The Great Gatsby Questions and Content

Below are some past Section A questions, with some points you may consider when answering them. If you complete any in your own time, I will happily give you some feedback on them...

Write about the ways Fitzgerald tells the story in Chapter 4.

Form: 20th century tragedy, a novel about writing a novel, a love story, etc

Structure: begins with a general focus on some party goers and their assessment of Gatsby, leads to a series of mysterious meetings between Gatsby and Nick, Nick and Wolfshiem and Nick and Jordan, central revelation is the past relationship between Gatsby and Daisy, ends with Gatsby’s intention to meet Daisy again and how Nick is to assist/disjointed chronology here, use of story of 5 years previously told through Jordan/story framed by the reflections of the retrospective narrator, etc.

Language: poetic prose, descriptive detail, use of French ‘amour’, use of children’s song, use of contrast, symbolism of the timetable to write names of Gatsby’s guests, use of irony, image of the dead man, use of dialogue, etc. Narrative perspective/voices: first person narrator, self conscious story teller and author, use of choric voices and rumour, use of Jordan to tell the story, use of voices of Gatsby and Wolfshiem, slow pace to unravel the mystery, etc.

Setting: New York, Gatsby’s mansion, Nick’s house, Gatsby’s car, specific date 5th July (day after Independence Day), Forty-second Street cellar, tea-garden at the Plaza, flashback October 1917, etc.

What do you think about the view that there are no women in The Great Gatsby with whom the reader can sympathise?

Some will agree and focus on:

·       The unflattering portrayal of Daisy, Jordan and Myrtle who are all deceivers, materialistic and insincere

·       The destinations of Jordan and Daisy

·       Daisy’s part in Gatsby’s tragedy, etc.

Some will disagree and focus on:

·         The way a male narrator filters the narrative and distorts the picture

·         The way Nick has a romanticised view of Gatsby and this colours his judgement

·         The vulnerability of women

·         Their being victims in a male world

·         Their charm, etc.

Some will distinguish between the women and discuss them separately in the light of the task.

Write about some of the ways Fitzgerald tells the story in Chapter 3.

Form: Narrative perspective/ voices: first person narrator, self conscious story teller and author, narratorial distancing of last two pages, etc. use of choric voices and rumour, etc.

Setting: New York, Gatsby’s mansion, etc.

20th century tragedy, a novel about writing a novel, etc.

Begins with a generalised reflection of the summer parties, moves to Nick’s first party,

dramatic explosion of Gatsby’s entrance, ends with focus on Nick and Jordan’s relationship, story at this point is chronological but framed by the reflections of the retrospective narrator, etc.

Language: poetic prose, descriptive detail, sensual description of Jordan, topical references, time references, car symbolism, etc.

“Gatsby’s world is corrupt but ultimately glamorous.” How do you respond to this view of the novel?

Some will agree and focus on:

• The corruption in the novel – Gatsby’s underworld, his affair with Daisy, Daisy’s betrayal, the rumours about his life

• The glamour of Gatsby’s parties

• The romance of Gatsby and Daisy, especially the description of their early love affair,

• The surreal, dreamlike quality of Gatsby himself

• The filtering of the story through Nick who is biased, etc.

Some will disagree and focus on:

• Corruption dominating the novel and leading to the deaths of three people

• Shadiness of Gatsby’s associates that no amount of lyrical prose can disguise

• The hollowness of Gatsby’s parties

• The gaudiness of his house and yacht

• The vulgarity of new money

• The fact that Gatsby’s hopes are all dreams

• The failure of Nick to persuade and romanticise Gatsby’s story, etc.

Write about some of the ways Fitzgerald tells the story in Chapter 9.

Form: narrative perspective/voices: first person narrator, self-conscious story teller and author, use of choric voices, use of Mr Gatz’s voice, stray voice of Slagle, use of the telephone, etc.  Setting: New York, Nick’s house, Gatsby’s mansion, the cemetery, Fifth Avenue, early 20^th century, etc 20th century tragedy, a novel about writing a novel, a love story, etc

Structure: Time leap. 2 years have passed, flashback through Nick’s memory, non-chronological.  Begins with the remembered scene outside Gatsby’s house, leads to Nick’s attempt to call Daisy, the arrival of Gatsby’s father . his story of Gatsby’s youth, Gatsby’s funeral, reflections of Nick’s thoughts about the Mid West, Nick’s final meeting with Tom and Daisy, Nick’s leaving New York, etc

Language: poetic prose, descriptive detail, sensual description, funereal language, use of French, dialogue, variations of pace, use of Wolfshiem’s letter, use of Gatsby’s schedule, imagery of utopia, valedictory quality, natural imagery, important use of final word which is .past., etc.

“Illusory as it is, Gatsby’s dream gives meaning and value to human experience” How do you respond to this view?

Some will agree and focus on:

·        Nick’s enchantment and fascination with Gatsby

·        Gatsby’s being worth more than the rest of the characters because he has a passion, something to aspire to.

·        Gatsby’s dream gives Nick the inspiration to write (and of course the same can be said for Fitzgerald)

·        Gatsby’s life is given a purpose because of his dream

·        The dream links Gatsby and Nick with the Dutch sailors and the whole of American history

·        The dream preserves the sense of human wonder, human potential, free from limits

·        Gatsby is mourned by Nick and the reader whereas the other characters, the realists, perhaps, are shallowed dull, etc.

Some will disagree and focus on:

·        Gatsby’s deluding himself

·        The dream being death-centred and hollow

·        The dream being based on corruption and crime

·        Gatsby’s having a basic disregard for the feelings and dreams of others

·        The dream being equated with wealth and getting rich

·        Gatsby’s house becoming no more than a tourist attraction, etc.

·        Relevant references might be made to the American Dream.

Write about some of the ways Fitzgerald tells the story in Chapter 5.

Narrative perspective/voices: first person narrator, self-conscious story teller and author, voices of Gatsby and Daisy, etc

Setting: Nick’s house, Gatsby’s mansion. The importance of the stage management by Gatsby, the mansion not a home but an elaborate prop, etc 20th century tragedy, a novel about writing a novel, a love story, etc

Structure: centrepiece of the whole novel. The meeting between Gatsby and Daisy; begins with a description of Nick’s arrival home at night and his telling Gatsby that Daisy is to come to tea the following day, leads to Gatsby’s meticulous preparations, Daisy’s arrival and the romantic encounter; finally Nick leaves the lovers alone, and reflects on whether or not Daisy tumbled short of Gatsby’s dreams, chronological story but told retrospectively, use of page breaks, etc

Language: poetic prose, descriptive detail, sensual description, use of Klipspringer’s songs, use of colour

(especially green) and musical imagery, time references, dialogue, repetition, references to the past, reference to Adam, etc.

Essay presentation: The Kite Runner: Choosing two passages, explore the extent to which Hosseini wants the reader to side with his narrator

Hosseini’s portrayal of Amir as a narrator develops drastically throughout the novel. If we were to take a passage from the beginning of the novel (Chapter seven) and compare it to a later passage (Chapter twenty-two) we would see a dramatic difference in the depiction of Amir, and the reader’s ability to empathise with him.

“I had one last chance to make a decision. One final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan-the way he had stood up for me all those times in the past-and accept whatever would happen to me. Or I could run.

In the end I ran” (Chapter 7, page 68)

This is arguably the pivotal chapter, in which Hosseini decides the fate of the characters in the novel. In doing so it is illustrated that Amir is a “coward”. In this passage it is questionable as to whether or not Hosseini wishes to delineate Amir in a positive light.

Hosseini neglects to prompt Amir’s character to provide justification of his desertion of Hassan. This has the effect of further condemning Amir from the reader’s perspective. In itself the paragraph is fragmented. Separated. The phrase “Or I could run” appears rhetorical. The decision that Amir made is presented on the next line. Structurally this brings the reader into more immediate contact with the horror of Amir’s choice.

“I forgot what I’d done”(page 69)
“For you a thousand times over”(page 59, Hassan)
“Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay”(page 68)

In contrast, chapter 22 shows Amir to be a character that the reader can respect. It does indeed show Hosseini’s novel to be one of bildungsroman, with reference to Amir’s development as both a character and as a narrator.  

“My body was broken- just how badly I wouldn’t find out until later- but I felt healed.” Amir’s betrayal of Hassan has clearly haunted him throughout his life and the relief he feels at putting his deed right through taking this beating is evident. It is possible, in this chapter, for the reader to see Amir as a courageous and likeable character.

“You’ve done much more than I paid you for. I don’t expect you to come in with me.” In chapter 22, there is a clear contrast between Amir’s thoughts and his dialogue. He tells Farid he doesn’t expect him to come in with him but his internal narrative states that he wished he would. This is a contrast to chapter seven, where Amir states “he could run” and does exactly that.

Page 250: "It was my turn"-Hassan was the lamb Amir felt he had to slay. In chapter 22, Amir becomes that lamb, so it's as through Amir's pain that he becomes "good again". One could argue that this makes him a more likeable character, in view of his transformation.

Discuss Hosseini's choice of title and explore its effectiveness

The Kite Runner is a title which has effectiveness on multiple levels, including the main moral, cultural and emotive ideas which are presented throughout.


The importance of kites is introduced in the opening chapter where he takes a walk and sees, "a pair of kites, red with long blue tails". The colours of these kites are an embodiment of the moral highs and low which happens throughout the novel. The kites also foreshadow the ending of the novel with Sohrab, making what happens in-between the encapsulation of the title.


Kite Running is highly influential in Afghan culture, highlighted by Farid, on Amir's journey to Kabul, when he says that, "You won't find kites or kite shops on Jadeh Maywand or anywhere else in Kabul". The loss of culture in Afghanistan is based on the flying of the kites, with the Taliban forbidding the flying of kites. Farid mentioning the kites serves as a link which resides in all Afghan men, thus the title encompassing the brotherhood of Afghanistan.


Finally the idea of kites represents the cyclic nature of the novel. On the final page of the book when Sohrab shows a glimmer of joy through flying a kite Amir greets the smile, "with open arms. Because when spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time, and maybe I just witnessed the first flake melting". The idea of winter references the kite competition in 1975 when Amir's life changes forever.  This also takes Amir's problematic life and shows, through kite flying, how everything can become great, even if it for a  split second in time.

The Great Gatsby - Chapter 5 Analysis

The Great Gatsby                           Chapter V                      Summary and Analysis  

Summary

·        PIVOTAL POINT in the Novel – where everything changes from this point on

·        Nick helps to arrange Gatsby and Daisy’s meeting – For the first time the narrator is involved in the actions of the novel and his previous role as an omniscient narrator and observer has been reversed.

·        Gatsby’s character is seen in a new light – nervous and love sick approach takes over his previous calm and confident exterior.

·        Nick leaves Daisy and Gatsby to become re-acquainted.

·        Gatsby takes Daisy/Nick to his mansion for a tour – showing off his wealth in shape of his clothing and possessions to impress Daisy, playing on her hedonistic and materialistic character.

·        Gatsby’s love and awe for Daisy is exposed through Nick’s recollection of speech and reactions of the character – his re-evaluation of his possessions, the green light and the paper cuttings.

·        Klipspringer plays music to entertain Gatsby’s treasured guest(s)

-       ‘The Love Nest’

-       ‘Ain’t we got fun’

Analysis

Changing of Gatsby’s character

·      Implications that Gatsby adopts a superficial stance in order to impress Daisy and gain her affections through his wealth, a change to the non-drinking observer at his own parties…

-       ‘I want to get the grass cut’ – portraying how Gatsby wishes to create a perfect appearance of what he owns for Daisy’s instant gratification and hedonistic pleasures.

·      Use of oxymoron to present Gatsby’s confusion and mix of emotions towards seeing Daisy again after ‘five years’, showing how the present mind-set of the character has been affected by his past love for Daisy…

-       ‘supressed eagerness’ – showing how the Character is desperately trying to hide his direct feelings of excitement and worry from Nick, affecting the reader’s view of Gatsby and seeing him as a lovesick character; resulting with sympathy and empathy.

·      Use of adverbs enhances the change of the protagonist’s character in the chapter too…

-       ‘Immediately … reluctantly … uncertainly’ – contrast to his previous polite, certain and gentlemanly manner.

·      The use of contrast though the combination of materialistic appearance with physical appearance also adds to the implication that Gatsby is determined to impress Daisy by presenting a wealthy facade and hiding his love sick worry...

-  ‘White flannel suit, silver shirt, and gold-coloured tie’ – using   ‘rich’ colours and extravagant dress to show wealth.

-    ‘he was pale... dark signs of sleeplessness beneath his eyes’ –   using imagery associated with worry.

·      When asked about how he accumulated his wealth, Gatsby’s reply was blunt with ‘That’s my affair’ implying his reluctance to reveal the information, also backing up the secretive nature of his business in Chapter 4 when Meyer Wolfsheim is introduced, a new uneasy side to the character – however he mends it with respectable business i.e. ‘drug....and oil business’ .

·      Gatsby’s love and awe for Daisy is enhanced through his reaction towards the character’s response, backing up all previous evidence that he tries to impress Daisy for recognition and love...

- ‘he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes’ – An idea backed up in Chapter 7 when he stops holding parties because she disapproves.

·      Gatsby’s laid back approach witnessed in previous chapter’s is dismissed by Nick’s introduction of Gatsby’s possessive hold over Daisy portrayed through Gatsby’s speech...

- ‘You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock’ – obsessive nature – ‘always’

                      –  ‘green’ – colour symbolises his envy/jealousy of Tom

                          Buchanan.

- ‘Here’s a lot of clippings – about you’ – obsessive – shows how despite they haven’t seen each other for 5 years he still persisted to know everything about her, the parenthesis of ‘-about you’ also shows Gatsby’s need for Daisy to realise this admiration of her.

Language Analysis

·      Pathetic Fallacy used in structure with the transition from ‘pouring rain’ to ‘stopped raining’ and finally ‘twinkle-bells of sunshine’ - weather is presented as parallel to the character’s change of mood, and provides a sense of hope to the chapter.

-  The rain symbolises the worry Gatsby and the tears of Daisy at the start of the chapter, whereas the sun presents the newly found confidence of Gatsby and re-kindled love between the two focused characters.

-  Pathetic Fallacy also mirrors Gatsby’s change of emotions through the chapter – ‘embarrassment’ – ‘unreasoning joy’ – ‘wonder’.

·      The use of Verisimilitude throughout the chapter to reveal that not everything is not as it seems ...

- ‘brass buttons...gleamed in the sunlight’ – using brass which is dull and cheap but disguising them as something bright and falsely shining like gold in the sun – metaphor that the love between Daisy and Gatsby isn’t as it first appears in the chapter, foreshadowing the inevitable complications later on in the novel (chapter 7).

- ‘pure dull gold’ – juxtaposition of the description ‘dull’ with the valuable, precious metal ‘gold’ enhances the idea that Gatsby’s wealth isn’t as it seems; linking to his reluctance to reveal his business and his secret friendship with Wolfsheim.

The Great Gatsby Chaper Two Analysis

Summary

• Nick meets Myrtle
• The hedonistic lifestyle is seen at a party

Analysis
Tom is presented as an unlikeable character. This is shown through is eagerness towards Myrtle and reserved attitude towards Daisy. He demands Myrtle to "get on the next train" showing his desire to be around her. This contrasts his actions towards Daisy in Chapter One where he does not appear to want to be associated with her. The command also proposes the idea the Tom is having an affair with Myrtle due to the power he has over her. She obeys him without hesitation, allowing Tom to feel powerful. Fitzgerald also uses the class system to display Tom's dominance in the affair. Myrtle is working class and therefore of a lower status of Tom who is upper class. The power within these social statuses are reflected within the relationship. Also in this chapter, Tom breaks Myrtle's nose which further demonstrates Tom's power. This is because Myrtle does not retaliate unlike Daisy who would, suggesting Tom feels the relationship between him and Myrtle is successful because he feels dominant.

Fitzgerald portrays the relationship between Tom and Myrtle as materialistic as opposed to an emotional one. Tom is seen buying Myrtle gifts such as a "puppy", suggesting that he has to by her love.

The metaphor of the picture can symbolise many things. The hen represents Daisy, and the lady Myrtle. The lady is referred to as "stout" and "old". These adjectives to not create and attractive picture like Daisy, showing that Myrtle does not focus on her appearance and is not deemed as 'attractive'. It also shows that second glances can be different, implying that if the reader saw the story through the eyes of someone other than Nick, that we may view the events differently and have different opinions of the characters. It also proposes the idea that we need to look closer at people as they may not be who we think they are.

Fitzgerald presents Myrtle as the opposite to Daisy. At the party, Myrtle says "I don't care what I look like". In contrast, Daisy appears to be concerned about her looks and the opinions of others. Myrtle is not described as beautiful, but demanding and decisive-traits Daisy does not have.

The Great Gatsby Chapter 8

The Great Gatsby Chapter 8 on Prezi

The Kite Runner- Chapter 24

Summary

• Amir begins to feel the effects of fatherhood through the fear he experiences when Sohrab runs away on the first evening in the new hotel.
• Interest is finally sparked in Sohrab when Amir tells him that Hassan was his half brother and for the first time it appears that Sohrab is willing to go with Amir to America.
• Amir tells Soraya the truth of his past and the guilt seems to lift a significantly as he admits everything he has been holding back for the past 15 years of marriage.
• The complications with the US Immigration and Naturalisation Services render Amir hopeless and he is forced to break his promise that Sohrab may in fact have to be sent back to an orphanage.
• The final part of the chapter reveals Sohrab laying in the bathroom unconscious and the screams of Amir, even when the ambulance has arrived.

      Analysis 

The fatherhood and brotherhood motifs crop up again in this chapter showing Amir’s growth as an adult with responsibilities. It is only through taking care of his half brother’s child that he can redeem himself but also living up to the expectations of his own father who saw him as the same cowardly person who also fled from his sins. The predicament of his and Soraya’s infertility acts as the punishments for all the years that Amir had been hiding the betrayal, but once he faces his past he is rewarded with the child he could have never had.

It takes time before Amir gains Sohrab’s trust, especially after the traumatising experiences at the orphanage, it takes several attempts to reach out for emotional and physical contact. The repetition of Sohrab’s withdrawal shows how distressed he is left from the cruelty of Assef and his resistance to accept Amir’s promises. Contrastingly when Amir and Sohrab finally start to build a stable relationship Amir breaks his promise and to the reader’s frustration the bond is broken.

The final part of the chapter presents emotions on opposite ends of the spectrum which are juxtaposed to emphasise the hope, which is only to be broken by the tragedy of Sohrab’s attempted suicide. This is foreshadowed earlier when Raymond Andrew’s daughter is mentioned, and although we are not told explicitly that Sohrab has made a suicide attempt until chapter 25, the description of the razor is enough for us to infer what has happened. Sohrab’s daily bath is the metaphorical manifestation of the attempt to clean one’s sins and a way he deals with the shame he feels after the abuse. Just when there seems to be progress, the unsettling screams of Amir draw the chapter to an abrupt close with yet another climax to the novel.

Key Quotes

“I will drive you because I am a father like you.” Page 275
“There are a lot of children in Afghanistan, but little childhood.” Page 277
“I think he loved us equally but differently” Page 281
"Do you feel clean yet, Sohrab?" Page 290