Exercise 2: Big Group Questions Answering questions in Exercise 1 should help you think from your chosen perspectives and contribute to your base group’s answers. In Exercise 2, you should continue to think from your chosen critical perspectives, as you participate in your group discussion. 1. Discuss Nick from your critical perspectives a. What are your impressions of Nick in chapters 1 – 3? i. Does Nick show any personal changes with regards to his character? ii. Is Nick as honest as he claims? b. In the second paragraph of the novel, Nick recalls advice given to him by his father: “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” List some “advantages” that Nick has had in life (from your critical perspective). i. How might Nick’s social position influence his being the narrator of the events that take place in the story? 2. Discuss Daisy from your perspectives. a. Combine all of your insights, and then write a description of Daisy’s character. Give evidence to support your answer. b. In chapter 1, Daisy says, “She [the nurse] told me it was a girl, and so I turned my head away and wept. ‘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.’” i. What does the quote tell you how Daisy feels about herself? ii. What does this tell us about Daisy’s feeling towards women in general? iii. What is the general attitude of people in the 1920s towards women? iv. What are organized religion attitudes towards women in the 1920s? 3. Write a comparison of the social gatherings at the Buchanan’s house in chapter 1, Tom’s apartment in chapter 2, and the party at Gatsby’s house in chapter 3. a. What is the purpose of each party? Does each individual represent a larger group of individuals? b. What does each party represent? c. What do all three parties represent? 4. Describe the Valley of the Ashes. a. What kinds of places evoke the same emotions and memories as the Valley of the Ashes? Combine everyone’s input, and the write an interpretation of the Valley of the Ashes. b. Why are George and Myrtle placed in the valley of the ashes? Each critical perspective should have some idea. The valley of ashes symbolizes (represents) something different to each critical perspective. 5. Towards the end of chapter 3, we learn more about Jordan. She is a professional golfer who may have cheated in a golf tournament. a. What does Jordan’s cheating say about her integrity? b. What does Jordan’s cheating say about Nick’s ability to judge people? 6. Are there any double-standards in this novel? That is to say, the characters say one thing, but do just the opposite? Explain what these double-standards tell you about the character’s morals? Do these double standards affect men, women, or the social classes? 7. Nick speaking to Jordan: “Why didn’t he [Gatsby] ask you to arrange a meeting?” Jordan responds, “He wants her to see his house,” she explained. “And your house is right next door.” What does this exchange tell you about Gatsby? 8. Review Schor’s article (pp. 61 – 62) in Money Changes Everything. Shor lists a number of goods that a “typical middle- to upper-middle-class house-hold” is likely to own. Which characters in The Great Gatsby do you think would own most or all of the goods? Explain your answer. 9. In Money Changes Everything, Elizabeth Warren mentioned that some economists and sociologists (e.g., Juliet Schor, Robert Frank, and John De Graaf) claim that the middle class is shrinking because they spend too much money. Which chapter 1, chapter 2, or chapter 3 might suggest that Shor, Frank and De Graaf might be correct? In other words, in your opinion, which chapter describes overconsumption and over-spending? Give a brief explanation for your response.