The Great Gatsby, American Literature Introduction to The Great Gatsby quiz

Questions and answers

1. 1

   Question 1. According to the introduction, who is the true main character of The Great Gatsby?

   • Correct answer: America itself
   • Jay Gatsby
   • Nick Carraway
   • Daisy Buchanan

   The introduction argues that the novel's main character is America itself, not any individual person, because the story explores fundamental questions about the nation's identity and values.

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2. 2

   Question 2. Which idea does the introduction say "might not be all that it seems" and "comes with a price"?

   • The Lost Generation
   • The Gilded Age
   • The Roaring Twenties
   • Correct answer: The American Dream

   The introduction says the novel holds "the unsettling idea" that the American Dream "might not be all that it seems and that it comes with a price."

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3. 3

   Question 3. How is Tom Buchanan described in the introduction?

   • Young and beautiful but married to another
   • Correct answer: Well-bred but somewhat boring and ill-mannered
   • Mysterious and lurking in the background
   • Likable and easy for readers to identify with

   The introduction describes Tom Buchanan as "well-bred -- but somewhat boring and ill-mannered," establishing him as someone with social standing but lacking in personal qualities.

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4. 4

   Question 4. What does the introduction say would be revealed if you stripped away the "veneer of American exceptionalism"?

   • The success of the free market
   • The true strength of American democracy
   • Correct answer: Some great American imperfection
   • The power of the American Dream

   The introduction states that beneath the veneer of American exceptionalism, one might discover "some great American imperfection instead," reflecting the novel's critical view of American ideals.

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5. 5

   Question 5. Why does the introduction describe The Great Gatsby as "not just another simple tragedy"?

   • Because it is a slow-motion tragedy about one very rich man
   • Because it is a comedy disguised as tragedy
   • Correct answer: Because it is an American tragedy that questions national identity
   • Because it is featured on so many high school reading lists

   The introduction distinguishes Gatsby from a mere personal tragedy by calling it "an American tragedy" — one that interrogates the nation's values, dynamism, and the promise of the American Dream.

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6. 6

   Question 6. From whose perspective is The Great Gatsby narrated?

   • Correct answer: Nick Carraway
   • An omniscient narrator
   • Jay Gatsby
   • Daisy Buchanan

   The story is told through the eyes of Nick Carraway, described as "a likable fellow from the midwest with whom most readers can identify."

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7. 7

   Question 7. How many motion picture adaptations of The Great Gatsby does the introduction mention?

   • Three
   • Correct answer: Four
   • Five
   • Two

   The introduction states there have been "four motion pictures and counting," reflecting the novel's enduring appeal in popular culture.

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8. 8

   Question 8. What advice does the introduction give students writing about The Great Gatsby?

   • Rely on the plot descriptions and character portraits online
   • Model the paper on sample essays that are easily found on the internet
   • Focus exclusively on the symbolism of the green light
   • Correct answer: Personalize the story by connecting it meaningfully to yourself

   The introduction recommends that students "personalize the story, to discover something meaningfully connected to you while also capturing the general ideas and lessons that the story holds."

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9. 9

   Question 9. Which of the following statements about The Great Gatsby are true according to the introduction?

   • The novel captures the clash of traditional and modern values in 1920s America.

     Happened

   • Jay Gatsby is described as a poor man struggling to survive.

     Didn't happen

   • The introduction claims the novel has an enduring hold on classrooms and imaginations.

     Happened

   • Nick Carraway is described as a wealthy socialite from New York.

     Didn't happen

   • The introduction suggests the American Dream comes with a price.

     Happened

   • Meyer Wolfsheim is described as Nick Carraway's closest friend.

     Didn't happen

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10. 10

    Question 10. Which of these statements about the novel's reputation are true according to the introduction?

    • The novel was an immediate bestseller when published in 1925.

      Didn't happen

    • The novel may be on more high school reading lists than any other.

      Happened

    • The novel is well-known to teachers and students alike.

      Happened

    • Fitzgerald lived to see the novel become a literary classic.

      Didn't happen

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11. 11

    Question 11. What does "veneer" mean as used in "strip away the veneer of American exceptionalism"?

    • A feeling of deep respect, as for something holy
    • Correct answer: A thin, attractive outer covering that hides what is underneath
    • A strong, solid foundation that supports everything built above it
    • A hidden flaw or weakness beneath a smooth surface

    In this context, "veneer" is used metaphorically to mean a superficially attractive outer layer that conceals something less appealing — suggesting American exceptionalism is a surface illusion.

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12. 12

    Question 12. What does "contention" mean in "It's my simple contention that the main character... is... America itself"?

    • A formal legal complaint filed in court
    • A heated quarrel or dispute between rival sides
    • A feeling of calm satisfaction with one's life
    • Correct answer: An assertion or claim put forward for debate

    Here "contention" means an argument or assertion being put forward — the author is stating a debatable claim about who the novel's true protagonist is.

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