“The Great Gatsby”
Chapter 4 – Group Discussion
Learning Intention:
To understand the context of Gatsby’s dream.
In your groups answer the following question, picking out
quotes as evidence for your observations:
What do you learn about Gatsby’s past and expectations
for the future in Chapter 4.
What does this tell us about his character?
Past:
In his own words:
“’I am the son of some wealthy people in the Middle West – all dead now. I was
brought up in America but educated at Oxford...’
He looked at me sideways...He hurried the phrase ‘educated at Oxford’ as
though it had bothered him before. And with this doubt, his whole statement
fell to pieces...”

Gatsby paints a picture of “old money”. However, we suspect he may
be lying – a suspicion confirmed later in the novel.

“San Francisco” is on the west coast, NOT the Middle West. This is
a clear signal that Gatsby is being dishonest.
“I lived like a young rajah in all the capitals of Europe – Paris, Venice,
Rome – collecting jewels, chiefly rubies, hunting big game, painting a little,
things for myself only, and trying to forget something very sad that had
happened to me long ago.”
Nick responds with “incredulous laughter”.

The hyperbolic history related by Gatsby is beyond belief – like a
boys’ adventure story with an enigmatic emotional heart.
Gatsby also mentions a distinguished military career: “I was promoted to be a
major and every Allied government gave me a decoration.”
The souvenirs act as props, providing evidence of his story and convince Nick of
his authenticity. However, they are unusual articles to always carry around and
suggest he is aware his story is likely to be disbelieved.
Meyer Wolfsheim:
The character of Wolfsheim hints at Gatsby’s connection to crime. On first
meeting him, Wolfsheim reminisces about a gangster friend who was killed and
immediately follows this by assuming Nick is looking to do business with him.
“The juxtaposition of these two remarks was startling. Gatsby answered for
me.”

Gatsby and Wolfsheim are obviously close. Wolfsheim is heavily
suggested to be a gangster which casts suspicion on Gatsby’s position
in society and background.
Gatsby later openly admits Wolfsheim was involved with the fixing of the World
Series – a reference to a real life scandal that shocked America due to
baseball’s position as the national pastime.
Meeting with Tom
When Nick introduces Gatsby to Tom “a strained, unfamiliar look of
embarrassment came over Gatsby’s face.” He later vanishes.

The author hints at something in Gatsby’s past making this meeting
intolerable.
Jordan Baker’s Story:
Daisy “was just eighteen...and by far the most popular of all the young girls in
Louisville...all day long the telephone rang in her house and excited young
officers from Camp Taylor demanded the privilege of monopolising her that
night.”

Daisy is a part of high society and used to romantic attention.
“The office looked at Daisy while she was speaking in a way that every young
girl wants to be looked at some time...His name was Jay Gatsby...”
She attempts to see Gatsby before he goes to Europe but ends up marrying the
wealthy Tom – although she obviously still loves Gatsby.

Tom’s courtship of Daisy involves gifts like “a string of pearls valued
at three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”

Although she attempts to return these pearls she goes through with
the wedding.
Expectations for the future:
“’Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.’
Then it had not been merely the stars to which he had aspired on that
June night. He came alive to me, delivered suddenly from the womb of his
purposeless splendour.”

Gatsby has engineered a situation where he is likely to meet Daisy
again. He has bought this house to be close to her and as a sign of
his wealth (it is important for him to show that he has the financial
status a girl like her would look for). The parties were his attempt
to bump into her informally.

At this moment the metaphor “delivered suddenly from the womb...”
marks the beginning of Nick’s opinion of Gatsby altering. He
understands now that Gatsby has more to him than superficial
extravagance.