Analyzing The Great Gatsby: Chapter 8

Summary: The Chapter begins with Nick going to visit Gatsby in the early morning hours a day after the accident. Gatsby recounts to the Nick the story between himself and Daisy, as well as his refusal to leave Long Island.

Following the conversation, Nick goes to work and Gatsby goes for a swim in his pool. In vengeance of losing his wife, George Wilson tracks down the man who owns the yellow car, being Gatsby. Wilson travels to Gatsby's home, finds him floating on his pool and shoots him. Wilson then kills himself. Nick rushes home and he and Gatsby's servants discover the gruesome scene.

Chapter Quote: "It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson's body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete." With this quote, the reader immediately knows that Gatsby's life, and story, have come to an end. The main significance of this quote lies in the fact that Gatsby, the focus of the novel, has been killed. However, there are many interesting things to examine regarding his death and the circumstances surrounding it.

Note that it is primarily Gatsby's refusal to let the past be the past that contributes to his death. Earlier in the day, Gatsby refused to let his servant empty the pool, insisting that it was still summer, despite the coldness in the air. It seems as though Gatsby could not acknowledge that summer, and along with it, his relationship with Daisy, is over. Had Gatsby consented to let time pass, it is likely that he may not have been killed. However, he refused to accept the idea that things pass on in time, and, as a result, was shot in his pool.

Character Role: Chapter Eight provides the reader with an excellent time to analyze the character of Wilson, the mechanic. Obviously, Wilson is distressed about what happened to his wife, however, nothing can justify his taking the life of Gatsby. Wilson makes many statements throughout the chapter that contribute to the understanding of his character. Among them, "'God knows what you've been doing, everything you've been doing. You may fool me, but you can't fool God!'"