Great Gatsby Misc.
What does Henry C. Gatz represent in the novel?
western values
What does Myrtle represent in the novel?
gold digger
Why does Nick go to NY?
he wanted some excitement
What did this battle lead to?
his own personal tragedy (Zelda)
What quality does Nick represent?
honesty ("I am one of the few honest people") -to his father's advice -to his feelings about Tom and Daisy
What is the personality represented by Gatsby?
idealist
Is Gatsby an idealist or a materialist? Explain.
idealist (materialism was for Daisy)
What is Nick's attitude toward the Buchanans and Jordan at the beginning of the novel?
impressed by their wealth/the way they live (but doesn't judge)
What does George represent in the novel?
lower class
What quality does Daisy represent?
money/carelessness ("Voice is full of money")
What does West Egg symbolize?
new money/ caring attitude (good people)
Does the novel represent the total picture of life in the 1920's?
no
What quality does Gatsby represent?
not fitting in to society -reduced to clothes: can't even dress right for high society (pink suit) -he cares too much about other people (?)
What does Tom represent in the novel?
old money
What does East Egg symbolize?
old money/uncaring attitude
What are the values and goals of the world described in the novel?
party, money, social standing
What is the personality represented by Nick?
realist
What is Fitzgerald's unique method of characterization?
reduces 3 characters to a single quality that seems to represent their whole personality
Who is a real gentleman?
same standards for all people, caring, humble (Myrtle married George bc she "thought he was a gentleman")
Why doesn't Tom leave Daisy for Myrtle?
social standing
What is Gatsby's dream?
to be with Daisy
How has Nick matured by the end of the novel?
turns 30; realizes they're not as good of people as they seem
What do Nick and Gatsby represent to Fitzgerald?
two facets of his own personality with which he battled
Gatsby's thoughts on the past
wanted to repeat the past; "Of course you can"
When does the light turn red?
when Daisy says "I loved you too" (or even "I love the way you love me")
When does the light "turn yellow?"
when Nick says you can't repeat the past
How does the novel show a perversion of the American Dream?
worked hard and was successful from little, but centered life around a shallow, materialistic person
What does his father's advice mean?
you can only judge someone once you know them; many don't have the same advantages he's had
Why did Gatsby have to die?
had new money; cared
Why did George and Myrtle have to die?
had no money
Why does Nick return to the Middle West?
he has morals
What does planning Gatsby's funeral say about Nick?
he stayed with him to the end
Nick's thoughts on the past
"You can't repeat the past"
Why is Nick a good narrator?
bc he's honest
Why does Wilson think Tom killed Myrtle?
because of their affair; found expensive dog leash
What had Tom accused Gatsby of (money)?
bootlegging (not old money)
What destroys both Wilson and Gatsby?
devotion to women who are not worthy of them
What is Nick's quote about himself?
"I am one of the few honest people here."
Nick's thoughts on Gatsby
"They're a rotten crowd; You're worth the whole damn bunch put together"
What is his father's advice?
"Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had"
What does the green light mean to Gatsby?
"go" for his dream
What were Tom's thoughts on Gatsby's death?
"he had it coming"
What does the Valley of Ashes represent?
(coal from trains) the poor/lower class
What is Nick's original opinion of Gatsby?
didn't like him at first, thinks he's shallow by flaunting wealth ("[he] seemed to represent all I had disdained")
How does Nick come to change him mind about Gatsby?
-Gatsby didn't participate (in parties), drink; materialism was all for Daisy -Gatsby waits outside Daisy's house, took blame for Myrtle's death (to protect) -waited for Daisy's call
What forces change Nick's attitude toward Tom?
-he had a mistress (and didn't try to hide it) and showed him the apartment to see her (Myrtle) -Racist ("Rise of the Colored Empires") -looks down on women/ (hits Myrtle), has double standard/possessive ("women run around too much")
Why does Nick end his relationship with Jordan?
-she wasn't honest (cheated in golf tournament, lied about leaving convertible open when it rained) -only cared about herself (other bad drivers could stay out of her way)
Why is the title of the novel appropriate? Was Gatsby great? Was he a failure?
-the real Gatsby is great -("You can hold on to a dream better than any person i've ever known") -also a "failure": never became part of East Egg
Who survives in this world?
East Eggers (old money/people who only care about themselves)
What does Owl Eyes realize?
Gatsby is a real person that has values (not careless; has real books)
What does Daisy never do?
discourage him from loving her
What does Henry read?
Gatsby's past schedule/resolves to be a better person (like Ben Franklin's thing)
What does TJ Eckleberg represent?
God/all-knowing deity that couldn't change lives ("God sees everything")
What does Jordan represent in the novel?
dishonesty (liar)
Who all came to the funeral?
Nick, Henry C. Gatz, postman, a few servants, and Owl Eyes
What does Nick learn about Daisy?
She is just like Tom
How does the era of prohibition lend an added significance to the hypocrisy emphasized in the novel?
everyone breaks the law but only Gatsby is criticized b/c lives in West Egg
"He's too dumb to know he's alive"
Tom to Nick (about George)
What are some of Nick's advantages?
Yale, Midwest, Hardware business, upper middle class, NY
