Chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby delves into Jay Gatsby's past, revealing his humble beginnings as James Gatz and his transformation into a wealthy figure. The chapter explores themes of social class, as Gatsby's desire for wealth and status is contrasted with Tom Buchanan's aristocratic disdain. As tensions rise between Gatsby and Tom over Daisy, the narrative highlights Gatsby's obsession with recreating the past and the illusion of his dreams. This summary is essential for students studying F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, particularly for those preparing for literature exams or discussions.

Key Points

  • Explores Jay Gatsby's transformation from James Gatz to a wealthy figure
  • Highlights the social class tensions between Gatsby and Tom Buchanan
  • Examines Gatsby's obsession with recreating the past with Daisy
  • Analyzes the themes of wealth, status, and the American Dream
newtopiccyclegrowin
4 pages
Language:English
Type:Book Summary
Literature
newtopiccyclegrowin
4 pages
Language:English
Type:Book Summary
Literature
63
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Chapter Six Summary and Analysis
The rumors about Gatsby continue to circulate in New York—a
reporter even travels to Gatsby’s mansion hoping to interview him.
Having learned the truth about Gatsby’s early life sometime before
writing his account, Nick now interrupts the story to relate Gatsby’s
personal history—not as it is rumored to have occurred, nor as
Gatsby claimed it occurred, but as it really happened.
Gatsby was born James Gatz on a North Dakota farm, and though he
attended college at St. Olaf in Minnesota, he dropped out after two
weeks, loathing the humiliating janitorial work by means of which he
paid his tuition. He worked on Lake Superior the next summer
fishing for salmon and digging for clams. One day, he saw a yacht
owned by Dan Cody, a wealthy copper mogul, and rowed out to warn
him about an impending storm. The grateful Cody took young Gatz,
who gave his name as Jay Gatsby, onboard his yacht as his personal
assistant.
Traveling with Cody to the Barbary Coast and the West Indies,
Gatsby fell in love with wealth and luxury. Cody was a heavy
drinker, and one of Gatsby’s jobs was to look after him during his
drunken binges. This gave Gatsby a healthy respect for the dangers
of alcohol and convinced him not to become a drinker himself. When
Cody died, he left Gatsby $25,000, but Cody’s mistress prevented
him from claiming his inheritance. Gatsby then dedicated himself to
becoming a wealthy and successful man.
Nick sees neither Gatsby nor Daisy for several weeks after their
reunion at Nick’s house. Stopping by Gatsby’s house one afternoon,
he is alarmed to find Tom Buchanan there. Tom has stopped for a
drink at Gatsby’s house with Mr. and Mrs. Sloane, with whom he has
been out riding. Gatsby seems nervous and agitated, and tells Tom
awkwardly that he knows Daisy. Gatsby invites Tom and the Sloanes
to stay for dinner, but they refuse. To be polite, they invite Gatsby to
dine with them, and he accepts, not realizing the insincerity of the
invitation. Tom is contemptuous of Gatsby’s lack of social grace and
highly critical of Daisy’s habit of visiting Gatsby’s house alone. He is
suspicious, but he has not yet discovered Gatsby and Daisy’s love.
The following Saturday night, Tom and Daisy go to a party at
Gatsby’s house. Though Tom has no interest in the party, his dislike
for Gatsby causes him to want to keep an eye on Daisy. Gatsby’s
party strikes Nick much more unfavorably this time around—he
finds the revelry oppressive and notices that even Daisy has a bad
time. Tom upsets her by telling her that Gatsby’s fortune comes from
bootlegging. She angrily replies that Gatsby’s wealth comes from a
chain of drugstores that he owns.
Gatsby seeks out Nick after Tom and Daisy leave the party; he
is unhappy because Daisy has had such an unpleasant time. Gatsby
wants things to be exactly the same as they were before he left
Louisville: he wants Daisy to leave Tom so that he can be with her.
Nick reminds Gatsby that he cannot re-create the past. Gatsby,
distraught, protests that he can. He believes that his money can
accomplish anything as far as Daisy is concerned. As he walks amid
the debris from the party, Nick thinks about the first time Gatsby
kissed Daisy, the moment when his dream of Daisy became the
dominant force in his life. Now that he has her, Nick reflects, his
dream is effectively over.
The truth was that Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang
from his Platonic conception of himself.
Analysis:
Chapter 6 further explores the topic of social class as it relates
to Gatsby. Nick’s description of Gatsby’s early life reveals the
sensitivity to status that spurs Gatsby on. His humiliation at having
to work as a janitor in college contrasts with the promise that he
experiences when he meets Dan Cody, who represents the attainment
of everything that Gatsby wants. Acutely aware of his poverty, the
young Gatsby develops a powerful obsession with amassing wealth
and status. Gatsby’s act of rechristening himself symbolizes his
desire to jettison his lower-class identity and recast himself as the
wealthy man he envisions.
It is easy to see how a man who has gone to such great lengths to
achieve wealth and luxury would find Daisy so alluring: for her, the
aura of wealth and luxury comes effortlessly. She is able to take her
position for granted, and she becomes, for Gatsby, the epitome of
everything that he invented “Jay Gatsby” to achieve. As is true
throughout the book, Gatsby’s power to make his dreams real is
what makes him “great.” In this chapter, it becomes clear that his
most powerfully realized dream is his own identity, his sense of self.
It is important to realize, in addition, that Gatsby’s conception of
Daisy is itself a dream. He thinks of her as the sweet girl who loved
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FAQs

What is Gatsby's real name and background?
Gatsby was born James Gatz on a North Dakota farm. He attended college at St. Olaf in Minnesota but dropped out after two weeks due to the humiliation of working as a janitor to pay for tuition. His early life was marked by poverty and a desire for wealth, which intensified after he met Dan Cody, a wealthy copper mogul who took him under his wing.
How does Gatsby's relationship with Dan Cody influence him?
Gatsby's time with Dan Cody, who was a heavy drinker, instilled in him a healthy respect for the dangers of alcohol and convinced him not to drink. This experience also exposed Gatsby to wealth and luxury, shaping his aspirations and desire to become a successful man. When Cody died, Gatsby was left with nothing due to Cody's mistress preventing him from claiming his inheritance, which further fueled his determination to amass wealth.
What happens during Tom Buchanan's visit to Gatsby's house?
During Tom Buchanan's visit to Gatsby's house, he stops for a drink with Mr. and Mrs. Sloane. Gatsby, feeling nervous and agitated, awkwardly mentions his acquaintance with Daisy. Tom is contemptuous of Gatsby's lack of social grace and is suspicious of Daisy's visits to Gatsby's house. Although Gatsby invites Tom and the Sloanes to stay for dinner, they refuse, instead inviting Gatsby to join them, which he accepts without realizing their insincerity.
How does Gatsby feel about Daisy's experience at his party?
After Tom and Daisy leave Gatsby's party, Gatsby expresses unhappiness about Daisy's unpleasant experience. He desires for things to return to how they were before he left Louisville, hoping Daisy will leave Tom to be with him. Nick reminds Gatsby that he cannot recreate the past, but Gatsby insists he can, believing his wealth can achieve anything regarding Daisy.
What does the chapter reveal about social class distinctions?
Chapter 6 illustrates the social class distinctions between East Eggers, like Tom and the Sloanes, and Gatsby, who represents 'new money.' Despite Gatsby's wealth, he lacks the social nuance and grace that the aristocratic East Eggers possess, leading them to mock and despise him. This division highlights the entrenched class distinctions that exist even among the wealthy.
What is the significance of Gatsby's dream regarding Daisy?
Gatsby's dream of Daisy is central to his identity and aspirations. He envisions her as the sweet girl who loved him in Louisville, blinding himself to the reality that she would never abandon her own class for him. This idealization of Daisy represents Gatsby's broader quest for identity and success, illustrating how his dreams shape his actions and ultimately lead to his downfall.
How does Nick view Gatsby's attempts to recreate the past?
Nick reflects on Gatsby's desire to recreate the past, particularly his relationship with Daisy. He understands Gatsby's yearning but recognizes the futility of it, as Gatsby believes his wealth can change reality. Nick's thoughts reveal the tragic nature of Gatsby's dream, suggesting that the pursuit of an idealized past is ultimately unattainable.

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