Gatsby Chapter 1 Discussion Questions

Chapter 1

1. How does Nick view the American Dream at the beginning of the story?  Is he attempting to fulfill his own “American Dream”?  
2. What are Nick’s opinions of the characters (Daisy, Gatsby, Tom) we meet in the first chapter?  What do these opinions tell us about Nick and/or about other characters?
3. What do you notice about Nick as a narrator?  Can you trust what he is saying - why or why not?
4. What are the similarities and differences between East Egg and West Egg and the people who live there?
5. Quote: “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had” (1).
   
6. Quote: (Daisy speaking to Nick) “‘All right,’ I said, ‘I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool--that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool’” (17).