The Great Gatsby Chapter Questions

Keep in mind that points will be awarded for complete sentences

Chapters 1-3:

1. (2 pts) Describe the narrator. What is his name? What facts do you know about him and what do you infer about him? What was his family background like?

2. What kind of a narrator do you think he’ll be? (third person limited, third person omniscient, first person)

3. What is your impression of Tom Buchanan? of Daisy? Do the two seem suited for each other?

4. (2 pts) Comment on Daisy’s statement about her newborn daughter, “…I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” How might this statement reflect Daisy’s character and life?

5. What do you think of Gatsby when you first meet him at the end of Chapter 1? Why do you think

Fitzgerald chose to introduce Gatsby in this way?

6. (2 pts). Compare Nick’s description of “the valley of ashes” to his description of the Buchanan’s house. What might each represent in the novel?

7. Who is Dr. T. J. Eckleburg?

8. Make a prediction concerning Tom’s relationship with Myrtle. Provide evidence from what you’ve read so far as support for your prediction.

9. What is your general impression of the people who attend Gatsby’s parties?

10. What rumors have been told about Gatsby? Why does Fitzgerald choose to show Gatsby through the rumors?

11. How does Nick describe himself by the end of the third chapter? Is he similar or different from the people he spends time with?

12. What is your impression of Gatsby by the end of the third chapter? Is he similar or different from the people he spends time with?

Chapters 4-6

1. Describe Gatsby’s car. What does it tell you about Gatsby and about the time period?

2. Do you believe the story of Gatsby’s life as he tells it to Nick in the fourth chapter? Why or why not?

3. (2pts) What did Jordan tell Nick in the flashback in Chapter 4? Why was this included as a flashback?

4. (2pts) Why do you think Daisy married Tom Buchanan? Why do you think Tom married Daisy?

5. What do you see as the difference between Tom’s wealth and Gatsby’s wealth?

6. (2pts) Comment on the reunion of Daisy and Gatsby at Gatsby’s house. What do you infer they are feeling at the time of the meeting? Explain.

7. Make a prediction concerning the future for Gatsby and Daisy. Provide facts from what you have read so far as support.

8. (2pts) Gatsby disagrees when Nick tells him, “You can’t repeat the past.” Generally, do you think it is possible to relive the past? Explain. Do you think Gatsby will be able to relive the past?

9. Describe Gatsby’s real story.

10. Describe Tom in Chapter 6. Why do you think he behaves this way?

Chapters 7-9

1. What caused Gatsby’s parties to stop?

2. Where did everyone decide to go in Chapter 7? What do you notice about who rides with whom?

3. What does Tom find out about Gatsby through his investigations? List at least 2 things.

4. (2pts) Describe the argument between Tom and Gatsby in Chapter 7. What do these men think of each other? Who do you think won the argument? Why?

5. What was Gatsby doing at the end of Chapter 7? Why?

6. (2pts) Do you think that Tom knew Daisy was driving the “death car?? Why, why not? What evidence supports your point of view?

7. At the beginning of Chapter 8, what did Gatsby tell Nick in the flashback portion of this chapter?

8. (2pts) How would you describe the conversation between Nick and Jordan Baker in Chapter 8? Did it seem like anything was left unsaid?

9. (2pts) What role does Tom play in what happened to Gatsby? What is your opinion of Daisy at this point?

10. How does Nick react to what happened to Gatsby and its aftermath? Provide evidence to support your assertions.

11. (2 pts) What does the “green light” symbolize? Support your ideas with evidence from your reading.

12. (2pts) Describe the conversation between Nick and Jordan Baker in Chapter 9. Compare this to the conversation they had in Chapter 8.