The Great Gatsby - Chapter 9 Summary

The Day of Gatsby's Death

• Nick Carraway is left to handle Gatsby's funeral arrangements.
• Attempts to contact Gatsby's friends for support, but they have disappeared.
• Daisy and Tom Buchanan have abandoned their home without leaving any forwarding address.

Gatsby's Funeral

• Attended only by a few servants, Gatsby's father, and Nick.
• Despite Gatsby's efforts to abandon his past, his father remembers him fondly.

Encounter with Tom Buchanan

• Nick runs into Tom in New York.
• Tom admits to revealing to George Wilson that Gatsby killed Myrtle Wilson.
• Nick is furious, but Tom believes Gatsby deserved to die.
• Tom claims to have suffered only because he lost his New York apartment.

Nick's Reflections

• Nick feels like he is talking to a child during his conversation with Tom.
• Says goodbye to Jordan Baker and prepares to return to the Midwest.

Final Visit to Gatsby's House

• Nick visits Gatsby's house one last time.
• Stares at the green light across the bay, symbolizing Gatsby's unattainable dream.

Themes and Conclusions

• The chapter ties up loose ends and brings the story full circle.
• Tom's arrogance and lack of remorse highlight the divide between old money and new money.
• Nick grapples with the concept of the American Dream.
  • Gatsby achieved wealth but never realized his dream of acceptance.
  • Nick, though socially bred, lacks wealth and prioritizes morality.
• Nick decides to leave the East Coast, abandoning the green light and the Valley of Ashes.

Reflections on Social Class

• The divide between old money (Tom and Daisy) and new money (Gatsby) is emphasized.
• The story illustrates the emptiness of the American Dream and societal flaws.

Nick's Decision

• Chooses to leave the corruption of the East Coast.
• Returns to the Midwest, seeking a simpler, more honest life.