Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once.
Chapter 3 · Girl in yellow
Context
During supper, the two girls in yellow and other guests share rumors about Gatsby's past. This is one of several contradictory stories circulated about him, including that he was a German spy.
Analysis
This line captures how Gatsby's deliberate mysteriousness generates mythology. The chain of hearsay ('somebody told me they thought') emphasizes the complete absence of factual basis, yet the rumor thrills rather than repels the guests. The willingness to attend a suspected murderer's party reveals how Gatsby's wealth neutralizes moral judgment. This rumor-mongering recurs throughout the novel as a motif of Gatsby's unknowability.
How to Use in Essay
Use in essays about Gatsby's constructed identity, the role of gossip in creating social mythology, or how wealth insulates individuals from moral scrutiny.