2.  F. Scott Fitzgerald › Grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota › As a young army lieutenant stationed in the South, he met Zelda Sayre.  Turbulent marriage, which was marked by an extravagant lifestyle, alcoholism, and an emotional breakdown for Zelda. › 2 collections of short stories / 4 novels  His style is described as “lushly evocative”

3.  Roaring 20’s – The Jazz Age › WWI has ended › Period is marked by economic growth and a rise in prosperity  However, there is still great disparity between the rich and everyone else. › Social changes  18 th Amendment – banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol (prohibition)  19 th Amendment – gave women the right to vote  Age of the Automobile – cars increased from 7 million (1919) to 23 million (1929)  Era marked by jazz, drinking, and partying.

4. 1) How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of the novel? 2) How does Nick describe Tom Buchanan? 3) Who is Jordan Baker? What does Nick find appealing about her? 4) What is Gatsby doing when Nick first sees him? 5) Describe the ambiguity in Nick’s initial descriptions of Gatsby. 6) How does the tone of Nick’s description of Tom reveal Nick’s feelings about Tom? 7) How would you describe Daisy’s state of mind during dinner? What does she say and do that helps reveal her inner conflicts? 8) 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? 9) What indications are there that the green light will have a powerful emotional significance to Gatsby?