Chapter 1

What is this chapter mainly about?

How does the narrator initially describe Gatsby?

How would you describe the financial situation of Nick's family?

Find where Nick says men often told him personal information he really did not want to know. Specifically the quote: "frequently I have feigned sleep, preoccupation, or a hostile levity when I realized by some unmistakable sign that an intimate revelation was on the horizon… ."

What does "feigned" mean in this context?

When Nick says he reserves judging people who confess too much to him, he says that "a sense of the fundamental decencies is parceled out at birth."

What does "parceled" mean in the context of this passage?

How is Nick related to Daisy?

What is Gatsby doing the first time Nick sees him?

Tom makes many statements regarding civilization going to pieces. Based on these statements, which word best describes Tom?

The narrator said Gatsby "represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn."

What does he mean by "unaffected scorn"?

When Nick was with Mrs. Baker they "exchanged a short glance consciously devoid of meaning"

What is another word for "devoid" in this context?

Later in the same paragraph as the last question, Fitzgerald writes "The murmur trembled on the verge of coherence, sank down, mounted excitedly, and then ceased altogether."

What is another word for "ceased" in this context?

The narrator "bought a dozen volumes on banking and credit and investment securities"

What does "volumes" in this context?

In the quote below, what does "exhibition" mean?

"Almost any exhibition of complete self sufficiency draws a stunned tribute from me."

Who does Daisy want to arrange Nick to marry?

When Nick drove away how did he feel about Tom and Daisy?

This is just a space for you to write and think. There is no right answer.

How would you describe the narrator at this point?

Were there any events that weren't clear to you?