Lecture Notes: Chapter 7 from The Great Gatsby

Overview

• Chapter 7 marks a pivotal point in The Great Gatsby, focusing on the climax of Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy and the unraveling of relationships.
• The chapter explores themes of illusion versus reality, the decline of the American Dream, and the destructiveness of love and jealousy.

Key Events

Gatsby Ends His Parties

• Gatsby stops his extravagant parties, fueling rumors and curiosity about him.
• Replaces his servants to prevent gossip as Daisy visits often.

Lunch at the Buchanan's

• Nick is invited to Daisy's house for lunch; Gatsby and Jordan Baker are also present.
• Tension is evident between Tom and Gatsby.
• Daisy's daughter is introduced, which surprises Gatsby, showcasing his disbelief in Daisy's separate life.

Heat Intensifies Conflict

• The oppressive heat mirrors the rising tension among the characters.
• Tom suspects Daisy's affair with Gatsby.

Trip to New York

• A spontaneous decision to go to New York further escalates tensions.
• Tom, already suspicious, switches cars with Gatsby, driving Gatsby’s car.

Hotel Confrontation

• At the Plaza Hotel, Tom confronts Gatsby about his past and relationship with Daisy.
• Gatsby insists Daisy never loved Tom and only married him because Gatsby was poor.
• Daisy struggles to affirm Gatsby's claim, indicating her love for both men.
• Tom reveals Gatsby's criminal activities to discredit him.

Themes

Illusion vs. Reality

• Gatsby's idealized vision of Daisy is challenged by the reality of her life and decisions.
• The collapse of Gatsby's fantasy is depicted as the "dead dream."

The Decline of the American Dream

• The chapter highlights the moral decay beneath the wealth and opulence of the characters.
• Gatsby's criminal background and pursuit of wealth highlight the corrupted American Dream.

Love and Jealousy

• The chapter is dominated by tensions arising from love triangles (Gatsby-Daisy-Tom, Tom-Myrtle-Wilson).
• Tom's confrontation reflects his insecurities and jealousy.

Significant Symbols

The Heat

• The relentless heat symbolizes the escalating emotions and tensions.

The Yellow Car

• Gatsby's car becomes a symbol of wealth but also of impending doom as it is involved in Myrtle Wilson's accidental death.

Dr. T.J. Eckleburg's Eyes

• The eyes symbolize the moral scrutiny and judgment over the characters' actions.

Consequences

Myrtle's Death

• Myrtle Wilson is killed in a hit-and-run accident by Gatsby's car, driven by Daisy.
• Tom uses this incident to manipulate George Wilson, Myrtle's husband, against Gatsby.
• Tom and Daisy's relationship appears to reconcile superficially in the aftermath.

Character Development

Gatsby

• Gatsby's determination and dream of being with Daisy are challenged and ultimately crushed.
• Displays his willingness to protect Daisy by taking the blame for the accident.

Daisy Buchanan

• Torn between Gatsby and Tom, her indecisiveness highlights her superficial nature.
• Ends up siding with her husband, Tom, indicating her ultimate loyalty to status and security.

Tom Buchanan

• Exhibits dominance and control, even resorting to exposing Gatsby's criminal activities.
• Despite his earlier panic, he regains control over Daisy.

Nick Carraway

• Acts as a passive observer, but his disillusionment with the Buchanans and the elite lifestyle intensifies.
• Feels a sense of foreboding and loneliness as he turns thirty.

Conclusion

• Chapter 7 serves as a turning point, intensifying the novel's central conflicts and setting the stage for the tragic outcomes that follow.
• It explores deeper themes of social decay, the illusion of the American Dream, and the destructive nature of love and desire.