Character Traits in The Great Gatsby

When Nick returns from the war, why does he decide to go East?

• He was uncertain what to do with himself and figured there was opportunity on Wall Street.

• There were more job opportunities available than anywhere else.

• He wanted to be closer to his family where he felt he would have more support.

What is Nick's social class/background?

• He is very poor and lives in poverty.

• He is upper-middle class. His family has money but not at the level of the Buchanan family.

• He is exactly the definition of middle class. He must work to maintain his lifestyle.

Which quotation from the text best shows why Nick is "inclined to reserve all judgments"?

• "I was unjustly accused of being a politician"

• "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages that you've had"

• "Gatsby had an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found"

Which of the following does NOT describe Tom Buchanan?

• Condescending

• Arrogant

• Polite

Tom Buchanan was "one of those men who reach such an acute limited excellence at twenty-one that everything afterwards savors of anticlimax." What does this passage mean?

• Tom was not excellent at anything and his life is a let-down.

• Tom was always looked at as perfect at many things throughout his entire life.

• Tom excelled so greatly in sports at a young age that everything afterwards seems like a let-down.

What does Daisy's line "a beautiful little fool" show about how she feels about her life?

• She wants to be beautiful forever.

• She would rather pretend and be oblivious than know the truth.

• She regrets marrying Tom.

Why did Daisy marry Tom?

• Tom threatened Daisy into marriage by hitting her.

• Gatsby went off to war and Tom had money and status.

• They had a daughter and she did not want her reputation to be ruined.

We find out that Tom has, "some woman in New York." What unflattering feature of Jordan Baker's personality is revealed in this scene?

• She is gossip queen and seems to take a small amount of pleasure in Daisy's pain in this scene.

• She is a liar and doesn't feel bad about lies.

• Jordan is flirty with too many men and that makes Nick really mad.

What reason did Myrtle give for marrying George Wilson?

• She had to do something to get away from her abusive parents.

• She did it to spite George’s former girlfriend.

• She thought he was a gentleman; later she found out differently.

Who is described as having: "...an immediately perceptible vitality about her as if the nerves of her were continually smoldering..."

• Daisy

• Jordan

• Myrtle