3.6.1

Chapter Six

Test yourself

Chapter Six - Summary

Nick tells us about 'an ambitious young reporter from New York' who visited Gatsby to find out more information about him. Then Nick tells us some of the facts about the mysterious Mr Gatsby.

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Information about Gatsby

  • His original name was James Gatz, and he was born in North Dakota.
  • At the age of 17, James Gatz changed his name to the much more glamorous Jay Gatsby, which happened at around the same time that he met Dan Cody, an older man who had made his fortune in the precious metal business.
  • Dan Cody became a sort of mentor to Gatsby, taking him on his yacht called Tuolomee and employing him 'in a vague personal capacity'.
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Information about Gatsby (cont.)

  • When Dan Cody died, he left Gatsby 'a legacy of twenty-five thousand dollars', but he never actually received it because of a legal problem. It was at this point that Gatsby dedicated himself to becoming rich.
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Tom at Gatsby's house

  • Nick does not have any communication with Gatsby for 'several weeks', but then eventually decides to pay Gatsby a visit 'one Sunday afternoon'.
  • To Nick’s surprise, Tom Buchanan shows up at the house unexpectedly with some friends.
  • Nick describes how Gatsby seems to be 'profoundly affected' by Tom’s appearance, and how he 'almost aggressively' informs Tom that he knows his wife, Daisy.
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Invitation to dinner

  • One of Tom’s friends invites Gatsby and Nick to dinner, and Nick declines. Gatsby, on the other hand, does not realise that the offer is merely out of politeness and accepts.
  • Tom is shocked that Gatsby doesn’t realise he is not welcome and is unhappy that Gatsby will be joining them for dinner. He is clearly concerned that his wife is 'running around alone' too much.
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Tom's attendance at the party

  • The following week, Tom and Daisy attend a party at Gatsby’s house.
  • Nick considers Tom’s attendance to be a sign that he is 'perturbed' by Daisy’s interactions with Gatsby. Tom seems unimpressed by the party, eyeing up the ‘new money’ crowd with 'arrogant eyes'.
    • By this point in the novel, it comes as no surprise that Tom is unimpressed by Gatsby’s party, and the scene serves as a further reminder of the many differences and growing rivalry between the two men.
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Daisy's experience at the party

  • Daisy dances with Gatsby at the party, but overall she does not have a good time: she is 'appalled by West Egg, this unprecedented ‘place’ that Broadway had begotten upon Long Island'.
  • As Tom and Daisy are leaving, Tom is suspicious about how Gatsby has accumulated his wealth, suggesting it could be through something illegal. Nick defends Gatsby, saying that he made his fortune through owning 'drug-stores', and not through anything illegal.
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Gatsby's upset

  • Sensing that Daisy didn't enjoy herself at his party, Gatsby is in a state of 'unutterable depression'.
  • He thinks Daisy doesn't understand the strength of his feelings for her.
  • Nick tries to explain to Gatsby that he cannot 'repeat the past', but Gatsby responds 'incredulously' that he believes he can.
  • Nick remembers how Gatsby described his first kiss with Daisy, several years before. He remembers the event as being perfect, and Nick remarks that Gatsby has 'appalling sentimentality'.

Chapter Six - Analysis

The opening to this chapter cuts through the rumours and speculation to give us some clear indications of where Gatsby came from, and who he really is.

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Analysis of Gatsby's character

  • Like many others who achieved the American Dream during the Roaring Twenties, Gatsby is self-made. In fact, even his identity is a creation: part of his plan to sound more interesting and help him towards becoming a success.
  • But the truth is that Gatsby is not really as interesting as the rumours suggested: although clearly very successful, he seems like a typical member of the 'new money' class of the twenties.
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Analysis of tension - Gatsby and Tom

  • Tension continues to build between Gatsby and Tom: 'new money' against 'old money'.
  • Gatsby shows himself to lack the social graces of his 'old money' counterparts when he fails to understand that the offer to dinner was merely an insincere formality.
  • Tom seems to be growing suspicious of Gatsby’s intentions and does not like the fact that Daisy knows him.
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Analysis of Daisy's time at the party

  • The fact that Daisy does not enjoy herself at the party suggests that it might not be simple for her and Gatsby to reignite their love.
  • The huge difference between the 'old money' world of Daisy and the 'new money' world of Gatsby could prove to be too big an obstacle to overcome.
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Gatsby's sentimentality

  • Nick remarks that Gatsby has 'appalling sentimentality' when he remembers his first kiss with Daisy.
    • Nick could be appalled by the sentimentality because it is Gatsby’s sentimental feelings about Daisy which have turned her into an idealised and unattainable vision which threatens to completely destroy him.

Jump to other topics

1Specification Overview

1.1Specification Overview

2Context

3Plot Summary

4Character Profiles

5Key Ideas

6Writing Techniques

7Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis

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