Great Gatsby Chapter 4 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does Gatsby tell Nick about himself?

He's from the Midwest and comes from a wealthy family. He attended Oxford because it was a family tradition.

What accomplishments of Meyer Wolfsheim's does Gatsby describe to Nick? How does Nick react?

Wolfsheim became a notorious gambler and claims responsibility for fixing the 1919 World Series. Nick became suspicious about Gatsby's friendship with Wolfsheim thinking he is evil.

According to Jordan, what did Daisy do on her wedding day? Why? What does this reveal about Daisy?

Daisy got drunk and cried when she received a letter from Gatsby; she did not want to cancel the wedding.

Why does Gatsby want to have tea with Daisy in Nick's house? Why doesn't Gatsby ask Nick for this favor himself? Why did Gatsby want Daisy to see his house?

He wanted Daisy to see his house and be impressed by it. Nick's house is next to Gatsby's, making it easy for Daisy to see. Gatsby is desperate to impress Daisy with his wealth. Signup and view all the answers

What does Tom do when he and Daisy return from their honeymoon?

Tom cheated on another woman and got into a car accident. Signup and view all the answers

What does Gatsby's friendship with Meyer Wolfsheim imply about his own background?

Gatsby is doing something illegal with Wolfsheim. Signup and view all the answers

List all the rumors told about Gatsby.

Gatsby is a bootlegger, once killed a man, attended Oxford, and was a German spy. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Fitzgerald list all of Gatsby's party guests?

The people at Gatsby's party are not his friends; they just came and went. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Gatsby tell Nick about his life? Do you believe Gatsby? Does Nick?

Gatsby wanted Nick to trust him about how good he is; he does not want Nick to hear the wrong things about him. Nick was suspicious about Gatsby's background. Signup and view all the answers

What role does Meyer Wolfsheim play in the novel? Why is there so much focus on his nose and what does this tell you about Fitzgerald's politics?

He connects Gatsby to organized crime. Fitzgerald shows antisemitism toward Jews, stereotyping Wolfsheim with a very Jewish name and big nose. Signup and view all the answers

Nick says 'There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired.' What does Nick mean? How does each character in the novel fit into this scheme?

Gatsby is a person that is always pursued and others pursue. Nick pursues Jordan and Gatsby; the busy are always doing something like Tom and Jordan, while the tired are barely doing anything like Daisy. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gatsby's Background

Gatsby hails from the Midwest and belongs to a wealthy family, continuing the family tradition by attending Oxford.
His friendship with Meyer Wolfsheim raises suspicions about Gatsby's character and his involvement in illegal activities.

Meyer's Influence

Meyer Wolfsheim is portrayed as a notorious gambler, credited with fixing the 1919 World Series.
Nick Harper becomes suspicious of Gatsby's association with Wolfsheim, viewing it as morally questionable.

Daisy's Wedding Day

On her wedding day, Daisy got intoxicated and showed emotional distress upon receiving a letter from Gatsby.
This incident reveals Daisy's conflicted feelings about her marriage and her lingering attachment to Gatsby.

Gatsby's Ambitions

Gatsby seeks to impress Daisy by having her view his home, using Nick's house as a convenient location for this encounter.
His desperation for Daisy's admiration highlights Gatsby's obsession with wealth and status.

Tom's Infidelity

Upon returning from their honeymoon, Tom has already cheated on Daisy, indicating a pattern of infidelity in their relationship coupled with a car accident.

Gatsby and Crime

Gatsby's association with Meyer Wolfsheim suggests involvement in organized crime, highlighting the darker aspects of his wealth.

Rumors Surrounding Gatsby

Numerous rumors circulate about Gatsby, including claims of him being a bootlegger, a murderer, an Oxford attendee, and a German spy, serving to build his enigmatic persona.

Party Guests Dynamics

The list of Gatsby's party guests reflects how they are not genuine friends but rather opportunists who attend for entertainment and social status.

Trust and Suspicion

Gatsby reveals details of his life to earn Nick's trust and counter negative perceptions about him; however, Nick remains skeptical of Gatsby's backstory.

Wolfsheim's Role

Meyer Wolfsheim's character connects Gatsby to organized crime, while Fitzgerald's depiction of him reflects antisemitic stereotypes, emphasizing his Jewish heritage and physical characteristics.

Character Dynamics

Nick categorizes characters as pursued (Gatsby), pursuing (Nick), busy (Tom and Jordan), and tired (Daisy), illustrating their roles in the narrative and their emotional states.

Description

Test your knowledge of Chapter 4 of 'The Great Gatsby' with these flashcards. Learn about Gatsby's background and his relationship with Meyer Wolfsheim. A critical chapter that reveals key character insights and plot developments.