Gatsby Ch. 4

Ch. 4 61-80

Nick lists all of the people that he has seen attending Gatsby’s parties during the summer. Then Gatsby takes Nick to lunch in New York where he tells the story of his life. On the journey a policeman pulls Gatsby over. Gatsby merely shows the police man a white car and the policeman exempts him from the violation. When they get to lunch the meet Meyer Wolfsheim who is Gatsby’s criminal friend. Meyer describes his place in the 1919 World Series in which he paid off the players but was not convicted. At lunch Gatsby sees Ton Buchanan, which causes Gatsby to mysteriously disappear after shaking Tom’s hand. Nick then meets up with Jordan who describes the story of when she first met Gatsby in Louisville. She further enlightens Nick about Gatsby’s plan to meet with Daisy at his house. Nick later describes the seen in which he and Jordan kiss under the bridge.

Meyer Wolfsheim

“It never occurred to me that one man could start to play with the faith of fifty million people-with a single mindedness of a burglar robbing a safe.” (73)    

Criminal: Fixed the World Series and involvement in a shooting.
Powerful: Has rich connections.
Selfish: Does what will gain him profit not what is morally right.

Intelligent: He has never been to prison or been caught by the police.

Mr. Wolfsheim seems to be Gatsby’s connection to the world of crime and his own past. Although living an almost divine life it is clear that associated with Mr. Wolfsheim reunites Gatsby with the underworld of crime. Furthermore, by being friends with Mr. Wolfsheim for a long amount of time it can be said that Gatsby truly does have a different side to him. The fact that he so closely associates with this man directly shows that he associates or has been associated with criminals for a while. Mr. Woflsheim brings to life Gatsby’s other more darker side and gives Nick the perception that his money may have come from crime.

“They shook hands briefly, and a strained, unfamiliar look of embarrassment came over Gatsby’s face.”(74)

This quote is significant because it foreshadows the relationship between Gatsby and Tom Buchanan. It is clear that Gatsby’s actions show that he is uncomfortable around Tom and through other signs of the novel it is clear that Daisy may be the reason. This quote is significant because it is the first time that these two prestigious men meet and sets the stage for the drama to unfold between them. Furthermore, it shows a weakness in Gatsby that has previously not been identified in the book. This quote shows that this mighty man does indeed feel human emotions of weakness and embarrassment.