The Great Gatsby Unit English 11 CP

Chapter 1 Task
Directions: Answer all parts of this assignment on a separate piece of paper.
I. Response to Chapter One

1) Describe your first impressions of the narrator, Nick Carraway and anything else readers learned about
him in this chapter.
2) Connotation: an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal meaning. Examine the
connotative language Fitzgerald uses to contrast WEST EGG and EAST EGG and what it indicates (means)
to the reader. Here is an example of how this might look on your own paper

Example Connotative Words Indications

East Egg

West Egg

3) On/around page 7, look at the first FOUR-FIVE paragraphs about Tom Buchanan beginning with the
sentence, “He had changed since his New Haven years.”
a) List at least six words/phrases from this paragraph that pertain to Tom’s characterization (either
directly or indirectly).
b) Write down the last sentence of paragraph two that is about Tom.
c) What is the name of the book and its content that Tom wants to discuss at dinner (bottom
of/around page12)?
4) Considering your responses for 3A, 3B, and 3C, what do your answers reveal to readers about Tom’s
character?
5) Describe Daisy Buchanan. Give a key quote (and page number) that helps characterize her.
6) Comment on Daisy’s relationship with Tom. Give a key quote (and page number) that helps characterize it.
7) Who is Jordan Baker and what is her attitude in general? Give a key quote (and page number) that helps
characterize her.
8) On/around page 17, why does Daisy want her daughter to be a fool? What does this reveal about Daisy’s
character?

II. Color Symbolism:

Note any important mention of color in this chapter and record the page number. You will need this for
later assignments. Remark on any commentary/connotation/interpretation and/or how the colors create
an effect in the novel. Here’s an example of how this might look on your own paper:

Colors Page (s) # Commentary/Connotation/Interpretation

1) Color
2) Color
3) Color