Analysis Of The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby
Chapter 4 – Summary & Analysis
• The chapter starts with Nick hearing further gossip about Gatsby. Some say he is a bootlegger, some say he killed a man for discovering that he is the nephew of von Hindenburg and that he is the cousin of the devil
• Then Nick narrates a list of people who attends Gatsby’s parties. The list includes some of the nation’s most powerful and wealthy people.
• Further on, Nick describes a trip to New York to have lunch with Gatsby. On the way, Gatsby tells Nick of his past and tries to clear up any rumors that Nick might have heard. The stories he tells however, are very improbable. For instance, he tells that he was educated in Oxford, lived in all the European capitals and received medals from every allied nation after the war. He even shows Nick the one he got from Montenegro.
• When they drive through the valley of ashes, they get pulled over by an officer for speeding. Gatsby displays a card to the officer and receives an apology and they drive on. Evidently, Gatsby did a favor for the chief of police once.
• During the lunch in the city, Gatsby introduces Nick to a man named Meyer Wolfsheim. This man is, according to Gatsby, the one man who fixed the 1919 World Series.
• After the lunch, Nick sees Jordan Baker. She reveals to Nick the conversation she had with Gatsby at his party earlier. Gatsby has asked her to convince Nick to arrange a reunion between Gatsby and Daisy. Because he is terrified that Daisy will refuse to see him, Gatsby wants Nick to invite Daisy to tea. Without Daisy's knowledge, Gatsby intends to come to the tea at Nick's house as well, surprising her and forcing her to see him.
This chapter considers Gatsby’s past. Gatsby’s stories seem extremely far-fetched to Nick at first, but after he is show the photograph from Oxford and the medal, he agrees that at least some of it is true. He still thinks Gatsby is very peculiar and calls...
Please login to view the full essay...