3.4.1
Chapter Four
Chapter Four - Summary of Nick's Lunch with Gatsby
Chapter Four - Summary of Nick's Lunch with Gatsby
In the first half of Chapter Four, Nick goes for lunch with Gatsby.
Rumours about Gatsby
Rumours about Gatsby
- One morning, Nick listens to some drunk women talking in Gatsby’s front garden about his mysterious identity. They talk about the usual rumours which surround Gatsby: one suggests he is a 'bootlegger' and that 'one time he killed a man'.
- Nick then says he made a list of all the noteworthy people who went to parties at Gatsby’s house that summer, disdainfully saying that these people 'accepted Gatsby’s hospitality and paid him the subtle tribute of knowing nothing whatever about him.'
Gatsby's car
Gatsby's car
- Next, Nick goes with Gatsby into New York City to have lunch. They travel in Gatsby’s 'monstrous' and 'gorgeous' car.
- During the journey, Gatsby says that he wants Nick to know more about his background so that Nick doesn’t get the 'wrong idea' about him from 'all these stories you hear'.
Gatsby's story
Gatsby's story
- Gatsby explains that he grew up in a wealthy household in the 'Middle West' town of San Francisco, but was educated at Oxford University because this is a family tradition.
- When his family died, he 'came into a good deal of money' and was renowned as a jewel collector in Europe.
- When World War I began, he joined the army and was so heroic that 'every Allied government' gave him an award for bravery. He even takes out a medal from his pocket from Montenegro, as if to prove he is telling the truth.
Gatsby is caught for speeding
Gatsby is caught for speeding
- Gatsby is pulled over for speeding, but he takes his usual friendly tone with the policeman, calling him 'old sport', and shows him a 'white card from his wallet'.
- Upon seeing the card, the policeman apologises and allows Gatsby to continue on his way.
- Gatsby seems to be above the law, which is a further sign that he has a kind of celebrity status in New York.
Meeting Meyer Wolfsheim
Meeting Meyer Wolfsheim
- At lunch, they meet with Meyer Wolfsheim, a business associate of Gatsby.
- Wolfsheim immediately seems to be a suspicious character with a shady past as he tells a story about how he had previously been caught up in a shooting in the restaurant across the street.
- Wolfsheim praises Gatsby’s character, referring to him as a man of 'fine breeding' who would 'never so much as look at a friend’s wife'.
Gatsby identifies Wolfsheim
Gatsby identifies Wolfsheim
- When Wolfsheim leaves, Gatsby explains to Nick that Wolfsheim is 'the man who fixed the World’s Series back in 1919', and Nick is amazed to have been in the company of someone so corrupt.
Gatsby meets Tom
Gatsby meets Tom
- As Nick and Gatsby are leaving the restaurant, Nick spots Tom Buchanan.
- Nick introduces Tom to Gatsby, and Nick observes a 'strained, unfamiliar look of embarrassment' on Gatsby’s face.
- While Tom and Nick are talking, Gatsby leaves without saying a word.
Chapter Four - Summary of Jordan's Revelation
Chapter Four - Summary of Jordan's Revelation
Later on that day, Nick goes to meet Jordan at the Plaza Hotel, and she tells him all about the 'amazing thing' that Gatsby told her.
Revelation about Daisy
Revelation about Daisy
- It turns out that Daisy Buchanan, known as Daisy Fay before she married Tom, had been in love with Gatsby back in 1917, which was during World War I and when Daisy was 'just eighteen'.
- The pair had met and fallen in love while Gatsby had been stationed in Louisville, but Daisy’s family forbade her from leaving the town and marrying Gatsby.
- Just a year later, Daisy met and married Tom Buchanan, who 'gave her a string of pearls valued at three hundred and fifty thousand dollars'.
Daisy's breakdown and honeymoon
Daisy's breakdown and honeymoon
- Jordan reveals that Daisy had a sort of breakdown the day before her wedding to Tom where she got drunk and pleaded with Jordan to 'tell ‘em all Daisy’s change’ her mine', but that the wedding still went ahead.
- Upon returning from her honeymoon, Daisy seemed to be completely 'mad about her husband'.
Significance of Gatsby's house
Significance of Gatsby's house
- Jordan continues to tell this story as her and Nick leave the hotel and go walking in Central Park. She reveals that 'Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay'.
- It seems that Gatsby hoped that his mansion and extravagant parties would attract Daisy.
- Nick suddenly realises that Gatsby was not just staring at the stars on the night he first saw him on the lawn, but was actually looking across the bay to where Daisy lived.
Gatsby and Daisy's plan
Gatsby and Daisy's plan
- Jordan then shares with Nick the plan for Gatsby and Daisy to be reunited.
- Nick is to invite Daisy to his house for lunch, and Gatsby will attend as well.
- That way, it will seem to Daisy that it is a chance meeting between the two former lovers and not part of an elaborate plan.
Chapter Four - Analysis
Chapter Four - Analysis
In Chapter Four, Nick goes for lunch with Gatsby and Jordan reveals a great secret about Gatsby.
Analysis of Gatsby's guests
Analysis of Gatsby's guests
- Nick made a list of attendees at Gatsby's party,
- The list of names goes on for some time and seems to include everyone from a prominent position in both East and West Egg.
- While the list of guests suggests that Gatsby’s parties were loved by all of the most fashionable and wealthy people in town, the reality is that they were all just using Gatsby for his 'hospitality'.
- Again, Fitzgerald is highlighting how hollow and superficial the Roaring Twenties really were.
Analysis of Gatsby's story
Analysis of Gatsby's story
- Gatsby's story seems so far-fetched that Nick found it hard to believe Gatsby, and had to stop himself from 'incredulous laughter'.
- Upon seeing the medal, he has to accept that there must be some truth in the tale.
- Gatsby’s story is, at best, sketchy. Nick is suspicious as the story seems too elaborate to be true. While Gatsby has undeniably somehow become very rich, there is a suggestion that he has had to reinvent himself and deny his past to claim his place in New York society.
Analysis of Wolfsheim
Analysis of Wolfsheim
- The character of Wolfsheim connects Gatsby with the corrupt and criminal underworld of the 1920s, suggesting a darker side to his character.
- Fitzgerald is suggesting that the American Dream and the 'new money' classes of the 1920s are closely linked to corruption.
Analysis of Tom and Gatsby's meeting
Analysis of Tom and Gatsby's meeting
- The awkwardness of the encounter between Tom and Gatsby foreshadows a future conflict between the two men.
- The encounter also highlights the contrasts between 'old money' (Tom) and 'new money' (Gatsby).
Analysis of Gatsby's affair
Analysis of Gatsby's affair
- The revelation about Gatsby's affair with Daisy sheds light on Gatsby’s mysterious character.
- Despite his extraordinary wealth, making him the embodiment of the 1920s American Dream, Gatsby is unhappy and heartbroken because of his failed relationship with 'old money' Daisy.
- Daisy, on the other hand, has chosen financial stability and security with Tom and seems to have decided not to pursue her love with Gatsby.
Analysis of Gatsby's house
Analysis of Gatsby's house
- Jordan reveals that 'Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay'.
- Gatsby’s purpose is now clear, and it suddenly seems as if Gatsby’s wealth means very little to him: it is simply a way of attracting Daisy. This pursuit of love is perhaps a purer version of the American Dream than the pursuit of wealth which has characterised Gatsby up until this point.
1Specification Overview
1.1Specification Overview
2Context
3Plot Summary
3.1Chapter One
3.2Chapter Two
3.3Chapter Three
3.4Chapter Four
3.6Chapter Six
3.7Chapter Seven
3.8Chapter Eight
4Character Profiles
4.3Daisy Buchanan
4.5Minor Characters
5Key Ideas
6Writing Techniques
6.1Structure, Genre & Narrative Voice
7Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis
7.1Love Through the Ages
Jump to other topics
1Specification Overview
1.1Specification Overview
2Context
3Plot Summary
3.1Chapter One
3.2Chapter Two
3.3Chapter Three
3.4Chapter Four
3.6Chapter Six
3.7Chapter Seven
3.8Chapter Eight
4Character Profiles
4.3Daisy Buchanan
4.5Minor Characters
5Key Ideas
6Writing Techniques
6.1Structure, Genre & Narrative Voice
7Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis
7.1Love Through the Ages
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