some questions concerning chapter 7 to 9
Our Lit teacher gave us those questions, anyone want to answer a few? There are so many...argh
Much appreciated!!!
chapter 7
1. What is symbolic about the heat?
Trimalchio is a character in the Roman "novel" The Satyricon by Petronius. Trimalchio is a freed man who through hard work and perseverance has attained power and wealth. He is gaudy and fat. He is known for throwing lavish dinner parties, where his numerous servants bring course after course of exotic delicacies, such as live birds sewn up inside a pig and a dish to represent every sign of the zodiac. The Satyricon has a lengthy description of Trimalchio's proposed tomb, which is incredibly ostentatious and lavish. (Encycolpedia.com)
2. Explain how this describes Gatsby.
3. Why is Gatsby surprised about Daisy’s child?
4. What does Tom’s inaccuracy about the sun reveal about him?
5. What is the difference between the way Daisy and Gatsby view the future? Why is this?
6. Contrast the reactions of Nick and Gatsby to Daisy’s voice. What does each mean?
7. What is ironic about Tom saying he has second sight?
8. Contrast Tom Buchanan and George Wilson’s reactions to the infidelities of their wives.
9. Blocks Biloxi reveals that the nouveau riche and the old money worlds are not so different; indeed, Tom and Daisy are being hypocritical in their attitude toward Gatsby’s guests. Explain.
10. Why is Nick so pleased with Gatsby’s honesty about Oxford?
11. Why does Tom refer to the liaison between Daisy and Gatsby in terms of intermarriage?
12. Why does Tom’s defense of family values amuse Nick?
13. What is the alien but recognizable look that comes over Gatsby’s face several times in this chapter?
14. What is the significance of Nick’s 30th birthday?
15. Why does Tom insist that Gatsby and Daisy drive home together?
16. How does Nick compare the dreams of Daisy and Jordan?
17. Why Nick change his feelings about Jordan? How does he feel about the Buchanans as well?
18. What is Nick’s attitude toward Gatsby?
19. How are Tom and Daisy reconciled?
20. Speculate on why Fitzgerald includes the detail about Myrtle’s left breast in her death. Is it gratuitous or is there a literary reason for it?
21. Describe the fight between Gatsby and Tom. What do these men think of each other? How are they similar and how are they different?
22. What is the symbolic significance of Gatsby being left standing outside his mansion “watching over” nothing?
23. Explain Nick’s reaction when he realizes Gatsby’s innocence?
Chapter eight
1. Gatsby’s house has changed, becoming musty and uncared for. What theme does this develop? (ie., is the change symbolic?)
2. What is the effect on the reader of now learning about the initial love affair between Gatsby and Daisy? What theme or themes are Fitzgerald developing with that?
3. Why does Fitzgerald use religious terms to describe Gatsby’s love for Daisy?
4. Fitzgerald foregrounds Daisy’s wealth in Gatsby’s memories and feelings for her, but as Gatsby has no need for her money, this must represent something else. What does Daisy’s money symbolize for Gatsby?
5. Speculate on two or more reasons why Daisy married Tom.
6. What does Gatsby mean that Daisy’s love for Tom was “just personal”?
7. While Nick is bound to the Buchanans through ties of family, education and social status, it is with Gatsby that he identifies himself. Explain what this connection is about. Keep in mind that Nick has been growing and maturing as a person. He now sees himself and his society in a very different way than he did when he first moved to the East.
8. Explain Gatsby’s response to the Nick’s compliment that Gatsby is better than the rest of them.
9. In what way is the house truly Gatsby’s “ancestral home”?
10. What is important about Nick thanking Gatsby for his hospitality?
Chapter nine
1. What is the significance of Nick arranging Gatsby’s funeral?
2. Discuss why Tom and Daisy leave.
3. Despite the phone call confirming Gatsby’s illegal activities, Nick does not change his opinion of his friend. Explain.
4. Contrast the arrival of Mr. Gatz with the absence of Gatsby’s friends.
5. What is ironic about Mr.Gatz admiring the house?
6. What is the pathos (the quality or power in an actual life experience or in literature, music, speech, or other forms of expression, evoking a feeling of pity or compassion) of Gatsby’s youthful resolutions?
James Jerome Hill (September 16, 1838 – May 29, 1916), was a noted Canadian-American railroad executive, was the Empire Builder who started with nothing but a vision of the future. It was the vision that made him special and different from others involved in business. He saw what he was working toward and used his business strategies to always plan for the future. Unlike other railroad builders such as Cornelius Vanderbilt who built their railroads around a population, Hill built a population around his railroad. This technique was unsuccessful for others but Hill's business skill, experience, and planning made his railroad progress rapidly. The land he built on was considered a wasteland, unsuitable for population. Hill was not a selfish man but instead one who used his business skills to develop the best railroad network possible. His railroads went from the Great Lakes to the Puget Sound and from Canada to the South. As his railroads grew, he extended his empire across the Pacific to the Orient. Hill's railroads were impressive in length, growth rate, and revenue.
7. Compare and contrast Gatsby with James. J. Hill.
8. What is the significance of the owl-eyed man attending Gatsby’s funeral?
9. What is the significance of Jordan’s comment about the “bad driver”?
10. How does Tom cling to his vision of himself, just as Gatsby clings to his vision of Daisy?
11. Why does Nick shake Tom’s hand?
12. Why does Nick think that Gatsby’s tragedy is a contrast between East and West? Do you agree? Explain.
13. Who is the real gentleman in the novel and what does he represent in terms of values and beliefs?
14. Explain how Nick has learned the true meaning of his father’s advice about judgment.
15. Fitzgerald is concerned with moral decisions and their effect on character. Yet how can we make moral decisions in a society which possesses no meaningful values by which to judge those decisions?
