The Great Gatsby Discussion Questions, Chapter 6

Read and annotate the following passage, from just after Daisy and Gatsby have gone to Nick's house and "sat on the steps for half an hour" during the party (Fitzgerald 112). What inferences can you draw from the passage?

Based on this passage, it can be inferred that Gatsby and Daisy went to Nick's house to speak privately and far away from Tom.

What is Daisy for Gatsby? (Reread this paragraph carefully if needed. You are considering what she symbolizes for him.)

Daisy symbolizes a dream or a goal for Gatsby to reach. Daisy gives Gatsby hope and faith, especially after returning from the war. It can be inferred that Gatsby as part of "the lost generation", and when Daisy got married, it only made things worse. Therefore, Daisy gave Gatsby something to look up to, and a motivation to keep going.

What does Daisy's reaction reveal about her?

Daisy's reaction reveals how she does not care about Gatsby's big parties and social status, and that she just loves Gatsby for the person he is.

Reread the last three paragraphs of the chapter (beginning "...One autumn night..."). Discuss the imagery of the third- and second-to-last paragraphs.

During the third-second-to-last paragraph, Nick describes an event that happened five years ago. In these paragraphs Fitzgerald uses imagery such as the color of the sidewalk, the season, the cool night, the "quiet lights", "humming", and Gatsby's heart rate to set the mood/setting of the memory/flashback.

Are Gatsby and Tom more alike or different? Why? How might their similarities and differences relate to Fitzgerald's theme(s)? Explain.

Gatsby and Tom are both alike and different, but more so different. Both Gatsby and Tom are extremely wealthy and will do anything to maintain their wealth and social status. However, there are differences between the two characters. Gatsby is more caring, attentive, wanting acceptance, and is faithful to Daisy. However, Tom is arrogant, abusive, uncaring, and unfaithful to Daisy. Their similarities and differences relate to Fitzgerald's theme of light and dark. Gatsby can be considered a "light" or good character because of his caring and devotion to Daisy. However, Tom could be viewed as a "dark" or bad character because of his uncaring and abuse towards Daisy. Both Tom and Gatsby possess Greed, a grey area for both of the characters.

Explain how Gatsby made the transition from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby.

Gatsby made the transition from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby at the age of seventeen when he saw Dan Cody's yacht that was in a dangerous area and envisioned himself as Jay Gatsby when he took a rowboat and helped Cody.

Why does Gatsby refer to Tom as "the polo player?"

Gatsby refers to Tom as "the polo player" because Gatsby knows Tom's name, but chooses to refer to him as "the polo player" not only because he rides horses, but to also taunt Tom(he has social status, and most people know him, but Gatsby make it a point to refer to him as "the polo player").

Explain what Nick (as the narrator) is stating in the first paragraph on page 94.

In the first paragraph on page 94, Nick states "He told me all this very much later, but I've put it down here with the idea of exploding those first wild rumors about his antecedents, which weren't even faintly true. Moreover, he told it to me at a time of confusion, when I had reached the point of believing everything and nothing about him. So I take advantage of this short halt, while Gatsby, so to speak, caught his breath, to clear this set of misconceptions away"(Fitzgerald 82). In this paragraph, Nick says that Gatsby did not tell Nick his backstory until much later in the story. However, Nick chose to include this information about Gatsby so that the readers do not believe the rumors and misconceptions about him.

Discuss Gatsby's reaction to Daisy's coming to his party (pages 100-101). What does he mean when he says, "Can't repeat the past?...Why of course you can!" (100)?

In this passage, Nick refers to those living in West Egg as fake, lonely, and as having a low social status/relationships. Nick believes that parties are the only thing that brings West Egg together, unlike East Egg. After Daisy came to Gatsby's party, he believes that the party was a complete failure because she did not divorce/separate from Tom. Gatsby believes that he and Daisy can "repeat the past" by rekindling and trying to undo the five years that have passed by destroying Daisy's relationship with Tom to be with Gatsby. Then, Gatsby believes that they could go back to Louisville to get married and live with each other. However, Nick knows that Gatsby's dream could never be a reality since Daisy has a well-established life with Tom and her child in West Egg.

The end of the second-to-last paragraph says, "Then he kissed her. At his lips' touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete" (111). Define incarnation.

Incarnation means "a living being embodying a deity or spirit"(Dictonary.com) as used in context.

Discuss the implications of this passage. Why is Daisy "offended" (107)? Refer to the diction of the passage to support your answer.

It can be implied that Daisy is upset by the massive, lavish, and ostentatious party that Gatsby threw. Daisy feels offended because this is not Gatsby's nature, she is offended that Gatsby tries to act like a West Egg party host for attention, acceptance, and relationships. She is also offended about how hard Gatsby tries to get her to run off with him.

When Daisy and Tom attend one of Gatsby's parties, how does Nick see the party differently in Daisy's presence (p. 96-97)? Explain why.

Nick sees the party differently in Daisy's presence because he realizes that most people from East egg are not accustomed to large, outrageous parties. Additionally, Daisy's presence makes Nick feel uncomfortable even though he has come to accept West Egg.

How do they treat Gatsby? Refer to specific textual evidence to prove your answer.

The group treats Gatsby(from West Egg-new wealth) as equal to East Egg(Old Wealth). Therefore they do not want to be entertained or amused by Gatsby's wealth as demonstrated when Fitzgerald states "'I'm delighted to see you' said Gatsby standing on his porch. 'I'm delighted that you dropped in.' As though they cared! 'Sit right down. Have a cigarette or a cigar.'' I'll have something to drink for you in just a minute.' He was profoundly affected by the fact that Tom was there. But he would be uneasy anyhow until he had given them something realizing in a vague way that that was all they came for. Mr.Sloane wanted nothing" (Fitzgerald 82-83). This quote demonstrates how Gatsby does not have friends, so he feels the constant need to entertain and do things for others. Gatsby also wants to show off to Tom, knowing that Tom is Daisy's husband.

Consider the "sound" of the two names Gatsby has had. Why might he have chosen to change his name as he did? (Consider his goals for himself.)

The name James Gatz sounds less refined and harsher than the name Jay Gatsby. Jay Gatsby sounds more refined and sophisticated, like someone with a mass amount of wealth. Therefore, Gatsby might have chosen to change his name as he did to make it sound nicer.

What does this scene reveal about Gatsby's social status? How might it relate to Fitzgerald's themes? Explain.

This scene reveals that Gatsby's social status is none existent. Gatsby has no connections with those in both east and west, most people do not even know who he is. Gatsby is a mysterious figure to those that attend his marvelous parties. Gatsby's social status also relates to Fitzgerald's theme of "old money" and "new money". Those who live in East Egg have old or inherited money. East Egg is typically for the wealthy, refined, have social status, and have deep connections with others who live in East Egg. On the other hand, those who live in East Egg have "new money" and are ostentatious, frivolous, and do not have much social status.

What does this statement reveal about Gatsby?

This statement reveals that Gatsby is living in the past, and wants things to be like it was before the war and before his life spiraled out of control.

Refer to pages 94-96. Nick is at Gatsby's house one day when a group, including Tom, arrives on horseback. Who are these people?

Tom's friends from West Egg(Mr. Sloane and a "pretty lady") stopped by Gatsby's house one day as a group.