Great Gastby
A&E’s The Great Gatsby film study guide (Answer on a separate sheet in complete sentences)
Pre-Viewing
1. How was the 1920's a reaction to WWI? 2. 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. 3. What is the "American Dream"? Where did it originate, and how has it changed over the centuries? 4. Describe a situation when you wanted to relive a moment from your past, to redo it? How and why would you change that past event?
Chapter 1 1. Nick starts the movie 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." Does he reserve judgement as the movie progresses? 2. Pay attention to time. What is the day and year during the first scene at Daisy's house? 3. What does Tom's behavior reveal about his character?
Chapter 2 1. Describe the "valley of ashes." What does it look like and what does it represent? 2. Describe Mr. Wilson and Myrtle. Do they seem to fit into the setting? 3. Describe the violent act Tom committed against Myrtle. What does this reveal about him?
Chapter 3 1. Describe Gatsby the first time Nick sees him. 2. What rumors have been told about Gatsby? Why does Fitzgerald reveal rumors rather than fact? 3. What does Nick think of Gatsby after meeting him? 4. How is Gatsby different from his guests? 5. Why does Nick choose to share his thoughts and feelings with Jordan? 6. Nick thinks he's one of the few honest people he knows, why? Do you think he is honest?
Chapter 4 1. Why does Gatsby tell Nick about his life? Do you believe Gatsby? Does Nick? 2. 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? 3. What does Jordan's story of Daisy's marriage reveal about Daisy? 4.
Pre-Viewing
1. How was the 1920's a reaction to WWI? 2. 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. 3. What is the "American Dream"? Where did it originate, and how has it changed over the centuries? 4. Describe a situation when you wanted to relive a moment from your past, to redo it? How and why would you change that past event?
Chapter 1 1. Nick starts the movie 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." Does he reserve judgement as the movie progresses? 2. Pay attention to time. What is the day and year during the first scene at Daisy's house? 3. What does Tom's behavior reveal about his character?
Chapter 2 1. Describe the "valley of ashes." What does it look like and what does it represent? 2. Describe Mr. Wilson and Myrtle. Do they seem to fit into the setting? 3. Describe the violent act Tom committed against Myrtle. What does this reveal about him?
Chapter 3 1. Describe Gatsby the first time Nick sees him. 2. What rumors have been told about Gatsby? Why does Fitzgerald reveal rumors rather than fact? 3. What does Nick think of Gatsby after meeting him? 4. How is Gatsby different from his guests? 5. Why does Nick choose to share his thoughts and feelings with Jordan? 6. Nick thinks he's one of the few honest people he knows, why? Do you think he is honest?
Chapter 4 1. Why does Gatsby tell Nick about his life? Do you believe Gatsby? Does Nick? 2. 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? 3. What does Jordan's story of Daisy's marriage reveal about Daisy? 4.