role and structure to his life, given to him by his father. However, the adult Gatsby is entirely unrealistic with his dreams of Daisy and idea that wealth alone can grant him all blessings.
4. Nick can definitely be said to be the real hero of the story in that he is the only character who does not succumb to the destructive path which America has taken, the path of capitalism. He befriends the members of both worlds but prefers the better of the two.
5. Gatsby believed in the green light, the future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. And then one fine morning— “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." This quote concludes the novel and finds Nick returning to the theme of the significance of the past to dreams of the future.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio was a gaudy, fat man, formerly a slave, who had recently acquired great wealth and taken to extreme excess; he was also known for his lavish dinner parties. In such manners he is correlated to Gatsby.
2. The recurring image of eyes serves to remind the reader of the blindness with which the characters are proceeding in their endeavors; this is similar to the blindness with which Americans proceeded with their plight for industrialization.
3. The passages are similar in that both capture the essence of the real dilemma of life. These similarities suggest a regression of The Great Gatsby into the difficulties of making a living during the industrial age.
4. The quote is meant to show the illusiveness in which the characters dealt with their problems. They show no signs of remorse for cheating but rather a suspicious look of conspiracy.
Chapter 8
1. I can conclude that Fitzgerald's message about the American dream requires an appropriate balance of production and consumption.
2. Fitzgerald's statement is essentially that one must be competent in separating illusion from reality in order to fulfill the American dream.
3. This story is an ironic version of the knightly quest for the grail because different groups of people (knights) strive for the American Dream (the grail) in different ways.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares the Great Gatsby to Dutch sailors because they are notorious for raiding commercial ships, and Gatsby is notorious for stealing. Both are stubborn.
2. The story is an ironic twist of the American Dream in that attempts to fulfill destiny fail harder with increasing effort.
3. These phrases begin to pull all the threads of the story together in that they show the malice of business trusts and capitalism, which is his central theme of the novel.
4. Fitzgerald makes references to pseudo-intellectualism throughout chapter nine. His novel is an example of pseudo-intellectualism.
5. Fitzgerald names his characters wisely in that their names truly do reflect their unique traits. For example, Nick is a standard name which is given to the only standard, reasonable character.
6. From the beginning to the end of the novel, Gatsby realizes that his bizarre dreams cannot be met; he changes in this sense. Furthermore, Nick, by the end of the novel, appreciates his old life more after his exposure to industrial America.
Chapter One:
1. In the Great Gatsby there are several references to people in litature and people in history. Fitzgerald does this to make the novel and the characters seem real. He also makes many refrences to the twenty’s to help set the time. One of the people he referse to is the man who is credited for fixing the 1919 world seriers. This just adds to the novel and adds to the plot.
2. In the noevel several characters has a “tag” attached to them. Daisy, for instance, leans forward and talks in a low voice. This could be her way of trying to sound intellegant or to get attention. We know Daisy as a shallow woman who is superficial, this could be Fitzgerlds way of showing that there is more to her and that she has depth.
3. This chapter sets up the plot of the novel. It prepares you for the rest of the novel. You learn important facts about the people that take place in the novel. The first chapter also introduces important themes such as wealth and the society in which the characters live in.
Chapter Two:
1. In chapter two, Myrtle buys magazines and chooses a taxi to make herself appear rich. Although she is poor, she trys to show off to her sister and her friends by inviting them over when she goes to her apartment with Tom. She thinks being rich is the ultimate life, thus the American Dream.
2. The green light, which symbolizes hope and dreams, glares bright at the end of Daisy’s dock. However, it is shown that the Valley of Ashes has a grayness to it. It shows that the Vally of Ashes is a dull place of lost dreams, people fighting to gain the American Dream.
3. Wilson is a working man. His goal in life is probably to get rich. He hopes that his hard work will pay off for him. He symbolizes many Americans during that time period who wish to gain wealth, but start off poor. He symbolizes Americans because most Americans weren’t rich; they were poor wanting to be rich.
4. When Fitgerald writes her uses a lot of different ajective to make you able to picture what he is describing. He goes into depth to make the reader able to picture the object and feel as if they know the person he is describing.
5. Archetypal heros are usually very mysterious and are surrounded by rumors. Most super heros can be described this way because they have alter egos and they hid their identity. Gatsby also does this, people gossip about him and that is what he is known for, the rumors, not the actual truth. The truth about him is not know and he is very mysterious.
Chapter Three:
1. During chapter three Nick discripes Gatsbys parties which he attends. They are filled with people drinking and gossiping. A big part of the party is the music, though. There is always loud jazz music playing. As we know, Jazz music was a big part of the 1920’s. The jazz music fits into the lifestyle of the 1920’s.
2. Pride, envy, anger, avarice, sadness, gluttony, and lust are the seven deadly sins. The seven cardinal virtues are faith, hope, charity, fortitude, justice, temperance, prudence. Tom commits several of the sins. He is extremely prideful of his wealth and his mistresses; he is an angry person as shown when he breaks Myrtles nose. He also very lustful as you can see by his many mistresses.
3. Throughout the novel Nick is constantly telling us that he is an honest person. He does this so we trust the story he is telling. Jordan however is very dishonest, she is well know for having cheated in one of her golf tournaments. So what we know of Nick being an honest guy we can say that he is an honest guy and because we only hear his side of the story we must assume that he is a good candidate to represent honesty while Jordan represnts dishonesty.
Chapter Four:
1. The American Dream has always been to get a better life. People came here to start over new and to have better opportunities at life. As time went on peoples ideas of a better life was to be rich. People measured their sucsess by how much they had. Therefore people wanted more and more, and thus a materialistic world.
2. The characters relate very much to the phrase, “There are only the pursued, pursuing, busy and the tired.” Gatsby is pursuing Daisy, while Daisy is pursuing Gatsby. Nick pursues Jordan, they are are busy with the 1920’s lifestyle of partying as well as tired of it.
3. I believe that this chapter is the inciting moment in the novel. It leads up to the climax/it’s the first part of the rising action.
4. One of the names the Nick talks about is Wolfshiem. He is Gatsby’s business assoiate who is also creited with rigging the 1919 World Seris. This makes Nick question the way Gatsby earns his money.
Chapter Five:
1. Don Quiote was a Spanish man who went on a mission to rescue a girl he thought needed to be resuced. Like him Gatscy also tried to rescue Daisy by taking her away from Tom. What he didn’t relize though was that Daisy was never interested in leaving Tom, just fooling around and getting attention with/from Gatsby.
2. Both Tom Bucanon and George Wilson’s wives cheated on them. Daisy with Gatsby and Myrtle with Tom. The reason Myrtle was cheating was to experience the lifestyle shes always wanted. She knows that Tom will never leave Daisy for her, but she still likes to experience the lifestyle of a rich wife. Daisy cheats on Tom with Gatsby because she is bored in her relationship with Tom. Tom doesn’t pay much attention to her and Gatsby gives that to her. She never thinks about leaving the security and social standing Tom gives her however, Gatsby will always just be for fun.
3. At the end of chapter five, after Daisy and Gatsby reunite, Gartsby tells Daisy about the green light. Before that the green light represented hope and dreams, but now that he has reunited with her it must represent something new.
Chapter Six:
1. At the parties Gatsby throws, people from wealth backsgrounds come and socialize. These rich people always make an appearance at Gatsby’s parties and gossip and drink with each other. They go there to have fun and because they want to fit in.
2. When Daisy sees the director and his wife she becomes jelous. She sees him lean over his wife in a loving and protective way. Daisy longs for this kind of attention and protection from Tom. She wants to have a happy life like them. She doesn’t want her home to be broken the way it is. She longs for the relationship the director and his wife have.
3. When Gatsby works on the yacht he is able to travel and see how other people live. He is able to see the world. However when he moves to West Egg and becomes fixated on the green light and Daisy he is stuck in a rut. He doesn’t bother looking around him and hes not interested in anything else. His life is passing him by while he waits for Daisy.
4. Nick is one of the only characters in the book who doesn’t indulge in the distructive lifestyle of the 20’s. He is honest to people and trys to help out. He is the only one who manages to get out alright in the end. He finds that he is better away from those people and moves back in the Midwest.
Chapter Seven:
1. Trimalchio like Gatsby threw parties and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle after gaining wealth. However, unlike Trimalchio, Gatsby does not drink at his parties. Trimalchio was a big drinker.
2. There are several parts of the book that refer to eyes. The most common is that of the doctors on the billboard. The eyes watch over the Valley of the Ashes. They see everything that goes on and act as God watching over everyone.
3. Both of these passages talking about wanting to rush out and go do something but refraining. Both of them talk about being bored and needing something to do.
4. When they say they were happy but unhappy it seems to mean that they were content but wanted more. This seems to be hw the novel is. Daisy is content with her marriage but she wants more and gets more from Gatsby. Nick is content with his life but wants more and gets more by going to Gatsby’s parties.
Chapter Eight:
1. Daisy and Tom both represent a unproductive ethic. Neither work or do anything but cheat and attend parties. George however represents a productive ethic, he works hard and trys to gain money so he can have the American Dream that Tom and Daisy already have.
2. In the novel all the characters are being watched by “eyes”
3. In the quest for the holy grail they are searching for immortality and in the Gatsby the story is about Gatsbys quest for Daisy
Chapter 1
1. The references to people or literature in the chapter have a profound effect and serve a great purpose in the chapter. There are references to Midas and J.P. Morgan are important in the chapter. They serve to display the opening of the novel in historical context with the time period. The reference shows how the wealth of all of those able to live on the “eggs” is actually a curse.to them. This is well illustrated by Midas because his golden touch ended up plaguing him for the rest of his life.
2. In an analysis of the character Daisy, one tends to notice a recurring tag used to describe her. The tag is that Daisy leans forward and talks in a low voice. Fitzgerald’s purpose in describing her this ways to show dimensions of her character. She is one for gossip. This is shown by leaning forward as if to gain information and conversing in a low voice. It also shows that she not fully aware of what is happening around her. This is true because of her husbands affair.
3. The first chapter of this novel is critically important in the development of plot, characters, and themes. It introduces most of the characters in the novel and the main characters, Nick and Gatsby. It gives the setting of the novel and lays the groundwork for the plot to continue. It also introduces central themes of the novel.
Chapter 2
1. There are possibilities that an agrarian society could be the epitome of the american dream. This would only be possible if continual acquisition of land was perpetually feasible. The valley of ashes is a place in the book that is a downtrodden slum. It is in illustration of the effects of industrialization on american society. The often gray terms that it is described in shows how the essense of the human person is lost in industrialization and that an agrarian society would be better.
2. There is a contrasting statement being made with the green light at the end of chapter one and the gray images of the valley of the ashes in chapter 2. The green light shows hope, success, and prosperity. The valley of the ashes is a virtual wasteland. It is a graphic representation of the absence of hope and the rise of failure. The thematic statement that the contrasting images reveal is that success is a perilous journey.
3. George Wilson can be said to represent the american dream. He is constantly looking to better his situation. He is self supporting and has his own business. He has found stability and mild success.
4. Fitzgerald has a lucrative poetic style and writes an impressive amount of vivid metaphors and imagery. One of his descriptions, which is from the character Catherine, contains a great amount of metaphorical imagery. It is very descriptive. Fitzgerald is a disciplined writer with great control of his prose because of his ability to use metaphors and imagery appropriately in order to create a majestic effect.
5. One archetypal character with mysterious beginnings associated with rumors and mythical power is Hercules. Gatsby is sort of the same hero as Hercules, based on the rumors surrounding him. No one is sure of Gatsby’s origin. No one was sure of Hercules’ origin, not even himself until the animation of his father’s statue. Legends of Gatsby are out of proportion because of rumors, just as it was for Hercules.
Chapter 3
1. One of the main instruments used in the Jazz age was the saxophone. It has a purpose in the novel. A saxophone was an instrument that was being experimented with at the time and its true potential still hadn’t been realized. This is also true for Gatsby. His parties and like a great experiment with the desired result being unification with Daisy. He hadn’t realized the potential that they could secure him a friend and lead to a possible relationship with Daisy.
2. Gatsby shows immense greed in trying to have a relation with Daisy, even though she is married. Nick show fortitude in the way he treats his meetings with Gatsby, Daisy, and Jordan. Tom is an example of avarice is that he is commiting adultury and having an affair. These vices and virtues reveal the character and motives of the different characters in the novel.
3. Nick cannot be studied as a symbol of honesty while Jordan is a study of dishonesty. It is well agreed upon that Jordan is dishonest. This was apparent from the time that she cheated in a golf tournament. Nick is not a symbol of honesty or dishonesty. It is indiferent to most issue, at least in the eyes of the other characters in the book. He almost never gives his opinion on any issues. We cannot evaluate his honesty because of this.
Chapter 4
1. The American Dream associated with America’s past has succumbed to mercenary, almost exclusively materialistic values, derived from get-rich-quick schemes. This is true historically. In the past America was viewed as a haven for freedom and opportunity. Now a persons value and merit is almost exclusively based on material wealth in secular circles. In the novel, Gatsby views building his wealth as the way to get Daisy’s attention and is involved in a culture of extreme materialism.
2. The epigram shows how everyone is constantly involved in a chase for the realization of goals. It contributes to the development of plot, character, and theme in the novel. The plot is the personification of this epigram. All developments have a stimulus and have an impact on the plot of the novel. This influences characterization. These two critical parts contribute to the theme of the novel.
3. Chapter three would most likely be considered the inciting moment. This is because it occurs before the rising action. It novel hasn’t yet come to the immediate events that affect the climax of the death of Gatsby. Therefore it cannot be classified as the climax or the rising action. It is obviously not antecedent action, so it is the inciting moment by default.
4. A couple of the names on the list were Abraham Lincoln and Stonewall Jackson. They were both key figures in American history. This alludes to importance of Gatsby’s parties. The were for the enjoyment of the important and powerful. This is manifested in the leaders of the Union and the Confederacy.
5. Montenegro did not a great role in WWI. It was a very small republic that was involved in a minor skirmish with Serbia. It was not of much importance, but it was on the side of the Americans. Gatsby was involved with friendly forces in the war, which probably led to him having a safer role in the war.
Chapter 5
1. There are many ways in which Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote. They both created imaginary worlds with themselves of their hopes and aspirations. Don Quixote was transfixed on the life of a knight. He was thought about it to the point of obsession. Gatsby was transfixed on Daisy. He was so obsessed with her that his whole life basically revolved around attempts to get to meet her again. Daisy was his life.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are alike. Both of their wives are capable of being drawn away by another man. George Wilson’s wife, Myrtle, is having an affair with Tom. Tom Buchanan’s wife, Daisy, is being lured away by Gatsby. In light of this both men are cuckolds.
3. The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby, a rather sordid relationship, signals simultaneously the beginning and the end of Gatsby’s dream and of his success. It is the beginning of a possible life with Gatsby. It is the realization of his dream and the beginning of his success. It is also the end of his dream. His dream was to be reunited with Daisy. His social success, brought about by his parties, is ended. They are no longer necessary and would serve no purpose because he has already found Daisy.
Chapter 6
1. Thesis. America was a grossly materialistic society in the 1920’s and this was reflected by the leisure activities of Americans during this time period. Arguments. This was a time when the economy was booming. There was more expendable income and therefore there were many more inventions at the time. This decade witnessed a rise in persuasive advertising and the birth of credit. The parties reveal that the guests were deeply immersed into the society of urban American during this time.
2. There are many meanings embodied in Daisy’s admiration for the movie director leaning over his wife. She does she herself in that position. The imagery of the situation gives a sense of unlimited possibilities and endless horizens. Fitzgerald is not simply magnifying film.
3. When Gatsby was a young boy he was more worldly than his later self gazing longingly at the green light. At the previous time he was involved in the worldly events of the day. Later on he is only living on a dream. He has no more care for the world and has devoted his life to being with Daisy.
4. There are many ways in which Nick can be said to be the real hero of the story. He is the one who knows the most about everyone’s affairs and is a sort of guiding force in the story. His actions impact the outcome of events. If it wasn’t for him, Gatsby could of went his whole life without ever meeting Daisy again.
5. The “significance of that light had now vanished forever.” This is a passage about time. It is important because it shows how the timing of the reunification with Daisy. It also reflects a critical turning point in Gatsby’s life. It also tries to explore the vast expanse of forever.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio has many similarities with Gatsby. There both made the transformation from being poor to being rich. They also both threw lavish parties. This makes them very similar.
2. In the novel, there is a recurring image of eyes. The most natorious of these images is the eyes of doctor Eckelberg. The purpose of those eyes is omnipotence. They are placed on a billboard. You must rise of the distinctions and steriotypes of the egges and the ashes in order to see everything.
3. There are many similarities between select passages of Elliot’s The Wasteland and passages from The Great Gatsby. The passages have to do with the passage of time. They both express how to spend this time and the dangers of too much time.
4. The comments in question four are very significant. This passage attempt to take the emotion out of life. Everything is an event within itself and nothing is taken personably. There are bonds between the people that exist, but they aren’t cherished to the extent they should be.
Chapter 8
1. The character that symbolize a production ethic are Gatsby, Tom, and George. The characters that symbolize a consumption ethic are Nick, Daisy, and Jordon. I can draw the conclusion from this that the American Dream is a self supporting biosystem of people that produce and consume, with prosperity for all.
2. Fitzgerald’s statement about the ability to distinguish between illusion and reality is they are often intertwined, but they must be separated. Not separating them leads to trouble and failure. One must dispassionately observe and analyze in order to distinguish.
3. This story is an ironic inversion of a knightly quest for the grail. The is because the goals and mission for the grail is inversely mirrored in The Great Gatsby.
Chapter 9
1.Nick compares the Dutch sailor to Gatsby. He does this because they are both looking for something far away that is not easily obtainable. This green goal also helps state his conclusion of hope and longing.
2. This story is an ironic twist of the American Dream. Only some of the character pairs mentioned in the question eventually obtain the American Dream. Daisy and Gatsby, Myrtle and George, and Myrtle and Tom do not realize the American dream. This is because one person in each of the pairs dies. It’s not a great end worthy of the American Dream when one of the people die. Nick and Jordan don’t realize the american dream because nothing really happens between them capable of being evaluated. The only ones that do are when Tom and Daisy move away and most likely live the rest of their lives together free of affairs.
3. Nick brings the two opposites of corruption and incorruptible together. It begins to pull all the threads of the story together. Two separate worlds are being brought together and everything is coming to a close.
4. Fitzgerald makes statements about pseudo- intellectualism in his novel. He describes the nature of the danger of a little information.
5. There is power in proper names. Proper names help give someone a respectable stature. They make them less personable, yet make them more real. The have the power to help people understand eachother. The help the formal connection between people.
6. The beginning and end of the novel are similar. The materialism, scandal, and vice are still apparent is this small sample of urban american society. Nick has not changed at all. He is in the same place in his life. Gatsby has changed a lot. At the beginning he was filled with an obsessive longing for Daisy. Later on he had this longing realized. At the very end, his life changed dramatically. He passed from the world of the living into that of the dead.
Chapter 1
1. Referencing people in literature or history serves to help show the time period the novel is supposed occur in.
2. Throughout the novel Daisy talks in a low voice to show that she is instable and secretive. This is seen in her adultery later on in the book. The purpose in thus describing her is to to show how industrialists worked in the early 20th century.
3. The first chapter of this novel is important because it makes way for the development of plot, characters and themes. As said in the first question, each character is introduced with and focused on a recurring tag throughout the entire book.
Chapter 2
1. A possibility like this is truly not possible in that the development of an agrarian nation would set the stepping stones of America's utter destruction, as surrounding nations would quickly adopt the industrial system. The first two chapters hint toward this possibility, and even go so far as to claim it the American Dream, through the somewhat unbearable descriptions of industrial society.
2. The gray images in the valley of ashes are pictures of absolute desolation and poverty, unlike the green light, which is meant to depict the bright future of industrialism. The valley is created by industrial dumping and is therefore a by-product of capitalism.
3. George Wilson can be said to symbolize the American Dream in the way that he fulfills Fitzgerald's perspective of the American Dream in that he lives within the sad confines of the by-product of capitalism yet manages to be in a state of happiness.
4. Fitzgerald's poetic style and vivid metaphors help to support his ideas regarding the falsely industrial age and capitalism. However, they are in many cases superfluous as in the following passage: “Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle, but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face.” The condition of the lady’s face is not important when describing America’s new monopoly-run economy.
5. Hercules is considered an archetypal hero based on his mythical strength. Gatsby is such a hero but for a different reason.
Chapter 3
1. The dominant musical type of the 1920's was jazz. This style of music consisted of smooth trumpet playing on top of rhythmic beats of drums; the purpose of the music was mostly likely to express the unfortunate occurrence of the industrial age.
2. Each character possesses different virtues and sins, creating for an overall inventive plot. Virtues are manifested within each character of the novels, but embedded further within each character are sins as well. 3. Nick exhibits the qualities of an honest man through his lack of involvement with the industrial world. Jordan's dishonesty symbolizes the corrupt aspect of capitalism.
Chapter 4
1. The America Dream, which Fitzgerald associates to America's former state of agrarian prosperity and a quest to attain overall happiness, has clearly succumbed to the natural greed of human beings. The happiness that was once sought has secretly transformed into wealth and profit alone, and greed has overcome all humanly aspects. This seems to be the main concern throughout the novel.
2. The novel is centralized on four main characters that take a roll of the epigram: “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” These four titles to each individual personify the groups of people that made the industrial age.
3. Chapter four mainly focuses with the mysterious question of Gatsby’s past. Thus, it can be declared a dénouement to the novel since the loose ends of Gatsby and his past life are being revealed to the reader.
4. Nick lists all of the people who attended Gatsby’s parties, and these were some of the nation’s most wealthy and powerful people. These people helped develop the industrial system which America currently knows.
5. Montenegro was a constituent republic of Yugoslavia, in the southwest part of the country bordering the Adriatic Sea. During World War I, the republic was an independent kingdom.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote in that they exhibit contrasting traits; Gatsby attempts to gain wealth throughout his life and believes that the plight for so is the utter point of existence, but Don Quixote attempts to glorify his name and views fame and respect as the utmost aspiration.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are alike in that they are both deceitful and selfish. They share the same undesirable traits which results in the unfaithfulness of their wives. It’s okay for them to cheat, but it’s not for their wives to do the same thing.
3. As Gatsby reunites with Daisy, his world is literally shattered in that Tom's discovery of the affair results in the murder of Gatsby. Thus, he was not able to continue his dreams.
Chapter 6
1. The parties of American people during the 1920's can be seen as somewhat unpleasant gatherings which the host holds in order to either prove some point or achieve some status. These parties were weak methods of entertainment and were mainly to establish those of high status.
2. Fitzgerald is simply magnifying film, a new medium in the 1920s. Daisy does see herself in that image since she is so willing to leave her husband for Gatsby.
3. The boy on the yacht (Gatsby as a child) had an actual role and structure to his life, given to him by his father. However, the adult Gatsby is entirely unrealistic with his dreams of Daisy and idea that wealth alone can grant him all blessings.
4. Nick can definitely be said to be the real hero of the story in that he is the only character who does not succumb to the destructive path which America has taken, the path of capitalism. He befriends the members of both worlds but prefers the better of the two.
5. Gatsby believed in the green light, the future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. And then one fine morning— “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." This quote concludes the novel and finds Nick returning to the theme of the significance of the past to dreams of the future.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio was a gaudy, fat man, formerly a slave, who had recently acquired great wealth and taken to extreme excess; he was also known for his lavish dinner parties. In such manners he is correlated to Gatsby.
2. The recurring image of eyes serves to remind the reader of the blindness with which the characters are proceeding in their endeavors; this is similar to the blindness with which Americans proceeded with their plight for industrialization.
3. The passages are similar in that both capture the essence of the real dilemma of life. These similarities suggest a regression of The Great Gatsby into the difficulties of making a living during the industrial age.
4. The quote is meant to show the illusiveness in which the characters dealt with their problems. They show no signs of remorse for cheating but rather a suspicious look of conspiracy.
Chapter 8
1. I can conclude that Fitzgerald's message about the American dream requires an appropriate balance of production and consumption.
2. Fitzgerald's statement is essentially that one must be competent in separating illusion from reality in order to fulfill the American dream.
3. This story is an ironic version of the knightly quest for the grail because different groups of people (knights) strive for the American Dream (the grail) in different ways.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares the Great Gatsby to Dutch sailors because they are notorious for raiding commercial ships, and Gatsby is notorious for stealing. Both are stubborn.
2. The story is an ironic twist of the American Dream in that attempts to fulfill destiny fail harder with increasing effort.
3. These phrases begin to pull all the threads of the story together in that they show the malice of business trusts and capitalism, which is his central theme of the novel.
4. Fitzgerald makes references to pseudo-intellectualism throughout chapter nine. His novel is an example of pseudo-intellectualism.
5. Fitzgerald names his characters wisely in that their names truly do reflect their unique traits. For example, Nick is a standard name which is given to the only standard, reasonable character.
6. From the beginning to the end of the novel, Gatsby realizes that his bizarre dreams cannot be met; he changes in this sense. Furthermore, Nick, by the end of the novel, appreciates his old life more after his exposure to industrial America.
A. Koff
Great Gatsby, The: Research/Discussion Topics
Chapter 1
1. Consider the references to people in literature or history in the chapter. What purpose(s) do they serve?
He mentions Midas, and Morgan, and Maecenas when he talks of the books he purchased when going to college in the east. He says that only these great, rich, moneymaking men know the secrets to the world of money, which sets us up to believe that he deeply wishes to know these secrets. It serves to tell us of Nick’s want for money, which is puzzling since he is supposed to be well off.
2. Write a character sketch of Daisy (or Tom or Jordan), focusing on the recurring "tag" used to describe them. Daisy leans forward and talks in a low voice; Tom is restless and hulking; Jordan balances something on her chin almost in an athletic stance. What is Fitzgerald's purpose in thus describing them?
Tom: A rich boy from Chicago who had always been given what he wanted by his family. In college he played football due to his enormous build and athletic prowess. He is remembered at New Haven as one of the most powerful ends in history. He is also quiet restless, never staying in one place for long durations of time. He is married to Daisy, but seem so seek more out of life than just her.
He describes the characters in this way to set the readers mood towards them. In describing Daisy like that it alludes to her seductive and somewhat ignorant nature. Using “hulking” and “restless” for Tom allows the reader insight into later in the novel. Those words also give a feeling of some jock who is bored with his life. With Jordan, Fitzgerald makes her out to seem like an extremely “good” person. We are set up to believe that she is someone with power over people, and automatically see her as the “best” person in the room.
3. Explain how the first chapter of this novel is critically important in the development of plot, characters, and themes.
In this first chapter we are introduced to just about every important aspect of the book. We find out about Daisy and Tom’s unhappy marriage, Gatsby and his possible connection to Daisy, Daisy’s plan to set up Nick and Jordan, and the overall mood of the book. We also learn about the general temperaments and mindsets of the characters giving us insight into what could possibly happen in the future.
Chapter 2
1. Consider the possibilities of an agrarian society being the epitome of the American Dream. Find evidences of farming or pastoral scenes and diction in the first two chapters which suggest the belief that such a society fulfills the ideal American Dream.
“ I had a dog-at least I had him for a few days until he ran away-and an old Dodge and a Finnish woman who made my bed and cooked breakfast and muttered Finnish wisdom to herself over the electric stove.” Pg 3.
“ …ashes take the form of houses…and of the men who move dimly, and already crumbling through the powdery air” pg 23
These two quotes set up the drastic comparison of the country to the city and vise versa. The country is shown as somewhere where a man can be or do anything, whereas the city is portrayed as a place where a man would be stuck in his class without the option or ability to change his circumstances. In this right the farm could greatly illustrate the American dream.
2. Contrast the green light at the end of Chapter 1 and the gray images in the Valley of Ashes in Chapter 2. What thematic statement do the contrasting images reveal?
The gray imagery is used to describe the city and those who inhabit it alluding to a boring and down-trodden view of things. In contrast to that, the country where Nick lives is always described in greens and yellows showing its misleading aura of peacefulness. Gatsby is the transition between these two very different forms of imagery, so I am left to guess that he somehow connects the two.
3. How can George Wilson be said to symbolize the American Dream? Consider the Horatio Alger ("rags-to-riches") motif, as well as his undying desire to better his situation.
George Wilson could symbolize the American dream because of his determination to get what he wants. You could also say that his blissful ignorance and his gentle nature make him a believable American figure. Mr. Wilson owns a modest, self run business, and wishes for something more making him a stand up example of the American Dream.
4. Write about Fitzgerald's poetic style, focusing especially on the vivid metaphors and images, such as this description from Catherine: "Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle, but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face." How is Fitzgerald a disciplined writer with great control of his prose?
Fitzgerald always goes above and beyond when describing his characters. Instead of giving the reader the bare minimum in terms of appearances and feelings, he gives the reader insight into the true soul and nature of a character. When describing Catherine he not only gives us a vivid description of her face in terms of her eyebrows, he gives us an idea of what she may be like inside. By using the word “blurry” he alludes to the circumstances of her life, maybe even the ways she feels about her face and all that she has been through.
5. Research descriptions of archetypal heroes, including their mysterious beginnings associated with rumors and mythical power. Consider Gatsby as such a hero, based upon the rumors surrounding him.
“The archetypal hero appears in all religions, mythologies, and epics of the world. He is an expression of our personal and collective unconscious”
Gatsby could definitely be seen as an archetypal hero. His mysterious background leads many to believe that he is the possible son of a Kaiser or some great leader of Europe. These accusations lead to other assumptions giving him a mysterious kind of fame. It is as if everyone knows him, but do not know what to think about him. His financial situation and unknown origins cause many people to start a sort of buzz about the name Gatsby and what he is really like.
Chapter 3
1. Trace references to music in the Jazz Age—specific songs, types of instruments, description of the sounds—and draw a conclusion about their purpose(s). Discuss the dominant musical types of the 1920s.
Some of the instruments mentioned are saxophones, oboes, trombones, viols, cornets, piccolos, and low and high drums. Almost all of these instruments can be seen as happy and rowdy, which fits in perfectly with the ideals of the Jazz age. Fitzgerald mentions both Yellow cocktail music and Jazz History of the World as notable Jazz songs. In terms of the sounds and the tone of the party nothing can describe it better than, “Happy, vacuous bursts of laughter rose towards the summer sky.” In the height of the roaring 20’s Jazz music was born. “Jazz specifically was most closely related to ragtime, with which it could be distinguished by the use of more intricate rhythmic improvisation, often placing notes far from the implied beat.” It allowed the overly happy population to express and enjoy themselves in a way never before possible.
2. Find a list of the seven deadly sins and the seven cardinal virtues. Analyze some or all of the characters in regard to these sins and virtues. Which vice or virtue does each manifest?
Sins.
lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, pride
Nick portrays the sin of lust in terms of his want for Jordan. Jordan meanwhile exhibits greed in her want to always be the best and know all of the answers. Tom is a perfect example of both envy and lust because of his envy of those with more money and lust for someone other than his wife.
Virtues.
prudence, temperance, fortitude, justice, faith, hope, and charity.
Gatsby portrays the most virtues with hope, charity, temperance, and fortitude. He had
withstood the loss of a lover and sought to get her back by honorable means.
3. Study Nick as a symbol of honesty and Jordan as a symbol of dishonesty. Write a character sketch which reveals their likenesses and differences in terms of veracity and credibility.
Nick is definitely portrayed as the more honest one because of his overall gentle and ignorant nature. Though we see him mainly as an honest man, it goes without saying that every person has a bit of dishonesty in them. It may be a bit of accidental dishonesty, but Nick portrays dishonesty none-the-less
Jordan is shown as the more devious and dishonest person. It states that she never liked to be behind or unknowing, so she lied to make sure she was on top of everything. Though she is not a bad person because of her lying, in terms of honesty she is definitely less honest than Nick.
Chapter 4
1. Show how the American Dream associated with America's past has succumbed to mercenary, almost exclusively materialistic values, derived from get-rich-quick schemes. Find evidence of the historical basis in fact and corresponding evidence in the novel.
The American Dream used to consist of starting with little and then working yourself up to where you could have anything that you needed or wanted. Now because of society and its changes the American Dream is less about what you as an individual want and more about what everyone else has. This is easily seen in Gatsby and his means of getting Daisy’s love. He buys large amounts of things that are seen in society as “rich” in order to get his girl.
2. Elaborate on the epigram: "There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired." Show how it contributes to the development of plot, character, and theme in the novel. Give justification for its being the single most important line in the novel.
It is to say that there are only those four types of people in life and that you must fit into one of those categories. It adds to the plot because Nick is quite sure he doesn’t fit into any of those categories. Gatsby is the pursuer, Daisy the pursued, Tom and Jordan the busy, and he does not want to think of himself as the tired one. It is almost as if he wished he had something to pursue.
3. Determine where this chapter fits on the pyramid of dramatic structure: antecedent action (or what has taken place before the action of the novel begins), inciting moment (or the catalyst which creates interest in the actions and conflicts which follow), rising action (or the intensifying of interest and suspense), climax (or most intense moment from which there is no turning back for the protagonist), reversal (or falling action), and denouément (or tying up of loose ends). Defend your decision.
This chapter could be qualified as the rising action. We have just found out the connection between Gatsby and Daisy, and now the great mystery is how it will unfold. What will Gatsby do once he meets Daisy, how will she react? It is all build up to the moment of truth, when they finally reunite.
4. Select one or more of the names Nick lists on his timetable, and research to discover their stories and to comprehend Fitzgerald's choice of those names. How were they involved in American history?
Voltaire is mentioned which is interesting because he is a prestigious writer of satire. This could allude to the nature of Gatsby’s parties or even the nature of the crazy stories going around about his former life. Stonewall Jackson is also mentioned. Jackson was one of the most gifted tactical commanders in history and is often noted for his outstanding leadership of the south in the civil war. He could be mentioned as a tie in to Gatsby’s soldier status and determination to get Daisy back.
5. Research Montenegro and discern its role in World War I. Gauge Gatsby's account of wartime activity by these historical findings.
It is interesting that he would pick Montenegro because it is notoriously known as a German puppet state. Maybe this adds to his dark past alluding that he is not giving Nick the whole story of who he is and where he is from. It is almost as if he is playing down his effort in the war for some reason which I cannot discern.
Chapter 5
1. Consider ways in which Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote.
Don Quixote was a humble farmer who had some how fallen into a world of imagination and convinced himself that he was a knight. Gatsby is exactly the opposite. He knew he had to become a knight to get the girl he loved, but unlike Quixote he actually went out and got what he needed. Quixote imagined himself a knight whereas Gatsby went out and made himself a “knight” for Daisy.
2. Consider ways in which Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are alike, in that the wives of both men are capable of being lured away by another man. Therefore, both men, different as they are, are cuckolds (a Middle Ages term, defining men whose wives are unfaithful. In the legendary account, such husbands were said to grow horns, thus becoming monsters).
Both men are alike in the fact that their wives find comfort in other men. They are extremely different though in the fact that Tom is also cheating on his wife, whereas George is ignorant of his wives affair and rather loyal. Both men are rather well off in their own way and constantly searching for more, which may be why their wives search for more affection.
3. The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby, a rather sordid relationship, signals simultaneously the beginning and the end of Gatsby's dream and of his success. Justify this statement.
This statement is true because his dream was in fact to reunite with Daisy, when this happens and they fall in love, it is the end of his search for his dream. As for it being the end of his success, that could be referring to the fact that all he needs now is the love of Daisy and that he no longer needs all of the monetary gains that are labeled success.
Chapter 6
1. Study the various parties and guests at the parties in order to construct a thesis and arguments that typify America and Americans at play in the 1920s. What do the parties reveal about these guests?
American play in the 1920’s was pure unadulterated play. People could go out and just be people, and everyone was in search of the perfect place to party.
The parties all took place in the roaring 20’s when people could go out and have fun and not worry about the consequences. However, Fitzgerald may be making a point of singling out people who were not invited but merely show up. He also points out those who are ungrateful of the party they are at, like Tom, and tends to make them out to be unappreciative people.
2. Consider all the meanings of Daisy's admiration for the movie director leaning over his wife. Does she see herself in that image? Is Fitzgerald simply magnifying film, a new medium in the 1920s?
I think Daisy admires the simplicity of their love. She sees more than just a man and a woman embracing each other, she sees the love held in that embrace and is envious at their ability to blatantly show their love in public. Though the movie was making it big at this time in history I do not think this was Fitzgerald’s main point in this scene. I think it was more to show how jealous Daisy was of the girl in the man's arms.
3. Gatsby grew into adolescence after being introduced to a tawdry lifestyle on Dan Cody's yacht. Show how the boy on the yacht was ironically more worldly and realistic than the unrealistic adult gazing longingly at the green light.
The boy on the yacht was more realistic in many ways. He saw the bad things in the world and dealt with them like any normal boy would, as opposed to this grown up Gatsby who only deals with the things that he has to get to Daisy. The boy also seems to have a more real outlook on life. He worries about nothing more than where his next meal is coming from or how he can earn the money needed for the next month.
4. In what ways can Nick be said to be the real hero of the story? Prove your answer.
Nick is the real hero of the story because he is the one that brings the two of them together. Though they could have met another way it is extremely good that they have Nick to help them make sense of what is going on. Many times in the novel he is on both sides, both Gatsby’s and Daisy’s to help the two of them with advice and insight.
5. Select a line or a passage about time and show its thematic significance.
“Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” Gatsby, pg 111.
This line sums up most of the book. Gatsby wishes to go back and change some of the actions of the past, but as the story progresses that turns out to be an impossible thing to do. Gatsby’s idea of time is an incredibly confusing and skewed one.
Chapter 7
1. Compare Trimalchio, the hero or protagonist of The Satyricon, to Gatsby.
Gatsby is like Trimalchio in many ways. Both started out with very little and came to have a lot, but the major difference is in how they came to have the money that they had. Trimalchio came by his money in honorable means, by hard work and determination. However in this chapter we find out that Gatsby came by his money through bootlegging and illegal activities.
2. Trace the recurring image of eyes, and ascertain the purposes of those images. Consider blindness on any level as well as sight.
The eyes seem to be the only ones who witness everybody’s evils. They are there when we first see Tom’s love affair and there when we see that George has found out about the affair. It would seem that they represent the blindness of the lovers to what others are doing, especially those closest to them.
3. Compare the two passages below from T. S. Eliot's The Wasteland with remarkably similar ones from The Great Gatsby. Better still, find a copy of the poem and discover other passages which correspond. What do the similarities suggest? "I think we are in rats' alley Where the dead men lost their bones . . .” "What shall I do now? What shall I do? I shall rush out as I am, and walk the street With my hair down, so, What shall we do tomorrow?" and from Gatsby, Chapter 2: "It seemed to me that the thing for Daisy to do was to rush out of the house, child in arms—but apparently there were no such intentions in her head." and from Chapter 7: "What'll we do with ourselves this afternoon?" cried Daisy, "and the day after that, and the next thirty years?"
In the first passage of the poem it talks of an evil sort of place that the author strives to escape, this is extremely similar to the first passage of Gatsby where they talk about Daisy escaping some place with her child. The second part of the passages both address what should be done in the present as well as the future. They talk of uncertainty and doubt of ones original intentions and thoughts.
4. Explain the significance of the comments: "They weren't happy . . . and yet they weren't unhappy either. There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture, and anybody would have said that they were conspiring together."
This refers to the feelings of uncertainty between Gatsby and Daisy. They were happy that they were together, but could never be completely happy because Daisy still had minute feelings of love for her husband. The natural intimacy between them is the unmistakable love between them, but that is masked by the past.
Chapter 8
1. Some of the characters in the novel symbolize a production ethic; others symbolize a consumption ethic. Classify the characters accordingly, and draw a conclusion about the American Dream, as you understand it, from Fitzgerald.
I think the characters that symbolize consumption ethic are Jordan, Tom, and Daisy, for their overall manipulation and ignorance of the people around them. The production ethic would be George, Nick, and Gatsby, because all of them work toward what they want and love instead of waiting for it to come to them.
2. Eyes and sight recur frequently in the novel. What is Fitzgerald's statement about the ability to distinguish between illusion and reality?
It is almost as if he labels illusion and reality as the same thing. His character inability to tell between the two ultimately leads to Gatsby’s downfall in this chapter, which would lead the reader to believe that many of the characters had unrealistic views of the world around them.
3. How is this story an ironic inversion of a knightly quest for the grail?
This story is insanely ironic. The knight, Gatsby, finally reaches what he is looking for and is bitterly rejected by the woman he thought loved him. It should also be noted that he died trying to protect the woman he loved, but that she will never know that because of the nature in which he died.
Chapter 9
1. Why does Nick compare the Dutch sailors to Gatsby? How does the comparison help to state Fitzgerald's conclusion?
He compares him to a Dutch sailor because of the similarities of their emotion. The sailor is originally overjoyed at the idea of an adventure and realizing his goals just as Gatsby is of living with Daisy. The sailor’s goals are often tainted by the colonization and greed that take over, similar to the way Gatsby dreams are tainted by Daisy’s love of her husband.
2. How is the story an ironic twist of the American Dream? Consider Daisy and Gatsby, Daisy and Tom, Myrtle and George Wilson, Myrtle and Tom, Nick and Jordan.
This is an ironic twist to the American dream because those who work hard to earn what they want are the ones who do not receive it, while those who cheat and steal receive a happy ending.
3. Nick speaks of the "corruption" of Gatsby's guests and Gatsby's "incorruptible dream." How do these phrases begin to pull all the threads of the story together?
They pull the story together by showing how some way Gatsby’s corrupt business is uncorrupt because of his pure goal. To find the love of his life was a pure enough goal that the practices that Gatsby did in order to get there were some how excused. This allows the reader to believe that Gatsby really is a good man who was in search of a noble goal.
4. How does Fitzgerald make statements about pseudo-intellectualism?
Fitzgerald makes his statements of pseudo-intellectualism through the life of Gatsby. Gatsby was blinded by his dream of living with daisy which eventually led to his death. The money and emotions that came with winning Daisy back made Gatsby ignorant to the realities of the world.
5. Fitzgerald demonstrates the power of proper names. Prove this statement.
I believe he demonstrates the power of proper names by his illustration of how many of the rich had changed their names to show their status. It is clear at the end that Gatz was neither a rich nor important man, but Gatsby was a combination of both of those traits.
6. Compare the beginning and the ending of the novel. Has Gatsby changed? Has Nick changed? Explain and justify your responses.
Neither Gatsby nor Nick had really changed when it came to the end of the novel. Gatsby still loved a girl with all of his heart, though it was broken, and Nick still traveled through life unsure of where he belonged.
Kyle Anderson
Period 4
April 16, 2007
Great Gatsby
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Chapter 1
1. The purpose for mentioning famous historical figures is to give a kind of aspiration or rags to riches genre in the book.
2. Jordan is constantly characterized as lazy or detached, also for being a "blame everyone else" mentality. Jordan probably only cares for herself. This is important because it decides what she’ll do when Gatsby asks for help, or when Tom, Daisy and Gatsby are fighting.
3. The first chapter lays down the groundwork for the whole scheme and gives first impressions of all the characters.
Chapter 2
1. In the first chapter we see the Buchanans in a mansion where they lay around and play horse based games, this is the style of life for all rich planters. Wilson also symbolizes agrarian America because he is working all the time to try and get money to expand his business and get money.
2. The two contrasting images could be a brake away from dreams to reality or the change in love and honor to cheating and lying.
3. Wilson is always trying to better his life and his wife’s life. He works hard and trusts the people he thinks are his friends. Wilson truly is the rags, working to become riches.
4. Fitzgerald writes things far more descriptively so that it can be imagined in the mind, though it sometimes isn’t perfectly clear.
5. Gatsby could indeed be an archetypal hero, he is kind and generous, not to mention mysterious and with an unknown past.
6. The book uses several different songs, and they usually hint to something in the book. Of course the music may also just be for entertainment.
Chapter 3
1. Jordan is most likely sloth, Daisy might be lust but it is hard to tell, Gatsby is something along the lines of determination. Finally Tom is Greed. These Characters do have love in them, among other things, but none of them stay virtuous.
2. Jordan is self-centered without a care in the world while Nick thinks of others which attributes to constant work and worry. The two go well together because Jordan calmes Nick and Nick looks out for Jordan.
Chapter 4
1. America simply wants to get money. Many do this dishonestly. The best example of this is Mr. Wolfsheing he fixed the 1919 World Series and made the bootlegger Gatsby in the book.
2. That line in the novel describes everyone in the novel, all at least twice. Everyone besides Wilson is pusued, everyone besides Daisy purses someone, everyone is busy, and everyone is tired.
3. Chapter 4 is most likely inticing moment because it lays more clues and mysteries to the plot before the head on collision.
4. Bunson, from Nicks guest list, is most likely the famed chemist who invented the Bunson burner. This person, though not from the same time as the Great Gatsby, is very important in history.
5. Montenegro was an ally in World War 1 and was instrumental in helping to defend Eastern Europe.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby, like Don, fancies himself something of a lord and goes to seek his love Daisy, just like Don Quixote finds his love.
2. Wilson and Tom are alike because their wives are stolen away, but the key difference is Tom attracted a woman who came from nothing and lost his wife simply because of love, Wilson lost his wife because he didn’t have enough to give.
3. Gatsby went to all the work of getting a nice house and becoming rich to win Daisy back. When he finally meets her again, they fall in love again and the need of so much money isn’t at the top of the list. Gatsby basically doesn’t really need to work so hard now that Daisy is back, this leads to his doom.
Chapter 6
1. At the parties, people dance, drink, become party animals, and intermingle. The 1920’s were characterized as being the good times, Gatsby’s parties proved this because even snobbish high class joined in the fun.
2. Daisy could see this young woman as very lucky. Her director loves her and she still has her life ahead or her, not to mention the freedom in movies and the ability to change with each new role. Daisy might see her early life like this but it was taken away.
3. The adult staring at the green light is searching for something long gone, while the adolescents has something to look for that is real up ahead.
4. At the end, Nick is the only one who sticks by Gatsby and is the only one that probably has any care about anyone of the others.
5. "Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can." This line represents the whole of Gatsby, he is one who had a wonderful past and must relive it.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio is just about the exact same person as Gatsby in most aspects. Both worked their way up to riches and threw great parties. Both died but Gatsby was alone and Trimelchio had his servants act out his funeral before the real one.
2. The constant reference to eyes can be atributed to showing how certain people are blind to what is right in front or them. It can also be how some eyes see something others don’t or that particular eyes look to deep.
3. The two passages signify escape, on a deeper level it can be escape from emotions and rebirth of life because of new experiences.
4. This line has the meaning that thought they weren’t together in spirit, they were together and seemed to be linked, most likely in mind and perhaps emotions.
Chapter 8
1. Nick, Gatsby, and Wilson are product ien ethic because they work to give and live. Jordan, Daisy, Tom and Mrs. Wilson are consumption ethic because they receive and don’t want to work. For instance, Tom receives Mrs. Wilson because she wants love from a successful person, but their love is on Toms terms.
2. In the Great Gatsby, facts and deceits are everywhere; not many can be seen but there are people who see hints of lies. In other occurrences, non-living things witness everything in the book and Wilson and Nick realise this with the eyes of Dr. T.S. Eckleburg.
3. This is like the search for the Grail because Gatsby gets followers to find his Grail, or Daisy. What is ironic is he finds the Grail but it is already taken. As with the real search for the grail , the questor dies.
Chapter 9
1. He compares them because both were on this same island looking at something that they neither had power over nor truly understood.
2. What is ironic is that Tom, Daisy, Gatsby, and Jordan all have money, either by family or hard work, and they are the ones who are miserable. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and Nick might not be rich with everything they could desire, but they were rather happy with themselves, until temptation was added to their lives. It is like hard work and faith in loved ones leads to better riches than pure money.
3. The word corruption for Gatsby’s guest and incorruptible dream for Gatsby shows how the plan would have worked were it not for other people. Gatsby died because Myrtle was killed and Wilson blamed Tom then Gatsby. Gatsby’s incorruptible dream to protect Daisy and have her love again lead to his death.
4. Fitzgerald insinuates that several characters either lie about who they are or people make false accusations of them. Tom usually does this, accusing, but Gatsby lies the most about his true nature.
5. Fitzgerald displays that actual names are good because they give a reference point in literature and another argument in debates on certain topics.
6. At the end Gatsby no longer was self-contained, his emotions were out in the open as was he. Nick, however, stayed basically the same, the same morals and impressions. Nick, from beginning to end, disapproved of Gatsby, and Gatsby, from beginning to end, changed from watcher to inter-actor.
Chapter 1
1. People and events in history are referenced to for two reasons. This first is to offer an idea as to how people thought and interacted with one another in the time period, and the second is to establish the time period which was in the years subsequent to the war.
2. Daisy’s quietness allures to her unhappiness with Tom who is a big brutish type of person that is very insensitive. The purpose of describing their differences is to show the conflicts that will arise and to make light of those that have already occurred.
3. The first chapter of the novel introduces each character as well as presents a foreshadow for major themes that are present in the novel.
Chapter 2
1. Evidence in the novel shows that the “well-to-do” attitude of the agrarian aristocracy is somewhat of a dream to some of the characters. On the other hand the work that is associated with an agrarian society does not seem to appeal to characters such as Daisy.
2. The green light from chapter one is somewhat of an exciting event that promotes an upbeat tone in which things are happening and the reader is not bored. The gray tones from chapter two are more depressed and dull. The gray seems to allude to a boring environment in which the atmosphere becomes depressed.
3. George Wilson can be represented as the “American Dream” in that he has everything that he wants. He has a house, car, money, and women. All of these things can be depicted as the general American dream, which is what any man should want. Right?
4. Fitzgerald has a very poetic style of writing that seems to keep the reader intertwined in his work, always ready to hear the next part of the story. Fitzgerald is a disciplined writer in the fact that he can successfully express himself while maintaining the same general style of writing instead of just loosing focus and writing the first thing that comes into his mind.
5. Gatsby could depict a hero, or an archetypal hero, whos standards were set by American society in that he is very wealthy and powerful. One of the basic standards for an archetypal hero is power and influence. Things that Gatsby has.
Chapter 3
1. Jazz was a very influencial part of America at this time and it began to reach its way to all corners of the country. At one of Gatsby’s parties he has Jazz music playing and the band includes instruments such as oboes, piccilos, saxaphones, trombones, viols, and cornets
2. The seven deadly sins seemed to play a big role in this novel. Mrytle and Tom are the two biggest proponents of the seven sins. They both share lust and envy. Also Tom is angry with his wife due to the fact that she does not take the roll of the traditional housewife.
3. Throughout the novel Nick is consistently an honest character, fairing poorly in the golf tournament he shows his true colors of pride. Jordan on the other hand cheated in the golf tournament and seems to be a liar
Chapter 4
1. The American dream has become increasingly economic based. People come from a poor country or a country of oppression hoping to make more money and a life for themselves. Get rich quick schemes pop up all around the country and the nations true colors of greed are shown.
2. This epigram is the most important line in the novel in that it holds a great amount of truth. Also to add to this importance the quote is not only true for real life situations it holds much truth and association to characters in the novel.
3. This chapter is very climactic in a sense, and even more so a catalyst to open up a very broad area for the story to fill. Many characters show their true colors in this chapter which makes it a catalyst to see how they act with these character tags.
4. On his list Nick has many people that would be considered on the “up and up” of society. This included many wealthy people including well to do entrepreneurs.
5. Montenegro was a small independent kingdom during the war. It eventually became part of the republic of Yugoslavia. Gatsby shows his European heritage but his loyalty to America
Chapter 5
1. Don Quixote and Gatsby are counterparts in that Gatsby presents the American dream as materialistic and greedy. Don Quixote is shown as selfless where as Gatsby is greedy and wealthy.
2. Both of them are middle aged men who are oblivious to their wives who are being lured away by other men. Neither of them are very refined and are loosing their wives to people that seem to have more class.
3. The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby was sort reminiscence of things of the past, both pleasant and poor for Gatsby. Daisy’s true personality is vivid and evident at this point in the novel.
Chapter 6
1. Americans during this time period in the novel were suffering many hardships at home. People would attend parties often to forget and escape from troubles of their lives.
2. Movies were another popular way for Americans to escape their troubles. For five cents a person could sit in the movie theater all day long. Daisy’s character shows that she is most likely envisioning herself as the directors wife. She envisions herself with glamour
3. Gatsby presented in this situation as an adolescent was more realistic in that he set attainable goals for himself. The green light was more of a dream and not something that could be realistically attained.
4. Nick can be considered a hero because in a sense he solves problem. He makes it possible for Gatsby to meet Daisy and for Tom to be comfortable with his wife. He sort of fixes problems that arise in the story.
5. “For over a year he had been beating his way along the south shore of Lake Superior as a clam-digger and a salmon-fisher or in any other capacity that brought him food and bed”
This quote shows the drastic and significant changes that Gatsby has undergone in his lifetime. His lifestyle in the past shaped who he has become.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio and Gatsby both learned at a young age that drinking would hinder their success in life. With this knowledge both of them threw extravagant parties during which they would not drink and therefore have the intellectual upper hand. Trimalchio and Gatsby both moved from lifestyles of moderation to wealthy aristocratic lifestyles.
2. The images of the eyes are a message. The intended message is the blindness plaguing America and those who seek the American dream. America is blinded by greed and is not capable of seeing the true foundations of the American dream, freedom.
3. The two compilations of quotes are very similar in that they have strong elements of realism in them. They show that often in America well-to-do families will put on a façade which would show their home life as absolutely perfect when in all actuality they don’t always have everything under control.
4. This quote represented serious indecisiveness in Americans during the time period. They were not steadfast to make a commitment or to take responsibility for their actions, while at the same time not hiding them.
Chapter 8
1. In America there has always been a distinction between rich and poor, it has always been a boundary that has separated society as it does today. Fitzgerald’s message with the separation of ethics shows that each person has their own American dream specifically tailored to their life and that while many people are blinded by greed some do have pure goals with the American dream.
2. Fitzgerald’s comments on illusion and reality are yet another allusion to the American dream. He is showing that one must distinguish between illusion and what is real and possible before becoming successful.
3. The Great Gatsby is very similar to the traditional tale of a knight who is on a quest in that it essentially depicts an American micro society and how the American Dream influences it.
Chapter 9
1. Gatsby and the Dutch sailors both came to America hoping to find something new and essentially pursue the American dream.
2. The Great Gatsby is an ironic twist on the American dream. The American dream is a plan mapped out by many to improve their lives and essentially get what they want. However, while all of the main characters are pursuing happiness and the American dream, none of them actually get what they want and therein lies the irony.
3. Gatsby’s character has virtues of innocence in that he does not drink and his guest list usually contains people that either drink, lie, or cheat. He is always in the presence of people who are living a lie and are following a false idea of the American dream.
4. Pseudo-Intellectualism goes along with the façade that American society is ever so infamous for. Everyone wants to be better than their neighbor, and if they can’t buy more than the next guy then they will at least try to sound smarter.
5. Society has always dealt strongly with first impressions, your first impression of a person can often change the entire dynamics of how you view and interact with a person. Fitzgerald was highlighting this aspect of society and alluring to it in his novel. A person with a title will give a different impression than someone with a common name. This had more relevance during the time of the novel.
6. Both Gatsby and Nick were faced with the concept of realism as the novel began to take its last turn. They both realized that we can’t always get what we want in life and its best just to be happy with what we can get.
Chapter 1
1. Throughout the book when the literature refers to people and history, the purpose is to inform the reader of the time period and give a background of lives of the people in the story.
2. Daisy’s quietness shows her internal unhappiness and dislike with Tom, who is closed with his feelings and is not very in tune to what others are feeling towards certain situations. A point in describing their differences is to show that they will have conflicts in the book and they will continue until their problems are resolved.
3. The first chapter brings about the first impressions of the readers towards the characters, and is in a sense, irony towards what will come throughout the novel and how the characters will react to certain situations that occur throughout the book.
Chapter 2
1. The tone of the novel at this point in time is one that hints towards the idea that the American Dream is attainable for every American, and that everything is possible. Agrarian workers show an attitude where they all think that life could be better and become necessary, and at this point becomes the American Dream of the agrarian society.
2. The green light in a sense is a sense of mysticism and can be seen as hope and magic. Something that would be wanted by all types of people in the society at the time. While the gray streak, represents the fear and anger within everyone. It is something that is there all the time, and it affects the good times and fun represented by the green. In this novel, the green and the gray are complete opposites, but may be necessary for equality.
3. George Wilson can be seen as the American Dream holder, because he has everything that he wants: great job, money, house, women, and most importantly happiness. The American Dream is to achieve happiness, and at the time, the American people thought that the only way to achieve happiness is with money. Although this is still true today, the American people were ignorant in their ways and materialism.
4. Emotion. That’s what it’s all about with poets these days. You are considered to be a good poet by how well you portray your feelings to an audience in various different ways, and Fitzgerald was just one of the few that could do this and a very well written manner and still maintain important life lessons incorporated into what he loves to do.
5. Gatsby can be seen as one of those heroes that are the epitome of the stereo type of a hero. From the beginnings of heroes, he is one of those that just happen to be part of the continuance of heroes from time to time. In a sense they are all really the same, just the names and actions of the heroes change with time and what society demands.
Chapter 3
1. In the 1920’s Jazz was the dominant music type. Every song that came out was filled with emotion. Emotions so extreme, that no music had ever been able to express it to that extent ever before. The lives of Americans were not so good, and Jazz was a way to tell everyone their story. The Great Depression affected many, but this was society’s way out of their problems.
2. A sin that Myrtle expresses in the novel is lust towards Tom. Lust in a sense that she is attracted to him and wants to be with him, even though she has a husband. Tome displays the deadly sin of envy. He is envious of Tom’s wife and wants to be with her. Instead of waiting for her to get a divorce, he goes ahead and has an affair with her.
3. Jordan is a depiction of dishonesty in the book because she cheated in order to win her first golf tournament, while if it was Nick, he would never had cheated in the first place, which is why Nick is a depiction of honesty.
Chapter 4
1. The American Dream has succumbed to mercenaries, due to the fact that the original people that had what was known as the American Dream, as money. Money was supposed to bring you happiness, and then that’s what it came to be all about, money. Many along the way lost the whole idea of happiness except for one manner; money and material things. Society has become corrupted and needs to be moved back to normal.
2. This quote is the epitome of the novel, it shows the corruption of society and how it affects everyone. Americans are pursuing the American Dream and have become busy enough to where the real importance of life doesn’t matter to them any more. Many have realized at a certain point in their lives, is that what they have been working for their entire lives is just a waste, and they are tired of trying in that aspect, and now all they want is to relax and not be “tired” anymore.
3. Denouement is the part of this story where everything starts to come together and the real intentions of the novel start to become clearer. A direct point is described, and you can tell where the novel is going with the situation.
4. On his list are the many interesting and wealthy people that attain Gatsby’s parties. It is ironic, because the whole intention of the novel at this point in time is the American Dream and materialism. It just goes to show what was important to society at the time.
5. Montenegro at the time was a satellite of Yugoslavia during the World War 1 time period. Gatsby’s stories related to Montenegro show his support and nationality towards America at the time and how he is an American.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby is a counterpart to Don Quixote because Gatsby is all about the money and the American Dream at the time. To him, money is happiness. While Don Quixote is all about being happy without anything else. Materialism is unnecessary and not wanted.
2. They are both middle aged men who are oblivious to the actions of their wives and in a sense are ignorant to their surroundings. Their wives are cheating on them and they have no idea. Maybe they are just too trustworthy of people, or maybe cheating was rare at the time, but they are still oblivious to the obvious.
3. It is the beginning and end of his success, because Daisy left him before Gatsby became rich. Now that Gatsby is rich, Daisy sees him and his success in a completely different manner. The only reason that Gatsby worked so hard and became rich was because the love of his life left him because of it. Now that he can finally be with her again, there is no need for him to continue being successful, because he has finally achieved happiness.
Chapter 6
1. Americans at the time period of the novel had many problems. The norm for most people was to party to forget them. Many of which would go to Gatsby’s parties and those of which were invited were rich and lots of possessions, because people wanted to spend time with those that were exactly like them, because they felt at home and safe from all the troubles of the world.
2. Movies were big; they were so big that many wanted to associate themselves with directors and actors. So at this point it is no surprise that Daisy wanted to associate herself with everyone else in the movie business.
3. The young Gatsby had to make idealistic goals on the boat which made him more mature faster that everyone else, he also had to take care of the ones who were irresponsible and drunk.
4. Nick is the person in the story that makes everything possible for Gatsby; he makes it possible for him to meet up with Daisy again after such a long time. He is the reason that Gatsby got to get back together again with the love of his life.
5. “For over a year he had been beating his way along the south shore of Lake Superior as a clam-digger and a salmon-fisher or in any other capacity that brought him food and bed.”
-This quote shows the transitions that Gatsby has gone through with his life, and how he has learned what life is really about and how money is not the purpose of his life, but happiness is the true point of wanting.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio and Gatsby both learned at a very early age in life that drinking would lead to bad things in life. Thus, they both would throw extremely nice parties where they both would obtain from drinking and thus obtain the upper intellectual hand.
2. The whole thing with the eyes to express the blindness of the Americans towards what they really want. They all want happiness, but they are all misdirected and believe that money will bring them everything that they ever wanted. So it is safe to say that they are blind in their ways towards success in society.
3. Realism is a strong element shared between the both of them. They show that often in America families will put on a façade which would show their home life as perfect when in all reality they don’t have anything.
4. This quote represented serious indecisiveness in Americans during the time period. They were not steadfast to make a commitment or to take responsibility for their actions, while at the same time not hiding them.
Chapter 8
1. Those who would go to Gatsby’s parties without being invited would be seen would be those considered to be the ones w/o ethics. All the rest like Nick are the ones with ethics.
2. Fitzgerald’s comments on illusion and reality are yet another allusion to the American dream. He is showing that one must distinguish between illusion and what is real and possible before becoming successful.
3. The Great Gatsby is very similar to the traditional tale of a knight who is on a quest.
Chapter 9
1. Both were trying to find things that they both had lost. The Dutch sailor was trying to find whatever he was exploring to find, while Gatsby was trying to find the woman that he had lost earlier in his life due to the fact that he was poor.
2. The irony of the story is a complete twist on the whole idea of the American Dream. In society’s terms at the time, money was the American Dream which would eventually lead to happiness, at least they thought. It is ironic to say that those in the novel who were thought to be the ones that had attained the American Dream, had not achieved happiness and they were looking else where for it. The American Dream was just a front and was not the real necessity of happiness.
3. The story is leading up to the idea that the American Dream is a phony, and that happiness can be achieved otherwise. The corruption spoken of at Gatsby’s parties is that of those who have achieved the American Dream and they are all living a lie, and corrupting the rest of Americans. These phrases start to pull the main idea of the story into a clearer aspect.
4. Gatsby expresses how he doesn’t feel that having a front about being intellectual and lying about your true life, isn’t respectable, and in turn makes you look worse than you are. He also feels that if there is something that you want that you need to fight for it and earn it for yourself, because it is much better when you work hard for something and earn it for yourself.
5. American life is all about first impressions, even the little things like having a proper name help you out. It is sad to say that life goes on in this manner, but it is true. As Gatsby expresses, proper names will help to get you farther in life, and will give you certain advantages over others that you will want and need later in life.
6. From the beginning of the novel Gatsby was all about the so called American Dream and all the possessions that came with it, towards the end of the novel he became all about the true happiness in life; love. Nick on the other hand had learned what the true meaning of life was to him. His actions did not change throughout the book, but he has truly learned what is important in his life.
The Great Gatsby
Chapter 1
1. In referencing the people, the author presents the level of English that he will be writing in; and also it depicts the time period in which the story is written.
2. By giving the characters these "tags" Fitzgerald helps the reader understand more about the people and a little into how they manage their life (how they act).
3. The first chapter is critical in developing the plot and setting etc., because in this chapter Fitzgerald exposes the time period, a brief physical description of the characters, the setting and so forth. Without these simple descriptions and bits of info, the reader would have no idea of what is going on in the story.
Chapter 2
1. If you are trying to live an Agrarian lifestyle and also trying to live the American Dream, then you are pursuing the wrong life style. As a farmer, it is extremely hard to move up in society because of the large farming companies and farms control this piece of the economy.
2. The green light at the end of ch.1 and the gray images in ch. 2 are both reflections of industrialism, these portray both the positives and negatives of industrialism. It shows both the prosperous and destructive side of industrialism.
3. George Wilson can be used to symbolize the American Dream simply because he started close to the bottom and is working hard trying to move up in the social classes.
4. Fitzgerald is a very disciplined writer and is able to keep control of his prose very well. When he says, “Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle, but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face.” he uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe the woman's face. In using all of these metaphors and imagery, he is still able to keep it sophisticated and in a more intelligent tone.
5. Gatsby cannot be seen as an archetypal hero because there are many rumors surrounding him. Many of those biblical hero's were heroes because they had done something good or for the better. Gatsby's rumors were claiming that he had killed someone (not in a good manner).
Chapter 3
1. The dominant form of music in this time period was Jazz. Jazz was predominantly the brass wind instruments, mainly trumpets and other brass wind instruments.
2. The seven deadly sins mostly do with things that lead to bad things, and the seven cardinal virtues tend to do with the good things and optimistic views. As a whole, the characters tend to follow the seven deadly sins more often because they drink they party and many other things, that tend to deal with the seven deadly sins.
3. Nick is an honest man because he avoids the industrialists and thus allowing him to be more honest and less money/power hungry. On the other hand, Jordan is an Industrialist which makes him a chronic liar and a money hungry man which lowers his credibility and such.
Chapter 4
1. Throughout history Americans have exploited each other in attempts to "get rich quick." Many underpaying their workers and many other things to squeeze every cent out to make higher profits. Other methods include gambling and stealing. In the book, Gatsby does business with the man who "staged the World Series," a form of getting rich quick (gambling).
2. This line, “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” is the most important because it describes Industrialism in "a shell." The main theme of this book is Industrialism and this quote describes the basis and makings of Industrialism.
3. Chapter 4 is mainly the revealing of Gatsby's past which happened before the novel which would make it "antecedent action."
4. Most of the people on Gatsby's list of names were "Big shots," the wealthy or well known. These people had the wealth and riches and they lead America, because money is power in this capitalist environment.
5. Montenegro is part of Yugoslavia and in WWI the fighting was already over in that area by the time the U.S. had joined the war efforts. If that is what happened he must have been in two different armies the U.S.'s and one of the other Allied armies which makes his story seem fishy.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby could be considered a counterpart of Don Quixote because they shared many of the same views and desires. Neither Gatsby nor Quixote lived a very truthful life and fulfilled their true goal of returning things to the ways of the past.
2. These men are alike in the fashion that they have unfaithful wives. They also parallel in their treatment of their wives, they do not pay much attention to them and under-appreciate them quite a bit. This under-appreciation of their wives leads to them both wanting attention and finding it in other men.
3. When Gatsby finally re-unites with Gatsby this leads to his success and also the ending of his dreams. It leads to his success because all of the time they had been apart, Gatsby had wanted to re-unite with Daisy. When he does this, he succeeds. It leads to the end of his dreams because he had dreamed of being with Daisy but she isn't very inclined to leave Tom which was a major part of Gatsby's dream.
Chapter 6
1. These parties were basically just the determinants of the upper/high class. These were social gatherings that for the most part were a proving ground or a place for you to show off your wealth.
2. Fitzgerald may be doing both, magnifying the film and Daisy can see herself in these motion pictures. She is jealous of the seemingly free living lifestyle of the movie makers. Fitzgerald also might see this film industry to come out big and strong as the upcoming new big industry.
3. The boy on the yacht had a somewhat set lifestyle, which was given to him, and would have a good purse to go with it. On the other hand Gatsby was driven solely by his dreams, this foundation could crash everything if his reams were broken.
4. Nick can be seen as the hero of the story because he is who everyone turns to when they are in trouble. He is the only truly character who has mental stability, and because of this he helps those less fortunate minds out in their r times of need.
5. “Time may change me, but I can’t change time” This quote shows how people change over time and things can't just go back to how they were before without the consequences.
Chapter 7
1. The "great" Gatsby and Trimalchio are very alike yet very different. They both worked their way up in the social classes and throw large parties. However Trimalchio's hosting style differs grteatly than that of Gatsby's. Trimalchio like to drink an party along with his guests while Gatsby did almost the opposite.
2. Trance or the recurring images of the mind could refer to something as advertisements. Blindness could be the way the American person works so hard to achieve their dreams.
3. These similarities suggest that many people not just a few suffered from these hard times in this age of industrialism.
4. This quote, “They weren’t happy . . . and yet they weren’t unhappy either. There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture, and anybody would have said that they were conspiring together.” shows how they cheated and it was wrong, but they did what they wanted knowing it was the wrong thing, and it made them semi-content.
Chapter 8
1. People who are on the production side include: nick and Gatsby, and those on the consumption side include tom and Mr. Wilson. By taking from Fitzgerald, it is visible that an equal amount of consumption and production would be needed to keep a flowing economy.
2. Fitzgerald refers fairly frequently to illusion and reality. Many are driven by their dreams or world that they hopefully desire (illusion). And reality is the realization when everything seemingly falls apart and they realize that their dream may not be possible or come true.
3. It is an ironic inversion of the quest for the holy grail because both the knights and the people strive to achieve their goals or dreams.
Chapter 9
1. Fitzgerald parallels Gatsby to the Dutch sailors because both were known for stealing and living untruthful lives.
2. It is a twist of the American Dream because they try and fail and end up unhappy with their lives rather than being happy and prosperous.
3. The guests of Gatsby's can be considered corrupted because they were driven by their desire for money and approval. Many of his self-claimed friends did not even attend his funeral simply because he was not providing free drinks and music any longer for them to enjoy. His dream could be considered incorruptible because all he wanted to do was re-unite with the girl of his dreams. He did not drink much or party with other girls making it very hard for him to fall in love with another.
4. Fitzgerald has many examples of pseudo-intellectualism because many of Gatsby's guests are the rich, they try harder than most to portray themselves as better than they are. They act smarter than they truly are and thus creating a false sense of intellect in these persons.
5. Fitzgerald refers to some by their martial status like as in Miss Baker and he refers to others by just using their plain names as in Nick. One more way he refers to people is with nicknames or names that differ from their usual one, like "Gatsby." These names create their level of respect. The people who are referred to as Miss or Mister are generally less respected or less worthy and so forth.
6. Gatsby changes from a dreamer to a realist by the end of the story. His realization that he can never truly have Daisy any longer makes him see things clearly again. Nick realizes that his less industrial life was less corrupted and was a better one rather than his newer lifestyle.
DAtwood p5
Chapter 1
1. The references to people in literature and history in this chapter are used to give an insight to how Nick is. Fitzgerald mentions Midas, Morgan, and Maecenas to show what may unfold not only in the books Nick purchased, but maybe foreshadowing what will happen in the story. He also mentions the egg in Columbus’s story to describe where he is going to live in New York.
2. The description, “Daisy leans forward and talks in a low voice,” shows Daisy’s soft side. It shows that she is soft spoken and may be afraid to stand up for herself. It also shows that she may not be happy with Tom. Fitzgerald’s purpose it to show the reader how unhappy Daisy is with Tom.
3. The first Chapter sets a setting and a time period for the novel. It also introduces important chacters used thoughout the novel. The characters are wealthy and live good lives, but some are still unhappy in their marriages. It starts with letting the reader know that there is a mystery behind Gatsby’s past. The themes expressed are a form of mystery with that of Gatsby and also a rich theme.
Chapter 2
1. There isn’t really any evidence mentioned dealing with farming or pastoral in the first two chapters. Maybe this is because the rich just stay rich and care only of themselves. The rich marry the rich and stay rich. While the poor either have to work their way up or just stay poor.
2. The green light at the end of Chapter one symbolizes Gatsby’s desire to be wealthy and to be with Daisy. Gatsby has accomplished the part of his American Dream of becoming wealthy, but he still doesn’t have Daisy. The gray images in the Valley of Ashes symbolizes the poor trying to make a better life for themselves, such as George Wilson.
3. George Wilson is said to symbolize the American Dream because he trys to make the best out of life and remain happy. He owns his own business and provides for himself and his wife.
4. Fitzgerald’s poetic style and vivid metaphors show his views on the industrial age. In the quote, “Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle, but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face,” however, just shows what he thought about a woman’s style in that age.
5. An archetypal heroe that is well known is Hercules. Gatsby is somewhat similar to Hercules in the way that their origin is a mystery. Everyone knew who they were in their best successful part of life. There were also a lot of remors about both Hercules and Gatsby that changed the way people thought about them.
Chapter 3
1. The dominant type of music in the 1920’s was Jazz. Trumpets and drums were used. The sounds was very up beat and loud. People enjoyed dancing to this type of music. Bands at Gatsby’s parties would play this type of music and everyone would dance to it.
2. The seven deadly sins include envy, sloth, gluttony, greed, wrath, pride, and lust.
The seven cardinal virtues include faith, hope, charity, fortitude, justice, temperance, and prudence. The characters in this book mostly relate to the seven deadly sins. Nick is the only one who is an honest man, but he seems to take too much pride in this. The guests that attend Gatsby’s parties envy the life of the wealthy and most would go uninvited. Tom is a character who takes a lot of pride in his wealth. He is known as a polo player with a lot of money.
3. Nick is an honest man while Jordan is dishonest. Nick is honest with what he tells his friends and isn’t afraid to speak the truth. Jordan is dishonest because she easily believes rumors and spreads rumors she hears.
Chapter 4
1. The American Dream was for families to come to America and make a better life for themselves and their family. Families wanted to work their way up from poor to rich. Unfortunately, once families got money they felt that buying materialistic items was what to spend their money on. These material things made them feel weathier. People used get-rich-quick schemes to get money quickly because to them money meant happiness. Some people would turn to gambling and other ways to get money quickly. In the novel it shows that the life of the wealthy isn’t all that it is thought to be, and that money doesn’t bring happiness.
2. The epigram: “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired,” directly relates to the novel. The plot of the novel expresses the busy and tired poor pursing for a better life and the wealthy that have pursued wealth, but are pursuing happiness. Gatsby, for example, had persued a life of wealth, but he wanted Daisy. Tom had Daisy, but he persued a mistress. Nick wants to find a true love. Jordan seems to be busy all the time with her life. This quote helps set up the whole story.
3. I think this chapter should fall among rising action. In this chapter the reader learns more about Gatsby’s past. The reader also learns that Gatsby and Daisy used to know each other and a little about their relationship. This information makes the reader want to know what will happen next in the story.
4. Select one or more of the names Nick lists on his timetable, and research to discover their stories and to comprehend Fitzgerald’s choice of those names. How were they involved in American history?
The names that Nick listed on his timetable were all names of people who were rich. Fitzgerald choice of those names shows the reader what type of people would go to Gatsby’s parties.
5. Montenegro was one of the republics of Yugoslavia that the United States fought against in WWI. This was a place where there was a lot of loss. Gatsby’s account made it seem like a great place because he was able to earn medals for his good deeds.
Chapter 5
1. Don Quixote was a dreamer who dreamed his own world, and some considered him crazy. Gatsby was also a dreamer who dreamed of seeing Daisy, the love of his life, again. He dreamed of exactly how it would go. Gatsby and Don Quixote are both dreamers, but Gatsby isn’t consider to be crazy.
2. Both Tom and George have wives that are in love with another man. They both are selfish and care only for themselves. Tom himself is cheating on his wife, but it’s okay for his wife to cheat on him.
3. Gatsby’s dream was that when he would see Daisy again she would love him the way she used to love him. When they actually meet again, Daisy is married to another man. It’s the beginning because Gatsby wants to run off with Daisy, but the end because Tom is standing in the way.
Chapter 6
1. The parties reveal how the guests are as people. The guests enjoy parting and during the 1920’s a lot of people liked to go to parties. Not all the people that went to Gatsby’s parties were invited, but just went to have fun.
2. Daisy’s admiration for the movie director leaning over his wife shows that Daisy wants that love. She does picture herself in that image, but not with the director.
3. The boy on the yacht was more worldy and realistic than the adult gazing longingly at the green light. Gatsby as a boy, traveled the World on the yacht and learned from Cody. Gatsby as an adult just longed for Daisy, while looking at the green light.
4. Nick can be said to be the real hero of the story because he is the only one who never got materialistic over things. He is honest and isn’t afraid to speak his mind. He was always there for his friends, especially Gatsby.
5. “‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incrdulously. ‘Why of course you can!’” This line shows that Gatsby is stuck in his past. He wants things to be how they used to be with Daisy. He doesn’t want to accept that Daisy is married to Tom and has moved on with her life.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio in The Satyricon is a lot like Gatsby. They both were poor and became rich. They also both threw parties.
2. The image of those eyes give the purpose of God watching over you. The eyes are mentioned only when a character should feel guilty reminding the character that maybe it isn’t such a good idea.
3. In both the poem and the quotes from the novel the characters seem unsure of themselves. They don’t know exactly what to do next.
4. This quote shows the relationship between Daisy and her husband Tom. To others they may feel that Daisy and Tom were unhappy together when in fact they were happy together. They want to fix things that have happened in the past and want to get on with their life together.
Chapter 8
1. Some of the characters in the novel symbolize a production ethic; others symbolize a consumption ethic. Classify the characters accordingly, and draw a conclusion about the American Dream, as you understand it, from Fitzgerald.
The characters in the novel that symbolize production ethic are Nick, Tom, Jordan, and George Wilson. These characters worked hard to make a good life for themselves. The character with consumption ethic are Gatsby, Daisy, and Myrtle Wilson. These characters never seemed to be happy in the novel and always longed for something more.
2. Fitzgerald’s statement that described looking into eyes“…wide with jealous terror…” shows reality. It showed the reality of someone’s jealousy. The statement, “…came back into his faded eyes,” is more of an illusion. It was more of how Nick portrayed the eyes as being faded.
3. This story is an ironic inversion of a knightly quest for the grail because the characters are persuing happiness. Like the grail complete happiness can never actually be persued. Both are just a thing characters are persuing. Gatsby wanted Daisy and the knights wanted the grail.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares the Dutch sailors to Gatsby because have a dream that they want to persue. This comparsion helps the reader understand Gatsby’s dream.
2. This story is an ironic twist to the American Dream because the characters have a dream. Gatsby’s dream is to have Daisy. Tom and Daisy want to try to work things out that have happened in the past. Myrtle and George want to have a good life for themselves. Myrtle and Tom were just seeking love. Nick and Jordan both wanted a true love. They all were seeking something to make their lives better.
3. These phrases begin to pull all the threads of the story together because it shows both sides of Gatsby. One side is of the fancy parties he has for his guests and the other side is the dream of being with Daisy.
4. Fitzgerald makes statements about pseudo-intellectualism by showing the effects of giving out the wrong information. After George’s wife died, Tom told him that the car who hit her was owned by Gatsby. George thinking Gatsby killed his wife went and killed Gatsby and himself.
5. Fitzgerald demonstrates the power of proper names by giving names to all of his characters including last names. Characters in the book were referred to by their last names more than their first names to show respect.
6. Nick and Gatsby both changed in the novel from the beginning to the end. Nick wanted to make a better life for himself and Gatsby wanted Daisy. Even though they didn’t get what they wanted they still changed. Nick was able to learn lessons from spending time with the rich upper class. Gatsby became more obessed with Daisy and just seeing her wasn’t enough. He wanted Daisy to leave her husband for him.
Chapter1:
1.The purposes of these references are that they add to the novel and to the characters by making them seem more aware of their surroundings and the occurrences of the outside world. By having such acknowledgements it gives the reader the sense that Nick and the other characters have a say and openly discuss the issues of the world and aren’t as consumed in their own personal lives. It widens the parameters of the character and possibly alters the judgment that the reader has on the characters of the story.
2.The character of Daisy can be best described as a wise and aware individual with a desire to be what she says “…a beautiful little fool.”(p.17) As the wife of an arrogant, unfaithful man, she is well aware of his relationships with other women and ignores them to prevent confrontation. As a member of higher society, she experiences many luxuries; cars, houses, travel, all of which are comforting but none of which can help her with her husband’s infidelity. Although she is a pained individual and feels as all people would feel, rich or poor, Fitzgerald creates her character as typical for a wealthy woman. Showing no affection towards her daughter and by not confronting her husband’s infidelity, Daisy is expressed as a common wealthy woman. Daisy loves money and all the commodities that come with it and by doing anything to spoil her easy way of life would be an unwise move.
3.The first chapter appropriately presents most of the main characters of the novel and demonstrates their personas, economic situations, and relations with one another. Those facts help build on the story and provide important information to further analyze the rest of the tale. From the first chapter we learn of the characters such as Nick, Daisy, Tom, Jordan, etc. all of which possess different personalities that affect everyone else. Most importantly, the first chapter tells us of the high class society of which Nick associates himself with and we learn about his (Nick) character. Although he lives in a lowly shack, he mingles with the higher classes; this being something Fitzgerald probably tried to show; money does not always necessarily determine one’s social status, sometimes it’s who and what you know.
Chapter 2:
1.The epitome of the American Dream was always to work and be self-sufficient, be it by an agrarian lifestyle of not. Having an agrarian society could be seen as the American Dream because many did possess those lifestyles and those classes of work. In the first two chapters, agrarian labor was in a completely different area than any other sort of labor. The lifestyle of farming and agriculture were more along the lines of the West and Nick points it out with his views with “…the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves…” (p.4) which he expresses positively and with almost nostalgia. Also, not only would the agrarian lifestyle vastly differentiate itself from any other labor, it is also expressed in Ch.2 how any other manual labor, in this case George Wilson’ profession of auto repair, would also be looked lower upon. Both the agrarian lifestyle and the auto repair lifestyle lack the prestige and money that other lifestyles would bring.
2.At the end of Ch.1 there is a green light visible from Gatsby’s home and that light could be seen as a glimmer or hope or some sort of small guiding light. It can also mean that amongst all the darkness and conformity there is still a little something different within it all. In contrast, the Valley of the Ashes is seen as a universally dark place; all covered in soot and ash. There is every area covered with this substance that is dirty and stains everything. This “valley” all looks the same and does not present any of the glamorous or lavish qualities of the higher class living areas. There is a total separation between the two areas and two lifestyles.
3.George Wilson is a self-sufficient person who performs manual labor and depends on only himself to provide for him and his family. The first people to arrive to America did not initially search for luxury and lavish lifestyles, but for self-sufficiency all of which was accomplished by George Wilson. Although he might have been constantly been covered in ash and didn’t possess many material goods, he was a success story by just being dependent on himself. Alger’s rags-to-riches motif does not really compare all that much to Wilson’s lifestyles mostly because if you consider Wilson’s present situation, it would be more of a just “rags” motif. It didn’t seem that he tried that hard to improve his lifestyle, it was as though he was content with his lifestyle. The same cannot be said for his wife Myrtle who was driven to an affair with Tom to try and get out of her lowly situation.
4.Fitzgerald’s writing successfully expressed the then-present views of different economic and social situations. He used vivid language to express the characters and Fitzgerald shows his dedication to the novel by creating real characters in believable situations. For example, he created Tom who with “…a gruff husky tenor, added to the impression of fractiousness he conveyed.” (p.7) and he also created the other side of society which is George Wilson, a “…spiritless man…” (p.25) Fitzgerald gives life to every part of society without really taking a side and remaining neutral.
5.One hero that can be said to be archetypal would be Simba from The Lion King whose birth was largely celebrated due to his royal family. He is important in the way that it was always expected of him to be the next king and his father’s death begins his quest to find himself and his purpose. Archetypal heroes are often on a quest and the people/animals around them create views and opinions of them. Gatsby was seen as this great, rich character whose lavish parties entertained many and his immense wealth brought out suspicions. By not being well known as an individual person, it drew peoples’ questions about how he grew to be so wealthy and why he chose to share it with strangers attending his parties.
Chapter 3:
1.One reference in Ch. 3 is at a party at Gatsby’s mansion where Mr. Gatsby requested that the orchestra play Vladimir Tostoff’s “latest work”, Jazz History of the World which, when it was over, ended with “…girls…putting their heads on men’s shoulders in a puppyish, convivial way…” (p.50) It was an up beat type of music that was followed by fast dancing which was very popular in the 1920s. The music popular in the 1920s was jazz and all types of sounds with trumpets, saxophones, drums, and other instruments that could ensue fast movement.
2.Someone like Gatsby could embody gluttony because he chooses to spend his money on parties and alcohol, but he could also represent charity because he does do some good deeds for those who aren’t as wealthy as he is. For example, he reimbursed a girl with a new dress after she tore hers at one of his parties. Also, another character can embody some of those sins and virtues. Tom embodies pride and lust because of his arrogance and his affairs with women.
3.Nick can be seen as a symbol of honesty mostly because his lack of having a high powered position or lots of material wealth. He is not arrogant, as Tom is, and doesn’t feel the need to lie about anything and he is credible in the sense that he is a quiet, more observant man who usually wouldn’t fib and is a bit naïve. Jordan represents dishonesty because of her more “modern” customs and she continually bends the truth. She is more of an individual and modern woman because she is single and is a competitive golfer, but how she became a competitive golfer took more than just skill, she cheated and got away with it.
Chapter 4:
1.From the beginning of America as a country, the primary goal of the new colonists was to succeed, but their standards of success were to be self-sufficient and only have to depend on themselves. Through time, the standards of “success” have been measured by the acquisition of material goods and money, which has turned many into money and power-hungry individuals who strived for more with the less work possible. Get-rich schemes were built for those who wanted the maximum amount of profit with very meager contributions on their parts. One example of this in the novel would be Myrtle Wilson’s drive to get out of her more impoverished way of living mostly by having an affair with a wealthy man, Tom, “I’ll meet you by the news-stand on the lower level.” (p.26) It was easier for her to gain the glamorous lifestyle by being with a rich man than to actually work for it.
2.It is the most important line in the novel because it represents every type of character in the story. For example; the pursued would be the innocent and more naïve, like Myrtle; the pursuing would be those greater in status in money and society, such as Tom; the busy, like Nick who is always trying to figure out what is going on; and the tired, like Gatsby who has seemed to give up on trying to understand people and lives secluded and with not a lot of involvement.
3.I believe that this chapter can be put in two of the categories: antecedent and rising action. The antecedent action is one that has taken place before the novel’s story is being told; a past event that could be introduced as a memory or retold for clarification in the story. This is what it is in chapter four when the memory of Gatsby and his encounter with Daisy arises. On the other hand it could also be seen as a rising action because it draws interest and connects the stories of both Gatsby and Daisy and intertwines them to create an understanding of both characters and why they are they way they are.
4.Of the many names listed, there were last names that had historical significance, such as Willie “Voltaire” and “Stonewall Jackson” Abrams. By disguising them in different names, these historical figures were incorporated into the novel. Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer and philosopher and Stonewall Jackson was a confederate general during the American Civil War. Voltaire wrote the famous Candide which expressed the flaws of the 18th century world, and Stonewall Jackson is most famous for his Valley Campaign in 1862.
5.Gatsby's most prized medal is from Montenegro, and he carries it with him everywhere. Montenegro had considerable hardships before and after World War II, but they still rewarded an American soldier and international hero. The medal reminds Gatsby of his past life and links him continually to Daisy, his one true love.
Chapter 5:
1.They both contrast each other in the way that Gatsby has lived his life gaining much material wealth and money and Don Quixote aspires to be recognized and renowned. To Gatsby it is a great goal to gain as much as possible, but to Don Quixote, the important thing is to be known as much as possible.
2.The first differentiation between Tom Buchanan and George Wilson is one made up by the reader. In a way, the reader is made to feel differently towards each character when their women are lured away; more of a pity for George and a sense of vengeance towards Tom. George is genuine, hardworking and more of a peasant who worked to support himself and his wife. Tom on the other hand was a cheater whose arrogance and indifference to his wife lead her to the affections of another man. Therefore the reader feels sadness towards George and a secret joy that Tom got a taste of his own medicine.
3.The statement is very true because Gatsby’s dream was to gain enough wealth to impress Daisy and win back her heart. By being reunited with her, his dream is basically completed and there isn’t much more he can do but see what happens with his relationship with Daisy, nevertheless, it’s still the beginning of a relationship where they both have changed over the years, so they’ll get to know each other once again.
Chapter 6:
1.Guests of Gatsby’s parties were generally upper class people who were accustomed to actually having a time of leisure, in contrast to those lower class individuals who had no play time. These guests had no problem with enjoying themselves at the cost of others and were interested only in enjoying themselves.
2.Daisy does not enjoy herself at the party and the only thing she seems to approve of is a movie director and his young starlet. There is something about them that seems to fascinate Daisy and everyone else at the party, “I like her. I think she’s lovely.”(p.107) is all Daisy says to voice her approval.
3.The boy on the yacht had experienced hardships and dreamt of working hard to become wealthy but the adult gazing at the green light just waited around waiting for his love to come back to him, hoping that his pure wealth and fame would bring her back. That boy was determined to make things happen, instead of the man who waited for things to happen.
4.Nick can be said to be the real hero of the story because he’s mostly just an observer of everything and he doesn’t get consumed with any of the real drama that’s going on. He never experiences the greed and desire for material things and he never judges those who are his friends, he just sticks by them no matter how crazy situations get.
5.One line that would be of great importance would be by Gatsby, “I’m going to fix everything just the way it was before. She’ll see.” (p.110) This line just shows Gatsby’s determination and at the same time crazy goal to return things to how they were in Louisville where he first was with Daisy. It demonstrates Gatsby’s nostalgia and longing to once again lead the simple life with Daisy, when the only thing that mattered was their love.
Chapter 7:
1.Gatsby and Trimalchio are kind of the same character because Jay Gatsby is a wealthy man who enjoys spending money on lavish parties and other material goods just like Trimalchio who “…who entertains with ostentatious and grotesque extravagance a number of men of his own rank but less prosperous.” (Wikipedia.com)
2.Gatsby always paid attention to Daisy’s eyes and what they said meant a lot to him. From the beginning, Gatsby threw his parties in an attempt to have Daisy attend one of them, but when she finally did, and did not enjoy it, Gatsby changed and no longer had parties. He could see the boredom in her eyes and he made it his goal not to do that to Daisy again. It was here eyes that caused him to change.
3.They are both similar in the way that they both show a halt in their actions and confusion about moving on. In both passages there is hesitance about what is to happen in the future when the dream basically ends. The characters have no intentions to do anything and are at a loss for actions.
4.The passage basically signifies the reluctance of Tom and Daisy to be separated merely by the fact that they are accustomed to their lifestyles and such a lifestyle keeps them wealthy and in high society. Although both of them were not really in love with one another, they were more in love with the lavish lifestyle they lead, and by separating; it wouldn’t benefit either of them. If they were to separate, Daisy would lose her rank as the wife of a prominent man and she would mostly likely be stripped of her luxuries, and Tom would no longer be seen as a successful husband, but as a divorced cheater, because everyone was aware of his affairs. So, by both of them staying together they could maintain that social status that brought them to the top.
Chapter 8:
1.From Fitzgerald’s point of view, during that time the American Dream was no longer of just being self-sufficient or providing for oneself, he expressed the American Dream as turning into the drive for material things and wealth. In Fitzgerald’s eyes, the world became dominated by social status and a person’s economic standing, it was no longer about love or feeling, as expressed with the decision of Tom and Daisy to remain together.
2.Fitzgerald uses eyes as the telling point of the truth. The eyes are the give-away to what someone is really feeling and the reality of one’s emotions. Illusion is everything else; what they speak and what they evoke with their actions. Eyes are the ones that tell it all.
3.In this case the grail would be Daisy and Gatsby would be the hero trying to find it. The ironic thing about it is that when the hero finally finds the grail, the grail is content and stays with its present spot. It doesn’t want to be rescued. Another example of this would be a hero’s journey to save a princess from the evil dragon. It’s like if the hero searched all over to find his princess, but when he finally found her, she says, “I’m cool.” and chooses to stay with the dragon.
Chapter 9:
1.Nick compares the Dutch sailors to Gatsby mostly because their life experiences are very similar. Both the sailors and Gatsby went through journeys with a goal. For the Dutch sailors, the goal was to see land and a new beginning. Likewise, Gatsby had the goal of a new beginning and reaching his one true love, Daisy.
2.The story just shows how the American Dream isn’t always the best and isn’t always a good thing. For example, you could say that Tom and Daisy lived the American Dream. They were two successful, articulate, people, with a beautiful house, daughter, and important roles in society. They were wealthy and seemed to have everything that the American Dream was about. Ironically, through it all, they weren’t all that happy. Tom and Daisy had it all, but between them, they weren’t happy.
3.They begin to pull all the threads together in the way that Gatsby’s actions were pretty much explained. Gatsby invited all those people to his parties in an attempt to reunite himself with Daisy, but he didn’t care about any of them. When he finally did find her, she didn’t want it, and she got away. Gatsby’s incorruptible dream was pure and good, because Gatsby’s true goal was to bring back to true love, not to flaunt his wealth, like many thought.
4.One great example of pseudo-intellectualism is how Gatsby continually threw around his credentials of having attended Oxford and being in many different places in order to impress or justify his wealth. When in reality he was only there for about a semester after he returned from the war. He used those experiences as a way to evoke traits of intellectual privilege.
5.Proper names are the reality of what new beings are titled by their parents, when they are neutral and indifferent and have no biases yet. Birth names tell people where others come from and the reality of their families. Later on in life, when people change their names it’s for a reason and to names that they believe suit them better. Gatsby for some reason changed his name from Gatz, maybe to forget about who he was when he was a poor little kid, and he wanted a new beginning as Gatsby, a rich man.
6.I don’t believe that Gatsby has changed. The only thing that changes is that he becomes more public and allows himself to be shown more often than usual. He always held that child-like hope that Daisy would come back to him, by him just throwing parties and wishing she would be there. He always hoped she would just come back to him with not much work on his part. Nick doesn’t really change as much because not a lot of the occurrences really affect him. He is just a spectator, but he does learn that some people, like Tom and Daisy, don’t always care about feelings and happiness, but status.
C. Koreerat Period 5
Chapter 1
1. They help the reader better understand the novel. To help the reader realize the time period, for example bringing in real events like when the narrator (Nick) says that Gatsby went to WWI and then became rich.
2. Tom was a guy who was muscular who felt like he had to be in control of his life but also Daisy’s. Fitzgerald’s main purpose describing Tom was to show his characteristics and what he is capable of doing. For example, late in the novel Tom tells Mr. Wilson that it was Gatsby’s car who hit Myrtle and since he told Gatsby.
3. The first chapter is a vital part of Fitzgerald’s novel. The reader gets to see the insight on the characters and they get to see the foreshadowing. The reader finds out more about the narrator (Nick) and finds out more about the scenery. Foreshadowing takes place when Nick describes Gatsby’s mansion. Later on in the story we find out that his mansion is across the bay from Daisy’s house.
Chapter 2
1. Nick refers to the Midwest (where he previously lived) as a society that had long-established values, as where the East was more of a corrupt society. People where rich and greedy and only cared for themselves. For example “I’ve got a nice place here (pg.12).”Therefore, belief that the agrarian society was the epitome of the American Dream was there.
2. In Chapter I, The visible light across the bay from Gatsby’s mansion was Daisy’s mansion. The green light represents the love and past that Gatsby wanted from Daisy. Gatsby’s reach for the light parallels with the American dream, something people want but usually never get it. In the beginning of Chapter II, the valley of ashes is industrial dump of ash. It basically represents the East, a place with a corrupt society, and the greediness to get the American dream.
3. George Wilson can be seen to symbolize the American dream because he works to try to be like the people in the East and West Egg Village. He strives to make more money.
4. Fitzgerald poetic style make the reader visualize what he is trying to say. He used figurative language to help better show that each character is after the American dream.
5. Rumors spread about him like: He killed someone, supposedly went to Oxford College, he was a German spy, his parents died when he was young (pg.70-71)… This considers Gatsby to be a mysterious archetypal hero. But we actually know he is wealth, has a mansion and fought in WWI so this also makes him a hero.
Chapter 3
1. Jazz music began in the beginning of the twentieth century in New Orleans. Jazz has roots in the combination of West African and Western music traditions, including spirituals, blues and ragtime. Louis Armstrong first achieved fame as a trumpeter, but toward the end of his career he was best known as a vocalist and was one of the most influential jazz singers. Instruments such as trumpet, piano, drums, and other wind instruments where used.
2. Seven deadly sins would be lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. I think Tom represents most of these: greed, wrath (tells Mr. Wilson that it was Gatsby’s car), envy (jealous of Gatsby), and pride (“I’ve got a nice place here [pg. 12]”). Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance are the seven cardinal virtues. Some of these might parallel with Nick, for example when Nick has the prudence to ask Daisy to come have tea at his house (for Gatsby).
3. He is very honest, clearly seen in the beginning of the novel where he courageously expresses how he feels to Daisy, “you make me feel uncivilized, Daisy” (pg.12). He sort of parallels the west, he has honorable values. Baker parallels to the east by being more corrupt, more dishonest. For example, she moved her golf ball at a tournament to give her an advantage.
Chapter 4
1. Once the credit card was invented the get rich pay later extravaganza happened. It made people feel like they could have anything. So whatever they desired they got. This is probably why the American dream turned into a get rich quick scheme. Another reason was the crash of the stock market. People were financially destroyed so whoever had the goods was superior to the ones that did not.
2. Basically the line shows the whole book. Daisy is being pursued by Gatsby, Myrtle is being pursued by Tom, at a time Tom was pursuing Daisy, Nick is pursuing Baker, Baker is to busy for Nick, and Mr. Wilson is the tired one, not knowing anything that is going on around him.
3. This can be considered as a rising action due to Miss. Baker tells everything to Nick about Daisy and Gatsby. Also, Gatsby finally becoming united with his love Daisy. Plus the climax of the story has not happened yet.
4. Fitzgerald starts the chapter off by having Nick state who came from the party from the east and west side of Egg Village. “From East Egg, then, came the Chester Beckers and the Leeches and a man named Bunsen… (pg.65)” He does this to help classify the people attending the party.
5. Montenegro was the only allied nation to lose its independence after WWI. While Gatsby was in the military, he received a medal for Valor Extraordinary. He saw death surrounding him and he risked his own life. (71)
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby and Don Quixote are somewhat similar. Don Quixote imagines himself as a hero who goes on fake journeys to save the woman that he loves. But Gatsby loves Daisy and is trying to take her away, with his love and money, from Tom. Although, Gatsby remembers Daisy from the past and over time he built her up so much that he made an imaginary Daisy.
2. Tom and Wilson are similar due to the fact that both Tom and Wilson’s wives are being lured by other men, Myrtle loves Tom and Daisy loves Gatsby. Also both men become horrid because Tom takes Daisy away from Gatsby and Wilson becomes a murderer.
3. When Gatsby and Daisy finally reunited it was not an immediate chemistry. It took a good thirty minutes for them to feel comfortable with each other once again. Gatsby’s main purpose in life is to have Daisy for himself and that’s it!
Chapter 6
1. The parties reveal how a typical American in the 1920’s would act, into themselves. Mr. Gatsby is very polite due to the fact that most of his guests are not even invited. Gatsby’s house was just the place to crash when he has a party; either to get there minds off work or to have fun and no cares.
2. “I’ve never met so many celebrities!’ Daisy exclaimed” (pg. 111). Daisy feels as if celebrities are so beautiful and wonderful. She sees the movie business as a promising and fun career.
3. Gatsby as a boy was more realistic because he was following a dream that was practical. Gatsby as an adult had a dream of rekindling Daisy’s love for him but he truly did not know Daisy he built her up, more than she was.
4. Nick was a man who had long established values, with this he helped Gatsby try to rekindle his romance with Daisy, he does things with good intensions, and he makes an honest living. That’s why Nick could be considered a real hero.
5. Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!” This quote is said by Gatsby. As the reader already knows Gatsby is trying to repeat the past, he is trying to make Daisy love him the way she used to before he went to war. But Gatsby cannot accept the fact that she has moved on with her life.
Chapter 7
1. Gatsby had a lot of attractive parties as well as Trimalchio. He had many of famous people from all over than came to his party. Sometimes people did not know where Gatsby went.
2. Blue eyes were seen on the valley of ashes. The blue eyes represent purity as it watches over the valley. The reader could symbolize the eyes to God watching over his people.
3. Both passages show that the American dream is not the best goal for someone to hope for. If you do achieve the American dream what will do after. Also, they both express how to spend this time and the dangers of too much time.
4. This quote is about Tom and Daisy, Tom and Gatsby got in a fight in New Your City and Daisy ran over Tom’s mistress. Tom and Daisy were miserable together they were both cheating on one another. But they were not completely unhappy because they still had each other.
Chapter 8
1. Gatsby would be considered as a production ethic because he is the person who throws all of the parties. He is the one with all of the alcohol, dancing, and social rank that comes to parties. Nick would also be considered production ethic because he makes the whole story proceed. Every other character would be considered as consumption ethic, they all just take and do good for themselves.
2. Fitzgerald uses the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg (the billboard), as a symbol of God watching over the Eggs. Wilson sees the eyes and thinks of them as God’s. “God knows what you have been doing everything you’ve been doing. (pg 167)”
3. Its like Gatsby is the night and Daisy is the grail. It is like the grail is hard to get. The only difference is that the quest for the grail has religious affiliation. As Gatsby’s quest for Daisy is immoral since she is married.
Chapter 9
1. The Dutch sailors that came to America coming with excitement and America was still pure. Gatsby looked at his dream of Daisy and she was pure. The vision of the sailors changed cities were built as nature was getting torn down. Just like Gatsby, he met Daisy everything was alright at first and then she chose Tom over him. Which destroyed his dreams.
2. The book is an ironic twist due to it having dreamers, Tom and Myrtle wanting to have an affair, Gatsby who is still in pursuit of his dream, Daisy.
3. The corruption of Gatsby’s guests and Gatsby’s incorruptible dream causes the story to come together in a sense that Gatsby’s past begins to unravel. His past unravels to know how he gained his wealth.
4. Fitzgerald makes statements about pseudo-intellectualism by showing the opposite of true intellectualism. It manipulates others as in the novel some characters did.
5. Fitzgerald does this by putting different names to people, for instance Jay Gatsby, is called Gatsby throughout the book. Nick even called him Gatsby and he was his close friend.
6. Both Nick and Gatsby changed, Gatsby changed due to the fact that he actually met his lost love Daisy, who he lived across the bay from. Nick changed because he became more of a parent, more responsible.
C. Koreerat Period 5
Jennifer Thomas
Period 4
4/15/07
The Great Gatsby
Chapter 1
1. In chapter 1 there are references to people in literature or history the purpose of these references is to set up a time parameter. It also allows the reader to better understand the period in which the reader is describing.
2. Daisy leans forward and talks in a low voice to draw people close and attract attention. She also appears as if she has no care in the world. Fitzgerald’s purpose in describing them this way because he wants to introduce and describe the characteristics of the main characters in the story.
3. The first chapter is very important in development of plot characters and theme because we are introduced to Nick, the narrator, Daisy, Jordan, and Tom. We also learn that tom has another girl in the city. And they touch the Gatsby and his mansion. All of these things contribute to the development of the story.
Chapter 2
1. “This is a valley of ashes – a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens…” (23). This describes the lack of farms and agriculture in the story. The people in the story live in big houses and could care a less about the land. Therefore the American dream is rich and luxury opposed to agrarian society.
2. The green light in the end of chapter one represents a hope and desire of the American dream while the grey in the beginning of chapter 2 the grey in the Valley of Ashes represents hopelessness and lack of motivation.
3. George Wilson could be considered the American Dream because he owned his own business in the Valley of Ashes and had a wife whom he thought was loyal. He may not have had as much money as Gatsby or Tom but he is surviving in the rich world.
4. Fitzgerald’s poetic style, focusing especially on the vivid metaphors and images makes him a disciplined writer with great control of his prose because he is able to put and image in your head without just stating it. He makes his words flow and her appearance interesting.
5. Gatsby can be considered such a hero because of his mysteries and rumors surrounding him. No one knows what kind of business he is in or his motives for having the parties.
Chapter 3
1. The 1920’s was the start of the jazz age because this book is written about this time the songs instruments and sounds play an important role. At all of Gatsby’s parties he has big bands playing music for the guests. All of the guests dance and listen. A popular song of the time was Jazz History of the World.
2. Daisy represents sloth because she does not work and when she is introduced in chapter 1 she appears to not have a care in the world. Tom represents greed because he wants both Daisy and Myrtle. He even lies to Myrtle and says Daisy is a catholic and does not believe in divorce. He may also represent pride because of the big head he gets from sports. Jordan represents pride because she is a pro golfer and she is proud of that and feels people are below her. Gatsby represents envy and lust because he longs for Daisy. Nick on the other hand represents justice because he is the only one in the novel who does not long for something he does not have. Gatsby offers him a job that would help him receive a few extra bucks and he turns it down.
3. Nick is a symbol of honesty while Jordan is a symbol of dishonesty. Jordan lied about leaving the top of a car open when it rained to the person she borrowed. She also moved her golf ball in a tournament. While Nick seems to tell everyone what he thinks and his never caught lying. Nick is more likely to reveal veracity and credibility then Jordan would be.
Chapter 4
1. The American Dream associated with America’s past succumbed to mercenary, almost exclusively materialistic values, derived from get-rich quick schemes are shown both from fact and in the novel. In the 1920’s many people began buying stock on credit in order to make quick cash. This backfired on them when the stock market crashed in 1929 and the Great Depression began. In today’s society people are still trying to make quick money rather than go through the work. In the book many believed that Gatsby was a bootlegger and that is how he received all his money. The people would spread nasty rumors about Gatsby.
2. “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” This could be the single most important line of the novel because each character is included. For example Daisy and Jordan are the pursued while Nick and Gatsby are the pursuing. It also contributes to the development of plot, character, and theme of the novel because each character being described unintentionally.
3. I feel this chapter could be considered both inciting moment and rising action because it creates interest in the actions and conflicts that follow as well as intensifying of interest and suspense. It introduces Gatsby’s love for Daisy.
4. The chapter starts with Nick listing the names of those who come the Gatsby’s parties. The list includes many well-known and influential people of the time. The names also represent the class of the people.
5. During WWI Montenegro was an independent kingdom. Gatsby has a medal for his bravery during the battle.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote because of contrasting traits. Gatsby lives the American dream from poverty to wealth. Given medal honors in WWI and goes on adventures in the jungle and hunts big game. Don Quixote is a dreamer.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are alike in addition to both of them being in love with Myrtle. In that both of their wives are capable of being lured away by another man and may be considered cuckolds. The only difference is that Tom is unfaithful to his wife as well.
3. The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby, a rather sordid relationship, signal simultaneously the beginning and the end of Gatsby’s dream and of his success. It is the end because he has reached his goal of reuniting with his love daisy but it is also the end because he is now going to have to deal with Tom and the fact that Daisy is married.
Chapter 6
1. During the 1920’s the economics was booming and the people were spending money as if it was going out of style. In addition the 20’s was during the prohibition when it was illegal to drink alcohol. All of the guests at the parties were drinking and dancing. Therefore the guests of the party were both immoral and desperate.
2. Daisy’s admiration for the movie director leaning over his wife has multiple meanings. She first puts herself in the position of the life giving her endless possibilities, Fitzgerald was not just magnifying film which a new medium in the 1920s.
3. As a boy Gatsby was more open minded and sociable then when he is an unrealistic adult sitting alone at night gazing at the green light. AS he gets older he starts obsessing over Daisy rather than looking for other options in life.
4. In many ways Nick can be considered the real Hero of the story because he reunites Daisy and Gatsby. In addition he knows about all of the events in the novel as well as Myrtle and Tom.
5. “The significance of the light had now vanished forever.” It reflects the time and thematic significance because it shows that the light is gone because he has been reunited with his love Daisy.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio, the hero of Satyricon and Gatsby have a lot in common because they both went from rags to riches and throw big parties.
2. The recurring image of eyes plays an important role in the novel. Dr. Eckleberg's eyes are the most significant of the novel. His eyes on billboard watch over both of the eggs.
3. There are many similarities between Eliot’s The Wasteland and the Great Gatsby. The two novels have a similar theme of time. In the excerpts they both talk about how time should be used and the danger of having to much time.
4. The significance of the comment is to explain the relationship and help the reader better understand. In addition it takes emotion out of life.
Chapter 8
1. The characters that symbolize a production ethic are Gatsby, Tom, and George while the characters that symbolize consumption ethics are Nick, Daisy, and Jordan. Fitzgerald makes me think that the American dream is something that needs to be pursued and is not just given to you.
2. Fitzgerald’s statement on the ability to distinguish between illusion and reality is they often coexist at time but have to be separated and if separation does not occur between the two then trouble and failure are close by.
3. This story is an ironic inversion of a knightly quest for the grail because Gatsby is on the quest for Daisy.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares the Dutch sailor to Gatsby because both are searching for goals that are unattainable. This comparison helps state Fitzgerald’s conclusion because it is unhealthy it lust for something that is impossible, it may end in death.
2. The story is an ironic twist on the American Dream because not many of the characters are actually happy. Even though they are rich and have someone who loves them they are not truly happy. Most people think money brings happiness but it doesn’t.
3. Nick speaks of “corruption” of Gatsby’s guests and Gatsby’s “incorruptible dream” these phrases begin to pull together all the threads of the story because the two words are opposite and together they include everything in the story.
4. Fitzgerald makes statements about pseudo-intellectualism, which he tells the danger of but gives very minimal information.
5. Great power comes with proper names. Throughout the story people with higher place in society have a more respectable name for example Tom Buchanan and George Wilson.
6. Gatsby has changed a lot throughout the novel while Nick stayed the same. Throughout the novel Nick remained the middleman staying neutral with everyone while staying connected. Gatsby on the other hand went from imagination to realization.
M. Hernandez
Per. 5
The Great Gatsby
Chapter 1
1) The references made to people in literature or history by Fitzgerald, serve as an introduction to get us in the mind set of the characters introduced. As with Tom in showing the literature he fancied, being The Rise of the Colored Empires by Goddard. With this it showed Tom’s thoughts on the white being the supreme person and the other racist comments it entitled.
2) The author “tags” characters like, Jordan showing that she is the start of a new era because she expresses herself in a more tomboyish way. She plays golf but still shows her feminine side as seen at the lavish parties Gatsby threw. Jordan shows how a woman can be something more than just a housewife.
3) The first chapter is important in the development of plot, characters, and themes because it captures the readers’ attention. We get set up to see the characters life’s and how they function in society and it helps us understand the rest of the story and follow the characters in it.
Chapter 2
1) Fitzgerald describes the possibility of an agrarian society being the essence of the American Dream, shown here is a bit of belief that a society of farming would fulfill the American Dream, “This is a valley of ashes - a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills… air.” (Ch.2, pg.23). This would not likely be true because of society’s great expectations.
2) The green light at the end of Chapter 1 in contrast to the gray images in the Valley of Ashes in Chapter 2 shows the differences in the society and the goals one hoped to reach. The green light shows the grandiose life some hoped to reach but were still stuck in the reality of the Valley of the Ashes.
3) George Wilson was said to symbolize the American Dream because he worked the fields and worked to better his life. His desire to better himself was what pushed him to work hard and he did so with an impeccable efficiency.
4) Fitzgerald is a disciplined writer with great control of his prose as shown through the poetic usage of metaphors and similes. He does so by using simple language that can be understood but adds a spin to it that makes it unique yet understandable.
5) Gatsby could be considered a type of archetypal hero because he worked towards all of his goals and used his resources to their extent just like King Arthur who got Excalibur and used it to help him lead the people.
Chapter 3
1) One of the big names linked to the Jazz age was Louis Armstrong. The most recognized instrument of that age was definitely the trumpet, which gave life to the music and displayed vibrant arrays of sounds. This was seen through the lavish parties thrown by Gatsby.
2) The seven deadly sins are lust, pride, greed, wrath, envy, gluttony, and sloth. The seven cardinal virtues are faith, hope, love, prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. A woman that expresses a sin is Myrtle because she is married yet cheats on her husband with Tom making him a sinner as well. One who expresses virtues is Nick because he is a right man and Daisy because she accepts her faults and recognizes her loyalties towards Tom.
3) Nick is a symbol of honesty being that his innocence towards the corrupt world is shown through his non judgment towards those he did not know. On the other hand Jordan symbolizes dishonesty with the whole lying at the golf tournament.
Chapter 4
1) To now the American Dream has been demoted to getting filthy rich or you have nothing, meaning money is everything and if you don’t have it; who are you? Greed has taken over humanly aspects and is shown throughout the novel depicting mostly the riches.
2) The main characters are tied around the epigram: “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” This contributes to the entire novel in how the goals are reached within the characters and how the novel progresses. It is the single most important line in the novel because it defines not only the novel but the acts of those who work for what they want.
3) To an extent the chapter has a bit of dramatic structure dealing with the inquires of Gatsby’s past and this clears up or ties up the loose ends dealing with that.
4) Nicks list of people came form the people who attended Gatsby’s parties. These people were both powerful and very wealthy. Many of these people were the very foundations that helped us as a nation grow and become what we are today.
5) Montenegro was a republic in a small part of Yugoslavia. When Gatsby says that they beat them in World War I, it shows that they we were stronger and beat them even though they had withstood in other major battles.
Chapter 5
1) Gatsby might be counterpart to Don Quixote in that they both had great aspirations and goals that were attainable. Gatsby was more in that he wanted what he was looking for straight out. And Don Quixote looked for the fame side of getting what he wanted.
2) Tom and George were different in the fact that they were at different sides of the society pole. Yet they were similar in that their wives were lured away by other men. Tom luring away Myrtle and Gatsby luring away Daisy.
3) The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby signals the beginning and end of Gatsby’s dreams and successes. This is so because in restarting this relationship Gatsby achieved his dream of being with Daisy but this would start a conflict with Tom and Daisy.
Chapter 6
1) The parties played the role of the lavish social gatherings those of high status had. The parties revealed that the guests were there to have fun and it seems that in the 1920’s it was all about fun having parties every weekend.
2) Daisy’s admiration for the movie director leaning over his wife has many meanings but one that comes out more vibrantly is that of wanting that. Meaning that she did not have that type of relationship with her husband.
3) The boy on the yacht had more structure to his life than Gatsby now because he is very unrealistic in his dreams of being with Daisy; she is a married woman.
4) Nick can be said to be the real hero of the story because he made Gatsby’s dream of reuniting with Daisy come true and he was one that stayed true to himself thought the novel.
5) This line shows thematic significance, “‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘ Why of course you can!’”, showing how Gatsby wanted to relive his past experience with Daisy but time was simply not on his side.
Chapter 7
1) Trimalchino can be correlated to Gatsby in the sense that the both thru grand parties and many great people came to them.
2) The recurring image of eyes shows us how blind the characters were in going on with their lives, they did not see that what they did affected many people and it was an ongoing theme throughout the novel.
3) The passage by T.S. Eliot is similar to that of Fitzgerald’s in that panic has stricken and the characters don’t know what to do. The similarities suggest that these two pieces are used together to show how earlier works correlate with one another.
4) The comments: “They weren’t happy . . . and yet they weren’t unhappy either. There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture, and anybody would have said that they were conspiring together.”, show that there was a rather mysterious air surrounding the plot. There was no regret in that the had cheated but rather that mystery of conspiracy.
Chapter 8
1) From Fitzgerald the conclusion about the American Dream that I have come up with is that it comes with a balance of production and consumption. Saying that it will work out if you keep that scale stable.
2) Fitzgerald’s statement about distinguishing between illusion and reality is that one must see things in reality so as to achieve those goals that have been set.
3) This story is an ironic inversion of a knightly quest for the grail because you hear many different versions of those stories and none are the same. Same with the way people pursue the American Dream, not all pursue it in the same way that is why some succeed and others don’t.
Chapter 9
1) The comparison of the Dutch sailors to Gatsby helps to state Fitzgerald’s conclusion by stating that they both had dreams they wanted to achieve and most were not of good.
2) The story is an ironic twist of the American Dream because no one really ended up happy, but Daisy and Tom were still together again showing that not all achieve it but some do.
3) Nick starts to speak of how “corrupt” the parties and the guests all were of Gatsby’s because no one showed up to his funeral.
4) Fitzgerald makes statements of pseudo-intellectualism by showing how lies really do affect people being how George, thinking that Gatsby killed his wife, went and killed Gatsby.
5) Fitzgerald demonstrates the power of proper names by naming each character wisely and uniquely being to reflect their personality.
6) From the beginning of the novel to the end both Gatsby and Nick change. Nick has seen how life is different in many places and further appreciates his old life. And as for Gatsby he finally sees how his chance with Daisy has come and gone and accepts his lose.
Nguyen L per 5
Chapter 1
1. The references to people in literature or history, serves the purpose of giving the reader a better understanding of the time period which the novel intended.
2. Fitzgerald’s purpose in describing the characters is to give us a better perceptive of the character. It supports in our understanding of events that happen. For instance Tom is described as restless and hulking, is explained he is very stubborn and will argue at any moment that he thinks that is not right.
3. The first chapter of the novel is very important to the development of plot, characters, and themes. It introduces the characters with certain “tags” which will be portrayed throughout the novel.
Chapter 2
1. An agrarian society is described as “valley of ashes - a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills… air.” (Chapter 2) An agrarian society will be unable to survive in the world market. The American dream is not fulfilled by the agrarian society but by the industrial society.
2. The green light symbolizes the great future of industrialism, and the gray image in the Valley of Ashes symbolizes the destruction of America, being great poverty. This reveals how the American dream is only a fantasy.
3. George Wilson symbolizes the American Dream because he suffered of being poor and sticks to his dream of becoming rich. The American Dream is coming from rags to becoming rich.
4. Fitzgerald is a very disciplined writer seeing that he does exaggerate his descriptions. This example, “Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle, but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face,” is written with preciseness. It gives us a clear picture.
5. Hercules is a archetypal hero. He came from heaven and was found by a family, and he discovered is great power and saved the city. Gatsby can be seen like this, because he is unknown, no one knows what, where, and who this man is. He is seen as a hero in a different way.
Chapter 3
1. The dominant music type of the 1920s was Jazz. It was a new form of music that was enjoyed by many, using instruments like the trumpet, bass, guitar, and etc. The purpose of this music was maybe to express the turmoil of society of the industrial age.
2. The seven deadly sins are lust, pride, greed, wrath, envy, gluttony, and sloth. The seven cardinal virtues are faith, hope, love, prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. All characters possess the cardinal virtue, but within each character lay the sins in which it creates the overall plot of the story.
3. Nick is a honest man while Jordan is the complete opposite. This is what allowed the relationship between the two to work. It worked because one would have the qualities that he would be missing.
Chapter 4
1. The American dream was al base off of getting rich fast without having to put any work to become rich. How were you supposed to get rich without putting in any work? The greed of the people brought people to think of wealth and nothing else bringing to the corruption of society.
2. Society only consists of those few groups, and everyone being classified into one of those few groups. This is what classifies the industrial age being separated of these groups.
3. This chapter of the book can be seen as the rising action because we start to learn more about the two main characters. We also learn of Gatsby’s past and it is reveal about the relationship between Daisy and Gatsby. This creates some suspense of what will happen next.
4. Nick listed all the people that attended Gatsby’s parties. This list consisted of the wealthiest and powerful people. This is the class that helped shape the industrial age.
5. Montenegruo was one of the republics of Yugoslavia. During World War I, the republic was an independent kingdom.
Chapter 5
1. Both Don Quixote and Gatsby both have imaginary life styles. Gatsby lived his life based off of being wealthy and Don lived his life on honor and respect. Don didn’t acquire great wealth as Gatsby, so these two can be seen as counterparts.
2. Both Tom Bushanan and George Wilson are very alike in that both men share traits that results in their wives being unfaithful. Both men are willing to have an affair with other women, but when the woman does have an affair, they do not permit it.
3. By getting Daisy to love him, could maybe have been his dream. It was the beginning of his dream and may end by fulfilling his dream, but sadly it results to Gatsby’s death.
Chapter 6
1. The parties reveal the type of people there were during the 1920s. The guest give the impression that all they like to do is party, listen to music, get drunk, and have a good time. In the novel, the same guests are invited every single time.
2. Fitzgerald is magnifying film, a new medium in the 1920s. Daisy does see herself in that image because she is having an affair with Gatsby, and is willing to do it.
3. The boy on the yacht, which was Gatsby as a young child, had a life followed by his father. It was an actual role and structure to his life, but the older Gatsby lives his life as having his dream with Daisy and living a life where wealth will bring him everything.
4. There are many ways in which Nick can be seen as the hero of the story. He does not involve himself in the corrupt society of capitalism. He follows his own belief and chooses the better choice for his life.
5. Gatsby is over obsessed with his dreams, and lost all the realistic aspects of life and the environment around him. He has been trapped in the past and lives his life respecting himself.
Chapter 7
1. Trimachilo was formerly a slave who had acquired great wealth and was known for throwing dinner parties. In a way he correlates to Gatsby greatly in those aspects.
2. The recurring image of eye, serves as a purpose of giving the reader and letting us understand the blindness that people are in during the industrial age.
3. These passages are very similar due to the fact that these two are occurrence of the real world. It shows the great difficulty of trying to survive and becoming rich in the industrial age.
4. Both Tom and Daisy were in a marriage that wasn’t full of love and dedications towards one another. They both had a love life outside of their marriage. This balanced out of how there was no happiness or unhappiness. There was nothing between the two and had no emotion.
Chapter 8
1. Daisy Buchanan, Myrtle and George Wilson, and Jordan Baker symbolize more of a consumption ethic. Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, and Tom Buchanan symbolize production ethic. The American dream is unreachable if corruption exists. To reach the American dream there must be a balance between the two.
2. Fitzgerald could be saying that to achieve the American dream you must escape the imaginary society to reality.
3. This story is a ironic inversion of the knightly quest for the grail because the goals for the grail is a inverse of goals of the Great Gatsby.
Chapter 9
1. The comparison of Gatsby and the Dutch sailor could be that they were both seeking a new life in America. They were both dreamers and hoped that they would fulfill their dreams one day.
2. The story is ironic to the American dream because everyone is trying to be a success in American society only brings them further away from happiness.
3. The primary focus of the Great Gatsby is how business and organizations are corrupt. The thread pulls the story together because it ties to that them.
4. Fitzgerald makes references to pseudo-intellectualism throughout the whole entire chapter. The whole novel is an example of pseudo-intellectualism.
5. Fitzgerald’s choice of names of each character reflects the personality of each character. The choice name demonstrates the power of proper names.
6. Nick, at the end of the novel, appreciates his old way of life before he was exposed to the industrial life of America. Gatsby realizes that his imaginary life is just an illusion and it can not be fulfilled.
Edward T.
Chapter 1
1. In chapter 1 there are references to people in literature or history and the purpose is to set a time perimeter. It also helps the reader what was going on at the time of the novel. It helps to capture the meaning of the novel.
2. Daisy leans forward and talks in a low voice to draw people towards her. Fitzgerald does this to help describe the characters and introduce the characters of the novel.
3. The first chapter is very important of in the development because it brings in the narrator Nick, Daisy, Jordan, and Tom. We also learn that Tom has another girlfriend in the city and Gatsby is touched upon.
Chapter 2
1. “This is a valley of ashes- a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens…” (23). This lets the reader know that there are few farms in the novel. The people live in extravagant homes and could care lass about the land they are living on. The American dream is to live on Long Island and be rich.
2. The green light in the end of the chapter demonstrates hope. For the American dream while the grey light in the beginning of chapter 2 represents ashes and false hope.
3. An example of the American dream can be seen in George Wilson. He represents it well because he owns his own business in the Valley of the Ashes and a wife whom he thought was loyal. He may not have the money Gatsby has be he still thrives in a world of materialistic behaviors.
4. Fitzgerald’s poetic style especially focuses on the metaphors and similes. This makes him a disciplined writer with wonderful control and the ability to make his words flow.
5. Gatsby couldn’t be considered much of a hero because of his mysteries and rumors that hover over him. No one really understands the man.
Chapter 3
1. The jazz age of the 1920’s pays a role in the novel because the songs and instruments from that time help play a vital role in developing the story lines. At all the parties thrown the jazz music is playing and the people are happy.
2. Daisy represents a sloth because she doesn’t work and doesn’t show interest in the world around her. Greed is represented through Tom because he earns for both Tom and Myrtle. At the same time he may also represent pride because of his love for sports. Gatsby represents envy and lust because of his strong desire for Daisy. Nick represents justice because he is the mediator of the group and keeps everyone under control.
3. Nick represents honesty and Jordan represents dishonesty. Jordan always finders her self-lying like about the car and moving her golf ball forward in the tournament. Nick always expresses his true feelings and is never caught in a lie.
Chapter 4
1. The American dream associated with America’s past dived all the way to materialistic values. The materialistic dream came from the get rich schemes of the 1920’s. All this backfired when the stock market crashed. Even today many people rely on quick rich schemes rather then trying to work their way to the top.
2. “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” This is the most important quote of the novel because each character is represented. It also brings out the plot and themes of the novel.
3. The chapter in my mind the rise to climax because it develops the early problems in the novel. It also introduces the love entanglement between Daisy and Gatsby.
4. The chapter starts with Nick giving the names of all the people invited to his party. The list has all famous people and high-class people.
5. In WWI Montenegro was its own little independent country. Gatsby earned a medal for his unaccountable bravery.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby could be a counter part to Don Quixote because of their different personalities. Gatsby is the American dream with all his wealth while Don Quixote is a mere dreamer.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are similar because they share an affection towards Myrtle. They also have wives who are very capable of being lured to another man. The single difference is Tom is not faithful to his wife.
3. The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby, rather sordid relationship, happen at the same time from beginning to end. It is in the end because that is when Gatsby finally reaches his goal.
Chapter 6
1. My thesis is: In the 1920’s America was a very materialistic country and this could be seen in all the leisurely activities the Americans did during that time period. The 1920’s was a time period where the American economy was booming and people were making money like it was growing on trees. Credit came to rise and people were spending money on all materialistic goods. All the money led to extravagant parties and fun.
2. There are multiple meanings in the admiration of Daisy for the movie director leaning of his wife. She puts herself in that position. The imagery is the sense of endless possibilities. Fitzgerald is not just simply magnifying film.
3. As a child Gatsby was more open minded and sociable rather then sitting alone at night and gazing into the night sky. As a gets older he his only living his based on a dream. He no longer cares about the world and focuses all attention towards Daisy.
4. There are many ways you can consider Nick as the hero of the novel. He knows the most about all the affairs and keeps everything on track. Because of Nick, Gatsby was able to meet with Daisy again.
5. The “significance of the light had now vanished forever.” The passage reflects time and the time of the Daisy coming back.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio has many similarities with Gatsby. They both went from being poor to becoming very rich gentlemen and threw lavish parties.
2. The novel has a recurring image of eyes. The most significant eyes are the eyes belonging to Dr. Eckleberg. Dr. Eckleberg eyes on the billboard kind of watch what goes in and out of the eggs.
3. There are many similarities between Elliot’s, The wasteland and the Great Gatsby. Both novels have passage from the book that relate to time. The passages explain how time should be used and the dangers of having too much time.
4. The comments are very important. The passage tries to take emotion out of life.
Chapter 8
1. The character that symbolizes production ethics are Gatsby, Tom and George. The characters that symbolize consumption ethics are Nick, Daisy, and Jordan. The American dream that can be concluded from Fitzgerald is to be successful you must be self supporting.
2. Fitzgerald’s statement on the ability to distinguish between illusion and reality is they often coexist be at times must be separated. Is separation does not occur between the two trouble and failure is on the way.
3. The story is an ironic inversion of a knightly quest for a grail. This is because the knight’s quest for the grail is reflected in the Great Gatsby.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares the Dutch sailor to Gatsby because both are searching for a goal that is far away and almost unattainable. The goal helps him with his hopes in life.
2. The story is an ironic twist of the American Dream. Very few of the character pairs eventually reach the American Dream. Daisy and Gatsby, Myrtle and George, and Myrtle and Tom do not see the American dream. This may be because one person from each of the pairs dies. It’s hard when a close one passes away.
3. Nick brings two complete opposites together, corruption and the incorruptible. The bringing of the two together helps untwine the story. The two worlds converge and bring everything together.
4. Fitzgerald makes statements about psuedo- intellectualism in the novel. He tells of the dangers and gives little information.
5. There is great power in proper names because it helps some with a respectable nature. The person becomes less personable and more real.
6. From the beginning to the end the novel is very similar. The materialism, scandal, and vice is seen throughout the novel. Gatsby changed dramatically, he went from longing Daisy to realizes his dreams and coming to his senses. He went from living to dying. Nick remained the same by staying neutral and being the connection with all the people.
A Varma P5
Chapter 1
1. The reference of people in the novel helps to clarify the time period in which the book is written. In addition, it brings to the novel a feeling of realism, that all of these things exist and happen in the real world.
2. Daisy speaks in a low voice in order to convey to the reader her secretive manner, and to foreshadow her incident with adultery later in the novel. Her character is also that of a girl who is shallow and materialistic. She represents the position of women in the time period, based mainly on their beauty and not their merit. Daisy, with her secrecy, may also represent the industrialist manner of the time period.
3. The first chapter of the novel sets pace for the rest of the novel. It introduces the plot and the theme of the novel, and gives a first impression of all the characters. These things will be built upon as the novel progresses. Much of the plot is revealed in this primary chapter, and with all of the given information, the novel is able to progress much easier without the need to further explain things in the future.
Chapter 2
1. Having an agrarian society as the epitome of the American Dream is simply unrealistic in the fact that the nation is constantly developing in different industrialized ways. To have an agrarian society be the epitome of the American Dream is to mean that the American Dream is to digress in advancement and technology. Throughout the first two chapters there are many hints to this being considered the American Dream.
2. The green light was one that symbolized the success that followed the achievement of the American Dream. It represents the bright future of industrialism. In contrast, the gray in the Valley of Ashes represents desolation and poverty, which is the result of the dumping of industrial compounds and therefore a result of capitalistic endeavors.
3. George Wilson essentially accomplishes Fitzgerald's American Dream in that he lives a content and happy life despite the dreary by products of capitalism.
4. Fitzgerald's vivid metaphors and poetic style help to support his view of the corrupt industrial age and capitalist society. Though in many cases, such as the following, “Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle, but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face.”, Fitzgerald goes over the top with the metaphor in that the condition of the lady’s face has little to nothing to do with the evil that is industrialism and capitalism.
5. Hercules and Odysseus could be considered as archetypal heroes due to their many heroic traits such as perseverance and strength; Gatsby could be considered such as well but for much different reasons.
Chapter 3
1. Jazz was the dominant type of music at the time. This style of music was made up of a plethora of instruments but more specifically the trumpets and drums with its rhythmic beats. The purpose of this music was to express the many unfortunate occurrences of the industrial age and of capitalism in America during the time period.
2. Sins: Pride, greed, anger, gluttony, envy, sloth, and lust
Virtues: Chastity, moderation, generosity, zeal, meekness, charity, and humility
Each character has a different manifestation of the virtues, but in each character there are also many sins embedded. Each character, which their own unique virtues and sins, help to create a far more interesting plot. This variance also foreshadows a twisting plot.
3. Nick remains to be an honest and honorable man via his lack of involvement in industrialism and capitalism. On the other hand, Jordan’s dishonesty represents the evil and corrupt world that is capitalism.
Chapter 4
1. The natural greed of human beings has overtaken what was the previous American Dream of self-content and the agrarian way of life. This happiness has manifested in the wanting of material possessions, or in other words, the natural greed of human beings. This ideal and change in the American Dream seems to be the center of the novel.
2. “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” That quote simply describes the four main characters of the novel, all of which take their own roll and title from the quote. This simply summarizes the basic state that the populace is in and personifies the groups of people that make the industrial age.
3. Denouément. The focus of the chapter was primarily on that of Gatsby’s past life and the numerous mysterious questions surrounding it. It is denouément simply because the past life of Gatsby and all of the questions surrounding it are being answered, and many things that are unknown to the reader are now known.
4. Nick’s list is comprised of people who attended Gatsby’s parties. The people on the list are comprised of the wealthiest and most powerful beings of America. This shows the elitist state of America of the time, and the people on the list were also ones who helped to develop America into the industrialized nation that it is.
5. Montenegro was a republic of Yugoslavia. During World War I, Montenegro was an independent kingdom. It was where Archduke Francis Ferdinand was assassinated by the Black Hand, which may have been the one event that tipped Europe into WWI.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby and Don Quixote may be seen as counterparts in that their traits are virtually opposite of one another. Gatsby’s aspirations in life are simply to gain wealth and power, and he strives all throughout his life to achieve this goal. On the hand, Don Quixote believes that the ultimate thing he can attain is honor and glory, and to be famous and remembered.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are alike in that they share very similar traits. These traits end with unfaithfulness from their wives. They are deceitful and low, and find it fitting for themselves to have affairs, but will not permit that of their wives. They cannot be trusted, but they expect their wives to be perfect for them.
3. The reunion of Gatsby and Daisy is one that ends in disaster for Gatsby. His affair with Daisy is discovered, and ends with the murder Gatsby. Gatsby’s dreams and ambitions end with this.
Chapter 6
1. Parties in America in the 1920’s can be seen for the most part as unpleasant. They were simply thrown for the host to gain something in one way or another. The host is either trying to prove a point or gain status in one way or another. These parties are not established in hopes to entertain, but merely for establishing some sort of status.
2. In this happening, Fitzgerald is simply magnifying film, a new medium in the 1920s. Daisy in fact does see herself in that position which is why she so willingly left her husband for Gatsby.
3. The boy on the yacht, Gatsby as a young child, actually has meaning to his life. It is very structured and he has an actual role in life. The adult Gatsby is entirely unrealistic with his dreams of Daisy and his aspirations of wealth and power.
4. Nick can very easily be seen as the true hero of the story simply because all throughout the novel he does not succumb to the destructive and corrupt path that America has taken, he does not tread down the path of capitalism. As the novel progresses, he befriends many people of both world of America, but he prefers the better of the two.
5. “‘You can’t repeat the past.’ ‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘Why, of course you can!’” (pg 110) This line simply shows Gatsby’s lack of knowledge of time, and further shows his loss of reality. He does not realize that time changes people, and things in the past are impossible to replicate, and some things that were done in the past may never be changed.
Chapter 7
1. Trimachilo was a man who was formerly a slave. He was a fat man who had acquired great wealth and taken to extreme excess. He threw very large dinner parties and was very well known for this. In this sense Trimachilo is very much similar to Gatsby.
2. The recurring image of eyes serves to remind the reader serves simply to remind the readers of the characters’ blindness in proceeding with their acts. This is very similar to the blindness of America as it traversed down the path of capitalism and industrialism.
3. Both passages are similar in that they show the real dilemma of life. These similarities suggest a regression of The Great Gatsby into the difficulties of making a living during the industrial age.
4. The quote is meant to show how each character dealt with their problems. They are very illusive in how they act. They do not show any signs that they had committed anything wrong, but simply show off signs off suspicion and conspiracy.
Chapter 8
1. I believe that Fitzgerald’s message about the American Dream to be that the American Dream requires an appropriate balance between both production and consumption, too much of either will tip the scale and cause a catastrophe.
2. Fitzgerald’s statement is quite simply, if one wishes to fulfill the American Dream, he or she must be fully competent in separating illusion from reality. One must not allow themselves to be blinded by their aspirations.
3. This story is an ironic version of the knightly quest for the grail because different groups of people (knights) strive for the American Dream (the grail) in different ways.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares the Great Gatsby to Dutch sailors for the reason that they are known for pirating trading ships, and Gatsby is known for stealing. The comparison helps to state Fitzgerald’s conclusion because both are immensely stubborn.
2. Considering Daisy and Gatsby, Daisy and Tom, Myrtle and George Wilson, Myrtle and Tom, and Nick and Jordan, the story is a series of ironic twists. They are twists of the American Dream in that attempts to fulfill destiny fail harder with increasing effort.
3. These phrases begin to pull all the threads of the story together in that they show the evil side of capitalism, the malice of business trusts, and the corruption industrialism, and the overall evil of all of these. These different things are the central themes of the novel.
4. Fitzgerald makes references to pseudo-intellectualism all throughout chapter nine and the entire novel. The novel itself can be seen as a great example of pseudo-intellectualism.
5. Fitzgerald names his characters wisely in that their names truly do reflect their unique traits. For example, Nick is a standard name which is given to the only standard, reasonable character. This name does not reflect deceit or corruption in anyway, while other characters have their names reflect their inner character.
6. From the beginning to the end of the novel, Gatsby realizes that his bizarre dreams cannot be met so he changes in this sense. Nick is still unaffected by capitalism and industrialism, not changing or becoming corrupted. Furthermore, Nick, by the end of the novel, appreciates his old life more after his exposure to industrial America.
Chapter 1
1.The references to people in literature or history give a more in depth perception of what the text is trying to present to the reader. The introduction of outside resources helps the reader to understand what is going on in the scene.
2. The author’s purpose in “tagging” Daisy in this manner is to illustrate her character in a brief yet in depth way. Daisy leans forward and talks in a low voice, imminent of her scandalous and provocative nature. The characters’ identity is portrayed in a brief yet subtle depiction of their actions at a particular time.
3. The first chapter of this novel is critically important in the development of the story in that each character is introduced in a manner that depicts them in a fashion that can be related throughout the remainder of the story. The role of this chapter is vital in allotting insight towards the time period of which it is written.
Chapter 2
1. The conception of an entirely agrarian society in America is unreasonable yet thought to be plausible as seen in the descriptions of industrial society in the first two chapters. The possibility of this is blasphemy in that it would up root itself and induce opposing nations to adopt their own form of industrialism.
2. The green light at the end of Chapter 1 depicts a bright future for the economy while the monotone gray images in the valley of ashes are images of depression and deprivation. The valley is the spent waste of industrial success.
3. George Wilson portrays the author’s perspective of the American Dream in how he lives within the said; “spent waste” of industrialism yet seems to feel purposeful and happy.
4. Fitzgerald’s style can be seen in a manner of poetic fashion in how he uses metaphors to portray his views of the economy and industrialism. The depiction of Catherine is a farfetched connection to capitalism and industrialism by any means.
5. Archetypal heroes are those that follow the steps of the Hero’s Journey such as Hercules or Odysseus. Gatsby shows many signs of undertaking the journey similarly as Hercules and Odysseus.
Chapter 3
1. Jazz overwhelmed the music industry during the desolate 1920's. Its fresh new cacophonies represented the devastation many undertook during the ravenous industrial age.
2. Every character seems to represent some virtues, but more present in the characters are signs of sin. The use of these traits adds to the evident scheme unraveling before us.
3. Nick portrays the virtues of an honest man in his rather denial of the industrial monopoly controlling everyone around him. Jordan’s dishonesty is a representation of the corruption within capitalism as well as the ever present industrialism.
Chapter 4
1. Fitzgerald associates the American Dream to a former state of agrarian prosperity and the strive to obtain complete and utter happiness and how it has clearly been overcome by the greed of man. Happiness has been transformed into an amount of money and taken control of all aspects of life.
2. The novel is centralized on four main characters that each follow the path of this quote, “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” These four routes of each individual personify the groups of people that made up industrial age. It takes a strong person to follow through with their goals as did Gatsby in pursuit of Daisy.
3. The primary concern of chapter four is Gatsby's questionable past. It can be considered a crux within the story, as the reader discovers the mysterious facets of Gatsby's character throughout reading the text.
4. On his timetable, Nick lists all of the people who attended Gatsby’s parties. This list was filled with the nation’s most wealthy and popular people. These people helped develop the industrial system, which America currently lives by.
5. Montenegro was an independent province of Yugoslavia during the first World War.
Chapter 5
1. Don Quixote and Gatsby are mere reflections of each other in that they are opposites in their character traits. They both believe separate but equal beliefs in life, Gatsby; in the acquisition of wealth, and Don Quixote; the accomplishment of honor and glory.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are similar in that they share the same traits which in the end, result in the adultery of their spouses. They are deceitful and scandalous and seek profit for themselves, and are both willing to have an affair but will not permit the act from their partners.
3. Gatsby’s reunion with Daisy is not only the holy grail to his life, it is also the kicking of the can for it results in his murder and end to his legend.
Chapter 6
1. The purpose for throwing a gathering in the fashion of a party during the 1920’s can be seen as a rather snobbish and deceitful act. They were usually thrown to prove a economical status rather than clean moral intentions.
2. In viewing the director and his spouse, Daisy sees herself in this image which is evident due to her willingness to leave her husband for Gatsby. Fitzgerald is magnifying this hi-tech medium of the 1920’s.
3. As a child, Gatsby is bred into a role by his father with structure in his life, whence he came of age Gatsby was led to believe that only wealth could grant him all of his hearts desires.
4. Nick most definitely can be seen as a hero. He is the sol person to withhold the grasp of greed and wealth of capitalism. He lives amongst both parties yet prefers one over the other.
5. “An instinct toward is future glory had led him, some months before...Then he drifted back to Lake Superior, and he was still searching for something to do on the day that Dan Cody’s yacht dropped anchor in the shallows alongshore.” (pg. 99) The significance is that each time he changes Gatsby had to work even though he ended up using a get quick rich scheme.
Chapter 7
1. The hero of Satyricon, Trimalchio, was a self proclaimed millionaire as is Gatsby in his manor and his parties. Both were extravagant party throwers as well as reciprocates of devastating events in their past.
2. There are several parts of the book that refer to eyes. The most common is that of the doctors on the billboard. The eyes watch over the Valley of the Ashes. They see everything that goes on and act as God watching over everyone.
3. Each of the passages are referring to “wanting to rush out and go do something yet refraining”, both of them talk about becoming bred and yearning for some action.
4. It is evident that when they say they are happy yet unhappy they are content yet yearn for more. This can be seen in the character of Daisy and how she is content with her husband yet she is eager to be with Gatsby. Nick is similar in wanting to be someone like the others and where he finally goes to the parties across the yard.
Chapter 8
1. The characters that symbolize a production ethic are George, Tom, and Gatsby. The characters which symbolize a consumption ethic are Nick, Daisy, and Jordon. We can draw a conclusion from this that the American Dream is a self supporting system of people that produce and consume, with prosperity for some.
2. Fitzgerald’s statement about the ability to distinguish between illusion and reality is they are often intertwined, but they must be separated. Not separating those leads to trouble and failure. One must dispassionately observe and analyze in order to distinguish.
3. This story is an ironic iteration of the quest for the Holy Grail. This is because the goals of those in The Great Gatsby are seeking the same thing, wealth.
BramirezPer.5
Chapter 1
1. The reference of history in this chapter helps out to set the time and place of the story.
2. Fitzgerald’s purpose of describing Daisy are focusing on the “Tag” that they are, is to learn more the personality of Daisy. How she is living in a world that gives everyone a place to live like. How she cares how other people thinks about her.
3. The first chapter is important because it introduces all the characters and their personality. How the story is going to develop.
Chapter 2
1. The scene in the first two chapters the scenes of the book seems that the time they were leaving they were living more freely. They did not think of what they were doing and their consequences.
2. The contrast of the image was the differences.
3. George Wilson symbolized the American dream to work hard to have a better life.
4. His poetic styled gives the reader a better imaginary of the story. It describes the person.
5. Gatsby is such a great hero because people think that he did incredible things.
Chapter 3
1. Indeed Jazz was the popular music in the 1920’s. The main instrument of jazz is the saxophone. It gives the music a feeling that people would want to go dance.
2. The seven deadly sins are lust, pride, greed, wrath, envy, gluttony, and sloth and the seven cardinal virtues are faith, hope, love, prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. Many characters of the book are doing many of the sins and virtue. Everyone loves someone. They are infelicity with their partner. People are greedy of other people fortunes.
3. Nick has a honest image because he is not corrupted,. Jordan has an image of dishonest because she cheats when she can in golf.
Chapter 4
1. To get rich really fast never last. It is hard to keep of gaining the same big amount of money each time. Having a lot of money over time it lasted more. You get a better satisfy of the money because you earned it.
2. This line tells everything of the characters of the novel. It tells how they are and think
3. The chapter does fit. It tells us more about the character, especially Gatsby. Also how all the characters are related.
.
Chapter 5
1. can be counter parted because they each have their own little world. They make their world to please themselves and don’t care about other people.
2. The wives are the same because they both have other man. They believe that their lives can be better.
3. His dream was to see Daisy again and his dream begins because of their new relationship.
Chapter 6
1. The guest of the parties are people who think that they re imported. But they are not.
2. She wants to be in that situation. Fitzgerald writes how she wants to be that person.
3. It was more realistic because it gives more detail of the boy. And it is more possible.
4. Nick can be the hero of the story because he is not doing what most of the people are doing.
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
1. The conclusion of the American dream is to never change the way you are. You will be always the same person
2. The illusion of something happening and the reality of it ever happening.
Chapter 9
1. He compares them because the both are stealer in some way.
2. None of their American dream came true.
A.N.
Chapter 1
1. They serve the purpose of illustrative era in which the novel clearly is anticipated to be. In addition to the reorganization in which the novel can be seen as a well written novel from an educated author.
2. Jordan is the character that can be seen as the character who wants to be seen and get all the attention. It can be said that she is very conceded meaning she always wants to look good or professional.
3. The first chapter of “The Great Gatsby” is the start in which all characters, plot, and themes are clearly clarified. The time period is clarified along with the themes by the events that are taking place. The characters all have a certain tag which through out the novel they represent.
Chapter 2
1. In this chapter it represents those people who struggled and had rough times to try and reach life of what Americans call the American Dream. The people that live in The Valley of Ashes can be seen as the people who are living the American Dream in a society that is distant.
2. The difference between the green light and the gray images in the Valley of Ashes are clearly the opposite. This is said because in the green light it symbolized hope and aspiration to achieve the American Dream. In contrast to the grey images that symbolized poverty and no way to achieve any ambitions in the society.
3. George Wilson simply made everything seem rich and made everything appear as a good life. It can be said that during that time period appearances were everything.
4. Fitzgerald’s style of writing helps the reader to visualize and obtain the message mentally. His writing is greatly effective in which may be an example of something that is relative to the reader’s life or someone’s life.
5. Super Man is considered an archetypal comic hero in which his strength is unmatched from any human being. Although, Gatsby is a hero for another reason such as saving lives from being real wealthy or something that defines his appearance.
Chapter 3
1. In the 20’s, improvisation in music was the new age of music. Improvisation in music is played by musicians playing off someone’s key and tempo. This is where jazz emerged with the free style solos from the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and other wind instruments. This new groove of music gave the industrial life a new up tempo in their lives.
2. Sins: anger, envy, pride, lust, insatiability, greed, and apathy
Virtues: generosity, charity, humility, moderation, enthusiasm, gentleness, and chastity
Each character carries different virtues and sins through out the novel which on some of them plots are created from it.
3. Nick is a person who doesn’t trust anyone or any rumors that are spread through out other individuals. Nick is a person who would only believe it if he saw it. Jordan is a character in which is the opposite of Nick. Jordan believes in anything that people say or believes in any rumor that goes around.
Chapter 4
1. It is said in America that the American Dream was achieved by some individual coming in to the United States to work their way up to live rich wealthy and happily. This American Dream is what the novel is centered on its apprehension of poverty. The people who got rich but did not profit in personal happiness went to other alternatives that would eventually destroy their lives from madness.
2. “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” Exemplifies about the four types of characters that each are involved of the epigram. It explains all those different category of people who are wealthy, trying to be wealthy, trying to be wealthy but are to busy, and those who just gave up on everything.
3. This chapter can be well fitted in the category of inciting moment. This is said because in this chapter Nick is the individual who doesn’t believe anything that people tell him about Gatsby. Hence, Nick tries his best to be near him at all times trying not to cause any tension between him and Gatsby. The need of Nick is to find the true identity of Gatsby and his ways of earning his money.
4. Mr. P Jewett is a former member of the American Legion therefore it was he to be selected or chose in to be in the celebrity list.
5. Montenegro use to be a part of Yugoslavia in which today we all Serbia and Montenegro depending in which part you are on. In WWI Montenegro’s republic was an independent kingdom in which failed through the years and now is a way different type of country.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote in very different similar ways. They both lived to be more then what they were really were and living on a lie that people always believed. Although, the difference between them is that Gatsby does this to be wealthy and to live a happy life. Don Quixote wanted to live his life by fame or try to get the respect from everybody and for everybody to look up to him.
2. Both Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are similar in different types of traits. One of them is that they are both eager to have affairs but not allow the same with their wife due to selfish and jealous reasons.
3. When Gatsby and Daisy reunited the dreams of Tom were completely shattered. Due to the fact that he found out about the murder by Gatsby.
Chapter 6
1. These parties reveal what people are willing to do or take advantage of to get away from their miserable life. Obviously, they drink a lot and try to live the lifestyle of someone who is truly wealthy for example Gatsby the host of the parties.
2. Fitzgerald is simply magnifying film in his chapter. The fact that Daisy was promised in the film industry, she knew that from this job she would be making lots of money and leaving the good life and not the poverty unhappy life.
3. Well the boy on the yacht was much more organized in the way that he knew his arrangement for his future. Although, now Gatsby is completely lost in the sense that being wealthy can not give him everything such as love.
4. Nick can be said as the real hero because he was the individual who did not fall to any of those resources that made people feel relieved of so much stress or sadness. He was a person who did not want to drink all the time or party every night. He is the character that comes out as the better man due to the fact that he did not follow everybody else’s steps of drinking and being that the solution to everything.
5. Select a line or a passage about time and show its thematic significance.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio was a person who had parties that were hostile in every way and especially his house. He drank with his guest and eventually he lost control of his mind to the extent where he disrespected his guest. In other hand, Gatsby was a man who controlled him self from drinking with is guest and just did not attend any of his parties he hosted. He clearly just hosted them for the people to enjoy.
2. The recurring image of eyes work as in telling the reader about the blindness of critical situations in which the characters do not see in their lives. Such as the glance of Gatsby eyes to Daisy’s eyes causing Gatsby to get of servants and never host parties again.
3. Both of these passages are similar in the way that they both describe the realistic life and conflicts.
4. “They weren’t happy . . . and yet they weren’t unhappy either. There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture, and anybody would have said that they were conspiring together.” This quote was to show the vision that each character had to deal with their conflicts.
Chapter 8
1. Fitzgerald’s message to the readers was to tell them that the American Dream is not always about living wealthy but their also have to balances to this life style.
2. Fitzgerald’s statement exemplified that every individual needs to be realistic in the way that if they are trying to achieve the American Dream, it would take rough steps through their lives to achieve these.
3. This story is ironic to the knightly quest of the grail in the way that they both have the situation of individuals trying to live the American dream but, in the knightly quest novel is just a different scenario.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares these two because they both have involvement in commercial ships along with being stubborn to get the work done in any way.
2. This is an ironic twist of the American Dream because it clearly shows the realistic life in someone who is trying to live this life style. In contrast to someone who has tried to accomplish this life style but have failed many times and now they are living unhappily.
3. Nick speaks of the “corruption” of Gatsby’s guests and Gatsby’s “incorruptible dream.” How do these phrases begin to pull all the threads of the story together?
4. How does Fitzgerald make statements about pseudo-intellectualism?
5. Fitzgerald demonstrates the power of proper names. Prove this statement.
6. Compare the beginning and the ending of the novel. Has Gatsby changed? Has Nick changed? Explain and justify your responses.
MMORLEY
Chapter 1
1. The purpose of referencing people in literature and history is to emphasize the magnitude and importance of the West Egg region as well as demonstrate the prosperity of the time period.
2. Tom Buchanan is a very wealthy as well as cocky and a prototypical bully. He attended Yale with Nick and they were part of the same social group. He performs in a manner that he would never expect people around him to perform in. His personality is also very aggressive.
3. The first chapter of this book is very important to the development of the plot and other key elements in that it establishes the background of the story. As well it slightly begins to introduce the love affairs that are taking place and gives an insight as to how each one will affect the story.
Chapter 2
1. “The one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard… It was Gatsby’s mansion” (pg 5) shows the beast like demeanor of Gatsby’s home and all of the homes in the area. “The white palaces of fissionable East Egg glittered along the water…” (pg 5), every house in East Egg was enormous, white and up against the water. Which American doesn’t dream of living in a house as described above?
2. The differing images reveal the two worlds of New York. The green light is a thematic depiction of good and free spirit but the grey in the ash region is the darkness of the corruption and the greed in West Egg.
3. George Wilson may be an example of the American dream because he is hard working man who earns his money legitimately and although he is exhausted, he knows that he is exhausted for a good purpose.
4. Fitzgerald is a disciplined that can control his prose because his poetic style is used frequently but not overused. He successfully uses his poetry to change up the style of the piece without becoming favored to one style or another.
5. An archetypal hero by my standard and based upon the research I conducted follows the hero’s journey as issued by Joseph Campbell. Gatsby would be considered a hero in a sense that he has preserved and made money to host those banging parties. On the other hand he has many flaws that prevent him from earning a true archetypal tag.
Chapter 3
1. The dominant musical type of the 1920’s was jazz. Jazz rushed the ears of people all across the nation for the better. Jazz lifted the spirits of Americans after WWI and brought a new sense of prosperity to all.
2. To begin the seven deadly sins are: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath envy and pride. The seven cardinal virtues are chastity, moderation, generosity, zeal, meekness, charity and humility. Mr. Wilson demonstrates lust unknowingly on his wife because she cheats all over him. Supposedly Gatsby has generosity for throwing all those fat parties for everybody while Tom displays meekness.
3. Nick is deceiving because although he seems like a run of the mill kind of guy he is slightly more educated and credible then the rest. As for Jordan in the beginning she is believable and people respect her then suddenly people realize she is a big fat liar and that she is unreliable and dishonest.
Chapter 4
1. Pre 1920’s the American dream from my understanding was to own a large farm, cultivate that farm and just sell sell sell and make mad money off of it. Well not the dream transformed because the new hip thing to do is celebrate at a Gatsby function. Nick made the transition from a Midwest farm boy to a New York bond salesman, what a champion.
2. The epigram mentioned in the question is so critical to the story in that it directly refers to each one of the main characters. But if you really think about, your always doing one of those things. So whoever came up with that epigram isn’t even brilliant it’s like the weather man saying the average temperature is from 40-70 well no crap isn’t it always?
3. I would consider chapter 4 denouement because Gatsby is revealing his past to the reader with a mellow, post occurrence tone.
4. The list of names that Nick has is a list of all the people on Gatsby’s invitation list. It is made up of all the richest most important people of the nation. Mainly hailing from industry and crime, which lead the nation in this time era.
5. Montenegro was a part of Yugoslavia that during WWI was an independent republic that took no part in the war. Gatsby was a liar, but he people love money and Gatsby was rich so that made him cool.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote in that their qualities are of complete opposites. Gatsby feels the success is having a lot of money and being prosperous financially while Don views respect and fame as success.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are alike in the respect that are both cuckolds and selfish. The both posses the same undesirable traits which resulted in the unfaithfulness of their wives. The feel that their wives aren’t allowed to cheat while they are.
3. Gatsby’s reunite with Daisy symbolizes the beginning of the end of Gatsby’s success is a very true statement. The source of his wealth was trying to get with Daisy and now that he has then he is finished.
Chapter 6
1. The guests of these fabulous parties were engulfed in alcohol and partying which was a major movement of the 1920s. The idea of these parties was to establish who was who among the rich persons.
2. Fitzgerald uses Daisy’s admiration to magnify film, a hip new commodity of the 1920s.
3. The boy on the yacht, Gatsby in his youth, was a free spirited kid who took life for what it was and loved ever bit of it. As an adult Gatsby is just trying to flash his wealth to attract his love.
4. Nick can be seen as the real hero of the story because he is truthful and honest and isn’t in it for the money. Also, he isn’t cheating on anybody and is also well known throughout the book.
5. “Cant repeat the past…sure you can! (pg 101)” This shows how Gatsby is stuck in the past with his love. He cant get over the fact that Daisy has moved on with her life, while he is still hooked on her.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio was known as an obese, greedy fellow who threw luscious parties. He is similar to Gatsby in that they both threw fat parties and were very wealthy.
2. The recurring image of the eyes is repeated throughout the book. The purpose of the eyes is to show that somebody is always watching because people are aware of all the love affairs taking place. The blindness is on the behalf of the spouses because they are unaware that they are being cheated on.
3. The passage from The Wasteland and The Great Gatsby are very similar. The diction and syntax used is very similar as well as the content.
4. The comment is very significant in that shows the nature of the relationship between Tom and Daisy because they aren’t really unhappy but aren’t happy either, if that makes sense.
Chapter 8
1. The characters that symbolize production are Nick, Gatsby and Wilson because they all get things done and move forward with their lives. For consumption Daisy, Jordan, Mrs. Wilson, the party guests and Tom. The American dream at this time was to make the money, then be able to freely spend the money that you earn in order to fit in with the hip groups.
2. His view is that illusion is the disability to establish between reality and illusion. So therefore is all messed up, it’s a funky process.
3. This story is an ironic inversion of a knightly quest for a grail in that Gatsby, the knight, is in search of some fine woman who goes by the name of Daisy aka the grail.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares the Dutch sailors to Gatsby to show how different things can have similar meanings to different people. This tie in with Fitzgerald’s conclusion in that the green light is a symbol of hope even though he had unknowingly reached the end of his journey.
2. The story is an ironic twist of the American dream because Gatsby’s death is similar to the great depression, an end to the happy times and prosperity of the 1920s.
3. The assumptions by Nick tie in all of the threads of the story because of the respect that everybody had for Gatsby is lost when he is killed. The corruption of alcohol and money take control of the lives of the partiers.
4. Fitzgerald makes statements about pseudo intellectualism to show that people who had money wanted to think they were smart even though they weren’t so the displayed this pseudo intellectualism, a portrayed sense of intelligence without intelligence actually being present.
5. Fitzgerald demonstrates the use of proper names to beam a sense of importance and higher social standing. An example is he being referred to as “Gatsby” when his true surname was “Gatz”.
6. In the beginning both Nick and Gatsby are optimistic and hopeful of achieving their goals. By the end, one of them, Gatsby is dead and Nick is depressed because his dream of being a bond salesman is diminished and he is surrounded with corruption and dishonesty.
Jeffrey Crosson
P.5
Ch. 1
1. History can be referenced for two reasons. One reason is to give an idea of how society and the people actually were in the past. Another is to give a better understanding of the time period subsequent to the war.
2. Daisy’s shyness points toward her unhappiness with Tom. Tom is very insensitive. The reason for describing their differences is to foreshadow the conflicts that will bring meaning to the conflicts that have already occurred.
3. Chapter one introduces the characters very well to foreshadow major themes in the novel.
Ch. 2
1. The novel seems to point out that the attitude of the agrarian aristocracy that of a utopia in the eyes of some of the characters. But the work that is associated with this type society doesn’t appeal to Daisy.
2. The green light from chapter one is an exciting event that promotes an upbeat tone. The gray tones of chapter two are more depressed and dull. The gray tones allude to a boring atmosphere that leads to depressed environment.
3. George Wilson can be represented as the “American Dream” in that he has everything including a house, car, money, and women.
4. Fitzgerald has a style of writing that keeps the reader intervolved in his work and full of anticipation. Fitzgerald can successfully express himself while maintaining the same general style of writing.
5. Gatsby can be viewed as a hero whose standards were set by society in that he is wealthy and powerful. One of the basic standards for an archetypal hero is power and influence.
Ch. 3
1. Jazz was a very influential part of America reaching all corners of the country. Jazz is played at one of Gatsby’s.
2. The seven deadly sins seemed to play a big role in this novel. Myrtle and Tom are the two biggest proponents of the seven sins because they share lust and envy.
3. Nick remains an honest character. Jordan on the other hand cheated in the golf tournament and seems to be a liar
Ch. 4
1. The American dream has become based on money. People come from a poor country hoping to make more money and a life for themselves. Get rich quick schemes pop up all around the country and the nations true colors of greed are shown.
2. This is the most important line in the novel. It holds a great amount of truth du to the fact that the quote is true for real life situations and it holds much truth in association to characters in the novel.
3. Chapter four is very climactic in a sense, opening up a very broad area for the story to fill. Many characters show their true colors in this chapter.
4. Nick has upper class people on his list. This included many wealthy people and well to do entrepreneurs.
5. Montenegro was a small independent kingdom during the war and became part of the republic of Yugoslavia. Gatsby shows his European heritage but his loyalty to America
Ch. 5
1. Don Quixote and Gatsby are counterparts in that Gatsby presents the American dream as materialistic and greedy. Don Quixote is shown as selfless where as Gatsby is greedy and wealthy.
2. Both of them are middle aged men who are oblivious to their wives who are being lured away by other men. Neither of them are very refined and are loosing their wives to people that seem to have more class.
3. The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby was sort reminiscence of things of the past, both pleasant and poor for Gatsby. Daisy’s true personality is vivid and evident at this point in the novel.
Ch. 6
1. Americans during this time period in the novel were suffering many hardships. People would attend parties to escape from their lives.
2. Visual entertainment was another popular way for Americans to escape their troubles. Daisy’s character likely envisioning herself as the glamorous director’s wife.
3. Gatsby was portrayed as an adolescent because he was more realistic in that he set attainable goals for himself. The green light was more of a dream than something that could be realistically attained.
4. Nick can be considered a hero because he solves problem. He makes it possible for Gatsby to meet Daisy and for Tom to be comfortable with his wife.
5. “For over a year he had been beating his way along the south shore of Lake Superior as a clam-digger and a salmon-fisher or in any other capacity that brought him food and bed.” This quote shows the drastic and significant changes that Gatsby has undergone in his lifetime.
Ch. 7
1. Trimalchio and Gatsby both learned at a young age that drinking can take away their success. They both threw extravagant parties during which they would not drink and therefore have the intellectual upper hand.
2. The images of the eyes are a message. The intended message is the blindness plaguing America and those who seek the American dream. America is blinded by greed and is not capable of seeing the true foundations of the American dream, freedom.
3. The two compilations of quotes are very similar in that they have strong elements of realism in them. They show that well-to-do families will put on performance in their life which making their home life as absolutely perfect.
4. This quote represented serious indecisiveness in Americans during the time period. They were not steadfast to make a commitment or to take responsibility for their actions, while at the same time not hiding them.
Ch. 8
1. In America there has always been a distinction between rich and poor, it has always been a boundary that has separated society as it does today. Fitzgerald’s message with the separation of ethics shows that each person has their own American dream specifically tailored to their life and that while many people are blinded by greed some do have pure goals with the American dream.
2. Fitzgerald’s comments on illusion and reality are yet another allusion to the American dream. He is showing that one must distinguish between illusion and what is real and possible before becoming successful.
3. The Great Gatsby is very similar to the traditional tale of a knight who is on a quest in that it essentially depicts an American micro society and how the American Dream influences it.
Ch. 9
1. Gatsby and the Dutch sailors both came to America hoping to find something new and essentially pursue the American dream.
2. The novel is an ironic twist on the American dream. The American dream is mapped out by many to improve their lives. The irony is that while all of the main characters are pursuing happiness and the American dream, none of them actually get what they want.
3. Gatsby’s character has virtues of innocence in that he does not drink but he surround himself with people that drink, lie, or cheat. These people are living a lie and are following a false idea of the American dream.
4. Everyone wants to be better than their neighbor, and if they can’t buy more than the next guy then they will at least try to sound smarter.
5. Society has always dealt strongly with first impressions, your first impression of a person can often change the entire dynamics of how you view and interact with a person. Fitzgerald was alluring to it in his novel. A person with a title will give a different impression than someone with a common name.
6. Both Gatsby and Nick were faced with the concept of realism as the novel began to take its last turn. They both realized that it is impossible to get everything we want in life and its best just to be happy with what we can get.
J Corona
P5
Chapter 1
1. The references that Fitzgerald makes and continues to make throughout the story are for the mere purpose of showing the time period in which the novel is occurring, and also to point out the fact that this man is educated. Thus the reader is left with a sense that the narrator knows what he is talking about.
2. When it come to Daisy her low voice is her statement. From this one concurs that the woman is secretive, that she indeed has something to hide or wants to keep away from others. Ironically enough she later commits adultery later in the story. She said in the novel that a lucky woman at that time was beautiful and ignorant.
3. The first chapter is definitely a very important and vital to the developing of the plot in that it is an introduction to the characters and themes. From the start one sees that infidelity is a big theme. Yet as a reader one is not exactly sure of what the plot is from the first chapter. The recurring tag follows the character through the chapter
Chapter 2
1. At first it seems as if the west, nicks hometown is somewhere nice by the way that he describes his family (pg 3). It seems by what Nick tells, that the reason for him leaving, is because of gossip. Also talking about the agrarian lifestyle, when they talk about the “valley of ashes” one could deduce that maybe the job was useless or something of the sort. In fact, Nick left his old lifestyle, which wasn’t necessarily bad yet something indeed had to be wrong if he had to leave
2. After reading this chapter and after the author described what was an agrarian society I would say that the green light (pg 19) is an interpretation of what goals and dreams there are, the dreams that he wanted to accomplish. It can also be seen as the future, or what industrialism was to become. “He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way.” Nick can see that Gatsby has a goal, but in this case the light is like a motivation. The city of ashes, depicted by the gray, is a place of dirtiness and chaos (pg 24) is also interpretation of immoral deeds that one does while chasing dreams, which to many is wealth.
3. George Wilson symbolizes the American Dream in that he works very hard, is a simple man, he is always driven so as to provide for his family and himself. He stands fulfilled and even gratified because he “can” provide what is needed, and even though he isn’t the richest and lives in what one would consider filth he still has no complaints. Something that was typical of the time was the flappers, which describes the wife. The thing that is admirable about George is the way he carries himself and how he has such great morals, he never gives up and always keeps trying.
4. Fitzgerald is clever author in that he can easily write with great control of his prose. He has a strong sense of character and knows how to bring them to live. Like for example the way that Catherine is described, “Her eyebrows… but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face.” (ch. 2) Metaphors strongly state the points with good description. The on going tactic of Fitzgerald is his accurate descriptions of anything that is mentioned in his literature.
5. From reading the work of literature, the descriptions of archetypal heroes is very much included in Fitzgerald’s work. This journey with these heroes and they have to overcome challenges and in the end reveal themselves as great leaders. A archetypical hero would be one that saves his damsel in distress, or even someone like Harry Potter who saves many people by being courageous and brave, they have a robust identity. If one were to consider Gatsby as a hero, I would say he has the characteristics of someone strong and independent, because he is very rich and always has extravagant parties. The rumors make Gatsby famous in that everyone will start spreading the word.
Chapter 3
1. The Jazz Age was a time during the 1920’s when there was an upsurge of African American music that began in New Orleans and had artists such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Jazz used many instruments such as trumpet and piano and more. At this time America was standing up after WWI, the war seemed to have brought much money into households because everyone was enjoying themselves, even though alcohol was illegal everyone was drinking it, women were becoming less conservative, parties were held in many houses, and many inventions were revolutionizing the economy. An example of this movement that comes straight from the book is, “When the Jazz History of the World was over, girls were putting their heads on men’s shoulders in a puppyish, convivial ways, girls were swooning backward playfully into men’s arms,….” (pg. 30) The music affected many Americans.
2. The seven deadly since include lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. While the seven cardinal virtues are chastity, moderation, generosity, zeal, meekness, charity and humility. Consequently these have been topics covered in the story. Gatsby definitely is king of gluttony when it comes to his extravagant parties. Mr. Wilson on the other hand would fall with lust because of how he treats his wife. Greedy would describe Tom, while Ms. Baker appears to be slothful because of how she acts in situations such as her laying on her divian. Tom would be prideful, while Nick would be chastity (as could maybe Daisy). Gatsby is generous on many accounts specially with the meek Nick.
3. When looking at Nick as a symbol of honesty is fair to say that he is indeed honesty, well educated, and somewhat humble. Yet when it comes to Bakes in reality she is a liar, there is no doubt that secrets surround her and that dishonesty is probably one of her characteristics. There are few things they are similar, but one thing that is prominent is their innocence and immaturity in their love and relationship towards one another.
Chapter 4
1. Before the 1920’s many people worked hard on farmland and settled in the West because there was an increase in jobs and many new inventions were in need of workers. The 1920’s were the time when the stock marker was increasing, along with credit, and the idea of paying the money back later. That was when the economy boosted and people decided to settle elsewhere and try new things, new opportunities. Just like Nick tried to go to the east to become a bond-man. It also it stated everybody was going into the bond business. Also it keeps stating the newly rich people attend Gatsby parties.
2. The epigram stating, “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired” goes into explaining or to reinforce that there are only those certain types of people. For example this is a way of dividing the people into specific categories such as black or white, etc. To the reader this line is important while reading because they themselves can sort out the characters to their liking.
3. This chapter can most likely be seen as the rise to climax because it has much action and the audience gets to know who Gatsby is, and how this man and Daisy happened to have a relationship in the past. The meeting of these two characters would accordingly be the climax. “She’s not to know about it. Gatsby doesn’t want her to know. You’re just supposed to invite her to tea.” (pg. 79).
4. Stonewall Jackson Abrahams was definitely a man of great importance who was deeply involved in what is American history. This man was a hero, a southern civil war hero actually who moved to the west for the reason that he was a man of honor. Gatsby parties were for those that were glamorous and famous, so Abrahams was one of the most important families and thus he was allowed to attend, this is shown in many movies.
5. From the time that WWI occurred, the republic of Montenegro rested as a close ally with Serbia. Yet late in time Serbia suppressed this republic, even after King Nicholas rebelled. Montenegro obviously lost to Serbia, who was on the American side during the war. Gatsby got to fight against Montenegro and he was even a major. Gatsby stated that the republic was an easy win, and easy to defeat, a pompous statement.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote in that they stand out from the rest because of the way they think and how they are out there when it comes to their rationality. And just like Don Quixote he has proof to back himself up, yet no one seems to believe him. Also, his accounts seem to be very exaggerated both him and Don Quixote tell tall tales, yet they are so sure of themselves, that the reader wants to believe some of these stories.
2. Well obviously both men are alike in the fact that they are both being cheated on by their wives who have in some sense lost interest in them. Tom’s case is a bit different in that Daisy doesn’t feel attached to Tom, it seems as if she understands or even assumes that her husband is doing the very same thing to her. Daisy is inconsiderate to keep herself ignorant, but nevertheless she finally gives in when she again sees Gatsby. Mr. Wilson on the other hand seems very much in love and she’s using him for security while sleeping with Tom. The two accounts differ in that Myrtle lost interest in her husband because of the money while Daisy became unfaithful to Tom because of her feelings towards her long lost love Gatsby.
3. Finally the meeting between Gatsby and Daisy is Gatsby’s intention. This was one of his dreams, so as to recapture the heart of his lost love. But when he sees her he realizes that the next thing that he has to encounter is the marriage that Daisy has with Tom. One could say he accomplished his dream of meeting up with his lady thanks to the help of Nick, “his dream has ended and a new one shall begin.” (pg 78)
Chapter 6
1. The radical change of American society in the 1920’s was reflected in many aspects. The parties that people attended were to socialize just like today, but what they were doing at the time was considered to be very risky at the time. Much drinking was involved, and along with that came the unreasonable actions that the drunk people did. Many attended these parties so as to fit in, many wanted to get out there, everyone had their own reason to attend.
2. Daisy most had admiration for the movie director leaning over his wife because she saw herself and her own need of love and affection, and how much she wanted it. She does look as if she can see herself in that image. Daisy is also jealous of their fame and prestige, the wealth and demeanor.
3. At this point, the boy on the yacht appeared to be more realistic that the grown man that was staring at the green light, a result of having the boy’s dreams be what one would consider to be more realistic and understanding. At this point Gatsby was going around the world learning about himself. The determination that comes along with knowing what you want is a treasure and is something that comes in handy, as with the boy. To have Gatsby becoming a man from his youth seems to make it realistic than to have him, as an adult, stare at the green light.
4. Nick could possibly be seen as the hero in this situation because even though he is surrounded by many bad things yet he manages to keep himself out of trouble and is even considerate of people’s feelings. He has his moral standards and sticks to them and could be considered a good and loyal friend.
5. “I wouldn’t ask too much of her,’ I ventured, ‘You can’t repeat the past.’ ‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘Why of course you can!’ He looked around him wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadow of his house, just out of reach of his hand.” (p.110). This precedent quote makes the idea that Gatsby strives day by day to follow and achieve his goals and dreams. He has learned to be strong from the past and even when he was not respected by others, he managed to have a sense of respect for himself in times of trouble and distress.
Chapter 7
1.Trimalchio and Gatsby were very similar in that they both came from practically humble beginnings and acquired great wealth. They present to guests parties of the most exquisite parties, and the most exotic of things. Gatsby had many parties and it was one of the well-known parties because famous people from different places went to them.
2. The eyes are a huge way in which characters reflect their being and how they feel internal. Fitzgerald manages to describe eyes with great detail so as to express what the character was going through, the hardships, happy times, and even times of stress. But something that opposes a problem is the fact that these people can not think ahead and thus they are blinded by their own ignorance. The look is someone’s eyes could go to the extent of even changing another person’s life as did Daisy by changing Gatsby, “So the whole caravansary had fallen in like a house of cards at the disapproval in her eyes,” (p.114).
3. The underlined theme in the passages is that of what happens in the future and of what is to come. Even when upcoming events are planned, there are never the guarantees that they are going to be accomplished nor that they are going to go as planned. It is so as to understand that people are very concerned with their futures, whether they are enjoying their current life style or not. The two works of literature talk about the same themes and even use similar language when trying to get a point across. From chapter 2 and 7 we learn that Daisy, like with the poem, there is knowledge of what is going on and want someone to guide them through.
4. The reason for why this statement is important is because it concentrates on the characters and how complex their relations are. It is somewhat ironic that Daisy and Tom are indeed trying to fix things. This might have been because of the relationship that Daisy had with Gatsby. They were thoroughly attempting to help each other through situations because they loved each other. Yet Daisy has to understand what she is doing, and that she has a daughter with Tom. This is point in the story is a turning point because it smacks the characters with reality, their dream worlds were all given a sense of the real world.
Chapter 8
1. Some characters in the novel symbolized production ethic while others symbolized a consumption ethic. For those with ethic I would say were Nick, George, Tom, and Jordan. And for those with consumption I would have to say were Gatsby, Daisy, and Myrtle. From the view point of the American Dream one would say that it seems as if the males choose the path that leads them to get rich in a quick way, while the females on the other hand seem to go after the rich men, who will be able to support them financially, or in other words use the male figure for their own benefit.
2. Fitzgerald’s statement about the ability to distinguish illusion from reality is a way that shows more emotion, it is a for of illusion that turns events that are unsettling into imaginary objects or things so as to make them rational. The fact that the eyes come into play is important, “… wide with jealous terror…” (ch. 7) This quote goes on to show what real emotion is and how it can be perceived.
3. The way in which this story is an ironic inversion of a knightly quest for the grail from the Middle Ages which deals with knights which all sought to find the Holy Grail. This is because of how Gatsby did not know how magnificent Daisy was until he was with her, and the knights differently sought the grail because they already knew how great it was, before they even where to see it or touch it. You could also say that Gatsby was a knight seeking Daisy, who was his holy grail, which he seeks so as to fulfill his life long dream.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares the Dutch sailors to Gatsby because the Dutch sailors are usually aimless sailors with no real definite plans. The Dutch sailors had a different lifestyle.
Somewhat resembling the mannerisms of the Great Gatsby, the way he lives, the way he thinks, the way he carries through with things.
2. There is definitely an ironic twist to this story when referring to the American Dream. The American Dream was to get wealthy and to have possession of many things and ironically enough, the crash of 1929 and the depression that followed all those dreams and aspirations that people had, similarly to the characters in the novel who suffered from following their dreams of getting rich. Funny enough the people got what they wanted yet lied the underlined issue in which everyone got hurt.
3. This brings like an organized idea or theme when speaking of all the corruption that was dealt with the guests that attended Gatsby’s parties, and his own dreams. As the story progresses the relationship and the people, Gatsby’s guests, become more and more corrupt. While Gatsby at the time becomes more interested in Daisy and settles that this is his dream which eventually consumes him. The corruption was like a virus that spread through and eventually had its turn on Gatsby and his aspirations.
4. Fitzgerald makes statements about pseudo intellectualism in the novel so as to show the effect of what giving out the wrong information does. Gatsby in his story managed to make a new identity for himself that was not necessarily true, and yet this led him to his ultimate defeat. “He hurried the phrase ‘educated at Oxford’…sinister about him, after all,” (p.65) it was the fact that Gatsby always went to his past and how he now stands a sophisticated man, and this is were pseudo intellectualism comes into play.
5. Fitzgerald demonstrates the power of proper names when he talks about the Great Gatsby by changing his name. The power of proper names is also shown in the way that all the guests and important people have specific name and thus showing their importance. Changing the name from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby was appealing to many people. The referring to people in their specific names shows well mannerisms.
6. Starting with the beginning of the novel and to the end, Gatsby actually does not seem to have changed much. He was the man in pursuit of Daisy, his same dreams. Nick appears to have undergone little change throughout the novel in that he always remained mellow and relaxed. In the beginning Nick was attempting to figure out who his famous neighbor really was. Through the novel, Nick learns from his experiences with different classes, outings, ways of life, and people.
S. Kopp
Per.5
Chapter 1
1. By referencing historical figures of the past, the reader can better relate to the time period that the literary work focuses on. But Fitzgerald also references figures of the further past to sort of set the scene of the book. He is giving a sort of prologue to the beginning of the story.
2. Fitzgerald describes the characters this way to better give an insight of how the characters truly act all of the time. By giving brief examples of how they are on a daily basis, it digs down to their true selves and identities. Jordan is an athletic woman, and Fitzgerald describes her poise and tanned skin, which would be normally associated with athletic women.
3. The first chapter begins by setting up potential plots which could unfold at any moment. We get our first look at Gatsby, who proves to be a mystery to anyone who knows him. This sets the audience to expect more from this character. It also gives more of a description of the man who will become the narrator for the duration of the book.
Chapter 2
1. An agrarian society could not be the center of the American dream or society. In the time that Fitzgerald’s book was written, America was quickly becoming industrialized, if it were to go back on that and return to more farm related industries, it would be overtaken by the more advanced nations. But to the newly settled people of America the more agrarian lifestyle was seen as the American dream. To them it held all of the answers and the key to prosperity.
2. The green light at the end of chapter one holds a sort of unobtainable mystery. The scene leaves us with the still unknown Gatsby staring off into the distance towards a green light. It gives off a carefree feeling and shadows the hardships that could have been related with the more city like lifestyle. The more bleak scene concluding chapter 2 gives a more realistic sense of the happening of New York at the time. It portrays the filth and grime that can be associated with industry.
3. All that George Wilson wants is to better his living situation. With in the beginning scenes we see that he is so consumed with getting ahead in his job that he fails to notice the love affair between his superior, Mr. Buchanan and his wife. Everyday he looks for a way to advance what he has.
4. Fitzgerald was a very accomplished writer. He knew exactly when to place a metaphor or simile and never over used them. By using these throughout the book, the reader was offered a more vivid picture of what was happening. He described his characters by comparing them to things associated to New York, such as rich living and parties.
5. Nobody really knows Gatsby’s story near the beginning of the book. They speak of him in awe and wonder. Many create their own stories, which only heightens their wonderment of this mysterious character. Everybody is impressed with his manners and style of living, but wonder how a man could obtain such wealth without so much as a background or family.
Chapter 3
1. Most often associated with jazz is the saxophone. Its harsh notes can contribute to the more upbeat tones that make Jazz. In the 1920’s jazz music made its mark on the younger crowds and made it possible for more individualistic forms of dance.
2. The seven deadly sins, which embody much of the Jazz era, include Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride. Mr. Buchanan is a very prideful man, he is arrogant and gives an air of contempt towards the unknown, in this case Gatsby. Gluttony can characterize all of those who attend Gatsby’s parties only to use his resources and mooch of his wealth. The seven cardinal virtues include prudence, temperance, fortitude, justice, faith, hope and charity. The whole book fails to give proper justice to any side of the story. But Gatsby can be credited for keeping faith in his love with Daisy. He believed it would come through for the best.
3. Nick is a very truthful, unbiased character, which should be expected of the narrator of a novel. Jordan on the other hand keeps a very harsh eye on things which happen around her.
Chapter 4
1. We find out the Gatsby did in fact use the “get rich quick” style of earning his money. This involved actions which were not very well thought of by many, and led him to have a mysterious, lowly thought of view in people’s eyes.
2. “There are only the pursued”, can be assimilated to Daisy. She is sought after by Gatsby, who can be seen as the pursuer. The busy can also be Gatsby because he was constantly scheming to get Daisy to himself, but she soon grows “tired” of the plotting and gives it up to be with her husband. The quote is the central development of the plot. In another sense Mr. Buchanan is the “busy” and the narrator is “the tired” because he too, is tired of Gatsby’s actions.
3. Chapter 4 can be classified as inciting moment. The event that make up the chapter, put together many potential climaxes to follow. At this point in the story we are learning more of Gatsby and his past. This makes the reader become more interested in what is to come.
4. The people in Nicks timetable all had an extensive background. Every single one was wealthy and reflected the upper class and the stereotypes that come with it. All of the people had some kind of story to go with their name.
5. Montenegro was a small country that was an Ally to the Axis powers. Being as such it would have been nearly impossible for any American to get a medal from a country like that, seeing as America was part of the Allied force. But Gatsby confirms that he did indeed earn a medal from Montenegro.
Chapter 5
1. Both Gatsby and Don Quixote are after a girl. This makes them very similar, but the two are also very different in that one is very rich and the other is just crazy.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson both have the unfortunate attribute of being unable to keep their wives. A differene being that George was not involved in the love triangle that consisted of Daisy loving Gatsby and Tom loving Mrs. Wilson. Mr. Wilson had nobody to love him back. He was just led astray into believing that his wife was still faithful.
3. The only reason Gatsby tried so hard to gain prestige and wealth was to win Daisy’s heart back. She had told him that she could have not married him back then because he was poor and her status would have never allowed for that. He worked to the top and it was all for her. And once he had rekindled contact with her he believed that his goal was complete.
Chapter 6
1. Parties of the 1920’s revealed a different side to the normally conservative people. They let their inhibitions go and it usually led bitter secrets and scandals to be revealed. A lot of the people of the twenties heavily relied on alcohol in order to sustain happiness.
2. I believe that Daisy does see herself in the place of the movie star and her director. It fascinated her but at the same time it repulses her because she know, in a way, that this parallels her love to Gatsby. It’s a love that’s present but can never be.
3. The adolescent Gatsby is more realistic in that he was just being introduced to the world, he had ambitions and designs that he followed and in this scene he seem more of the Gatsby we could imagine before he fell into the crazy grips of love. This past glimpse of Gatsby makes the adult Gatsby seem more like a fake.
4. Nick can be considered the real hero of the story because he is more realistic and rational. He sticks with Gatsby despite his crazy actions. Nick always justifies what he does.
5. Page 108 of the novel goes to explain the dream-like state that Daisy enters. It asks the rhetorical question, “ What would happen now in the dim, incalculable hours?” It classifies Daisy’s loves as if it were something confusing and wavering.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio was a character of a Roman novel. He, like Gatsby, rose from nothing to become rich and popular. He then uses his money to throw large parties, like Gatsby, and entertain all guests.
2. The reoccurring image of eyes throughout the novel goes to remind that we are always being watched. Actions that we are not pound of will stay to haunt us. As seen with the eyes of Eckleburg, the rotting billboard, it sees all. It sees the good and the bad and acts as a symbol to the consciences you cannot clear.
3. Both of the above passages refer to time, and that which is out of our control. It asks the recurring. Both passages seem to refer to the stress and unobtainable future that time can hold.
4. The comments seem to suggest that they were fine as they were but both knew that nothing could ever be as it was. It agonized both to know that they could be so close but unable to open up their feelings. They desperately wished that they could run away together but knew that obligations to their current lifestyles would deter them from those designs.
Chapter 8
1. Gatsby and his superior Wolfshiem would fall into the category of corruption. Both did not have much money but rose to create themselves from the ground up. Gatsby interpreted his American dream by getting money the illegal way. Mr. Carraway would be classified in the production category because he earned his money the honorable way, though he was not nearly as rich as Gatsby. He realized that the American dream was something harder to come by.
2. In the Fitzgerald’s novel illusion and reality are closely mixed. Unfortunately for Gatsby he is unable to distinguish the difference. He closely blends the two together and believes that in the future him and Daisy will be together, but this can never be.
3. The Great Gatsby is a rather inverse of the Holy Grail. Gatsby contributes all that he has done in order to reunite himself with his love, Daisy. But despite his efforts he is unable to obtain and keep her, the battle is lost. In the Holy Grail the grail is never really found and yet no ones life is forfeit.
Chapter 9
1. Nick wants to show Gatsby that his designs in getting to west egg must have alluded him from the true reality of what was to become of him. Gatsby saw a prosperous life where everything would go according to plan. As compared to the Dutch settlers they saw America as the perfect safe haven, unaware of the hardships that lie before them.
2. Fitzgerld’s novel can be considered a twist on the American dream, though all of the characters settled for what they had, they later realized that it was not enough and went to search for more. Tragically the things that they wanted also led them to experience much unhappiness. Gatsby got his wealth but ultimately lost his life. Daisy got to see her old lover again but realized that it could never be how it was.
3. Gatsby’s guests only came to his party for his entertainment and to use everything that he had. They were not his friends, merely acquaintances. They did not think to get to know him, rather just use his money. Gatsby’s dream was something wholesome, an innocent dream that took a rather guilty path. He was not originally corrupt he did it all in the name of love.
4. Pseudo-intellectualism is what Gatsby employs. Like many people in the 1920’s true intellect was hard to find. Many people faked their intelligence by referencing things that would be contributed to someone with higher intelligence. Gatsby did this in order to heighten his regard with his guests.
5. The power of proper names serve to make someone more authoritative and important. Near the end of the novel Tom refers to Gatsby as “Mr. Gatsby” to emphasize his anger and knowledge of his and Daisy’s affair. He uses Gatsby’s formal name because he no longer feels on friendly terms with Gatsby.
6. The beginning of the novel and the end are very similar in that Nick has made no real changes to his life. He realizes now the profound friendship that he had created, but at the same time realizes the corruption and scandal involved with Gatsby. Gatsby becomes more heartbroken than he was in the beginning of the story, he sees that he cannot be with Daisy and this ruins him. Death was the only way to release him from his one-way path in life. His dreams brought him wealth and a limited amount of happiness.
M Kunert, Period 5
Great Gatsby, The: Research/Discussion Topics
Chapter 1
The references to people in literature and history in the chapter serve as a historical context for the plot and ideas presented in the novel. Given this particular setting, by using well-known people and events, Fitzgerald can relate his main character to more people who read the novel.
Fitzgerald describes all of his characters with their very specific characteristics almost giving a comedic approach to them. By describing them in these various ways, he gives a little snapshot of their personalities. Daisy appears ignorant and foolish, but later on the reader discovers she is not.
The first chapter gives a lot of detail about the main characters of the novel, and not much of the plot is set up in it. The reader is exposed to the main group and how the society Nick has entered works. The reader also gathers an understanding of how Nick perceives this society and setting.
Chapter 2
The American Dream was derived when the country was first set up as a land of opportunity. At this point, America was largely an agrarian society in which one sufficed oneself by growing what was needed. America had a vast amount of untouched land that was excellent for agriculture, particularly in the south. If the American Dream is to maintain oneself, agriculture is one method in which one can do well in. Daisy describes Nick as a rose, which is believed to be a positive thing. The Valley of Ashes is the industrial area and it is described as a place that is more loathesome.
The gray images in the Valley of Ashes present the idea that being in the industrial areas is not appealing, unlike the alluring green light discussed in Chapter 1. Thus, life in the country is far more desirable and fulfilling.
George Wilson represents the contrast to the American Dream. Though he is doing alright for himself, his wife is cheating on him and he is described as, “He was a blond, spiritless man, anaemic, and faintly handsome.” (25)
Fitzgerald uses the vivid descriptions (metaphors and other poetic devices) to give the prose aspects of his writing more understanding. Nick is a more educated character and Fitzgerald identifies with Nick, so it is Fitzgerald’s poetic language that is read and perhaps may be how he sees things in life.
Not much is known about most archetypal heroes, part of what makes a hero so alluring is the mystery. This is why gossip and rumors start, because humans have the desire to know or justify what they cannot explain. Gatsby could be one of the heroes within such a secretive and backwards society. Early in the novel, not much is known about him so the reader has to see him as this mysterious presence.
Chapter 3
Jazz was by far the most dominant music type of the 1920s. It was brand new and entirely unique to American society. It was one of the first pieces of American culture that was entirely American. The references to the music emphasize the “American” Dream that is the center of the novel.
Lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, pride.
All the characters who commit adultery are guilt of lust, envy and greed. Mr. Wilson is guilty of sloth. Nick is guilty of pride for his judgmental character.
Chastitity, diligence, liberality, abstinence, patience, kindness, humility.
Gatsby shows much diligence, patience and kindness.
Nick views himself as being especially honest and Jordan as dishonest. Not much reason is given for her dishonesty other than she is from the east coast. Nick seems to be more pure and judgmental for this reason and is shocked by what he finds on the east coast. Jordan is more accustomed to this society, but it is Nick who is narrating.
Chapter 4
Many believe that money can buy happiness, that is you are successful financially, you are successful in life. How else can people measure success though? Historically it was the upper classes who got to have parties and other ways to enjoy life and escape many of its pains. The rich also got many privileges. It was this that probably started the materialistic desires of American society.
Every action can be justified in one of these categories. The result of the busy lives we live is being tired and everything we do makes us busy. All the actions are in the act of pursuit: the pursuit of someone and the American Dream.
This chapter is with the rising action that intensifies the plot leading to the climax. Gatsby is becoming more of a character than a presence and this is leading to the more intense events to come later on in the novel.
All of these were historic presences in the theatre (one of the main sources of entertainment).
Montenegro is a country in South Eastern Europe. It was in a union with Serbia, which is one of the problematic nations that started World War I. Though Gatsby seems to be accurate in his war findings, his participation is limited to the reader.
Chapter 5
Don Quixote was more of a lost soul in his novel. Gatsby seems to know what he wants and how to get what he wants, thereby countering Quixote.
Both appear to be more distracted by other things than their wives. Wilson is probably more distracted by his job, whereas Buchanan is distracted by another woman. He is bound by his catholic marriage, although in the end he does want Daisy back.
Gatsby’s dream was to have her. When they reconciled so quickly, his dream became a reality as the affair started. Unfortunately for him it was an affair, and she didn’t leave her husband for him.
Chapter 6
The guests merely seemed preoccupied with having a good time. Prohibition prevented alcohol from occupying people and jazz was becoming largely popular. Women were also coming out as larger parts of society as well, which these parties reflected. This also showed the highly superficial part of this society though.
Daisy wishes that her husband would give her more attention. This directly reflects what she feels in seeing this image, hence her admiration for it.
It is more childish to dedicate ones entire life to something that is just a want. Getting Daisy’s love is not admirable (she’s married!) and is not entirely something that is beneficial in the long run. The younger Gatsby is more resourceful than this new Gatsby.
Nick appears to be the only honest character with any morals in the story. He does not commit adultery, does not lie, and only seems to be observing the chaos in this eastern society.
“Can’t repeat the past… Well of course you can.” (110) This is saying you can make mistakes twice, if the mistake is good enough to make the second time…
Chapter 7
Both Trimalchio and Gatsby have worked hard for their wealth, however Gatsby’s wealth is worth hardly anything to him except getting the respect of the woman he loves. However, Gatsby comes to an end with this life of pure materialism.
The eyes may be represented as God watching over all the characters. They may also be Gatsby’s presence among/in all the characters’ lives.
All of these citations deal with the emotion of being distressed, distraught, confused, etc.
To be content is to be neither happy nor unhappy. It is more of a neutral, unfeeling emotion than anything. It is to be indifferent to something. When you are unfeeling it can come off as being cold. This is what may be seen in the picture.
Chapter 8
Production means to work hard for something. The only people for this category would be Wilson, Buchanan, and Gatsby. They work hard for what they earn. The consumption category pertains to all of the characters except Nick. Those that got the success in the novel were those that were producers, but with their immoral behavior, having the American Dream did not suffice happiness.
People may want what they think is reality, but is only an illusion. In life, though, it is the illusion that really matter as humans are drawn to what they only see, not what is really there.
Obtaining the grail is a true reward and a noble quest. Gatsby’s quest was not noble and he ultimately did not obtain the “grail.” It ultimately led to his downfall.
Chapter 9
Why does Nick compare the Dutch sailors to Gatsby? How does the comparison help to state Fitzgerald’s conclusion?
THOUGH THESE PEOPLE APPEARED TO HAVE THE AMERICAN DREAM OF MATERIAL ITEAMS, NONE OF THESE PEOPLE WERE VERY HAPPY WITH THEMSELVES OR A LOT OF THEIR SITUATIONS. THIS PROVES THAT MONEY CANNOT BUY HAPPINESS, AS MUCH AS PEOPLE WANT TO BELIEVE IT CAN.
This is the message that Nick was trying to get at for this story of him moving to the east coast. The people themselves are corrupt, the dream of working hard for a living is not and cannot become corrupt. It is merely the people who change.
Fitzgerald shows that pseudo-intellectualism should be watched for in an age where everything is so misleading. It is a caution and warning to watch out because everything in society is changing.
Proper names give dignity and an appearance or an illusion of something. It is the impression that it gives people that it may be judged upon. For example, when comparing Gatsby and Wilson, Gatsby is a far more alluring name.
Gatsby died. I think he has changed… Nick has learned that people everywhere have different problems. Some areas are more corrupt and breed it because it is what is normal in that society. He also needed to take the advice from his dad that because societies are so different, you cannot judge people the same. They may have been brought up with something entirely different than you.
ARivera Per. 4
Chapter 1
1. The reference to Midas, Morgan and Mæcenas regarding the volumes of banking books in this chapter serves as a purpose to enlighten the reader to what they should expect from the book. Midas was a king that was so greedy for gold he asked to have the touch of gold; so that everything he would touch would turn into gold. In turn he was unhappy for he couldn’t drink, eat or touch his daughter for his touch would turn them to pure gold.
2. Tom is introduced to the reader as someone being exceedingly haughty and of domineering temperament. He is described as restless and hulking, this shows the readers that Tom is a character that is possibly rash of nature.
3. The first chapter of the novel gives the reader an introduction to what we will be reading further in the novel. It introduces the main characters and foretells what the reader will expect from the novel in the later chapters. From Tom and Daisy’s unhappy marriage to Nick’s mysterious neighbor Gatsby.
Chapter 2
1. If an agrarian way of life was the American dream, then it is without a doubt that
2. The green light in chapter indicates Gatsby’s “go” action in pursuing Daisy. I suppose that the green light signifies the wealth and the fortune. In contrast the gray images in the Valley of Ashes show the readers that the agrarian life had no place in the ear, for the images reveal that a rural area did not flourish at all.
3. George Wilson is man that works himself to death trying to have a better life that he yearns for. It is the American dream that he is reaching out for, but it is this dream that made him blind to his wife’s deceit.
4. Fitzgerald’s poetic style focuses on
5. Gatsby falls under the category of Archetypal heroes because of him choosing to stay mysterious, the guest at his parties view him as some sort of a hero. Whether it is he killed a man or a German spy.
Chapter 3
1. Jazz was simply the most popular type of music back in the 1920s. It reveals the peoples desire to have a good time and just to have fun dancing the night away. One of the songs that were named is Vladimir’s Tostoff’s Jazz History of the World.
2. The seven deadly sins are: pride, greed, lust, anger, envy, gluttony, and sloth. While the seven cardinal virtues are humility, generosity, love, kindness, self-control, faith, temperance, and zeal. Lust and envy filled Gatsby which enabled him to become rich in order to gain Daisy’s affection.
3. Nick seems to be the type of character that always seems to want to tell the truth and to remain persistently honest no matter what. He shows these qualities throughout the novel by expressing his honest opinion about the characters that he interacts with and the matter of integrity. Jordan on the other hand is dishonest because she refuses to be at a disadvantage at anything.
Chapter 4
1. The American Dream is associated with America’s past and has succumbed to mercenary by means that everyone seems to only want materialistic things that they do not truly even need. This shows that people in that time period on chose to live for themselves and acquire things that they do not already need. Tom and Daisy’s way of life is an example because they led a life that was purely for them and led a life of luxury forgetting their responsibilities.
2. The pursuing signifies Gatsby longing to capture Daisy’s affection. Mr. Wilson does the pursing as well because he is pursuing that American dream.
3. This capture doesn’t fit into the pyramid of dramatic structure because of how the chapter was structure. It doesn’t have a foundation to build upon.
4. The author chose to include important people in Gatsby’s party because he wanted the readers to realize how widely popular his parties were. They are involved in American history because there were people who held characteristics of the powerful, of brilliant of minds.
5. Gatsby was caught up in some kind of battle that Montenegro was involved in.
Chapter 5
1. Don Quixote, like Gatsby wasn’t born to wealth, he acquired his popularity through the crowds in society.
2. Both men are alike because they are far too busy with themselves to realize that their wives are having affairs.
3. It is justified by means that once Daisy saw for her own eyes the extent of Gatsby’s riches she fell back in love with him and deemed him worthy of her affections.
Chapter 6
1. The guests at the parties are for one very influential people that only attend the best parties because of the popularity that they will acquire.
2. Daisy sees herself as having an interesting affair like one in a movie.
3. The yacht was something much more tangible to achieve, while the green light proved to something that was harder to achieve.
4. Nick can be said to be a real hero in the story because he proved to be a good listener and was there when someone needed him
5. A passage that would prove to be a thematic significance would be
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio and Gatsby both acquired a vast amount of wealth and threw lavish parties, but unlike Gatsby, Trimalchio didn’t care much for confidentiality about his identity.
2. I suppose that the eyes symbolize God watching everything that is going on in the world.
3. “It seemed to me that the thing for Daisy to do was to rush out of the house, child in arms-apparently there were no such intentions in her head.” This quote shows that Daisy is not a very good mother because she is far too preoccupied with herself to take care of her daughter.
4. I suppose it means that Daisy was once happy to be with Tom at the very beginning of their marriage, but Gatsby was only content to know that Daisy loves him now.
Chapter 8
1. The characters that symbolizes a production ethic
2. The illusion and reality differ from the beholders point of view.
3. It is an ironic inversion because the people in this story are looking for something that is great, like the Holy Grail.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compared the Dutch sailors to Gatsby because it showed how Gatsby was a wondering soul like the sailors looking for their fish.
2. It is an ironic twist of the American dream because power became a big issue which blurred the lines between what was wrong and right.
3. Gatsby only lived to achieve everything just so he could impress Daisy. His party guests were only there for the party and not for him.
4. The statements about pseudo-intellectualism was
5. He demonstrates the power of proper name by means of
6. Nick has changed because now he can look back and see what power does to people.
ARivera
Chapter 1
1. The reference to Midas, Morgan and Mæcenas regarding the volumes of banking books in this chapter serves as a purpose to enlighten the reader to what they should expect from the book. Midas was a king that was so greedy for gold he asked to have the touch of gold; so that everything he would touch would turn into gold. In turn he was unhappy for he couldn’t drink, eat or touch his daughter for his touch would turn them to pure gold.
2. Tom is introduced to the reader as someone being exceedingly haughty and of domineering temperament. He is described as restless and hulking, this shows the readers that Tom is a character that is possibly rash of nature.
3. The first chapter of the novel gives the reader an introduction to what we will be reading further in the novel. It introduces the main characters and foretells what the reader will expect from the novel in the later chapters. From Tom and Daisy’s unhappy marriage to Nick’s mysterious neighbor Gatsby.
Chapter 2
1. If an agrarian way of life was the American dream, then it is without a doubt that
2. The green light in chapter indicates Gatsby’s “go” action in pursuing Daisy. I suppose that the green light signifies the wealth and the fortune. In contrast the gray images in the Valley of Ashes show the readers that the agrarian life had no place in the ear, for the images reveal that a rural area did not flourish at all.
3. George Wilson is man that works himself to death trying to have a better life that he yearns for. It is the American dream that he is reaching out for, but it is this dream that made him blind to his wife’s deceit.
4. Fitzgerald’s poetic style focuses on
5. Gatsby falls under the category of Archetypal heroes because of him choosing to stay mysterious, the guest at his parties view him as some sort of a hero. Whether it is he killed a man or a German spy.
Chapter 3
1. Jazz was simply the most popular type of music back in the 1920s. It reveals the peoples desire to have a good time and just to have fun dancing the night away. One of the songs that were named is Vladimir’s Tostoff’s Jazz History of the World.
2. The seven deadly sins are: pride, greed, lust, anger, envy, gluttony, and sloth. While the seven cardinal virtues are humility, generosity, love, kindness, self-control, faith, temperance, and zeal. Lust and envy filled Gatsby which enabled him to become rich in order to gain Daisy’s affection.
3. Nick seems to be the type of character that always seems to want to tell the truth and to remain persistently honest no matter what. He shows these qualities throughout the novel by expressing his honest opinion about the characters that he interacts with and the matter of integrity. Jordan on the other hand is dishonest because she refuses to be at a disadvantage at anything.
Chapter 4
1. The American Dream is associated with America’s past and has succumbed to mercenary by means that everyone seems to only want materialistic things that they do not truly even need. This shows that people in that time period on chose to live for themselves and acquire things that they do not already need. Tom and Daisy’s way of life is an example because they led a life that was purely for them and led a life of luxury forgetting their responsibilities.
2. The pursuing signifies Gatsby longing to capture Daisy’s affection. Mr. Wilson does the pursing as well because he is pursuing that American dream.
3. This capture doesn’t fit into the pyramid of dramatic structure because of how the chapter was structure. It doesn’t have a foundation to build upon.
4. The author chose to include important people in Gatsby’s party because he wanted the readers to realize how widely popular his parties were. They are involved in American history because there were people who held characteristics of the powerful, of brilliant of minds.
5. Gatsby was caught up in some kind of battle that Montenegro was involved in.
Chapter 5
1. Don Quixote, like Gatsby wasn’t born to wealth, he acquired his popularity through the crowds in society.
2. Both men are alike because they are far too busy with themselves to realize that their wives are having affairs.
3. It is justified by means that once Daisy saw for her own eyes the extent of Gatsby’s riches she fell back in love with him and deemed him worthy of her affections.
Chapter 6
1. The guests at the parties are for one very influential people that only attend the best parties because of the popularity that they will acquire.
2. Daisy sees herself as having an interesting affair like one in a movie.
3. The yacht was something much more tangible to achieve, while the green light proved to something that was harder to achieve.
4. Nick can be said to be a real hero in the story because he proved to be a good listener and was there when someone needed him
5. A passage that would prove to be a thematic significance would be
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio and Gatsby both acquired a vast amount of wealth and threw lavish parties, but unlike Gatsby, Trimalchio didn’t care much for confidentiality about his identity.
2. I suppose that the eyes symbolize God watching everything that is going on in the world.
3. “It seemed to me that the thing for Daisy to do was to rush out of the house, child in arms-apparently there were no such intentions in her head.” This quote shows that Daisy is not a very good mother because she is far too preoccupied with herself to take care of her daughter.
4. I suppose it means that Daisy was once happy to be with Tom at the very beginning of their marriage, but Gatsby was only content to know that Daisy loves him now.
Chapter 8
1. The characters that symbolizes a production ethic
2. The illusion and reality differ from the beholders point of view.
3. It is an ironic inversion because the people in this story are looking for something that is great, like the Holy Grail.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compared the Dutch sailors to Gatsby because it showed how Gatsby was a wondering soul like the sailors looking for their fish.
2. It is an ironic twist of the American dream because power became a big issue which blurred the lines between what was wrong and right.
3. Gatsby only lived to achieve everything just so he could impress Daisy. His party guests were only there for the party and not for him.
4. The statements about pseudo-intellectualism was
5. He demonstrates the power of proper name by means of
6. Nick has changed because now he can look back and see what power does to people.
OLARA
THE GREAT GATSBY
Chapter 1
1. The references to people in history serve to show that he is educated, giving more meaning to the story. The references help give the narrator show his point of view by basing it of respected history.
2. Tom is described as a very strong man with very sharp edges. He is on top of his game and is very arrogant always trying to standout. His personality can be seen from his personal appearance of a very strong sturdy man. His strong voice and aggressive eyes help him in being very condescending towards everyone. Fitzergerald’s purpose was to help the readers understand more about the characters through their personal appearance. This way the reader wouldn’t need much personal information of them but base their opinion of their appearance.
3. The chapter is fully packed with foundations of all the subplots and themes that will evolve throughout the novel. It is in the first novel that we find out of Toms mistress and Daisy’s sadness. She opens up and tells about how she hopes her daughter becomes a blind pretty fool, thus showing her pain. Fitzergerald jumps right into the plot rather than slowly build a bases of background knowledge.
Chapter 2
1. Evidence for such scenes is not found, due to the fact that no American dream is being chased. The rich are rich and have everything they need with no obvious struggle to get where they are today. The valley of Ashes represents the corruption of the American dream.
2. The green light at the end of chapter one represents Gatsby’s hope for a future with Daisy. It shows the desire to achieve this outrageous goal of being with a married woman. The Valley of Ashes shows the multitude of shattered hopes and dreams that have been destroyed. These goals are no longer alive and are just a reminder of failure.
3. His dream to work hard and move out of the valley represents the American dream. He believes that hard work and determination will get him into the rich side of the country. He has nothing to lose, so he takes chances to get somewhere in life.
4. His style gives the reader a very define picture of the characters both at a physical and personal stage. His approach makes the reader feel as if they personally know the characters and can understand their situations. Such a style, wraps the reader into the scene making it more personal and give more meaning, as if something could occur in their lives.
5. Research descriptions of archetypal heroes, including their mysterious beginnings associated with rumors and mythical power. Consider Gatsby as such a hero, based upon the rumors surrounding him.
Chapter 3
1. The Jazz age was part of the 1920’s and had much influence on the country. During the time of prohibition, Jazz parties added for the consumption of liquor and added to the corruption. The trumpets were a big part of this new wave of music that got everyone on the dance floor. The saxophone also added to the optimism of that ear and upbeat tempo of the music.
2. Sins: Pride, greed, anger, gluttony, envy, sloth, and lust
Virtues: Chastity, moderation, generosity, zeal, meekness, charity, and humility. Tom showed many of the deadly sins by his anger and mistreatment towards his wife and mistress. He was also very greedy and prone. He showed no virtues, not obvious to the reader anyways.
3. Nick is a very honest and has a very true personality that doesn’t judge. He doesn’t have initial gut feelings but gives everyone a chance. He is trustful of anyone until he is proved otherwise. Jordan however is very shallow and acts on first instinct. She is not very trustful and very oxymoronic at times. She is not the smartest of the bunch and is very gullible.
Chapter 4
1. The American dream is the idea that any family could come over and enjoy the freedom of this country. With the freedom comes the possibility of working hard and getting high on the social ladder. Money became a thing of attaining to only spend it on any short term joy. It wasn’t a privilege to have money and spend it but rather a must. Soon however the rich found out that money did not complete their empty lives and went insane trying to fill up the empty space they had.
2. Elaborate on the epigram: “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” Show how it contributes to the development of plot, character, and theme in the novel. Give justification for its being the single most important line in the novel.
3. The chapter acts in the category of rising action. Nick learns of Gatsby’s past and the oddity of it, which attracts him into Gatsby more than at first. Nick watches carefully to maybe find the truth underneath the man and his crazy stories.
4. Nick names Mr. P Jewett who was a member of the American Legion. He was a known due to the end of WWII, both Gatsby and Nick had been players in the war and knowing such a person was a logical choice to name.
5. Gatsby talks about his medal received at Montenegro, which is a country between Serbia and Austria. Montenegro had been involved in the war before the total commitment from the U.S. The fact that the country was in war before the U.S. makes the story less credible.
Chapter 5
1. Both Gatsby and Don Quixote live in made up world, where they are unstoppable. Both lived a lie in their dreams and lived in a different era. Don Quixote lived in a time of knights and kings while Gatsby lived in the world before the war.
2. Tom and George are both arrogant men that only want to live in a life filled with riches. The under appreciate their wives, thus they go out searching for new loves. They are missing out on one of the most filling things in life, which is love and not money. They don’t understand that money will never satisfy them as much as a loving partner.
3. The reunion of Gatsby and Daisy was bad for him due to the fact that it didn’t go as planned. He had lived his life thinking about the day when he would get her back. He lived his life on that thought and planned it around it as well with the purchase of his house. He had been living a dream and when daisy didn’t leave Tom, Gatsby was pulled hard into reality and it crushed him.
Chapter 6
1. People during this era became very self centered and materialistic. The idea of achieving the American dream was thrown out of the window and people wanted more of that economic pie. They became very cynical and attended party with people they dislike to keep appearances and drank away their insecurities and troubles.
2. The movie director and the star are the only characters portrayed in a good point of view and seem to rather glow above the rest. Daisy is approving of them maybe due to the fact that she feels she is as worthy as them. They seem to have class and maybe Daisy believes to be in the same social class. Fitzgerald shows his approval for the new form of entertainment that has arisen.
3. On the yacht, Gatsby learned a lot about himself and self control with alcohol and the dangers of it. Though, deep inside he still held onto his unrealistic wild dreams which returned when he was an adult. He became consumed with the image of Daisy and the idea of having her with him. He never let go of the past and lived an unrealistic dream that never died.
4. Nick is the only character who is drama free. He is honest and doesn’t get too involved in drinking and attaining material possessions. He knows right from wrong and is not quick to judge. “I stayed late that night, Gatsby asked me to wait until he was free…” (p. 109). He is also a loyal companion and is there for everyone.
5. “I wouldn’t ask too much of her,’ I ventured, ‘You can’t repeat the past.’ ‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘Why of course you can!’ He looked around him wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadow of his house, just out of reach of his hand.” (p.110). This goes along with the theme by showing Gatsby’s unrealistic dreams and his obsession for the past.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio and Gatsby are both men who one day or another ended up with a fortune to spend at their own will. Gatsby was nothing before the war but he worked his way to gain his money and possessions. He had hoped that this way of life would get him the lady he loved.
2. The expressions revealed by eyes played a apart in the novel. For example when Daisy attends Gatsby’s party and does not approve, it changed the way Gatsby lives his life. The fact that it’s Daisy and her approval meant so much to Gatsby was a great factor to Gatsby.
3. Both works of literature talk of the same themes of awareness of the future. People started to care about the future rather than just live for the present. Daisy was concerned with her future and this was a problem due to the fact that she wasn’t sure of her current conditions. The poem also talks of a new beginning which parallels Nick’s thought of when life starts over in the summer.
4. The comments’ significance deals greatly with the characters that are talked about. Daisy and Tom weren’t very happy with each other but were in a sense filled with happiness with all their belongings. They were a couple and this may have made each happy even though they wanted other people. They were not satisfied with their emotional situations but from the economic standpoint, they were very happy.
Chapter 8
1. Production ethic characters would be Wilson, Gatsby, and Nick because they consume and produce throughout the story. Whether be fixing automobiles or throwing parties filled with alcohol. Characters like Tom, Daisy, Jordan, and Mrs. Wilson are consumption ethic because all they do is use money and attract attention. They seem to make the world revolve around them and not care much about other people.
2. Fitzergerald focuses that when people become blind and tend to believe their wildest dreams, they can become very disappointed when it’s not what they expected. When Gatsby comes to face reality on the fact that he will never be truly alone with Daisy, he becomes destroyed.
3. The legend of the knights that devoted their lives to one main goal and at the end failed and felt useless is a parallel to Gatsby. He devoted his life and efforts to impress Daisy and gain her heart but at the end ended up worse than before. He came out empty handed with a broken heart and that also ended his life.
Chapter 9
1. Both saw the color green as a symbol of dreams and desire, as well as hopes and of a future. For Gatsby, the green light reminded him of Daisy and his dreams to be with her forever. The Dutch saw the green trees when they arrived as a symbol of a bright future and dreams of expanding. However the Dutch don’t succeed like Gatsby never moves away with Daisy.
2. The people who worked so hard to achieve the American lifestyle suffered the most. Gatsby worked so hard to move up the ladder and enjoy his life with Daisy but that never occurred. Mr. Wilson as well was working hard to move up the ladder but instead had a ungrateful wife who had an affair with tom.
3. The guests were very corrupt and only cared about the parties and never about how Gatsby was doing. He became more obsessed as the guests became less and less caring of him and his house. All the threads are pulled together and Gatsby loses it and can’t wait to have daisy.
4. He makes the statements through Gatsby and his change into a sophisticated wealthy man. He is a man that studied in oxford and has changed his life around. He’s intellectually capable of anything and everything.
5. Gatsby changed his name when entering his new lifestyle to make it seem more sophisticated and mysterious. He uses more formal names for people at the party to show their importance rather than just Jordan or daisy.
Gatsby has been absorbed more into his fantasy dream rather than start living his life for himself and not for Daisy. He becomes lifeless and can only think about her and their lives together. Nick has also gained a few rough edges after spending time with all these greedy and shallow people.
Chapter 1
1. Consider the references to people in literature or history in the chapter. What purpose(s) do they serve?
The things his references do are make him a credible source of information. They prove that he is an educated man and can be trusted with the information he puts out to the reader.
2. Write a character sketch of Daisy (or Tom or Jordan), focusing on the recurring “tag” used to describe them. Daisy leans forward and talks in a low voice; Tom is restless and hulking; Jordan balances something on her chin almost in an athletic stance. What is Fitzgerald’s purpose in thus describing them?
The author does this to show the reader that each character has their own unique character, and helps show their true feelings that they dont speak of. He makes Daisy seem to be a little off in the head to give the reader a sense of the times. back then not many women were educated, and the man normally provided the living for her.
3. Explain how the first chapter of this novel is critically important in the development of plot, characters, and themes.
The first chapter is important to this novel because it introduces the characters for the first time. how they acted in this chapter is not how they acted throughout the rest of the novel. Once aagain it gives the reader a sense of the times and how the richer class lived.
Chapter 2
1. Consider the possibilities of an agrarian society being the epitome of the American Dream. Find evidences of farming or pastoral scenes and diction in the first two chapters which suggest the belief that such a society fulfills the ideal American Dream.
The thing in the novel that best represents the American Dream has to be The Valley of Ashes. It is basically a place where everyone that came up shy of their "Dream".
2. Contrast the green light at the end of Chapter 1 and the gray images in the Valley of Ashes in Chapter 2. What thematic statement do the contrasting images reveal?
The green light seemed to symbolize hope and the desire to accomplish what you set out to do., while the Valley of Ashes represents the failed tries of the people trying to accomplish their desires.
3. How can George Wilson be said to symbolize the American Dream? Consider the Horatio Alger (“rags-to-riches”) motif, as well as his undying desire to better his situation.
He symbolized the dream by wanting to better his situation by making money so that he could get out of that Valley. Back then appearance was everything to people so he tried to make it seem like everything was going well and that he was 'king of the castle'.
4. Write about Fitzgerald’s poetic style, focusing especially on the vivid metaphors and images, such as this description from Catherine: “Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle, but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face.” How is Fitzgerald a disciplined writer with great control of his prose?
Fitzgerald's style gives the reader an excellent sense of the characters. You can almost paint a picture of them in your mind. By doing things like this and painting out a story it can make the story more personal to ones self, meaning that they enjoy the book more and get into the reading.
5. Research descriptions of archetypal heroes, including their mysterious beginnings associated with rumors and mythical power. Consider Gatsby as such a hero, based upon the rumors surrounding him.
Chapter 3
1. Trace references to music in the Jazz Age—specific songs, types of instruments, description of the sounds—and draw a conclusion about their purpose(s). Discuss the dominant musical types of the 1920s.
in the beginnings of the 1920's many bands began to emerge, and they all played to the same tone or note as the other instruments. As jazz became popular many saxophones trombones drums and trumpets became pleasing sounds to their listeners.
2. Find a list of the seven deadly sins and the seven cardinal virtues. Analyze some or all of the characters in regard to these sins and virtues. Which vice or virtue does each manifest?
Some of the virtues are Chastity, moderation, generosity, charity, humility, meekness, and zeal. while the Sins are Pride, greed, anger, gluttony, envy, sloth, and lust. On of the characters that bes represents sin is Tom. He is proud, greedy, has many affairs on his wife, is envious, and does have a bit of an attitude.
3. Study Nick as a symbol of honesty and Jordan as a symbol of dishonesty. Write a character sketch which reveals their likenesses and differences in terms of veracity and credibility.
Nick doesnt base a person off his first impression, he is more of a 'ill hang out with you for a while and base you off a collection of actions' type of guy. He is very trustworthy, and trusts people easily, but once you do something bad he keeps you closer than before. Jordan is more of a shallow character and bases his judgments off the looks of people. He will most likely believe anything he is told, and is quick to spread what he has learned.
The Great Gatsby Questions
L.Navarro
P.5
Chapter 1:
1. The references to people in literature/history in the chapter are to give us an imperative aspect. It helps us understand what the author is trying to say better. It also helps us un giving us backround information to give us a better aspect of what the book is talking about.
2. Dasiy is is a very healthy young women in the higher society. She is wonderful and very charming. However she lets the best get to her. She loves the money so she decides to marry a wealthier man than to wait for Gatsby since he was poor. She even lets him take the blame for killing Myrtle when she was the one to kill her. I believe that the author describes her like this to show the wealthier side of society.
3. The plot is very important it this first chapter because it gives us a feeling of how the story will go. It describes the characters and their life styles as well as it gives us the bakround we need inorder to understand the rest of the book.
Chapter 2:
1. Fitzgerald portrays the 1920’s as a age of social and moral values. This is showed by how everyone is greedy and in the pursuit of pleasure as well. The Crazy parties asn well as te jazz music I believe corrupted the American dream.
2. The green lights in chapter one represent the hope. However the gray images in chapter 2 show a how life really was.
3. George Wilson can be said to symbolize the American Dream because of the fact that he wasn’t a welathy man, and he still devoted his time to doing the best he could.
4. Fitsgerald was a great writer because he found ways to put a special meaning in the things he wrote. He knew exactly how to make a sentence sound more sophisticated and give it a good meaning.
Chapter 3:
1. The Jazz music had a great impact in society. It helped some people forget about their problems for a while. The trumpet was a very popular instrument used and it expressed many fellings as well.
2. Dasiy is someone who shows envy towards her husband since he has another woman. Tom was a greedy man who wanted everything, to be married to a and to have an affair with another woman, so he would have gluttony, lust, and greed. Jordan had sloth as well as pride.
3. Nick was a symbol of honesty beacause he was a very honest man and he very much showed that. Jordan was a symbol of dishonesty because she just goes with things as they come not caring if they are good or bad. However they both fel the same way about Gatsby and they like each other too.
Chapter 4:
1. Gatsby was kown to be very rich. He came frome a wealthy backround and was considered to be the best. However others such as Nick werent that rich so werent considered rich.
2. George Wilson and Tom Buchanan are similar in their situations with their wives. Both of them have wives who aren’t faithful toward their marriage. Tom’s marriage is a untruthful one, and Daisy, his wife, does not have any love for him, but tries to hide it. In George’s marriage, his wife Myrtle actually is having and affair with Tom.
3. Gatsby after years found Daisy his love. Although Dasiy was married he still did his best in order to get her love. In the beginning they didn’t really speak much but as time went by they started working on their communication. Once Gatsby thought he had it all and that Dasiy was his now his life long journy ends.
Chapter 5:
1. Gatsby was known to everyone because of his wealth and his illegal activities. Don Quixote was only known to the common people and wasn’t that rich as Gatsby was.
2. Tom and George are alike in how both of their wives are unfaithful. Tom’s wife Dasiy has no love for him but tries to hide it, and Myrdle, George’s wife, is having an affair with Tom.
Chapter 6:
1. The parties reveal that these guest were bound to go any where were there was a party. The drinking and dancing was just a part of their life styles.
2. Daisy’s admiration for the movie director leaning over his wife shows how she is affectionate of that exacting love which takes place. She does look as if she can see herself in that image, but just not with the director.
3. the life he was living was more realistic than he didn’t have and american dream. Gatsby was to focused on his dream than on what other people thought.
4.
Chapter 1
1. It seems that the references to the people in literature or history serve the purpose of underlying the time period but also to let the readers understand the views of some Americans and the problems the country might have been undergoing.
2. Tom is introduced in the first chapter as this “hulky,” and muscular man who played college football and is aggressive in both attitude and with the people around him. The recurring “tag” in the story helps to define the character and make sense of his reactions in the future chapters. For example, how he was able to break his mistress’ nose and tell Wilson that Gatsby was the owner of the car so that Gatsby would be murdered, if Fitzgerald had not described him to be such an over the top man with racist and sexist views the public would have not been able to understand his reactions to further problems in the novel.
3. The first chapter of the novel is critically important in the development of the plots, characters, and themes because it sets the entire story up to mean very different things. The first chapter sets up different problems that will re-occur throughout the novel, for example we find out that Tom has a mistress and that the Buchanans would like Jordan and Nick to get together and gossip about Gatsby spurts up.
Chapter 2
1. If there was an agrarian society as the epitome of the American Dream then we would see much less corruption and uncivilized manner in society and perhaps more happiness because the people would work for what they wanted and for their own happiness but would not be trying to make it into separated social classes that would define who they are and what they would become. The American people would be searching and going after a dream the would be realistic and reachable instead of trying to find happiness through plain wealth and a better social standing.
2. The green light in chapter 1 represents Gatsby’s hope and dream to live a life fulfilled with the love of Daisy and the gray images in the Valley of Ashes in chapter 2 represent the crushed American dream and how in its uncivilized ways left many people impoverished and living in a world separated by money.
3. George Wilson can be said to symbolize the American Dream because he is a poor man who works hard for his family (wife) and himself, even though he is poor and seems to be getting nowhere “When he saw us a damp gleam of hope sprang into his light blue eyes.” Wilson represents the American Dream and the idea that people will be able to go from rags-to-riches because even though in society he is a nobody he keeps working hard to maintain himself and proves to still have hope that one day he can have riches.
4. Fitzgerald’s poetic style allows the reader to understand and see a vivid image of the people and places that make the novel so realistic. By describing the places around him and the people he makes the story seem real with each character meant to represent one part of society. Each metaphor and image that he creates he bring something special to the novel that help create its view on the American Dream.
5. One of the most famous mythical heros to this day is Hercules. The myth says that when he was a child he was abandoned by his father and that like Gatsby rumors were spoken about him and his origin. Like Hercules, Gatsby’s story was unknown to the people and when people don’t seem to know much rumors spread about who they are and where they come from. Gatsby also represents a mythical hero in the sense that he seems all powerful to Nick and not until the end of the story did Nick realize that all along Gatsby had been doomed, as if it was fate.
Chapter 3
1. In the jazz age of the 1920s one of it’s main components was the entire band from the piano player to the singer they changed the entire US. Women were no longer supposed to cover up to their ankles but seemed to become outgoing and unreserved. One of the most famous jazz men was Benny Goodman. In the novel when referencing to a song Nick seems to be pointing out that women have grown to become just as bad as men and are no longer viewed as the innocent and vulnerable creatures in society.
2. The seven deadly sins are: envy, sloth, gluttony, greed, pride, wrath and lust. The seven cardinal sins are: faith, hope, charity, fortitude, justice, temperance, and prudence. Nick throughout the novel represents honesty and it is so obvious that he himself points it out, “I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.” Jordan Baker would represent the sloth like quality, she is lazy and very disrespectful and will lie and cheat if she had to. Tod’s sin would be pride, he is too proud and excessively uses his man power and aggressive ways to get what he wants. Gatsby would most likely represent hope and faith in the novel, he wants Daisy and in order to get her he became so rich and wealthy but in the end it destroyed him.
3. Nick is the symbol of honesty because he is a good person who becomes involved into every ones story and most of the time he will speak his mind and what he thinks might be best. He is like the child in the story because he is new the “new rich” neighborhood and like a child he represents honesty. Jordan represents dishonesty because she will change he “facts” if it will benefit her best and unlike Nick she has been raised to find and do whatever possible to keep her at the top of the game, both in life and in golf.
Chapter 4
1. The American Dream was once and still is ‘The Pursuit of Happiness,’ its just that how Americans have come to view happiness has changed drastically. Once when America was being raised to become a free land all its inhabitants felt that if they could have freedom then they would be happiness but eventually people and time changes and what we believe to be happiness is to have more of everything. The American Dream is not to just live and lead a simple life, the American Dream is to have riches and splendor, and to have more luxuries than your neighbor. We can see how corrupt the American Dream has become through Myrtle. She is married to a fairly handsome and honest man who works hard for her and himself yet she cheats on him the second Tom comes into her path because she was mesmerized for what he stood for; wealth, and to her wealth meant everything, wealth meant happiness.
2. The quote sums up the entire novel and what it stands for, the pursued would be Tom who has absolutely everything he could want, a wife a mistress, money etc. The pursing would be Gatsby who is trying to make his dream of being with Daisy true the busy would be Nick who is trying to make it in his line of business and the tired would be Jordan who goes through life with nothing to do but gossip and play golf.
3. This chapter could be said to be the rising of the story and the main plot in where we learn about Gatsby where he comes from and who he is as well as we discover the truth of Daisy and Gatsby’s newfound romance. This chapter sets the readers up for what is to come and what seems to be the main conflict in the novel.
4. One of the characters named by Fitzgerald would be Benny McClenahan who always arrived “with four girls.”This proves that the American Dream had altered greatly in the sense that once men were expected to have one wife and be content with her and in the 1920s a man could show up with more than one lady to a party and be considered a plain ladies man. This show the corruption of the American Dream in that the people want more than just one.
5. Montenegro in WWI occurred before the US ever even entered the war which seems to be odd since Gatsby claims to have received high honors from “little Montenegro.” If Nick had known this it would have been clear and obvious to him that Gatsby was making his “heroic story” all up.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote because they both live lives that they have reinvented for themselves. Gatsby lies about who he is and where he may come from to make himself “fit in” and be approved of by Daisy while Don Quixote lied for his tradition and glory.
2. Tom and Wilson are both alike in te sense that they forget to care about their wives, and have grown used to them always being there. Both of these characters wives are tired of the every day routine and their husbands oblivious to their unhappiness soon become cheated on. Tom instead of focusing on his wife focused on his affair and mistress while Wilson was focusing on making ends meet and in both cases each man forgot that their wife’s happiness should have been more important that their situations.
3. The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby are both the beginning and the end of Gatsby’s dream because finally they have come together and found each other and become lovers but throughout the novel it is clear that Gatsby no longer has a dream to live up to except to be forever with Daisy whom he already has. Gatsby’s life long goal was to capture Daisy and win her over now that he has done that there is nothing else for him to do.
Chapter 6
1. The parties in the 1920s reveal that the American people had lost sight of who they were and wanted to become. The people who attend these flamboyant parties seem to be people who are just at the parties to make an appearance and to prove that they too are wealthy and important. Mos of the people at the parties do not go to have a fun time and that reveals that the American society during the 1920s was focusing more on materialistic and social standards that moral happiness.
2. The admiration that Daisy has for the movie director and his wife may have been a tactic that Fitzgerald had to let the public know about the new medium but it seems that Fitzgerald is trying to show that Daisy’s dream is to be loved like her husband the way the movie director is fond of his wife.
3. The boy on the yacht may have been more worldly than the man who longing to the green light because when Gatsby was young he had a plan to work hard and one day get rich and learn about life and travel but as an adult he has become corrupted and forgotten his goal because he believes that his dream will eternally be to have Daisy. Gatsby in his own ambition for the woman o his dream is blinded to the corruptness of it all and how he has stopped living due to one woman.
4. Nick can be said to be the real hero of the story because not only is he the most honest and helpful to all characters throughout the novel but he himself tries to help Gatsby in accomplishing his dream and after it becomes evident that Daisy will not leave Tom Nick advises him to move and forget about his life and Daisy. Also Nick is the only person who does not become corrupt and does not forget that money and sex as well as having a good time is what life is all about. Nevertheless he is the hero of the novel because he is the only one that remains true to himself and those around him.
Chapter 7
1. Both Gatsby and Trimalchio were poor people who grew up dreaming about the luxurious lifestyle and their lifetime goal was to one day become rich and enjoy all their money. Both of these men throw parties and enjoy being the center of the party life.
2. Throughout chapter 7 many references are made to the eyes that appear throughout the novel and it seems that Fitzgerald is trying to show that eyes are everywhere and everyone has them but only a few may truly be looking and observing the truth. Fitzgerald is trying to show the blindness in the novel and how so many people like Gatsby are blind to his own obsessive desire for Daisy. Also like Wilson who is blind to the fact that his wife is not and innocent lady as he wishes to believe but yet, she is a mistress who for money would do anything.
3. Both of the passages are similar in the sense that they talk about how unhappy the character is but they worry to much about the future to move ahead and do what to them is right in their hearts. Also both of these passages use almost the same words and are defining the same situation of hopelessness of the future and their dreams.
4. That quote shows that Daisy would never leave Tom, that even though they had had their unhappy moments they would never leave each other because maybe they did love each other but most likely they were just not ready to give up their splendors and life of “new riches.” This also shows how people during this time period had become very self-centered and did not consider how their action would hurt those around them but were utterly concerned with themselves and no one else.
Chapter 8
1. The characters in the novel that symbolize the production ethic is of course, Gatsby, who gives people his riches through his parties, Wilson is also a production ethic because he is of the lower class who provide work for the upper class. The characters that symbolize the consumption product would be Tom who takes advantage of everyone, Jordan is also a consumption product because she feeds off of other peoples business and their wealth. Daisy is also a consumption product because she takes advantage of Gatsby without ever having the intention of leaving her husband.
2. Throughout the book many characters, mainly Gatsby cannot distinguish between reality and illusion. His love for Daisy blinds him of the fact that she will never abandon her husband and that she is merely using him for her enjoyment. Gatsby has eyes and is very aware of everything around him but in his own desperateness he blinds himself of the reality of the entire situation.
3. The story is like the quest of a knight for a grail because in the story a knight will give his life for a grail and in the novel Gatsby dies for Daisy not technically but in his search for her love and in trying to keep a love that has been over for years it eventually leads to his murder.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares Gatsby to the Dutch sailors because both peer of to a green light into the distance and like the Dutch sailors hoping for a better place and a they hold their dreams up to that green island. In the case of Gatsby the green light is his hope and his passion as well as his dream of reuniting with his love is all that the green light stands up for.
2. The story is an ironic twist of the American Dream because all of the characters are wishing and hoping for something else to make them happy. When Daisy found happiness with Gatsby she would not leave Tom for the fear of her future. Between Tom and Daisy there is no spark only the certainty of wealth and in the end each of them chose each other for the benefits instead of for love. Myrtle and George are forever doomed because as much as he may love his wife she despises him because he “borrowed a suit for their wedding,” to her only money can mean happiness and she would rather be fake than be loved. Myrtle and Tom are nothing but lovers even though Myrtle may think otherwise Tom would never leave Daisy for her because he too thinks of her low class standards and how Daisy and him lead a “satisfactory” life.
3. The phrases that Nick uses pull the threads of the story together because they lead the reader to the conclusion that Gatsby may have had all the riches and have been surrounded by so many people in his parties but when it came down to it the people did not care about him they cared about what he could offer them and now that he was gone they would move on and forget him.
4. Fitzgerald uses statements about pseudo-intellectualism through Gatsby and how he made up his entire life beginning with his name he went from Gatz to Gatsby and he lied about his “honors” and studies at oxford to make himself the big man that he became. Pseudo-intellectualism is seen throughout the entire novel as it speaks about the corruption of the people in the 1920s and how they would do anything to be happy.
5. It seems that Fitzgerald demonstrates the power of proper names throughout the novel by giving the people of higher class nicer and more elegant names that would contribute to their high status, also those very people would often be called by “Mrs.” or “Mr.” While the people of lower class like George and Myrtle were called by their first name and thee only time that Myrtle was called “Mrs.” was when she was talked to by Nick when she was with Tom. Conclusively, every name was chosen for each specific character to add emphasis to their position and lifestyle.
6. From the beginning of the novel Gatsby changed dramatically from a respected wealthy man with high ambitions to a rich lover who in the end had nothing, he never got Daisy and in defending her it lead to his death. Gatsby in the beginning of the novel is admired by Nick who believes him to be great but in the end he comes to the realization that money has corrupted both him and who he stands for. Nick in the beginning of the novel is searching for the American Dream and comes to the realization that the American Dream si nothing but corruption and lies full of people who will lie and steel to get what they want.
Great Gatsby, The: Research/Discussion Topics
Chapter 1
1. Consider the references to people in literature or history in the chapter. What purpose(s) do they serve?
Fitzgerald made the references to people in literature or history in chapter one obvious; his purpose to intertwine these people was to create a more realistic story and add depth. By the references he also allows the reader to get a feel of the time period. These people help build a background of characters later in the novel.
Examples: “The Carraways are something of a clan, and we have a tradition that we’re descended from the Dukes of Buccleuch, but the actual founder of my line was my grandfather’s brother, who came here in fifty-one, sent a substitute to the Civil War, and started the wholesale hardware business that my father carries on to-day.”
2. Write a character sketch of Daisy (or Tom or Jordan), focusing on the recurring “tag” used to describe them. Daisy leans forward and talks in a low voice; Tom is restless and hulking; Jordan balances something on her chin almost in an athletic stance. What is Fitzgerald’s purpose in thus describing them?
Fitzgerald’s purpose in describing these characters with these recurring “tags” is to help build a picture in our mind of their physical and mental aspects. Tom’s restless and hulking characteristics result from his athletic accomplishments. By using tags to describe Daisy, Tom, and Jordan he builds a distinctive identity for each- which makes it easier to identify these characters and understand their characteristics, personalities, and certain actions.
3. Explain how the first chapter of this novel is critically important in the development of plot, characters, and themes.
IN the first chapter the author paints a vivid image of each character into your mind; you are able to understand these characters and how the plot develops. Fitzgerald describes each character with a tag, which carries on throughout the novel. Although chapter one does not hand us the plot, we realize that Nick moves to West Egg to become economically advanced and pursue his career. Along with that, Tom and Daisy meddle into Nick and Jordan’s relationship- trying to bring them together. We also learn about affairs and Gatsby’s extravagant parties- which create a mysterious outlook and keep the reader wanting to find out more about Gatsby.
Chapter 2
1. Consider the possibilities of an agrarian society being the epitome of the American Dream. Find evidences of farming or pastoral scenes and diction in the first two chapters which suggest the belief that such a society fulfills the ideal American Dream.
An agrarian society is the epitome of the American Dream because everyone wishes to more economically advanced and be at the top of the ladder. Most of the characters live either in East Egg or West Egg which is compiled of less industrial land- people who live in East or West Egg own a vast majority of land. On the other hand the area between West Egg and New York City, valley of the ashes, is more industrious. “This is a valley of ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air.” Valley of the Ashes is the latter between West and East Egg; Fitzgerald describes Valley of the Ashes in a fairly condescending way- a place in which only the poor live. Because everyone desires to reside in either West or East Egg this reveals that an agrarian society is the epitome of the American Dream.
2. Contrast the green light at the end of Chapter 1 and the gray images in the Valley of Ashes in Chapter 2. What thematic statement do the contrasting images reveal?
The green light, in chapter one, parallels to Gatsby’s goal to capture Daisy’s heart; Daisy is a high class women who is apart of the wealthy society. Overall the green light represents aspirations and dreams. On the other hand the gray images in the Valley of the Ashes, in chapter two, represent the failure of the less fortunate and reality; the gray images in the Valley of Ashes is how the author perceives life and the difficulties to reach a goal.
3. How can George Wilson be said to symbolize the American Dream? Consider the Horatio Alger (“rags-to-riches”) motif, as well as his undying desire to better his situation.
Wilson wants to move up on the social ladder; in order to do so he tries to remove himself from a life of rags and follows his dreams. The American Dream is to grow out of the worst possible situation and become something and follow your dreams to become rich.
4. Write about Fitzgerald’s poetic style, focusing especially on the vivid metaphors and images, such as this description from Catherine: “Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle, but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face.” How is Fitzgerald a disciplined writer with great control of his prose?
Although Fitzgerald uses metaphors and a poetic style to describe many characters he sticks to his thoughts and keeps his descriptions simple and to the point; he doesn’t go onto tangents, yet still gives the reader a defined image of each person or thing. Fitzgerald knows his boundaries; therefore this makes him a disciplined writer.
5. Research descriptions of archetypal heroes, including their mysterious beginnings associated with rumors and mythical power. Consider Gatsby as such a hero, based upon the rumors surrounding him.
Gatsby throws many extravagant parties to attract Daisy; within these parties are numerous people throughout West and East Egg that Gatsby invite. Everyone who attends the party has never seen him and he is left a mystery; all they know about him is from the rumors that spread throughout the town. Gatsby is like a hero in the sense that nobody personally knew him and his origins, but yet they still glorified him. Like Gatsby everyone has heard of Spiderman or Cat Woman, but nobody really knows the real Spiderman or Cat Woman.
Chapter 3
1. Trace references to music in the Jazz Age—specific songs, types of instruments, description of the sounds—and draw a conclusion about their purpose(s). Discuss the dominant musical types of the 1920s.
During the Jazz Age wind instruments became popular and the invention of the saxophone occurred. Jam sessions, musicians joined together to play off a key or off one another, developed and Jazz resulted from this. The Jazz Age brought a new era of music and how people expressed them through sound. Jam sessions, wind instruments, and the saxophone formed the dominant musical genre in the twenties.
2. Find a list of the seven deadly sins and the seven cardinal virtues. Analyze some or all of the characters in regard to these sins and virtues. Which vice or virtue does each manifest?
The seven deadly sins are pride, greed, anger, gluttony, envy, sloth, and lust. The seven cardinal virtues are chastity, moderation, generosity, zeal, meekness, charity, and humility. Although Gatsby claims that he has fallen in love with Daisy I feel that what he feels for her is lust because he liked her because her wealthy background; Tom puts himself into an affair but envies Gatsby’s and Daisy’s relationship. Gatsby drops out of school because of greed- he wants to be rich and wealthy; he also drops out of school because of his pride- he refuses to continue is janitorial jobs.
3. Study Nick as a symbol of honesty and Jordan as a symbol of dishonesty. Write a character sketch which reveals their likenesses and differences in terms of veracity and credibility.
Nick believes that he is one of the most honest people he knows and he falls for Jordan despite of her dishonesty. Until Nick sees or hears something credible he refuses to accept their honesty and trust. Nick is fairly judgmental and he observes people a lot; Nick doesn’t believe in rumors but tends to find out the truth. On the other hand Jordan is oblivious and believes the rumors she hears and from what Nick says she is not trustworthy.
Chapter 4
1. Show how the American Dream associated with America’s past has succumbed to mercenary, almost exclusively materialistic values, derived from get-rich-quick schemes. Find evidence of the historical basis in fact and corresponding evidence in the novel.
The American Dream meant that people from other cultures and nations would immigrate to America, for freedom, and at the same time be able to work their way up the social ladder. Because these people were lavished with additional money, they spent it on uncritical material items; these people were new to the idea of having money that they felt it was something they could spend without using it wisely. Although these people became filthy rich and could spend and dine whenever they wanted they were left unhappy- resulting in alcohol problems and marital injustice. Gatsby takes in the bootlegging alcohol business and became rich fast from that in order to impress Daisy.
2. Elaborate on the epigram: “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” Show how it contributes to the development of plot, character, and theme in the novel. Give justification for its being the single most important line in the novel.
The epigram can be interpreted as everyone strives and works hard to be someone better, to be more like someone else, to be like and idol, and to be wealthy; there is the group that is at the top of the ladder, everyone wishes to be like them, then there are those that look up to those people who have already succeeded, and then there are those that can careless being successful because they still need to dig themselves out of a hole. This line is the single most important line in the novel because everyone is either successful, wish to be successful or stuck in the Valley of the Ashes, where people are busy and tired.
3. Determine where this chapter fits on the pyramid of dramatic structure: antecedent action (or what has taken place before the action of the novel begins), inciting moment (or the catalyst which creates interest in the actions and conflicts which follow), rising action (or the intensifying of interest and suspense), climax (or most intense moment from which there is no turning back for the protagonist), reversal (or falling action), and denouément (or tying up of loose ends). Defend your decision.
This chapter fits into the inciting moment and rising action group. Once Nick Carraway begins to realize and learn about Gatsby character and his origins, he keeps a closer eye on Gatsby. Being a judgmental and untrusting person Nick wants to make sure what Gatsby has said is trustworthy. Because of these new things that Nick is learning it builds suspense and create nearly omniscient scenes in which Nick and the reader know more about Gatsby than he knows about himself
4. Select one or more of the names Nick lists on his timetable, and research to discover their stories and to comprehend Fitzgerald’s choice of those names. How were they involved in American history?
Stonewall Jackson was a conservative Southern Civil War hero; he moved out of the East Egg and into the West Egg. Stonewall might have been weaved into The Great Gatsby because it would show how extravagant Gatsby’s parties were and how West Egg was a famous town; by doing so he also made the social classes in the East Egg, West Egg, and Valley of the Ashes more noticeable.
Chapter 5
1. Consider ways in which Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote.
Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote because they both lived a wealthy life, but they both lived in a lie. Both of them were dreamers and wished for this in the past. Don Quixote wanted his life be back in the times of chivalry and classical kingdoms and Gatsby wanted his life to be back before the war, where he and Daisy were in love.
2. Consider ways in which Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are alike, in that the wives of both men are capable of being lured away by another man. Therefore, both men, different as they are, are cuckolds (a Middle Ages term, defining men whose wives are unfaithful. In the legendary account, such husbands were said to grow horns, thus becoming monsters).
Because Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are both so into achieving wealth and the American Dream, they ignore their wives and their action- which lead to their wives looking for comfort in other men. Both wives are lured to men with more class and are higher ranked, but Daisy stays loyal to Tom because of his social class. Although they live and breather the same air as their wives they neglect certain aspects leading to affairs.
3. The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby, a rather sordid relationship, signals simultaneously the beginning and the end of Gatsby’s dream and of his success. Justify this statement.
Gatsby’s one dream was to have Daisy come back to him and when they finally meet again he is so nervous and anxious to see her again he does not know how to react. Although they bond quite easily and he feels that she is in love with him again her loyalty steps into play and she doesn’t leave Tom. Because of one girl Gatsby’s dream is shut down in an instant when she doesn’t leave her husband for the one she “loves.” After all that he’s done for her, joining the bootlegging business and buying a house in the West Egg, he is deceived.
Chapter 8
1. Some of the characters in the novel symbolize a production ethic; others symbolize a consumption ethic. Classify the characters accordingly, and draw a conclusion about the American Dream, as you understand it, from Fitzgerald.
Characters that symbolize production ethics are Nick, Gatsby, and Mr. Gatsby. On the other hand Daisy, Jordan, and Mrs. Wilson, Tom, and Klipspringer are apart of the consumption ethic. The American Dream meant you could live in America, move up the social ladder, and become wealthy enough to leisurely spend your money; those people apart of the production ethics produced all the wealth and lived leisurely, while the consumers did not produce at all and still lived leisurely, but in the end people are still left unhappy because they are not wealthy enough or do not have everything.
2. Eyes and sight recur frequently in the novel. What is Fitzgerald’s statement about the ability to distinguish between illusion and reality?
Fitzgerald frequently implies vision into his story- Owl Eyes and the advertisement; he does so in order to say that something people are blinded by illusions and wealth and they do not realize what is real until a tragedy hits them and they are shocked and have to open their eyes and live with reality.
3. How is this story an ironic inversion of a knightly quest for the grail?
The knightly quest for the grail occurred in the middle ages when knights searched for the cup of Christ. People in the 1920 are only wished to be rich and attain status, but they won’t do anything in return for society but take and take. But, Gatsby benefits others around him while he is trying to win over Daisy’s love. The knights, in search of the grail, went on the quest for fellow Christians and not only themselves.
Chapter 9
1. Why does Nick compare the Dutch sailors to Gatsby? How does the comparison help to state Fitzgerald’s conclusion?
When the Dutch Sailors first saw New York they saw green- grass; to them this meant freedom, a new beginning, and the ending of their journey. This parallels with Gatsby green light because he sits by the water and looks at the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock; to him this meant hope for Daisy to be his and how he pursues his dream at the end of the novel because Daisy falls in love with him again. Sometimes two different people or things can have a similar dream or meaning.
2. How is the story an ironic twist of the American Dream? Consider Daisy and Gatsby, Daisy and Tom, Myrtle and George Wilson, Myrtle and Tom, Nick and Jordan.
The entire story is an ironic twist of the American Dream because everyone who wished to be wealthy and live the American Dream and those who lived the American Dream, like Gatsby, were unhappy in the end. So either way if you do reach the American Dream or if you a striving to get their you will be disappointed.
3. Nick speaks of the “corruption” of Gatsby’s guests and Gatsby’s “incorruptible dream.” How do these phrases begin to pull all the threads of the story together?
Gatsby’s purpose of throwing these expensive parties was to attract and win over Daisy; in contrast his guests attend his party for his wealth and material possessions. Everyone, but Gatsby, was so far into achieving their American Dream and the corruption of money, alcohol, and fancy parties they never took a second to care about Gatsby. But, Gatsby really does not pay attention to his guests except for Daisy. The ‘corruption’ of Gatsby’s guests and ‘incorruptible dream’ tie the entire story together to show that everyone is selfish and is alll working for their own dream.
4. How does Fitzgerald make statements about pseudo-intellectualism?
Pseudo-intellectualism is when one can only name things associated with intelligence or attempt to speak in a high-minded fashion and be considered intellectual. Although Gatsby only attend Oxford College for sometime after serving time in the war he brings up Oxford College numerous of times because he feels that it builds a respectable perspective on him and people will believe he was well educated.
5. Fitzgerald demonstrates the power of proper names. Prove this statement.
Although a person may seem shallow, Miss Baker, or uneducated, Fitzgerald uses the power of proper names to make a person seem more important or respected. He also creates proper names for many of Gatsby’s guests and Gatsby as well. By using proper names a person gains more respect with other characters in the story.
6. Compare the beginning and the ending of the novel. Has Gatsby changed? Has Nick changed? Explain and justify your responses.
Gatsby and Nick both play important roles in this novel. At the beginning of the novel Nick is optimistic and is satisfied with his lifestyle. Gatsby is flourished wish wealth but is not happy because he can not be with Daisy. At the beginning of the novel Nick is only Gatsby neighbor but by the end of the novel they are more than neighbors. Gatsby also wins over Daisy’s heart but is punished at the end of the story. Both realize the affects of wealth and its corruption and both are left unsatisfied and unhappy at the end.
Ch. 1
1. These references seem to be there to set the setting for the reader. An example is where it mentions Gatsby becoming rich during World War I. It is now clear that he's one of the many who became rich afterward.
2. I suppose that Fitzgerald had them represent different parts of society, or the way it was reflected in the males and females of the time period.
3. The first chapter sets the foundation for the rest of the story, as it usually does in all novels. It does a little bit of foreshadowing when Gatsby and his mansion are described.
Ch. 2
1. Nick says that agrarian society is the epitome of the American Dream because it had long-established values, unlike the East which was corrupt and full of greed.
2. The green light symbolizes Gatsby's feelings for Daisy (as it is the light coming from Daisy's mansion...). I suppose he yearns for Daisy the same way people yearned for a piece of the American Dream Pie. The gray light symbolizes where people end up when they don't get a piece of that pie.
3. George Wilson symbolizes the American dream because he works hard and strives to become richer because of it.
4. Fitzgerald's poetic style and use of figurative language help paint a vivid picture in the mind of the reader.
5. Rumors spread about Gatsby like wildfire, making him out to be an archetypal hero, but since we actually know his true past, then it makes him a real bona fide hero.
Ch. 3
1.Jazz music's roots are in the beginning of the 1900's in New Orleans. It was built upon the foundations of African and Western music traditions. Louis Armstrong was a famous trumpeter, and then eventually became an influential jazz singer. Instruments such as trumpet, drums, piano, and wind instruments were used.
2.Seven deadly sins are lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. Tom seems to be guilty of all of these things. Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, and Temperance are the seven cardinal virtues. Nick seems to have some of these inside of him.
3.He is straightforward and honest, like in the beginning of the novel when he tells Daisy how he feels. He has honorable values, similar to those of the chivalrous South. Baker parallels the east more because she is more dishonest.
Ch. 4
1.After the introduction of credit, people felt like they could have all of their wildest dreams and they wouldn't have to worry about things until later. This is probably why the American dream became a get-rich-quick scheme... that and the crash of the stock market.
2.“There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired,” seems to be an accurate representation of everyone in the book. Daisy is being pursued by Gatsby, Myrtle is being pursued by Tom, at a time Tom was pursuing Daisy, Nick is pursuing Baker, Baker is too busy for Nick, and Mr. Wilson has no idea what is going on.
3.Rising action, because the climax hasn't come yet....
4.Man I don't even know what this question wants from me. I ain't gonna lie.
5.Montenegro lost its independence after WWI despite being an Allied nation. Gatsby served in the military and received a medal of Valor, so he must have risked his life for others around him.
Ch. 5
1. Gatsby and Quixote are similar in that both try to save a woman that they love, and they both imagine the people they love to be somebody else in a way.
2. Tom and Wilson are similar because both of their wives are being stolen away.
3. When Gatsby is reunited with Daisy, they do not have that level of comfortability that they achieve until after a little while. Gatsby only lives to have Daisy for himself.
Ch. 6
1.The parties are a representation of how typical Americans in a similar situation would act. Gatsby was quite polite considering the majority of his guests were uninvited, but I suppose thats the way it worked back then. Who cared if someone was invited to your party?
2.“I’ve never met so many celebrities!’ Daisy exclaimed” (pg. 111).” Daisy sees celebrities and the entertainment business as a fun all the time and the perfect job.
3.Gatsby was more realistic as a boy and more optimistic as a man, which is generally the complete opposite for just about everyone.
4.Nick tried to help Gatsby rekindle his love with Daisy with the best of intentions. I suppose this makes him heroic in a sense.
5.When Gatsby yells about how you can repeat the past, he is trying to make Daisy feel the same way about him as she did before, but he can't see that she has moved on.
Ch. 7
1.Gatsby had a lot of parties as well as Trimalchio. He had many famous people over, and most of the time the guests didn't know where Gatsby was.
2.The blue eyes seen in the valley of ashes could represent purity, like the eyes of God or something crazy like that.
3.Both passages show that the American Dream is not the best thing you can hope for, because what will you do even if you do end up achieving and reaching your goal?
4.This quote is about Tom and Daisy. They both were miserable because they were cheating on each other, and they both were never really happy.
Ch. 8
1.Gatsby would be a production ehtic because he produces all of those parties that bring everyone to his mansion. Nick could be too, because he keeps the story rolling. The rest of the cast is more of a consumption ethic because they just do things for themselves.
2.Fitzgerald uses the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg as a symbol of God watching over everything. Wilson sees the eyes and thinks of them as God's eyes.
3.It seems like its the complete opposite of the holy grail quest. Everyone already has everything they need, and yet for some reason they want the grail anyways. I don't know man.
Ch. 9
1.The Dutch sailors who came to America with excitement. Gatsby looked at his dream of Daisy with excitement. The Dutchmen's dreams were torn down just as Gatsby's dream were torn down.
2.The book is an ironic twist because its dreamers, Tom and Myrtle want to have an affair and dream of being together somehow, just as Gatsby somehow thinks he and Daisy will work together again.
3.These statements help Gatsby's past unravel.
4.Fitzgerald makes statements about pseudo-intellectualism after manipulating others into showing the opposite of true intellectualism.
5.Everyone calls Jay Gatsby, Gatsby. This gave him a sort of mystique and power over everybody else who went by their normal first names.
6.Gatsby changes after he gets his long, lost love back. Nick has changed because he is now more responsible.
Chapter 1
1.They help the reader better understand the novel. To help the reader realize the time period, for example bringing in real events like when the narrator (Nick) says that Gatsby went to WWI and then became rich.
2.Tom was a guy who was muscular who felt like he had to be in control of his life but also Daisy’s. Fitzgerald’s main purpose describing Tom was to show his characteristics and what he is capable of doing. For example, late in the novel Tom tells Mr. Wilson that it was Gatsby’s car who hit Myrtle and since he told Gatsby.
3.The first chapter is a vital part of Fitzgerald’s novel. The reader gets to see the insight on the characters and they get to see the foreshadowing. The reader finds out more about the narrator(Nick) and finds out more about the scenery. Foreshadowing takes place when Nick describes Gatsby’s mansion. Later on in the story we find out that his mansion is across the bay from Daisy’s house.
Chapter 2
1.Nick refers to the Midwest as a society that had established values, as where the East was a completely different society, where the people would only think of themselves. “I’ve got a nice place here (pg.12).”Therefore, belief that the agrarian society was the epitome of the American Dream was there.
2.The light across the bay from Gatsby’s mansion was the Buchanan place. The green light represents the love and past that Gatsby awaited from Daisy. Gatsby’s reach for the light parallels with the American dream, something people want but usually never get it no matter how hard they work. In the beginning of Chapter 2, the valley of ashes is an industrial dump of ash. This represents the East, a place with a messed up society, and the greediness to get to their goals.
3.George Wilson can be seen to symbolize the American dream because he works to try to be like the people in the East and West Egg Village. He works hard for what he wants.
4.Fitzgerald’s poetic style makes the reader visualize what he is trying to say. He used figurative language to help better show the description of the woman’s face, by not just saying she looked old and had funny eyebrows.
5.Rumors spread about him. Some said he went to Oxford, he killed somebody, and so forth,(page 70).This considers Gatsby to be a mysterious archetypal hero. But we actually know he is a wealthy man and had fought in WWI, which makes him a hero.
Chapter 3
1.Jazz music began in the beginning of the twentieth century in New Orleans. Jazz has roots in the West African and Western areas of music traditions, including spirituals and blues. Louis Armstrong first achieved fame as a trumpeter, but toward the end of his career he was best known as a vocalist and was one of the most influential jazz singers. Pianos, trumpets, drums, and other instruments were used to create these wonderful pieces of music that expressed feeling.
2.Seven deadly sins would be lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. Tom represents mostly; greed, wrath when he talks about the car, envy when he admires the proportion of Gatsby riches, and pride when he makes his shack appear more than what it is. Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance are the seven cardinal virtues. He Nick is very prudent by asking Daisy to come over to his house for some tea.
3.He is very earnest, which is seen in the beginning of the novel where he tells
Daisy the kind of feeling he gets around her. He parallels the west in how he has remarkable values that stand out from others. Jordan parallels to the east by being more corrupt, more dishonest. She moved her golf ball to be able to get a better score.
Chapter 4
1.Once the credit card was invented the get rich pay later extravaganza happened. It made people feel like they could have anything. So whatever they desired they got. This is probably why the American dream turned into a get rich quick scheme. Another reason was the crash of the stock market. If you were rich you stayed rich, if you were poor you stayed poor, and if you were in the middle class you went down with the poor.
2.The line shows the whole book. Daisy is being pursued by Gatsby, Myrtle is being pursued by Tom, at a time Tom was pursuing Daisy, Nick is pursuing Jordan, Jordan is to busy for Nick, and Mr. Wilson has no idea what is going on until its too late.
3.This can be considered as a rising action due to Jordan telling everything to Nick about Daisy and Gatsby. Gatsby finally becomes united with his love Daisy.
4.Fitzgerald starts the chapter off by having Nick state who came from the party from the east and west side of Egg Village. “From East Egg, then, came the Chester Beckers and the Leeches and a man named Bunsen….” (pg.65). But introducing these characters does not really have an effect on how the story reveals itself later.
5.Montenegro was the only allied nation to lose its independence after WWI. While Gatsby was in the military, he received a medal for Valor Extraordinary. He saw death surrounding him and he risked his own life.
Chapter 5
1.Gatsby and Don Quixote are somewhat similar. Don Quixote imagines himself as a hero who goes on fake journeys to save the woman that he loves. But Gatsby loves Daisy and is trying to take her away. Gatsby remembers Daisy from the past and over time he built her up so much that he made an impression of her in his mind.
2.Tom and Wilson are similar due to the fact that both Tom and Wilson’s wives are being lured by other men, Myrtle loves Tom and Daisy loves Gatsby. Both men end up being really horrible, Tom ended up taking Daisy back and at the same time Wilson killed Gatsby because of Myrtle’s death.
3.When Gatsby and Daisy reunited it was not an immediate chemistry, giving them some awkward silent for a bit before they got use to each other again. Gatsby’s main purpose in life is to have Daisy for himself.
Chapter 6
1.The parties reveal how a typical American in the 1920’s would act. Mr. Gatsby is very polite due to the fact that most of his guests are not invited. Gatsby’s house was just the place to crash when he has a party to have fun and no cares what happens.
2.“I’ve never met so many celebrities!,”(pg. 111). Daisy feels as if celebrities are so beautiful and wonderful, and that she belongs there with the rest of them.
3.Gatsby as a boy was more realistic because he was following a dream that was practical. Gatsby as an adult had a dream of finding Daisy’s love for him but he truly did not know Daisy.
4.Nick was a man who had established values, with this he helped Gatsby try to get Daisy back into his arms. He does things with good intensions. Nick’s good personality makes him a hero in this story.
5.“Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can’t!” Gatsby can’t believe what has happened around him while he was gone and tries to recreate his past with his lover.
Chapter 7
1.Gatsby had a lot of attractive parties as well as Trimalchio. He had many of famous people from all over that came to his parties.
2.Blue eyes were seen on the valley of ashes. The blue eyes represent God as it watches over the valley. God sees everything, the sign saw everything.
3.Both passages show that the American dream is not the best goal for someone to hope for. If you do achieve the American dream what will do after. Also, they both express how to spend this time and the dangers of too much time.
4.Tom and Gatsby got in a fight in New York City and Daisy ran over Tom’s mistress. Tom and Daisy were miserable together they were both cheating on one another, but still had some feeling for the other.
Chapter 8
1.Gatsby would be considered as a production ethic because he is the person who likes to give others a good time. He is the one with all of the alcohol, dancing, and social rank that comes to parties. Nick would also be considered production ethic because he makes the whole story proceed. Every other character would be considered as a filler for the story.
2.Fitzgerald uses the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, as a symbol of God watching over the Eggs. Wilson sees the eyes and thinks of them as God’s.
3.Its like Gatsby is the knight and Daisy is the grail. The grail is impossible to find and conquer. It wouldn’t because Gatsby is going against religious values.
Chapter 9
1.The Dutch sailors that came to America coming with excitement and America is still pure. Gatsby’s view of Daisy was a pure one. The vision of the sailors changed, cities were built as nature was getting torn down. Just like Gatsby, he met Daisy, everything was alright at first and then she chose Tom over him because of life and how it was placed out.
2.The book is an ironic twist due to it having dreamers, Tom and Myrtle wanting to have an affair, Gatsby who is still in pursuit of his dream.
3.The corruption of Gatsby’s guests and Gatsby’s dream causes the story to come together in a sense that Gatsby’s past begins to unravel. His past unravels to know how he gained his wealth.
4.Fitzgerald makes statements about pseudo-intellectualism by showing the opposite of true intellectualism. It manipulates others as in the novel some characters did.
5.Fitzgerald does this by putting different names to people, for instance Jay Gatsby, is called Gatsby throughout the book. Nick even called him Gatsby and he was his close friend.
6.Both Nick and Gatsby changed, Gatsby changed due to the fact that he actually met his lost love Daisy, who he lived across the bay from. Nick changed because he became more of a parent, more responsible.
1. The historical references used in this book are to give the characters a sense of importance of where they come from and also to set a time period for the reader. “ the actual founder of my line was my grandfather’s brother, who came here in fifty-one, sent a substitute to the Civil War, and started the wholesale hardware business that my father carries on to-day.”
2. Daisy leans forward and speaks in almost a whisper because Fitzgerald tries to show her uncertainty and lack of self-confidence in a secretive manner. These actions go on to show how the people of the 1920’s, especially the stock market, knew that something was bound to go wrong but they kept doing what they did.
3. Fitzgerald introduces almost all the characters in order to give the reader a foreshadow of the whole story. By mentioning but never actually introducing the character for which the book is named after, Fitzgerald creates a sense of secretiveness and mystery.
Ch.2
1. If the American Dream were to become an agrarian society, America would probably be in ruin right now, The book gives hints that this type of society is the epitome of the American Dream when Nick sees all the bushels of fresh fruit in Gatsby’s backyard..
2. The green light may symbolize the bright future of industrialism and also signify giving society a “green light” to move ahead and prosper. The black and white scenario of the Valley of Ashes depicts the after math of an industrial society where all by-products and wastes are dumped leaving behind suffering for the poor people and minorities.
3. George Wilson is an example of the American Dream because he is a poor, simple man content with the life he lives but still wanting to prosper and better himself. His drive to get out of the slum and move into a higher society is the American Dream.
4. “Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on again at a more rakish angle, but the efforts of nature toward the restoration of the old alignment gave a blurred air to her face.” This poetic style used by Fitzgerald depicts the lie that society lived in at that time. The society wanted to hide the real problems and did so by twitching a few things along the way.
5. Many rumors surround Gatsby as to where he received his wealth and power from. He can be compared to Achilles because no one knew where he came from or how he was such a great warrior
Ch. 3
1. Jazz was the dominant music in the 1920’s. It consists of a fast paced, sometimes slow, rhythm with trumpets screeching over a steady, yet lively beat.
2. Everyone in the book has a certain virtue they abide by. Nick goes by the virtue of not judging other people. There can’t be good without evil and this is why all of the characters have sins against them like adultery, having someone else’s wife and dishonesty.
3. Jordan is a symbol of dishonesty because she cheated in one of her golf games which shows the corruptness of an industrial society. Nick’s withdrawal from and industrial or imperialistic way of life depicts honesty and integrity.
Ch. 4
1. The American Dream used to be a dream where everyone was happy and living morally comfortable, the dream was the pursuit of happiness. As the industrial age took over, happiness was defined not by how you felt but by how much you had. America became more materialistic.
2. “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” Is the most important line in this book because it reflects upon the society of the 1920’s and also the characters in the book.
3. Chapter four is a Dénouement because all it talks about is Gatsby’s past and clarifying any rumors or stories.
4. The people chosen by Nick are important people who shaped this country into what it is today. They were the rich folks of the time which brought America into prosperity for several years.
5. Montenegro was a part of the Republic of Yugoslavia which during WWI became an Independent kingdom.
Ch.5
1. Gatsby can be a counterpart to Don Quixote because they both live a lie. Don Quixote wanted to be famous and well known by doing actions that were several hundreds years old. Gatsby himself, although he despised social interaction, threw parties every weekend in his house and made a name for himself.
2. Both Tom and George have the same problem. They can’t please their women. Georges’s wife is sick of living a poor woman’s life and is lured by clean cut men, money and bling -bling. Tom’s wife is sick of having a husband who has all the money in the world but not enough love towards her.
3. The reunion with Daisy is the beginning of his dream come true but the end of his life because when Tom finds out about their affair, Gatsby eventually ends up getting shot.
Ch.6
1. Parties in the 1920’s weren’t necessarily thrown just to kick back and enjoy an evening of drinking and social interaction. It was more of a game to see who could throw the biggest and best party without going broke.
2. Daisy willingly is ready to run away with Gatsby and leave her husband. The director leaning over his wife might show love and support in that relationship which is what her relationship with tom lacks but is abundant with Gatsby
3. The boy on the yacht was a boy with hopes and dreams, he had a life. The older Gatsby who waits for his one true love to come to him is living a lie because he thinks that money can buy anything. When someone stands on a porch and looks at a green light night in and night out, throws parties but never goes to them and waits for his true love to come to him is someone with no life.
4. Nick is the hero because he doesn’t give into capitalist America and sees both sides of the problem and settles with what best suits him the most.
5. Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. And then one fine morning— So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." This quote concludes the novel and finds Nick returning to the theme of the significance of the past to dreams of the future.
Ch7
1. Trimalchio went from nothing to everything after inheriting money and was known for his dinner parties just like Gatsby was known for his parties, ecept no one knew where his wealth cam from.
2. The eyes in this book symbolize the blindness of America in seeing how industrialization and capitalism is greatly affecting the country.
3. Both the passages and The Great Gatsby talk about the difficulties of earning a living during the industrial age and focus on the real problems faced in life
4. This quote shows when people show emotions when really they feel something else. It shows how the characters face their problems and how they make it seem that they’re problems are someone else’s fault.
Ch.8
1. The economy is based upon supply and demand. The more people consume a product the more that product is going to be produced. The more Daisy seeks love, respect and care, Gatsby is supplying her with substantial amounts.
2. Fitzgerald tries to show how in order to achieve the American Dream, all the fantasies and illusions have to be separated from reality. The reality is that money isn’t going to make itself, you have to go make it yourself. Don’t wish for your dreams to come true, make them come true.
3. The American Dream can be seen as the grail and society as the knights. The way in which the knights go in search of the grail differs from person to person. There’s George who has nothing but is constantly trying to better himself and then there is Gatsby who knows a few tricks and got rich fast.
Ch.9
1. Gatsby is so involved with his money that he doesn’t have the time to sit back and enjoy the beauty of life because he is too caught up in his dreams.
2. It is ironic because it seems like the characters unable to face the reality of life, the ones living a lie, end up dead.
3. Those phrases show that money isn’t everything. Money can’t buy love, happiness or bring someone back to life. The 1920’s was an era where everyone wanted what they couldn’t have.
4. Fitzgerald shows names wisely. Daisy is a soft, beautiful, delicate character just like a real daisy. Gatsby is something different, not common, which adds mystery to the character. Nick is an ordinary reasonable name and therefore is given to the character with the most reasonable outlook on life.
5. Gatsby learns in the end that there are certain things that you cant have and money can’t buy. Nick learns to appreciate his life before West Egg and sees the flaws in an industrial and capitalist economy.
-Christian Torres
Ricardo Medina Per: 4
Chapter: 1
1. The references to the historical people is a good way to start out the novel in order to introduce the reader to the topic and enhance their comprehension of the text. It helps the reader to grasp the plot, conflict, setting, and novel as a whole.
2. Tom is extremely big in size and is extremely intimidating. He had a very deep and stern voice. He might also be seen as a bully. The speaker chooses to thoroughly describe these characters in order for the readers to realize the type of people they were which would directly reflect on their role in the novel.
3. The first chapter is extremely important to the novel as a whole. It is a well written introduction and transition to the actual story and plot of the novel. We are able to gain insight and information on who and how the characters are. We are able to foreshadow events in the novel through the depiction of a racist and bias scene we are given in the first chapter due to Tom and Daisy’s belief in white supremacy.
Chapter: 2
1. Nick constantly alludes to his early life in the Midwest and how it was a country of “wide lawns and friendly trees”. He describes this place as a paradise in the middle of America which enhances the perspective of the reader toward the country and agrarian life. This alludes to the idea of agrarian life being the typical and ultimate “American Dream.”
2. The Green light symbolized Gatsby’s chance to achieve his goal which was to seduce Daisy due to her beauty and wealth. However the valley of ashes symbolizes the exact opposite which is the failure of the people who attempt to achieve their goals but are ultimately unable to fulfill their desires.
3. Like the typical American Dreamer, Wilson looked to become wealthy which utterly represents his pursuit of the “American Dream.” He puts full effort, heart, and work into achieving what he wants.
4. Fitzgerald includes imagery in his poetic style in an effort to enhance detail and the comprehension of the reader. “They stood on my shelf in red and gold like new money.” Fitzgerald also utilizes similes and metaphors to get his point across to the reader. “Sky bloomed in the window for a moment like the blue honey.” Despite his great variation in figures of speech, Fitzgerald is able to maintain a constant tone throughout the whole novel.
5. Spiderman was at first seen as a mysterious creature that helped out the people of New York, and Gatsby too was seen as an extremely wealthy man that satisfied the people through his frequent parties and reunions. The fact that he is never at his parties makes him mysterious and causes people to make rumors just like in Spiderman’s case.
Chapter: 3
1. Jazz was an emerging genre of music back in the 1920’s. It was becoming extremely popular, especially among young people. This time period was reflected in Gatsby’s parties because that was the type of music that was played at his parties. The purpose of Jazz music was to help express people’s feelings and to create a new form of radical entertainment. A popular form of Jazz was introduced by African Americans and it was known as “the blues” this type of music directly represented feelings and emotions.
2. The list of the seven deadly sins include: Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, and Anger. The seven cardinal virtues include: self-control, kindness, humility, love, faith, zeal, and generosity. Mr. Wilson lacks in self-control and kindness, especially against his wife. Tom secretes anger against the blacks and greed for himself and the white race in general.
3. Nick is very quiet and humble which makes him a great listener. He is very honest, bold, and courageous. He could be seen as a person who everyone would look up to. Jordan Baker was extremely dishonest, corrupt, and selfish, and seems to be bi-polar. She is the exact opposite of Nick.
Chapter: 4
1. The American Dream has succumbed to mercenary. This is a result of selfish wealthy people who only think about themselves and ultimately causes phenomena such as The Valley of Ashes.
2. The epigram is directly associated with the development of plot and characters. It is an extremely crucial line in the novel. The persecution symbolizes Gatsby’s persecution of Daisy, while the jigsaw puzzle symbolizes Mr. Wilson and his complicated and stressful life in his pursuit of the American Dream.
3. This particular chapter is a representation of the “inciting moment” in the in the pyramid of dramatic structure because the meeting set up by Nick is held in the fifth chapter which proceeds this chapter.
4. Nick’s list included all the wealthy and significant people of the time period. This enabled us to see Gatsby’s importance as a person due to the “high quality” of assistants at his parties.
5. Montenegro suffered German invasion and as a result lost its independence by the culmination of the war. Montenegro was vastly attacked and destroyed by Germany and the Central Powers. Gatsby too was greatly affected and ultimately killed by issues affecting his surrounding peers.
Chapter: 5
1. Gatsby was wealthy and famous while Don Quixote was not as fortunate or successful.
2. Tom and Wilson are very alike in that they both have unfaithful women. Both of their wives don’t feel strong emotions towards their husbands, therefore they fall back on other men to please them and satisfy their needs as women. These affairs occur while Tom and Wilson love their wives and believe they are being loyal.
3. The reunion between Daisy and Gatsby is random, weird, and complicated due to their surprise and lack of conversation. Progressively they began reminiscing and talking until Daisy finally decides she is in love with him due to her “gold-digging” manners.
Chapter: 6
1. Most of the guests at Gatsby’s parties are extremely wealthy and significant people. This directly reflects the diversity in America regarding the social ladder and the segregation of the wealthy and the poor in the 1920’s. This was also a time of prohibition, but the wealthy people were able to get away with it due to the corruption and complicity of cops.
2. The speaker definitely utilizes “magnifying film” to make the characters in the film symbolize Daisy’s dreams, hopes, and aspirations with regards to Gatsby.
3. Young Gatsby was raised seeing many people get drunk and abuse the use of alcohol. This inspired and dissuaded Gatsby out of drinking and this is part of the reason to why he would never attend his own parties due to the excessive peer pressure and drinking.
4. Nick can easily be seen as the hero of the story due to his bold battles and fighting during World War I. He can also be seen as a hero through his character and personality due to the fact that he is an open-minded, straight-forward, and honest gentleman who is respected by most people. Nick was also an extremely caring and generous human being.
Chapter: 7
1. Trimalchio was an extremely perseverant former slave who ultimately acquired great wealth much like Gatsby. Both Gatsby and Trimalchio are not only wealthy but famous as well due to their extravagant and exquisite parties. They are both honored and respected in their particular societies.
2. The Doctor’s fading eyes are painted on a billboard in the Valley of Ashes. Fitzgerald utilizes these eyes to symbolize God’s view and peek whole on the greedy, racist, rebellious, and bias American society.
3. The similarities in these passages suggest that life in America is “survival of the fittest”. One must rush to find their way to success before the other in order to survive. This is what ultimately makes Americans selfish and greedy.
4. People are not necessarily happy or unhappy with their lives but they are simply satisfied. This creates a sense of conformity in American lives. Tom and Daisy are both extremely and egotistic because they only look out and care for themselves much like the American society in general.
Chapter: 8
1. The American Dream consists of gaining as much wealth as possible at the cost of others or even at the cost of breaking the law. Gatsby was able to do this through the selling and production of illegal drugs. He represents production because even though he is breaking the law, he produces money, fame, and wealth for himself. Tom represents consumption because he spends a lot of money on corruption in order to get things his way.
2. The speaker alludes to the fact that Americans are easily fooled by mere images of advertisements and they are easily consumed by society itself. People begin to live the type of life they believe society wants them to live, this ultimately leads to unhappiness due to the fact that they don’t pursue their own dreams and by the time they realize this they are too late.
3. The Knight directly correlates with Gatsby, yet he is not searching for the “grail” or for wealth and fame because he has already obtained it, instead he is pursuing the love of his life, while a knight already has that.
Chapter: 9
1. Nick makes a comparison between the Dutch and Gatsby because they are both living in their own little bubble pursuing something unattainable that will ultimately lead them to their demise. They are determined to give everything to obtain their desires, yet they end up giving up their lives and they can no longer enjoy their success.
2. This is ironic because they all failed to achieve their own particular “American Dream”. Gatsby ended up loosing even his life but to no avail.
3. The fact that Gatsby has used bribing and corruption to obtain his great wealth and success is ironic because he is still not happy and the corruption and bribing cannot help him win over the missing piece to his life; Daisy. His past is progressively revealed to everyone.
4. Fitzgerald makes statements about pseudo-intellectualism through the manifestation of ignorance or the opposite of intellectualism. This ignorance and dishonesty is often used throughout the course of the novel due to its malicious manners.
5. Fitzgerald alludes to the fact that one can only obtain a “proper name” by climbing up the social ladder and fulfilling the American Dream and gaining wealth, much like Gatsby and all the people that attended his parties.
6. Gatsby lost sight and interest in wealth and discovered that he could only obtain happiness through the love of Daisy, but unfortunately for him it is too late. Gatsby progressively realizes that things don’t always go as planned and that nothing is perfect in this world. Nick seemed a bit disapproving and envious of Gatsby’s success but near the end of the novel he realized that Gatsby had very few true friends in life.
R. Tasbihchi
Chapter 1
1. The literature book makes quite identical resemblances to some of the characters in the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. If one looks hard enough, there can be named one piece of literature to represent each character in The Great Gatsby.
2. Each character was different in their own way. Daisy seemed very naïve and to be the typical flirty girl that lived for enjoyment. Tom was the one who would like to pick fights, to be the one who would like to stir up trouble. Jordan was poised in an almost motionless stance, and talked calmly, as if she was the more considerate and pensive of all the three.
3. This would set the plot for the entire novel. As, the first characters that are introduced, will be the ones that end up staying alive. Tom receives a phone call, setting up the conspiracy that will follow through the entire novel.
Chapter 2
1. An exact agrarian society accordingly to the time period would be more of farming and plantations. Meaning the white would live together in harmony, by trading and selling products. Mean while, the other races will be enslaved into doing the labor.
2. Both the light and the ashes create a sense of mystery. The light is used to create a creepy and secretive sense, as so the color resembles. The gray creates a cloud of unknowing, that will soon be cleared to the proceeding.
3. Wilson is the typical American in a time period of such. He was not exactly rich, but was trying hard and living an honest life. Also, like all Americans of the time, he was trying to rise in his situation.
4. F. Scott Fitzgerald goes into detail of almost every aspect. However, he keeps his metaphors strictly literal, meaning not as poetic.
5. Gatsby resembles an archetypical, or new age, hero in many ways. He accomplished the task of going from being poor to rich, from useless to powerful, from a nobody to a popular icon. He remains in only one love affair, and does not do any sins.
Chapter 3
1. Most instruments allotted the extreme tones; very deep, or upbeat and high. This was the sense of the lifestyle of the people. Varying from sad and relaxing, to quick-paced and exciting.
2. Mostly all characters in The Great Gatsby commit sins. From the sin of cheating or having an affair, or dating one who is in a relationship. Even to the point of keeping secrets and talking behind one’s back.
3. Both Nick and Jordan are the quiet type. Nick is the silent and honest, who just absorbs the good in people by not taking any judgments. Jordan is the opposite as how she presumes the worst of everyone she meets.
Chapter 4
1. The American Dream seems to be really torn apart. The values no longer seem to be the same. Earning an honest living used to be part of the dream, as well as loving one’s neighbor. The new style of dream conspires against everyone else, as people will do whatever it takes to get rich.
2. Each main character can be resembled from the quote. Nick is the tired, of who does nothing in action. Gatsby is the pursuing, as he constantly wants to gain the love of his life. Tom is the busy, as he wants to start a ruckus and destroy Gatsby. Daisy is the pursued, quite literally being pursued by two men.
3. This chapter seems to be most like the catalyst or rising action. As Tom persist on finding out who is Gatsby, and continues his little adventures with Myrtle. This will eventually all lead up to a confrontation or fight.
4. Mr. P. Jewett was a member of the American Legion. This was used by F. Scott Fitzgerald because of his characters Nick and Gatsby had just finished WW1.
5. Gatsby’s medal could have been almost impossible to obtain. Montenegro was a individual nation that had allied themselves with the Axis powers, the enemy of the Allied forces.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby is similar to Don Quixote. Gatsby goes on long adventures just like his counterpart. Although the reasoning is different, both go on a quest to figure out their own life.
2. Wilson and Tom both have wives that are unfaithful. Both women were concerned with money, somehow in their marriage. Myrtle chooses to leave Wilson because he does not provide enough funds. Daisy fundamentally married Tom only for his money, in her moment of weakness away from her love.
3. Gatsby begins tumbling downhill, in sense of his success path, from there on out. His whole goal was to win back Daisy. Having found her, there was nothing more he needed to do. He would give up anything and everything for the love of Daisy.
Chapter 6
1. Each quest seems to have some sort of life problems. Their reasoning for coming to the party was mainly to get drunk and relieve their pains. Most commonly, the lot of the party goers were not invited, but just loved to have a fun time and crash at somewhere.
2. Daisy enjoys viewing the couple of actress and director. The two seemed to be the only ones in the party that were in their own little bubble and glow. Daisy probably wishes that she could have a relation with someone, thus that she would not care of others.
3. Jay Gatsby seemed to have gone through a total transition. He went from being the hardworking nobody into the carefree popular idol. His lifestyle used to be more realistic, he would have to work to scrap by life. His newer lifestyle seems too surreal, as he has all the money in the world, and nothing bothers him.
4. Nick is the real hero in the story since he does nothing wrong. He chooses not to do anything to do harm to anyone. He goes from being the simple man, to still being the simple role-model of what an honorable man should be like.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio was a slave that went from rags to riches. As so did James Gatz turn into the great Jay Gatsby.
2. Eyes are shown throughout the entire novel. This is a direct link to how the people in the book seem to be blinded by love. Not one single person was able to predict or foresee the future consequences of any of their actions.
3. The similarities between the quotes and the passage are quite plain. They are both of places that are disliked, and about which people constantly want to escape, or would want to get out of.
4. This basically references to how the couple of Daisy and Tom was so awkward. Both fell in love with other people, maybe even more than once. Yet, both always come back to the one they were married with. The sense of having a cushion to fall back upon makes the relationship between the two last.
Chapter 8
1. The consumption ethic is most vivid in the character of Daisy. She married Tom for money, and loves Gatsby. She is always vying for nothing more than attention. The production ethic is shown in Nick. He gives everything he has in his power to help his new friend, Gatsby. Nick seems to be the middleman in all relations throughout the novel.
2. The eyes and sight still continue to show up in the novel. The visibility is an expression of how the characters are always in the shadows of secrecy, trying not to be seen or found out.
3. Gatsby can be related to a tragic tale of a knight. He goes through rigorous life training, as do squires. He returns to America, his kingdom, to retrieve his jewel, Daisy. However, in the end, like the fallen knights of the past, he does not make it completely, and is ultimately killed.
Chapter 9
1. Nick makes Long Island seem like some sort of far-off paradise. The Dutch sailors that claimed New York originally under their own (other) name must have thought the beautiful land to be too good to be real. F. Scott Fitzgerald makes it seem this way for Gatsby, as he dies in paradise, when his life seemed all but complete.
2. The American Dream was corrupted, yet still kept in place. Americans still searched and strived to attain what they wanted. The means, however, of attempting such was in a wrong manner.
3. It was true, as most of Gatsby’s guests simply wanted to use him for his money. Gatsby’s dream was to live with Daisy, which was in his own grasp. This dream was not corrupt, but could not quite happen just yet. Thus, having no sins in his thought process, Gatsby was incorrupt.
4. Pseudo-intellectualism is granted to the rich in this book. However, in reality, both types of men, poor or rich, could have the same intellectual being.
5. James Gatz was the original character, with a common simple name. After going through hard work to live, like any other person, he changed his name. Once he was rich, his name was transformed into Jay Gatsby. A name more uncommon, and more suiting to give a mysterious aura around him.
6. Nick seemed not to have changed throughout the entire novel. Nick is consistently the common, simple, and honest man. Gatsby, on the other hand, makes many changes. He was first very mysterious and not very social. His past was a hard working, of which he altered into becoming rich. Throughout the majority of life, he was constantly trying to strive to better himself, as so his father stated. However, once Daisy returned into his life, there was no reason to ascend.
Thomas Barter Period 5
Chapter 1
1. This reference helps the reader understand the time period of the novel. It also adds realism into the story, which allows the reader to believe that these events could possibly happen.
2. Daisy speaks in a tone that conveys that she knows something that everyone else doesn't. She also shows the reader how most women of this time period looked and acted.
3. The first chapter allows the reader to get a glimpse of every character in the novel. It also shows the reader how these specific characters interact with one another.
Chapter 2
1. To have an agrarian society, America would have to stop using their modern technology. Since one of America's aspects is to progess in technology, we can't have an agrarian society.
2. The green light has a meaning of achievement and success, as the gray light represented the poor and forgotten.
3. George Wilson is content with his life, even though he is highly poor. As long as he sustains his money, he is satisfied.
4. Fitzgerald uses metaphors and similes to shows his views on the industrial era. He shows the bad sides that he views.
5. Hercules was considered a hero for his strength and bravery, and Gatsy can be considered a hero for his notable accomplishments.
Chapter 3
1. Jazz was a common form of music during this time period. It was another form of showing how one view their sadness, but through music.
2. Sins: greed, anger, envy, lust, sloth, pride, and gluttony
Virtues: generosity, meekness, humility, charity, zeal, moderation, chastity
Each character had a few of these in their personality, but some had more sins that virtues.
3. Nick tends to keep himself away from capitalism thus showing his honesty and honorablility. Jordan can be viewed as a dishonest person because she represents the evil capitistic world.
Chapter 4
1. The natural greed of a man has overcome the "American Dream" and has improved all aspects of everyones lives.
2. This quotes describes the four main characters in the novel.
3. Denouement. This chapter is the where the reader begins to learn more about Gatsby and his mysterious self.
4. Nick's list contains the people that attend Gatsby's parties. The list holds the most powerful Americans of the time.
5. Montenegro was where Archduke Francis Ferdinand was shot and started WWI.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby and Don Quixote are complete opposites becaues Gatsby believes in thriving in riches, but Don Quixote believs in pride, honor, and glory.
2. George Wilson and Tom Buchanan both share traits. They both don't have faith in their wives and they expect their wives to be the best they can be.
3. The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby is what bring Gatsby down to his knees. This reunion in the end of the novel is what gets Gatsby murdered.
Chapter 6
1. Parties during this time period were only for the host's gain. The host would only throw the party to their own self-gain, not to entertain.
2. Fitzgerald is just magnifying the film, because Daisy did see herself in that position, which is the reason she felt she had to leave her husband.
3. The boy on the yacht demonstrates Gatsby as a young child, where he had a meaning of life. Now as an adult, Gatsby is just chasing Daisy and has no other meaning.
4. Nick can be viewed a hero in this novel, because he doesn't follow the rest of America down the road of capitalism.
5. "You can't repeat the past.''Can't repeat the past?' he cried incredulously. 'Why of course you can!'" (Page 110) This line shows that Gatsby is living in the past and won't accept that people change over time.
Chapter 7
1. Trimachilo used to be a slave, but now he just throws very large dinner parties.
2. The eyes represented American people not realizing what they are truly doing in their lives.
3. Both are almost alike because they both demonstrate the problems that Americans had during this time period.
4. The quote shows how characters dealth with their own problems.
Chapter 8
1. I think that Fitzgerald's message about the American Dream was that you need a balance in consumption and production or you will mess up the economy.
2. Fitzgerald's statement is fairly easy because he just states that she has to seperate her fantasies with reality.
3. It is like Knights trying to reach their Grail as the Americans are trying to reach their goal or dream.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares Gatsby to Dutch sailors because both are known for stealing and pirating.
2. With all the characters in the story, it just adds an irony to the story because throughout the story, these characters are all trying to achieve their "American Dream", yet they are all so different.
3. These frases are what pull the novel together to form a story.
4.Pseudo-intellectualism is demonstrated throughout the novel and chapter 9.
5. Fitzgerald named his characters to represent how they act. For example, Nick is a common and simple name, and Nick in the story was a very calm man that didn't follow the rest of America.
6. Gatsby throughout the novel realizes that his odd dreams can't be achieved. Nick on the other hand just unaffected by capitalism and lives his life as he had been.
Chapter 1
1. There were many references to famous people from literature and history. Midas the king with the golden touch is mentioned in the story. Nick tries to learn about banking and investing to make money out of nothing similar to Midas. References like this one help the reader compare the actions of the characters to people they readily recognize
2. Daisy is a very alluring character. She speaks in a low voice that brings people in closer to her. She is the prize that Gatsby is fighting for so she is described as beautiful and her tendency to draw people in makes her even more attractive.
3. The first chapter introduces all of the characters in the story. Nick is introduced as the neighbor of Gatsby and it is explained that Gatsby throws huge parties. Daisy is revealed to be Nicks cousin and Tom her husband, and Jordan her best friend. We find out about Tom’s mistress and what everyone thinks about her. The introduction of the characters in chapter one is important because it allows us to form opinions about the characters from the beginning of the story. The social status of each character is established which is important because social status is one of the main themes of the story.
Chapter 2
1. The people in the story live in huge houses with plenty of land but not in an agricultural area. “This is a valley of ashes- a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens…” These people are fulfilling the American Dream of pursuing happiness and obtaining the items you desire. The people in the story don’t do physical labor but work for the things they have.
2. The green light at the end of the dock is representing Gatsby’s goal. Gatsby wants daisy and the light is out across the lake as is Daisy. The grey of the valley of ashes is the obstacle keeping Daisy out of Gatsby’s reach.
3. George Wilson is a mechanic with his own garage. He is his own man and is a good representation of the American dream of making your own destiny. He is in the lower class and fights to improve his life.
4. Fitzgerald uses a poetic style while describing characters. He is disciplined while describing his characters because he paints a vivid mental picture without rambling.
5. Gatsby is a very mysterious person. No one really knows him personally they only see him publicly. This is very similar to a super hero type of character being that he is very famous and everyone knows who he is but no one knows his real self.
Chapter 3
1. Jazz is the main music of the era. Jazz music is very upbeat and represented the changes in society during the period. The women of the time were being more outgoing and started having more choices in life.
Chapter 4
1. The American dream of creating your own life and opportunities has been destroyed by materialistic desires. People are no longer trying to earn everything they want they are trying to find easier ways to get them like credit or loans. People also turn to illegal means such as bootlegging to make easy money instead of an honest living. Because Gatsby became rich by mysterious means many people jumped to the conclusion that he became rich by bootlegging.
2. “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” This statement shows that at the same time all of the characters are pursuing the other while not noticing the others. Nick is pursuing Jordan who is busy with her golfing career, Gatsby is pursuing Daisy who is busy with her husband Tom, and Tom is Pursuing Myrtle. The characters are all in pursuit but are to busy for anything to happen.
3. This chapter is rising action. Jordan tells Nick about the past between Daisy and Gatsby. In this chapter a tea time is also set up a tea time so that Gatsby and Daisy can see each other. These events lead to the climax.
5. The Montenegrin army fought valiantly and had many casualties but managed to cause great damage to the Axis troops. Gatsby got an award for valor in the battle which is consistent with the historical events of the battle.
Chapter 5
1. Don Quixote is a character that imagines himself as a hero going on adventures to save the woman he loves. Gatsby is a similar character. He is viewed as a hero by one and is on a journey to earn the love of Daisy, the woman he loves.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson are two very different people that share some similarities. Both of them love Myrtle Wilson. Both of the characters wives cheat on them. They both do crazy things because of losing their loved ones. Tom vents his anger by yelling and trying to fight Gatsby. George murders Gatsby because he thinks that Gatsby murdered Myrtle.
3. When Gatsby and Daisy meet at the tea party they instantly regain their feelings for each other. Gatsby had been trying to get Daisy back for years and he achieved this. Now he had to figure out what to do with his life.
Chapter 6
1. Gatsby’s parties were full of uninvited guests. This shows that people wanted to have a good time. They didn’t even know Gatsby but knew that his parties were fun and they went just to have a good time.
2. Daisy can picture herself in the growing film industry. It was full of fame and money and she admired the affection the director shows his wife.
4. In the story Nick is a common friend to everyone. He isn’t involved in the problems of the others and they all confide to him. They all seek his advice when things go wrong. Nick is kind of the middle man he sets up the meeting of Daisy and Gatsby and is the witness of all the events that occur.
5. “Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!” Gatsby is shocked when Nick says that you can’t relive the past. His whole life Gatsby has been chasing his past with Daisy. He wants to have what he used to have with her and can’t let go of the past.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio is a character from the Roman novel The Satyricon. In this story Trimalchio is a fat greedy man who loved to spend money and throw lavish parties. Trimalchio grew up poor and later became rich and popular. Gatsby was a very similar character to Trimalchio until the day he stopped throwing parties so that he could have Daisy over.
2. The eyes in the story represent how we see the world. Each person is blind to what the others are doing until they finally witness it themselves. The all seeing eyes across the street from George Wilson’s garage witnessed all the cheating and many other events from the story viewing a wider perspective than any of the individual characters.
4. “They weren’t happy . . . and yet they weren’t unhappy either. There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture, and anybody would have said that they were conspiring together.” Tom and Daisy weren’t happy with each other because they were both cheating. They still had each other though and they cared for each other sot they also weren’t unhappy. It seemed that they weren’t perfect for each other but were compatible enough to live a happy life.
Chapter 8
1. Gatsby, Tom, and George represent a production ethic. Nick, Daisy, and Jordan represent a consumption ethic. From this you can assume that the American dream is people supporting each other to provide happiness for all.
2. Fitzgerald sees the views of individuals as incomplete. Each person doesn’t see the all of the events that are occurring and therefore doesn’t know the whole story. Many of the events in the story reflect the small part of the story that each person sees.
3. The knights on the quest for the Holy Grail were on a quest for a mythical artifact that they could never obtain. Gatsby was on a quest for Daisy, a married woman, who he could never have. Though the object the knights were chasing was much different than the girl of Gatsby’s dreams both of their quests were in vain.
Chapter 9
1. Nick Compares Gatsby to the Dutch Sailors because they are both reaching for a far away goal. This also represents his conclusion on hoping and dreams.
2. This story mocks the American Dream. Tom and Myrtle, Daisy and Gatsby, George and Myrtle, none of these couples accomplished the American dream because of the tragic loss of one of the people involved. This is a mockery of the ideal of living a happy life with the one you love and providing for yourself. In the end it is kind of assumed that Tom and Daisy finally live the American dream after they leave.
3. Gatsby’s guests begin to take more and more from Gatsby as the story continues on. Gatsby gets more and more absorbed by his quest for Daisy and takes no notice of the corruption around him. Once Gatsby saw that Daisy didn’t enjoy his parties he stopped having them allowing him privacy with her.
4. Gatsby is a pseudo-intellectual character. He creates a whole persona saying that he attended Oxford. He fakes creates this fake life to try and become a gentleman.
5. Fitzgerald uses the characters proper names to make the characters sound more important. By calling the characters Mr. or Mrs. They sound much more proper and of higher social class.
6. Gatsby has changed since the beginning of the story. In the beginning he threw lavish parties to try and fill his house with interesting people. At the end of the story his focus was entirely on Daisy and he stopped throwing the parties to pursue her. Nick is in pursuit of a better life in the beginning of the story and wanted to move up in society. It seemed at the end of the story that he realized that he preferred his life to that of the rich.
E. Jureack, P.5
The Great Gatsby Answers
Chapter ONE
1. “I bought a dozen volumes on banking and credit and investment securities and they stood on my shelf in red and gold like new money from the mint, promising to unfold the shining secrets that only Midas and Morgan and Mæcenas knew,” (8). From this quote we gather that Carraway read the works of these economic geniuses in order to attain their knowledge and hopefully to benefit from them. Fitzgerald, too, used this alluding technique in order to gain an emotional appeal to the reader – they would be able to reflect upon their knowledge of the given historical figure and realize what the narrator was attempting to accomplish. Likewise, in his description of the “Eggs” of Long Island, he referenced them as, “not perfect ovals – like the egg in the Columbus story they are both crushed flat,” (9). In referencing to a familiar story, like that of Columbus’, we can get a sense of what the two Eggs looked like.
2. Daisy is tagged with talking in a lower voice and leans forward. Per this description, Daisy is disguised as a woman with grace, beauty, elegance – in a sense, a wealthy, sophisticated woman. However, the mask she puts on covers up her true self – a flaky, superficial, overly-sarcastic woman. She puts on this persona to attract the rich – Gatsby. Fitzgerald’s purpose in putting in people of this character was to deliver to his readers different people of society of the 1920’s and deliver them in a realist fashion (in their true form).
3. In the first chapter, we are given every example of society, delving into the life of one particular individual, and what his interactions, desires, and ideology do in this society. This first chapter delivers to the reader the basis for everything in this novel – both plot and subplots. From this first chapter, we’re able to analyze each individual and their place within the novel – the role of Gatsby, the drama of love and scandal, etc. We are also given the basis for how to judge the characters, with Nick’s father’s wisdom, “remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had,” (5).
Chapter TWO:
1. It is evident that the Valley of Ashes, location of the products of industrial waste, is the “farmland” of the story, explained as, “A certain desolate area of land…this is a valley of ashes – a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into grotesque gardens,” (27). If this “farmland” had been the epitome of the American dream, it would be a horrible one at that. The poorest of the Eggs live there – Nick does not even consider this valley a part of Long Island, but, rather, a place where rubbish is placed. Fitzgerald shows that an agrarian society only facilitates poorness, but is needed for the good of the people. The industrial life is exemplified as a better life – the American way of life.
2. The green light is a light at the end of a dock, far away, seemingly trance-like. The grayness of the valley of the ashes is not appealing at all, and nobody wants to look at the omniscient filth. The green light seems like something you wish to have, would try anything to get, and something to hope for, to live for. The green light was presented as a dream – one that reveals the desires of anyone who longs for this mysterious light. The gray refuse seemed like something no one would ever want – something of a desperate soul, wanting such a low accomplishment to settle for the garbage sector of the Eggs.
3. George Wilson is a lost soul – he is poor, his house sits upon the valley of the ashes, and he has been stained the color that of the ashes. He knows he has two things: his love and his work ethic – the minimum prerequisites for striving towards the American dream with any success. Wilson is the prime example of one attempting to gain the dream that everyone desires, because no matter how detrimental his life is, he always strives to make everything for the better and reaching for his dreams, no matter the cost. He wants the dream, he wants to move into the West Egg, he wants to be happy and rich.
4. Fitzgerald presents his writing with to-the-point ideas and descriptions with very little or no trailing off. His writing takes on a vernacular style to which everyone is able to read and understand what he is trying to convey. This control shows how he is disciplined, for he is able to break away from his educated vocabulary and present a clear, concise idea and it can be understood. His metaphors and imagery, too, are like this; they are presented in full, and are understood as if the reader himself could formulate that literature.
5. With respect to ANY hero, Gatsby fits the description. A hero is, before, and unknown, quick to rise to fame, and is brave. Nobody talks about Gatsby until talk of his crazy parties comes to pass. It is here when Gatsby rises to fame and is the flavor of the week, on the tip of everyone’s tongue. At this point, we know nothing about Gatsby as a person, only that he has a “handsome” personality. But as the novel progresses, we learn more about his cunning and bravery to everyday (and not-so-everyday) situations.
Chapter THREE:
1. Jazz music was KING in the roaring 20’s. It was with jazz people could release their inhibitions and turn into their innermost beast and have fun. The saxophone seemed like the master key for doing this: it could release anyone from their body and become the fun beings they were meant to be. Jazz was played at Gatsby’s parties, which is why they were so notorious for being fun. The use of this musical type in literature gives of the idea that through the power of music, people can live and be free.
2. Sins?! What are sins?! ARE THEY CURVES?! The seven deadly sins are pride, envy, anger, avarice, sadness, gluttony, and lust. The seven cardinal virtues, inversely, are faith, hope, charity, fortitude, justice, prudence, and temperance. Nearly all the rich characters (mainly the East Egg) contain the “deadly sins” in their personalities. Nearly all the other characters (West Egg and the valley of ashes) represent the cardinal virtues (to an extent). The East Eggs are selfish, have covered-up pessimism and sadness, and delve into everything superficial and material. The West Eggs and valleys are good people (for the most part), but sometimes tap into the pool of sin when selfishness presents itself; the valleys always strive for something, and represent the best people within the novel, however they, too, can tap into the sin pool – but not nearly as often as others.
3. Nick and Jordan are opposites, however have similarities and differences. Nick is presented as the truthful one, and likely so, for he has not lied at all (so we assume) since the start of his narrative. Oppositely, Jordan is presented as the dishonest one, for ever since her introduction, we have seen her lie. When Nick lies or tells the truth, he chooses not to tell us, but, he tells us when he knows that Jordan lies. Therefore, it should be much more obvious when she lies than he does.
Chapter FOUR:
1. The American dream is having the ability to have anything, upon request, at any time with little detriment to the wallet – a very materialistic standpoint. Since this American dream is based on materialistic values, it succumbs easily when one has everything they need and want boredom ensues, and the individual becomes unhappy. With get-rich-quick schemes, one splurges everything at once, and often ends up losing even the chance at gaining the American dream back: debt.
2. “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired,” (85), delivers the idea that sets the basis for the entire novel. This idea pertains to a trickle down theory, with the role reversed but the position retained – the rich are in need of the poor. The rich pursue their own desires, mostly people (the pursued). Everyone with a dream is the busy (almost everyone in the story), and the tired are those who have given up (the poor) and are badly represented. This epigram shows the social structure of both 1920’s society and the book.
3. Chapter four was a chapter that really had no dramatic lineage or effect; it was mainly just a blueprint or a segway into the next idea of the novel. It explained how the rich and poor alike go about their business in order to make money and/or attempt to achieve their goals in love and/or money.
4. The bulk of the people listed on Nick’s timetable were politicians of some kind (military commander, politician, etc.) who were also wealthy. Using them in text would give an emotional appeal to their names and histories. When a person recognizes their name, they feel a sense of who they were and what they did. They were all rich, because they worked hard and made a difference – the minimum requirement to the American dream.
5. Montenegro is a country who aligned itself with Germany and other Axis powers during WWI. Because of Gatsby’s status as an American, it would have been difficult, more so impossible, to receive a medal from a loosing Axis power and return to the United States. His story of his medal (or the medal itself) is definitely a fake.
Chapter FIVE:
1. Gatsby might be a counterpart to Don Quixote with respect to one thing: love. Both try to make a claim for a girl; both want love and both want the benefits that come with it – hopefully in an attempt to accomplish all other subsequent goals.
2. Tom Buchanan and George Wilson both have unfaithful wives. In this respect, they are attracted to the same type of woman – wild, uninhibited, and free. Both women exhibit a similar uniqueness that emphasizing the self, the id’s waning desires for freedom and expression. Both men are attracted to this, but it is because of this that their women are cheating on them.
3. Gatsby’s dream had been to capture the heart of Daisy. Usually when we have a dream fulfilled, what is there to do next? It’s kind of like saving your money for something – once you have enough money to get something, once you think it over again, you think differently of it, and often you don’t purchase it. Same thing here – Gatsby’s desire for Daisy’s heart ultimately signals the end of his success when he attains it, for he must give up this success (which he gets from his wild parties) for the woman he wants.
Chapter SIX:
1. Upon arrival to the parties, guests seem like themselves, amid craziness and a loss of inhibition. However, these invalids diffuse into the subculture of Gatsby’s parties and acclimate to the wildness, adopting their own. The people turn from stuck-up people into commoners, where they are free to roam around and have a good time. This shows that once Americans got a feel of money and freedom to spend it, they were able to let loose and have fun.
2. Relating to the director’s wife, Daisy feels and longs to care for someone with respect to comfort. Gatsby was a victim of circumstance – Daisy did not want to marry poor, and decided to marry rich in return for love. She therefore had growing feelings to give the love that she couldn’t truly give. She believes that if given affection, she can amplify that affection and return it back and feel happy, dreams being fulfilled.
3. As a child, one has a myriad, if not limitless amount of opportunity, and therefore would have more impetus to pursue his dreams. As life goes on, and people know (because of their environment) whether or not their dreams can be fulfilled, we become more realistic and realize that our dreams are restricted with respect to our environment.
4. Nick can be considered the real hero of the story because he does not share the interests as everyone else: themselves. He is of the least selfish people (from what he portrays). Instead of pertaining to his own selfish id, he, instead, helps others in order to gain happiness and fulfillment.
5. In the story, time shares a limited power; however, the time period to which it is pertained is all the more important. It seems as though Gatsby is still trapped within his own past, and because of this, has crazy parties in order to prolong his aging: he wants to remain young and free. “Can’t repeat the past? Of course you can!” (100) shows how he really does wish to remain within his youth, free from responsibility. Maybe it’s not that he wants to stay, but that he is stuck in his perpetual adolescence, and he couldn’t keep up with Daisy’s progressing life.
Chapter SEVEN:
1. Who’s actually read The Satyricon? Anyways, comparing the two title characters, the two both celebrated youth with wild parties. They were famed for their efforts in producing a very good party that entertains; Gatsby was the modern Satyricon.
2. The eyes in this chapter seemed like an omnipresence, being everywhere, looking at everyone and everything. This billboard/advertisement’s symbolism lies in the people’s reluctance to see their faults; the eyes are there to patronize the “blind”, in the hopes to make them see again and learn not to be corrupt, selfish, and horrid.
3. Evil is a topic widely representing within both of the first passages – one that people attempt to leave. It reminds me of prison – a horrible place that holds the evil of society; people try to escape, but only result in the detriment of society if successful. In the second set of passages, questions are presented on which focus on people’s intentions in the present and future.
4. These quotes explain how the two people in the dialogue are internally mentally reacting to each other. The significance of these quotes show how they had put on a persona of happiness, but on the inside they had been unhappy – front stage and back stage behavior. Both challenge each other’s existence, and rather than seeing the other as equal, they consider them less.
Chapter EIGHT:
1. Gatsby and Jordan represent a production ethic. Both attempt to create something that would benefit themselves and the people around them. Nick, however, could be considered a consumption ethic. He uses people, rather, in order to get what he wants. He uses his neighbor’s party in order to get close to the woman he longs for. Showing a majority of the characters as producers, this can show that Fitzgerald wants to create a thesis, attempting to explain that in order to succeed in this society; you must be a producer and help people along with yourself.
2. Fitzgerald uses the idea of eyes to convey the difference between illusion and reality. If you are given too much of your dreams and your id is easily pleased, than you live in an illusion, where you think everything is provided. For reality, people’s dream must be attainable but must take longer to attain. Our ability to “see” is due to our material values and morals.
3. Daisy being the Holy Grail, Gatsby can be represented as a knight who is trying to find Daisy’s heart – the location of her love. Gatsby is looking for her love; this seems a lot like a quest for the hidden treasure, the Holy Grail, Daisy’s heart.
Chapter NINE:
1. Nick compares the Dutch Sailors to Gatsby because he sees the excitement Gatsby sees his own dreams. He related their discovery and subsequent detriments with the possible consequences of Gatsby’s and Daisy’s possible relationship. The Dutch’s desire for colonization can be directly related for Gatsby’s longing for Daisy’s love.
2. The story is an ironic twist of the American Dream because it overemphasizes the desires of people to succeed and live in material wealth. There are dreamers (Gatsby) and those living the life of an American (George and Tom), which are symbols for the before-and-after effects of the American Dream and its psychological effects.
3. The people’s corruption was related to the people’s selfish desires; people would use Gatsby for his parties to be free, and nothing else, putting nothing in return. After such, people would go onto another party and repeat the process. This corruption can be related to the people’s corruption towards the government, and people trying to get every penny they can get, but give nothing in return. People do not help Gatsby in attaining his dreams of love with Daisy.
4. Fitzgerald makes statements of pseudo-intellectualism by presenting the book with rich, who should be rich, for they could afford tutors and essentially be smarter. However this is faux, for the rich is just as smart as the poor folk, just with more grace and elegance.
5. Proper names were extremely important in Fitzgerald’s view to prove his point. Gatsby notes that he changed his name in order to be unique and therefore become a legend, so that nobody would be confused as to, “what Gats?” and only say, “The Great Gatsby!” Fitzgerald said that people changed their names in order to sound classier.
6. Gatsby did not change throughout the novel, for he never attained his dream that he’s had since the beginning. Nick however matured and became more of a realist, seeing the world as a material wasteland. He also considers Tom as a child, belittling those who are less mature than he.
JCrowley
Chapter 1
The purpose of references to Columbus, Midas, and others is to establish the credibility of Nick’s education and his knowledge in the world of literature.
“Jordan balances something on her chin almost in an athletic stance…” Jordan Baker is seen as the newer woman that booms during the twenties. She is a woman of her own accord and she does what she wants to for her self enjoyment, a contrast to women of the past who were in conformity to staying at home and being a mother. Fitzgerald describes her in this way as to implement the environment of the twenties and the new lifestyles of the new rich.
Like in many other novels, the first chapter often introduces the main characters and settings and this is what makes the first chapter critical, especially to a new age of readers who may not know much of the lifestyles of the 1920’s.
Chapter 2
“…we’ve produced all the things that go to make civilization—oh, science and art, and all that…” Tom describes a book that deals with the idea that the white race will be submerged when Nick mentions a small hint of crops. In contrast to the new rich of the East Egg is the valley of the ashes. This represents the failure to reach the American dream/goal and this is evident by the poverty and lack of money in this portion of the novel.
The green light represents the curiosity in the novel. While Nick is curious of the light’s origin, he is also fascinated the same way by his neighbor Gatsby whom he knows nothing of, just like the light. The grayness however represents the failure of the civilians to gain fortune but their persistence to stay alive in the darkest of areas. The contrast of the two shows the similarity of the two classes in society.
Wilson is seen as the only character to be living the American dreams because he attempts to make his riches through “clean” ways and not through illegal affairs.
The poetic devices utilized by Fitzgerald gives his novel a more of an interesting style to it. Like poems, he grabs the reader’s attention through the use of interest-grabbers such as imagery and metaphors.
Gatsby is seen as an untangible being. No one truly knows about this character but they all idolize him and pass him as a superior person with great traits. Rumors that spread of him only affiliate with his supposed greatness as seen by society.
Chapter 3
Paul Whiteman who proclaimed himself as the Jazz King combined jazz with elaborate orchestras. The blues was dominant during the twenties and was at first used by African Americans but during this age it was used as a form of expression.
A common sin committed by the characters of the novel is gluttony. A portion of the characters try to acquire more than they need, especially in a selfish conquest kind of way. Affairs are a small part of the novel but it is a square example of the gluttony of the novel.
While Nick detests the life of the rich, he keeps his judgmental thoughts to himself and on the outside, he appreciates his surroundings and their ways of life. Jordan on the other hand is a well-developed deceptionist who gets what she feels that she wants by any means necessary. Nothing is there to hold her back from doing wrong while morals are there to tell Nick to hold back his voice.
Chapter 4
The prohibition laws and the eighteenth amendment became a big important factor in the way a dreamer becomes rich. The get-rich-quick scheme became the most satisfying way to rise up in society.
“There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” The pursued of the novel include those involved in the affairs, i.e, Daisy and Myrtle. Gatsby represents a pursuing character who is after is true love Daisy, while in contrast, Tom pursues his secret lover, Myrtle. The busy seem to be the impoverished who either attempt the true American dream or the get-rich-quick schemes. The tired in the novel are represented through characters such as Jordan who feel no need to work hard to earn.
This chapter seems to represent the antecedent part of the pyramid as it describes events in a way as it will affect the up and coming events in the story.
Those found on Nick’s timetable are after materialistic things and are therefore in pursuit of the American dream.
Montenegro was the only Allied nation to lose its independence after the war. Montenegro suffered severely in World War I. At the first invasion of Serbia by the Austrian armies, Montenegro lost no time in declaring war against the Central Powers. Gatsby was indeed involved in this battle.
Chapter 5
Quixote believes in heightening his own name while Gatsby only tries to heighten his status in society to win back his love, Daisy.
George and Tom both shares this cuckold status as there wives are unfaithful. One way they are alike is their love for the same woman. Another is their pursuit of their own happiness and not the happiness of their pursuers.
The beginning of the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy also marks the end because it is at this point in their lives when they each commit some sort of sin. Daisy is unfaithful and Gatsby is gluttonous. Their reunion marks also the falling action point of the plot and this is where their future troubles initially begin.
Chapter 6
The typical American of the age of Jazz was an outgoing partier. Drinking, neglect for the alcohol laws, and fun was the ideal lifestyle of the time.
Daisy does see herself in that image and wishes for her freedom.
The youth saw fit to make and earn an abundant amount of cash and to set himself straight for the future. The current image of Gatsby we mostly see uses his newly gained wealth to immorally attract a mate. Rather than falling in love through personality, he must utilize his personally gained.
Nick is the real hero because he does nothing immoral however this spot should more likely be given to Wilson. Reason being is because Wilson chased the American dream and although he never cheated his way in life, his life was surely ruined by the corruptness of others around him. Nick, however, also represents a “good” part of this American society which was made up of money-blind men and pretty fools of girls.
“…the organic future that year by year recedes before us..” The significance is that the future is organic. Although it is not set in stone, it will happen whatever way it will.
Chapter 7
Trimalchio and Gatsby share certain similarities such as the throwing of parties( hinting on their social lives during the times) and the wealth they share. Gatsby remains, however, and intangible character to most of society whereas Trimalchio is not.
Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s humongous eyes on the billboard at the beginning of the story may symbolize the eyes of God gazing upon the impoverished and the waste of the 1920’s.
Obviously, these two passages show the influence of past authors/ poets on authors of even the twenties. Also, the use of the similar structure shows parallels of the two different time periods in which the passages abide to.
Daisy and Tom were in a state of mind where neither of them was initially angry or happy, but they were just there together. The significance of this is that they were still together, that Daisy made no movements away from her husband and he from her. They stuck together through this awkward situation.
Chapter 8
Gatsby-production because his actions produce a conflict within the story told by Nick
Nick- consumption because he only consumes information. He is basically telling the story as an insider looking out. Daisy- producer because she represents the lively new woman of the time and her actions are consequential. Jordan- consumption because her laid-back attitude leaves her out of many situations.
That sometimes it is hard to distinguish between illusion and reality.
While the search for the holy grail requires a cleansed soul and pure heart, the quest for Daisy is sought out by greed(through money) because in order to win her love, Gatsby thinks he must waste money and lots of it.
Chapter 9
The Dutch sailor viewed the world with fascination and love, as did Gatsby towards Daisy.
It is an ironic twist of the American Dream because while the American dream included the pursuit of happiness through hard work and determination, Great Gatsby attempts to win satisfaction through shortcuts and to gain happiness, one must be rich. This is evident in the story.
Corruption is seen when none of Gatsby’s invitees go to his funeral. Also, it is seen that Gatsby does not win his only prize which was Daisy.
His statements are made through Gatsby whose unethical dreams blinded him from the realization of his idiotic goals.
The power of the proper name was to give a higher social status for a given person such as Gasby changing his own name.
Little or even no change is apparent in both characters. Gatsby, since the beginning of the story, has been using his wealth to acquire his one unclaimed possession, Daisy. Nick remains a constant narrator and simply that throughout the novel. He always acts as the voice of the author and never as a important, event-changing character. His role in the actual plot seems small.
Chapter 1
1. The purpose the people the make in the literature is the fact that the reader gets a more complete and vivid illustration of what was taking place, as well as providing credible sources that would inspire and steer the direction towards reality.
2. Daisy being her charming lustful self came closer and closer into the ear of her lover. Tom being the over hulking fellow that he was, only blushed slightly by the movements of her mouth. Almost pouting she whispered coolly into his ear… “I want a new car!”
3. The first chapter was extremely important in the book as it set up the setting and revealed the narrator of the story Nick. It also proves to enlighten the reader with the background in which the story preludes from, the East egg and West egg. Although both come from fabulously wealthy people the hold almost different sides, while the east hold the sophistication the west hold the lavish estates, party and activities.
Chapter 2
1. For the agrarian life style to be the American dream, it would portray a sense of equality and classless society.
2. The green light in the end of chapter one gives a sense of hope, of achieving a dream and the yearning of something better. The grey images in the valley of ashes give the reader of a feeling of dismay and horrible tragedy’s to befall. It gives the reader a sense of being in an institution where the living dead had risen from the ground and nothing but calamity falls on the population.
3. The thematic statements made in this chapter reveal the differences between classes, and the lifestyles which they are forced to endure through. It was at its fundamental level a struggle between the poor who held nothing and the rich who held all.
4. Fitzgerald uses poetry to further push vivid images to the reader, by describing the valley of ashes as almost a desolate wasteland were urchins take control, while the west and east egg are surrounded by beautiful images and scenery.
5.The Great Gatsby could be considered an archetypical hero, since the rumors surrounding him tend to be far different from the last and about his accomplishments although they were illegal he did rise from poverty into a rich entrepreneur.
Chapter 3
1. The dominant musical type of the nineteen twenties was Jazz, as it was considered the jazz age. Their outfits were truly hideous, and revealed wealth as they were encrusted with jewels such as diamonds and pearls.
2. Nick showed the virtue of honesty, while Jordan revealed the sin of dishonesty.
3. Nick being the narrator displays honesty, tolerance and hope. While Jordan seems to be held by the fabric of society into marrying someone rich and other such things, true love is nothing but a bonus commodity.
Chapter 4
1. The American dream is based on wealth, and the best way to show wealth is one’s materials making materialism an extremely snobbish behavior. The fastest way into joining this elite class is with underhanded tactics and illegal actions, through the novel the way Gatsby got reach is portrayed as inheritance but at the same as him being a botlegger or being involved in illegal activities.
2. In the novel, there is a fine line between the pursued, pursuing, the busy, and the tired. It being the most important quote in the book because the whole story was revolving on that single quote. Gatsby was the pursuer as Daisy was the pursued, Tom was the busy one who always was up to something and Nick as the one always tired as he always seemed to keep himself isolated but enjoyed the rich life and the company of Gatsby.
3. This chapter tends to be the central and most important chapter as the novels ‘game’ comes into play, it sets up for the climax which is the struggle between two men in the life of Daisy.
4. Edgar Beaver was a man who was shrouded in mystery, by adding his name into the story a bit of humor was introduced as well as the idea of finding what happened to make his hair turn white one season.
5. Montenegro was the only ally to lose its independence after World War I.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby could be considered a counterpart of Don Quixote, Don Quixote was a man who told of his great battles against the windmills. He was also a dreamer as was Gatsby who believed that his aspiration could become a reality.
2. Tom and George are similar in the way that both their wives were cheating on them, Myrtle was lured into another man, Tom while Daisy was being lured into Gatsby.
3.The reunion of Gatsby and Daisy, personifies the success in once again seeing his love but at the same time it starts the downfall of his dream of Daisy as the perfect woman as he would learn later on.
Chapter 6
1.Their going to a party tells that the east eggs were only hypocrites for they hated the west eggs for their new wealth’ as they seemed to not know how to spend their money wisely and almost gloat the money they posses. Yet they drank and caused a ruckus.
2. I believe that Daisy saw her self as an actress and the main star, being given everything she ever wanted she believed she had gods consent. Also the fact that she seemed to only care for money also presents the audience with a feeling of haughtiness and conceit. Although Fitzgerald could have been magnifying the film industry as it was a new way for people to be entertained and news to be spread.
3. As a boy in Don Cody’s yacht he was more realistic as he new that to attain the wealth he would need to either get extremely lucky, start performing illegal actions or go to school and get an education. As an adult he believed he could accomplish anything with money and everything was at his disposal.
4. Nick is the real hero as he not only narrates the novel but also grows through the novel to understand the cruelty that the elites hold, corrupted with greed they believe that money can accomplish anything.
5.“Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!” in this quote he says that with money any is possible. Thinking that time can be reversed by a whim of his throne and other such mishaps.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio and Gatsby in a certain aspect are the exact same. They both rose from poverty into lavish wealth, also Gatsby was supposedly the Trimalchio of West egg. The Trimalchio was a person who hosted lavish parties with exotic dinners and other such debaucheries. Their taste in one where kind of alike, Daisy who I could say was to experience just like Trimalchio’s prostitute wife. Both tried to impress the people but Gatsby to a specific party while Trimalchio was basically to all.
2. For me the eyes are what Wilson had said the whole time, that “you may fool me but not God.“ as blindness could be a factor of not being able to see, it is what is underneath the underneath that makes a person true self exposed. Reading in between the line that the person chooses to speak. A person’s eyes are suppose to be the windows to their soul, but those who are blind have no sense of telling through their unusable eyes.
3. Both passages portray a sense of impatience and that they do not now what is going to happen. They lave everything for fate to decide and do nothing themselves to make their next day memorable, like Gatsby said “Of course you can… old sport” believing in one’s self is the only way of altering the wheels of fate.
4. In the passage it basically illustrates that anyone who saw Tom or Daisy could easily tell that they were doing some adult activities with someone other than their spouse. It was visibly impossible to not notice the hints the signs of corruption between them… it was just so obvious.
Chapter 8
1. Gatsby, Tom and Daisy are the production in the consumer world, Gatsby with his illegal affairs and Tom and Daisy with what ever business he owns. Nick, Jordan, Wilson and Myrtle were all consumers since they basically lived by receiving stuff, although Nick was close to being a producer. The American dream revolved on some being on top and some being on bottom, the producers and the consumers. The consumers only fuel to serve the producers as they boy a certain material possession or go to them.
2. The difference between reality and illusion is simply that illusion are the reality we wish to face in, it’s a figment of our imagination our hopes and dreams. While reality tends to be unjust and always ending with tragedy.
3. Daisy’s love was the grail that Gatsby always wanted, but can never attained. As charming as she was she only destroyed. Jimmy pictured his first love as perfect so with the money he made he went out and pursuit of Daisy any little information anything at all.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares Gatsby to the Dutch settlers because they both were visionaries and held big dreams. The comparisons helps put the story in perspective the place was beautiful but in the end it was impossible to conquer it shows a foreshadow of the events to come. Gatsby dreams of being with Daisy, he yearned for her and that was his downfall for beig such an ignorant man he died… at the cause of Daisy’s massacre.
2. Its an ironic twist to the American dream because Myrtle wanted someone rich, marrying George because she though he was a gentleman. The simple reality was the fact that George turned out to be poor and she did whatever she could to get the taste of the good life.
3. Gatsby a man who held parties just for the chance of his loved one to appear was incorruptible because he had his heart set on making Daisy his. No matter the guest although they tended to be from wealthy families that viewed the west egg as a newly rich neighborhood and looked down on them for it, they still choose to partake in the festivities. Gatsby never did anything horrible, unlike Daisy, Tom or Myrtle who cheated on each other for another.
4. He shows the ignorance of the rich to be the same as the poor. For example both George and tom were fooled by their wives, each other and the society they lived in Tom although rich was prejudice and George helplessly unintelligent.
5. Fitzgerald uses the power of proper names to illustrate the important value on the name of a person or item. They differentiated each other by the sound of their name, and much else they also gave a reason for it. Their names tended to be long and complex but at the same time really memorable.
6. Both Gatsby and Nick in reality have not changed, Gatsby still yearned for Daisy albeit that Nick has gotten to really know that Tom and Daisy were corrupted. Nick had grown and learned that life in the south west wasn’t as good as he imagined it and that as hard as he wished for something to happen it was all connected to fate,
Taylor Carpie
Chapter 1
1. The people in literature or history serve many purposes in this chapter. They all give foreshadowing about each individual characters personality. They provide a background which you can already relate to.
2. Fitzgerald’s purpose in describing these characters is to show more of their personality. Daisy is shown as attractive, clever, and seductive. She has a low toned voice so people draw closer to her.
3. The first chapter of this novel is critically important in the development of plot, characters, and themes because you learn about each person. This is when you get to know about each person and how they are related and know one another. You are brought into the story.
Chapter 2
1. The story describes them living in eggs, they own big houses and a lot of land, yet they do not live on farm lands. They all seem to have a lot of money and time. They all also fit into that dreamlike state and image of the ideal American Lifestyle.
2. The green light at the end of chapter 1 shows Gatsby’s determination in getting Daisy all to himself. He is currently sitting at a red light and is waiting for her to give him the green to go off together.
3. George Wilson is said to be symbolized as the American Dream because he lives in the lower class and owns his own business. This shows he has determination in achieving a high class
4. Fitzgerald describes his scenes so that a movie or picture could be painted from it. There is a lot of description and detail so the reader can also paint a picture in their head. It takes them deeper into the scene, so they can imagine they are really there too.
5. Gatsby was considered such a hero because no one really knew who he was. They knew of him and from the parties he threw rumors spread creating this superhero like image of him.
Chapter 3
1. Chapter three goes straight into Gatsby’s party and the energy is filled by the orchestra and dancing style. The music is very upbeat and soulful. Jazz was extremely popular in this age.
2. The seven deadly sins are pride, avarice, anger, sadness, lust, and gluttony. The cardinal values are faith, charity, fortitude, hope, temperance, prudence, and justice. Daisy and Gatsby shows lust for one another, where as Daisy and her husband portray anger between one another.
3. Nick is honest in a way which he explains everything and always seems to tell the truth. On the other hand Jordan never seems to find the truth in anything. Everything is always a lie or helping Gatsby spread the rumors around.
Chapter 4
1. The typical get rich scheme in America to achieve everyone’s highest status of living the American Dream consisted of much dread, lying, and cheating. They are exposed to the shadowed side of living the dream. Most find a way to corrupt society or let themselves become the corrupted. Alcohol was illegal back then because of prohibition and it seemed since it was outlawed, more people than ever were drinking it. This was one of the symptoms in which was destroying American society.
2. “They are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” This quote shows the timeline and connections between each of the main characters. Daisy is being pursued by Gatsby to get out of the lifestyle she is currently in and to run off with him. George does not really understand anything happening and ends up dead in the end.
3. This is the rising action of the story. Daisy and Gatsby are about to be uncovered by a tea time set up, so that Nick will find everything that has been happening which will lead up to the climax of everything which is starting to fall apart.
4. “ Chester Beckers and the Leeches and a man named Bunsen.” The names of the people Gatsby has invited demonstrate which side of the east or west egg they come from. It also illustrates their personality and what their backgrounds are.
5. Gatsby’s most prized military achievement of all time was the one from Montenegro in which he was defending them and risking his own life at the same time.
Chapter 5
1. Don Quixote as well as Gatsby both had big achievement goals and dreams. They were in a bit similar in a way as they both wanted to go on an adventure to save the beautiful woman, only Gatsby didn’t just imagine it, he went on the journey in true life.
2. One of the similarities is that both Tom and George’s wives are in love with other men. They both become very angry at this idea and seem to carry out their anger by eliminating the competition. Unfortunately the way George released his anger was by becoming a murderer, rather than Tom who simply took Daisy a place where no one knew where she was.
3. Once Daisy and Gatsby were finally reunited back together it symbolized that they were back together finally just like Gatsby had set out to see come true. This finally happened so there was nothing else that Gatsby was needed for in the story.
Chapter 6
1. Most of Gatsby’s guests were not invited in the first place. It was a time to be able to get away from society’s drama and have a good time. Gatsby was looked up to as the relief to the dark side of the American Dream. He chose to live up the good part even though he never took part in his own parties. There was plenty of alcohol, which was banned at the time, so it was a way to distract people from their normal lives and escape into a magical night.
2. Daisy is amazed at all of the famous and rich people at Gatsby’s parties. She wants to be just like them one day, so she sees herself being that kind of woman in the future.
3. Gatsby was introduced into the adolescence once he approached Dan Cody’s yacht. He boy seemed much more realistic than the adult because he was actually accomplishing something that meant a lot to Gatsby. It reunited himself with his inner child realizing that the world is not all about waiting that he must go do it for himself.
4. Nick can be said to be the real hero of the story because he is the medium in the entire story. He is the one to trust and go to when things turn for the worst. Nick is the one who seemed to only tell the truth about the subject and comfort anyone who needed it. He did not have any enemies during the story.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio was a man who threw many many parties just as Gatsby did for his guests. They were both originally poor men and grew up to become very wealthy.
2. The character Nick is who the story is being told by. This is a very good choice for Fitzgerald to do because Nick is one of the most reliable people in the story and seems to see everything from a third person view. He does not tap into each person’s feelings nor does he want to. He is more of just the facts and then the sympathy for whoever or whatever. He is just there for comfort and support.
3. Daisy is upset about the fact that they are so unhappy together that she is wondering why they don’t just leave each other. Herself and Tom do not believe in getting divorced, so they are leading the most unhappy lives possible and at the same time cheating on one another. Daisy is beginning to question the commitment and desire of how much this relationship means to her and Tom.
4. This quote explains how unhappy Tom and Daisy were. They did not believe in getting divorced, so instead they were leading cheating lives. Daisy had Gatsby and Tom was floating from one woman to the next. They both loved each other at one point and tried to make it work, but at the same time they were not happy at all.
Chapter 8
1. Nick seems to be more of a consumption ethic, only because he uses things like parties tea dates and such to become closer to the people in the story. Tom and Gatsby as well as Daisy are production ethic because the are the ones who are going out and trying to change things. The American Dream as shown through Fitzgerald is not worth compromising friendships and murdering people. It really is not all worth its weight in gold.
2. The fine line between illusion and reality is shown through the eyes in the story. It makes you realize there is a fine line between the two and he wants you to figure out which is real and what is not.
3. The characters like Daisy are like what is at the end of the quest, the final accomplishment. The men in the story, especially Gatsby and Tom are fighting to gain her back, so she is like the grail at the end of a mission.
Chapter 9
1. Nick compares the Dutch sailors to Gatsby because they both have this passion for something, or someone, and the wishes that in the end they discover and claim their prize.
2. This is an ironic twist in the realization of the American Dream because they all are overemphasizing the fact that leading the true American Dream is to be happy, which is everything except what they are trying to do.
3. Gatsby throws the parties and does not get anything in return from his guests. They would simply go from one party to the next without a simple thank you to go along with it.
4. The rich and poor are separated in this pseudo-intellectualism by giving the book to the rich and saying the poor can’t afford it. When in reality the poor were just as smart as the rich only the rich were able to dress better and have more manners.
5. Fitzgerald makes the statements by the people changing their names. People would alter their names so that they sounded classier and more important.
6. Gatsby had changed throughout the novel. Well he dies by the end of the novel. Gatsby had accomplished his goal in life, which was to gain Daisy back. If he would not have been murdered then he most likely had Daisy back in his arms. Nick did not change only in that he made a new friend and found out a little more detail with his neighbors.
CO’Toole P5
Chapter 1
1. Fitzgerald’s affluent number of references throughout the novel poses the purpose of creating a realistic and timely interaction between the novel and the reader. Through the historical and literary references and claims made by Fitzgerald, the reader is able to connect to the novel through these accounts, thus making the novel and narrator a credible and viable source.
2. Tom is a very wealthy man from a well-to-do family and lives a very comfortable life in the well-off area known as East Egg. It is here that he practices the very upscale sport of polo, of which he is a very prominent player, and lives with his wife Daisy and their daughter. Nevertheless, Tom’s qualities are far from pleasing as he adorns a very sexist and racist attitude and his nature is nothing short of arrogant and belligerent. He believes that women should not be allowed too many freedoms because their brain capacity is far inferior to that of a mans’, and that whites are the dominant race. Fitzgerald’s “tag” on Tom that he is ‘restless and hulking’ can be seen as having a doubled purpose. First of which it gives the reader a better notion of what the character is like and secondly it is used as some what of a reoccurring theme where the reader is offered a familiar consistency of plot and character throughout the novel.
3. The first chapter of the novel is critically important to the novel because it sets the stage for the time and place of the novel as well as introduces the characters in a smooth and yet coherent matter. Fitzgerald was keen in weaving in the important characters of the novel and distinguishing the vital meeting between them all that allows the novel to unravel accordingly. Even though the reader is only given a mere glimpse of the characters it is through this chapter that the reader first gets a taste of the aristocratic time period and how associations were based on one’s wealth and social stature.
Chapter 2
1. Fitzgerald describes how an agrarian society may have once been connected to an American’s ideal vision of the American dream in the beginning of Chapter two. Through the eyes of the character and narrator Nick Carraway, the reader explores “…the valley of ashes- a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens, where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air” (27). It is through this excerpt that Fitzgerald describes what the ideal American Dream once was, and if this was to persist, these men would be living in the ashes of society encompassed by the surrounding industrial movement.
2. While the green light described in the end of Chapter one portrays a feeling of hope and purpose, the valley of ashes in chapter two displays those of whom fell short of what they so long desired, thus subjecting themselves to an endless existence of want and suffering. In short, one can compare the green light to ones ideal drive for the American Dream, and the valley of ashes to those of whom failed to attain it.
3. George Wilson is most exceptional in symbolizing the American Dream for he is a man of little material possessions of wealth, however, within him resides the will to bring himself from his unfitting situation to one of respectability. He is working a full-time job in a rusty auto repair shop, supporting himself and his wife, but instead of compensating for his lowly position he strives to overcome it.
4. Fitzgerald’s poetic style, with his enticing use of metaphors and vivid images, allows the reader to render a stronger connection with the reader, a connection on another level. The reader is found making assumptions and ties with the characters, pulling form their own experiences in reaction to Fitzgerald’s realistic use of prose. The pure discipline and control of his writing Is surely what creates the novel’s complexity that cedes it a masterpiece.
5. One of mythology’s most defining and prominent heroes is Hercules. What some found most captivating about Hercules was that there his birth and his origins were dealt from a series mishaps which ultimately lead to his super-human strength. However, the origin of Hercules’ super powers was not accepted by many, and in return, he was encircled by multiple rumors about his god-like powers. Similarly to Hercules, Gatsby was a man more sought than a God himself. Gatsby’s origins and business in East Egg was a game of ultimate mystery for all those who hear his name. It is Gatsby’s allusive nature and enormous wealth that strikes curiosity and concern into the minds of those who attend his gatherings. Nevertheless, it is the burden that he must bear for wealth of that grandeur, in the minds of the petty, seems as if it cannot be reaped by honest means.
Chapter 3
1. Fitzgerald makes a variety of references towards the Jazz Age through the music played and the description of the dancers at Gatsby’s parties. The jazz orchestras at Gatsby’s parties contained “…oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos and low and high drums” (44). Nick describes the orchestra as playing “yellow cocktail music and the opera of voices pitches a key higher” (44). Fitzgerald makes a point of providing detail to his description of the music played at the parties and its reaction on the guests, because jazz played and important role in the culture of society of the 1920s. It evoked a more care-free lifestyle free from conformity and social stiffness; in most ways it was an outlet for the young and the restless.
2. The seven deadly sins are pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth. The seven cardinal virtues are prudence, fortitude, justice, temperance, faith, hope, and love. After analyzing many of the characters of The Great Gatsby one comes to find that nearly all of the characters seem to only manifest the seven deadly sins. For example, Jordan can most contemptuously be compared to the sin of a sloth, someone who is lazy, irresponsible, and a bit careless in nature. Tom, of course, manifests the sins of anger and greed for he wants to have the love of two women at once, Daisy and Myrtle, and all the while he is a raging egomaniac.
3. Nick is an ideal symbol of honesty throughout the novel for he makes sound judgments of the characters he meets based off of first-hand experiences and not what he has heard about them. Nick is willing to look past first impressions and give others the long end of the stick by initially believing them until they give him a reason otherwise. However, Jordan epitomizes the cattiness of the aristocratic women of the time period, whom of which were quick to judge, based on appearances and viewed one mainly by the size of their check-book. Her shallow nature makes her a magnet to petty rumors and gossip at the expense of others. She is also not a fan of telling the truth if it inconveniences her in any way so her stories tend to falter and waver, while Nick’s remain solid through and through.
Chapter 4
1. The American Dream used to be simply defined as the pursuit of happiness, the want for nothing but what makes one fulfilled. However, with corruption on the rise, and get-rich-quick schemes etching up on everyone’s to-do-lists, the simple pursuit of happiness became an utterly desirable goal to pursue. People became immensely materialistic, valuing their possessions over the content of their marriages or relationships. However, those who successfully attained their wealth came to find that it was not enough and often turned to alcohol binges.
2. The importance of this quote is that is justifies every motive and action in the book. It a single phrase containing the entirety of the guidelines in which this book was written to follow. It defines the societal structure of the novel. There are the East Eggers (the pursued), the West Eggers (the pursuing), the people of New York City (the busy), and the people living in the Valley of Ashes (the tired). The irony of this statement is that each of the social classes of characters in this novel fit evenly within this frame, a perpetual cycle.
3. I think that this chapter best fits in the dramatic structure of rising action because it is in this chapter that Nick discovers Gatsby’s past, inciting interest within Nick to closely pursue Gatsby’s businesses and wanderings. We also discover the truth about Gatsby’s past relationship with Daisy igniting the torch for the ever-nearing goal of the madly mislead Gatsby.
4. Fitzgerald was very thorough in his choices for the “guest list” of Gatsby’s parties for he was careful to include those with a purpose. In other words, he chose those with a past, ones who had reason to be at Gatsby’s parties, ones who were legitimate parts of his past life. For example, one of the names given was Mr. P. Jewett, a former member of the American Legion. This was a sensical choice seeing how Gatsby was a veteran from the war.
5. Montenegro, once considered a part of the larger Yugoslavia, was caught right in the middle of the upstart of WWI. It wasn’t long before all of Europe got dragged into the war, however, at this point the U.S. still held firm to its neutral position by not entering. It wasn’t until a year after the conflict ended in that region that the U.S. entered the war, discrediting Gatsby’s heart-felt recollection.
Chapter 5
1. Gatsby and Don Quixote could be considered counterparts in that they both lived a life of dishonesty, lies, and vast exaggerations of their real position. Both took to developing magnificent stories of wonder and awe to describe their rises to utter despicable wealth and fame. Neither showed interest in the petty gossip of others, but pursued their goal to their own agenda. Nevertheless, both wished for something that once was- Don Quixote wished to be back in the time of chivalry and Gatsby to be back in the arms of Daisy before the onset of the war –both desirable, respectable wishes.
2. Tom and Wilson are alike in that their unappreciative ways towards their wives were responded to by deception through the pursuance of other men. Tom and Wilson were men concerned with attaining what they most desired- in Wilson’s case that being wealth and in Tom’s case an interesting get-away from the norm- however, neither of them stopped to realize the effects of their actions. Their selfish engrossment with their own affairs left their wives to pursue attention elsewhere.
3. The statement is true if it is taken literally for what it really says. The reunion of Daisy and Gatsby was the majestic beginning and imminent end of their past, present, and future together, thus the end to Gatsby’s long awaited dream. Gatsby longed to be with Daisy since the moment he swept her off her feet until the day he breathed his last. Daisy’s walk into Gatsby’s life also stood as the end to all his successes, both present and future. Gatsby no longer remained the cool-witted, even-tempered gentlemen that had fought his way to the top, and defended his fortress of successes. Gatsby’s reason for living was consumed within Daisy’s heart. The day that her heart faltered would also be the recognition of the end of the ‘Great Gatsby’.
Chapter 6
1. The guests that took part in the glamorous parties held at Gatsby’s estate were those who had a blinded understanding of what is right and what is ‘socially acceptable’. Many of these guests came to get drunk and dance to crazy sexually enthralling music, instead of coming to visit and enjoy themselves. Many of these guests had a confused understanding of what was important. They saw extravagance and materialism, something they considered the definition of the ‘good life’, and however, now-a-days this is not something that many would consider the ‘good life’. Nevertheless, it was the sort of events that defined the 20’s for what they were.
2. Fitzgerald may have been insinuating through his special attention to detail involving the Daisy’s reaction to the movie director leaning lovingly over his wife is that its is a desirable and clever match. He may be trying to provoke within the reader an understanding of what Daisy believes to be a pleasing match, money with money. However, her extravagant career as an actress allows her an enviable amount of freedom from her husband, something Daisy herself feels necessary in order to hold together her marriage with Tom.
3. The boy on the yacht was a man with a desirable dream and an agreeable life of the individual pursuit of happiness, unaffected by the emotional ties of others. He was a boy who grew for the American Dream, a living example of the rise to a better situation through hard work. However, the man at the end of the dock paid corruption so many visits within his life and all for his own selfish dream. He was to alter and change a world forever, and inevitably his own as well.
4. Nick is considered the real hero of the story and not all because of his actions but because of his nature. He was open and warm to many who didn’t deserve it (Gatsby even after being caught in a tangle of lies) and he persevered all the way until the end. He did not give into the childish delights of booze and unfaithfulness, but held true to his morality. He was what one could consider the base for all the characters, he held them all together (he stayed with Gatsby and Daisy through their meetings to protect the purity and honesty of the reunions).
5. One of the most promising themes throughout the book was displayed through the following quote: “After she had obliterated three years with that sentence they could decide upon more practical measures to be taken. One of them was that, after she was free, they were to go back to Louisville and be married from her house – just as if it were five years ago.” This was stated by Gatsby to Tom when Gatsby angry blurted to Tom that Daisy never loved him. This was extremely important in the novel because it develops off the theme of time. It was time that kept Gatsby loving and pursuing Daisy for so long. Fitzgerald is constantly writing of time as the reminder of Gatsby’s love, because once found, it was not so genuinely returned.
Chapter 7
1. Trimalchio, the protagonist of Satyricon, was born into a poor family, but through hard work he persevered to a position of immense wealth and respectability. To celebrate his conditions he would throw lavish parties where he would invite many guests just as Gatsby did. However, the difference between Trimalchio and Gatsby is that Gatsby always remained in control of himself and his parties by staying composed and away from the alcohol. Trimalchio, on the other hand, would celebrate with his guests drinking profusely, usually leading to fights or brawls with his guests. Gatsby retains the utmost respect from his guests, whereas, Trimalchio’s hospitality is abused.
2. There are two recognizable distinctions within the novel involving eyes. There are the green eyes on the billboard, retaining the reputation that they are God’s eyes whom see all. Wilson claims that his wife’s unfaithfulness has been noticed by the eyes of God as he points to the billboard. There is also an instant when Gatsby’s meets Daisy’s eyes at one of his parties where he can feel the disapproval radiating from her magnificent stare. It changes Gatsby, as his life and house had “fallen in like a house of cards at the disapproval in her eyes.”
3. The passages from “The Wasteland” and The Great Gatsby are similar in that they both use a lot of the same figurative language to express their points. They use most prominently syntax and diction to connect their themes. They both express concerns about what the future will bring for the lives of the characters.
4. The most important aspect that the reader was to comprehend from these lines is that Tom and Daisy were going to stay together. Daisy had committed a crime by murdering Myrtle with the car, and through all the instances of weak character shown by Daisy, this instance took the prize. Daisy was seeking Tom’s help for she was too afraid to face the mess herself. Nick describes Tom and Daisy as “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money…”
Chapter 8
1. The characters throughout Fitzgerald’s novel that symbolize a production ethic are Wilson, Nick, and Gatsby. One could classify these three men as producers because they provide for others. Wilson provides repaired cars, Nick offers support and advice, and Gatsby offers his generosity through parties, music and alcohol. The characters of consumption are Jordan, Tom, Myrtle, and Daisy. These people laze around in their wealth offering no help to others, or their country. They are good only for show, but offer no definite or legitimate purpose. The American Dream that took place throughout Fitzgerald’s novel as well as throughout the 20’s was the consumption ethic. It was to attain as much wealth as you possibly could and to just drown and melt away in it.
2. Gatsby is the main culprit of living a life in illusion. Gatsby tends to relive the memories of his past, remembering things as they once were and expecting them fool-heartedly to be the same. However, these dreams and memories are just an illusion, thus concluding that a life of illusion is a dangerous one deemed to carry a great set-back.
3. The story is similar to a knightly quest for the grail because in medieval times the grail was the greatest treasure you could possibly obtain. The knights would devote their lives to searching for the grail and would come extremely close to reaching their object of devotion, however, they would never succeed. This was similar to Gatsby’s position. He spent his entire life searching for Daisy and when she seemed nearly within his grasp, she stolen away nearly just as soon as she had arrived. “But now he found that he had committed himself to the following of a grail. He knew that Daisy was extraordinary, but he didn’t realize just how extraordinary a “nice” girl could be. She vanished into her rich house, into her rich, full life, leaving Gatsby—nothing. He felt married to her, that was all.”
Chapter 9
1. Fitzgerald may have compared Gatsby to the Dutch sailors because in his eyes their dreams were of the same consistency. They all wished for something far away, something breathtaking to behold, to obtain. They put the hope of their worlds upon reaching it. For the Dutch sailors the island was a “fresh, green breast of the new world,” and for Gatsby it was the green light at the end of the dock. This comparison works indefinitely with Fitzgerald’s comparison because it connects Gatsby’s past to his present.
2. This story displays an ironic twist of the American Dream because all of these people that seem to be working in a pathetic of those who achieved ‘it’, and those who wish to achieve ‘it’ so they are using those who achieved ‘it’ and those who are just to ridiculous to know what to do with themselves once they achieved ‘it’. It was just an endless circle of people that were too blinded by wealth to understand that the real American Dream is success that attains ultimate happiness.
3. These phrases pull the story together because it is the “corruption” of Gatsby’s guests that disgusts Daisy which in turn hurts the “incorruptible dream” of Gatsby. Gatsby believes that she is disgusted by the parties, something he initially used to draw her attention, and cancels all future parties. He then devotes all his waking time to her, because he has nothing to take her off his mind until ultimately his obsession leads to his demise.
4. Gatsby tends to be Fitzgerald’s key pawn of pseudo-intellectualism because it is Gatsby that has built up this lavish lifestyle for himself, all interwoven with fantastic stories about war and far-away lands of rubies and large game. Gatsby tries to make out like he is a well-bred, prosperous, intellectual young man, so much that it seems that he believes himself.
5. Fitzgerald demonstrates the power of proper names by changing Gatsby’s name from James Gatz (what his name was originally) to Jay Gatsby. It has also been shown through the simplistic names of his poorer character such as George Wilson. George Wilson’s name contains no flare, which is probably why he was made the poorer character of the novel.
6. Gatsby and Nick have changed quite dramatically since the beginning of the novel. Each began to understand the cruelties of wealth and the corruption that tends to follow. In Nick and Gatsby’s time, extreme wealth and extravagant lifestyles had been the American Dream, however, through witnessing the effects of money on the other character, Nick and Gatsby altered their outlook upon it. Nick first hand witness of Daisy and Tom’s utter disrespect for others because they were objects of immense wealth. They believed themselves almost excused because of their wealth, like they were above all. Gatsby came face-to-face with Daisy inability to leave her lavish lifestyle for a man that may not be ably to offer her all the material things in the world, but he could offer her his heart. Nevertheless, this was not good enough. Thus, money is a factor in this world that is not to be toyed with, because money ultimately is the deciding factor of all.
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