The Great Gatsby #3

Interpretive Questions:
1. How does the death of Gatsby help to convey a message about society in East Egg?
Gatsby's death and the events surrounding it show that in East Egg, people will put aside their emotions and the truth in order to maintain an image. Daisy is a prominent example of this. Gatsby's entire life revolved around Daisy and she also loved him deeply. However, when the rumors she heard about Gatsby seemed a little more substantial, she was hesitant. And then, when Gatsby's death was linked to Myrtle's death, instead of telling the truth (that she had hit Myrtle) she left with Tom. Daisy, even though she had once loved Gatsby, went on with her life as if she never knew him so she could keep her image free of scandal.

2. How is Nick's relationship with Jordan significant to the story?
Nick's relationship with Jordan is parallel to his outlook on society in East Egg. At first, he is captivated by Jordan similarly to how he was intrigued with the lives of Tom and Daisy. He knew from the very start that Jordan and the lives of the people in East Egg were filled with lying, scandals, and cheating, however he still accepted it. As the story line goes on, Nick discovers more about Jordan as does he with Tom and Daisy. When he learns the true rot underneath the facade Daisy and Tom put on (through the story of Gatsby's life and Myrtle's death), he's disgusted with the both of them. Towards the end of the book, Jordan also appears to be significantly less attractive and his relationship with her eventually dies out. By the very end of the book, Nick could not care less about Tom, Daisy, and Jordan.

Evaluative Questions:
1. Why is Nick a static/dynamic character?
Nick is a dynamic character. Throughout the story, Nick's outlook on society changes significantly. At the very beginning of the story, Nick (even though he knows of the lying and cheating that goes on) is fascinated by Daisy and Tom. He frequently visits them and builds strong relationships to both of them. However, as he learns more about them from their actions, he grows to realize the horrors of living to appeal society and eventually develops a strong distaste for their lifestyles. In contrast to the very beginning, Nick undergoes a change that causes his opinion on East Egg society to almost be the opposite of what it was in the beginning.

2. Of all places why would Fitzgerald have placed the eyes of TJ Eckleburg above the Valley of Ashes?
Fitzgerald placed the eyes of TJ Eckleburg above the Valley of Ashes to symbolize a god-like figure watching over the rotten and filthy sides of society. The Valley of Ashes is also the setting that is mentioned right before multiple events. A couple of them being when Tom takes Nick to meet Myrtle, when Myrtle dies, and right after Tom realizes the relationship between Daisy and Gatsby. All these events are scandalous and by having TJ Eckleburg's eyes directly watching over when these events are happening, the unmoral values of the characters are effectively emphasized.