The Great Gatsby
Study Questions & Essay Topics
1. Discuss Gatsby’s character as Nick perceives him throughout the novel. What makes Gatsby “great”?
2. What is Nick like as a narrator? Is he a reliable storyteller, or does his version of events seem suspect? How do his qualities as a character affect his narration?
3. What are some of The Great Gatsby’s most important symbols? What does the novel have to say about the role of symbols in life?
4. How does the geography of the novel dictate its themes and characters? What role does setting play in The Great Gatsby?
Suggested Essay Topics
1. In what sense is The Great Gatsby an autobiographical novel? Does Fitzgerald write more of himself into the character of Nick or the character of Gatsby, or are the author’s qualities found in both characters?
2. How does Gatsby represent the American dream? What does the novel have to say about the condition of the American dream in the 1920s? In what ways do the themes of dreams, wealth, and time relate to each other in the novel’s exploration of the idea of America?
3. Compare and contrast Gatsby and Tom. How are they alike? How are they different? 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?
by Thebookpanda, January 14, 2013
John Green did a Crash Course on Youtube on Great Gatsby..it's awesome.
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by sugarspicemuffins, January 16, 2013
Sorry! He does get a call from Chicago but later when Nick says goodbye he gets a call from Philadelphie. My bad!
2 out of 9 people found this helpful0