The Great Gatsby Anticipation Guide

For each statement, indicate whether you agree or disagree For each statement, indicate whether you agree or disagree. In a paragraph, state your reason for each answer, for instance, a real-life example or an explanation of how the statement exhibits faulty logic.

Outward appearances can be deceptive. Can you give specific examples from your own life in which outward appearances were misleading? In what ways do you think that people in American society may be too concerned with outward appearances? Explain.

Attainment of a dream may be less satisfying than the pursuit of that dream. Why do you think pursuing a dream or goal might be more satisfying than actually achieving it? Explain. Can you give an example of this happening to someone you know or have heard about?

Wealth can breed carelessness. Under what circumstances do you think this could happen? Describe. Can you think of a situation in which wealthy persons have demonstrated great generosity, kindness, or sensitivity to others?

Blind pursuit of an ideal is destructive. In what ways might the “blind pursuit” of any dream or goal be damaging both to the pursuer and those around him? Why do you think people become obsessed with a particular goal?

The American Dream is corrupted by the desire for wealth. What do you think is meant by the concept of the American Dream? What means are generally used to attain it? In what ways do you think the original American Dream, the dream of the people who settled this country, may have differed from its modern definition.