ENGLISH III
The Great Gatsby—Fitzgerald
Chapter 5 group discussion points
DIRECTIONS:
As you read chapter 5 of the novel The Great Gatsby, note and be able to cite details from the chapter that support the following ideas. You are NOT required to write out any responses. However, you will receive bonus points if you do cite evidence in writing. Either way, be sure that you will be able to contribute to the class discussion covering chapter 5. My goal is to have at least 80% of the students contributing to the discussion. If we do not reach that goal, we will return to the sets of questions and/or quizzes for each chapter. You may use this sheet to make notes as you read.
1. What does Gatsby offer Nick in return for Nick’s cooperation in inviting Daisy to his house? What is Nick’s response, and why do you suppose he reacts that way?
2. What is the meeting between Daisy and Gatsby like initially?
3. How are Daisy and Gatsby different when Nick returns to the house after half an hour? How do these attitudes correlate with the weather?
4. What is ironic about the cottage owner’s refusal to put thatched roofs on their homes? Remember Nick says, “Americans, while occasionally willing to be serfs, have always been obstinate about being peasantry.”
5. How does Gatsby reply when Nick asks him how he makes his money? Why does Nick think this response is significant?
6. What is Gatsby dialogue like in this chapter? What does this tell us about Gatsby?
7. Why do you think Daisy sobs when Gatsby shows her his shirts?
8. What are Gatsby’s feelings about Daisy and his dream by the end of this chapter?
9. In this chapter, Gatsby’s dream seems to be fulfilled. What indications are there, though, that reality cannot satisfy his dream?