To Town
CHAPTER 7
Describe the details of the scene at Daisy’s
house that make Daisy keep insisting that
she wants to “go to town.” Why do you
think she wants to go to town? Why right
now? What does she hope going to town
will accomplish?
Full of Money
CHAPTER 7
What does Gatsby mean when he says that
Daisy’s voice is “full of money”? How is
this a good or bad sound? Justify your
analysis with examples and quotes from the
story.
Anger
CHAPTER 7
Explain the paradox and hypocrisy of
Tom’s anger at Gatsby for his relationship
with Daisy. Discuss the different nuances
of why this is complex and contradictory.
Real Love
CHAPTER 7
As Tom and Gatsby fight over Daisy,
explain why Daisy retreats into herself.
Discuss whom she really loves. Justify your
analysis with examples and quotes from the
story.
Driving
CHAPTER 7
Explore these two scenarios and why
they’re different:
(1)Gatsby is driving, or
(2) Daisy is driving.
How are things complicated in different
ways depending on whom is driving during
the accident? How will Tom react? Wilson?
The police? Nick?
Motives
CHAPTER 8
Explore what this quote tells us about the
motives and character of Gatsby, all his
money, and his love for Daisy: “What was
the use of doing great things if I could
have a better time telling her about things I
was going to do?”
Worth
CHAPTER 8
Why does Nick tell Gatsby that “we’re a
rotten crowd,” that “you’re worth the whole
bunch put together”? Is he talking about
money? Or something else? What is Gatsby
“worth”?
Incorruptible
CHAPTER 8
What is Gatsby’s dream? And why is it
incorruptible?
Wilson
CHAPTER 8
Examine Wilson’s behavior as he deals with
the death his wife. Predict what he is going
to do? With the emotions he has, what
actions is he capable of ? Justify your answer
with evidence or quotes from the story.
God Sees
CHAPTER 8
When Wilson stares at Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s
eyes on the billboard, why does he say that
“God sees everything”?
Interested
CHAPTER 9
How do you think it feels after Gatsby dies
for Nick to be called the only person
interested in him? Why do you think he’s
the only one? What does this mean for this
whole culture that these people live in?
What does it say about people? What does it
say about the things they care about?
Busy
CHAPTER 9
Why do you think everybody is too busy to
come take care of Gatsby’s situation after
his death when they add all the time in the
world to come to his parties?
Mad Man
CHAPTER 9
Discuss the label “mad man.” Explore the
reasons why everyone is saying that
Gatsby’s killer must have been a “mad
man.” What does this say about their beliefs
about Gatsby? How might this say
something about their beliefs about the
American Dream?
Funeral
CHAPTER 9
Explore the various reasons no one is
coming to Gatsby’s funeral. Justify your
thoughts with evidence and quotes from the
story.
Green Light
CHAPTER 9
“Gatsby believed in the green light, the future that year by year
recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter -- tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther . . . And
one fine morning -- So we beat on, boats against the current, borne
back ceaselessly into the past.”
After having read the whole story, do you think we
are supposed to believe in the green light? And what
might that long dash after “one fine morning”
mean? Explain and justify your thoughts.