Great Gatsby Review Questions
Who survives in this world?
the rich
What is Gatsby's dream and what are his methods?
get Daisy back (repeat the past); buy his house, throw parties, have Nick throw lunch
What is Myrtle's function of the 1920s?
gold-digger
Why is the title appropriate? Was Gatsby great? Was he a failure, and why?
he held onto his dream until he died; did everything right but failed bc Daisy's not worthy of his devotion
How has Nick matured by the end of the novel?
he prefers boring and moral to exciting and immoral
Why does Nick return to the Mid-West?
he won't find happiness in the city bc of the loose morals
Can a person repeat the past?
no
Does the novel represent the total picture of life in the 1920's? Explain.
no; only the rich in cities
What is Tom's function of the 1920s?
old money
What is Henry Gatz's function of the 1920s?
proud of Gatsby
Why does Nick end his relationship with Jordan?
she's selfish like the rest (and a pathological liar)
What is a real gentleman, talking about Tom and Gatsby?
someone who cares, is devoted, and make sacrifices
How is Gatsby like Ben Franklin?
the self-improvement schedule
What are the values and goals of the world described in the novel?
values are social standing, money, partying, and flaunting their wealth
How did Nick grow up?
with mid-west values; don't judge until you know someone
What destroys both Wilson and Gatsby?
women (devoted to their women, and the women aren't devoted back)
What is Jordan's function of the 1920s?
athlete, deception
What is George's function of the 1920s?
hard worker and outcast
What is Nick's attitude toward the Buchanans and Jordan at the beginning of the novel?
attracted to their money
What forces change Nick's attitude toward Tom?
breaking Myrtle's nose, Daisy's finger, double standards, racist to blacks and the poor, no respect for women, left after Gatsby's death
What does Nick learn about Daisy?
At the beginning, she's a victim (Tom is manipulative, violent, disloyal and tells everyone about it) and not at end (she's just like Tom; runs off after the accident)
What is Nick's original opinion of Gatsby?
disapproving of him showing off
How does the novel show a perversion of the American Dream?
Gatsby achieved the dream but still isn't happy
How does the era of Prohibition lend an added significance to the hypocrisy emphasized in the novel?
Gatsby is the only one criticized for bootlegging when they all drink alcohol
How does Nick come to change his mind about Gatsby?
Gatsby stayed outside Daisy's house in case Tom hurts her (bc of the fight); Daisy only married Tom bc he was rich
Nick and Gatsby are foils for Fitz's life. What 2 personalities do they represent?
Nick is realism (can't bring back the past) and Gatsby is idealism (can bring back the past)
What is Daisy's function of the 1920s?
flapper, old money
Is Jay Gatsby an idealist or materialist? Explain?
appears to be a materialist, but is an idealist bc it's all for Daisy