Westphals American Lit

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The Great Gatsby Study Guide
From the introduction:
What is MODERNISM?

Why did modernism happen?

What did modernism cover?

What inspired some of Fitzgeralds writing in The Great Gatsby?

Characters
Nick Carraway

Daisy
Buchanan
Tom Buchanan

Myrtle Wilson

Jordan Baker

Meyer
Wolfsheim
Jay Gatsby

Name:

Week One Vocabulary

Privy

Gaudy

Supercilious

Deft

Reciprocal

Apathetic

Compel

Discreet

Intimation

Proprietor

Contemptuous

Obscure

Discordant

Defunct

Homogeneity

Week Two Vocabulary

Fluctuating
Fractiousness
Retribution
Truculent
Magnanimous
Vicariously
Stagnant
Pervade

Desolate
Stratum
Melancholy
Fortuitous
Recede
Interminable
Pasquinade

Chapter 1
1. Where does Nick come from? What is his background?

2. Where did Nick rent a house? Why is this location strange?

3. Describe Tom Buchanan. What do you think were supposed to think of him?

4. What is your first impression of Daisy? Why?

5. What does Daisy mean when she says thats the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful
fool (p 17)?

6. What is it that Nick feels as he leaves Tom and Daisys home?

7. What does Nick see in the moonlight when he gets home?

Chapter 2
1. What is the Valley of Ashes? What does it symbolize?

2. Who (or what) is Doctor T.J. Eckleburg?

3. Where does Tom take Nick to meet the other woman?

4. How does Nick describe his time at the apartment with Myrtle and Tom? What do we think hes
feeling?

5. What does Catherine tell Nick about Toms marriage?

6. How does Myrtle feel about her husband?

Chapter 3
1. How does Nick get involved with Gatsbys party?

2. What are some of the rumors about who Gatsby is?

3. What do Nick and Gatsby have in common?

4. Jordan Baker doesnt believe Gatsby about his past. What doesnt she believe about it?

5. What happens outside of Gatsbys house as Nick is leaving the party?

6. Would you want to go to one of these parties? Why or why not?

7. What does Nick believe is Jordans biggest problem?

Chapter 4
1. Why does Nick take the time to tell us the names of all of Gatsbys guests?

2. Do you believe what Gatsby says about where he comes from?

3. What is Meyer Wolfsheims business? What does he do?

4. Who does Nick encounter at when meeting with Wolfsheim and Gatsby?

5. Who was Daisy connected to before her marriage to Tom?

6. What did Daisy do the night before her wedding day, according to Jordan?

7. What do Nick and Jordan plan to do for Daisy?

Chapter 5
1. Why does Gatsby want to cut the grass in Nicks yard?

2. How does Daisy react to seeing Gatsby?

3. What is Gatsbys attitude when Nick comes back?

4. Where do they go after tea at Nicks house?

5. What makes Daisy break down and cry?

6. Where are Daisy and Gatsby when Nick leaves?

Chapter 6
1. What is Gatsbys legal name?

2. How did Gatsby lie about his background?

3. Who is Dan Cody?

Chapter 7

1. Why does Gatsby quit the parties and hire all new servants?
4. What is Toms attitude during Gatsbys party?
2. What kind of mother is Daisy?

5. What does Nick say Gatsby wants from Daisy?

3. What is Daisys voice full of?

4.
has happened
to Wilson?
6.What
Why does
Gatsby want
to fix everything just the way it was before?
5. Describe what happens between Tom and Gatsby over Daisy:

6. What happened to Myrtle?

7. Who was responsible for what happened?

Chapter 8
1. What was it that kept Gatsby and Daisy apart when they were young?

2. What did Gatsby work hard for? Why did he create the extravagant lifestyle?

3. How does George Wilson cope with Myrtles death?

4. What information does George Wilson get?

5. What happens to Gatsby? What happens to Wilson?

Chapter 9
1. What happened to Tom and Daisy?

2. How does Meyer Wolfsheim respond to the news?

3. Who is Mr. Gatz? What does he say about Gatsby?

4. What is the general response about the funeral?

5. What does the schedule tell us about Gatsby?

6. Who attends the funeral?

7. What does Nick say about the East?

What was Gatsbys dream, and how does that connect to Modernism? Was his
dream fulfilled? Was it lost?