Chapter Four Flashcards
What does Nick make a list of?
Some of the people who attended Gatsby’s parties in the summer of 1922
What does Gatsby invite Nick to and what does he tell Nick about?
Lunch in New York
Gatsby tells Nick a story about his past
Who does Nick meet at lunch?
Meyer Wolfsheim, a notorious gambler
Who does Nick meet for dinner?
Jordan and she explains that Gatsby and Daisy used to be in love
What is the first part of the chapter about?
nick lists Gatsby’s party guests and drops names as if the reader should recognise them as celebrities. He also lists their misbehaviour - they’re remembered for gambling, for “a fight with a bum”, and more sinister behaviour - one guest “killed himself” and another “strangled his wife”, emphasising the darkness between the wealthy, carefree and lavish lifestyle.
Also, the way Nick talks about them in a fleeting, carefree way proves that no one cares about each other
What is the second part of the chapter about?
Gatsby takes Nick to lunch with Wolfshiem. It’s the first time the reader catches a glimpse of the real Gatsby. His stories are so outrageous that they prompt the reader to wonder what he’s hiding. His connection with Wolfshiem raises the suspicion that Gatsby may be a criminal
What is the third part of the chapter about?
Jordan’s description of Gatsby’s past romance with Daisy gives a different impression of Gatsby - it portrays him as an innocent, romantic young soldier and shows another side to his personality. It also adds another layer of mystery
How does the chapter open and what does it indicate?
“the world and his mistress” casually sharing rumours about Gatsby’s identity. Accusations that he “killed a man” are made in between drinks from “that there crystal glass”, indicating that the relaxed guests have no concerns about their host’s potential corruption
What does Gatsby tell Nick about on the way to New York? What does Nick notice?
- About his past
- Nick pays close attention to Gatsby’s voice and comments that Gatsby “hurried the phrase” about attending Oxford, and “swallowed it”, as if he’s lying
What does gatsby show Nick and what does that prove?
An “authentic” looking medal, and a photo from Oxford, which seem to ‘prove’ that his persona is not an act. Fitzgerald encourages the reader to think that Gatsby is lying, before suddenly giving credibility to Gatsby’s story, meaning his past remains a mystery
Where does Gatsby claim he’s from?
The ‘Middle West’, but when questioned by Nick, specifies that he’s from San Francisco, which is on the West Coast, hundreds of miles away from the Middle West. Nick says “I see”, suggesting that he’s seen through Gatsby’s persona - but Fitzgerald leaves it ambiguous
What does Gatsby’s heart to heart with Nick seem to be motivated by?
The fact that he wants to ask a favour. By apparently confiding in Nick about his past, Gatsby hopes to build rapport with him
What was Nick’s initial description of New York like?
Makes it sound clean and attractive. It looks like “sugar lumps” and was built using “non-olfactory” (scentless) money. This idealised description focuses on the beauty of the city, implying it’s free of the stench of corruption
How is it proved that the level of corruption in New York is so great?
Even the police can be bribed. Gatsby manages to avoid a speeding fine with a “white card” that he can’t satisfactorily explain the significance of
What is implied when they meet Meyer Wolfshiem?
Gatsby’s involvement with the criminal underworld is strongly implied. They have lunch in the “half-darkness” of the cellar, which suggests it’s a place of shady dealings
