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The Great Gatsby

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'The Great Gatsby' Study Questions

Points for Discussing F. Scott Fitzgerald's Famous Jazz Age Novel

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" The Great Gatsby " is American author F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous novel. The story, a symbolic portrayal of the decline of the American Dream, is an accurate depiction of the Jazz Age that cemented Fitzgerald as a fixture in literary history. Fitzgerald is a master storyteller who layers his novels with themes and symbolism.

Study Questions

Here are some questions around which to build a lively discussion for your next book club meeting:

• What is important about the title of "The Great Gatsby?"
• Which adaptations of the novel have you seen? What did you think of them?
• What are the conflicts in "The Great Gatsby"? What types of conflicts—physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional—figure in this novel? Are they resolved?
• Why is Gatsby unable to put the past behind him? Why does he demand that Daisy renounce her former love for her husband?
• What choice would you have made in Daisy's situation?
• What role does Daisy play in Gatsby's downfall?
• How is alcohol used in the novel?
• Why do you think the author chose to tell the story from the perspective of Nick, a friend of Gatsby?
• How does Fitzgerald reveal character in "The Great Gatsby?"
• How is class depicted in the novel? What point is the author trying to make?
• What are some themes and symbols in "The Great Gatsby?"
• What does the green light represent?
• Why does the author call our attention to the billboard advertising Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, an optometrist? What is the meaning of the vacant eyes that watch the characters?
• Is Gatsby consistent in his actions? Why did he change his name? Do you ever find him fake or contrived? Is he a fully developed character?
• Do you consider Gatsby to be a "self-made man"? Is he a good portrayal of achieving the American Dream?
• Do you find the characters likable? Would you want to meet them?
• Did the novel end the way you expected?
• How essential is the setting? Could the story have taken place anywhere else or at any other time?
• What do you think the lavish parties at Gatsby's mansion were meant to represent? What is the author trying to say about American culture?
• What is the role of women in "The Great Gatsby?" Is love relevant? Are relationships meaningful?
• What do you think about Daisy's assessment that women must be pretty but unintelligent if they want to be happy? What in her life led her to this conclusion?
• Why is "The Great Gatsby" controversial ? Why has it been banned/challenged?
• How does religion figure into the novel? How would the novel be different if religion or spirituality played a more prominent role in the text?
• How does "The Great Gatsby" relate to current society? How well did it represent the Jazz Age (society and literature) at the time it was published? Is the novel still relevant?
• Would you recommend "The Great Gatsby" to a friend?
• What is the role of women in 'The Great Gatsby'?
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The Great Gatsby

By f. scott fitzgerald.

'The Great Gatsby' tells a very human story of wealth, dreams, and failure. F. Scott Fitzgerald takes the reader into the heart of the Jazz Age, in New York City, and into the world of Jay Gatsby.

Article written by Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

The Great Gatsby tells a very human story of wealth, dreams, and failure. F. Scott Fitzgerald takes the reader into the heart of the Jazz Age , in New York City, and into the world of Jay Gatsby. Through Nick’s narration, readers are exposed to the dangers of caring too much about the wrong thing and devoting themselves to the wrong ideal.

Gatsby’s pursuit of the past central to my understanding of this novel. Fitzgerald created Gatsby as a representative of the American dream , someone who, despite all of his hard work, did not achieve the one thing he wanted most in life.

Wealth and the American Dream

Another part of this novel I found to be integral to my understanding of the time period was the way that wealth and the American dream did not exist alongside one another. The American dream suggests that through hard work and determination, anyone can achieve the dream life they’re looking for.

On the outside, Gatsby does just that. He raises himself out of poverty and makes his fortune (albeit not through entirely legal means). He worked hard and remained focused. For those attending his parties or who have seen his mansion, he is living the best possible life–an embodiment of the American dream. But, he’s missing the one thing he really wanted to achieve–Daisy’s love and commitment. His pursuit of wealth was not for wealth alone. It was for something that, he realized, money can’t buy.

It was impossible for me not to feel moved by the bind Gatsby got himself into. He put Daisy on a pedestal, one that required she fulfill her end of the bargain if he fulfilled his. He got rich and acquired the means to give her the kind of life she wanted. But, Daisy was unwilling to separate herself from her husband, Tom Buchanan, and return to Gatsby. She ended up being more interested in maintaining her social status and staying in the safety of her marriage than living what might’ve been a happy life.

Daisy Buchanan and the Treatment of Women

Her character is often deeply romanticized, with her actions painted as those of a woman torn between what she knows is right and her inability to guide her own life. However, I always return to the strange conversation she shares with Nick, revealing her concerns about raising a daughter. The quote from The Great Gatsby reads:

I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.

This quote proved to me that Daisy is well aware of her position in the world, and she turns to the safety of being “a beautiful little fool” when she needs to be. It’s the only way she feels she can survive.

There’s something to be said for the depiction of Daisy as a victim. Still, her callous treatment of Gatsby at the end of the novel, seen through her refusal to attend his funeral and dismissal of the destruction she caused, is hard to empathize with. Daisy may be at Tom’s mercy for a great deal, her livelihood, and her social status, but when she walks away from the death of a man she supposedly loved, it feels as though her true nature is revealed. She’s a survivor more than anything else and didn’t deserve the pedestal that Gatsby put her on. This is part of what makes Gatsby’s story so tragic. He was pure in a way that no other character in the novel was. He had one thing he wanted, and he was determined to do anything to get it. That one thing, Daisy’s love, was what let him down.

I also found it interesting to consider the differences between Jordan’s character and Daisy’s and how they were both treated. Jordan, while certainly no saint, is regarded as a dangerous personality. She sleeps with different men, appears to hold no one’s opinion above her own, and has made an independent career for herself as a golfer (a surely male-dominated world). I continue to ask myself how much of Nick’s depiction of Jordan is based on her pushing the envelope of what a woman “should” do in the 1920s ?

The Great Gatsby and Greatness

One of the novel’s defining moments is when Nick realizes who was truly “great” and why. Gatsby wasn’t “Great” because of his wealth, home, parties, or any other physical item he owned. He was great because of the single-minded pursuit of his dream. His incredible personality and determination made him a one-of-a-kind man in Nick’s world. This realization about who Gatsby was and what he represented was driven home by his death and the lack of attendees at his funeral. No one, aside from Nick, realizes the kind of man he was. Those he might’ve called friends were using him for the money, possession, or social status they might have attained. But, Nick realizes that none of these things made the man “great.”

The Great Gatsby as a Historical Document

Finally, I find myself considering what the novel can tell us about the United States post-World War I and during the financial boom of the roaring twenties. Without didactically detailing historical information, the novel does provide readers with an interesting insight into what the world was like then.

The characters, particularly those who attend Gatsby’s parties, appear to have nothing to lose. They’ve made it through the war, are financially better off than they were before, and are more than willing to throw caution to the wind. Fitzgerald taps into a particular culture, fueled by a new love for jazz music, financial stability, prohibition and speakeasies, and new freedoms for women. The novel evokes this culture throughout each page, transporting readers into a very different time and place.

The novel conveys a feeling of change to me, a realization that the American dream may not be all it’s cut out to be and that the world was never going to be the same again after World War I. It appears that this is part of what was fueling Fitzgerald’s characters in The Great Gatsby and his plot choices.

What did early reviewers think of The Great Gatsby ?

Early reviews of The Great Gatsby were not positive. Reviewers generally dismissed the novel, suggesting that it was not as good as Fitzgerald’s prior novels. It was not until after this death that it was elevated to the status it holds today.

What is the message of The Great Gatsby ?

The message is that the American dream is not real and that wealth does not equal happiness. Plus, optimism might feel and seem noble but when it’s misplaced it can be destructive.

Is Jay Gatsby a good or bad character?

Gatsby is generally considered to be a good character. He did illegal things to gain his fortune but it was with the best intentions–regaining the love of Daisy, the woman he loved in his youth.

Did Daisy actually love Gatsy?

It’s unclear whether or not she loved Gatsby. But, considering her actions, it seems unlikely she loved him during the novel.

What does Nick learn from Gatsby?

Nick learns that the wealth of East and West Egg are a cover for emptiness and moral bankruptcy. The men and women he met are devoid of empathy or love for one another.

The Great Gatsby: Fitzgerald's Enduring Classic of the Jazz Age

Book Title: The Great Gatsby

Book Description: 'The Great Gatsby' is an unforgettable and beautiful novel that explores the nature of dreams and their value in contemporary society.

Book Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Book Edition: First Limited Edition

Book Format: Hardcover

Publisher - Organization: Charles Scribner's Sons

Date published: April 10, 1925

ISBN: 0-14-006229-2

Number Of Pages: 224

• Writing Style
• Lasting Effect on Reader

The Great Gatsby Review

The Great Gatsby is a novel of the Jazz Age. It follows Nick Carraway as he uncovers the truth behind his mysterious neighbor’s wealth and dreams. The novel explores the consequences of wealth and suggests that the American dream is an unrealistic expectation.

• Realistic setting. 
• Interesting and provoking dialogue.
• Memorable characters.
• Limited action and emotions. 
• Several unlikeable characters. 
• Leaves readers with questions.

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About Emma Baldwin

Emma Baldwin, a graduate of East Carolina University, has a deep-rooted passion for literature. She serves as a key contributor to the Book Analysis team with years of experience.

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The Great Gatsby Chapter Study Questions

60+ chapter-by-chapter study questions for easy exam, quiz, or assignment creation

The great gatsby chapter questions.

Pre-Reading

• Why are we still reading a book written in the 1920's? What gives a book its longevity?
• How was the 1920's a reaction to WWI?
• Some people think that having money leads to happiness. Do you agree? Why or why not? What are the advantages or disadvantages of being wealthy.
• What is the "American Dream"? Where did it originate, and how has it changed over the centuries?
• Have you ever wanted to relive a moment from your past, to redo it? Describe the situation. How and why would you change the past?

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More Great Gatsby Resources

• Overview of the 1920s
• Journaling The Great Gatsby
• The Great Gatsby Vocabulary List and Quizzes
• The Great Gatsby Book Cover Posters Project
• Notice how many times Fitzgerald uses the words hope  or dream . Why does he do this?
• Nick starts the novel by relaying 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 advantages. Does he reserve judgement in the novel?
• Pay attention to time. What is the day and year during the first scene at Daisy's house?
• Describe Nick. What facts do you know about him, and what do you infer about him? What kind of a narrator do you think he will be?
• What image does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean?
• How does Nick react to Jordan?
• What does Tom's behavior reveal about his character?
• Describe the "valley of ashes." What does it look like and what does it represent?
• Describe Mr. Wilson and Myrtle. Do they seem to fit into the setting?
• What more have you learned about Nick in this chapter? Is he similar or different than the people he spends his time with?
• Describe the violent act Tom comitted against Myrtle. What does this reveal about him?
• Pay attention to Nick's judgements. What do they reveal about his character that he does this (especially in relation to his opening comments)?
• Describe Gatsby the first time Nick sees him.
• What rumors have been told about Gatsby? Why does Fitzgerald reveal rumors rather than fact?
• What does Nick think of Gatsby after meeting him?
• How is Gatsby different from his guests?
• Why does Nick choose to share his thoughts and feelings with Jordan?
• Nick thinks he's one of the few honest people he knows, why? Do you think he is honest?
• List all of the rumors told about Gatsby.
• Why does Fitzgerald list all of Gatsby's party guests?
• Why does Gatsby tell Nick about his life? Do you believe Gatsby? Does Nick?
• What role does Meyer Wolfsheim play in the novel? Why is there so much focus on his nose and what does this tell you about Fitzgerald's politics?
• What does Jordan's story of Daisy's marriage reveal about Daisy?
• Why did Gatsby want Daisy to see his house?
• Nick says, "There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired." What does Nick mean? How does each character in the novel fit into this schema?
• Why does Gatsby deliver so many goods and services to Nick's house?
• Describe the effect of rain on the plot.
• Why does Gatsby offer Nick work? How does Nick feel about this?
• Explain the significance of the green light.
• Why does Gatsby get so many phone calls? What does this say about him?
• How truthful was Gatsby when he relayed the story of his life to Nick? Why does Fitzgerald tell the story of Jay Gatz now?
• Describe the meeting of Tom and Gatsby. What does this meeting reveal about them?
• Why did Daisy and Tom find Gatsby's party loathsome?
• How did Gatsby measure the success of his party?
• When Nick told Gatsby that "you can't repeat the past", Gatsby replied, "Why of course you can!" Do you agree with Nick or Gatsby?
• Who is Trimachio? Explain how this describes Gatsby.
• Describe Daisy and Gatsby's new relationship.
• Compare George Wilson and Tom. What did each man learn about his wife and how did they each react?
• If Daisy says she's never loved Tom, is there someone whom she thinks she loves?
• Describe the fight between Gatsby and Tom. What do these men think of each other? How are they similar and how are they different?
• What was significant about Nick's 30th birthday?
• What do you think Tom and Daisy were saying to each other in the kitchen? Do you think that Tom knew Daisy was driving the "death car"? Why, why not?
• At this point, how would you end the novel?
• How does Fitzgerald achieve a melancholic mood in the beginning of this chapter?
• How are seasons used in constructing this novel?
• Who is Dan Cody and what is his significance in Gatsby's life?
• How does Nick's statement "You're worth the whole bunch put together" show a change in Nick from the beginning of the novel?
• How does T. J. Eckleberg affect Mr. Wilson?
• Why did Nick take care of Gatsby's funeral?
• How was Jay Gatz's childhood schedule consistent with the adult Gatsby's behavior?
• Who attended Gatsby's funeral? How and why is this significant?
• What is the purpose of Nick's last meeting with Jordan?
• Why does Nick call Tom and Daisy "careless people"?

Post Reading

• Does this novel have villains and heroes? Why, why not? If yes, who fits into these categories and why?
• Nick is both part of the action and acting as an objective commentator. Does this narration style work? Why, why not?
• How did Fitzgerald use weather to reflect the mood of the story?
• Again, why are we still reading a book written in the 1920's? What gives a book its longevity? And which of its themes are eternal in the American psyche.

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