In The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald creates a climactic confrontation in Chapter 7 between Gatsby and Tom Buchanan which is of central importance to the text as a whole because it marks the end of Gatsbys dream.

This confrontation is the climax of the novel and Fitzgerald foreshadows this by using pathetic fallacy, increasing the narrative tension.  The confrontation occurs on the hottest day of summer which is described by Nick as ‘broiling’ which immediately sets tension with connotations of heat and simmering anger.  The train seats are described as hovering ‘on the edge of combustion’ which foreshadows dramatic culmination of passions igniting and tension about to occur.  As Nick arrives at the Buchanans’, it is clear that the heat makes everyone irritable, and at a symbolic level it brings everything to the boil.  Daisy exclaims that “it’s so hot” and “everything’s so confused” conveying her turmoil, capriciousness and, importantly, her wavering commitment to Gatsby.  The heat is also used here to create a sense of disorientation and confusion as Nick tells us that the “relentless beating heat was beginning to confuse me” which further creates a sense of disorder and turmoil increasing the sense of pressure building to the point of combustion.   Furthermore in the novel, the setting of New York represents wild, selfish, immoral behaviour - already illustrated by the fact that it is the setting for Tom and Myrtle’s extra-marital affair – which makes it an appropriate place for Tom to confront Gatsby about his affair.  Fitzgerald’s use of setting creates a sense of foreboding indicating that the confrontation will cruelly destroy Gatsby’s dream.

The central concern of the novel which leads to the pivotal confrontation is Gatsby’s desperate desire to recreate the past and be with Daisy is symbolised by the green light, which in turn represents the American Dream.  When we are first introduced to Gatsby’s character in the opening chapter, he is seen as a lonely figure reaching out towards a “single green light” and his desperate longing is conveying by the fact that he is “trembling”.  Gatsby’s powerful desire is clear here as this is the first thing we learn about him and contrasts starkly with the lack of motivation and drive apparent in the wealthy East Eggers.  We learn that Gatsby reinvents himself though ambition, hard work and self-discipline which are fundamental values of the American Dream.  His sole purpose is attracting Daisy and he clings to his dream throughout the novel.  Nick admires Gatsby’s values of determination and optimism telling us in the closing lines that he “believed in the green light.”  Gatsby is characterised here by Nick as a romantic hero who steadfastly holds on to his dreams.  However, both Daisy and the American Dream are inextricably linked to money in the novel and this is the key factor that corrupts Gatsby’s “incorruptible” dream.  

However, although Gatsby seems to achieve the American Dream of rising from a poor working-class background to obtain great wealth and success, but he has to sacrifice himself and undergo a complete reinvention.  He changes his name from ‘Gatz’ to ‘Gatsby’ in order to sound more English and adopt the persona of an eccentric aristocrat.  Furthermore, he uses phrases such as ‘old sport’ frequently and hosts extravagant parties in order to conceal his working-class background and create an illusion of prestige and class.  However, in the climactic confrontation, Tom challenges the authenticity of these affectations: “all this ‘old sport’ business.  Where’d you pick that up?”. This effectively deconstructs Gatsby’s elaborate illusion of class to Daisy and the reader.  The term ‘old sport’ is reminiscent of an English aristocrat.  Tom goes on to also question Gatsby’s educational background, “I understand you’re an Oxford man”, which leads to Gatsby’s admission that he attended the prestigious University briefly as an opportunity after the war, rather than the traditional routes of privileged families.  Tragically it is clear that once Gatsby’s true identity is revealed, Daisy is no longer interested.  Therefore the fact that Gatsby could never earn access to the upper-class and achieve his dream of Daisy - no matter how hard he tried or how wealthy he became - reveals the corruption that money causes.  This suggests that the American Dream has been corrupted and that it is not within everyone’s grasp – you have to become someone else in order to achieve it.

The consequences of the confrontation lead to Gatsby’s demise.  As the conflict comes to an end, Tom maintains superiority and control of the situation by “insisting” Daisy return home in Gatsby’s car with “magnanimous scorn”.  Tom’s supercilious behaviour increases our sympathy for Gatsby who appears powerless in the face of Tom’s self-satisfied demeanour of wealth and superiority.  Tom’s insistence on Daisy travelling home with Gatsby confirms Nick’s observation that Gatsby’s dream is dead creating sympathy for the eponymous hero.

The implications of Tom’s decision lead to a disastrous outcome as Myrtle is killed and the story builds towards its tragic conclusion when Wilson assumes that Gatsby was to blame.  Subsequently Daisy retreats to protection of her mansion and Gatsby once again returns to his isolated vigil waiting “all night, if necessary” on Daisy just as he was introduced in the opening chapter.  Pathos is created as Nick emphasises the futility of Gatsby’s wait as he describes leaving him “watching over nothing”.  It is clear to the reader that Daisy has returned to the security of Tom and his ‘old money’ wealth, finally signalling the end of Gatsby’s dream although Gatsby still holds onto hope.

Therefore the confrontation between Tom and Gatsby in Chapter 7 of the The Great Gatsby is important because it leads to the destruction of Gatsby’s dream and his eventual demise.  It also effectively reveals Daisy’s shallowness and materialism.  Once Gatsby’s illusionary persona is shattered and the reality is exposed by Tom Buchanan, Daisy rejects Gatsby and returns to her husband showing her lack of care for Gatsby.  Ultimately the confrontation results in the tragic conclusion to the novel where Gatsby dies because of his desperate desire for Daisy.  Gatsby’s character embodies the idea of the American Dream which is revealed by Fitzgerald to be corrupted by money and the pursuit of wealth.  Tragically Gatsby’s great optimism and determination were unable to surmount the great social divide and achieve his dream of Daisy.