Lengua Inglesa 1ºaño B y C – Prof.

Superior de Lenguas Vivas

The Great Gatsby / Questions for analysis (Study guide)

General questions

1- Who wrote the novel? What do you know about its author?
2- When and where does the story take place? Mention some characteristics of the historical
and geographical setting of the novel:
3- Who are the main characters? Describe them (consider physical characteristics and
personality)
4- Are the characters in the story round or flat? (do they change along the story or do they
remain the same?)
5- Why is the novel called “The Great Gatsby”?
6- Compare and contrast male and female characters in the story:
7- What is/are the theme(s) of the story?
8- What is the role of money / love / marriage in the story?
9- What values are depicted in the story?
10- What is the moral of the story?
11- Did you like the story? Why or why not?
12- Is there anything that you would like to change about the story?
13- Is the story realistic? Why or why not?

Specific questions

1. How was the 1920's a reaction to WWI?

2. Some people think that having money leads to happiness. Do you agree? Why or why not? What
are the advantages or disadvantages of being wealthy.
3. What is the "American Dream"? What is its role in the story?
4. Have you ever wanted to relive a moment from your past, to redo it? How and why would you
change the past?
5. What kind of a narrator is Nick Carraway?
6. Describe the relationship between these characters:
Tom and Daisy – Tom and Myrtle – Nick and Daisy- Nick and Jordan - Mr. Wilson and Myrtle –
Gatsby and Daisy – Nick and Gatsby
7. List all of the rumors told about Gatsby. Who is he?
8. Explain the significance of the following elements in the story: the green light - the yellow car -
the valley of ashes - West Egg and East Egg - T. J. Eckleberg – the seasons
9. Why do Gatsby and Tom get so many phone calls? What does this say about him?
10. Does Daisy love Tom? Does she love Gastby?
11. Compare Gastby and Tom. How are they similar and how are they different?
12. What do you think Tom and Daisy were saying to each other in the kitchen? Do you think that
Tom knew Daisy was driving the "death car"? Why, why not?
13. Who attended Gatsby's funeral? How and why is this significant?
14. Does this novel have villains and heroes? Why, why not? If yes, who fits into these categories
and why?