The Great Gatsby Chapter 4

At the start of chapter 4, Nick discusses the list of names he made of the people that attended Gatsby’s parties in the summer of 1922. The list contained some of the most wealthy and influential people in the nation, which isn’t surprising based on what we know about Gatsby thus far. After this, Gatsby picks Nick up at his home for a lunch together in New York. During their car ride to the city, Gatsby asks Nick what he thinks of him, and to not believe all the misconceptions that most people have. This further proves the idea that Gatsby is constantly concerned with his reputation and people’s perception of him. While Gatsby tells, what is essentially his life story, Nick can’t help but be a little suspicious about the validity of what he is being told. When they get pulled over by a policeman for speeding, the cop lets them go on with their evening with no repercussions and even apologized for stopping them. This is an example of Gatsby’s widespread reach and power.

Once they arrive at lunch, Gatsby introduces Nick to his friend Meyer Wolfshiem. When Gatsby gets up to take a phone call, Wolfshiem starts talking about Gatsby. He says, “Yeah, Gatsby’s very careful about women. He would never so much as look at a friend’s wife” (72). I took this statement as a little bit of foreshadowing! When Gatsby returned to the table, Wolfshiem quickly gets up and leaves, which I found a little bit odd. It is soon after this that they run into Tom Buchanan, which causes Gatsby to disappear without saying a word.

Finally, Nick gets to talk to Miss Baker, and receives an abundance of authentic information about his neighbor for the first time. Baker tells Nick what she and Gatsby talked about that night at the party. She tells him that Daisy was a beautiful girl who was sought out by many of the military officers in Louisville, but she ended up falling in love with Gatsby. However, after Gatsby left for war, she married Tom, which may or may not be the worst decision of her life. This is shown when Baker recounts the memory of Daisy drinking (which she never does) and crying the night before her wedding because of a letter from Gatsby.  Long story short, she alludes to Nick that Gatsby is still in love with Daisy Buchanan. Baker also reveals that Gatsby bought his house in West Egg so that he could be close to Daisy. This meeting concludes with the mention of Gatsby wanting Nick to invite Daisy over for tea so that he can come over and see her.

This chapter was packed with clarity about the events of the book thus far, as well as insight into Gatsby mind. I would like to discuss the following questions with the class. What do we think will happen at this “tea” with Gatsby and Daisy? What do you think were the causes of Wolfshiem and Gatsby speedy exits from the New York lunch?