1. In the first few pages of this chapter, we learn about Gatsby’s background. When did James Gatz change his name to Jay Gatsby? Why did he leave college after just two weeks?
2. Nick says, “So he [Gatsby] invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen-year-old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception, he was faithful to the end.” For James Gatz, what does he expect the future Jay Gatsby’s life will be like? Specifically, at night, what sets James’ heart “in a constant, turbulent” riot?
3. To young Gatz, what does Dan Cody’s yacht represent?
4. Why does Gatsby not get the $25,000 left to him in
The Great Gatsby, Ch. 6Cody’s will? What lesson did young Gatsby likely learn from this incident?
5. After crossing paths with Gatsby, Tom says, “I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me.” What’s interesting (and hypocritical) about this line?
6. What is Daisy’s opinion of Gatsby’s party?
7. While the reader can have easily predicted Daisy and Tom’s reactions to his party, Gatsby cannot. Why not?
8. What is Nick’s view of repeating the past, and what is Gatsby’s opinion? Why is Gatsby’s opinion unrealistic?
