The Great Gatsby: Chapter Four Summary & Imaginary Journal

Summary

My viewpoint on Chapter Four is that Fitzgerald gives the story of the background for Gatsby, who was Jar Gatsby in 1917. He was in love with Daisy Fay but she did not marry him because he was not rich. He married Tom Buchanan. Since then Gatsby became wealthy and he wants to attract Daisy's attention. He captures the reader's attention at the beginning by his lies about his bravery in war because of which he was decorated, his educational background in Oxford and his very important friends. These three points need to bear examination. Firstly he says, "I was prompted to be a major, and every Allied government gave me a decoration -- even Montenegro, little Montenegro down on the Adriatic Sea" (p. 65). Gatsby wants Nick to see him as a brave person so that he can tell it to Daisy. Gatsby's main intention is to attract Daisy. This is one way of attracting her. The second point is that Gatsby claims that he was a student in Oxford. His friend Meyer Wolfshiem says, "He went to Oggsford College in England" (p. 70). This is another lie that Gatsby uses to attract Daisy. The third point is about Gatsby's important friends. He shows Nick a photograph as evidence. He says, "A souvenir of Oxford days. It was taken in Trinity Quad -- the man on my left is now the Earl of Doncaster" (p. 65). Fitzgerald uses the technique of story-telling to make Gatsby convince Nick Carraway. To believe him, he uses the same technique with Jordan Baker, who tells the story of Daisy Buchanan(Fay). In conclusion, Fitzgerald's style creates confusion feeling whether is true and what is a lie.

Imaginary Journal(Tom Buchanan)

Today I was in New York, and I wanted to spend some time here and there. Finally, I decided to go to a well-fanned Forty-second Street cellar. Since it was very hot, I was looking for a cool place. The cellar would be a right choice because I could meet a friend or two there. When I entered, I saw Nick with two men. One of them left while I was walking across the crowded room. The other man was a nice looking gentleman. I pretended not to see Nick but later I had to say 'hello' to him, so I took a dozen steps in their direction. Nick introduced me to the other man, saying "This is Mr. Gatsby, Mr Buchanan." We shook hands briefly. I knew who this man was. So this is the Great Gatsby want to talk with him so I kept talking with Nick. Then I saw that he left without a word. There is something strange about this man.

Key Sentences

1) I was brought up in America but educated at Oxford, because all my ancestors have been educated there for many years. It is a family tradition. (p. 64)
2) I was promted to be major, and every Allied government have me a decoration -- even Montenegro, little Montenegro down on the Adriatic Sea! (p. 64)
3) I was taken in Trinity Quad -- the man on my left is now the Earl of Doncaster. (p. 65)
4) Then the valley of ashes opened out on both sides of us, I has a glimpse of Mrs. Wilson straining at the garage pump with panting vvitality as we went by. (p. 66)
5) This is Mr. Gatsby, Mr. Buchanan. (p. 72)
6) Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay. (p. 76)
7) He wants her to see his house, she explained. And your house is right next door. (p. 77)