Great Gatsby Chapter 8

Reading Guide | The Great Gatsby Chapter 8 Before-Reading Activities Directions: Before you read Chapter 8 of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, review the vocabulary and term for this reading and answer the short-answer questions. Vocabulary Word indiscernible (adj.) Definition impossible to see, hear, or know clearly redolent (adj.) strongly suggestive or reminiscent of something stratum (noun) level of society made up of people of the same rank or position settee (noun) a sofa vestibule (noun) entrance hall inside a building benediction (noun) prayer that asks for God's blessing interminable (adj.) seeming to have no end garrulous (adj.) very talkative pneumatic (adj.) filled with air amorphous (adj.) having no definite form or character; shapeless symbol Definition an object that represents an abstract concept Example A four-leaf clover is a symbol of good luck. 1. In four to six sentences, summarize the second section of Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby. In the second section of Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby, tensions escalate during a heated confrontation between Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby. Tom begins to assert his dominance by exposing Gatsby's questionable background, accusing him of being a fraud and accusing him of illegal business dealings. Daisy, who had briefly entertained the idea of leaving Tom for Gatsby, hesitates when confronted with the reality of the situation, ultimately admitting that she cannot fully abandon her marriage. As the argument unfolds, Tom revels in his control, while Gatsby becomes increasingly desperate, clinging to his belief that Daisy will choose him. The chapter culminates in the tragic death of Myrtle Wilson, struck by Gatsby's car, which sets in motion a chain of events leading to the novel's tragic conclusion. 2. At this point in the novel, what would you do if you were in Gatsby's position? Explain your answer. If I were in Gatsbys position at this point in the novel, I would likely feel heartbroken and disillusioned, as the idealized dream I had built around Daisy is crumbling. Reading Guide | The Great Gatsby Chapter 8 During-Reading Activities Directions: Read Chapter 8 of The Great Gatsby. As you read, answer these questions. When you are finished, save your work and complete the rest of the lesson. 1. Why do you think Nick is in turmoil at the beginning of the chapter? Nick is in turmoil at the beginning of Chapter 7 because he is increasingly disillusioned with the people and events around him. He has witnessed the unraveling of Gatsby's dream, the tension between Tom and Daisy, and the emotional manipulation at play. 2. Why does Nick urge Gatsby to leave? How does Gatsby respond? Nick urges Gatsby to leave because he senses that the situation is becoming dangerous, particularly after the argument between Gatsby and Tom. Nick understands that Gatsby is clinging to the hope that Daisy will still choose him, but he recognizes that Daisy is not going to leave Tom, and the emotional tension is reaching a breaking point. Nick believes that staying any longer will only lead to further heartache and possible harm. 3. Why does Gatsby finally tell Nick the truth about his past? Gatsby finally tells Nick the truth about his past because he is feeling vulnerable and desperate in the face of his failed dream. After the confrontation with Tom, in which his social status and wealth are called into question, Gatsby realizes that the life hes built around lies and illusions is crumbling. 4. What can you gather about Gatsby's impression of Daisy based on his story of how they fell in love? Based on Gatsby's story of how he and Daisy fell in love, it is clear that he holds an idealized and almost mythical view of her. He describes their relationship as a magical and perfect moment in time, one that he believes transcends the ordinary and is worth recreating. Gatsby speaks of their love as something pure and destined, highlighting how deeply he has romanticized Daisy and their past together. 5. In this section, Nick observes that five years ago, Gatsby took Daisy "under false pretenses" and "let her believe that he was a person from much the same stratum as herself." Does this information affect your perception of Daisy in any way? Explain your answer. Yes, this information does affect my perception of Daisy. Knowing that Gatsby "took Daisy under false pretenses" and allowed her to believe he was from a similar social class adds complexity to her character. 6. In what ways is Daisy a symbol to Gatsby? Explain your answer. Daisy is a symbol to Gatsby in several profound ways. First and foremost, she represents Gatsbys idealized vision of the American Dream the pursuit of wealth, success, and happiness, often intertwined with love and social status. 7. Do you think Gatsby truly loves Daisy? Why or why not? Gatsby's love for Daisy is complex and deeply tied to his idealization of her rather than her true, complete self. 8. How did Gatsby and Daisy's relationship begin to change as the war came to an end? As the war came to an end, Gatsby and Daisy's relationship began to change due to several factors. 9. How does Nick describe Daisy's world? How did this world contribute to Daisy's decision to marry Tom? Nick describes Daisy's world as one of privilege, wealth, and social expectation, a world in which appearances, security, and status are paramount. 10. How did Gatsby feel when he finally returned to Louisville? When Gatsby finally returned to Louisville after the war, he felt a deep sense of disappointment and frustration. He had imagined that once he returned, he could pick up right where he left off with Daisy, believing that their love was timeless and could easily be rekindled 11. After Gatsby finishes his story, he and Nick go outside, and Nick observes, "The night had made a sharp difference in the weather and there was an autumn flavor in the air." What do you think this change could signify? [Hint: Think about what autumn could symbolize.] shift in the narrative and a sense of inevitable decline 12. What do you think of the compliment that Nick pays Gatsby? Think about what Nick says, how he feels about saying it, and Gatsby's reaction. Nick’s compliment to Gatsby, when he says, "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together," is significant because it reveals Nick’s deep admiration and sympathy for Gatsby, even as he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the world around him. 13. How does Nick react when Jordan Baker calls? How have his feelings changed? When Jordan Baker calls Nick toward the end of the novel, his reaction is one of indifference and even a sense of disillusionment. 14. Whose story does Nick begin to tell after he boards the train? After Nick boards the train, he begins to tell the story of Gatsby's life. This marks the beginning of his reflection on the events that have transpired, and it serves as a way for him to process the tragic outcome of Gatsbys life and death. 15. What connection does Wilson make between the yellow car, the dog leash, and Myrtle's bruised face? Wilson makes a connection between the yellow car, the dog leash, and Myrtle's bruised face as part of his growing suspicion and anger over his wifes death. He believes that the yellow car, which he associates with the wealthy people in the area (particularly Tom and Gatsby), is linked to Myrtles fatal accident. 16. Explain the significance of the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg. What does Wilson refer to them as? How does this relate to larger ideas in the book? "the eyes of God" 17. Where does Wilson go after Michaelis leaves? Wilson goes to Gatsbys house 18. Who do you think told Wilson the identity of the owner of the yellow car? Tom Buchanan 19. How does Nick describe Gatsby's dream toward the end of the chapter? [Hint: This can be found in the paragraph that begins "No telephone message arrived …"] Nick describes Gatsby's dream as something that is "already behind him," 20. What happens at the end of the chapter? Nick reflects on Gatsbys tragic death and the consequences of his relentless pursuit of an unattainable dream.