The Great Gatsby | Chapter 9 Summary & Analysis | F. Scott Fitzgerald

Summary

In Chapter nine of 'The Great Gatsby,' Nick is left to organize Gatsby's funeral as all of Gatsby's friends, including Daisy and Tom, have vanished. Despite Gatsby's abandonment of his past, his father speaks fondly of him. Nick confronts Tom, who admits to telling George Wilson that Gatsby killed Myrtle, feeling no remorse. Disillusioned by Tom and Daisy's selfishness, Nick decides to leave the East Coast, realizing the American Dream's emptiness. He moves back to the Midwest, leaving behind the green light and the Valley of Ashes.

Takeaways

• 😢 Nick is left to plan Gatsby's funeral alone as all of Gatsby's friends have abandoned him.
• 🏡 Daisy and Tom have left their home without leaving a forwarding address.
• 😠 Nick is infuriated by the fickleness of Gatsby's friends.
• 👨‍👦 Gatsby's father speaks fondly of his son despite Gatsby having abandoned his past.
• 👨‍🎤 Nick bumps into Tom in New York, who admits he told George Wilson that Gatsby killed Myrtle.
• 😡 Nick is outraged, but Tom insists Gatsby deserved to die.
• 😢 Tom admits he suffered after Myrtle's death, but only because he lost his New York apartment.
• 👋 Nick feels like he was talking to a child and says goodbye to Jordan before moving back to the Midwest.
• 🌃 On his last night, Nick visits Gatsby's house and stares at the green light across the bay.
• 💔 The final chapter highlights the divide between old money and new money, and Nick's realization of the American Dream's limitations.

Q & A

What event does Chapter nine of The Great Gatsby focus on?

Chapter nine focuses on the day of Gatsby's death and the events surrounding his funeral.

How does Nick feel about Gatsby's friends after Gatsby's death?

Nick is infuriated by the fickleness of Gatsby's friends, as they all disappear and do not attend his funeral.

Who attends Gatsby's funeral?

A few servants, Gatsby's father, and Nick are the lone attendants at Gatsby's funeral.

What does Gatsby's father say about him despite Gatsby abandoning his past?

Gatsby's father speaks fondly of his son despite Gatsby abandoning his past.

What does Tom admit to Nick when they bump into each other in New York?

Tom admits that he told George Wilson that Gatsby killed Myrtle.

How does Nick feel after his conversation with Tom?

Nick feels outraged and believes he is talking to a child due to Tom's blind arrogance and lack of remorse.

What is Tom's reaction to Myrtle's death?

Tom admits he suffered terribly after Myrtle's death, but only because he had to give up his New York apartment.

What decision does Nick make after saying goodbye to Jordan?

Nick decides to pack up his belongings and move back to the Midwest.

What does Nick do on his last night in New York?

Nick visits Gatsby's house and stares across the bay at the green light in the distance.

What themes are solidified by Tom's behavior in the final chapter?

Tom's behavior solidifies the divide between old money and new money, and highlights the blind arrogance and lack of remorse of the wealthy.

How does Nick view the American Dream by the end of the novel?

Nick grapples with the trappings of the American Dream, realizing that while Gatsby achieved rags-to-riches success, he never realized his own dream. Nick concludes that the reward of wealth is not worth losing his morality.

Why does Nick decide to leave New York and move back to the Midwest?

Nick decides to leave New York because he feels disillusioned with the shallow, self-involved nature of people like Tom and Daisy, and he wants to preserve his morality.