The Great Gatsby
Chapter Four
Summary:
The beginning of this chapter is merely a guest list that Nick has compiled from Gatsby's summer parties. See List There is a conscious distinction between the "East Eggers" and "West Eggers." The names alone give an indication of the status of "East Eggers" versus "West Eggers." As the action in the chapter starts, Gatsby calls on Nick for the first time. He picks him up in his luxurious car and insists they go into the city for lunch. During the drive, Gatsby takes it upon himself to clear up any misconceptions Nick may have had about his past. Throughout the chapter, there is a feeling of suspense about Gatsby's purpose for their excursion. He shows Nick various objects of importance and, although initially incredulous, Nick seems to believe Gatsby's version of his life story when it is validated by a policeman who starts to pull them over but retreats when he realizes who the driver is. In the city they meet Wolfshiem, a friend of Gatsby, who is a gambler and is rumored to have "fixed" the World Series in 1919. After a colorful lunchtime conversation, during which Nick introduces Gatsby and Wolfshiem to Tom Buchanan, Gatsby mysteriously disappears. At this point there is an abrupt switch to a narration by Jordan Baker. It is a flashback to 1917, her youth in Louisville. This flashback is instrumental in showing Daisy's brief lapse in blissfulness. She is the most sought after girl in Louisville. Jordan remembers a man named Gatsby who was particularly enamored with Daisy. However, after an incident, which kept her away from military men, she marries Tom Buchanan. Jordan recounts a story about the day before Daisy's wedding; she is drunk and tells Jordan to tell the guests that she has changed her mind and does not want to get married. However, after sobering up, she happily marries Tom and seems to be more than content as a newlywed. After this explanation of Daisy's life, Jordan reveals Gatsby's request for Nick. He would like to meet with Daisy at Nick's home.
Characters:
Jay Gatsby
Nick Carraway
Meyer Wolfshiem
Tom Buchanan
Jordan Baker
Wolfshiem is the only new character in Chapter Four (with the exception of those on the guest list). He is a shady character and seems to be a business connection of Gatsby's. He is introduced to suggest that Gatsby may also be involved in certain unlawful practices. It is mentioned that he is Jewish and has a distinctive nose. From the lunchtime conversation it is obvious that he has a wealth of experiences and unusual anecdotes.
Symbols:
The Valley of Ashes
On their way into the city, Gatsby and Nick drive through the Valley of Ashes. Throughout the novel it symbolizes death. In this instance, they see Mrs. Wilson (Tom Buchanan's mistress), "...straining at the garage pump with straining vitality..." (72). This foreshadows her death.
This magazine cover accurately
depicts the "flapper lifestyle."
Fitzgerald and his wife
Setting:
The chapter takes place one morning in July, and as the day progresses Gatsby and Nick leave West Egg to drive into the city (N.Y.C.) in Gatsby's car. Once there, they have lunch in a "well-fanned Forty-second Street cellar." After Jordan enters the chapter, she and Nick drive through Central Park in a Victoria. One indication of the time period in this chapter is when Jordan and Nick hear the girls singing:
"I'm the Sheik of Araby,
Your love belongs to me.
At night when you're asleep,
Into your tent I'll creep--" (83)
These are lyrics from the "Sheik of Araby," a popular song of the 1920s. Listen to the "Sheik of Araby."
Yet another cover. Notice the "Discontinued" stamped across the top.
Quotations
"The very phrases were worn so threadbare that they evoked no image except that of a turbaned 'character' leaking sawdust at every pore as he pursued a tiger through the Bois de Boulogne" (70).
This comment made by Nick contributes to the growing speculation about the real past of Jay Gatsby. It seems that he has been telling the same story with the same phrases for so long that he has begun to believe them himself.
"Even Gatsby could happen, without any particular wonder" (73).
Here Nick is commenting on the possibilities in the city; he likens the most unpredictable possibility to Gatsby.
" 'Four of them were electrocuted,' I said, remembering.
'Five with Becker.' His nostrils turned to me in an interested way. 'I understand you're looking for a business gonnegtion.'
The juxtaposition of these two remarks was startling. Gatsby answered for me.
'Oh, no,' he exclaimed, 'this isn't the man!'
'No?' Mr. Wolfshiem seemed disappointed.
'This is just a friend. I told you we'd talk about that some other time.'
'I beg your pardon,' said Mr. Wolfshiem. 'I had a wrong man.' " (75).
This strange conversation takes place in the Forty-second Street cellar where Gatsby, Nick, and Wolfshiem meet for lunch. The seemingly awkward interchange foreshadows the questioning of Gatsby's integrity as well as the source of his wealth.
Thematic Elements:
Portrayal of Women: There are several examples in this chapter of the stereotypical woman of the Twenties. In the all important "guest list," often times there is mention of a female guest, but no acknowledgment of her name or position other than in relation to the man she appears with. This is the case with Benny McClenahan.
"Benny McClenahan arrived always with four girls. They were never quite the same ones in physical person but they were so identical one with another that it inevitably seemed they had been there before. I have forgotten their names--Jacqueline, i think, or else Consuela or Gloria or Judy or June, and their last names were either the melodious names of flowers and months or the sterner ones of the great American capitalists whose cousins , if pressed, they would confess themselves to be" (67).
Go to Chapter Five of The Great Gatsby
Page last updated on May 26,1999.
Curator: Kristin White