The Great Gatsby: Chapter Four

Nick and Gatsby go for lunch; Jordan tells Nick of a plan Gatsby has devised to meet Daisy over tea...

Narrative perspectives/ voices:
Narrated by Nick Carraway; who is more of an observing character who feels less ‘in the know’ as secrets are held from him throughout this chapter- giving the reader less of an understanding of how Gatsby is actually feeling; because he leaves the narration to Miss Baker when Nick finds out about Gatsby’s love for Daisy.
This chapter iconicaly has a unique style of passing the narrative perspective from different characters. A large focus is on Gatsby. At the beginning of the chapter, Nick’s opinion on Gatsby has changed quite drastically:

·         ‘So, my first impression, that he was a of some undefined consequence, had gradually faded and he had become simply the proprietor of an elaborate road-house next door.’

Later, Gatsby wishes to ‘tell something about [his] life’ with an ‘interruption’ to Nick’s previous response for his question: ‘what’s your opinion of me, anyhow?’- These blunt, but seemingly planned questions take Nick by surprise; ‘a little overwhelmed’. This abrupt transferring information speech from Gatsby, in sufficient detail, gives Nick the impression that he could be hiding something- ‘I knew why Jordan Baker had believed he was lying...as though it had bothered him before...and with this doubt, his whole statement fell to pieces, and I wondered whether there wasn’t something a little sinister about him after all.’ But this could have merely all been to try and persuade Nick further, resulting in some sympathy, and willingness to help him and Daisy meet; with quite innocent intentions. Interestingly, his current trade is not mentioned, and where he gets his current consistent source of wealth. Also, Nick’s later impression of Gatsby is not mentioned, rather the chapter ends with Nick and Jordan getting close in the car: ‘and so I drew her up closer, this time to my face.’
Time Period:
‘Sunday morning whilst the church bells rang’ gives a light tone to the rather more sombre and informative chapter that awaits. The only date that is mentioned is July 15^th 1922 – and Nick finds this on a ‘schedule’ that ‘is in effect’ from then. It is described as ‘grey’, hinting that this was from the past, but ‘Gatsby’s’ handwriting is still legible on it.  
Nick remembers clearly the time period in which he has interactions with Gatsby; ‘at nine o’clock, one morning late in July’...giving the impression that he is very interested in Gatsby, and he is borderline peculiar when it comes to remembering details about him. The use of punctuation: comma mid-sentence adds to this factor.
A vague date used is describing Mr Wolfshiem: who ‘fixed the world series back in 1919’. The ‘cool’ way in which Gatsby is described to say it, shows that he

Setting:
The first setting if the chapter isn’t mentioned, but as Nick is talking as if viewing Gatsby’s house: ‘the world and its mistress returned to Gatsby’s house and twinkled hilariously on his lawn’; I assume that Nick is at his own house.
Lunch with Gatsby; meeting Mr Wolfshiem and running into Tom Buchannan; across from the ‘The old Metropole’
Later in the chapter, Nick has lunch and drives away with Miss Baker; finding out about Gatsby and Daisy’s past fling.

Narrative Techniques, Elements and Themes:
Poetic prose; ‘second cousin to the devil’
Sensual description; ‘two fine growths of hair which luxuriated in either nostril..tiny eyes..expressive nose’
se of dramatic dialogue; ‘how did he happen to do that?’...’he just saw the opportunity’ ‘why isn’t he in jail?’ ‘they can’t get him, old sport, he’s a smart man.’
Surreal description; ‘covered Gatsby with his expressive nose’

References to; ‘restaurants’: ‘Highballs’ ‘The old Metropole’ ‘head waiter’ ‘nice restaurant here’

Colloquial language; ‘the young Quinns..divorced now..killed himself’ ‘Oggsford College in England. You know Oggsford College?’
Time references; ‘this schedule is in effect from July 15^th 1922’, ‘world series back in 1919’, ‘nine o’clock, one morning late in July’ ’One October day in ninteen-seventeen- ‘That was nineteen-seventeen.’

Use of names; meet lots new characters in a rant that Nick has in the beginning; personally meeting Mr Wolfshiem, who tells tales involving ‘Rosy’ and his death, Katspaugh and ‘money’; and several other minor characters in-between, like Daisy Fay’s maid.

Language of altercation; ‘I hadn’t the faintest idea what ‘this matter’ was, but I was more annoyed than interested.’ ‘I’m afraid I made you a little angry this morning in the car’...’I don’t like mysteries,’ I answered’ ‘Daisy’s furious because you haven’t called up’

Colours; ‘cotton-white’ ‘white knickerbockers’ ‘she dressed in white’

Themes; seasons- ‘Gatsby’s house that summer’ ‘drowned summer’