45 pages 1 hour read

F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1925

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Chapter 5Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 5 Summary

At Nick’s home, Gatsby and Daisy meet for the first time in many years.

Prior to the meeting, Gatsby acts uninterested. Nevertheless, he betrays his true level of anxiety about impressing Daisy through a series of actions, including having Nick’s lawn cut beforehand.

As the meeting proceeds awkwardly, Nick attempts to give them time to themselves. Gatsby, however, follows him to plead for his help with the situation. Nick chastises Gatsby for behaving foolishly and senses that this angers Gatsby.

Later, they all go to Gatsby’s house. The house is empty aside from Klipspringer, the dissolute “boarder” who never seems to leave. Gatsby pulls out hundreds of expensive shirts in his bedroom, as if they are a sort of treasure. Nick and Daisy marvel at them. Nick sees a picture of a man on a yacht, and Gatsby describes him as Dan Cody, his former best friend.

After looking around the house, they once again find Klipspringer, and Gatsby forces him to entertain them with songs on the piano. Nick leaves Gatsby and Daisy alone together, suggesting that they may rekindle their former sexual relationship.