Discussion Questions:
1. Nick begins the novel by relaying his father’s advice. What advantages has Nick had? Does he reserve judgment in the novel?
2. What kind of person is Nick? How do you feel about him? Why?
3. What image(s) does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean?
4. How does Nick react to Jordan?
5. What does Tom’s behavior reveal about his character?
6. What does the “valley of ashes” represent?
7. Why does Myrtle live in the symbolic “valley of ashes”?
8. How is Nick different from those around him? Why is this important?
9. What does Tom’s violence reveal about him?
Discussion Questions:
1. Nick begins the novel by relaying his father’s advice. What advantages has Nick had? Does he reserve judgment in the novel?
2. What kind of person is Nick? How do you feel about him? Why?
3. What image(s) does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean?
4. How does Nick react to Jordan?
5. What does Tom’s behavior reveal about his character?
6. What does the “valley of ashes” represent?
7. Why does Myrtle live in the symbolic “valley of ashes”?
8. How is Nick different from those around him? Why is this important?
9. What does Tom’s violence reveal about him?
Discussion Questions:
1. Nick begins the novel by relaying his father’s advice. What advantages has Nick had? Does he reserve judgment in the novel?
2. What kind of person is Nick? How do you feel about him? Why?
3. What image(s) does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean?
4. How does Nick react to Jordan?
5. What does Tom’s behavior reveal about his character?
6. What does the “valley of ashes” represent?
7. Why does Myrtle live in the symbolic “valley of ashes”?
8. How is Nick different from those around him? Why is this important?
9. What does Tom’s violence reveal about him?