The Great Gatsby Chapter 7 Quiz

Questions and Answers

Why do you suppose Fitzgerald links the behavior of the characters to the hottest day of the summer?

It's sweltering hot, everything is about to explode. It's the climax of the book.

When Gatsby briefly meets Daisy's little girl, he is somewhat unnerved. Symbolically, what does the little girl represent?

The reality that Daisy and Tom are together and that they cannot repeat the past.

What causes Tom to realize that his wife has been having an affair with Gatsby?

Tom witnesses a moment between Daisy and Gatsby.

What does Gatsby understand about Daisy's voice that Nick does not?

Her voice sounds like it's full of money. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the driving arrangement that brings the five characters into the city.

Daisy and Gatsby take Tom's car; Jordan, Tom, and Nick take Gatsby's car. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you suppose Tom decides to let Wilson finally have the car he has been promising to him?

Tom feels bad for Wilson; he's figured out Myrtle's been cheating on him with someone. Signup and view all the answers

What indication is there at this point that, in Myrtle's mind anyway, Tom has been more than a fling?

She refused to move away with Wilson like she had said she wanted earlier. Signup and view all the answers

Besides Myrtle, what other eyes 'kept their vigil' on the activities along the roadway?

T.J. Eckleberg Signup and view all the answers

As always, there is a grain of truth in what Gatsby says. In what sense is he an Oxford man?

He went to Oxford for five months. Signup and view all the answers

Daisy says that Tom is 'revolting.' To what, can you imagine, is she referring?

He's saying he loves her and that he's cheating on her. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Daisy have a tough time saying, as Gatsby wishes, that she never loved Tom?

Because she and Tom had good memories, she did love him once, but she loved Gatsby too. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it so important to Gatsby that Daisy say she never loved Tom?

It shows that her love is pure and only for Gatsby. Signup and view all the answers

How has Gatsby earned most of his money, and what does Tom say that startles Gatsby?

Tom knows Gatsby is working on something bigger and more illegal. Signup and view all the answers

What is Daisy's reaction to this news?

Tom won Daisy over after she found this out. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the hit and run scene.

Daisy was driving Gatsby's car. She was driving recklessly and was shaking. Myrtle saw the yellow car and thought it was Tom driving then. She escaped from Wilson and went to flag down the yellow car, Daisy swerved in and out, eventually hitting Myrtle. She was killed instantly. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Tom make the point to Wilson that he just drove the coupe from New York and the yellow car does not actually belong to him?

He knows Wilson saw Tom, Nick, and Jordan driving the yellow car earlier and he didn't want him to think he hit Myrtle. Signup and view all the answers

What indication is there that Tom really was fond of Myrtle?

He was upset; he repeated 'The coward! He didn't even stop his car!' Signup and view all the answers

What does the reader learn that Tom does not know?

Daisy was driving Signup and view all the answers

What is the scene that Nick observes taking place between Tom and Daisy in the kitchen?

They're eating together and conspiring together. Signup and view all the answers

Why does this scene suggest ill for Gatsby?

Tom and Daisy are getting along. Tom won Daisy over. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 7 Highlights

Fitzgerald connects the characters' escalating tensions to the oppressive heat, symbolizing a boiling point in the narrative.
Gatsby's unsettling encounter with Daisy's daughter symbolizes the reality of Daisy's life with Tom and signifies that the past cannot be recreated.

Character Dynamics

Tom realizes Daisy's affair with Gatsby through a pivotal moment of intimacy between them, highlighting the emotional stakes.
Gatsby perceives Daisy's voice as representative of wealth and privilege, indicating her desirability and allure.

Key Events

The driving arrangement sees Daisy and Gatsby using Tom's car, while Tom and Nick travel in Gatsby's vehicle, creating a tension-filled juxtaposition.
Tom feels empathy for Wilson and offers him the car, signifying his acknowledgment of Wilson’s suffering.

Myrtle's Perspective

Myrtle's refusal to leave with Wilson indicates her deeper emotional investment in Tom, suggesting their relationship goes beyond a mere fling.
The eyes of T.J. Eckleberg symbolize the moral decay and watchfulness of society over the characters' actions.

Gatsby's Background

Gatsby's claim of being an "Oxford man" is validated as he attended the institution for five months under a military program, showcasing the ambiguity of his past.

Daisy's Conflict

Daisy struggles to renounce her feelings for Tom, revealing her complicated emotions and past memories tied to him.
Gatsby’s desperate need for Daisy to deny her love for Tom underscores his idealistic view of their relationship and the fantasy he has built around her.

Financial Unraveling

Tom's unsettling knowledge of Gatsby's potentially illegal financial dealings shocks Gatsby, indicating Tom's suspicion and power.
Daisy's reaction to the revelations shifts her loyalty back to Tom, stemming from fear of losing Gatsby's wealth and security.

Tragic Incident

The hit-and-run incident depicts Daisy's reckless driving in Gatsby's car, where she accidentally kills Myrtle, adding to the story's dramatic tension.
Tom strategically distances himself from responsibility by stating the yellow car isn't his, reflecting his self-preservation instincts.

Emotional Fallout

Tom’s display of emotions after Myrtle's death reveals his complex feelings, showing he was not completely indifferent to her.
The reader learns that Daisy was driving, a critical fact that heightens the stakes for all characters involved.

Conclusion of Character Ties

The kitchen scene shows an unsettling alliance forming between Tom and Daisy, suggesting a newfound unity that poses a threat to Gatsby's aspirations.

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Test your understanding of Chapter 7 in 'The Great Gatsby' with these flashcards. Explore key themes, character dynamics, and symbolic meanings that Fitzgerald incorporates in this pivotal chapter. Perfect for reinforcing your knowledge or preparing for discussions.