The Great Gatsby Chapter Four

Summary Gatsby visits Nick’s hose for the first time, and talks of his wartime experiences. They travel into New York, where Gatsby introduces Nick to Meyer Wolfshiem. Later, Jordan tells Nick about Daisy’s past, her brief love affair with Gatsby, and her subsequent marriage to Tom.

Point of View Much of the chapter is concerned with how the point of view of the teller modifies the character of the account. Gatsby comments that Jordan Baker would ‘never do anything that wasn’t all right’. Yet in the previous chapter, Nick has characterised her by her dishonesty.

Meyer Wolfshiem A criminal associate of Gatsby His narrative recounts the violent death of Rosy Rosenthal. This follows Gatsby’s account of his own history. This allows Fitzgerald to present Gatsby as the heroic soldier and as the innocent lover, while hinting at his corruption.

Meyer Wolfshiem A gambler who fixed the 1919 World Series baseball tournament. Based on a real-life event: in 1919 the Chicago White Sox baseball team were bribed to allow the Cincinnati Reds to win the World Series. This highlights the corrupting influence money has had on American life.

Nick’s Scepticism He has doubts concerning Gatsby’s on version of his story. It ‘was like skimming hastily through a dozen magazines’. At this time in American history, illustrated magazines promoted society gossip and helped create Hollywood legends, while also serving the requirements of modern advertising. Nick is suggesting that although an image of Gatsby’s past has become visible, the reality behind it is far from distinct.

American Ideals The Founding Fathers of modern America signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. They were adamant that it was to be a peaceful nation. Ironically, the success of Major Gatsby, promoted while serving in a European was, is further evidence of the failure of fundamental American ideals.

Daisy’s Past Her name before marriage was Daisy Fay Fay is an old English word for fairy. This is appropriate because, in Gatsby’s eyes, Daisy appears to be an inhabitant of an enchanted world. Daisy suggests something delicate. However, there are suggestions that Daisy is tough and unfeeling.

Gatsby’s Love for Daisy In 1917, he was a young lieutenant in a relationship with Daisy. He was sent overseas, and was promoted to major. During this time, Daisy married Tom.

Gatsby’s Love for Daisy Understanding Gatsby’s love for Daisy, transforms him into another person in Nick’s eyes. ‘He came alive to me, delivered suddenly from the womb of his purposeless splendour’. Gatsby is no longer the flashy character he had taken him for, showy with no purpose other than showiness.

Nick and Jordan Jordan is just twenty-one, but is characterised by cynicism. Nick’s involvement with her develops during this chapter. He presents himself as cold and detached, but he holds and kisses Jordan Baker. Fitzgerald contrasts the reality of an attachment of someone who is materially there for Nick with Gatsby’s elevated passion for an idealised and distant object of desire.