Questions and Issues for Discussion for Chapters III, IV and V of The Great Gatsby.

Here are a series of issues and questions for thought and discussion. They can also be used for ideas for writing.

You do not have to write responses to these, although writing ideas down can be very helpful.

In bold, I offer page numbers to re-read the important bits and pieces of chapters 3 to 5, which will help you to interpret the novel.

Chapter III

1. Skim through pages 42 – 45, the first few pages of Chapter III. Look at how Gatsby’s parties are described. What are his parties like? How do you think these large and wild parties might be a symbol of (or represent) the 1920s? Is it possible that Fitzgerald is making a commentary on the age? Look at the second to last paragraph on page 45, which begins, “I believe that on the first night . . . ” What does this paragraph say about Gatsby and his parties? Why do you think that Gatsby is so seemingly remote and disconnected from his own gatherings? What might this say about his character and possibly his motives?

2. From pages 49 – 50, as Jordan and Nick wander through Gatsby’s mansion during the party, they run into “Owl Eyes” in Gatsby’s giant library organizing the books. Owl Eyes shows Nick and Jordan a few books, and says at the top of page 50: “They’re real . . . Absolutely real–have pages and everything. I thought they’d be a nice durable cardboard. Matter of fact they’re absolutely real.” He goes on to say, “See! It’s a bona fide piece of printed matter. It fooled me. This fella’s a regular Belasco. It’s a triumph. What thoroughness! What realism!” Why do you think Owl Eyes makes a big deal out of the fact that the books in the library are “real”? Why wouldn’t they be? What do you think Owl Eyes means when he appears surprised the Gatsby has real books in a library?

3. On page 51, read the description of the party in the first paragraph beginning, “There was dancing now.” Then look at the bottom of the page, just before dialog begins when Nick claims that “the scene had changed.” From the bottom of this page to the next one is when Nick first meets Gatsby. Why do you think Fitzgerald introduces Gatsby to us just after the garish description of the party that then suddenly transforms into something romantic?

4. From page 52 – 53, we get our first upfront descriptions of Gatsby. What seems amiss about him? Why do you think he has an affected British accent (even though he is from the Midwest), and why does he call everyone “old sport.” Look particularly at the description of Gatsby from the bottom of page 52 to the end of the paragraph at the top of page 53. What does this description say about Gatsby, his personality and his character?

5. On page 57, Jordan Baker comes out of a private meeting with Gatsby and returns to the party. She claims to Nick that Gatsby told her something “simply amazing,” but she has to keep it secret. Like the character of Gatsby himself, why does Fitzgerald leave it a mystery what Gatsby told Jordan?

6. On the middle of page 63, Nick is out on a date with Jordan. Jordan is driving the car, and she is always almost missing hitting people. She tells Nick that, “They’ll keep out of my way. It takes two to make an accident.” And then a moment later she tells Nick, “I hate careless people.”  What does this altercation say about Jordan’s character? How might Jordan and her attitude symbolize most of the people in this novel?

CHAPTER IV

1. Gatsby takes Nick out to lunch in Manhattan. In Gatsby’s magnificent Rolls Royce on pages 69 – 71, Gatsby tells Nick things about his life. Why do you think he tells Nick he is the son of wealthy parents in the Midwest, he was educated at Oxford, and became a hero in World War I and awarded medals? He also tells Nick that after the war he spent several years as an adventurer, uncovering treasure. Do you think that Gatsby is telling the truth? Is there anything about what he says that might be questionable? Gatsby also repeats several times to Nick that he is “trying to forget something very sad that happened to me long ago.” What is the effect of this repeated statement?

2. From pages 74 – 77, Gatsby introduces Nick to an older man, Mr. Wolfshiem, someone Gatsby knows and seems to do business with.  Glance over these pages, and try to ask yourself who Mr. Wolfshiem is, and what kind of “business” do you think he is involved. Additionally, why do you think that Fitzgerald writes this scene? Why do you think it is important that we see Gatsby with this man?  An additional note, the 1919 World Series mentioned on the top of page 78 was a very famous historical occurrence. The game was fixed by gamblers and involved many of the baseball players.

3. At the end of Chapter IV, pages 79 – 83, Fitzgerald tells us the story of Gatsby’s past through Jordan’s story to Nick. What do we learn about Gatsby and Daisy from this story? How in love do you think was Gatsby with Daisy in the summer of 1917?  How in love was Daisy?  How did Daisy break Gatsby’s heart?  What has Gatsby been trying to do ever since?

4. By the end of Chapter IV, we have a contradictory picture of Gatsby. He is a very wealthy business man who seems to have accumulated and maintained his fortune through shady and criminal activities. At the same time, he is also a lovesick, innocent young veteran, desperately trying to win the woman of his dreams. Why does Fitzgerald give us these two, difficult to reconcile pictures of Gatsby?  What are we supposed to think of his character?  What might these contradictory sides to his personality represent or symbolize?

Chapter V

1. How does Gatsby’s personality change in Chapter V from the previous chapters with the preparations to reunite with Daisy, and the meeting itself? Is Gatsby still the suave and mysterious character he was?  Likewise, how does Daisy’s personality and attitude change when she reunites with Gatsby and the chapter progresses?

2. Why is Daisy genuinely overcome with joy at Gatsby’s financial success when he givers her a tour of his mansion, and especially when he shows her the hundreds of beautiful shirts he has imported to his wardrobe at the top of page 98?

3. In Chapter V, the symbol of clocks and timepieces rampant throughout the novel becomes highlighted. In particular, on page 91, during the reunion between Daisy and Gatsby at Nick’s house, Gatsby almost knocks over the clock on the mantle. What do you think clocks symbolize?  What does it symbolize when Gatsby almost knocks over the clock?