The Great Gatsby | Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis | F. Scott Fitzgerald

Summary

In Chapter 8, Nick visits Gatsby the morning after the accident and encourages him to leave West Egg, but Gatsby refuses due to his love for Daisy. Gatsby recounts their past romance and Daisy's subsequent marriage to Tom. George Wilson, grief-stricken over Myrtle's death and infidelity, believes Gatsby is responsible and kills him before taking his own life. Nick, disillusioned by the elitist society, ends his relationship with Jordan. The chapter explores themes of love, obsession, class struggle, and the distorted sense of morality among the characters.

Takeaways

• 🌅 The narrative begins with Nick visiting Gatsby after an accident, highlighting the depth of their friendship.
• 🚫 Gatsby's refusal to leave Daisy, despite Nick's advice, underscores his unwavering love and commitment to her.
• 💔 Gatsby's recollection of his past with Daisy reveals a deep emotional connection that he believes is still intact.
• 💍 The notion of Gatsby feeling 'married' to Daisy, despite her marriage to Tom, shows his idealized view of their relationship.
• 😔 Daisy's anxiety and eventual marriage to Tom while Gatsby was away paints a picture of a love lost to the passage of time and distance.
• 🚂 Nick's realization of Gatsby's worth compared to the rest of the characters in the 'Valley of Ashes' suggests a moral judgment on the society depicted.
• 🔍 George Wilson's search for the truth behind Myrtle's death and his misguided quest for revenge introduces a tragic subplot.
• 🚗 The revelation that Gatsby's car was involved in Myrtle's death adds a layer of irony and tragedy to the story.
• 🎯 George's act of shooting Gatsby and then himself is a culmination of his distorted reality and misplaced vengeance.
• 📞 Nick's failed attempts to contact Gatsby and subsequent discovery of the bodies adds suspense and a sense of urgency to the narrative.
• 💔 Gatsby's disillusionment with Daisy's changed nature since their first meeting reflects the theme of unattainable dreams and the passage of time.
• 👁 The reappearance of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg's eyes symbolizes the moral decay and the characters' loss of innocence.
• 💔 The contrast between Daisy's guilt and her ability to continue life without consequence, versus Gatsby's tragic end, highlights the theme of social class and its impact on individual fate.

Q & A

What does Nick encourage Gatsby to do the morning after the accident?

Nick encourages Gatsby to leave West Egg for a while.

Why does Gatsby refuse to leave West Egg?

Gatsby refuses to leave because he wants to stay close to Daisy.

How did Gatsby feel after making love to Daisy before the war?

Gatsby felt married to Daisy after they made love.

Why didn't Daisy wait for Gatsby to return from the war?

Daisy grew anxious while Gatsby was away and eventually married Tom, who matched her social rank and was approved by her parents.

What is Gatsby's conviction about his relationship with Daisy?

Gatsby is still convinced that he and Daisy will end up together.

What does Nick shout to Gatsby before boarding the train to work?

Nick calls out that Gatsby is worth the whole damn bunch put together.

How does George Wilson react to Myrtle's death and her infidelity?

George Wilson struggles with Myrtle's death and convinces himself it was murder, believing God demands revenge.

What information does George Wilson obtain from Tom?

George learns from Tom that it was Gatsby's car that killed Myrtle.

What tragic event occurs when George Wilson travels to West Egg?

George Wilson shoots Gatsby and then turns the gun on himself.

How does Nick react when he can't reach Gatsby on the phone?

Nick leaves work early and discovers the bodies of Gatsby and George Wilson.

What realization does Gatsby have about Daisy when he returns from visiting her?

Gatsby realizes that Daisy didn't need him and that she has changed significantly since he first met her.

What does Nick prefer about Gatsby compared to the elitist crowd?

Nick prefers Gatsby's frustrating dream over the superficial and elitist crowd.

What symbolic element returns with George Wilson's belief that Myrtle can't fool God?

The symbolism of Dr. Eckleburg's eyes returns, representing the distorted reality and the characters' moral degradation.

How does Fitzgerald use the characters' actions to examine class struggle?

Fitzgerald shows how the poor become collateral damage in the pursuit of the rich's personal gain, with Daisy continuing her life without consequence while Gatsby is sacrificed.