The showdown in the suite at the Plaza Hotel at the end of chapter seven ends badly for Gatsby. Tom very effectively exposes what he has learned about Gatsby's criminal enterprise and succeeds in planting doubts in Daisy's mind about a future with Gatsby. Though he is often cavalier in how he treats her, Tom knows that the social position and reputation she enjoys with him are vital to her self-image and that she will not sacrifice her "old money" status for any feelings she has for Gatsby. He informs Jordan, Nick, Daisy, and Gatsby that he will continue to investigate Gatsby's activities. Insisting that Daisy ride home with Gatsby reduces him to a mere chauffeur; Tom confidently and correctly predicts that the affair is over and that Daisy would not leave him "for a common swindler who'd have to steal the ring he put on her finger."
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1925.
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