Final answer:
In 'The Great Gatsby', Gatsby asks his gardener not to drain the pool following his confrontation with Tom, signifying his desire to cling to his dream.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the events in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, specifically what Jay Gatsby instructs his gardener to avoid doing after his confrontation with Tom Buchanan in New York City. In the novel, after the intense and revealing confrontation, Gatsby instructs his gardener not to drain the pool. Gatsby's request illustrates his reluctance to let go of the summer, which symbolizes his dream of being with Daisy Buchanan. Despite it being the end of summer and transitioning into fall, he wants to hang on to the possibility of his idealized love, hence why he insists on keeping the pool filled.