Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-7-2-analysis-of-chapter-seven

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA A Level The Great Gatsby - Specification A](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a.md) › Analysis of Chapter Seven

# Analysis of Chapter Seven

English Lit: AQA A Level The Great Gatsby - Specification A, topic 3.7.2

## Chapter Seven - Analysis (Part One)

In the first half of Chapter Seven, the group have a tense lunch at Daisy's before journeying to New York City.

### Analysis of Tom's realisation

![Analysis of Tom's realisation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/c2463050-7b8a-4eb9-9a68-2a01b45dc7e5/love-flowers-couple-.jpg)

- When Daisy tells Gatsby that he always looks __'so cool'__, this confirms to Tom that they are having an affair.
 - This is a crucial moment in the narrative as Tom has now uncovered the affair between Gatsby and his wife. Rather than confronting them immediately, he starts acting erratically, foreshadowing future trouble.

### Analysis of __'full of money'__

![Analysis of __'full of money'__](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/f8a9a84c-2fff-465d-9c4b-63454b7f2158/shutterstock_611752889.jpg)

- Gatsby mysteriously comments that he thinks Daisy’s voice is __'full of money'__.
 - This comment could be seen as a slightly unexpected criticism of Daisy: perhaps he means she has a particular way of talking which identifies her as part of the __'old money'__ class, but it also could be about her obsession with riches and her sense of entitlement and privilege. This becomes increasingly important later on in the story as Daisy is incapable of accepting responsibility for her actions.

### Analysis of going __'west'__

![Analysis of going __'west'__](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/7e3a279e-56ed-492a-bbc3-d4f6a04a9442/west-america-usa.png)

- George Wilson says he is trying to __'go west'__. 
 - The idea of moving __'west'__ is a significant part of the American Dream at the time. 
 - While the east coast of America was well-established by the 1920s, the west coast was far less developed and there was a large movement of Americans heading westward to find opportunities. 
 - For Tom, this move could signify the end of everything: his wife is having an affair with Gatsby, and his mistress is moving to the other side of the country.

### Analysis of Doctor's eyes

![Analysis of Doctor's eyes](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/63d5e3ab-baeb-44ec-a737-4457b1b41296/eye-all-seeing.jpg)

- Nick notices the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg on the advertising board and Myrtle Wilson looking at them from the window of the garage.
 - Myrtle has seen Tom driving Gatsby’s car, which is another key point in the plot because it is this car which kills her later that day. 
 - Nick links the ominous eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg to the moment when Myrtle thinks she sees Tom’s wife, and this is significant because the eyes seem to be casting judgement over the scene.

## Chapter Seven - Analysis (Part Two)

In the second half of Chapter Seven, Tom reveals that he knows about Daisy's affair with Gatsby and the car crash happens.

### Analysis of Tom's revelations

![Analysis of Tom's revelations](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/f42c89c8-6068-4e52-8cc0-6f9a3b2aaf48/Crime-Criminal-BadGuy-Hood.jpg)

- Tom reveals that he has uncovered Gatsby’s associations with criminals and tells Daisy to travel back in Gatsby's car.
 - Gatsby involved himself in all sorts of corrupt and criminal activities in order to accumulate the necessary wealth to win Daisy’s heart, but now it is this corruption which scares her and threatens to destroy their relationship. 
 - Daisy travelling back in Gatsby’s car is another crucial plot point because, earlier that day, Myrtle saw Jordan with Tom in the same car and assumed it was Daisy.

### Analysis of Nick's philosophical thought

![Analysis of Nick's philosophical thought](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/memory-location-images/Ring%20Road,%20Iceland-min.jpg)

- When Nick realises it is his 30th birthday, he says before him __'stretched the portentous, menacing road of a new decade'__.
 - This philosophical thought from Nick could foreshadow both the imminent car accident (the __'menacing road'__), but also the end of the Roaring Twenties.

### Analysis of the narrative shift

![Analysis of the narrative shift](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/2acf5459-f97d-4548-9327-9859295a0e2a/police-crime-scene-.jpg)

- The narrative shifts to show Michaelis acting as a witness to the car accident. 
 - This shift in the narrative is interesting as it contextualises the accident which is about to happen and gives the impression that Nick is reading Michaelis’ testimony.

### Analysis of Myrtle's death

![Analysis of Myrtle's death](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/d913c87f-4a43-43c5-a770-d0b384519610/grave-674443_1920.jpg)

- Myrtle’s death is very important because, with the car accident, the dreams of many other characters are also killed.

### Analysis of Daisy's reaction to the death

![Analysis of Daisy's reaction to the death](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/f44b8ff5-eb70-499f-b1a2-97538074d128/index-point-accuse-.jpg)

- Daisy is responsible for killing Myrtle, but she is able to use Gatsby, who is willing to take responsibility for the accident, to avoid culpability. 
- Gatsby, meanwhile, is seemingly not interested in the fate of Myrtle and is instead deeply concerned about Daisy’s wellbeing in the house alone with Tom.

### Analysis of Daisy's choice

![Analysis of Daisy's choice](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/4719d3ef-9623-4b66-bb8c-00ed2e298980/choices-roads-arrows-.jpg)

- When Nick sees Daisy and Tom not __'unhappy'__ together, it's clear that Daisy seems to have made a decision to choose Tom over Gatsby. 
- In light of the events of that day, including the revelations about Gatsby’s links to the criminal underworld, Daisy is choosing the stability of life with Tom over the Gatsby’s unpredictability.

## Test yourself on Analysis of Chapter Seven

- What does Gatsby say Daisy's voice is __'full of'__ in Chapter Seven?
- What confirms to Tom that Gatsby and Daisy are having an affair?
- What does Nick notice on the advertising board as the group leave George Wilson's garage?
- Who dies in Chapter Seven?
- What is ironic about Tom revealing Gatsby’s associations with criminals in Chapter Seven?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/374d9d81-edad-4590-9774-fca24dd46e2f/section/49834ea1-d83d-449a-bc99-4560fab99ec0/session)

- Previous topic: [3.7.1 Chapter Seven](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-7-1-chapter-seven.md)
- Next topic: [3.7.3 Chapter Seven: Love & Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-7-3-chapter-seven-love-and-historical-context.md)

## English Lit: AQA A Level The Great Gatsby - Specification A contents

### 1 Specification Overview
- 1.1 Specification Overview
  - [1.1.1 Specification A](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/1-1-1-specification-a.md)

### 2 Context
- 2.1 Context
  - [2.1.1 F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/2-1-1-f-scott-fitzgerald.md)
  - [2.1.2 1920s America](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/2-1-2-1920s-america.md)
  - [2.1.3 Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/2-1-3-tragedy.md)
- 2.2 Criticism & Approaches
  - [2.2.1 Early & Modern Criticism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/2-2-1-early-and-modern-criticism.md)
  - [2.2.2 Psychoanalytic Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/2-2-2-psychoanalytic-approach.md)
  - [2.2.3 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/2-2-3-end-of-topic-test-context.md)

### 3 Plot Summary
- 3.1 Chapter One
  - [3.1.1 Chapter One](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-1-1-chapter-one.md)
  - [3.1.2 Analysis of Chapter One](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-1-2-analysis-of-chapter-one.md)
  - [3.1.3 Chapter One: Love & Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-1-3-chapter-one-love-and-historical-context.md)
  - [3.1.4 End of Topic Test - Chapter One](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-1-4-end-of-topic-test-chapter-one.md)
- 3.2 Chapter Two
  - [3.2.1 Chapter Two](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-2-1-chapter-two.md)
  - [3.2.2 Chapter Two: Love & Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-2-2-chapter-two-love-and-historical-context.md)
  - [3.2.3 End of Topic Test - Chapter Two](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-2-3-end-of-topic-test-chapter-two.md)
- 3.3 Chapter Three
  - [3.3.1 Chapter Three](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-3-1-chapter-three.md)
  - [3.3.2 Analysis of Chapter Three](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-3-2-analysis-of-chapter-three.md)
  - [3.3.3 Chapter Three: Love & Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-3-3-chapter-three-love-and-historical-context.md)
  - [3.3.4 End of Topic Test - Chapter Three](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-3-4-end-of-topic-test-chapter-three.md)
- 3.4 Chapter Four
  - [3.4.1 Chapter Four](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-4-1-chapter-four.md)
  - [3.4.2 Chapter Four: Love & Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-4-2-chapter-four-love-and-historical-context.md)
  - [3.4.3 End of Topic Test - Chapter Four](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-4-3-end-of-topic-test-chapter-four.md)
- 3.5 Chapter Five
  - [3.5.1 Chapter Five](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-5-1-chapter-five.md)
  - [3.5.2 Chapter Five: Love & Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-5-2-chapter-five-love-and-historical-context.md)
- 3.6 Chapter Six
  - [3.6.1 Chapter Six](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-6-1-chapter-six.md)
  - [3.6.2 Chapter Six: Love & Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-6-2-chapter-six-love-and-historical-context.md)
  - [3.6.3 End of Topic Test - Chapters Five & Six](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-6-3-end-of-topic-test-chapters-five-and-six.md)
- 3.7 Chapter Seven
  - [3.7.1 Chapter Seven](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-7-1-chapter-seven.md)
  - [3.7.2 Analysis of Chapter Seven](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-7-2-analysis-of-chapter-seven.md)
  - [3.7.3 Chapter Seven: Love & Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-7-3-chapter-seven-love-and-historical-context.md)
  - [3.7.4 End of Topic Test - Chapter Seven](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-7-4-end-of-topic-test-chapter-seven.md)
- 3.8 Chapter Eight
  - [3.8.1 Chapter Eight](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-8-1-chapter-eight.md)
  - [3.8.2 Chapter Eight: Love & Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-8-2-chapter-eight-love-and-historical-context.md)
- 3.9 Chapter Nine
  - [3.9.1 Chapter Nine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-9-1-chapter-nine.md)
  - [3.9.2 Chapter Nine: Love & Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-9-2-chapter-nine-love-and-historical-context.md)
  - [3.9.3 End of Topic Test - Chapters Eight & Nine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/3-9-3-end-of-topic-test-chapters-eight-and-nine.md)

### 4 Character Profiles
- 4.1 Nick Carraway
  - [4.1.1 Nick Carraway](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-1-1-nick-carraway.md)
  - [4.1.2 Nick Carraway 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-1-2-nick-carraway-2.md)
  - [4.1.3 End of Topic Test - Nick](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-1-3-end-of-topic-test-nick.md)
- 4.2 Jay Gatsby
  - [4.2.1 Jay Gatsby](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-2-1-jay-gatsby.md)
  - [4.2.2 Jay Gatsby 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-2-2-jay-gatsby-2.md)
  - [4.2.3 End of Topic Test - Gatsby](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-2-3-end-of-topic-test-gatsby.md)
- 4.3 Daisy Buchanan
  - [4.3.1 Daisy Buchanan](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-3-1-daisy-buchanan.md)
  - [4.3.2 Daisy Buchanan 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-3-2-daisy-buchanan-2.md)
- 4.4 Tom Buchanan
  - [4.4.1 Tom Buchanan](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-4-1-tom-buchanan.md)
  - [4.4.2 Tom Buchanan 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-4-2-tom-buchanan-2.md)
  - [4.4.3 End of Topic Test - Daisy & Tom](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-4-3-end-of-topic-test-daisy-and-tom.md)
- 4.5 Minor Characters
  - [4.5.1 Minor Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-5-1-minor-characters.md)
  - [4.5.2 End of Topic Test - Minor Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/4-5-2-end-of-topic-test-minor-characters.md)

### 5 Key Ideas
- 5.1 Key Ideas
  - [5.1.1 Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/5-1-1-love.md)
  - [5.1.2 Class](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/5-1-2-class.md)
  - [5.1.3 Idealism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/5-1-3-idealism.md)
  - [5.1.4 Patriarchy & Presentation of Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/5-1-4-patriarchy-and-presentation-of-women.md)
  - [5.1.5 End of Topic Test - Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/5-1-5-end-of-topic-test-key-ideas.md)

### 6 Writing Techniques
- 6.1 Structure, Genre & Narrative Voice
  - [6.1.1 Structure & Narrative Voice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/6-1-1-structure-and-narrative-voice.md)
  - [6.1.2 Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/6-1-2-genre.md)
- 6.2 Form & Language
  - [6.2.1 Form & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/6-2-1-form-and-language.md)
  - [6.2.2 Symbolism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/6-2-2-symbolism.md)
  - [6.2.3 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/6-2-3-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md)

### 7 Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis
- 7.1 Love Through the Ages
  - [7.1.1 The Examination](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/7-1-1-the-examination.md)
  - [7.1.2 Love Through the Ages Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/the-great-gatsby-specification-a/7-1-2-love-through-the-ages-reading.md)
