Great Gatsby Speed Dating Chapter 4

Nick introduces a whole list of names of the party guests (pp Nick introduces a whole list of names of the party guests (pp. 61-63 / 65 – 68). Since the list seems a bit ‘boring’ and random, we know it must be significant! What does this listing suggest – about Gatsby? (Think about how he knew these people) About Nick? (Look at the language he used to discuss the party-goers)  

  What is the purpose / multiple purposes of the scene with Meyer Wolfsheim (pp. 69-73 / 73-78)?

Explain Fitzgerald’s point when a “strained, unfamiliar look of embarrassment came over Gatsby’s face” upon meeting Tom (p. 74 / 78). Consider also -- why place this scene here and not later in the chapter?

Examine the incident with the letter on the night before the wedding (p. 76 / 81). Who wrote the letter? What might it have said? What do we know about Daisy (and tie to Fitzgerald’s thoughts about the time period) to explain why Daisy went through with the wedding anyway?

Consider the effect of the following lines (p Consider the effect of the following lines (p. 78 / 83): “The modesty of the demand shook me. He had waited five years and bought a mansion where he dispensed starlight to casual moths so that he could “come over” some afternoon to a stranger’s garden”. Look at the lines as a whole, but also at details (word choice, sentence structure, images, tone).

When Jordan answers Nick’s question “Why didn’t he ask you to arrange a meeting” with “He wants her to see his house … and your house is right next door” (p. 79 / 84), what do we learn further about Fitzgerald’s intentions to paint a certain picture of the time?

Why does Nick feel increasing respect for Gatsby as the chapter reaches its conclusion? Do you trust Nick’s assessment? Do you agree with it?