Great Gatsby Chapter 7

Reading Guide | The Great Gatsby Chapter 7, Section 2 Before-Reading Activities Directions: Before you read the second section of Chapter 7 of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, review the vocabulary and terms for this reading and answer the short-answer questions. Vocabulary Word precipitately (adv.) Definition hastily; quickly rancor (noun) angry feeling of hatred or dislike for someone who has treated one unfairly babbled (noun) talked foolishly or too much slander (noun) saying something false about someone, causing others to have a bad opinion of them magnanimous (adj.) generous portentous (adj.) momentous or impressive incessantly (adj.) continuing without stopping formidable (adj.) difficult to deal with inquest (noun) an official investigation to find the reason for something truculent (adj.) easily annoyed or angered and likely to argue Example the author's use of words and descriptions to evoke certain feelings in the reader a struggle between two opposing forces A conflict might be character vs. self, character vs. character, character vs. nature, or character vs. society. hints provided by a writer about what will happen later in a narrative These lines from Act I, Scene IV, of Romeo and Juliet foreshadow the end of the play: "I fear too early, for my mind misgives / Some consequence yet hanging in the stars / Shall bitterly begin his fearful date / With this night's revels, and expire the term / Of a despised life closed in my breast / By some vile forfeit of untimely death." foreshadowing mood Charles Dickens wrote in The Pickwick Papers, "The river, reflecting the clear blue of the sky, glistened and sparkled as it flowed noiselessly on … " conflict Definition The mood of this line is calm or peaceful because it evokes calm and peaceful feelings in the reader. 1. In three to five sentences, summarize the first section of Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby. The first section of Chapter 7 in The Great Gatsby marks a shift in tone as Gatsby abruptly stops hosting his extravagant parties. Nick learns that Gatsby has done this because Daisy disapproves of them, and Gatsby’s focus has narrowed solely to her. Tom grows increasingly suspicious of Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship, sensing the tension between them. This sets the stage for the rising conflict between Tom and Gatsby. The summer heat serves as a metaphor for the intensifying emotions and impending confrontation. 2. What do you think will happen now that Tom has realized that Daisy loves Gatsby? Explain your answer. he will confront both Daisy and Gatsby to reassert his dominance and try to maintain control over his marriage. Reading Guide | The Great Gatsby Chapter 7, Section 2 During-Reading Activities Directions: Read Chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby from the line "There is no confusion like the confusion of a simple mind …" to the end of the chapter. As you read, answer these questions. When you are finished, save your work and complete the rest of the lesson. 1. Describe the mood once the characters reach the hotel. The mood at the hotel in The Great Gatsby is tense, oppressive, and confrontational. The stifling summer heat mirrors the simmering emotions among the characters, creating a sense of discomfort and impending explosion. 2. How does Tom first try to expose Gatsby as a fraud? [Hint: This happens right after the conversation about Biloxi.] Tom first tries to expose Gatsby as a fraud by questioning him about his past and his claim of being an Oxford man. 3. How does Gatsby feel when Tom finally brings the affair out in the open? Why do you think he feels this way? When Tom brings Gatsby and Daisy's affair into the open, Gatsby initially feels confident and emboldened, believing Daisy will affirm her love for him and renounce her marriage to Tom. 4. What claim does Gatsby make about Daisy during his argument with Tom? How does Tom react to Gatsby's claim? During his argument with Tom, Gatsby claims that Daisy never loved Tom and has only ever loved him 5. What conflict does Daisy face once the affair is revealed? During his argument with Tom, Gatsby claims that Daisy never loved Tom and has only ever loved him, Gatsby. He is adamant that Daisys feelings for Tom were never genuine and that her true love has always been for Gatsby. 6. How do Gatsby and Tom react to Daisy's declaration? it significantly impacts both men. Gatsby is devastated and incredulous, as her admission contradicts his idealized belief that she has only ever loved him. 7. What accusation does Tom make about Gatsby's business affairs? How does Gatsby react to Tom's accusation? How does Daisy react? Tom accuses Gatsby of engaging in illegal activities, specifically bootlegging and other shady business dealings through his connection with Meyer Wolfsheim. He insinuates that Gatsby's wealth is tainted and built on criminal enterprises. 8. Tom observes that Daisy and Gatsby's "presumptuous little flirtation is over" once he reveals the truth about Gatsby's money. Do you think this is true? Explain your answer. Toms observation that Daisy and Gatsbys "presumptuous little flirtation is over" reflects his belief that he has successfully reasserted control over Daisy and undermined Gatsby. 9. What do you think the significance is of Nick realizing that it is his birthday? Why does Fitzgerald include this in the story? Nick's realization that it is his birthday is significant because it marks a moment of personal reflection amidst the chaos and tension unfolding around him. 10. Nick, Jordan, and Tom leave for Long Island. This section ends with the line: "So we drove on toward death through the cooling twilight." What could this line foreshadow? The line "So we drove on toward death through the cooling twilight" foreshadows the impending tragedy and death that will soon unfold in the story. 11. What happens to Myrtle? Myrtle Wilson is tragically killed in The Great Gatsby when she runs out into the road, believing Tom is driving the car that struck her. 12. Describe the scene when Nick, Jordan, and Tom arrive at the garage. the scene is tense and foreboding 13. Whose car hit Myrtle? How do you know? It is Gatsby's car that hits Myrtle. We know this because, later in the story, it is revealed that Daisy was driving the car when it struck Myrtle, but the car belongs to Gatsby. 14. What does Tom reveal to Wilson about the car? Why does he do this? Tom reveals to George Wilson that the car that hit Myrtle is Gatsby’s. He does this to deflect suspicion away from himself and Daisy, knowing that George will likely seek revenge for his wife’s death. 15. What is the significance of Jordan going into the house when Nick refuses? The significance of Jordan going into the house when Nick refuses reflects the growing distance and disillusionment between them. 16. Who does Nick encounter as he waits for a taxi? As Nick waits for a taxi, he encounters Gatsby. Gatsby appears at this moment in the story as a quiet, solitary figure, standing by his car in the driveway. 17. What does Nick realize about the accident? Nick realizes that the accident, in which Myrtle was killed, was not an accident at all. While initially, he thought Gatsby might have been driving the car, he eventually comes to understand that it was Daisy who was behind the wheel when the car struck Myrtle. 18. Why do you think Myrtle was approaching the car? Myrtle was likely approaching the car because she mistakenly believed that Tom was driving it. She had been having an affair with Tom and was desperate to escape her unhappy marriage to George Wilson. 19. Why is Gatsby waiting outside the house? Gatsby is waiting outside the house because he is hopeful that Daisy will call him, believing that she will choose to leave Tom and be with him 20. What does Nick observe as he checks in on Daisy? When Nick checks in on Daisy, he observes that she and Tom are both in the house, seemingly calm and collected, but there is a noticeable tension between them. Daisy, though physically present, appears distant and emotionally detached, and Nick senses that she is conflicted.