"The Great Gatsby," Vocabulary from Chapter 1

Dennis L. (United States of America)
As you read F. Scott Fitzgerald’s "The Great Gatsby," learn this word list that focuses on Nick Carraway and his observations. Here are links to all our word lists for the novel: Chapter 1, Chapters 2-3, Chapters 4-5, Chapters 6-7, Chapters 8-9
31 words 153 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. reserved
    set aside for the use of a particular person or party
  2. privy
    informed about something secret or not generally known
    Nick is using "privy" as an adjective here but it can also be a noun meaning "a room or building equipped with one or more toilets." With that double meaning, Nick could be seen as making fun of both his own passive nature and the nature of the secrets that were shared with him.
  3. feign
    make believe with the intent to deceive
    Nick admits to feigning actions and emotions in order to avoid listening to the seemingly fake revelations of others. Another reason he might not have wanted to hear these secrets is that doing so places him in the position of being responsible for someone else's happiness. Fitzgerald includes this admission here to set the readers up for the contrasts in Nick's relationship with Gatsby.
  4. levity
    a manner lacking seriousness
  5. tolerance
    willingness to respect the beliefs or practices of others
  6. scorn
    lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
  7. elation
    a feeling of joy and pride
  8. solemn
    dignified and somber in manner or character
  9. reproach
    express criticism towards
  10. supercilious
    having or showing arrogant superiority
  11. fractiousness
    the trait of being prone to disobedience and lack of discipline
  12. wistfulness
    a sadly pensive longing
    The last three words were used in descriptions that show Nick's scornful attitude towards Tom Buchanan. Even in describing Tom's wistfulness, Nick adds the adjectives "harsh" and "defiant". By noting that Tom wanted his approval, Nick is suggesting that, back in college, he was the better man, and he is even more so now that is openly disapproving of Tom in his book.
  13. irrelevant
    having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
  14. imperceptible
    impossible or difficult to sense
  15. tribute
    something given or done as an expression of esteem
  16. reciprocal
    concerning each of two or more persons or things
  17. compel
    force somebody to do something
  18. unobtrusive
    not undesirably noticeable
  19. inconsequence
    having no important effects or influence
    Although details of Daisy and Jordan's "bantering inconsequence" are not given here, examples of it are seen throughout the dialogues that Fitzgerald intentionally creates as the writer and that Nick somehow remembers and repeats as the first-person narrator.
  20. complacency
    the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
  21. extemporize
    perform or speak without preparation
  22. subdued
    restrained in style or quality
  23. hardy
    having rugged physical strength
  24. intriguing
    capable of arousing interest or curiosity
  25. turbulent
    characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
  26. sedative
    tending to soothe or tranquilize
  27. contemptuous
    expressing extreme scorn
  28. libel
    a false and malicious publication
    An overheard rumor is not libel; it could be slander, but the rumor is about an event that's supposed to be happy not hurtful. As a Yale graduate who used to write for the college's newspaper, Nick would know the different intents attached to rumor, libel and slander. But he deliberately exaggerates here to be funny and to emphasize that he is not ready for marriage.
  29. peremptory
    putting an end to all debate or action
  30. intimation
    a slight suggestion or vague understanding
    Nick's descriptions show how observant he is--not only does he pick up on "intimations", he also sees things that are almost "imperceptible", hears murmurs that have been "subdued", and often tries to guess what others are thinking and feeling. These are good traits for a writer, but they could also intimate a lack of depth or originality within a character--which leads Nick to admire Gatsby.
  31. apathetic
    showing little or no emotion or animation
Created on Sun May 12 21:41:26 EDT 2013

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