Гэтсби учебник ответы на вопросы / Chapter 1

1.Identify the type of narration of the novel

•Narration type: The novel is narrated in first-person by Nick Carraway, who serves as the observer of the events. His narrative voice offers both a participant and a reflective viewpoint.

2.Read and translate the first paragraphs

В молодые и ранимые годы мой отец дал мне совет, который я с тех пор постоянно перебираю в уме.

«Когда тебе захочется кого-нибудь покритиковать, - сказал он мне, - просто вспомни, что все люди в этом мире не имеют тех преимуществ, которые есть у тебя».

Он больше ничего не сказал, но мы всегда были необычайно сдержанны в общении, и я понял, что он имел в виду нечто гораздо большее. Как следствие, я склонен воздерживаться от любых суждений - привычка, которая открыла мне множество любопытных натур, а также сделала меня жертвой многих старых зануд. Ненормальный ум быстро распознает это качество, когда оно проявляется у нормального человека, и привязывается к нему, вот так и получилось, что в колледже меня несправедливо обвиняли в том, что я политик, потому что я был посвящен в тайные горести диких, никому не известных людей. Большинство из признания были непрошеными - часто я притворялся спящим, озабоченным или с враждебным легкомыслием, когда по какому-то безошибочному признаку понимал, что на горизонте маячит интимное откровение, - ибо интимные откровения молодых людей или, по крайней мере, выражения, в которых они их выражают, обычно являются плагиатом и искажены очевидными умолчаниями. Сдержанность в суждениях - это вопрос бесконечной надежды. Я все еще немного боюсь что-то упустить, если забуду, что, как снобистски советовал мой отец, и я снобистски повторяю, чувство элементарной благопристойности разделено на части неравноправные при рождении. И, похваляясь таким образом своей терпимостью, я прихожу к выводу, что у нее есть предел. Поведение может основываться на твердом камне или мокрых болотах, но после определенного момента мне становится все равно, на чем оно основано. Когда прошлой осенью я вернулся с Востока, я почувствовал, что хочу, чтобы мир всегда был в едином порыве и в некоем моральном внимании; я больше не хотел буйных экскурсий с привилегированными взглядами на человеческое сердце. Только Гэтсби, человек, именем которого названа эта книга, не вызвал у меня такой реакции — Гэтсби, олицетворявший все, к чему я испытываю искреннее презрение. Если личность-это непрерывный ряд удачных поступков, то в нем было что-то великолепное, какая-то повышенная чувствительность к обещаниям жизни, как будто он был связан с одной из тех сложных машин, которые регистрируют землетрясения на расстоянии в десять тысяч миль. Эта отзывчивость не имела ничего общего с той вялой впечатлительностью, которую принято называть "творческим темпераментом" — это был необыкновенный дар надежды, романтическая готовность, которой я никогда не встречал ни в одном другом человеке и которую вряд ли когда-нибудь найду снова. Нет, с "Гэтсби" в конце концов все оказалось в порядке; именно это преследовало Гэтсби, именно эта мерзкая пыль, оставшаяся после его снов, на время лишила меня интереса к бесплодным печалям и недолговечным восторгам людей.

3.

1. Comment on the main ideas of the extract:

This extract introduces the theme of judgment and moral complexity. Nick Carraway reflects on his father's advice to avoid criticizing others because not everyone has had the same privileges. This idea has made his view of the world. He does not judge people.

2. Narrator’s views on the questions in the preface (his attitude toward people, habits, father’s advice):

Nick’s attitude toward people is shaped by his father's advice to withhold judgment. This philosophy has made him an empathetic observer who prefers not to jump to conclusions about others' behavior. His habit of "reserving judgments" has allowed people to confide in him, but it has also exposed him to manipulative or “abnormal” individuals. Nevertheless, he admits that this tolerance is finite and that people’s conduct can eventually exhaust his patience. His father’s advice implies a somewhat privileged outlook on life, as Nick recognizes that decency [ˈdiːsnsɪ] is not equally distributed among people at birth.

3. What characteristic is repeated?

The repeated characteristic in the text is Nick’s tendency to reserve judgment. He continually emphasizes his non-judgmental nature, as seen in phrases like:

•“I’m inclined to reserve all judgments.”

•“Reserving judgments is a matter of infinite hope.”

•He refers to his father's advice: “Just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”

This idea of withholding judgment is central to Nick’s worldview and shapes his interactions throughout the novel.

4. How is the central character introduced?

Gatsby is introduced indirectly in this passage. Nick initially presents Gatsby as a figure exempt from his growing disappointment with the world. Though Nick admits Gatsby represents much of what he disrespect, he is drawn to Gatsby’s "extraordinary gift for hope" and "romantic readiness." These traits set Gatsby apart from the other characters who populate Nick's world, suggesting that Gatsby is more than just another wealthy figure—he embodies something idealistic and ultimately tragic.

5. Is the narrator’s attitude to Gatsby ambivalent?

Yes, Nick’s attitude toward Gatsby is clearly ambivalent. On one hand, he has "unaffected scorn" for what Gatsby represents, but on the other hand, he admires Gatsby’s unique ability to dream and hope. Nick expresses both admiration and criticism, recognizing that Gatsby is flawed yet somehow exceptional. This ambivalence is central to Nick's internal conflict throughout the novel, as he grapples with both the grandeur and the illusion of Gatsby's dream.

6. What role does the extract play in understanding the novel?

This extract serves as a lens through which the reader can understand Nick's role as the narrator and his relationship to Gatsby. It establishes Nick’s internal struggle with judgment and sets up the broader

themes of the novel, such as disillusionment, the corruption of the American Dream, and the moral complexities of wealth and ambition. By introducing Gatsby as both admirable and tragically flawed, the passage foreshadows the tension between appearance and reality that will unfold in the story. Additionally, Nick’s reflection on Gatsby's "extraordinary gift for hope" gives insight into the central conflict of the novel—Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of an unattainable ideal.

4. Outline of Nick Carraway’s life and his family

1.Outline of Nick Carraway’s life and the life of his family:

•Family background: Nick comes from a well-established and wealthy family in the Midwest, specifically in a "middle-western city," which he later names as St. Paul, Minnesota. His family is conservative and respectable, tracing its lineage back to the Civil War. His father owns a wholesale hardware business, and the family has a tradition of attending prestigious schools.

•Education and career: Nick was educated at Yale, where he was part of the upper-class East Coast society. After graduation, he fought in World War I. After the war, he returned to the Midwest, but found it unsatisfying. Seeking to pursue a career in finance and learn the bond business, he moved to New York in 1922, hoping to make his fortune.

•Character development: His post-war disillusionment and exposure to the fast-paced, morally ambiguous world of New York set him up as an observer of the glittering but hollow lives of people like Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby.

2.Similarities between Nick and Fitzgerald’s biography:

•Both Nick and Fitzgerald came from the Midwest (Nick from Minnesota, Fitzgerald from St. Paul, Minnesota).

•Like Nick, Fitzgerald attended prestigious schools (Fitzgerald attended Princeton but did not graduate).

•Both served in World War I, an experience that deeply affected their outlook on life. The war exposed them to the destruction and disillusionment that would define their generation.

•After the war, both men sought to reinvent themselves in the East, with Fitzgerald pursuing a literary career in New York, and Nick entering [ˈentərɪŋ] the bond business.

•Fitzgerald, like Nick, experienced the wealth and decadence of the Jazz Age, often as an outsider observing the excesses of New York society.

3.Influence of the main events in Nick’s life on his attitude to life:

•World War I: Nick’s experience in the war brought a sense of disillusionment. Having witnessed the horrors of war, he returned home with a more jaded and reflective outlook. This event planted the seeds of his discontent with the superficiality of the East Coast's wealthy elite.

•Move to New York: Seeking success in finance after the war, Nick’s exposure to the materialism and extravagance of the Jazz Age sharpened his critical perspective on the American Dream. He became more aware of the moral corruption and hollow ambitions of the people around him.

•Gatsby's influence: Meeting Gatsby and observing his relentless pursuit of an idealized version of the American Dream led Nick to reflect on the destructive nature of dreams built on illusions. This encounter deepened Nick's cynicism about society’s values and materialism.

4.Role of the war in the development of Nick’s character:

•Disillusionment: Like many men of his generation, Nick’s participation in World War I shattered his previously held notions of honor, glory, and heroism. The brutality of war left him questioning traditional values and contributed to his growing disillusionment with society.

•Moral introspection: The war made Nick more introspective and reserved in his judgments, fostering his ability to observe and critique the world around him. It also gave him a desire for stability, which contrasts with the chaotic, reckless world he encounters in New York.

•Search for meaning: His post-war life reflects a search for purpose and meaning in a world that seems to have lost its moral compass. His experiences make him a more thoughtful and contemplative character, who is both attracted to and repelled by the wealth and excess of East Coast society.

5.Influence of war on society in the early 20th century:

•Moral Values: World War I created a sense of disillusionment and disorientation in society. The horrors of the war shattered many people’s belief in traditional moral values, such as honor, patriotism, and duty. The pre-war idealism was replaced by cynicism and a sense of existential despair.

•Technological Progress: The war accelerated technological advancements, both in warfare and in daily life. Innovations such as cars, airplanes, and communication systems grew rapidly. However, with these advancements came a sense of uncertainty about the future and the increasing mechanization of life.

•Social Moods and Attitudes: After the war, there was a feeling of loss and instability, which led to a desire to escape into pleasure and excess. The Roaring Twenties became a time of hedonism, materialism, and the pursuit of personal gratification. People wanted to forget the trauma of the war and embrace the freedoms and luxuries of the Jazz Age.

•Attitudes to Life: The post-war generation, often referred to as the "Lost Generation," struggled to find meaning in a world that seemed hollow and devoid of purpose. The war made people question the value of traditional institutions and moral codes, leading to a more individualistic and hedonistic approach to life.

•Attitudes to Others: There was a growing sense of detachment and alienation among people. The war’s destruction of traditional values made people more skeptical and distrustful of authority and societal norms. In The Great Gatsby, this is reflected in characters like Tom and Daisy, who act selfishly and destructively, with little regard for the impact of their actions on others.

•Generation Gap: The war exacerbated a generational divide. Older generations still clung to traditional values, while the younger generation, who had fought in or lived through the war, sought to break free

from the past. This gap is evident in the cultural shifts of the 1920s, with younger people embracing jazz music, modernism, and a more liberal approach to social norms.

5.Describe West Egg and East Egg

•West Egg: Represents new wealth, characterized by lavish displays of opulence but lacking in refinement. Nick lives in a modest house next to Gatsby’s grand mansion.

•East Egg: Home to the established elite, symbolizing old money, tradition, and inherited wealth.

•Nick’s house is described as a modest, small cottage nestled between the extravagant mansions of West Egg. It's a weather-beaten bungalow, rented for a modest sum of $80 a month. Nick’s house reflects his humble, middle-class background and contrasts sharply with the opulence of his surroundings. Its simplicity highlights Nick’s role as an outsider and observer within the world of wealth and excess.

•In contrast, Gatsby’s mansion is grand, lavish, and ostentatious, designed to impress and embody the extravagance of the Jazz Age. It's described as a "colossal affair" with extravagant architecture, modeled after a French chateau, featuring luxurious gardens, marble swimming pools, and an opulent interior. Gatsby’s mansion symbolizes his wealth and desire to impress, particularly as a way to win back Daisy. It reflects both his success and the emptiness of his pursuits.

•Stylistic devices: Fitzgerald uses juxtaposition [ʤʌkstəpəˈzɪʃn] to compare the two locations, emphasizing the social divide between new and old wealth.

6.Describe the Buchanans’ mansion

•Mansion features: Described as luxurious, tasteful, and imposing. Through stylistic devices like imagery and personification, the house is associated with the Buchanans’ wealth and social status.

•Significance of colors: Colors like white and red convey purity, wealth, and underlying corruption. Personification of the house adds to the sense of grandeur and isolation. The green light at the end of Daisy's dock is also important. It represents Gatsby’s dreams and desires but is visible from both Gatsby’s and the Buchanans’ homes, symbolizing the unattainable ideal that Gatsby longs for, while Daisy remains anchored in the world of old money.

•Stylistic effect created by personification:

1.The use of personification in describing the Buchanans’ mansion enhances its grandeur and mystique.

For example, the house is described as "glowing" in the setting sun, giving it a sense of life and warmth. This suggests that the mansion, like its inhabitants, projects an image of vitality and elegance.

2.The curtains "blowing in" and "out" of the windows as if the house is breathing creates a dynamic, almost living quality, reflecting the transient, airy lifestyle of the Buchanans. It contrasts with the deeper emotional void in their lives.

3.The way the mansion interacts with its surroundings adds to the impression that it is not just a house, but an extension of the Buchanans’ personalities—grand, showy, but ultimately empty.

7. Focus on Tom Buchanan

1.Words describing Tom Buchanan’s appearance and movements:

•Appearance: Tom is described as "a sturdy, straw-haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner." He has "shining, arrogant eyes" and "a cruel body." These descriptions highlight his physical power and domineering presence.

•Movements: Tom’s movements are described as aggressive and forceful. He "leaned aggressively forward," "rested his hand on his hip," and "turned around with a jerk." These words convey his physical dominance and impulsiveness, suggesting he is a man accustomed to exerting control over others.

2.Repeated characteristic:

The characteristic that is repeated in Tom’s description is his physical strength and aggression. Words like "sturdy," "hard," "cruel," "aggressively," and "jerk" emphasize his imposing physique and brutish nature. His physicality mirrors his domineering, forceful personality.

3. How does his speech characterize him?

Tom’s speech is assertive, condescending, and often reflective of his prejudiced and arrogant views. He speaks authoritatively and interrupts conversations, showing little regard for others' opinions. For example, he discusses topics like the rise of other races, revealing his racist and elitist mindset. His speech is often abrupt, marked by his need to dominate conversations, indicating his self-importance and lack of empathy.

4.Tom’s lifestyle, social position, views, and attitude:

•Lifestyle: Tom leads a luxurious and hedonistic lifestyle. As a member of the East Egg elite, he enjoys the privileges of old money. He spends his days engaging in leisure activities, like polo, and maintains an affair in the city. His lifestyle is marked by excess, entitlement, and a disregard for moral boundaries.

•Social position: Tom belongs to the upper-class, old-money elite of East Egg. He comes from a wealthy family and exudes the arrogance that comes with inherited wealth. He feels secure in his status and believes that this automatically makes him superior to others.

•Views: Tom holds racist and classist views, exemplified by his obsession with the idea of white racial superiority. He expresses disdain for people of other races and those of lower social classes. His opinions are narrow-minded and reflect the privilege he was born into.

•Attitude toward people: Tom treats most people with contempt. He uses others to serve his needs, including his mistress, Myrtle, whom he treats with blatant disrespect. He looks down on those he deems beneath him, including Gatsby, whom he ridicules because of his new money status.

•Attitude toward his wife: Tom is dismissive and unfaithful toward Daisy, engaging in affairs without much concern for her feelings. Despite his infidelities, he expects her to remain loyal to him, showing his hypocritical and possessive nature.

•Attitude toward Nick: Tom is somewhat indifferent to Nick, treating him more as an accessory to his social life than as a friend. He often belittles Nick, treating him as someone beneath him due to his

•Daisy's insincerity comes from her shallow nature and the fact that she is more concerned with appearances and wealth than with authenticity or true emotion. Her charm and beauty mask her indifference to the feelings of others, and her actions (such as her treatment of Gatsby) reveal her true, selfish nature. She speaks in a way that suggests she is performing for those around her, rather than engaging in sincere communication.

9.Focus on Jordan Baker

1.Jordan’s description: Jordan is portrayed as cool, composed, and slightly aloof. Her movements and speech reflect a modern, independent woman, contrasting with Daisy’s traditional role. Nick later recalls hearing about her dishonesty.

2.Behavior, Speech, and Movements:

Behavior: Jordan is cool, self-assured, and independent, embodying the modern 1920s woman—free- spirited and cynical. Though charming, she is also dishonest and careless, as Nick observes.

Speech: Her speech is blunt, sharp, and sarcastic, reflecting her confidence and casual indifference, often marked by a sense of superiority.

Movements: Jordan’s graceful, languid movements mirror her detached personality. Her "jaunty" walk adds to her air of ease and control.

3. What Nick Suddenly Remembers About Her:

Nick suddenly remembers that Jordan had been involved in a cheating scandal during a golf tournament. This recollection adds to the idea that Jordan, despite her outward charm and beauty, is not entirely trustworthy. Her dishonesty in sports reflects her careless and morally dubious behavior in life, further highlighting her flawed character.

10.What do we learn about Gatsby?

•Introduction: Gatsby is introduced indirectly through Nick’s reflections and a glimpse of him standing outside his mansion. The mystery surrounding Gatsby’s character creates an air of intrigue and sets up the novel’s central tension.

1.What we learn about Gatsby:

•Gatsby is portrayed as a mysterious and wealthy figure, living in a grand mansion in West Egg. Nick introduces him as someone who represents everything he disapproves of, but is still strangely drawn to.

•Gatsby is associated with wealth and extravagance. Nick describes seeing Gatsby standing outside his mansion, gazing across the bay toward a green light, hinting at Gatsby’s deeper emotional or symbolic motivations.

•Though Gatsby’s full story is not revealed in this chapter, Nick foreshadows his own admiration for Gatsby, calling him “gorgeous” and implying that Gatsby embodies a unique quality of hope and ambition.

2.Introduction of the main character (Nick):

•The novel begins with Nick Carraway narrating in the first person. He introduces himself as a nonjudgmental observer who has been taught by his father not to criticize others. This sets up Nick as a reliable but introspective narrator who tries to see the world from a neutral perspective.

•He is reflective, well-educated, and comes from a wealthy Midwestern family. He moves to New York to learn about the bond business, seeking excitement and adventure in the bustling city.

•Nick describes his proximity to Gatsby's world, both physically and socially, establishing him as someone who will be closely involved with the events surrounding Gatsby’s life.

3.Effect achieved:

•The introduction of Gatsby as a distant, enigmatic figure and Nick’s role as the observer creates an air of mystery around Gatsby. The reader becomes intrigued by Gatsby’s character and wants to know more about who he is and what motivates him.

•The narrative perspective allows the reader to see Gatsby and the other characters through Nick’s eyes, which shapes our understanding of the story. The tone is both critical and fascinated, creating tension between the moral judgments and the allure of Gatsby's world.

•By withholding direct information about Gatsby’s past, Fitzgerald builds suspense and draws readers into the central mystery of the novel.

11.

1.Which character appeals to you?

Even though we see Jay Gatsby only a little in the first chapter, he is interesting because of the secret around him. He has a big house and is quiet, but there is something more inside hi

2. Is the narrator reliable?

Nick’s reliability as a narrator is debatable. Though he claims to be nonjudgmental, he forms opinions about characters like Tom's arrogance and Daisy's superficiality. His admiration for Gatsby contrasts with his critique of East Egg society, revealing his biases. However, Nick’s awareness of his subjectivity makes him relatively reliable, though the story is still filtered through his perspective.

3. What is the author’s opinion of each of them? How do you know?

Nick Carraway: Fitzgerald presents Nick as a thoughtful observer, using him to critique the characters and society. Nick admires Gatsby's dreams while criticizing the materialism around him.

Jay Gatsby: Gatsby is portrayed with both admiration and tragedy, symbolizing the American Dream. Fitzgerald critiques his obsession with wealth but admires his idealism.

Tom Buchanan: Tom is depicted as arrogant and racist, reflecting Fitzgerald’s disapproval of the old-money class and its sense of entitlement.

Daisy Buchanan: Daisy is charming but shallow, trapped by societal expectations. Fitzgerald portrays her as a tragic, yet frustratingly superficial figure.

How do you know?

Fitzgerald’s opinion of the characters is subtly revealed through Nick’s narrative and descriptions.

12.Comment on the closing paragraph of Chapter 1:

1. Atmosphere:

oA mood of mystery and melancholy prevails. Gatsby’s solitary figure, staring at the green light across the bay, evokes feelings of longing and loneliness. The stillness of the night contrasts with the earlier lively dinner, adding to the sense of emotional isolation.

2.Background for Gatsby’s appearance:

oGatsby is introduced symbolically, alone and focused on the green light, representing his unattainable dreams. This moment highlights his deep desire and sets up his obsession with the American Dream and Daisy.

3.Implication:

oThe scene implies that Gatsby's wealth isn't enough to fulfill him. The green light symbolizes something distant and unattainable, reflecting his emotional and personal struggles.

13.Main Themes in the Chapter:

1.Class and Social Status:

oThe divide between old money (East Egg) and new money (West Egg) is central, with Tom and Daisy representing the old aristocracy and Gatsby the self-made rich. Tom’s arrogance and racism emphasize the superiority complex of the old-money class.

2.The American Dream:

oGatsby’s mansion represents material success, but his isolation hints at the elusive nature of the dream, suggesting that wealth alone cannot bring fulfillment.

3.Loneliness and Isolation:

oBoth Nick and Gatsby experience isolation. Nick feels out of place in East Egg, while Gatsby's loneliness is symbolized by his solitary figure in the closing scene.

4.Appearance vs. Reality:

oThe characters' lives appear successful on the surface, but beneath this, they are dissatisfied and morally ambiguous, highlighting the gap between outward appearances and inner realities.

14.Time and Scene Changes:

1.Time in Narration: