Chapter 7 Handout and review
Josh Berc, Alex heaver, Mathew Seegmuller, Mike R.
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Chapter 7 Summary
Gatsby replaced his old servants with new shady and undisciplined
servants to stop further rumors
Nick was invited to the Buchanan’s house for lunch with Jordan Backer
and Jay Gatsby
This was the hottest day of the summer
Daisy and Gatsby flirt a lot during the afternoon, making Tom suspicious
The nurse brings out Daisy’s baby daughter confirming to Gatsby that
she is real
Daisy complains about the heat and suggest that they head to town(New
York)
Nick, Jordan and Tom take Gatsby’s car while Daisy and Gatsby drive in
Tom’s old coupé
While driving to New York Tom confesses to Nick that he has looked
into Gatsby’s past and is suspicious
Tom stops at Wilsons garage to fill the car with fuel
Wilson hints that he suspects his wife of cheating and wants to move out
west
Due to the raging heat in New York the group decides to rent a suite at
the Plaza Hotel
Tensions between Gatsby and Tom rise when Tom comments on
Gatsby’s favorite phase “old sport”
Further tension arises when Tom questions Gatsby’s time in Oxford
University
Soon after the Oxford question arose, Tom snapped and openly
questions Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship
This sprung a debate between Tom and Gatsby over Daisy
During the argument Tom brings up that Gatsby is a bootlegger
At this point Daisy has mix feelings and admits she has loved Tom and
she also loves Gatsby
At the end of the night Tom is confident he knows Daisy well enough,
insisting that Daisy rides with Gatsby home
At the end of the arguments, Nick realizes that today was his 30th
birthday
- Soon after everyone leaves the suite, Myrtle falls victim to a car accident
outside of Wilsons garage
- Myrtles lifeless body lays on the road while the driver speeds away
- By the time Tom ,Nick and Jordan arrive, a police investigation is
already underway
- Tom arrives home with Nick and Jordan suspecting that it was Gatsby
who killed Myrtle
- While Nick is waiting for his taxi at the Buchanan’s house, Gatsby pops
out of the bush
- Gatsby explains it was Daisy that had ran over Myrtle but he would
gladly take the blame for it
- Gatsby further explains he is waiting outside their house because he
fears Tom might attack Daisy for the accident
Figurative Language
Simile - “Daisy and Jordan lay upon an enormous couch like silver idols
weighing down their own white dresses against the ringing breezes of the fan”
(Pg. 110)
This quote compares Daisy and Jordan’s easy, expensive lifestyle to
being like precious silver idols. With their incredible wealth and relaxed lives
they are able to lie about and expect to be valued like idols, waiting for
everyone to serve them.
Fitzgerald uses this simile to develop the one of the themes in his book
and the lifestyle of the “roaring twenties”. That theme is the carefree lifestyle
of the “rich”.
Descriptive language - “There is no confusion of a simple mind, and as we
drove away Tom was feeling the hot whips of panic. His wife and his mistress,
until an hour ago secure and inviolate, were slipping precipitately from his
control.” (Pg. 119)
F. Scott Fitzgerald uses descriptive language to explain the realization
that Tom’s world is falling apart. Both his wife and his mistress are falling
from his grasp and he feels the “hot panic” of that. So much of the “The Great
Gatsby” revolves around deceit and lies. When these falsehoods are revealed,
like Tom’s sudden awareness that his world is falling apart, w are able to see
the true feelings on the characters.
Simile - “The whole caravansary had fallen in like a card house at the
disapproval of her eyes.” (Pg. 109)
This simile helps to explain the ‘caravan’ of people, the “hangers-on”,
who enjoyed Gatsby’s home. But when the parties stopped, the scene
collapsed, like a house made of playing cards. There was no foundation to
Gatsby’s world. The collapse of Gatsby’s world was also tragic to Daisy and it
met with disapproval in her eyes. There would be no more grand parties for
her and this shows how shallow her character is, as she is just living for the
moment.
Personification – “She’s got an indiscreet voice, I remarked, It’s full of ----“I
hesitated. “Her voice is full of money.” (Pg. 115)
Gatsby describes Daisy’s life as being so incredibly carefree and easy.
She has so much wealth that even her voice reflects her materialistic nature.
Daisy’s language is the language of the privileged. This one quote helps the
reader truly understand Daisy and her character. She is wealthy beyond belief
and her voice has a “jingle”, a jingle like money.
Repetition – “Hot, said the conductor to familiar faces. Some weather! Hot…
hot… hot is it hot enough for you? Is it hot? Is it…? (Pg. 109)
The purpose of the conductor’s use of repetition helps the reader to
understand the magnitude of the heat during that day. By saying the word
over and over again, the reader can imagine the heat on the train.
One of the themes in chapter 7 is the oppressive heat and the heat of that day
eventually leads to the tragic death of Myrtle Wilson. If it weren’t for the
insistence of Daisy wanting to go to the city, on that hot, hot day, the events
wouldn’t have unfolded as they did.
Dominant Critical Theory
The dominant critical theory in chapter seven is “feminism” and how the
traditional role of females was changing during the “roaring twenties”. The
1920’s were an era where women, in many cases, depending on their wealth,
were treated equally and they generally enjoyed their newfound freedom.
Traditionally, women or wives stayed home, prepared meals and essentially
were the “homemakers”. These were some of the traditional stereotypes of
that era. In The Great Gatsby, however, this role changed. Women were now
free to attend parties, drink, smoke and even drive cars, roles that before were
usually forbidden.
In chapter seven we see three different versions of the “new woman”, in Daisy
Buchanan, Jordan Baker, and Myrtle Wilson. The “new woman” could be seen
as someone breaking free of the stereotypes of that day and striving to
achieve some level of equality with men. One of the first examples of “the new
woman” is when we finally meet Daisy’s daughter, Pammy. Rather than care
and “parent” her young child, Daisy has a nanny do the work (pg.112). Social
power, one of the essential ideals of new feminism, provides Daisy with
enough wealth and money to ignore her responsibility as a mother. Daisy
would rather spend time with her friends, like Gatsby and Nick, and go to
town for parties. Through these behaviours Daisy demonstrates more of the
“new woman” lifestyle. Another example is when she leaves the party and
drives home after she had been drinking. Unfortunately, this results in the
tragic death of Myrtle Wilson. (Pg. 137)
Jordan Baker is a classic example of the “new woman”. She is
consistently portrayed as carefree and relaxed; “Daisy and Jordan lay upon the
couch like silver idols” (pg. 110). She is “dependent”, living on the generosity
of the Buchanan’s. In fact, her behaviour may be considered as “sponging” or
“parasitic”. Other than golf and her interest in Nick, she doesn’t seem to have
any cares or worries in the world. Jordan enjoys her role as a “new woman”.
However, even with her new “social power”, as a professional athlete she is in
many ways still dependent on the men in her life, such as Gatsby, Nick and
Tom.
Finally, Myrtle Wilson’s is a tragic example of the “new woman” and her
behaviours ultimately lead to her death. She has no problem engaging in an
affair with Tom Buchanan and deceiving her husband. She also enjoys the
lifestyle of the “rich” but is unable to live that with her husband.
Unfortunately, when she mistakenly sees Tom driving into town with, who she
thought was Daisy, she becomes “enraged with jealousy” (pg. 119). Myrtle
actually exhibits some stereotypically feminine behaviour, jealousy and
adultery, that don’t align with the “new woman” ideals. This is significant from
a “feminist” perspective because she used and victimized in her goal to be
equal to Daisy. In the end, it’s ironic that the car driven by Daisy kills Myrtle.
Feminism is defined as the “theory advancing the political, economic,
and social equality of the sexes (Mariam –Webster). In the “roaring twenties”,
this movement certainly provided women with privileges, behaviours and
opportunities never before available. For some women, this was an era of
opportunity and growth in the movement towards “equality”. Unfortunately,
in The Great Gatsby, the “new woman” ideal exposed tragic flaws in the
personalities of Daisy and Myrtle.
Relationships
Quotations
“As he left the room again she got up and went over to Gatsby and pulled
his face down, kissing him on the mouth.”(P.111)
This quote illustrates the start of an adulterous relationship between
Daisy and Gatsby. This illustrates Daisy’s uncontrollable desire for Gatsby as
her husband has just left the room. This also shows that Daisy is unconcerned
about the consequences of her actions and the risks she is willing to take to be
with Gatsby
“She’s not leaving me! Tom’s words suddenly down over Gatsby.” (P. 127)
This quote represents the one-sided relationship between Tom and
Daisy. Tom believes he is the dominant figure in the relationship and doesn’t
believe that Daisy will leave him. In this quote Tom is also telling Gatsby that
he truly believes that Daisy will not leave him and Gatsby is only wasting his
time with Daisy
Character
“I’ve made a small investigation of this fellow, he continued. I could have
gone deeper if I’d known”
(P. 116)
This quote highlights Tom’s suspicions of Gatsby’s integrity as he is
engaged in a full background check of Gatsby. For example Tom suspects that
Gatsby is a bootlegger and believes that Gatsby is not telling the truth about
who he really is.
“Beat me? He heard her cry. Throw me down and beat me, you dirty little
coward!” (P. 130)
This quote could be interpreted in different ways. One way to interpret
this is Myrtle has told her husband about her affair with Tom and is
challenging his authority. Myrtle is desperately trying to improve her situation
and hence her relationship with Tom. She is explaining that no matter what he
may do whether it may be violent; her mind is set in stone and will not be
changed.
Theme development
“Wait a minute, snapped Tom, I want to ask Mr Gatsby one more question.
Go on, Gatsby said politely. What kind of a row are you trying to cause in
my house anyhow?” (P. 123)
This uneasy bickering between Tom and Gatsby illustrates the
underlining tensions and mistrust between the two individuals. Tom suspects
that Gatsby isn’t necessarily the man who he claims to be. This together with
Tom’s suspicions with Gatsby’s affair with his wife Daisy fuels the conflict
between the two men. This conflict is further supported by Tom investigation
into Gatsby’s past.
“Was Daisy driving? Yes, he said after a moment, but of course I’ll say I
was.”(P. 137)
To save Daisy from the consequences from running over Myrtle, Gatsby
expresses his true love for Daisy by taking the blame for her actions. One does
not take such radical steps unless one has the undying love for such a person,
Irrespective of the consequences.
Vocabulary
Veranda: A large, open porch, usually roofed and partly enclosed, as by a
railing, often extending across the front sides of a house; gallery.
“I went with them out to the veranda.”(112)
Mistress: A women who has authority, control, or power, especially the female
head of the household, institution, or other establishment.
“His wife and his mistress, until an hour ago secure and inviolate, were
slipping precipitately from his control.” (119)
Julep: A sweet drink, variously prepared and sometimes medicated.
“Call up an order of some ice for the mint julep.’” (121)
Portentous: (Adjective) Of the nature of a portent; momentous.
“As Tom took up the receiver the compressed heat exploded into sound and
we were listening to the portentous chords of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March
from the ballroom below.” (121)
Vicariously: Taking the place of another person or thing; acting or serving as a
substitute.
“At this point Jordan and I tried to go, but Tom and Gatsby insisted with
competitive firmness that we remain – as though neither of them had
anything to conceal and it would be a privilege to partake vicariously of their
emotions.” (124)
Chapter Questions
1.The change that was made in Gatsby’s house was that all of the workers had
been fired. Gatsby told Nick that daisy comes over a lot and he does not want
anyone to start spreading rumours.
2.Fitzgerald uses pathetic fallacy in the quote “The next day was broiling,
almost the last, certainly the warmest, of the summer” (109). Pathetic fallacy
is used to connect the weather to the mood of the story. In this chapter, the
mood is very heated because of the arguments that occur.
4. Gatsby is upset when he finds out about Daisy’s kid. When seeing the child
for the first time, Gatsby tries to hide his displeasure. Gatsby isn’t happy about
Pammy because he never really believed in her existence before. Gatsby did
not want to believe the fact that Daisy had a kid with someone else.
8. The important detail that had been cleared up outside of the Buchanan’s
mansion was that Daisy was driving the car when they hit Ms. Baker.
Works Cited
Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the
Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2013.
<http://dictionary.reference.com/>.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. London: Penguin Books, 1950. Print.