Jay Gatsby

Question 1

Overview of Gatsby

Answer 1

• protagonist of the novel and the eponymous character
• self-made, wealthy man living in West Egg (new money)
• enigmatic, hosting flashy, extravagant parties for guests who don’t know him
• born as James Gatz in North Dakota
• fell in love with a girl called Daisy during his officer training in Louisville, so reinvented himself and climbed the social ladder to win her love
• involvement in organised crime to attain his financial success
• his pursuit of the American Dream was driven by love
• a hopeless romantic

Question 2

Mystery around Gatsby

Answer 2

• surrounded by rumours and speculation
• guests at his parties frequently gossip about his background
• some speculate that he killed someone, while others believe that he was a German spy during WW1 with close connections to Kaiser Wilhelm ll
• the mystery that surrounds him depersonalises his wealth
• as the novel progresses, the mystery unfolds

Question 3

Gatsby’s determination

Answer 3

• doesn’t lose sight of his end goal
• his engagement in organised crime shows the drastic lengths he’s willing to go to for Daisy

Question 4

Key Quotes

Answer 4

‘An Oxford man! Like hell he is! He wears a pink suit’ - old money vs new money, body of water physically separates him from old money, gatsby can’t escape his origins