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In chapter 4, Gatsby drives up to Nick's front door and tells him that they are having lunch together. Nick thinks about all the times they've talked in the last month and realizes that Gatsby does not talk much, so he is not sure if this is a good idea. Gatsby starts to explain his background, that he is the son of a wealthy family that has all died, and that he went to Oxford. Nick recognizes that Gatsby hurried the phrase "educated at Oxford," and now realizes why Jordan doubted his education there. tsby describes that he has moved to many different coutries, and has tried to have fun in order to forget a sad past. My question is, what is this sad time that Gatsby is trying to forget?
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 4, we learn about Gastby's past from Gatsby himself. Gatsby tells Nick that he is from San Francisco, that his family was rich, and that he had attended Oxford along with the rest of his family. However, Nick is suspicious when Gatsby is quick to tell him that he studied at Oxford something that Jordan highly doubted. Nick is shown a picture by Gatsby of proof that he was at Oxford and this seems to make Nick believe that Gatsby is telling the truth. Nick also learns that Gastby went to Europe after his parents died. Gastby is eventually pulled over by a cop but is free to go after he shows the cop a piece of paper. Towards the end Gatsby asks Nick to do him a favor and talk to Jordan and discuss a matter.My question is, what could Gatsby want Nick to discuss with Jordan that Gatsby himself cannot talk to Jordan about?
ReplyDeleteAs Jake and Lena said that we learn about Gatsby’s past. I think that the thing that might haunt Gatsby is the war. At the party in chapter three, we learn that there are many mysteries about Gatsby during the war. This could be what he is trying to hide. One of the girls at the party said that they thought Gatsby had killed someone and the other girl thought that Gatsby was a German spy. Gatsby might be trying to hide what he did in the war and trying to forget the things the haunt him from the war. Maybe he is being affected by what went on in the war and this is the past he wants to forget.
ReplyDeleteThis chapter seems to increase the mystery surrounding Gatsby by delving into his past. The more we learn about him, the more confusing his character becomes to both us and Nick. As the chapter progresses, thing begin to be clarified, and we can begin to understand Gatsby's motivations and reasons for doing things. Daisy seems to be Gatsby's motivating force in the novel. He has followed her to Long Island and bought a mansion next to hers all in hopes of winning her back from Tom. Things from previous chapters start to make sense as we realize what Gatsby was really after all along. My question is why did he give up his whole life to pursue Daisy, who was already married?
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter, Nick begins by making a list of all the wealthy and powerful people who attend Gatsby's parties in the summer. We also learn more about Gatsby, though there are a few discrepancies in his story about himself. For example, Gatsby says he's from the Midwest, specifically San Francisco. Gatsby also demonstrates an authority over the police, because of the outcome of when he was pulled over. He flashes the commissioners’ Christmas card and the officer leaves right away. My question is what is the relevance of the list of people?
ReplyDeleteIt is clear that this chapter goes into Gatsby's past. When reading this chapter, I thought since when is San Francisco in the Midwest? I'm pretty sure it isn't. Also, I found it really odd that Nick began making a list of the people who attended the parties. I felt while reading it like I was kind of reading those parts of the Bible where there is a long list of names and it tells you the families. That one part you tend to skip. I think Nick might have made the list to get to know Gatsby. By knowing people who know Gatsby you can figure him out I guess. I have another thought on it, but that would perhaps ruin the ending of the book. I also agree with the statement that the war is the past he wants to forget.
ReplyDeleteChris, I think that you got it right by saying that gatsby wanted to win daisy away from Tom. At the time when gatsby first met daisy, he was young and in love, and would have probably given up his life for her. Now that they have both gotten older, daisy got married, but gatsby seems like he is still living like he did when he first met daisy. This could be the reason why he devoted his life towards living near daisy, and constantly imagining that him and her were still together. What I want to know, is if mostly everything that gatsby does is to get closer to daisy, then what is the purpose of the parties, if daisy is rarely at them.
ReplyDeleteChris, Gatsby didn't give up on Daisy because he knew that he had a chance of winning her back. Daisy seems to be drawn to the wealthy lifestyle and rich husbands are a necessity of such an extravagant life. Gatsby had the money and a past with her that he believes was true love, so he has just as good of a chance as Tom does. Maybe his past is just seemingly insignificant, but I can't help but think that it has all been a plan that he has laid out. Gatsby knows that people talk about him, as he is a mysterious figure. He also invites people of high status to his parties; people that Daisy would be drawn too. Maybe his plan is that inevitably Daisy would hear something about Gatsby and be drawn back to him to see for herself, where she could then be swept off of her feet by Jay Gatsby, himself. Sure, Tom is in the way, but why doesn't Gatsby just go after her himself if he is so dedicated?
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 4, Nick and Gatsby spend a lot of time together. They go out for lunch and on the way there, Nick kept thinking about all the things people said about Gatsby at his party. Everyone thinks he is mysterious. Gatsby obviously still has feelings for Daisy. Is Gatsby being nice to Nick just to get to Daisy? Why does Gatsby think that he can have a relationship with Daisy, if his whole life is just one big mystery or lie? Does Daisy have the power to change him into who he really is?
ReplyDelete-Gracie
I believe that Gatsby is just being nice to Nick because of Daisy. He knows that Nick knows Daisy and therefore he sees an opportunity to see Daisy again. He wants everything to go perfect and starts being not so nice to Nick in order to impress Daisy. Not flat out being mean, but for instance he suggests that Nick gets his grass cut, which is a bit of an insult. He obviously cares mroe about Daisy then he does about Nick, so I do believe that Gatsby is just being nice to Nick in order to see Daisy. My question is, why does he need Nick, why doesnt he just invite Nick himself?
ReplyDeleteDaisy*
ReplyDeleteThis chapter is important because it is where we learn about Jay Gatsby "past". Also, Nick begins to learn that Gatsby may not have attained his fortune through the most honest of means. This is illustrated through the luncheon held between Jay and Nick, and Jay's friend, Mr. Wolfshiem. Nick learns that Mr. Wolfshiem fixed the World Series, thus leading him to believe that Gatsby was not the most honest of characters. In contrast to what Nick believes, Jordan tells the story of how he was a soldier who was just trying to regain his past love. Due to this, Nick is yet again confused and befuddled as to who Jay Gatsby really is.
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