The Great Gatsby Chapter 6

Question #1 What was Gatsby’s real name? James Gatz Why and when had he changed it? When he met Dan Cody, he changed his name. It sounded “richer” and more romantic. He cut ties with the past.

Question #2 In what ways was Dan Cody involved in Gatsby’s destiny? Cody was a millionaire who became Gatsby’s mentor.

Question #3 Why does Tom attend Gatsby’s party? He attends because Daisy intends to go. How does this scene reveal the contrast between Gatsby and Tom? Tom makes fun of Gatsby and points out the vulgarity of Gatsby’s possessions. The scene underscores that Gatsby and Tom are of vastly different social classes.

Question #4 What is deeply ironic about Tom’s statement, “…I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me”? Tom clearly believes in a double standard since he is having an affair with Myrtle and the implication is that he has had affairs in the past.

Question #5 What suspicions does Tom have about Gatsby? He suspects that Gatsby is involved in something illegal. What does he vow to do? He vows to investigate and find out the truth.

Question #6 What is Gatsby expecting of Daisy that prompts Nick to warn him, “I wouldn’t ask too much of her … You can’t repeat the past”? Gatsby expects things to be exactly as they were five years earlier, which is now impossible.

Chapter 6 This chapter focuses on the past – the story of Gatsby’s life before he met Daisy.

Just the Facts? Born James Gatz, the son of a North Dakota farmer Went to St. Olaf College, a small Lutheran school in Minnesota Left after 2 weeks – he was humiliated by the janitor’s job he was given to pay room and board.

Just the Facts? Worked as a clam digger and salmon fisher in Lake Superior Meets Dan Cody who is impressed with him and hires him as a steward on his yacht Later he was mate, skipper, and finally personal secretary (the birth of Jay Gatsby)

Just the Facts? Sails with Dan Cody to the West Indies and the Barbary Coast Learns to avoid alcohol Learns what the “good life” can be Cody dies and his mistress steals Gatsby’s share of his “inheritance.” Gatsby is penniless but he has his “education.”

Time Shift It’s later in the summer. Nick hasn’t seen Gatsby for several weeks. Nick drops by Gatsby’s house and finds Tom Buchanan there – the tension between the two men is strong. Gatsby invites Tom and the Sloans to dinner.

The Sloans Mrs. Sloan is giving a dinner party herself and invites Nick and Gatsby to join them; Nick refuses. Gatsby accepts – a breach of etiquette. The invitation was just a polite gesture. Gatsby lacks the social grace to know this. He does anything to be with Daisy.

Tom Tom is offended by Gatsby’s poor taste and doesn’t like the idea that Daisy has been coming to Gatsby’s house without him. Tom has a double standard – he can do anything he wants.

Snobbery East Eggers turn up their noses at someone as unrefined as Gatsby. Tom agrees to come to Gatsby’s the following Saturday. He seems to be acting out of a mixture of jealousy and curiosity.

An Evening at Gatsby’s The rest of the chapter describes a second evening at Gatsby’s – seen through Daisy’s eyes. The mood is very different. Neither Nick nor Daisy has a good time.

The Argument Tom and Daisy argue. Tom is increasingly suspicious of Gatsby and where he gets his money. He tells Daisy that Gatsby is a bootlegger.

Final Scene Chapter 6 ends with a scene between Gatsby and Nick. Gatsby is sad because Daisy didn’t have a good time. Gatsby wants to obliterate the five years since he last saw Daisy – if only there were no Tom – no daughter – life could be perfect – like Louisville in 1917.