The Great Gatsby – Chapter 7 Summary

Chapter 7 was another important chapter in this book, it started off with Gatsby deciding to call off his parties, which he had held primarily to lure Daisy. He has also fired his servants to prevent gossip, and replaced them with connections of Meyer Wolfsheim.

On the hottest day of the summer, Nick drives to East Egg for lunch at Tom and Daisy's house. When the nurse brings in Tom and Daisy's baby girl, Gatsby is stunned. During the awkward afternoon, Gatsby and Daisy cannot hide their love for one another, and Tom finally notices their situation.

After finally realizing the situation, Tom agrees with Daisy's suggestion that they should all go to New York together. Nick rides with Jordan and Tom in Gatsby's car; Gatsby and Daisy ride together in Tom's car. Stopping for gas at Wilson's garage, Nick, Tom, and Jordan learn that Wilson has discovered his wife's affair and plans to move her to the West. Nick perceives that Tom and Wilson are in the same position.

Tom begins his confrontation with Gatsby by mocking his habit and the fact that he claimed he went to Oxford. Tom asks Gatsby about his intentions with Daisy, and Gatsby replies that Daisy loves him, not Tom. Tom claims that he and Daisy have a history that Gatsby could not possibly understand. He then accuses Gatsby of running a bootlegging operation. Daisy, who began the afternoon in love with Gatsby, feels herself moving closer and closer to Tom as she watches the confrontation. Tom realizes he has won, and sends Daisy back to Long Island with Gatsby to prove Gatsby's inability to hurt him. As the confrontation ends, Nick realizes that today is his thirtieth birthday.

Back at Tom's house, Nick waits outside, and finds Gatsby hiding in the bushes. Gatsby says he waited to make sure Tom would not hurt Daisy. He tells Nick that Daisy was driving when the car struck Myrtle, but that he, Gatsby, will take the blame. Still worried about Daisy, Gatsby sends Nick to check on her. Nick finds Tom and Daisy eating cold fried chicken and talking. They have put aside their differences, and Nick leaves Gatsby standing alone in the moonlight.

Word Count: 376