Chapter 8
1. At the beginning of the chapter, the story is interrupted at its most dramatic point.
What is the author’s purpose in breaking the story here?
They referred back to the story of Dan Cody and how Daisy was the first nice girl that
Gatsby had ever known. It fills in more gaps on Daisy and Gatsby’s relationship.
2. What had prompted Gatsby to talk freely to Nick now, when he was unwilling to do
so in the past?
Tom had broken Gatsby down with his mean natured accusations. The idea of
Gatsby was shattered and the true James Gatz comes out. Gatsby isn’t trying to
hide anything anymore because he realizes that his dream of Daisy is slipping
through his fingers. Nick also knows that Gatsby was not guilty of the murder.
3. What further information do we learn about Gatsby?
Gatsby loved Daisy for superficial reasons (not as a person). We learn about how
Daisy dealt with Gatsby’s leaving and how she moved on. We learned how
Gatsby tried to go back to Daisy but he had gone to school at Oxford instead. We
also learn that even after Gatsby learns of Daisy’s marriage he returns to
Louisville to try to find her. He took what he could get ravenously and
unscrupulously of Daisy by giving her a false sense of security and led her to
believe that he had a similar upbringing. He didn’t really plan on falling in love
with her but he committed himself to following the Holy Grail.
4. As Nick leaves Gatsby the morning after the accident, he remarks, “They’re a
rotten crowd.” Enumerate the people “they” refers to. Why are they “rotten”?
“They” refers to Tom, Daisy, and Jordan, but more broadly it relates to the elite
class. They are “rotten” because they are corrupt and only care about
themselves and their status.
5. What is the compliment that Nick pays to Gatsby? Why does Nick feel compelled to
commend Gatsby?
Nick says, “You’re worth a whole damn bunch.” Gatsby gives him a radiant and
understanding smile (p.154). He feels the need to tell him this because Gatsby
held on to his eternal hope for Daisy through everything. Nick may have had this
foreboding feeling to say that to Gatsby.
6. Explain Nick’s meaning when he balances Gatsby’s supposed “corruption” against
his “incorruptible dream”.
Gatsby received his money through illegal means, but his dream of Daisy was
incorruptible (couldn’t be damaged). His corruption, all the rumors of all the bad
things he had done to gain his wealth were Gatsby’s means to an end.
(Incorruptible dream) his eternal hope for love with Daisy
7. How does Wilson view the “eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg”? Does Wilson’s statement
have a symbolic level for the novel as a whole? Explain.
Wilson is deranged (confused) and views the “eyes of T.J. Eckleberg” as the
eyes of God that sees everything. Throughout the course of the novel, this idea
has been alluded to. Owl eyes has glasses too, and sees many things that most
people do not.
8. Trace the movements of Gatsby and Wilson at the end of Chapter 8. What Nick’s
meaning when he says, “. . . the holocaust was complete”?
The elite class caused a massacre of all those in the novel that were not part of
their “entitled society.” George killed Gatsby then himself. No witnesses are left
who will tell what actually happened.