The Great Gatsby (by Chapter 8)

What was unique about Daisy to Gatsby?

Daisy, Gatsby reveals, was his social superior, yet they fell deeply in love. The reader also learns that, when courting, Daisy and Gatsby had been intimate with each other and it was this act of intimacy that bonded him to her inexorably, feeling “married to her.” Gatsby left Daisy, heading off to war. He excelled in battle and when the war was over, he tried to get home, but ended up at Oxford instead. Daisy didn’t understand why he didn’t return directly and, over time, her interest began to wane until she eventually broke off their relationship.

What increased Daisy’s value in Gatsby’s eyes?

Gatsby’s narrative begins with the description of Daisy as the first wealthy, upper-class girl Gatsby had ever met. He loved her huge beautiful house and the fact that many men had loved her before him. All of this made him see her as a prize. He knew that since he was poor, he shouldn’t really have been wooing her, but he slept with her anyway, under the false pretenses that he and she were in the same social class. Gatsby realized that he was in love with Daisy and was surprised to see that Daisy fell in love with him too. They were together for a month before Gatsby had to leave for the war in Europe. He was successful in the army, becoming a major. After the war he ended up at Oxford, unable to return to Daisy.

What happened one October night?

When Nick meets up with Gatsby at dawn, Gatsby tells him nothing happened outside Daisy’s house all night. Gatsby’s house feels strangely enormous. It’s also poorly kept – dusty, unaired, and unusually dark. But he knew that he was in Daisy’s house by a colossal accident. However glorious might be his future as Jay Gatsby, he was at present a penniless young man without a past, and at any moment the invisible cloak of his uniform might slip from his shoulders. So he made the most of his time. He took what he could get, ravenously and unscrupulously — eventually, he took Daisy one still October night, took her because he had no real right to touch her hand.

What did Gatsby let Daisy believe?

In the morning , after a sleepless night, haunted by Myrtle’s death, Nick hears Gatsby returning from having spent the night standing outside Daisy’s house. He goes to talk to Gatsby and learns that Daisy never came out of the house and nothing happened. Nick tells Gatsby he should go away, before the police trace his car, but Gatsby holds on to his dream of being with Daisy. He tells Nick the story of how they met, when he was poor, and how he was drafted into the war and had to leave her. He explains that Daisy believed they were of the same social class, and he let her believe it.

There’s a great discussion of class and wealth here. Gatsby felt uncomfortable in Daisy’s house – she was simply from a finer world than he. When he finally “took” her (in the sexual sense of the word), it was because he wasn’t dignified enough to have any other relationship. Nick reveals that Gatsby misled her, too, making her believe he was in a position to offer her the safety and financial security of a good marriage, when in fact all he had to give was some lousy undying love.

How did Gatsby do in the war?

In the war, Gatsby did well for himself (medals and such). He tried to get home as soon as the war was over, but through some administrative error or possibly the hand of God, he was sent to Oxford.

What did Daisy do “through the twilight universe?”

By showing that Daisy is only desired for her beauty, Fitzgerald emphasizes the low standards women had in society. The strong characterization of who she is based on her appearance shows how women were judged on their beauty, not their personality. Daisy’s past also characterizes her and shows how she is only valued for nothing but her physical appearance. “Through the twilight universe Daisy began to move again with the season; suddenly she was again keeping half a dozen dates a day with half a dozen men…” (Fitzgerald). Daisy’s beauty is magnetic and alluring to men. Men did not desire her because of her intelligence or personality. Fitzgerald actually never draws any attention to Daisy’s inner beauty. Aside from her “beautiful face and enchanting body”, Daisy is shown to be a “hollow woman, and empty character.”

What does Gatsby say about Daisy’s relationship with Tom?

Jay honestly thinks that Daisy married Tom only for money.  It was her only security into the East Egg way of life.  He told her that he would return, and he finally did.  He knew that she had married while he was away, but again, he knew she only did it for the money.  He didn’t think that she cared for him at all.  After all, he had his affairs all the time, and Daisy was not ignorant of his behavior.  She just didn’t ever confront him about it. When Jay came back into her life, he assumed that she would drop everything and go away with him.  However, when they are in New York City, Jay tells Tom that his wife never loved him.  When put on the spot, Daisy honestly says,

“Oh, you want too much!” she cried to Gatsby. “I love you now—isn’t that enough? I can’t help what’s past.” She began to sob helplessly. “I did love him once—but I loved you too.” So she did love Tom.  This is Jay’s revelation in the story.  He realizes that it’s not going to be as easy as he thought it was.  She’s not going to just walk off with him into the sunset.  He even faltered when Daisy introduced him to her daughter Pammy.  That was an awkward moment.  His perception of their love was off enough to alter his happy ending.

What time of year is it when Nick talks to Gatsby?

Nick wakes as Chapter 8 opens, hearing Gatsby return home from his all-night vigil at the Buchanans. He goes to Gatsby’s, feeling he should tell him something (even he doesn’t know what, exactly). The gardener comes in while the two are talking and tells Gatsby he is going to drain the pool, as summer is over. Gatsby tells him to do it later because he wants to swim once before the summer ends, and he has never used the pool.

Why didn’t Nick want to leave?

The men are finishing breakfast as Gatsby’s gardener arrives. He says he plans on draining the pool because the season is over, but Gatsby asks him to wait because he hasn’t used the pool at all. Nick, purposely moving slowly, heads to his train. He doesn’t want to leave Gatsby, impulsively declaring “They’re a rotten crowd . . . You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.”

How does Nick feel about the whole crowd?

After they finish breakfast, Nick realizes that he doesn’t want to leave Gatsby by himself, but he also senses that they will be saying farewell to each other forever when he leaves. He decides to head back to his house, and just as he is leaving Gatsby’s place, he turns around and impulsively tells Gatsby that Daisy and her friends are a “rotten” crowd and that he is worth all of them put together.