The Great Gatsby Chapter 4 Journal

George Angelopoulos 4˚

1. The Great Gatsby: Chapter 4, Pg. 61-80

2. This chapter opens with Nick describing the various parties that Gatsby holds, as well as the rich and powerful people that attend. One day, Gatsby takes Nick out to lunch to exchange stories. Nick doesn’t believe most of Gatsby’s stories, but he does have some proof. They have lunch with Mayor Wolfshiem, a corrupt character who is involved in many shady deals. It is finally revealed that Gatsby is in love with Daisy, and hopes that Nick can arrange a meeting between the two of the.

3.            a. Mayor Wolfsheim

            b. “A small, flat-nosed Jew raised his large head and regarded me with two fine growths of hair which luxuriated in either nostril. After a moment I discovered his tiny eyes in the half-darkness.” (69)

            c. Mayor Wolfsheim is a very shady character. He is short, has a big nose, and has small, beady eyes. His physical characteristics alone portray a sly, deceiving, and selfish person. He is alleged to have rigged the 1919 World Series, as well as participating in illegal activities. He is very opportunistic, and cares a lot about money. He wants everything, including being the life of the party. He is eccentric and sentimental, although a bit cold to Nick.

            d. Gatsby, so far, has been portrayed as the ultimate character, as someone who emulates class, wealth, and elegance. However, no one really knows the true story about Gatsby, where he came from, and what his intentions are. Mayor Wolfsheim’s purpose is to shed a different light on Gatsby, and to raise some questions. Nick has some suspicions that Gatsby earned his wealth through Mayor Wolfsheim and illegal activities. Every character, even the best, has both good and bad within them. The true mark of good character is which side one picks to be influenced by.

4. “There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tires.” (79) This sentiment provides both optimist and an urge for life and living life. Life is an opportunity to live, love, laugh, and create. There are those who sit by the sidelines, and watch life pass by, and there are those who take life for themselves. Gatsby sat by the sidelines, and lost Daisy in the process. All the money in the world couldn’t remedy that, however he does have the ability to change his future. That is why he lives at West Egg, and that is why he is trying to arrange to see Daisy once more. Nick can learn from Gatsby’s fervor, and apply the same principles to his life.