The Great Gatsby Chapter 1

Question #1 How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of the book? He says he is one of the few honest people around – judicious – not judgmental – tolerant– both an insider and an outsider

Question #2 Who is Jordan Baker? She is a friend of Daisy’s. What does Nick find appealing about her? She is aloof and self-sufficient.

Question #3 Describe the ambiguity in Nick’s initial descriptions of Gatsby. Gatsby represents everything for which Nick had an unaffected scorn --- there was something gorgeous about him.

Question #4 Describe Daisy’s state of mind during the dinner party? Daisy seems flighty and upset. What does she say and do that helps her reveal her inner conflict? She tells Nick that she has become cynical and much too sophisticated. She implies she is unsatisfied with her marriage.

Question #5 Nick thinks that, given the state of their marriage, Daisy should leave Tom, but it is clear to him that she has no intention of doing so. What indication is there that Tom and Daisy are closely linked despite their marital difficulties? The most significant link is Daisy’s mention of “the rather distinguished society to which she and Tom belonged.”

Point of View What does Fitzgerald achieve by using Nick’s point of view to tell Gatsby’s story? Nick is not purely an observer – he participates in the action – he is not the central figure. This viewpoint allows him not only to tell the story but also to interpret and make comments on the characters, themes, and actions.

Tom 30 years old Yale graduate Sturdy Straw hair Arrogant eyes Hard mouth Supercilious manner Muscular cruel body Husky voice Enormously wealthy family Owns string of polo ponies Played football at Yale Has a “woman in N.Y.” Worried by a book he has read

Daisy Murmurs to make people lean toward her Low, thrilling voice Speech is an arrangement of notes that will never be heard again Sad, lovely face Bright eyes Bright, passionate mouth Black and blue finger she blames on Tom Loses interest quickly Impersonal eyes devoid of all desire

Jordan Exhibited self-sufficiency Slender, small-breasted girl Erect carriage as if leaning backwards Gray, sun-strained eyes Wan, charming, discontented face Autumn-leaf yellow hair Eavesdrops on Daisy and Tom’s conversation Golfer --- plays in tournaments Impersonal eyes devoid of all desire

Nick Graduated from Yale Came from a prominent mid-western family --- wholesale hardware Served in WWI Rather literary in college Came East to learn the bond business Inclined to reserve judgment People like to confide in Nick His tolerance does have a limit

Setting East Egg Glittered with white palaces West Egg Less fashionable A run-down cottage like Nick’s could be next door to a mansion like Gatsby’s.

Nick’s house Weather-beaten, cardboard bungalow An eyesore

Buchanan’s House Red and white Georgian cathedral Overlooking the bay Lawn stretched ¼ mile from the beach Sun dials, brick walks, gardens Bright vines on the house French windows at the front reflected gold

Gatsby’s House Imitation of a hotel in Normandy Tower on one side with a thin beard of raw ivy Marble swimming pool 40 acres of lawn and garden A colossal affair by any standard

Nick’s Confusion When Nick leaves the Buchanans’ house, he is “confused and a little disgusted.” Why? The obvious tension between Tom and Daisy Daisy’s bruised finger The phone call Nick’s values are not those of Tom and Daisy. He has the grace to be offended by their relationship.