Reading The Great Gatsby (page 2)

Useful vocabulary in a conversation about Jay Gatsby:  

• Incongruous - Not fitting in; out of place

• Urbane - Sophisticated, suave

• Fallacious - False

• Enigmatic - Mysterious

• Infamous - Having a bad reputation

Once the rendezvous rolls around, though, Gatsby is a total wreck. He's awkward and clumsy and regrets the reunion. Daisy also is reserved and unsure, until Nick leaves them alone together. When he returns, the two have rekindled their love. This leaves Nick mostly forgotten, and he makes his largely unnoticed exit as Gatsby is showing Daisy around his huge house and incredibly expensive possessions.

Some time after the tea, Nick finds out more about Gatsby’s early life, and confirms his suspicions that Gatsby has been lying about his past. Gatsby came from nothing and swore to become a wealthy man. He has made his money in questionable ways, but now money he has and he intends to use it. But while Daisy and Gatsby continue their affair, her husband Tom grows suspicious and furious about his wife’s infidelity. (You all remember that Tom is having an affair with good old Myrtle at the gas station, right? Think he does?)

The situation comes to a head on a hot summer day. All the interested parties are present: Daisy and Tom, Nick and Jordan, and Gatsby. They are enjoying a lazy, relaxing afternoon charged with suspicious glances and sexual tension. Daisy suggests they go into the city because she is bored, and Tom seizes upon the idea as a way to expose what is really going on between Gatsby and Daisy.

Everybody piles into cars, with Nick, Tom and Jordan riding in Gatsby’s car, and Daisy and Gatsby in Tom’s car. While filling up at a gas station, the owner , Mr. Wilson, reveals to Nick, Tom, and Jordan that he thinks his lovely wife, Myrtle, is cheating on him, but he is not sure of the identity of her lover.

In a suite at the Plaza, the truth comes out, and Gatsby and Tom argue over Daisy. As they argue, Daisy realizes that she actually does love Tom more. The fight ends, and they begin their journey back. To prove that he has nothing to fear from Gatsby, Tom sends Daisy and Gatsby home in the same car together. A few minutes behind them, Tom, Jordan, and Nick follow. As their car approaches the gas station, they discover that Myrtle has been hit by a car and killed. Nick immediately realizes that Myrtle must have been killed by the car carrying Daisy and Gatsby.

Useful vocabulary to describe the climax of The Great Gatsby:  

• Debacle - Disaster

• Culpable - Guilty

• Reproachable - Deserving blame

• Peril - Danger

• Blithe - Careless

When they arrive at home, Daisy is inside, and Gatsby is hiding in the bushes. Gatsby tells Nick that Daisy was driving, but he is going to take the blame for her. He is so worried that Tom is going to hurt Daisy that he sends Nick in to check on her. Gatsby’s concern isn’t necessary – Nick finds the happy couple talking and eating chicken!