AP Literature

The Great Gatsby Student Assignments

Chapter Questions

Pre-Reading

[Link] are we still reading a book written in the 1920's? What gives a book its
longevity?
[Link] was the 1920's a reaction to WWI?
[Link] people think that having money leads to happiness. Do you agree? Why or
why not? What are the advantages or disadvantages of being wealthy.
[Link] is the "American Dream"? Where did it originate, and how has it changed
over the centuries?
[Link] you ever wanted to relive a moment from your past, to redo it? Describe the
situation. How and why would you change the past?

Chapter 1

[Link] how many times Fitzgerald uses the words hope, or dream. Why does he
do this?
[Link] starts the novel by relaying his father's advice "Whenever you feel like
criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had
the advantages that you've had." List Nick's advantages. Does he reserve
judgement in the novel?
[Link] attention to time. What is the day and year during the first scene at Daisy's
house?
[Link] Nick. What facts do you know about him, and what do you infer about
him? What kind of a narrator do you think he will be?
[Link] image does the author use to describe Jordan Baker? What does it mean?
[Link] does Nick react to Jordan?
[Link] does Tom's behavior reveal about his character?

Chapter 2

[Link] the "valley of ashes." What does it look like and what does it represent?
[Link] Mr. Wilson and Myrtle. Do they seem to fit into the setting?
[Link] more have you learned about Nick in this chapter? Is he similar or different
than the people he spends his time with?
[Link] the violent act Tom committed against Myrtle. What does this reveal
about him?

Chapter 3

[Link] attention to Nick's judgments. What do they reveal about his character that
he does this (especially in relation to his opening comments)?
[Link] Gatsby the first time Nick sees him.
[Link] rumors have been told about Gatsby? Why does Fitzgerald reveal rumors
rather than fact?
[Link] does Nick think of Gatsby after meeting him?
[Link] is Gatsby different from his guests?
[Link] does Nick choose to share his thoughts and feelings with Jordan?
[Link] thinks he's one of the few honest people he knows, why? Do you think he is
 AP Literature
The Great Gatsby Student Assignments
honest?

Chapter 4

[Link] all of the rumors told about Gatsby.

[Link] does Fitzgerald list all of Gatsby's party guests?
[Link] does Gatsby tell Nick about his life? Do you believe Gatsby? Does Nick?
[Link] role does Meyer Wolfsheim play in the novel? Why is there so much focus on
his nose and what does this tell you about Fitzgerald's politics?
[Link] does Jordan's story of Daisy's marriage reveal about Daisy?
[Link] did Gatsby want Daisy to see his house?
[Link] says, "There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired."
What does Nick mean? How does each character in the novel fit into this
schema?

Chapter 5

[Link] does Gatsby deliver so many goods and services to Nick's house?
[Link] the effect of rain on the plot.
[Link] does Gatsby offer Nick work? How does Nick feel about this?
[Link] the significance of the green light.
[Link] does Gatsby get so many phone calls? What does this say about him?

Chapter 6

[Link] truthful was Gatsby when he relayed the story of his life to Nick? Why does
Fitzgerald tell the story of Jay Gatz now?
[Link] the meeting of Tom and Gatsby. What does this meeting reveal about
them?
[Link] did Daisy and Tom find Gatsby's party loathsome?
[Link] did Gatsby measure the success of his party?
[Link] Nick told Gatsby that "you can't repeat the past", Gatsby replied, "Why of
course you can!" Do you agree with Nick or Gatsby?

Chapter 7

[Link] is Trimachio? Explain how this describes Gatsby.

[Link] Daisy and Gatsby's new relationship.
[Link] George Wilson and Tom. What did each man learn about his wife and
how did they each react?
[Link] Daisy says she's never loved Tom, is there someone whom she thinks she loves?
[Link] the fight between Gatsby and Tom. What do these men think of each
other? How are they similar and how are they different?
[Link] was significant about Nick's 30th birthday?
[Link] 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?
[Link] this point, how would you end the novel?
 AP Literature
The Great Gatsby Student Assignments
Chapter 8

[Link] does Fitzgerald achieve a melancholic mood in the beginning of this chapter?
[Link] are seasons used in constructing this novel?
[Link] is Dan Cody and what is his significance in Gatsby's life?
[Link] does Nick's statement "You're worth the whole bunch put together" show a
change in Nick from the beginning of the novel?
[Link] does T. J. Eckleberg affect Mr. Wilson?

Chapter 9

[Link] did Nick take care of Gatsby's funeral?

[Link] was Jay Gatz's childhood schedule consistent with the adult Gatsby's
behavior?
[Link] attended Gatsby's funeral? How and why is this significant?
[Link] is the purpose of Nick's last meeting with Jordan?
[Link] does Nick call Tom and Daisy "careless people"?

Post Reading

[Link] this novel have villains and heroes? Why, why not? If yes, who fits into
these categories and why?
[Link] is both part of the action and acting as an objective commentator. Does this
narration style work? Why, why not?
[Link] did Fitzgerald use weather to reflect the mood of the story?
[Link], why are we still reading a book written in the 1920's? What gives a book
its longevity? And which of its themes are eternal in the American psyche.

The Great Gatsby Journals

For each of the nine chapters you must complete the following. Remember
your writing rubric.

1. Title entry with the chapter number.

2. A one-sentence summary.
3. (200+ words) Choose a sentence or short passage from the novel that
best represents the chapter. Record it and cite it. Underneath it, write
 AP Literature
The Great Gatsby Student Assignments
about how this passage furthers one element of fiction within the
novel. Do not tell me that it furthers the plot. (Character, Setting, Style,
Symbol, or Theme)
4. (200+ words) From each chapter choose a different character on which
to focus
a. Name the character.
b. Choose a quote that you think best represents the character and
tell why it represents him or her.
c. Then describe the character's role in the novel. Do not
summarize plot. We already know what he or she does. What we
want to know is what you believe his or her purpose in the novel.
5. (200+ words) From each chapter, discuss the symbols present and how
they further the themes in the novel.
a. Choose from the symbols on the bottom of this page.

Grading Gatsby Journals Rubric

Chapter Titles 5 points

Chapter Summary 5 points

Chapter Quote Analysis 30 points

Character Analysis 30 points

Symbol Tracking 30 points

Total Points

Gatsby Symbols
Gatsby's uncut books/Nick's unread books
Wolfsheim's cufflinks
Gatsby's car/Gatsby's clothes
Tom Buchanan pushing people around/Tom Buchanan quoting things "he's read"
The faded timetable (showing the names of Gatsby's guests)
Anti-Semitism, prejudice
Weather
Time, seasons
The ash heap
The green light at the end of Daisy's dock
East versus West Egg
Gatsby's career/Nick's career
Dan Cody
 AP Literature
The Great Gatsby Student Assignments
T.J. Eckleberg
Silver and gold (color)
White (color)
Green (color)

Index Card Vocabulary

Chapter 1 Chapter 6
Feign Laudable
Supercilious Insidious
Conscientious Repose
Incredulous Debauch
Reciprocal Antecedent
Wan Ingratiate
Complacent Perturb
Intimation Dilatory
Infinite Desolate
Anon Elusive
Chapter 2 Chapter 7
Contiguous Lapse
Facet Tentative
Cower Abrupt
Interpose Tumult
Apathetic Portentous
Languid Irreverent
Imply Vicarious
Strident Rancor
Deft Formidable
Clad Chapter 8
Chapter 3 Humidor
Permeate Indiscernible
Innuendo Settee
Erroneous In cahoots
Vehement Divot
Cordial Garrulous
Impetuous Incoherent
Vacuous Conceivable
Corpulent Forlorn
Provincial Laden
Din Chapter 9
Chapter 4 Pasquinade
Knickerbockers Derange
Fluctuate Surmise
Sporadic Superfluous
Divine retribution Elocution
Rajah Unutterable
Elicit Subtle
Valor Orgiastic
Denizen Borne
Jauntily Ceaselessly
Chapter 5
Rout
Suppressed
Innumerable
Ecstatic
Reproach
Obstinate
Exultation
Hulking
 AP Literature
The Great Gatsby Student Assignments
Nebulous

Due Dates(This is for A and B)

3/30: Pre-Reading, Chapter One, Two, Three, and Four Questions

and Journals

4/11: Chapters Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, and Post-Reading

Questions and Journals