Chapter 1 1-11

1.) Notice how Fitzgerald uses the words hope, or dream. Why does he do this?

It’s setting up the theme the death of the American dream, he uses them to show that although many say they want to live few do. The use of these words show that the American dream is close to impossible.

2.) Nick starts the novel by revealing his father’s advice “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” List Nick’s advantage. Does he reserve judgment in the novel?

Nick is not poor; he brings up the idea of new money. He has to work for money but he didn’t come from nothing. He has had the opportunity to travel across the country which shows how not poor he is. When he hears things about other he will keep his judgments to himself.

3.) Pay attention to time. What is the day and year during the first scene at Daisy’s house?

June 7th, 1922

4.) Describe Nick. What facts do you know about him, and what do you infer about him? What kind of narrator do you think he will be?

He was west born, but wanted to move east to go to school at Yale. He is originally from Chicago, and does not come from old money. Although he is not extremely wealthy he is not poor either, his family owns a hardware store that has been in his family for 3 or 4 generations. He will be a reliable narrator because he is honest and good.

5.) What image does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean?

She is not like average women of that time. She is smart and individual, and when talking to Nick she seems a little standoffish. She raises her chin, which is one of the first things Nick notices, she is holding something up and it will easily fall.

6.) How does Nick react to Jordon?

He was intimidated.

7.) What does Tom’s behavior reveal about his character?

Tom, although an ex famous college football player is a total jerk. He is racist because he is racist and sexist, but he thinks that he is super smart and clever because he is reading a “scientific” book. He is living in the past because he can’t get over is glory days as a football player.

8.) What does nick say about Daisy’s voice? What does this say about Daisy?

Her voice is very calm and it draws people in, her laugh is described as charming.

9.) Daisy says, “The best thing for a girl is to be a beautiful little fool”. Why does she say this and what does she mean by it. What do you think it infers about her?

They are living in a mans world. Daisy was very sad when she found out that her baby was a boy because a girl can’t live in this time unless she acts as a beautiful little fool. It shows that she is hiding back her true self so she doesn’t lose her wealthy life.

10.) How do you feel about Tom? What details about him stick out? How is he an allied to Nick? What type of husband is he? Why? What books has he recently read and what does this infer about him? How does Nick respond?

He is a racist, sexist womanizer. You can tell that he is a typical rich boy who does whatever he wants because he has money. He is a terrible husband because he is having an affair with a woman in New York also he is very controlling. He is reading a book about the other races taking over the white population, which he thinks is scientific because he is racist. He belongs to old wealth.

11.) What is the difference between Nick and the Buccanhans?

Nick is not from old wealth he is from new wealth he lives on the west egg, which represents new wealth and the east egg represents old wealth. Nick doesn’t care as much about money as tom and daisy do.