American Literature the Great Gatsby Study Guide, 2016

American Literature The Great Gatsby Study Guide, 2016

Reading Guide for The Great Gatsby (use this to guide your reading; answer questions to check for understanding; see the notes for each chapter, that will help you with the historical references in each chapter.
CHAPTER 1

1. Who is Nick Carraway? Describe him. Why is he telling the story?

1. Describe Tom Buchanan. What does he look like? What are his interests? What is suggested about him by the book he is reading? What type of person does he represent?

1. Describe Daisy Buchanan. Why does she speak in such exaggerated phrases? Daisy says she wants her daughter to be “a beautiful little fool” and she reminisces about her “white girlhood.” What does this suggest about her childhood and marriage, her outlook on life? What point is Daisy making by saying she sophisticated?

1. What is the difference between growing up in the Midwest and growing up in the East? What does the text suggest about Nick since he is from the Midwest?
   
2. In describing East Egg and West Egg, Nick says that “to the wingless a more arresting phenomenon is their dissimilarity in every particular except size and shape.” Compare East Egg and West Egg. Compare the homes of Nick, the Buchanans, and Gatsby. What do the outward appearances of the homes suggest about their residents?

1. Though the reader does not meet Gatsby until chapter 3, references to him are made between the other characters. Note each reference. What images are associated with Gatsby? What impression of Gatsby is created?
   

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL ALLUSIONS

●The Great War - World War I

●Midas and Morgan and Maecenas - Midas, in Greek Myth, the king of Phrygia granted the power of turning everything that he touches into gold; J.P. Morgan (1837–1913), U.S. financier; Gaius Maecenas (70–8 BC), Roman statesman, friend of Emperor Augustus, and patron of the arts.

●Cunard or White Star Line – exclusive cruise lines (Titanic)

●Goddard's The Rise of the Colored Empires -an allusion to Theodore Lothrop Stoddard's The Rising Tide of Color Against White World Supremacy (1920).

●New Haven - City in southern Connecticut; home to Yale University.

●Westchester – wealthy suburb of New York City

●Lake Forest – wealthy suburb of Chicago

●Louisville – Kentucky’s largest city, home of the Kentucky Derby, associated with the mint julep and Southern gentility

●Asheville, Hot Springs, Palm Beach – exclusive American resorts

CHAPTER 2

1. Describe the “valley of ashes.” Notice the use of color – what do the colors suggest? Consider the eyes of Dr. T.J Eckleburg. Why are they there? What are they looking at or looking over? What does the juxtaposition of the ash heaps and the eyes represent?

1. Describe Myrtle and George Wilson. Notice that George is covered with dust from the ashes – what does this suggest about him? Myrtle is described as having an “intense vitality.” How does she compare to her husband? Myrtle talks of her unhappy marriage – what is she trying to justify?

1. The “party” that takes place in New York City reveals complex social and class relationships. Describe the atmosphere of the apartment. How are the interactions among the characters affected by social differences? Evaluate the conversations. Characterize the relationship between Myrtle and Tom. Consider Nick and his impressions of the party – does he enjoy himself? Why?

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL ALLUSIONS

●J.D. Rockefeller - (1839–1937); U.S. industrialist, oil tycoon, and philanthropist.

●Kaiser Wilhelm - ruler of Germany, 1871–1918, and enemy of the Allies during WWI

●Simon Called Peter - Robert Keable's best-selling fiction work from 1922 about a young clergyman whose war-time experiences result in a loss of faith.

●Queens/the valley of ashes – the swamp at Flushing Meadows, used as a disposal site for ashes from domestic heating during the 1920s; now home of the Billie Jean King Tennis Center and the U.S. Open

●kike – a vulgar term for a Jewish person, shows hostility and contempt.

CHAPTER 3

1. Consider Gatsby’s parties. What details are given about the parties, the guests, and the behavior that takes place? Describe the atmosphere. Who attends the parties? Are they invited? Why do they come?

1. How does Nick describe Gatsby? What do the other characters say about Gatsby? Characterize the meeting between Gatsby and Nick. How are they similar?

1. Describe the relationship between Nick and Jordan Baker. What do you learn about Jordan? How does she contrast with Nick?

1. Consider the use and description of cars. What do they look like? How are they driven? What does this suggest about the characters?

1. Who is the “owl-eyed” man? He describes Gatsby as a “real Belasco.” What does the reference suggest about Gatsby?

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL ALLUSIONS

●Belasco - David Belasco (1853-1931); American theatrical producer, known for the realism of his sets.

●Stoddard lectures - travel series of books

●Prodigality – think “prodigal son;” suggests wastefulness or extreme lavishness.

●The Follies - popular revue started by Florenz Ziegfeld in 1907.

●Gilda Gray – Polish immigrant, changed her name from Marianne Michalski, became highly paid star of the 1922 Ziegfeld Follies

●Coupe - a closed, two-door automobile with a body smaller than that of a sedan.

●Yale Club – social club in New York City for Yale alum.

CHAPTER 4

1. Look at the names of the party guests. What images are suggested by most of these names? What do the names say about the attendees?

1. Summarize Gatsby’s story of his background, as told to Nick. Does Nick believe Gatsby? What causes him to be suspicious?
   

1. Describe Meyer Wolfsheim. What does he look like? What does he wear? What does he talk about? What images do these details create? What is Gatsby’s connection to Wolfsheim? How do you know? What might this suggest about Gatsby?
   

1. What is ironic about Gatsby’s appraisal of Jordan Baker? When he suggests she is trustworthy?
   

1. Summarize Daisy’s life story. What do you learn about her? About her relationship with Gatsby?
   

1. After Daisy marries Tom, the two travel for a year. Where do they go? Why? What might this suggest?
   

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL ALLUSIONS

●Argonne Forest – in 1918, American troops fought in this region of northeast France, near the Belgian border.

●1919 World Series – players from the Chicago White Sox accepted a bribe to lose a game, allowing the Cincinnati Reds to win the World Series.

●Bootlegger – a manufacturer & distributor of alcohol, during Prohibition

●Von Hindenburg – (1847-1934) soldier and second president of Germany

●Little Montnegro – small kingdom which was annexed by Yugoslavia in 1918

●Blackwells Island – small island which lies in the East River beneath the Queensboro Bridge

●“old Metropole” – hotel at Broadway and 43rd in Manhattan

●Sauterne - a sweet white wine served with dessert.

●Rosy Rosenthal – Herman Rosenthal, gangster, notorious for his role in political and police corruption, murdered by members of police department.

●Camp Taylor – military base near Louisville, Kentucky.

CHAPTER 5

1. Gatsby’s preparations for his reunion with Daisy seem both flamboyant and absurd. What does he do? Why? Also – notice the use of color. What do the colors suggest? Consider the color of his clothing, especially.
   

1. Describe Gatsby’s behavior once Daisy has arrived. Is he nervous? How do you know? How does he try to impress Daisy?
   

1. In return for Nick’s help, Gatsby offers to let him in on a “rather confidential sort of thing” concerning bonds. What does this conversation say about Gatsby? About Nick?
   

1. What do you learn about how Gatsby’s house was built? What does this information suggest about Gatsby?
   

1. There are many references to time in the novel, especially to stopping time or turning back time. In this chapter, look at Fitzgerald’s use of the clock. What does the clock suggest?
   

1. Look closely at the lyrics to the song Klipspringer is singing. What is significant about the song?
   

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL ALLUSIONS

●“the secret of Castle Rackrent”-Castle Rackrent is a novel, published in 1800, which traces the downfall of a family of Irish landowners who live beyond their means, written by Maria Edgeworth

●“like Kant at his church steeple” – German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724 – 1804) was often found staring at the town’s steeple to help him organize his thoughts.

●“the Merton College Library” – library at Oxford University

●“Adam study” – in the style fo British neoclassical architect Robert Adam (1728-92)

●chartreuse – a green liquor

●Dan Cody – allusion to Buffalo Bill Cody, frontiersman and showman, who made money with popular Wild West shows

●“The Love Nest” – popular song of the 1920s

CHAPTER 6

1. Define the term “Platonic conception.” How does the quote apply to Gatsby? Recount the story of James Gatz. Why did he change his name? What myth is suggested by his transformation? How was Dan Cody a participant in Gatsby’s destiny?

1. What are Daisy’s impressions of Gatsby’s parties? Tom’s impressions? What do they say? How do they behave? What are their attitudes? How are their impressions ironic?
   

1. Describe the social interactions among Tom, the Sloanes, and Gatsby. Why does Mrs. Sloane invite Gatsby to dinner? What is suggested by his response?
   

1. Why does Gatsby feel his party was not a success?
   

1. Describe Gatsby’s recollections about the first time he kissed Daisy.
   

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL ALLUSIONS

●Madame de Maintenon - (1635–1719); second wife of Louis XIV of France, often depicted as ambitious, greedy, evil, and narrow-minded.

●“underground pipeline to Canada” – a pipeline that was used to transport alcohol into the United States during Prohibition.

●Tuolomee – a gold-mining area of northern California

●Platonic conception – Greek philosopher Plato (427-348 BCE) argued that the material world was illusory and true reality existed in an ideal realm beyond human senses.

●“he must be about His Father’s Business” – ironic reference to words of Jesus, in Luke 2:49

CHAPTER 7

1. What changes has Gatsby made in his household to accommodate Daisy?

1. What does Daisy and Tom’s daughter represent? Comment on Daisy’s behavior toward her daughter.

1. With whom does Tom speak at the beginning of the chapter, and why is this significant later in the chapter? What discovery does Tom make concerning Myrtle? What unites Tom and George at this point?

1. What does Gatsby mean when he says Daisy’s voice is “full of money”? Why does Fitzgerald put these words into Gatsby’s mouth and not Nick’s?

1. What arrangements have been made for the trip to the city? Why?

1. How does Tom categorize Gatsby? Which comments show his disdain?
   

1. Why does Tom bring up “intermarriage” when the conversation turns to Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship? What is ironic about Tom’s defense of his family life?
   
2. Why do Nick’s feelings toward Jordan change?

1. What is the significance of Nick remembering his 30th birthday?

1. What unites Tom and Daisy at the end of the chapter? What is Gatsby doing at the end of the chapter? How is this ironic?
   

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL ALLUSIONS

●Trimalchio – wealthy & extravagant character in Petronius' Satyricon, a satire on Roman life in the first century A.D.

●blessed isles – in classical mythology, where eternal peace can be found

●mint julep – classic drink of the American South, made with bourbon, sugar, and mint.

CHAPTER 8

1. Why does Gatsby speak so openly now?
   

1. Notice the religious imagery. Why is Gatsby’s love for Daisy described in religious terms?
   

1. Why does Daisy’s wealth/social position remain in the foreground of Gatsby’s memories?
   

1. Describe the early relationship between Gatsby and Daisy. Why does she marry Tom? Comment on Gatsby’s remark that if Daisy loved Tom once, it was “just personal.”
   

1. Look closely at Nick’s transformation from the beginning of the novel to this point. What has changed?
   

1. What is Gatsby’s response to Nick’s compliment? Why is it important to Nick that he thanks Gatsby for his hospitality?
   

1. How does Wilson view the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg? Refer back to the religious imagery in the chapter.
   

1. What does Nick mean when he says, “the holocaust was complete”? Is it important that George killed Gatsby? Why/How?
   

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL ALLUSIONS

●Beale Street Blues – jazz song written in1917

●Hempstead…South Hampton – Long Island shore towns.

CHAPTER 9

1. Who takes charge of Gatsby’s funeral arrangements? Why?
   

1. Who is Mr. Henry C. Gatz? Describe his arrival and his impression of Gatsby’s house.
   

1. To what does Gatsby’s boyhood list refer? What is the symbolic significance of the list and the book in which it was found?
   

1. Who attends Gatsby’s funeral? Why is each significant?
   

1. Look at Tom, Daisy, and Jordan at the end of the novel. Comment on their words and actions. Why do Tom and Daisy leave? Where do they go? What does this suggest about them?
   

1. Nick feels that Gatsby’s tragedy is a contrast between the East coast and Midwestern types of people. How are they so different?
   

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL ALLUSIONS

●pasquinade - a satirical piece of writing that holds its object up to ridicule, formerly one posted in a public place; lampoon.

●James J. Hill - (1838–1916) wealthy financier, built of the Great Northern Railway, peer of J.P. Morgan, rose from humble origins. .

●Hopalong Cassidy - cowboy hero of western books by Clarence E. Milford

●El Greco - (about 1541–1614); Spanish painter of religious scenes, which were usually elongated and distorted.

●Gatsby’s boyhood schedule – refers to Benjamin Franklin’s schedule in his Autobiography, which exemplifies the American ideal of advancement through discipline and hard work.

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