The Great Gatsby: Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Key Quotes

Vital Scenes and Descriptions:

“He’s a bootlegger…he killed a man who had found out that he was nephew to Von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil.” This quote is filled with rumours about Gatsby’s past, displaying the mystery surrounding his character. It also underscores public fascination, fear and uncertainty of Gatsby’s wealth and social status.
“With an effort I managed to restrain my incredulous laughter.” Nick’s disbelief and amusement at the tales of Gatsby illustrate his detachment and creates a dissonance between his role as an observer and participant in the narrative.
“By God, I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me.” These words by Tom highlight his hypocritical stance on fidelity, illustrating a strong patriarchal sentiment and double standard prevalent during the era.

Character Progression and Implications:

“Bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter.” This dialogue shared by Gatsby sheds light on his past and possible source of wealth, thereby piecing together his character.
“She’s never loved you. She loves me.” Gatsby’s heartfelt proclamation about Daisy reflects his desperate hope for the future and his blind conviction of Daisy’s love, revealing his deep-seated values and driving motivations in the narrative.

Exposure to Key Themes:

“He came alive to me, delivered suddenly from the womb of his purposeless splendour.” This quote encircles the theme of illusion versus reality with Gatsby being portrayed more as a real individual than a representation of an unreachable ideal.
“Her voice is full of money.” This remark by Gatsby underpins the potent theme of materialism – Daisy’s voice isn’t just beautiful to Gatsby, it represents opulence and the unattainable status he covets.

Symbolism and Literary Devices:

“He had passed visibly through two states and was entering upon a third.” This metaphor used by Nick emphasizes Gatsby’s transformative journey and echoes the overarching symbolism of Gatsby’s pursuit of the American Dream.
“A universe of ineffable gaudiness spun itself out in his brain while the clock ticked on the wash-stand and the moon soaked with wet light his tangled clothes upon the floor.” This imagery illustrates Gatsby’s internal romantic world contrasted with the temporal and mundane realism, further portraying the discrepancy between his dream and reality.