Sean O'Donnell--Chapter 4 Pages 61-80

Sean O'Donnell--Chapter 4 Pages 61-80


Chapter four opens with Nick listing all the people who attended Gatsby's parties over the summer. Gatsby picked Nick up one day, and they headed into the city for lunch. He told him the following: he lost his family at a young age, he studied at Oxford, his valor in the war earned him a promotion to major and a medal, and that he traveled around after the war. He learns that Jordan has something to tell him later, when they would meet. They have lunch with Mr. Wolfsheim, the man who fixed the world series, and run into Tom at the restaurant. Jordan tells Nick all about Daisy's past with Gatsby and other men. Gatsby wants to meet with Daisy at Nick's house, without her knowing. Nick is happy to be with Jordan.


Meyer Wolfsheim


"Meyer Wolfsheim? No, he's a gambler... He's the man who fixed the World's Series back in 1919" (Fitzgerald 73).


Mr. Wolfsheim is a middle-aged man, whom at first seems like a completely normal guy. What comes as a shock to Nick is that he is a gambler and a cheater. He fixed the World Series because he 'saw the opportunity' and isn't in jail because "He's a smart man." He is clever and avoided the punishments for a severe crime. He too, like numerous characters in the book, is dishonest.


Mr. Wolfsheim shows the reader another side to Gatsby. He is friends with this sinister man, which leads us to question his honesty. Like many others in the novel, Meyer is attracted to wealth and will do anything to get money. He adds to the mysteriousness of Gatsby.


"Take them down-stairs and give'em back to whoever Gatsby r they belong to. Tell'em all Daisy's change' her mine. Say: 'Daisy's change' her mine!" (Fitzgerald 76).


This quote, said by Daisy the night before her wedding, caught me by surprise. I found it strange that she had second thoughts about marrying Tom. What was even more astonishing to me, is that after their honeymoon, she was crazy about him. She would worry about him if he wasn't home and did not show the slightest sign that she had had second thoughts. I believe this is significant because she may have remembered Gatsby and realized she still had feelings for him. She didn't know whether or not Tom was truly the right man.