This chapter is all about the mysterious circumstances surrounding Gatsby. First off, Gatsby takes Nick to lunch in the city. During the car ride there, Gatsby tells Nick about his past, a story that sounds very unlikely. For example, he claims that he got his education at Oxford, collected jewels in all of the big cities in Europe, hunted big game in different parts of the world, and has several World War I medals from various European nations. He even presents a medal from Montenegro when he sees Nick's look of skepticism. As they're speeding into town, Gatsby gets pulled over. The policeman apologizes and bids Gatsby on his way after he shows the policeman a card. Gatsby and Nick have lunch with a business partner of Gatsby, Meyer Wolfsheim, who apparently fixed the 1919 World Series. This, in no way, reassures Nick of Gatsby's honest background.
Later on, Jordan finally tells Nick about what she and Gatsby discussed at one of his parties. She explains Gatsby and Daisy's love story from before Gatsby went to war. It ends with Daisy unhappily marrying Tom, and remaining faithful to him even though he does not do the same, and Gatsby moving into a mansion across the lake from Daisy, hoping to meet up with her again. Jordan then relays the request to Nick that Gatsby would like for him to invite Daisy to his house for tea, so that Gatsby can also be there and see Daisy again.
As I read this part of the book, so many questions popped into my head. For one thing, why has Gatsby waited so long to contact Daisy when she was so close, just right across the lake? Also, does he really think this is a good idea, surprising Daisy in such a way? I don't think it's a very good idea because I don't think I would want someone to just show up and surprise me like that, after so many years. I think he should've tried to contact her through a letter first, saying that he is now living in West Egg and would love to meet up again. That seems way less risky to me and I would appreciate that a lot more.
Later on, Jordan finally tells Nick about what she and Gatsby discussed at one of his parties. She explains Gatsby and Daisy's love story from before Gatsby went to war. It ends with Daisy unhappily marrying Tom, and remaining faithful to him even though he does not do the same, and Gatsby moving into a mansion across the lake from Daisy, hoping to meet up with her again. Jordan then relays the request to Nick that Gatsby would like for him to invite Daisy to his house for tea, so that Gatsby can also be there and see Daisy again.
As I read this part of the book, so many questions popped into my head. For one thing, why has Gatsby waited so long to contact Daisy when she was so close, just right across the lake? Also, does he really think this is a good idea, surprising Daisy in such a way? I don't think it's a very good idea because I don't think I would want someone to just show up and surprise me like that, after so many years. I think he should've tried to contact her through a letter first, saying that he is now living in West Egg and would love to meet up again. That seems way less risky to me and I would appreciate that a lot more.