The Great Gatsby

Anticipation Guide

For each statement, indicate whether you agree or disagree.

In a paragraph, state your reason for each answer, for

instance, a real-life example or an explanation of how the

statement exhibits faulty logic.

Outward appearances can be deceptive.

• Can you give specific examples from your own life in which outward appearances were misleading?

• In what ways do you think that people in American society may be too concerned with outward appearances? Explain.

Attainment of a dream may be less satisfying than the pursuit of that

dream.

• Why do you think pursuing a dream or goal might be more satisfying than actually achieving it? Explain.

• Can you give an example of this happening to someone you know or have heard about?

Wealth can breed carelessness.

• Under what circumstances do you think this could happen? Describe.

• Can you think of a situation in which wealthy persons have demonstrated great generosity, kindness, or sensitivity to others?

Blind pursuit of an ideal is destructive.

• In what ways might the “blind pursuit” of any dream or goal be damaging both to the pursuer and those around him?

• Why do you think people become obsessed with a particular goal?

The American Dream is corrupted by the desire for wealth.

• What do you think is meant by the concept of the American Dream?

• What means are generally used to attain it?

• In what ways do you think the original American Dream, the dream of the people who settled this country, may have differed from its modern definition.