Chapter Events

Question 1

What happens in chapter 1?

Answer 1

• Nick, who lives in West Egg, meets the Buchanan’s for dinner in East Egg.
• Nick meets Jordan Baker.
• Nick goes home and sees Gatsby and the green light.

Nick realises that their marriage is struggling and is intrigued by Gatsby.

Question 2

What happens in Chapter 2?

Answer 2

• Tom and Nick meet Myrtle at George Wilson’s garage in the Valley of Ashes.
• Intro of T.J. Eckleburg
• They throw a party in a New York apartment and Tom breaks Myrtle’s nose when she shouts Daisy’s name.

Class divisions are emphasised and the American dream is not what it seems.

Question 3

What happens in Chapter 3?

Answer 3

• Nick witnesses Gatsby’s parties and gets invited to one.
• He goes, feels outcasted, but then meets Jordan.
• Rumours about Gatsby are speculated (German spy, murderer)
• Nick meets Gatsby, who is intrigued by Nick, and invites him to his hydroplane the next morning; he doesn’t drink and is more enigmatic than his guests.
• Nick meets Owl Eyes who is astounded by Gatsby’s real books.
• A car crash happens outside when the party is over, outlining the carelessness of the rich.

Question 4

What happens in chapter 4?

Answer 4

• Nick reads G.’s guest list, emphasising their lack of connection to him.
• He also goes on a drive with G. and he reveals his Oxford background.
• Meyer Wolfsheim, a criminal who fixed the 1919 World Series, is introduced and has links to Gatsby and how he became rich.
• Jordan reveals G. and Daisy’s past and Gatsby reveals his plan to rekindle it.

Question 5

What happens in chapter 5?

Answer 5

• Gatsby and Daisy are reunited and Gatsby is very nervous as tension rises between the two.
• Gatsby gives Nick and Daisy a mansion tour, attempting to impress Daisy.
• Daisy cries in the pile of expensive shirts, showing her regret of choosing Tom over Gatsby.
• Nick leaves the two of them and the green light is reinterpreted from his hopes and dreams to a loss of his enigmatic mystique.

Gatsby’s dreams and his plan start to come to life, but the fragility of his ideal is revealed and hints at challenges he will face.

Question 6

What happens in Chapter 6?

Answer 6

• More of G.’s past is revealed, he worked for Dan Cody who he learnt from and admired but he was left little in Cody’s will due to Ella Kay’s interference, motivating him to become wealthy.
• Tom and Daisy visit G.’s mansion, it is awkward and Tom is skeptical of G.’s wealth and background while Daisy in uncomfortable.
• T. + D. go to Gatsby’s party and Tom criticises Gatsby’s wealth, calling him new money and shady, while Daisy is overwhelmed.
• Gatsby’s time motive is revealed and built on

Gatsby is upset D. didn’t enjoy herself but still perseveres to go back in time, and Tom becomes more skeptical.

Question 7

What happens in chapter 7?

Answer 7

• Gatsby stops his parties due to Daisy’s lack of enjoyment.
• Tom and Gatsby’s conflict begins and the two are openly hostile, fighting for Daisy’s love and ownership over her, Daisy is hesitant but says she loves Gatsby now.
• Daisy runs over Myrtle accidentally in Gatsby’s car and Tom is furious yet manipulates the situation and shifts the blame to Gatsby in-front of Wilson.
• Nick has a realisation and reflects on the emptiness of Tom and Daisy’s world and the futility of Gatsby’s quest.

Question 8

What happens in chapter 8?

Answer 8

• Gatsby’s background concerning Daisy is revealed (going to war, Daisy’s reputation etc.)
• Nick warns Gatsby to leave Long Island after Myrtle is killed but he refuses to get Daisy.
• Wilson is grieved and investigates the owner of the yellow car angrily.
• Wilson tracks down Gatsby, shoots him, then shoots himself.
• Nick finds Gatsby’s body, and reflects on Gatsby’s failure.

Question 9

What happens in Chapter 9?

Answer 9

• Everyone gossips about Gatsby and Nick arranges his funeral, yet his party-goers abandon him and his funeral is sparse.
• Gatsby’s father, owl eyes, one guest from his parties, and Nick attend the funeral.
• Nick returns to the Midwest and sees Tom in New York, who admits he told Wilson about the car, yet shows no remorse.
• Nick finalises his contempt for Tom and Daisy’s carelessness and reflects on Gatsby and the American dream.