The Great Gatsby

ENG 4U !

Unit 3: Novel Study

Novel Study: The Great Gatsby
Tatiana Rios
Assignment Questions
1. Who is morally responsible for Gatsby’s death?

In The Great Gatsby, Daisy and Tom Buchanan are the two most responsible for Gatsby's death. At the hotel in New York, Tom became hostile towards Gatsby and began to question him about his business practices as well as his past, calling him a fraud. Gatsby responds by urging
Daisy to tell Tom that she does not love him. As the tension began to rise Daisy emotionally removed herself from the confrontation. Tom, who sees that Daisy had become agitated and frightened, suggested that she take Gatsby's car and drive back to East Egg. When Tom arrived upon the scene where Myrtle had been hit, he stopped to hear what had happened and assumed that Gatsby struck and killed Myrtle and like a coward, fled the scene. Back at the Buchanan’s house, Daisy explained to Tom that it was her driving the car but he persuaded her to leave
Gatsby to blame and to betray him. When George tells Tom to find out who owns the yellow car,
Tom reveals that it was Gatsby, knowing that George’s intentions are to take revenge. It if were not for Tom identifying Gatsby as the driver of the "yellow death car," Wilson wouldn't have sought after and killed Gatsby.

Daisy is also to blame because of her lack of morals. Daisy should have stopped the car after she hit Myrtle, but instead she kept on driving. Her failure to come clean lead George to assume that Gatsby was driving the car and this ultimately leads to his murder. “Daisy stepped on it. I tried to make her stop, but she couldn't so I pulled on the emergency brake. Then she fell over into my lap and I drove on”. (James Gatsby, Chapter 7)

ENG 4U !

Unit 3: Novel Study

2. a) Give at least 2 examples of Nick’s sense of conservatism.

Gatsby represents the flashy and vivacious side of F. Scott Fitzgerald who achieved wealth and aristocracy to impress the woman he loved and Nick represents his quiet and reflective side. In the beginning, Nick is tolerant, forgiving and proves to be a good listener.
Many of his peers confide in him, often about their indiscretions.

Another example of his conservatism was his relationship with Jordan Baker. Jordan avoided sharp-witted men and admired Nick’s modesty. “Jordan Baker instinctively avoided clever, shrewd men, and now I saw that this was because she felt safer on a plane where any divergence from a code would be thought impossible” (Nick Carraway, Chapter 3) Although he was attracted to her sophistication he was also repelled by her ignorance and dishonesty. Not only does he call her a cheat, he calls her a cheat at life and eventually ends their relationship.

b) Discuss how Nick perceives Gatsby on the opening pages of the novel and what these comments reveal about Nick’s conflict as it relates to Gatsby and how this conflict is resolved.

Nick begins by recalling what his father had once told him, “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you've had.” He describes himself as forgiving and nonjudgmental and believes that he has a better sense of decencies than most people.

Gatsby represents all that Nick detests but he cannot help but admire him and describes
Gatsby's personality as "gorgeous." His internal conflict is not resolved until the end of the book.
In one hand, Nick is attracted to the thrill and indulgence of the East Egg lifestyle but he also finds that it is repulsive and damaging to his morals.

ENG 4U !

Unit 3: Novel Study

3. What do you think Nick saw in Gatsby that made him “great” or is the designation “great” ironic? Nick is captivated by Gatsby’s yearning of winning over Daisy and starting a life in their own perfect world. His power to dream makes him superior to the hollow and unprincipled East
Egg society. The life he had created for himself was all an illusion. As a child he dreamt of the wealth and luxury that he later achieves. In Nick’s perspective, Gatsby’s ambition and ability to fulfill his dreams makes him “great.” Ironically, unlike the character named in the title, Gatsby is exposed as a criminal named James Gatz whose his lavish lifestyle evolved from bootlegging.

4. There are four important areas in The Great Gatsby: West Egg, East Egg, the valley of ashes, and New York City. Referring to at least one major event that occurs in each of these four zones, explain how the conflicting values of various characters are forced to confront each other.

In the lavish world of East Egg, the extravagance masks it’s corrupt reality. When Nick joins the Buchanan’s for dinner. Tom attempts to interest the others in a book he had read called
The Rise of The Colored Empires. Unlike Nick, Tom is arrogant and dishonest, advancing the books white supremacist attitudes and carrying on a public love affair. He then leaves the table to take a phone call from his mistress Myrtle.“Well, it’s a fine book, and everybody ought to read it.
The idea is if we don’t look out the white race will be — will be utterly submerged. It’s all scientific stuff; it’s been proved.” (Tom Buchanan, Chapter 1)

After talking to Jordan about Gatsby’s request, Nick returns home and finds Gatsby waiting for him outside his West Egg home. Gatsby offers him an opportunity in return of the promise of his reunion with Daisy. Nick feels that the offer is not genuine and that it was only made out of a sense of obligation. If Gatsby was sincere he would have served Nick with specific details about the business opportunity, but he does not. “I realize now that under different circumstances that conversation might have been one of the crises of my life. But because the

ENG 4U !

Unit 3: Novel Study

offer was obviously and tactlessly for a service to be rendered, I had no choice except to cut him off there.” (Nick Carraway, Chapter 5)

Driving back to Long Island, Nick, Tom and Jordan come across a startling incident in the valley of ashes. Tom’s mistress Myrtle has been hit by a car and killed. Nick realizes that it must have been Gatsby and Daisy, driving back from the city. Daisy reveals that she is without a conscience when she hits Myrtle and flees the scene. Gatsby is more concerned about Daisy's feelings than the fact that a woman has just been killed. "He spoke as if Daisy’s reaction was the only thing that mattered." (Nick Carraway, Chapter 7)

Upon arrival in Myrtle’s apartment in New York City, Nick is repelled by the tastelessness of the party but is too fascinated to look away. Contrary to Nick’s conservative nature, Tom emerges in this setting as a rigid man who uses his status and physical strength to dominate those around him and lashes out violently. Tom shows a lack of restraint and does not feel guilty for betraying Daisy.

5. a) Compare and contrast Gatsby and Tom. How are they alike? How are they different?

There are many ways that Jay Gatsby differs from Tom Buchanan based on their personalities, origin of wealth, and outlook on life.

Tom proves to be overbearing and Gatsby is more reserved. Tom often uses his status and wealth to intimidate those around him. This is recognized by not only his wife Daisy, who calls him a brute but his mistress as well, who is punched in the nose for calling him hulking. Gatsby, on the other hand, remains hidden and is barely recognized at his own parties, creating an allure and provoking many rumors. He is shy and rather reclusive, and he is not an imposing presence.

Tom would rather sit back, relax and enjoy being rich and self indulgent while Gatsby cares little for himself and focuses on his goal to win back the only woman he ever loved. He

ENG 4U !

Unit 3: Novel Study

knows that the way into Daisy’s heart is to spoil her with riches and the luxurious lifestyle she loves. Tom was born with money and privilege, unlike Gatsby engaged in shady business dealings to earn his fortune. Tom, born from old money uses his to money travel; usually for his affairs and leisure. Gatsby, of new money sees his money as the tipping point to win Daisy by impressing her with lavish parties and material goods.

Despite their many differences, there are also a few similarities between the two. Their most significant commonality is Daisy. Although they both show love and affection for Daisy, both men engage in consistent indiscretions, despite the consequences; Tom with women and his public affair with Myrtle and Gatsby who partakes in shady business methods.

Tom and Gatsby’s first expression of their hatred for each other occurs later on when they confront each other in the hotel with Daisy and Jordan. Until then, they controlled themselves and put on a social face.

Both men are devastated at the thought of losing Daisy. Tom's ego would not survive the loss of the woman he wooed with his status and old fortune. Gatsby, who seeks his dream life with Daisy, tries repeatedly to win Daisy. Each time more pivotal, eventually leading to his death. 6. Given the extremely negative light in which Tom is portrayed throughout the novel, why might
Daisy choose to remain with him instead of leaving him for Gatsby?

Daisy Buchanan is in love with money and luxury. Daisy is a prized woman who has lived her whole life among the "old money" citizens of East Egg. Tom Buchanan, a young man from a distinguished family, promised her a wealthy.

ENG 4U !

Unit 3: Novel Study

Because Gatsby started off penniless his eventual wealth gave him the “new money” status. Although he has money, he lacks the elegance and refinement of those who had been raised from old money. Daisy cannot bear the thought of living in the lower class world of the nouveau riche.

Nick characterizes her as a careless person who smashes things up and then retreats behind her money. Daisy proves this when she chooses Tom over Gatsby in chapter 7, and allows him to take the blame for Myrtle’s death. Rather than attending Gatsby’s funeral, Daisy and Tom move away, leaving everything, along with conscience behind them.

6. “Gatsby believed in the green light.” Explain what Gatsby believed in.

At the end of Daisy’s East Egg dock sits a green light. To Gatsby, it became the epitome of his hopes and dreams for the future. It shone as a guiding light to lead him to happiness. He believed that if he reached far enough he would eventually live the life he dreamt of, with Daisy by his side. As long as it beckoned towards him, he should not give up.

7. Find evidence of Gatsby’s devotion to an ideal rather than actual person.

Gatsby thought he loves Daisy but sadly, he is mistaken. During their confrontation at the
Plaza Hotel, Gatsby began to challenge Tom over whose love is more authentic and tells him that
Daisy does not love him. He believed that the only way to fulfill his dream of their perfect life,
Daisy must tell Tom that she never loved him. By doing so, they can erase the past along his lower “new money” status. "She never loved you, do you hear? She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved any one except me" (Jay Gatsby, Chapter 7).

ENG 4U !

Unit 3: Novel Study

His drive to achieve wealth and higher status kept his American dream alive. Daisy was his one way ticket to aristocracy. Ironically, Jay Gatsby believed that Daisy only married Tom for his wealth and status, rather than truly being in love.

His idea of the “golden girl” had inflated during their 5 years of separation. Daisy began to fall short of Gatsby’s dreams. “His dream had gone beyond her, beyond everything. He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion, adding to it all the time, decking it out with every bright feather that drifted his way.” (Nick Carraway, Chapter 5)

8. “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy – they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together and let other people clean up the mess they had made.” Identify three characters who can be described as careless or reckless drivers. Explain how their behavior relates to the quotation above.

Many of the characters in The Great Gatsby are horrible drivers both literally and metaphorically. The citizens of East Egg proved themselves to be careless and inconsiderate.
They are so used to money’s ability to ease their minds so they never had to worry about hurting others. Daisy epitomizes these traits when she takes the wheel after leaving the hotel. Daisy’s reckless driving lead to Myrtle’s untimely death. Gatsby took the blame for Myrtle’s death which ultimately lead to his own. Rather than attending Gatsby’s funeral, Tom and Daisy simply packed their things and moved away. Daisy’s carelessness allowed her to remove herself emotionally from the tragedy.

Jordan believed that being a careless driver was acceptable as long as the other drivers remained cautious. Nick found an article in the newspaper about Jordan moving her golf ball during a golf tournament. “She was incurably dishonest. She wasn't able to endure being at a disadvantage...” (Nick Carraway, Chapter 3) Nick realized that she cheats and lies to make things better for herself. Nick tells Jordan that she should be more careful or she shouldn't drive at all.

ENG 4U !

Unit 3: Novel Study

Jordan believed that she could do whatever she wanted, including cheating or lying as long as someone else was there to clean up after her. She insisted “it takes two to make an accident.”

Nick contributes to the book’s theme of careless drivers through his inability to hinder as he stood by and watched the other’s endless lies and deceit. When Nick visits Tom and Daisy’s home Tom leaves during dinner to take a call. Jordan informs him that Tom is on the phone with this mistress Myrtle. He accompanies Tom through the valley of ashes and meets Wilson,
Myrtle's husband. In New York he witnesses first hand Tom and Myrtle’s now public affair. It occurred to Nick that Tom and Myrtle went there often by lying to their spouses of their whereabouts. The Plaza Hotel proved to be the catalyst for the three deaths at the end of the novel. Tom initiates the confrontation by mocking Gatsby and begins to unveil his lies. Gatsby rebuttals by telling Tom that him and Daisy have a history that he could never understand. Nick does not once speak up when Tom and Daisy begin arguing about dishonesty, even though he knew that
Tom was also engaged in an affair.

Nick’s choices eventually trigger a catastrophic domino effect. Nick made no efforts to impede on the multiple indiscretions of those around him. The lack of a mediator in this novel was the cause for the deaths of Myrtle, Gatsby and Wilson.

9. Describe the significance of the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleberg.

Fitzgerald does not directly explain the symbolic meaning to pair of faded eyes painted on the old billboard that looks over the valley of ashes. The eyes not only represent the eyes of
God but of Nick’s as well.

Wilson's belief that “God sees everything” shows how strongly he believes that God is watching over him through the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleberg. To his neighbor, it is simply an

ENG 4U !

Unit 3: Novel Study

advertisement. Because of Wilson's tragic loss he gives the billboard a deeper meaning. George
Wilson stays up all night talking to his neighbor Michaelis. He tells him that before Myrtle died, he confronted her about her unknown lover and told her that she could not hide her adultery from the eyes of God. The following morning, Tom is overwhelmed by the way Doctor T. J.
Eckleburg’s eyes glisten as the sun begins to shine upon them. This leads him to believe that whoever was driving the car must have been her lover. In his eyes, God demands revenge.

Nick’s tolerance contributes to the way he looks upon his surroundings and their characters throughout the novel, which reveals the truth. Unlike the arrogant characters of the
East Egg, Nick can look beyond their material goods and expensive champagne. He is brought to this land of smokestacks and ash on his way to Wilson’s garage. Nick begins to describe a stretch of land halfway between West Egg and New York, which is so barren that it is merely a "valley of ashes... a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into the ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses... and with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air." (Nick Carraway, Chapter 2) The valley of ashes is a dismal and colorless place confined on one side by a putrid river. It is home to the sorts of people that are overlooked by those who live in both Eggs as well as the city.
“They are all as blind as these eyes which are just painted on a billboard.” (Nick Carraway,
Chapter 2)