1
The Great Gatsby Chapter 4
1) The guests
Read pages 60-62. In this part of the novel, Nick lists all the people that went to one of Gatsby’s parties. Comment on the following:
- the fact that the party takes place on a Sunday
- the date of the party (July 5th, 1922)
- the “grey” names of the party-goers
- the fact that his guests know “nothing whatsoever about him.”
2a) Look at the list of names, and see if you can group them together. Here are some possible headings:
Fashionable and pretentious names
Animal names
Those associated with death, suicide, adultery, violence and divorce.
Those linked to past American achievements and past nobility.
Those names which suggest vulgarity.
Girls with flower names.
b) Look at the fate of some of the people mentioned. What does this suggest about such a society?
3) Gatsby
a) What does Gatsby tell Nick about himself on their car journey?
b) What do we learn about him from the car he drives?
c) What makes Nick suspicious of Gatsby’s story?
d) At the end of the conversation what does Gatsby want Nick to do,
4) Food for thought – Pages 66-67
a) “I had a glimpse of Mrs Wilson straining at the garage pump with panting vitality.”
b) Pick out the references to death on page 67 as they cross the bridge.
c) Comment on the description of the “three modish negroes” on page 67.
d) What does this passage starting with “Over the great bridge” to “particular wonder.” suggest to you about the American Dream?
5) Mr Wolfsheim – Read the extract carefully page 67 – 72. Think about the following ideas:
- how Mr Wolfsheim’s Jewishness is depicted.
- the way Mr Wolfsheim eats and the restlessness of his eyes
- his molar cufflinks
- what he tells Nick about his business activities
6) Daisy’s story – page 72 – 76
In this section Jordan tells Nick about how Daisy and Gatsby first met, and then Daisy’s subsequent marriage to Tom.
a) Fill out the grids below – there are some examples to help you:
Daisy / GatsbyShe comes from a rich family as she has “the largest lawn”.
Her name was Daisy Fay.
Fey = otherworldly, magical, fairy-like qualities
“the most popular of all the young girls in Louisville.”
“She dressed in white.” / “a lieutenant I had never seen before.”
“The officer looked at Daisy … in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at.”
b) What do we learn about her wedding day to Tom and her subsequent marriage?
7) Pages 76-78 Jordan and Nick
a) Nick learns that the reason Gatsby bought the house in West Egg was to be near to Daisy. “He came alive to me, delivered suddenly from the womb of his purposeless splendour.” What is it that Nick so much admires in Gatsby?
b) What do we learn about Gatsby’s objective in living in West Egg?
c) Comment on the phrase used by Nick: “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.” Which characters fit under each category?