Gatsby

Question 1

What does Tom believe about civilization?

Answer 1

Civilisation’s going to pieces

Reflects Tom’s pessimistic view on societal decline.

Question 2

What is Tom’s perspective on race theory?

Answer 2

The rise of the coloured empires

Indicates Tom’s belief in white supremacy.

Question 3

What does Tom claim about science?

Answer 3

It’s all scientific stuff; it’s been proved

Suggests Tom’s reliance on supposed scientific validation for his views.

Question 4

What does Tom assert regarding white supremacy?

Answer 4

It’s up to us who are the dominant race to watch out or these other races will have control of things

Highlights Tom’s fear of losing power to other races.

Question 5

What is Daisy’s hope for her daughter?

Answer 5

I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world

Reflects Daisy’s cynical view on women’s roles.

Question 6

How is the Valley of Ashes described?

Answer 6

Desolate area of land

Symbolizes moral and social decay.

Question 7

What are the characteristics of the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg?

Answer 7

Blue and gigantic

Often interpreted as the eyes of God watching over the decay of society.

Question 8

What scandal surrounds Tom?

Answer 8

His acquaintances resented the fact that he turned up in popular restaurants with her

Indicates Tom’s disregard for societal norms.

Question 9

What does Myrtle exhibit that is notable?

Answer 9

Immediately perceptible vitality

Suggests her dynamic and vibrant personality.

Question 10

How does Myrtle treat her husband Wilson?

Answer 10

Walking through her husband as if he were a ghost

Illustrates Myrtle’s disdain and emotional detachment from Wilson.

Question 11

What does Myrtle wear that stands out?

Answer 11

Cream-coloured chiffon

Represents her desire for a more glamorous life.

Question 12

What does Wilson’s hope represent?

Answer 12

A damp gleam of hope sprang into his light blue eyes

Indicates his longing for a better life.

Question 13

What does Tom say about Wilson?

Answer 13

He’s so dumb he doesn’t know he’s alive

Reflects Tom’s contempt for Wilson.

Question 14

What is Myrtle’s opinion of Wilson?

Answer 14

He wasn’t fit to lick my shoe

Demonstrates her superiority complex.

Question 15

How is Wilson described physically?

Answer 15

A white ashen dust veiled his dark suit

Symbolizes his hopelessness and the impact of his environment.

Question 16

What violent act does Tom commit against Myrtle?

Answer 16

Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand

Highlights Tom’s brutality and dominance.

Question 17

What does the dust-covered wreck of a Ford symbolize?

Answer 17

Dust covered wreck of a Ford

Represents the decay of the American Dream.

Question 18

How does Gatsby’s car function on weekends?

Answer 18

His Rolls-Royce became an omnibus

Reflects Gatsby’s wealth and the social gatherings he hosts.

Question 19

What does the crash symbolize?

Answer 19

The wheel and the car were no longer joined by any physical bond

Represents disconnection and loss of control.

Question 20

What does the green light symbolize?

Answer 20

A single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock

Represents Gatsby’s unattainable dreams.

Question 21

What happens to the significance of the green light?

Answer 21

The colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever

Indicates Gatsby’s disillusionment.

Question 22

What does Gatsby’s ideal self stem from?

Answer 22

His platonic conception of himself

Reflects Gatsby’s aspirations and identity.

Question 23

What is Nick’s stance on judgment?

Answer 23

I’m inclined to reserve all judgments

Suggests Nick’s attempt at objectivity.

Question 24

How is Gatsby’s beauty described?

Answer 24

The service of a vast, vulgar and meretricious beauty

Indicates the superficiality of Gatsby’s charm.

Question 25

What does Gatsby believe about repeating the past?

Answer 25

‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘Why of course you can’ ## Footnote Shows Gatsby's naivety and obsession.

Question 26

What happens when Gatsby kisses Daisy?

Answer 26

At his lips’ touch she blossomed for him like a flower ## Footnote Symbolizes the rekindling of their relationship.

Question 27

What is Gatsby's reaction to disillusionment?

Answer 27

Shivered as he found what a grotesque thing a rose is ## Footnote Represents the loss of idealism.

Question 28

What does Gatsby's death signify?

Answer 28

And the holocaust was complete ## Footnote Reflects the destruction of his dreams.

Question 29

What does the dust symbolize in the narrative?

Answer 29

There was an inexplicable amount of dust everywhere ## Footnote Represents decay and neglect.

Question 30

What does Nick observe about Gatsby's hope?

Answer 30

He was clutching at some last hope and I couldn’t bear to break him free ## Footnote Indicates Nick's empathy for Gatsby.

Question 31

How does Tom compare to Gatsby?

Answer 31

Jay Gatsby had broken up like glass against Tom’s hard malice ## Footnote Illustrates the destructive nature of Tom's character.

Question 32

What does Daisy represent in relation to class?

Answer 32

Gleaming like silver, safe and proud above the hot struggles of the poor ## Footnote Symbolizes wealth and privilege.

Question 33

What shaped Daisy's life?

Answer 33

By some force—of love, of money, of unquestionable practicality—that was close at hand ## Footnote Reflects the influences of her environment.

Question 34

What does Nick say to Gatsby that signifies his worth?

Answer 34

You’re worth the whole damn bunch of them put together ## Footnote Indicates Nick's respect for Gatsby.

Question 35

How does Nick characterize Tom and Daisy?

Answer 35

They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money ## Footnote Highlights their irresponsibility and moral decay.

Question 36

What does Nick believe about Gatsby's potential?

Answer 36

If he’d of lived he’d of been a great man. A man like James J. Hill ## Footnote Suggests Gatsby's unrealized potential.

Question 37

What imagery describes social chaos?

Answer 37

Eddies and flurries of people ## Footnote Represents the disorder of society.

Question 38

What is the final line of the narrative?

Answer 38

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past ## Footnote Reflects the struggle against time and the past.