The Great Gatsby | Chapter 7 Summary & Analysis | F. Scott Fitzgerald

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13 Feb 201803:20

Summary

TLDRIn Chapter seven, Gatsby becomes reclusive to protect Daisy, firing his servants to avoid rumors. Despite this, Daisy and Gatsby's affair becomes more apparent, culminating in a confrontation during a luncheon at the Buchanan's. Tom exposes the affair, leading to a tense trip to New York. During this trip, Myrtle is killed by Gatsby's car, which Daisy was driving. This event marks a turning point, revealing Daisy's commitment to Tom and Nick's disgust at the selfishness of the Buchanans. Gatsby's dream is shattered as Daisy chooses Tom, highlighting the clash between illusion and reality.

Takeaways

🏠 Daisy and Gatsby become more reclusive to protect their relationship, with Gatsby firing his servants to avoid rumors.
💑 Daisy and Gatsby become bolder in their displays of affection.
🍽️ During a luncheon at the Buchanans', Daisy kisses Gatsby and proclaims her love.
👧 Daisy's daughter Pammy appears briefly, led by her nurse, before being sent away by Daisy.
👀 Tom realizes Daisy and Gatsby are having an affair and suggests a trip to New York.
🚗 Tom drives Gatsby's car with Jordan and Nick, while Gatsby takes Tom's car with Daisy.
⛽ On the way, Tom stops at Wilson's garage for gas and learns that Wilson suspects his wife is having an affair.
🌇 In New York, the group rents a hotel room to relax, where Tom confronts Gatsby.
💔 Under Tom's questioning, Daisy admits she loves Tom, which hurts Gatsby.
🚗 On the way back to East Egg, they find Myrtle has been killed in a hit-and-run accident by Gatsby's car, driven by Daisy.

Q & A

Why does Gatsby become more reclusive in Chapter Seven?
-Gatsby becomes more reclusive to protect Daisy and to avoid further rumors about their relationship.
What action does Gatsby take to avoid more rumors?
-Gatsby fires his servants to avoid more rumors.
How do Daisy and Gatsby's displays of affection change in Chapter Seven?
-Daisy and Gatsby become bolder in their displays of affection.
What significant event occurs during the luncheon at the Buchanan's house?
-During the luncheon, Daisy kisses Gatsby and proclaims her love for him.
How does Tom react to the affair between Daisy and Gatsby?
-Tom can no longer deny the affair and is visibly upset.
What trip is suggested by Daisy, and how do the characters split between cars?
-Daisy suggests a trip to New York. Tom drives Gatsby's car with Jordan and Nick, while Gatsby takes Tom's car with Daisy.
What revelation does Tom receive at Wilson's garage?
-Tom learns from Wilson that Wilson has discovered his wife is having an affair.
What occurs during the confrontation between Tom and Gatsby at the hotel?
-Gatsby boldly tells Tom that Daisy never loved him, but under questioning, Daisy admits she loved Tom and is conflicted.
What tragic event happens on the way back to East Egg?
-Myrtle is killed in a hit-and-run accident by Gatsby's car, driven by Daisy.
How does Nick react to the events he witnesses at the Buchanan's house after Myrtle's death?
-Nick is horrified and disgusted by the self-serving behavior of Tom and Daisy.
What does Gatsby admit to Nick about the car accident?
-Gatsby admits that Daisy was driving the car when it struck and killed Myrtle.
What is the turning point set up by these events in the novel?
-The turning point is Daisy choosing Tom over Gatsby, shattering Gatsby's dream and revealing Daisy's superficiality.
What does Daisy's child symbolize in the context of her relationship with Gatsby and Tom?
-Daisy's child symbolizes the reality of her life with Tom, contrasting with Gatsby's idealized fantasy.
What does Daisy's action of running over Myrtle indicate about her character?
-Daisy's action of running over Myrtle shows her commitment to Tom and her willingness to be self-serving and ruthless.
How does Nick's perception of Tom and Daisy change after these events?
-Nick becomes disgusted by their self-serving and careless behavior, realizing they see everyone as disposable.
What is Gatsby's final stance regarding Daisy after Myrtle's death?
-Gatsby still wants to protect his image of Daisy and is willing to sacrifice himself for it.

Outlines

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🔒 Gatsby Becomes Reclusive

In Chapter seven, Gatsby becomes more reclusive to protect Daisy, firing his servants to avoid rumors. Daisy and Gatsby grow bolder in their displays of affection. Nick and Gatsby visit the Buchanans for lunch, where Daisy kisses Gatsby and declares her love. Daisy's daughter, Pammy, briefly appears, showcased by Daisy. During the meal, Gatsby and Daisy's mutual affection is evident, making Tom suspicious of their affair.

🚗 Trip to New York

Daisy suggests a trip to New York, which Tom agrees to, insisting on driving Gatsby's car with Jordan and Nick while Gatsby drives Tom's car with Daisy. Tom's temper flares at Wilson's garage, where a sick Wilson reveals he knows his wife is having an affair. Tom is overwhelmed by the possibility of losing both his wife and his mistress. The group rents a hotel room in the city to relax.

🔥 Confrontation in the Hotel

In the hotel, Tom confronts Gatsby, trying to catch him in a lie. Gatsby remains composed, boldly claiming Daisy never loved Tom. Under Tom's questioning, Daisy admits she loves Tom, which visibly hurts Gatsby. Tom discredits Gatsby in front of Daisy, shattering Gatsby's illusion. Tom then sends Gatsby and Daisy back home together.

💔 Myrtle's Death

On the way back to East Egg, Tom, Nick, and Jordan discover Myrtle has been killed in a hit-and-run accident involving Gatsby's car. Nick is horrified to learn that they didn't stop after hitting Myrtle. At the Buchanan's home, Nick finds Gatsby hiding and learns that Daisy was driving when Myrtle was killed. Disgusted, Nick leaves, marking a turning point in the novel.

🌀 Climax and Reality

This incident sets up the climax where Daisy chooses Tom over Gatsby, shattering Gatsby's dream. Daisy's superficial affection reveals her true intentions: using Gatsby to retaliate against Tom for his infidelity. Daisy's act of intentionally running over Myrtle signals her commitment to Tom. Nick is appalled by the self-serving behavior, as not even Myrtle's death moves them from their pettiness. Gatsby, however, is still willing to protect Daisy, sacrificing himself for his idealized image of her.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Reclusive

The term 'reclusive' describes someone who avoids the company of others and lives in isolation. In the script, Gatsby becomes more reclusive to protect Daisy and avoid further rumors. This behavior highlights Gatsby's desire to shield Daisy from scandal, illustrating his deep commitment to her.

💡Affection

Affection refers to a gentle feeling of fondness or liking. In the script, Daisy and Gatsby become bolder in their displays of affection, openly showing their love for each other. This growing boldness underscores the intensifying nature of their relationship and foreshadows the conflict with Tom.

💡Affair

An affair is a romantic or sexual relationship between two people, especially one that is secret or illicit. The script reveals that Tom can no longer deny Daisy and Gatsby's affair. This affair is central to the plot, driving the tension between the characters and leading to pivotal confrontations.

💡Luncheon

A luncheon is a formal lunch, often for a specific purpose. In the script, Nick and Gatsby attend a luncheon at the Buchanan's, where Daisy kisses Gatsby. This setting becomes a critical point for revealing the affair and escalating the tensions between the characters.

💡Illusion

An illusion is a false idea or belief. Gatsby's illusion is that Daisy never loved Tom and that they can recreate the past. This illusion is shattered during the confrontation in New York, revealing the impossibility of Gatsby's dream and highlighting the theme of unattainable desires.

💡Hit-and-run

A hit-and-run refers to a car accident in which the driver responsible for the crash leaves the scene without providing contact information. Myrtle's death in a hit-and-run accident involving Gatsby's car is a turning point in the novel. It exposes the characters' moral failings and leads to the unraveling of Gatsby's dream.

💡Commitment

Commitment refers to the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause or activity. Daisy's commitment to Tom is ultimately revealed when she chooses him over Gatsby. Despite her affection for Gatsby, her actions, particularly in the aftermath of Myrtle's death, show her true allegiance.

💡Self-serving

Self-serving describes actions that prioritize one's own interests over others. Nick is disgusted by the self-serving behavior of Daisy and Tom, who are indifferent to Myrtle's death and only concerned with their own comfort. This highlights the moral decay and selfishness of the upper class.

💡Fantasy

A fantasy is an idea with no basis in reality, often involving wishful thinking. Gatsby's fantasy is that he and Daisy can rekindle their past love and live happily ever after. This fantasy is contrasted with the harsh reality of Daisy's practical choices, underscoring the novel's theme of disillusionment.

💡Reality

Reality refers to the state of things as they actually exist. The script contrasts Gatsby's fantasy with the reality of Daisy's life, including her child and marriage to Tom. This distinction highlights the novel's exploration of the American Dream and the harsh truths behind idealistic aspirations.

Highlights

Gatsby becomes more reclusive and fires his servants to avoid more rumors.

Daisy and Gatsby become bolder in their displays of affection.

Nick and Gatsby go to a luncheon at the Buchanan's, where Daisy kisses Gatsby and proclaims her love.

Daisy's daughter Pammy appears, is shown off by Daisy, and then sent away.

During the meal, Gatsby and Daisy gaze lovingly at each other, confirming their affair to Tom.

Daisy suggests a trip to New York, and Tom agrees, driving Gatsby's car.

Tom explodes about the affair on the way, stopping at Wilson's garage for gas, where a sick Wilson tells Tom he's discovered his wife is having an affair.

Nick notes the hovering eyes of Doctor Eckleburg and Myrtle's jealous eyes.

In the city, the party rents a hotel room and drinks to relax.

Tom tries to catch Gatsby in a lie, but Gatsby remains cool and composed.

Gatsby boldly tells Tom that Daisy never loved him, which Daisy robotically agrees to.

Under Tom's questioning, Daisy admits she loves Tom and scornfully says Gatsby asked too much of her.

Tom tells Gatsby to drive Daisy home after realizing Gatsby's shadow on Daisy's illusion.

On the way back to East Egg, Myrtle is killed in a hit-and-run accident by Gatsby's car.

Nick is horrified to learn that they didn't stop after hitting Myrtle.

Back at the Buchanan's, Nick finds Gatsby hiding in the bushes, admitting Daisy had been driving when Myrtle was killed.

Nick leaves disgusted, marking a turning point in the novel.

The climax is set up where Daisy chooses Tom over Gatsby, shattering Gatsby's dream.

Daisy's child symbolizes the reality that trumps Gatsby's fantasy.

Daisy uses Gatsby to get back at Tom for his infidelity.

Daisy intentionally running over Myrtle reveals her commitment to Tom.

Nick is disgusted by the self-serving behavior of Tom and Daisy.

Tom views everyone as disposable.

Gatsby still wants to protect his image of Daisy and is willing to sacrifice himself for it.