Nick

1. Why do you think that Scott Fitzgerald (the author) used Nick as the narrator and not Gatsby? What is the effect?

 

Daisy

1. Do you feel that Daisy is a sympathetic character? How is the audience meant to feel about her?

2. What do you think of Daisy’s ultimate choice? Does it seem consistent with her character?

 

Gatsby

1. When they are kissing at his party, why is Gatsby so upset by Daisy’s wish to “run away?” What important difference does it reveal about their characters?

2. How does the story of Gatsby’s childhood affect our understanding of his character?

3. Why is Gatsby losing his temper in the hotel such a big deal? What does it indicate?

4. Is Jay Gatsby great? In other words, is Fitzgerald's title sincere or ironic? How do you know?

 

Symbolism

Analyze the following symbols from the text:

• The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock

• The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleberg (the billboard that hovers over the Valley of Ashes)

 

Themes

What do you think Fitzgerald is saying about the following subjects (themes). What devices/methods/techniques does Fitzgerald use to express his perspective about each of these subjects? 

• American dream in the 1920s

• the morals or ethos of American culture in the 1920s

• Wealth

• Love

• The Role of Women