Keyword Guide · chapter-summary
Chapter 4 shifts from mystery to background, filling in Gatsby’s past and deepening the novel’s social world. This chapter also moves the plot forward by setting up Gatsby’s connection to Daisy.
Nick lists the wealthy guests who attend Gatsby’s parties, emphasizing their status and carelessness. Gatsby then shares his life story with Nick, claiming an elite upbringing and heroic past. Later, Nick meets Jordan Baker, who explains Gatsby and Daisy’s history and Gatsby’s real reason for buying his mansion.
Gatsby works hard to control how others see him. His stories sound impressive but also rehearsed, making Nick partly skeptical. This contrast highlights the gap between appearance and truth that runs throughout the novel.
Jordan reveals that Gatsby and Daisy were once in love before Gatsby went to war. Daisy later married Tom because Gatsby was poor and absent. Gatsby’s wealth and lifestyle are revealed as attempts to win Daisy back.
This chapter develops themes of illusion, social class, and the American Dream. It shows how wealth can create opportunity but cannot erase the past. For essays, focus on how Gatsby’s self-invention drives his choices.
It provides crucial background on Gatsby and explains his motivation, especially his connection to Daisy.
Nick is unsure. He wants to trust Gatsby but notices details that make the story seem exaggerated.
Know Gatsby’s claimed past, Daisy’s history with him, and how this chapter explains Gatsby’s goal.
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