Irodalom | Középiskola » The Great Gatsby Discussion Questions

The Great Gatsby Discussion Questions 1. Discuss Gatsbys character as Nick perceives him throughout the novel What makes Gatsby “great”? 2. What is Nick like as a narrator? Is he a reliable storyteller, or does his version of events seem suspect? How do his qualities as a character affect his narration? 3. What are some of The Great Gatsbys most important symbols? What does the novel have to say about the role of symbols in life? 4. How does the geography of the novel dictate its themes and characters? What role does setting play in The Great Gatsby? 5. In what sense is The Great Gatsby an autobiographical novel? Does Fitzgerald write more of himself into the character of Nick or the character of Gatsby, or are the authors qualities found in both characters? 6. How does Gatsby represent the American dream? What does the novel have to say about the condition of the American dream in the 1920s? In what ways do the themes of dreams, wealth, and time relate to each other in the novels

exploration of the idea of America? 7. Compare and contrast Gatsby and Tom How are they alike? How are they different? Given the extremely negative light in which Tom is portrayed throughout the novel, why might Daisy choose to remain with him instead of leaving him for Gatsby? 8. Compare and contrast the theme of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman. In what ways are the two stories similar and in what ways are they different? (Do after we read Death of a Salesman) 9. The last lines of the novel are famous for their insight into life as it takes place for so many people. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter – tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms fartherAnd one fine morningSo we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” In what way do these last lines reflect the essence and theme of the novel?