1. The Great Gatsby
Chapter 1

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.”

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.