Chapter 4: Summary

Nick begins to catalog the guests at Gatsby’s parties and realizes they are some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in the area. One late July morning, Gatsby invites Nick for lunch in New York City. During this day trip, Gatsby tells Nick about his past. Nick, however, is suspicious because Gatsby’s story sounds illogical. For example, Gatsby says “San Francisco” when Nick asks him where he is from, even though Gatsby had just said he came from the Midwest. He mentions being educated at Oxford and serving as a Major in the army. Later, as Gatsby is speeding through the Valley of Ashes, he is pulled over by the police. He shows them a white card, and the officer lets him go with an apology for bothering him.

At lunch, Nick is introduced to Meyer Wolfshiem, a professional gambler and the man rumored to have fixed the 1919 World Series. This makes Nick wonder if Gatsby has acquired his wealth via illegal means. Later, when Nick sees Jordan, she tells him about her conversation with Gatsby at the party. Gatsby, she reveals, is in love with Daisy, and they had been in a relationship before he left for the war. Daisy had promised to wait for him, but ended up marrying Tom. It is not coincidence that brought Gatsby to West Egg: he purposely selected his house to be close to Daisy. Jordan tells Nick that Gatsby wants her to convince him to arrange a reunion between Daisy and himself.

Chapter 4: Analysis

All incidents in this chapter are intended to tell the reader about Gatsby’s past. Gatsby is aware of the rumors that are afloat and wishes to set the record straight for Nick. He, expectedly, chooses to be selective in his narration of the events.

Despite Gatsby’s dubious past, his only aim is to win back Daisy. He has acquired wealth and made connections only to get back in touch with her. Through all these connections, he had been looking for the person who could reunite him with Daisy. Notably, Nick has conflicting feelings about Gatsby: he is both inspired and repulsed by him. His love for Daisy might be true, but his involvement in criminal and illegal activities cannot be denied.

The hopefulness Gatsby carries with him comes from his love for Daisy. The green light, which is an important symbol in the novel, now represents Gatsby’s love for Daisy. It can also be seen as a symbol of the American Dream, since Gatsby does acquire wealth and prosperity in a bid to win over Daisy. It is through Gatsby’s character that Fitzgerald offers a critique of the materialism prevalent in the America of 1920s.