What are some of the rumors that surround Gatsby?
Answer: People talk that Gatsby is a criminal or German spy, questioning the way he acquired his wealth.
Explanation:
Gatsby is a sympathetic character known for his unconditional love for Daisy. However, there are certain rumors that surround him. In Chapter II, Myrtle and her sister discuss that Gatsby got his wealth from Kaiser Wilhelm, his relative. Gatsby lives in the West Egg, a neighborhood populated by people who had to earn their own money, as opposed to people from East Egg, who inherited wealth. This is why people consider him suspicious, as they have no idea where his wealth comes from.
What does this show about the people at the party, and what does this show about Gatsby?
Answer: It shows that people at the party are insincere, and that Gatsby is generous, yet naive to let those people into his home.
Explanation:
People attend Gatsby's parties, but nevertheless spread gossips about him. They find his parties entertaining, but question his fairness. His guests are, therefore, two-faced. Although people suspect that he is hiding something, this does not significantly influence Gatsby's image in the eyes of readers. It is easy to see that Gatsby is full of love and hope. Perhaps his flaw is that he is too naive, and fails to realize that the same people who attend his parties are the ones who talk behind his back. Gatsby always sees the best in people, which will result in his death.
