Nick describes Gatsby's funeral two years after Gatsby's death. After the murder, reporters and journalists came to the mansion. Wild stories, more exaggerated then the rumors about Gatsby at his parties went around about Gatsby's relationship to Myrtle and Wilson. Nick has a large funeral for Gatsby thinking that that is what he would have wanted, but all his friends disappeared like Tom and Daisy who moved away, or like Meyer Wolfshiem and Klipspringer, the pianist. The only people who attended the funeral were Nick, Owl Eyes, a few servants, and Gatsby's father, Henry C. Gatz, who came all the way from Minnesota. Henry Gatz is very proud of his son and takes a picture of the mansion. Also, he fills Nick in on Gatsby's early life by showing him a book in which young Gatsby wrote a schedule for self-improvement.
Nick decides to move back to the Midwest because he was sick of the East and its empty values. He breaks up with Jordan who suddenly has become engaged to another man. Just before he leaves, Nick comes across Tom in New York City. At first Nick refuses to shake Tom's hand, but eventually accepts. Tom tells Nick that he was the one who informed Wilson that Gatsby owned the car that killed Myrtle, and describes how much he suffered when he had to give up his apartment he kept in the city for his affair. He says that Gatsby deserved to die. Nick comes to the conclusion that Tom and Daisy are careless people and that they destroy people and things, knowing that their money will protect them from any negative consequences. Nick believes that all of the events occurred because Jordan, Tom, Daisy, and himself were all from the West and the East's fast and lurid lifestyle shaped everything that happened. Nick thinks that the East is distorted in comparison to the West.
On the last night in the East, Nick goes over to Gatsby's abandoned mansion and erases an obscene word off the steps. Nick then lays on the beach and looks up. As the moon rises, Nick pictures the island without any houses and thinks about what it looked like to explorers who discovered the New World. He compares Daisy to America and says that America was once a goal for dreamers; just as Daisy was for Gatsby. Gatsby's wealth and success was so close to the American dream, but he failed to realize that his dream had ended and his goals became hollow and empty. Nick believes that people everywhere are motivated by the same dreams as Gatsby was. Nick pictures this struggle as boats going against a strong current that unwillingly brings them back into the past.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Chapter 8
After the long day, Nick goes home to a sleepless night. Before sunrise, Nick goes to Gatsby's house and Gatsby tells him how he waited until four in the morning and that nothing happened. Tom didn't try to hurt her, and Daisy did not come outside. Nick tells Gatsby that he should leave Long Island and forget about Daisy, but Gatsby refuses. Gatsby then tells Nick about himself and Daisy in Louisville in 1917. He tells Nick that he loved her for her youth, social position, wealth, and popularity. He tells Nick that Daisy is the first girl to who he felt do close that he had to lie about who he was to make her think he was worthy of her. Next, Gatsby tells Nick that he and Daisy made love and he felt that he was married to her. Daisy promised him that she would wait for him after the war, but she married Tom. The gardener then interrupts and tells Gatsby that he plans to drain the pool, but Gatsby tells him to wait a day because he wishes to go for a swim, even though he has never used the pool before. Nick then realizes he is very late for work, but just before he leaves he yells to Gatsby that he is worth more than the Buchanans and all of their friends.
NIck goes into work, but can't focus and he even refuses to meet Jordan for a date. It then goes on to discuss what happened at the garage after Myrtle's death; Michaelis told Nick what happened. George Wilson stayed up all night talking to Michaelis about Myrtle. He tells him that before she died he confronted Myrtle about her lover. The next morning the eyes from the sign overwhelm Wilson and he thinks that they are the eyes of God. He comes to the conclusion that whoever hit Myrtle was her lover. He then jumps to the radical conclusion that God demands revenge and leaves to track down who hit Myrtle. Wilson goes to Tom because he knows Tom is familiar with the cars owner because he saw Tom driving it earlier that day, but knows it wasn't him who hit her since he arrived at the accident later. Wilson eventually goes to Gatsby's house where he is floating in the pool looking up at the sky. Wilson then shoots Gatsby, killing him, then proceeds to shoot himself. Nick then hurries back to West Egg to find Gatsby dead in his pool. Nick imagines Gatsby's final thoughts, and the emptiness of his life without Daisy.
NIck goes into work, but can't focus and he even refuses to meet Jordan for a date. It then goes on to discuss what happened at the garage after Myrtle's death; Michaelis told Nick what happened. George Wilson stayed up all night talking to Michaelis about Myrtle. He tells him that before she died he confronted Myrtle about her lover. The next morning the eyes from the sign overwhelm Wilson and he thinks that they are the eyes of God. He comes to the conclusion that whoever hit Myrtle was her lover. He then jumps to the radical conclusion that God demands revenge and leaves to track down who hit Myrtle. Wilson goes to Tom because he knows Tom is familiar with the cars owner because he saw Tom driving it earlier that day, but knows it wasn't him who hit her since he arrived at the accident later. Wilson eventually goes to Gatsby's house where he is floating in the pool looking up at the sky. Wilson then shoots Gatsby, killing him, then proceeds to shoot himself. Nick then hurries back to West Egg to find Gatsby dead in his pool. Nick imagines Gatsby's final thoughts, and the emptiness of his life without Daisy.
Chapter 7
Gatsby calls off all his parties because he is too preoccupied by his love for Daisy; the parties were just used to get Daisy's attention anyways. Also, to prevent gossip Gatsby fired his servants and hired sketchy people connected with Meyer Wolfshiem. One day in summer, Nick goes to East Egg for lunch at Tom and Daisy's home. When he arrives Jordan and Gatsby are both there. The nurse then brings in Daisy's baby girl, and Gatsby is stunned and can't believe the child is real because of the lack of interest Daisy has in her child. Gatsby and Daisy cannot hide their love for one another, so Daisy asks Gatsby to go into the city together. As Gatsby passionately looks at her, he is now positive of their feelings for one another. Tom suddenly suggests that they should all go together. They take two cars; Nick rides with Jordan and Tom in Gatsby's car and Gatsby and Daisy go in Tom's car. When they stop for gas at Wilson's garage, Tom, Nick, and Jordan learn that Wilson has discovered his wife is cheating, but he is unaware of who it is with. Wilson plans to move her west and at this moment Nick realizes that Tom and Wilson are in the same situation.
In the incredible New York City heat, the group decides to get a suite at the Plaza Hotel. Tom begins his plan to confront Gatsby by mocking his habit of calling everyone "old sport." He accuses Gatsby of laying about his attendance at Oxford. Gatsby tells them that he did in fact attend Oxford, for five months after the war in an army program. Tom then asks Gatsby what his intentions are for Daisy and Gatsby tells him that Daisy loves him, not Tom. Tom then says that him and Daisy have a history that Gatsby and her couldn't understand and then Tom accuses Gatsby of bootlegging. Daisy finds her self moving closer and closer to Tom as she watches the fight. Once Tom realizes he has beat Gatsby he sends Daisy back to Long Island with Gatsby to prove the Gatsby cannot hurt him. As the fight ends, Nick realizes that it is his thirtieth birthday.
On the ride back to Long Island, Nick, Tom, and Jordan come across a terrifying scene on the border of the valley. Someone was fatally hit by a car. Michaelis, a Greek man who owns a restaurant next to Wilson's garage, says that Myrtle was the victim. There was a car coming from New York City that struck her, stopped, then sped away. Nick realized that Myrtle must have been hit by Gatsby and Daisy in Gatsby's big yellow car. Tome thinks that Wilson will remember the yellow car; he also assumes that Gatsby was the driver. Back at Tom's house, Nick waits for Gatsby outside and finds him in the bushes. Gatsby tells him that he was waiting to make sure Tom did not hurt Daisy. He also tells Nick that Daisy was the one driving when they hit Myrtle, but he will take the blame. Gatsby then sends Nick to check on Daisy; her and Tom are reconciling their differences and Nick leaves Gatsby outside.
In the incredible New York City heat, the group decides to get a suite at the Plaza Hotel. Tom begins his plan to confront Gatsby by mocking his habit of calling everyone "old sport." He accuses Gatsby of laying about his attendance at Oxford. Gatsby tells them that he did in fact attend Oxford, for five months after the war in an army program. Tom then asks Gatsby what his intentions are for Daisy and Gatsby tells him that Daisy loves him, not Tom. Tom then says that him and Daisy have a history that Gatsby and her couldn't understand and then Tom accuses Gatsby of bootlegging. Daisy finds her self moving closer and closer to Tom as she watches the fight. Once Tom realizes he has beat Gatsby he sends Daisy back to Long Island with Gatsby to prove the Gatsby cannot hurt him. As the fight ends, Nick realizes that it is his thirtieth birthday.
On the ride back to Long Island, Nick, Tom, and Jordan come across a terrifying scene on the border of the valley. Someone was fatally hit by a car. Michaelis, a Greek man who owns a restaurant next to Wilson's garage, says that Myrtle was the victim. There was a car coming from New York City that struck her, stopped, then sped away. Nick realized that Myrtle must have been hit by Gatsby and Daisy in Gatsby's big yellow car. Tome thinks that Wilson will remember the yellow car; he also assumes that Gatsby was the driver. Back at Tom's house, Nick waits for Gatsby outside and finds him in the bushes. Gatsby tells him that he was waiting to make sure Tom did not hurt Daisy. He also tells Nick that Daisy was the one driving when they hit Myrtle, but he will take the blame. Gatsby then sends Nick to check on Daisy; her and Tom are reconciling their differences and Nick leaves Gatsby outside.
Chapter 6
Rumors about Gatsby continued to circulate around New York. A reporter even showed up at Gatsby's home in hopes of interviewing him. Nick now goes into details about Gatsby's early life; not from the rumors, or how Gatsby described it, but as it really happened. James Gatz was born on a farm in North Dakota. He attended college at St. Olaf's in Minnesota, but dropped out after two weeks. The summer following, he worked on Lake Superior fishing for salmon and digging for clams. One day, he saw a yacht owned by a wealthy copper mogul, Dan Cody, and rowed out to warn him about an approaching storm. The grateful man took young Gatz, who gave him his name Jay Gatsby, on board as his personal assistant. While traveling with Cody to Barbary Coast and the West Indies, Gatsby fell in love with wealth and luxury. One of Gatsby's jobs was to look after Cody during his drunken binges because he was a heavy drinker. This convinced Gatsby not to become a drinker. When Cody died, he left $25,000 to Gatsby, but he was unable to claim it because Cody's mistress prevented him from doing so. From that point on Gatsby dedicated himself to becoming extremely rich and successful.
Nick doesn't see Gatsby or Daisy for several weeks after their reunion. Nick decides to stop by Gatsby's place one afternoon and he is alarmed to find Tom Buchanan there. Tom stopped by Gatsby's place for a drink with Mr. and Mrs. Sloane. Gatsby seems nervous and annoyed and tells Tom awkwardly that he knows Daisy. Gatsby then invites Tom and the Sloanes to stay for dinner, but they refuse. Being polite, they decide to invite Gatsby to dine with them and he accepts. Tom is suspicious because of Daisy visiting Gatsby's home alone often, but has yet to find out that they are in love.
Tom and Daisy go to a party at Gatsby's home the following Saturday. Tom is not thrilled about going, but wishes to keep an eye on Gatsby and Daisy. Nick finds this party much more unfavorable this time and notices that even Daisy is having a bad time. Daisy is upset by Tom when he tells her that Gatsby's fortune comes from bootlegging. She angrily replies that Gatsby's fortune comes from many drugstores that he owns. Gatsby then begins looking for Nick after Daisy and Tom leave. Gatsby is unhappy because Daisy didn't have a good time. Gatsby wants Daisy to leave Tom so things can be exactly like they were in Louisville. Nick tells him the he cannot recreate the past, but Gatsby protests that he can. As Gatsby walks away, Nick dreams of the first time Daisy and Gatsby kissed and realizes that now that Gatsby has Daisy, his dream is over.
Nick doesn't see Gatsby or Daisy for several weeks after their reunion. Nick decides to stop by Gatsby's place one afternoon and he is alarmed to find Tom Buchanan there. Tom stopped by Gatsby's place for a drink with Mr. and Mrs. Sloane. Gatsby seems nervous and annoyed and tells Tom awkwardly that he knows Daisy. Gatsby then invites Tom and the Sloanes to stay for dinner, but they refuse. Being polite, they decide to invite Gatsby to dine with them and he accepts. Tom is suspicious because of Daisy visiting Gatsby's home alone often, but has yet to find out that they are in love.
Tom and Daisy go to a party at Gatsby's home the following Saturday. Tom is not thrilled about going, but wishes to keep an eye on Gatsby and Daisy. Nick finds this party much more unfavorable this time and notices that even Daisy is having a bad time. Daisy is upset by Tom when he tells her that Gatsby's fortune comes from bootlegging. She angrily replies that Gatsby's fortune comes from many drugstores that he owns. Gatsby then begins looking for Nick after Daisy and Tom leave. Gatsby is unhappy because Daisy didn't have a good time. Gatsby wants Daisy to leave Tom so things can be exactly like they were in Louisville. Nick tells him the he cannot recreate the past, but Gatsby protests that he can. As Gatsby walks away, Nick dreams of the first time Daisy and Gatsby kissed and realizes that now that Gatsby has Daisy, his dream is over.
Chapter 5
Nick goes home from the city after his date with Jordan. When he gets home Gatsby's mansion is very lit up, but seems to be empty. As Nick is walking home, Gatsby scares him by coming up to him from across the yard. Gatsby seems almost desperate to make Nick happy. He invites Nick to Coney Island, then for a swim. NIck realizes how nervous Gatsby is because he wants Nick to agree to the plan to invite Daisy to tea. Nick agrees to help Gatsby and gatsby immediately offers to have someone cut Nicks grass. Also he offers Nick a chance to make some money by joining him on a side job he does. Nick becomes a little offended that Gatsby would offer to pay him for helping with the plan and refuses Gatsby's offer, but still agrees to helping him with his plan.
On the day of the meeting it is raining and Gatsby is becoming extremely nervous. Gatsby sends someone over to cut Nick's grass, despite the rain. Gatsby is worried that things will not be the same between Daisy and himself as they were in Louisville. When Daisy arrives Nick brings her inside, but finds that Gatsby has disappeared. There is then a knock at the door and Gatsby returns after taking a walk around the house in the rain. The reunion between Gatsby and Daisy is extremely awkward at first. Gatsby knocks Nick's clock over and tells him sadly that the meeting was a mistake. Nick then leaves them alone and after a half an hour he returns to find the two of them very happy. Daisy is shedding tears of joy and Gatsby is glowing with happiness. The rain stops outside and Gatsby invites Nick and Daisy over to his house where he shows them his things. Daisy is overwhelmed by the luxuriousness of his lifestyle and she begins to cry when Gatsby shows them his collection of English shirts. Gatsby then tells Daisy of the nights he spent starring across the water at the green light on her dock, dreaming about their happiness together. Nick is unsure if Daisy can live up to Gatsby's expectations of her. The romance between the two seems to be reignited, for a moment. Gatsby then calls a strange character into the room and has him play the piano. Nick then realizes that Gatsby and Daisy forgot he was there and he slips out and leaves them alone.
On the day of the meeting it is raining and Gatsby is becoming extremely nervous. Gatsby sends someone over to cut Nick's grass, despite the rain. Gatsby is worried that things will not be the same between Daisy and himself as they were in Louisville. When Daisy arrives Nick brings her inside, but finds that Gatsby has disappeared. There is then a knock at the door and Gatsby returns after taking a walk around the house in the rain. The reunion between Gatsby and Daisy is extremely awkward at first. Gatsby knocks Nick's clock over and tells him sadly that the meeting was a mistake. Nick then leaves them alone and after a half an hour he returns to find the two of them very happy. Daisy is shedding tears of joy and Gatsby is glowing with happiness. The rain stops outside and Gatsby invites Nick and Daisy over to his house where he shows them his things. Daisy is overwhelmed by the luxuriousness of his lifestyle and she begins to cry when Gatsby shows them his collection of English shirts. Gatsby then tells Daisy of the nights he spent starring across the water at the green light on her dock, dreaming about their happiness together. Nick is unsure if Daisy can live up to Gatsby's expectations of her. The romance between the two seems to be reignited, for a moment. Gatsby then calls a strange character into the room and has him play the piano. Nick then realizes that Gatsby and Daisy forgot he was there and he slips out and leaves them alone.
Chapter 4
Nick makes a list of all the attendants at Gatsby's parties that summer. On the list were some of the nation's wealthiest and most powerful people. Nick then begins to describe a trip he took with Gatsby to New York for lunch. On the drive to the city Gatsby tells Nick about his past, but his stories seem improbable. Gatsby says his parents died and were wealthy people from the Midwest. Nick then asks which Midwestern city and Gatsby tells him San Francisco. Gatsby then begins listing some accomplishments like, being educated at Oxford, collecting jewels in Europe, hunted big game, and to have been awarded medals in World War I by many European countries. Gatsby then shows Nick a medal from Montenegro and a picture of himself playing cricket at Oxford. While driving, Gatsby is pulled over for speeding and Gatsby shows the policeman a white card and the policeman apologizes for stopping him. At lunch, Gatsby introduces Nick to Meyer Wolfshiem; and Gatsby claims he fixed the 1919 World Series. Wolfshiem gave Nick the impression that Gatsby may have gained his wealth illegally. Also Nick thinks Gatsby may be involved with organized crime with Wolfshiem. After lunch, Nick goes to see Jordan who finally tells him of the conversation she had with Gatsby. She says that Gatsby told her he was in love with Daisy Buchanan. Jordan tells Nick that during the war, before Daisy was married to Tom, she lived in Louisville, Kentucky and all the military officers were in love with her. Also Jordan says that Daisy fell in love with Lt. Jay Gatsby. Once Gatsby left for war, Daisy decided to marry Tom. Daisy drank a lot the night before her wedding because she received a letter from Gatsby. Also, Gatsby bought his mansion in West Egg so he could be closer to Daisy. Jordan tells tell Nick that Gatsby has asked her to persuade Nick to arrange a meeting for Gatsby and Daisy. Gatsby is scarred that Daisy won't want to meet him, so he asks Nick to invite her to tea without Daisy knowing that Gatsby will surprise her there.
Chapter 3
Gatsby throws huge parties at his mansion every weekend; this is how he has become so famous around New York. Nick receives and invitation to one of his parties one day. When the party begins Nick starts his walk to Gatsby's house and joins the party. Nick feels a little awkward amongst a bunch of strangers. Guests wander around exchanging rumors about Gatsby. No one really knows the truth about Gatsby and his history. At the party Nick runs into Jordan Baker who is with her friend Lucille. Lucille believes Gatsby was a German spy during the war. Another rumor is that Gatsby graduated from Oxford and he once killed a man. The party is extremely luxurious as guests admire his Rolls-Royce, swimming pool, beach, buffet tables, and a live orchestra. As more of the guests get drunk the party gets louder and crazier. Once this atmosphere come to be, Nick and Jordan go looking for Gatsby. During their search, Nick and Jordan come across a middle aged man with huge eyes, Nick calls him Owl Eyes. Owl Eyes is found looking at Gatsby's unread books in his library.
Nick and Jordan go outside to watch the entertainment at midnight. The two sit down at a table with a good looking young man who says Nick looks familiar. They realize that they served in the same division during the war. The man tells them that he is Jay Gatsby. Gatsby's speech is formal and detailed and frequently calls people "old sport." As the party goes on, Nick become fascinated by Gatsby and notices the Gatsby doesn't drink and he keeps to himself. Gatsby is usually standing alone on his marble steps, watching his guests without saying a word. Around two o'clock a butler tells Jordan that Gatsby would like to see her. Jordan comes back from her meeting with Gatsby saying that she heard something amazinf. Nick says goodbye to Gatsby, who goes inside to take a phone call. Nick begins walking home and on his way he sees Owl Eyes trying to get his car out of a ditch. Owl Eyes and another man climb out of the wrecked car and Owl Eyes drunkenly states that he is done with the whole situation. After, Nick begins to describe his daily life to prove he does more then attend parties. He works in New York City, where he goes for walks and meets women. After a quick relationship with a girl from Jersey City, Nick takes Daisy and Tom's advice and begins seeing Jordan Baker. Nick learns that Jordan cheated in her first golf tournament, but is still attracted to her despite her dishonesty.
Nick and Jordan go outside to watch the entertainment at midnight. The two sit down at a table with a good looking young man who says Nick looks familiar. They realize that they served in the same division during the war. The man tells them that he is Jay Gatsby. Gatsby's speech is formal and detailed and frequently calls people "old sport." As the party goes on, Nick become fascinated by Gatsby and notices the Gatsby doesn't drink and he keeps to himself. Gatsby is usually standing alone on his marble steps, watching his guests without saying a word. Around two o'clock a butler tells Jordan that Gatsby would like to see her. Jordan comes back from her meeting with Gatsby saying that she heard something amazinf. Nick says goodbye to Gatsby, who goes inside to take a phone call. Nick begins walking home and on his way he sees Owl Eyes trying to get his car out of a ditch. Owl Eyes and another man climb out of the wrecked car and Owl Eyes drunkenly states that he is done with the whole situation. After, Nick begins to describe his daily life to prove he does more then attend parties. He works in New York City, where he goes for walks and meets women. After a quick relationship with a girl from Jersey City, Nick takes Daisy and Tom's advice and begins seeing Jordan Baker. Nick learns that Jordan cheated in her first golf tournament, but is still attracted to her despite her dishonesty.
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