4) Explain what is revealed in the chapter during the following segment: Taking a white card from his wallet he waved it before the man’s eyes. ‘Right you are,’ agreed the policeman, tipping his cap. ‘Know you next time, Mr. Gatsby. Excuse ME!’ Provide quoted evidence and page numbers from the text to support your conclusion[s].

Answer and Explanation:

NOTE: I will use the page number from the book I own. Change it if it does not match the page in your book.

"The Great Gatsby" is a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald whose themes concern the degradation of the American dream and society. In chapter 4, the narrator, Nick, is riding in Gatsby's car with Gatsby himself. Up to this point in the story, very little is known about Gatsby. He is this mysterious millionaire who seems to have taken a sudden interest in Nick.

While driving - and speeding -, Gatsby is tagged along by a policeman. He shows the policeman a white card that immediately releases him from having any kind of trouble. Nick asks him what it was, to which he gets the following

‘I was able to do the commissioner a favor once, and he  sends me a Christmas card every year.' (page 74)

That interaction already reveals a lot about Gatsby. We know he is somehow influential. The Christmas card he showed the policeman is enough to keep him from getting a speed ticket, and probably would keep him from having any trouble with the police whatsoever. Even though we do not know what the favor was, Gatsby is obviously relying on it to get away with wrongdoings, which leads us to think it was likely something shady.

Johnny looks like he is having the time of his life because he is away from most of the things that make him afraid. He is not staying at his abusive home. He isn't walking the streets, open to the Socs' beatings, and he has a 'brother'. When he gets the chance to be a hero and save the kids in the building he feels as though he life has meaning. He is able to do something good.