The Great Gatsby

by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Chapter 1

This chapter introduces the novel's main characters: Nick, Tom and Daisy Buchannan, Jordan Baker, and Gatsby. Make a chart as follows:

For each character write quotes from the novel (write page number) which best show what s/he SAYS, what s/he DOES, and how Nick DESCRIBES him or her.

Chapter 2

1. Continue your character charts, adding George Wilson, Myrtle Wilson and Catherine.

2. Draw a picture of the Eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, as Fitzgerald describes them in this chapter.
 

Chapter 3

1. Find five quotes each which describe the sights and the sounds at Gatsby's parties.

2. What various comments do the partygoers make about Gatsby's past and present?

3. Explain all the reasons Nick and Jordan never got together. Use quotes to assist you.
 

Chapter 4

1. Who came to Gatsby's house in the summer? Make a list of ten or more representative people, and include Nick's comments about each of them.

2. Summarize what Gatsby tells Nick about his background in this chapter.

3. Create a graphic using a wheel with spokes as follows:

On each spoke, write a quote which illuminates or suggests who Mr. Wolfsheim is and/or what his relationship with Gatsby might be. (Be sure to give the page number of each quote.)

Below the wheel, summarize what you discover about Wolfsheim in this chapter.
 

Chapter 5

1. What preparations does Gatsby make for Daisy's visit to Nick's house?

2. Comment on this quote: "He hadn't once ceased looking at Daisy and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes." (p. 96-97)

3. Prepare for a seminar on the section that begins on page 98: "After the house we were to see the grounds and the swimming pool..." and ends at the end of the chapter. Read and reread the passage, look up unfamiliar words, and come prepared to discuss the text in detail.
 

Chapter 6

1. Describe in detail the incident with the Sloans. Discuss what you think it means.

2. How does Tom react to the events at Gatsby's party (beginning on p. 110)? Why does he react as he does? Be specific both about what Tom sees and how he responds.

3. Prepare for a seminar on the section that begins on page 116: "He wanted nothing less of Daisy...." and ends with "the incarnation was complete," at the bottom of 117. Read and reread the passage, look up unfamiliar words, and come prepared to discuss the text in detail.

Chapter 7

1. Draw a larger scale road map from the Buchannans' house to the Plaza in NYC like the one below:

Sketch in important features and embellish with at least five important quotes from the chapter.

2. Describe the confrontation between Tom and Gatsby in New York. Tell what happens and also what it means to Tom, to Gatsby and to Daisy.

3. Who is Michaelis and what is he doing in this novel?

4. Comment on the two final images: Tom and Daisy at the kitchen table (152) and Gatsby in the moonlight (153). What is Fitzgerald trying to show?
 

Chapter 8

1. Summarize the story that Gatsby tells about Daisy in this chapter (155-159).

2. Explore the full meaning of these quotes:

 a.) "In any case," he said, "it was just personal." (160)

 b.) "They're a rotten crowd," I shouted, across the lawn. "You're worth the   whole damn bunch put together."

 c.) "God sees everything." (167

 d.)  If that was true, he must have thought he had lost the old warm world., paid   a high price for living too long with a single dream. (169)

3. Prepare for a seminar on the section that begins : "No telephone..." and ends with "amorphous trees," on 169. Read and reread the passage, look up unfamiliar words, and come prepared to discuss the text in detail.

Chapter 9

1. Who went to the funeral? Who didn't? Why?

2. Explore the full meaning of this quote: "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy...mess they had made...." (187-88)

3. Prepare for a seminar on the section that begins : "Most of the big shore places" and goes to the end of the book on 189. Read and reread the passage, look up unfamiliar words, and come prepared to discuss the text in detail.