The Great Gatsby Summer Assignment Essay Example
Hannah McHale
AP Eng. Summer Reading Assignment
Novel Questions - Chapter One
1. Explain what Fitzgerald achieved by using Nick’s point of view to tell Gatsby’s story?
He’s able to analyze and criticize.
2. What do we learn about Nick Carraway in the introductory section of the novel?
From a good family, in bonds.
3. In discussing East Egg and West Egg, Nick states: “To the wingless a more arresting phenomenon is their dissimilarity in every particular except shape and size.” Indicate what the “dissimilarities” might be.
Type of people that live there, type of homes they have.
4. Compare the home of Nick, Gatsby, and the Buchanans. How does each home reflect the personality of its owner?
Nick’s is inexpensive; Gatsby’s is showy; the Buchanans’ represents old money.
5. Fitzgerald’s description of Tom, Daisy, and Jordan creates not only an impression of physical appearance, but also contains added information. What do you learn about their history and interests from their gestures and mannerisms?
Tom’s having an affair and is abusive; Daisy is superficial and delicate; Jordan is independent and athletic.
6. When Nick leaves the Buchanans’ house, he is “confused and a little disgusted.” Why?
He doesn’t understand why Daisy stays with Tom; he wants her to take the baby and leave.
7. Though we do not meet Gatsby until Chapter 3, we hear references to him in the conversations of others. What impressions do you get?
Various: mostly he’s a man of mystery, related to Kaiser Wilhelm.
Chapter Two
8. In what way is the description in the opening paragraphs of Chapter 2 appropriate to the total atmosphere of this chapter? What is symbolic about the “Valley of Ashes” and “the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg”?
Morality -- a lack of it, lifeless, moral grotesqueness. Eyes serve as a reminder.
9. Evaluate Myrtle’s talk of her unhappy marriage. What does she seem to be trying to justify?
She thinks she’s better than her husband. She’s trying to justify her
AP Eng. Summer Reading Assignment
Novel Questions - Chapter One
1. Explain what Fitzgerald achieved by using Nick’s point of view to tell Gatsby’s story?
He’s able to analyze and criticize.
2. What do we learn about Nick Carraway in the introductory section of the novel?
From a good family, in bonds.
3. In discussing East Egg and West Egg, Nick states: “To the wingless a more arresting phenomenon is their dissimilarity in every particular except shape and size.” Indicate what the “dissimilarities” might be.
Type of people that live there, type of homes they have.
4. Compare the home of Nick, Gatsby, and the Buchanans. How does each home reflect the personality of its owner?
Nick’s is inexpensive; Gatsby’s is showy; the Buchanans’ represents old money.
5. Fitzgerald’s description of Tom, Daisy, and Jordan creates not only an impression of physical appearance, but also contains added information. What do you learn about their history and interests from their gestures and mannerisms?
Tom’s having an affair and is abusive; Daisy is superficial and delicate; Jordan is independent and athletic.
6. When Nick leaves the Buchanans’ house, he is “confused and a little disgusted.” Why?
He doesn’t understand why Daisy stays with Tom; he wants her to take the baby and leave.
7. Though we do not meet Gatsby until Chapter 3, we hear references to him in the conversations of others. What impressions do you get?
Various: mostly he’s a man of mystery, related to Kaiser Wilhelm.
Chapter Two
8. In what way is the description in the opening paragraphs of Chapter 2 appropriate to the total atmosphere of this chapter? What is symbolic about the “Valley of Ashes” and “the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg”?
Morality -- a lack of it, lifeless, moral grotesqueness. Eyes serve as a reminder.
9. Evaluate Myrtle’s talk of her unhappy marriage. What does she seem to be trying to justify?
She thinks she’s better than her husband. She’s trying to justify her