The Great Gatsby Comprehension Questions Chapter 1-3

Answer the following questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES in your notes notebook. In order to receive
full credit, you need to write down the page number each answer was found. You will need to answer these
questions while you are reading the chapter. Answers will be due the day after the chapter is assigned. It is
very important to stay caught up with the reading.
Chapter 1
1.) Who is the narrator? Where is he from?
Nick Carraway is the narrator. He is from Minnesota
2.)

How does Nick know Daisy? Tom?

Nick is Daisys second cousin, once removed. Nick knew Tom at Yale.

3.)

What is the name of the book Tom is reading? What does this show us about him?
The name of the book that Tom is reading is The Rise of the Colored Empire. This might indicate
that he is a racist.

4.)

Who is Jordan Baker?

Jordan Baker is a golf pro and friend of Daisy Buchanan

5.)

Who is Gatsby?
Gatsby is Nicks neighbor in West Egg.
A.
B.

Please prepare to discuss these essential questions in class:

Why does Daisy say she hoped her daughter would be a beautiful fool?
What kind of relationship do Tom and Daisy have?

Chapter 2
1.) What and where is the Valley of Ashes?
The Valley of Ashes is half way between New York City and West Egg. It is a place where ashes are
dumped.
2.)

Who is George Wilson? What is his wifes name?

George Wilson owns a garage in the Valley of Ashes. Myrtle Wilson is Georges wife,

3.)

What is the relationship between Myrtle Wilson and Tom Buchanan?

Myrtle and Tom are having an affair.
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4.)

Does Nick feel comfortable at the party in the apartment?

Nick does not feel comfortable at the party. He tries to leave but is prevented from leaving.

5.)

How does Myrtles nose end up broken?

Myrtles nose ends up broken by Tom. She would not stop saying Daisys name, and so he hit her.

A.
B.

Please prepare to discuss these essential questions in class:

:
According to Catherine, Myrtles sister, why dont Tom and Daisy Buchanan get a divorce? Is this
the truth? If not, how/why did this rumor start?
Why is it strange about the way Myrtle talks about the servants?

Chapter 3
1.) Explain the invitation process for Gatsbys parties.
People just showed up at Gatsbys party. Nick received an invitation form Gatsbys chauffeur.
2.)

Give a minimum of 3 details about Gatsbys parties.

There were many celebrities
There was a lot of food and drink
A full orchestra played music at the party.

3.)

Who is the owl-eyed man and what does he do while the party is going on?
The owl eyed man is the man that Jordan and Nick meet in Gatsbys library. He is looking at the books
in the library.

4.)

Does Gatsby get involved in the festivities of his parties? Give examples in your answers.
Gatsby stands apart from the festivities at his party. He tells Nick that he does not drink,

5.)

Is Jordan an honest person? Give examples

Jordan is not an honest person. There is rumor going around that she cheated in her first golf
tournament.

Please prepare to discuss these essential questions in class:

A. What 2 reasons keep Nick from falling in love with Jordan?
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B. What kind of rumors are there about Gatsby? Why are there so many rumors, in other words, why
do people care so much?

The Great Gatsby Comprehension Questions Chapter 4-6

Answer the following questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES in your notes notebook. In order to receive
full credit, you need to write down the page number each answer was found. You will need to answer these
questions while you are reading the chapter. Answers will be due the day after the chapter is assigned. It is
very important to stay caught up with the reading
Chapter 4
1.) Who is known as the boarder?
The boarder is man named Klipspringer who stays at Gatsbys house.
2.)

Who is Meyer Wolfsheim?

Meyer Wolfsheim is a business associate of Gatsbyss who supposedly fixed the 1919 World Series;
3.)

List 3 facts Gatsby provides about his background.

He was educated at Oxford

His parents died and left him wealthy
He lived like a young Rajah in the capitals of Europe.
4.)

What do we learn about the history of Gatsby and Daisy?

Gatsby and Daisy were in love once. He went off to war and she met Tom.
5.)

What is interesting about Gatsbys appraisal (opinion) of Jordan?

What is interesting about Gatsby opinion of Jordan is that he trusts her when everyone else seems not to trust
Jordan.
Please prepare to discuss these essential questions in class:
A. Why does Gatsby call Nick old sport?
B. How do you think Nick feels when Tom comes over to talk with him while he is at lunch with
Gatsby and Wolfsheim?

Chapter 5
1.) Why does Gatsby want to have Nicks lawn cut?
Gatsby wants to have Nicks lawn cut in repayment for agreeing to ask Daisy over. He also may be a little
embarrassed about the way it looks.
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2.)

Why does Gatsby say hes going to go home right before the lunch at Nicks?

Gatsby is about to leave because he is nervous and he does not think she is going to come.
3.)

Why do they end up going to Gatsbys house later?

Gatsby wants to show Daisy his house to let her know that he can take care of her now.
4.)

What does Gatsby say about his wealth that contradicts what he had previously told Nick?

Gatsby told Nick that he inherited all his wealth, but then says that he had to work three years to get the
money to pay off the house.
5.)

What does Gatsby throw in front of Daisy and Nick? What does this scene tell us about Gatsby (thing
about material possessions)?

Gatsby throws fine shirts in front of Daisy and Nick This shows us that he is willing to use material things to
impress others.
Please prepare to discuss these essential questions in class:
A. Why does Gatsby allow Klipspringer to stay at his house?
B. Thoroughly explain how Gatsby feels about Daisy.
Chapter 6
1. What is Gatsbys real history? Where is he from and what is his name?
Gatsbys real name is Jay Gatz. He is a farm biy from North Dakota. He grew up poor.
2. What did Dan Cody do for Gatsby? What did Gatsby learn from him?
Gatsby was Dan Codys personal assistant. He took him away from poverty and showed him how the
wealthy lived.
3. What is Daisys opinion of Gatsbys party? How does this affect him?
Daisy doesnt like the party. Gatsby decides he will not have any more parties because Daisy doesnt like
them.
4. How does Gatsby act when the visiting trio (including Tom Buchanan) comes to visit? How do they
act toward him?
Gatsby tries to act polite, but he seems clueless to the fact that they do not want him to join them. They look
down on Gatsby as new rich.
5. Why does Tom immediately sense that Gatsby is a bootlegger?
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Gatsby senses that Gatsby is a bootlegger because a lot of the people at the party were new money. At
the time that was the main way people got rich qick.
Please prepare to discuss these essential questions in class:
A. What does Gatsby want from Daisy?

The Great Gatsby Comprehension Questions for Chapter 6-9

Answer the following questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES in your notes notebook. In order to receive
full credit, you need to write down the page number each answer was found. You will need to answer these
questions while you are reading the chapter. Answers will be due the day after the chapter is assigned. It is
very important to stay caught up with the reading
Chapter 7 - Part 1
1. What has changed at Gatsbys house? What reason does Gatsby give for these changes?
Gatsby fired all the servants. He did not want them gossiping when Daisy came over.
2. What does Gatsby decide he is going to do the day he goes over to Tom and Daisys house?
Gatsby is going over the house to lay his cards on the table and tell Tom that Daisy loves him alone.
3. Why does Gatsby look at Daisys daughter Pammy with surprise?
Gatsby cant believe that Daisy ever loved Tom. Pammy is a symbol of their love.
4. What reasons does George give for wanting to move away?
George says that he , or his wife, always wanted to move away.
5. Who is looking out the window above Georges garage? Why is he/she jealous?
Myrtle is looking out the window of the garage, She is jealous because she thinks that Jordan ( who is
sitting next to Tom) is Toms wife.
Please prepare to discuss these essential questions in class:
A. Why does Fitzgerald insert a wedding into the texture of this scene in the hotel room?
Chapter 7 - Part 2
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1. Why is Gatsby surprised when Daisy says, I did love him [Tom] once - but I loved you too?
Gatsby never believed that Jordan loved anyone else but him. He thought they were alike.
2. Who is killed? How is he/she killed?
Myrtle Wilson is killed when she is run over by Gatsbys car. She tries to stop the car because she thinks that
Tom is in the car. Daisy is surprised and runs her over by accident.
3. Why does Tom say, That yellow car I was driving this afternoon wasnt mine---do you hear? I
havent seen it all afternoon? What are his potential motives?
He does not want he police to connect the car to him. He does not want George to connect him and Myrtle.
4. Whose birthday is it? How old is he/she turning?
Nick Carraway is turning thirty on this day.
5. What is the tone/mood of the scene where Daisy and Tom ate at the kitchen table?
Tom and Daisy are having a simple intimate moment. It is almost like the accident didnt matter.

A.
o
o
o
o

Please prepare to discuss these essential questions in class:

:
Describe each persons connection to the yellow car:
Daisy
Tom
Myrtle
Gatsby

Chapter 8
1. How does Gatsbys house seem to Nick during his visit?
Gatsbys house seems big, empty and dirty. There were no people around.
2. Why does Gatsby feel married to Daisy?
Gatsby feels married to Daisy because she represents the past and his ideal ( dream.) He also feels
responsibility for he rand is willing to take the blame for the accident.
3. What attracts Daisy to Tom Buchanan?

Daisy is first attracted to Tom because of his bulkiness but also his confidence and the fact that her parent
approve of him.
4. Why does Nick say, Theyre a rotten crowdYoure worth the whole damn bunch put together?
Why is it good that he chose this moment to say this to Gatsby?
Nick says this to Gatsby at a low moment for Gatsby because it will make him feel better. Gatsby has been
trying all along to show them that he is their equal. Nick goes further by saying he is better than all of them.
It is fortunate that he chose this moment to say this because it would be the last time he would see Gatsby
alive.
5. What ultimately happens to Gatsby? What happens to George Wilson?
Gatsby is killed in his swimming pool by George Wilson. Wilson turns the gun on himself after killing
Gatsby.
Please prepare to discuss these essential questions in class:
:
A. What is the significance of Doctor Eckleburgs eyes?
B. What does it show about Gatsby when he says, what was the use of doing great things if I
C. could have a better time telling her what I was going to do?

Chapter 9
1. Why does Nick feel he is responsible for taking care of the situation?
Nick feels like he is the only one who really knew Gatsby, plus no one else is willing to organize a
funeral.
2. What is the fathers perception of his son and his sons life?
Gatsbys father is proud of his son. He thinks he would have been a great man someday.
3. Why isnt Klipspringer going to attend the funeral?
Klipspringer makes an excuse to get out of going to the funeral. He says he ahs to attend a picnic in
Connecticut.
4. Why is it significant that the man with owl-eyed glasses is the only other person to come to Gatsbys
funeral?
The Owl eyed man, just like the eues on the signe for T.J. Eckleburg represents God.
5. Why does Nick say that Tom and Daisy are careless people?
Nick says that Tom and Daisy are careless people because they used their wealth to leave. They didnt take
responsibility for Myrtle, Gatsby or Georges deaths even though they were involved.

Please prepare to discuss these essential questions in class:

:
A. What does Nick mean by his comment, Im thirtyIm five years too old to lie to myself
and call it honor?
B. What is Gatsbys dream?
C. What is the significance of the last line of the novel: so we beat on, boats against the current,
borne back ceaselessly into the past?