The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald
The history of Gatsby and Daisy
Chapter 4
Write answers to the following questions or use them as discussion points.
1) Who narrates the history of Daisy and Gatsby? Why might Fitzgerald have made this
decision?
2) Does the narration seem typical of the narrator’s character?
3) Daisy’s maiden name is ‘Fay’ which is derived from Middle English faie meaning
‘fairy.’ What might this reveal about Daisy’s character?
4) What does the nature of Daisy’s marriage, and her pre-wedding doubts, reveal about
her character?
5) How does our perception of Gatsby change after hearing this story?
6) What does this chapter reveal about Gatsby’s watching of the ‘green light’ in
Chapter 1?
7) Nick says there are only, ‘the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired.’ Which
characters do you feel fit into these categories?
8) Do we get a different impression of Nick by the end of this chapter and why?
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The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald
The history of Gatsby and Daisy
Possible answers
1) Who narrates the history of Daisy and Gatsby? Why might Fitzgerald have made this
decision?
Jordan Baker. It is more realistic – Daisy is unlikely to have the opportunity / inclination to start
talking about this to Nick himself. Also, with Jordan narrating (in a more detached way) we can
perhaps see Daisy’s behaviour more impartially than if it came from Daisy herself (especially
regarding her doubts towards the marriage). It allows Fitzgerald to contrast the characters of
Jordan and Daisy. Typically, Jordan is less romantic and more cynical. Jordan is perhaps less
involved in the story as a whole, so her detached opinion makes it easier for readers to form
their own opinions whereas Nick is perhaps less capable of this: after all, his actions later in
bringing them together ultimately lead to Gatsby’s downfall.
2) Does the narration seem typical of the narrator’s character?
Yes – she admits ‘it seemed romantic to me’ – as if she has little inclination towards warmth and
romance herself, and so far Jordan can be seen as quite a cold character. She’s quite dismissive
in her tone at points – not really engaged with the emotional turmoil the Gatsby and Daisy
relationship has involved. Talks about Tom’s affairs as if they are nothing.
3) Daisy’s maiden name is ‘Fay’ which is derived from Middle English faie meaning ‘fairy.’
What might this reveal about Daisy’s character?
Her ethereal nature – light, airy, delicate, refined, heavenly.
4) What does the nature of Daisy’s marriage, and her pre-wedding doubts, reveal about her
character?
We could see her as slightly capricious. She’s madly in love with Gatsby but then agrees to
marry Tom. She has doubts on her wedding day but then goes through with it and seems
blissfully happy. She isn’t willing to sacrifice the security and approval of her parents in order
to marry Gatsby. She does see the importance of marriage for money, society, reputation. In
fact, later on Jordan implies that she puts up with Tom’s affairs regardless because she enjoys
the lifestyle. Their relationship seems one-sided as she preens Tom’s hair adoringly.
5) How does our perception of Gatsby change after hearing this story?
We see him as a more romantic figure – forced to give up the woman he loves.
6) What does this chapter reveal about Gatsby’s watching of the ‘green light’ in Chapter 1?
He is looking at Daisy’s house – she is his (American) Dream. Green - innocence – never going to
happen in reality.
7) Nick says there are only, ‘the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired.’ Which
characters do you feel fit into these categories?
Pursuing – Gatsby, Nick (truth / closure)
Pursued – Daisy
Busy – Jordan / Tom / Party guests
Tired – Myrtle (with life) and Wilson
8) Do we get a different impression of Nick by the end of this chapter and why?
More romantic – kiss with Jordan, sense of passion and longing. By agreeing to arrange the
meeting with Gatsby and Daisy he is being led into a less moral world. He is not immune to this
(doubt narrator).
© www.teachit.co.uk 2014
21012
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