The Great Gatsby Chapter 7

Question #1 Note the use Fitzgerald makes of the weather as a background for significant events. Point out examples. The day at the Plaza is the hottest day of the year. Sun and rain alternate when Daisy and Gatsby meet again. Weather reflects their emotions and the state of their relationship.

Question #2 Gatsby has made some changes in his lifestyle that so concern Nick that he goes to check on him. What things do you note? Gatsby stopped giving parties and fired all of his servants. Why does he make these changes? Daisy disapproved of the parties. He wants servants who will not gossip since Daisy spends most her afternoons at his house.

Question #3A Analyze Daisy’s attitude toward her child as evidenced in this chapter and Chapter 1. Is she a good mother? The child is like a possession to be shown off. The nanny is probably raising the child. Daisy would like for her to be beautiful and stupid.

Question #3B Explain why Gatsby “looked at the child with surprise.” Gatsby hadn’t really accepted the existence of the child until he sees her.

Question #4 Eyes play a significant role in this chapter. Myrtle looks out the window and sees Tom with “Daisy.” Daisy and Gatsby reveal their feelings by the way they look at each other. The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg see the accident. George is convinced that the eyes of God are watching everything.

Question #5 What does Gatsby do that makes Nick want “to get up and slap him on the back”? Gatsby tells the truth about Oxford. Why does Nick feel this way? Nick wants Gatsby to win.

Question #6 Does Daisy know what love is? No Who does Daisy really love? herself

Question #7 In what way is each of the major characters affected by the tragedy that occurs at the end of this chapter? Daisy – Drives the car; chooses Tom Gatsby – Takes the blame; loses Daisy Tom – Loses Myrtle; fears losing Daisy George – Kills Gatsby and himself Myrtle – Dies Nick – Is sickened by the attitudes and lifestyles of the people in the East

Question #8 Explain what Nick means when he says, “… suddenly I guessed the truth.” Nick realizes that Daisy was driving.

Question #9 Explain the last paragraph of Chapter 7. The dream is dead. Nothing is left.

Catastrophe All of the major characters and geographic locations come together. In terms of action, this is the most important chapter of the book.

Changes Gatsby has called off his parties, fired his servants, and replaced them with friends of Meyer Wolfsheim. His dealings with Wolfsheim reinforce fears about how he makes his money. His retreat from social life shows how far his obsession for Daisy has gone. The only reason he gave the parties was the wild hope that Daisy would show up.

Setting It is the hottest day of the year. Lunch is at the Buchanans. All of the major characters are present. The nurse brings in Daisy’s daughter and Gatsby is stunned, never quite believing the child existed until this moment.

The Beginning of the End Daisy and Gatsby cannot conceal their love for one another and Tom sees it. They go to NY for the afternoon (Daisy’s suggestion) – the same setting as the party in Chapter 2.

Parallels There are close parallels between the parties: The way the characters behave Having to pass through the valley of the ashes

The Garage Jordan, Tom, and Nick ride together in Gatsby’s car. Myrtle sees Tom and assumes that Jordan is Daisy when they stop for gas. The scene at the garage has an eerie quality. Wilson has discovered his wife is having an affair.

The Garage Myrtle thinks that her husband knows it’s Tom. Nick realizes the parallel positions of Tom and Wilson – both have learned their wives are unfaithful. Wilson wants to take Myrtle away.

The Garage Tom feels his world collapsing. The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg “kept their vigil.” They seem to see the corruption and the decadence beneath the gorgeous façade.

Plaza Hotel They go to the Plaza Hotel and rent a suite. The heat is overwhelming. Situational Irony – There is a wedding going on downstairs.

The Argument Tom and Gatsby argue. Tom mocks Gatsby – “old sport;” Oxford Gatsby tells the truth about Oxford. He attended for 5 months after the war. Tom asks about his intentions toward Daisy and attacks Gatsby’s parties and his lifestyle.

Crisis Gatsby’s says, “ Your wife doesn’t love you. She’s never loved you. She loves me.” Daisy is forced to choose.

The Choice Both men beg Daisy for support. At first she tries to support Gatsby, but she turns to Tom, who has investigated Gatsby’s activities and has some evidence about his drug store fronts for his bootlegging operation. A romantic dream is worth less to Daisy than the security of a husband, even though he’s unfaithful.

The Fall-Out The party is over. Tom has won. Tom is confident enough to send Daisy and Gatsby home in Gatsby’s yellow car.

Nick Nick realizes it’s his 30th birthday. Nick’s birthday reminds the reader that the novel is about Nick’s growing up. He came to NY naïve and inexperienced. The summer’s events have taught him about life – the final phase of his education will be to learn about death.

Narration Michaelis, who runs the restaurant next door to Wilson’s garage, tells the story of Myrtle’s death.

Outside Looking In When Nick arrives at Tom’s house, he finds Gatsby in the bushes. He is waiting to be sure that Tom doesn’t hurt Daisy. Gatsby reveals that Daisy was driving the car. Nick looks in the window and sees Tom and Daisy eating chicken and talking.

Outside Looking In Nick realizes that they have accepted each other again. Gatsby has lost. Daisy has returned to her husband’s money and influence. Nick goes home and leaves Gatsby “standing in the moonlight” watching over nothing. This action parallels the end of Chapter 1.