Gatsby chapter 1

Describe the setting of the novel (time and place). Distinguish between East Egg and West Egg.

1920s, Long Island Sound, New York; East Egg was more fashionable than West Egg

Who is the narrator? What point of view is this?

Nick Carraway; first person

identify Jordan Baker.

She can be very lazy and nosy. She wanted to listen to Tom and Daisy's conversation rather than talking to Nick.

What does Daisy mean when she says she hopes her little girl will be a fool because "that's the best thing a girl can be in the world, a beautiful little fool?"

Since her marriage with Tom is not great, she does not want her daughter to feel abandoned like she did, and if she is a fool, she won't know what it is like.

What are your initial impressions of the Buchanans and Miss Baker? Why?

They are rich, arrogant, and lazy people because they are rich and Miss Baker yawns all the time. Tom is a tough, impatient, racist man and Daisy is curious and seems exciting

Discuss the background and family history of Nick Carraway, and tell why he came to the East. What does he mean when he says, "I am inclined to reserve all judgments?"

They came from the Dukes of Buccleuch, but the actual founder of the line was his grandpa's brother, who came there and started the wholesale hardware business that Nick's father carries on today. He means that he cannot judge other people because he has had advantages that other people have not.

Identify Daisy and Tom Buchanan. How does Nick know them?

They were a rich couple that had "permanently" moved to East Egg. Daisy was Nick's second cousin and he knew Tom in college

What is the significance of the phone call Tom receives? Which character explains the significance of the phone call to Nick?

Tom has a "woman"; Miss Baker

When does Nick first see Gatsby? What does he observe Gatsby doing?

When he is putting his car in the shed, he sees Gatsby behind him; he was standing there with his arms stretched out, trembling