Great Gatsby Chapters 1-3

(meaning of symbols) Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleberg - how are they first referenced? What are they actually? What might they symbolize and how do you know?

A pair of fading, bespectacled eyes painted on an old advertising billboard over the Valley of Ashes. They may represent God staring down upon and judging American society as a moral wasteland, though the novel never makes this point explicitly.

What kinds of people come to Gatsby's parties?

Anybody: people from the East and West Eggs, young Englishmen, his few guests that he occasionally personally invites (Nick), famous people, people who don't even know Gatsby and weren't invited (they went there, ended up at Gatsby's door, someone knew Gatsby would introduce them sometimes not, and then they would party).

(character traits) Tom Buchanan

Arrogant, rude, and pushy.

Where does Tom take Myrtle and Nick when they get together in Chapter Two after meeting at Wilson's garage?

Eckleberg

How is Gatsby introduced into the novel? What rumors are associated with Gatsby?

First he is prefaced, as a character and as an idea, in Nick's introduction to the story. In the following pages, Nick begins his story and Gatsby becomes part of a conversation when Nick goes to dinner with Daisy, Tom and Jordan. Gatsby is rumored to be a German spy, a relative of the Kaiser, a bootlegger, an Oxford man, a war hero, and among other things.

West Egg: Which main character(s) live(s) there? do the houses look like? Symbolically, what does this area represent?

Gatsby and Nick. Middle class (besides Gatsby). The clash between "old money" and "new money" manifests itself in the novel's symbolic geography: East Egg represents the established aristocracy, West Egg the self-made rich.

What does Tom do to Myrtle when Myrtle mentions Daisy's name?

He hit her and broke her nose.

What are Nick's thoughts about himself in chapter one?

He realizes he has been given certain advantages and is inclined to reserve judgement of others. Also, he says he is one of the few honest people he has ever met.

What does Nick tell us about the history of his family?

His family started their own business and became very wealthy and successful because of it.

Describe Gatsby's wealth based on imagery from chapter three.

Huge mansion, lavish parties, plane, library, two motor boats, Rolls-Royce, station wagon, eight servants, caterers, gardeners, butlers, huge amounts of decadent food for his parties and guests.

Who is actually invited to Gatsby's parties, aside from Nick?

Jordan Baker

(character traits) Myrtle Wilson

Lives life without care and is fun-loving.

(character traits) Nick Carraway

Lonely, curious.

(character traits) Jay Gatsby

Modest, polite, mysterious, stoic.

What does Nick say was his reason for moving East?

Nick decided to move East to learn the bond business. He wanted the world to be uniform and free of judgement.

What are Nick's thoughts about Gatsby?

Nick is particularly taken with Gatsby and considers him a great figure. He sees both the extraordinary quality of hope that Gatsby possesses and his idealistic dream of loving Daisy in a perfect world...In Nick's view, Gatsby's capacity to dream makes him "great" despite his flaws and eventual undoing.

During the party, what character flaw does Nick recognize in Jordan Baker?

Nick learns that she cheated in a tennis tournament.

(character traits) Jordan Baker

Polite, quiet, and animated.

(character traits) Daisy Buchanan

Sad and lonely.

What reason does Myrtle give for having married George Wilson?

She believed he was a wealthy gentleman.

How does Myrtle change from the Valley of Ashes to the party?

She changes to a nicer looking dress as she adopts a new personality that abandons her lower-class trappings.

In contrast to Jordan, what is Nick's "cardinal virtue" that he mentioned in his narration?

That he is the only honest person he knows.

Valley of Ashes: Which main character(s) live(s) there? do the houses look like? Symbolically, what does this area represent?

The Wilsons. It is a dirty and run down small town. The ashes could symbolize previous hopes. It represents the poor who pursued wealth, weren't successful and have now lost motivation.

(meaning of symbols) "Owl Eyes" - how is he first introduced? What is he doing? What might his actions/claims symbolize and how do you know?

The only former partygoer who shows up. His "owl eyes" symbolize his perceptiveness and his ability to see the truth. When readers first meet Owl Eyes, he is marveling over the realism of Gatsby's library, seemingly aware that the books are just props in the artificial scene of Gatsby's home.

East Egg: Which main character(s) live(s) there? What do the houses look like? Symbolically, what does this area represent?

Tom, Daisy, and Jordan. Large elegant mansions. East Egg is where the "real" aristocrats live: those with older money and established credentials.

(meaning of symbols) Green light on the dock - how is it first referenced? What is it actually? What might it symbolize and how do you know?

When it is mentioned that Gatsby's house is right across from Daisy's, it represents Gatsby's hopes and dreams. Gatsby associates it with Daisy, and in Chapter 1 he reaches towards it in the darkness as a guiding light to lead him to his goal.

So far in the reading, in your opinion, which passages have the most impressive imagery and/or masterful use of language?

_