The Great Gatsby: Chapter 6

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Goals today: 5th Dec 

Reading in silence The Great Gatsby => 12th Dec end novel 

Questions chapter 5 extract 

Learn the importance of chapter 6 

Consider what we learn in this chapter regarding Gatsby, Daisy and Tom 

We will learn how this chapter informs two topics 

Extract chapter 5 pg 85 - 86 

Read the passage carefully. Answer questions: 

1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12 & 15 

sailing Yacht 

alcohol 

what is the significance of these to your reading of chapter 6 ? 

Why is this chapter 6 important? 

• The chapter opens with an inquisitive reporter turning up on Gatsby's doorstep on the basis of rumours. The suggestion is that there is more to Gatsby than we think. 
• Gatsby's past is revealed. 
• The reader becomes more aware of why Gatsby wants to be with Daisy. His poor upbringing spurred him to achieve the American Dream, and Daisy appears to represent the class and wealth he aspires to. 

Chapter 6- The Great Gatsby

1.  Who is Jay Gatsby really?

2. Explain the allusion “He [Gatsby] was a son of God—a phrase which, if it means anything, means just that—and he must be about his Father’s Business…” (p.95) How does Gatsby perceive himself?

3. What was the connection between Gatsby and Dan Cody?

4. Why does Gatsby not drink? What is the irony of this? 

7. Describe Daisy’s reaction to Gatsby’s party. Why does Gatsby say she “didn’t have a good time”?

8. What are Gatsby’s expectations of Daisy? Are they realistic?

9. How does this chapter represent the American Dream?

Draw Gatsby's pathway in life 

Draw Gatsby's path in life from leaving home in North Dakota as James Gatz to going to the first world war.

• Leaves his parent's farm in North Dakota aged 16 
• Clam-digger and salmon fisher on the south shore of Lake Superior. (1911) pg 94
• Lutheran College St Olaf's in southern Minnesota (two weeks) 
• Back to Lake Superior 
• Dan Cody's yacht anchors at Little Girl Bay (1912)
  
• James Gatz changes his name to 

 

• Jay Gatsby
• Becomes steward, mate, skipper, secretary and jailor. pg 97
• Sails to the West Indies, Barbary Coast and further for 5 years 
• He is bequeathed 25,000- dollars but does not receive it.
• Dan Cody dies in 1917  pg 97
• Gatsby meets Daisy when he is stationed in Louisville 1918
• Leaves to Europe 1918 

Gatsby reinvented 

"formed the habit of letting liquor alone". pg 97

"It was James Gatz who had been loafing along the beach that afternoon ...but it was already Jay Gatsby who borrowed a row boat" pg 94 - 95

"His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people"pg 95

"A universe of ineffable gaudiness spun itself out in his brain while the clock ticked on the washstand". pg 95

Discuss 

1. What does Gatsby's transformation tell us about the type of person he is? 

2. What do we admire about him? 

3. What is the effect on the reader that Gatsby never received the money that he was bequeathed? 

The past - topic 

"Can't repeat the past? he cried incredulously. "Why of course you can!" pg 106 

"I'm going to fix everything just the way it was before," he said, nodding determinedly. "She'll see."

1. What is the message (theme) that Fitgerald is illustrating around the topic of the past? 

Daisy characterisaton discuss 

Daisy, together with Tom and Nick, goes to one of Gatsby's parties. 

"But the rest offended her ... was appalled by West Egg," pg 103 

She is appalled by the vulgar behaviour of the drunken guests. 

Can Daisy live up to the image that Gatsby has of her? 

Why or why not? 

Tom characterisaton discuss 

"I may be old-fashioned in my ideas but women run around too much these days to suit me." pg 100 

"Tom was evidently perturbed at Daisy's running around alone" pg 100 

The reader notes the irony in this statement considering the unfaithfulness of Tom in his marriage. 

Gatsby faux pas 

Re-read the section when Tom and Mr and Mrs Sloane visit Gatsby. This is on pages 98 - 100

1. Mark all the quotes that highlight that Gatsby is not considered by Tom and his guests to be part of their social class. 

2. Write down all the social blunders (faux pas) that Gatsby commits during this brief visit. 

Failure of the American Dream 

Gatsby's pursuit of the American Dream became a pursuit of wealth. His dream of becoming a great man was corrupted. 

When he met Daisy his dream of wealth and status was replaced by a dream of being with her. 

Daisy wants and is used to a life of privilege. She seems to be more interested in Gatsby's possessions than in Gatsby himself, "it makes me sad because I've never seen ...such beautiful shirts before". pg 89