Gatsby

Chapter Four

More Gatsby rumours

• He’s a bootlegger• One time he killed a man who found out that

he was a nephew to Von Hindenberg and second cousin to the devil.

Gatsby’s strange list of guests

• Chester Beckers and the Leeches• A Yale man named Benson• Doctor Webster Civet (drowned last summer)• Hornbeams and the Willie Voltaires• Clan named Blackbut (snobs)• Ismays and the Chrysties (affair)• Edgar Beaver – hair turned white for no reason• Clarence Endive (white knickerbockers – got into a fight)• Etc.

More of Nick’s impressions

• Gatsby is never still• Has little to say• Nick is inclined to disbelieve his stories, but

then suddenly believes them when presented with evidence

Gatsby’s claims about himself

• Wo of some wealthy people in the Middle West (San Francisco)

• Brought up in America but educated at Oxford (family tradition) - picture

• Family is all dead – he inherited money• Lived like a young rajah in all the capitals of

Europe – Paris, Venice, Rome – collecting jewels (rubies), hunting big game, painting a little, trying to forget his tragedies

• Fought in war (commissioned as a first lieutenant)

• Promoted to major – decorated war hero (Montenegro) – medal

• Played cricket (seen in Oxford picture)

Lunch with Gatsby

• Mr. Wolfshiem “I handed the money to Katspaugh and I said” all right, Katspaugh, don’t pay him a penny till he shuts his mouth.” He shut it then and there.”

• Wants to eat in the restaurant across the street – memories – Rosy Rosenthal was shot there – executed (criminals got the death sentence)

• Wonders if Nick is a connection.• Very nervous – surveys the room while he’s eating

• Admires Gatsby – has known him since the war

• Has molars as cuff links• Fixed the World Series in 1919

Strange incidents

Incident with the cop• Has done a favour for the commissioner

Gatsby meets Tom• he disappears while Nick is introducing him

More telephone calls

The tale of Gatsby and Daisy

• Daisy is 18, popular, beautiful (drives a white roadster)

• Courted by officers in the army – Jay Gatsby is one of her courters

• Tried to go see him off when he left for the war – prevented by her mother

• Depressed for awhile – then meets and becomes engaged to Tom

Daisy’s wedding

• Jordan finds her drunk with a letter right before the wedding (presumably from Gatsby)

• Tries to call off the wedding – mother won’t let her

• Marries Tom the next day and goes on a three month honeymoon

Daisy’s suspects Tom of infidelity

• Glances around the room to see where he is• Tom is caught with a chambermaid (her arm is

broken) – makes the papers

Jordan’s characterization of Daisy

• Admired her• Known to be a partier, but doesn’t drink• Suggests Daisy may not be “amorous” – gives

a reason for Tom to cheat• Sees Daisy as perfect – her reputation remains

flawless

Jordan’s conclusions about Gatsby

• He bought the house to engineer a meeting between himself and Daisy

• “he’s a regular tough underneath”• Thought Daisy would wander into one of his

parties• Wants to show off his house

The plan

• Nick will invite Daisy over – Gatsby will be a surprise

Nick and Jordan

Relationship seems to be progressing - A kiss