Question: I have seen this movie several times, but I have never quite understood the scene where Tom and Daisy's daughter meets Gatsby, Nick, and Jordan (before the group decides to go into town). Gatsby is obviously very shocked at the sight of the child, judging by the way he stares at her. However, it seems that he would have known about her after keeping up on rumors and stories about Daisy for years. Can anyone add any insight or thoughts to the significance of this scene?
Answer: It's not known if Gatsby knew about Daisy's daughter (Pammy) prior to his seeing Daisy again. Gatsby was deeply in love with Daisy before she married Tom, but in reality, she was no longer the girl Gatsby thought he knew. She has become shallow, materialistic, self-centered, and oblivious to much of what goes on around her. Gatsby may be seeing in Pammy how he remembered Daisy once was, innocent and unspoiled. Pammy may or may not become like her mother, depending on how she is raised.
I think he is being wilfully ignorant. He wants to believe that Daisy will walk away from Tom any day now. But the child is a symbol of her marriage to Tom. A result of the life that she built with Tom after she chose to marry him.
I think he knew because Tom and Daisy are the sort of couple who would appear in the society pages of the news. Or have a birth announcement printed. (I've found announcements about older relatives).
Answer: In the book, Nick - as narrator - guesses that Gatsby never "really believed" that the child existed until this scene. I view the girl as a symbol of Daisy's life with Tom. Gatsby wants to believe that Daisy will quickly leave Tom and go away with him, but the sight of Pammy is making him face reality. Daisy comes from a wealthy background, married another wealthy person, and wants Pammy to enjoy a secure, wealthy lifestyle.
Question: A question about this movie and the book also: When Daisy first visits Gatsby's house, why is Gatsby insistent on making Klipspringer play the piano?
Answer: He wants to impress Daisy by showing authority and control.
Answer: I would say Gatsby knew about the child but suddenly realised she had a life without him and that she loved her children so her leaving was not going to be as easy as he imagined. Gatsby sees both Daisy and Tom in this scene being loving parents (for a minute or so) and it was hard to witness.