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Quizzes > Books & Literature

What Mr. McKee Tells Nick About Gatsby: Chapter 2 Quiz

Quick, free quiz on Mr. McKee on Gatsby and Chapter 2 details. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Luis MontanoUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art of Nick Catherine and the McKees discussing Gatsby revelations from Mr McKee on golden yellow background

This quiz helps you check what Mr. McKee tells Nick about Gatsby in Chapter 2 and recall Catherine and the McKees. Answer short questions to practice close reading and get instant feedback. If you want more review, try the Great Gatsby chapter 1 quiz, explore Great Gatsby chapter 2 questions, or move ahead with the Great Gatsby chapter 4 quiz.

What rumor does Mr. McKee share about Gatsby?
Gatsby inherited his fortune
Gatsby built his wealth through bootlegging
Gatsby is secretly royalty
Gatsby is a German spy
Mr. McKee casually tells Nick that Gatsby was once a German spy, reflecting the early rumors that swirl around Gatsby's mysterious past in chapter two. This piece of gossip underscores the theme of rumor versus reality. It also builds suspense around Gatsby's true identity before more concrete details emerge.
How does Nick first describe Mr. McKee?
A jazz musician
A notorious bootlegger
A wealthy businessman
A pale amateur photographer
Nick describes Mr. McKee as a pale, quiet amateur photographer, emphasizing his meek and unassuming nature in chapter two. This contrasts sharply with the more boisterous characters at the party. Fitzgerald uses this description to highlight social hierarchies and personalities.
Who is Catherine in relation to Myrtle?
Her sister
Her daughter
Her friend
Her cousin
Catherine is introduced as Myrtle Wilson's sister during the New York apartment party in chapter two. Her role helps to expand the social circle around Tom and Myrtle. Catherine's gossip and behavior also reflect the novel's themes of infidelity and deception.
Where does the party in chapter two take place?
Jordan Baker's house
Tom and Myrtle's New York apartment
Nick's cottage
Gatsby's mansion
The party in chapter two is held in Tom and Myrtle's small apartment in New York City. The cramped quarters heighten the novel's sense of moral decay and claustrophobia. This setting contrasts sharply with the grandeur of Gatsby's later parties.
What is the primary setting of chapter two?
Long Island Sound
West Egg
The valley of ashes
East Egg
Chapter two opens with a vivid description of the valley of ashes, a desolate industrial wasteland. This setting symbolizes social and moral decay behind the era's glamour. Fitzgerald uses this location to critique the emptiness of the American Dream.
How is Myrtle Wilson's physical appearance described?
Slender and delicate
Small and timid
Heavy and sensuously quick
Tall and aristocratic
Fitzgerald describes Myrtle as "faintly stout, but she carried her flesh sensuously," highlighting her animalistic vitality. This physical depiction underscores her passionate and reckless nature. Her appearance sharply contrasts with Daisy's delicate demeanor.
What is Mr. McKee's profession?
Lawyer
Photographer
Journalist
Doctor
Mr. McKee is characterized as an amateur photographer, a detail that emphasizes his observer role at Tom and Myrtle's party. His profession also contrasts with the more illicit occupations hinted at in the novel. Fitzgerald uses this to show varied social standings.
What detail suggests the valley of ashes is bleak?
Bright neon lights illuminate the area
Crystal-clear water flows freely
A persistent layer of grey dust covers everything
Lush gardens bloom year-round
Fitzgerald describes the valley of ashes as covered in grey dust, symbolizing moral and social decay. This unrelenting bleakness contrasts with the opulence of East and West Egg. The imagery reinforces the novel's critique of the era's empty pursuit of wealth.
What does Myrtle purchase in the city?
A rabbit
A puppy
A cat
A parrot
Myrtle buys a puppy from a shop on the way to the apartment party, showcasing her impulsive spending. This purchase illustrates her desire for status symbols and extravagance. It also highlights the novel's critique of materialism.
How does Nick react to the apartment party atmosphere?
He becomes jealous of Tom
He is warmly welcomed by everyone
He feels awkward and out of place
He is exhilarated and loose
Nick repeatedly mentions his discomfort and awkwardness at the raucous party, marking him as a moral observer. His reactions contrast with the recklessness of the other guests. This perspective reinforces his role as the narrator.
What does Myrtle change into after arriving at the apartment?
A black silk gown
A blue satin suit
A red velvet coat
A cream-colored chiffon dress
Myrtle changes into a cream-colored chiffon dress that symbolizes her attempt to appear refined and wealthy. The dress stands out against the squalor of her original life. Fitzgerald uses wardrobe to deepen character contrast and themes.
How does Mr. McKee respond to Myrtle's behavior at the party?
He watches with polite curiosity
He enthusiastically joins in dancing
He rebukes her harshly
He turns away and ignores her
Mr. McKee remains a polite observer, watching Myrtle's exuberant behavior with curiosity. His reaction underscores his meek personality and detachment from Tom and Myrtle's drama. Fitzgerald uses this contrast to highlight social awkwardness.
Why is the apartment party significant to the novel's themes?
It showcases family unity
It illustrates the corruption of the American Dream
It celebrates traditional values
It highlights nature's beauty
The apartment party highlights moral decay and the hollowness behind wealth, key elements of the corrupted American Dream theme. The ostentatious but grim gathering contrasts with affluent East and West Egg society. Fitzgerald uses the party as a microcosm of 1920s disillusionment.
What theme is underscored by Mr. McKee's rumor about Gatsby being a spy?
Nature versus civilization
Technology's impact
Appearance versus reality
Love and sacrifice
The spy rumor demonstrates how appearances can be deceiving, reinforcing the novel's theme of appearance versus reality. Readers are reminded that rumors often obscure the truth. Fitzgerald uses these unfounded stories to maintain Gatsby's mystique.
What does the decor of Tom and Myrtle's apartment symbolize?
Consumerism and moral decay
Historic preservation
Natural simplicity
Romantic purity
The gaudy, crowded decor in the apartment represents the characters' shallow pursuit of materialism and moral decay. Fitzgerald contrasts this with the refined taste of East Egg to emphasize social divisions. The setting acts as a critique of 1920s consumer culture.
How does Catherine's attitude foreshadow events later in the novel?
Her permissiveness hints at future infidelity
Her devotion to family signals unity
Her shyness suggests a retreat
Her political views predict conflict
Catherine's casual endorsement of marital infidelity foreshadows the novel's exploration of broken marriages and affairs. Her permissive attitude toward Tom and Myrtle's relationship sets a tone of moral laxity. Fitzgerald uses her to hint at greater betrayals ahead.
Why might Mr. McKee's account of Gatsby be considered unreliable?
He keeps detailed journals
It's based solely on gossip and hearsay
He witnessed Gatsby's secret meetings
He was Gatsby's childhood friend
Mr. McKee's story stems from rumors circulating around New York society, making it unverified. Fitzgerald uses gossip to illustrate how easily public perception can be manipulated. Nick's own view remains wary until he learns facts firsthand.
How does the New York apartment party contrast with Gatsby's later parties?
It's a quiet, intimate dinner
It's held outdoors on a grand scale
It's more lavish and extravagant
It feels small and claustrophobic
The cramped, tense atmosphere of Tom and Myrtle's apartment party contrasts with the sprawling, carefree extravagance of Gatsby's gatherings. Fitzgerald uses this juxtaposition to highlight class differences and the novel's shifting social scenes. This distinction deepens understanding of each social circle.
What narrative technique does chapter two employ?
Third-person omniscient viewpoint
Stream of consciousness
Epistolary format
First-person retrospective narration
Chapter two is narrated in first-person by Nick, reflecting on past events with hindsight. This retrospective viewpoint allows for commentary and foreshadowing. Nick's measured tone contrasts with the novel's more dramatic scenes.
What aspect of Tom and Myrtle's relationship is revealed by the tone of the party?
Strict professionalism
Sibling-like harmony
Deep mutual affection
A power imbalance and superficiality
The raucous, exploitative tone of the party spotlights Tom's dominance over Myrtle and the superficial foundations of their affair. Fitzgerald contrasts this with genuine relationships elsewhere in the novel. The setting reveals their moral decay.
What does Mr. McKee's gossip reflect about 1920s society?
Strong community trust
The prevalence of rumor and sensationalism
A commitment to truth and accuracy
Strict moral reform
Mr. McKee's willingness to spread sensational rumors underscores the 1920s taste for scandal and gossip. Fitzgerald uses this to critique how easily falsehoods can shape public opinion. It also reflects the era's loosened social mores.
How does Fitzgerald use imagery in the valley of ashes?
Bright colors evoke romance
Lush greenery implies renewal
Flowing water suggests purity
Grey dust symbolizes moral decay
The pervasive grey dust of the valley of ashes symbolizes the moral and social decay at the heart of the novel's critique. Fitzgerald contrasts this imagery with the bright opulence of the Eggs. The stark visuals reinforce the setting's bleakness.
Which literary concept best explains the inclusion of Mr. McKee's dubious rumor about Gatsby?
Foreshadowing
Unreliable narrator
Dramatic irony
Deus ex machina
Mr. McKee's secondhand account demonstrates how narrative reliability can be compromised by gossip, fitting the concept of an unreliable narrator. The rumor introduces doubt about Gatsby's true nature. This device enriches the novel's exploration of perception versus reality.
How does Fitzgerald employ Mr. McKee's character to explore appearance versus reality?
By making him the primary narrator
By having a minor character spread misinformation
By giving him a tragic backstory
By portraying him as Gatsby's secret partner
Mr. McKee's casual transmission of unverified rumors underscores the gap between how Gatsby is perceived and who he really is. Fitzgerald uses an incidental character to highlight the novel's central theme of appearance vs. reality. This enhances the mystery surrounding Gatsby.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze Mr. McKee's Insight -

    Articulate what Mr. McKee tells Nick about Gatsby and evaluate the implications for Nick's perception of Gatsby's character.

  2. Identify Catherine and the McKees -

    Identify Catherine and Mr. and Mrs. McKee, describing their personalities and their influence on the narrative's social dynamics.

  3. Interpret Key Imagery -

    Explain the symbolism of the valley of ashes and the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg and their thematic significance in Chapter Two.

  4. Summarize Plot Developments -

    Summarize the major events of Chapter Two, including character introductions and pivotal interactions.

  5. Evaluate Narrative Tone -

    Assess Fitzgerald's tone and style in this chapter, considering how setting and character dialogue contribute to the mood.

  6. Apply Literary Concepts -

    Apply principles of symbolism, characterization, and setting to deepen your understanding of Chapter Two and its role in the novel.

Cheat Sheet

  1. The Valley of Ashes Symbolism -

    Fitzgerald's depiction of the valley of ashes captures the moral and social decay lurking beneath the Roaring Twenties' gleam (SparkNotes). Use the mnemonic "Ashes = Abandonment" to recall how this wasteland reflects lost dreams.

  2. What Mr. McKee Tells Nick About Gatsby -

    During the apartment party, Mr. McKee spreads the rumor that Gatsby is a nephew or cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm, highlighting how gossip builds Gatsby's mystique (Fitzgerald, Ch. 2). Remember "German Gossip" to lock in this whispered backstory.

  3. Identify Catherine and Mr & Mrs McKee -

    Catherine, Myrtle's sister, flirts freely and probes others' secrets, while Mr. and Mrs. McKee act as eager social climbers and amateur photographers, underscoring class tensions (CliffNotes). Recall "Camera & Cat" to link the McKees' snapshots with Catherine's curious nature.

  4. Myrtle Wilson's Role and Motivations -

    Myrtle's affair with Tom Buchanan exposes the desperation fueled by her lower”class status and her longing for escape (JSTOR). Use "Myrtle's Money Motive" to remember how wealth drives her choices.

  5. The Eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg -

    The haunting billboard eyes symbolize the absent moral compass in East Egg and West Egg, watching over characters' ethical collapse (University of Virginia). Employ "Eckleburg's Ethical Eye" to connect the image with themes of judgment.

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