Post by thethoughtpolice on Sept 27, 2011 13:24:58 GMT
Chapter 5
Again in chapter 5, Gatsby's house is seen to be part of a carefully managed stage production. In order to achieve the goal of getting Nick to 'hook him up' with Daisy, Gatsby again attempts to use his wealth and position to seduce Nick.
As Nick comes home Gatsby has set up the lights in his house to "blaze", trying to remind Nick of the grandness of Gatsby. He also tries to sway Nick through inappropriate and awkward requests to do 'friendly activities', asking him to come to his swimming pool or to go with him to Coney Island which is inappropriate considering what time of night it is. (This perhaps shows that Gatsby is lonely and althrough his house is magestic it's empty and uninhabitable when Gatsby is the only one there.)
When this doesn't work, Gatsby uses his wealth and power by offering Nick a job with him, one that seems barely legal if at all. Gatsby's desire to conduct events even seize him wanting to cut Nick's grass.
Gatsby's Stage Management
* he cuts Nick's grass
* he gets flowers delivered to Nick's house in preparation
* he seems unhappy with Nick's housekeeper/cook as she isn't perfect enough
Everything about this visit has been fine-tuned by Gatsby to be 'perfect'. Although his perfectionism can be seen to add to his reputation of being theatrical, we also see another side of Gatsby, more emotional and real. However, it's hard to judge how real he actually is because he's hiding behind so many pretenses.
Chapter 5 Notes
The Climax of Daisy’s visit to Gatsby’s mansion results in her sobbing over such ‘beautiful’ shirts because it is at this point that Daisy realises Gatsby has changed. Daisy sobs as she realises how much Gatsby has changed from the man she knew originally. She realises she could have been part of this new wealthy life if she had waited for him.
She’s overwhelmed by the emotion of seeing Gatsby again and thinking about the life she could have lived with him.
Shirts are a symbol of class, particularly ones from England. Gatsby uses them to show Daisy how sophisticated he is. He’s very self-impressed and completely full of himself, he craves the attention and admiration he receives from Daisy which prompts him to do more.
Reappearance of the ‘Green Light’ Symbol
Now that Gatsby and Daisy have be reunited so to speak, Gatsby’s dream has become reality and the green light loses its significance. His envy and longing for her have been erased. The green light was close to Daisy on her side of the bay but now Daisy is near him.
The writer is telling us that dreams can be achieved.
The closer Gatsby’s dreams come to reality, the less of a dream it is and reality can never quite equate to dreams. Daisy can never match up to the dream like figure Gatsby has created of her in his mind. Now that his dream is coming true, he loses the sense of direction that he had dedicated his life to – finding Daisy again – this makes him closer to those in the East Egg as he his losing his purpose slowly.
Gatsby has looked every night at the green light thinking and dreaming of Daisy but now that he has her within his grasp the light no longer seems magical to him, it’s just a light at the end of the dock.
Use of Pathetic Fallacy
Pathetic Fallacy – when weather is used to express the character’s emotions.
On the day that Gatsby is to meet Daisy it’s pouring down with rain highlighting Gatsby’s nerves and apprehension as he awaits Daisy’s arrival.
Once the ice is broken between Daisy and Gatsby and they are able to talk the sun starts to come out showing Gatsby’s sudden change in mood – conveys that he’s very happy that he met with Daisy.
When Gatsby realises that his dream is fading the mist and rain descend. This occludes his dream, making it harder to reach his dream.
“No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man can store up in his ghostly heart.”
Fitzgerald is emphasising that Daisy could not compete with the illusion that Gatsby has of her in his mind – she can never live up to his high ideals that he has created over the years. The fantasy he has created is merely based on Daisy has got so out of proportion that it is not really Daisy any more.
“Ghostly Heart” ghosts exist in an alternate reality. In your heart you can create all sorts of possibilities.
Symbolism
When Gatsby comes into Nick’s apartment he inadvertently knocked over a clock, this indicates Gatsby’s desire a figure who lives on his past relationship with Daisy.
As part of building up Gatsby the myth he even changed his name from Jay Gatz to Jay Gatsby.
His invented name disguised his true upbringing and who his real parents are.
Again in chapter 5, Gatsby's house is seen to be part of a carefully managed stage production. In order to achieve the goal of getting Nick to 'hook him up' with Daisy, Gatsby again attempts to use his wealth and position to seduce Nick.
As Nick comes home Gatsby has set up the lights in his house to "blaze", trying to remind Nick of the grandness of Gatsby. He also tries to sway Nick through inappropriate and awkward requests to do 'friendly activities', asking him to come to his swimming pool or to go with him to Coney Island which is inappropriate considering what time of night it is. (This perhaps shows that Gatsby is lonely and althrough his house is magestic it's empty and uninhabitable when Gatsby is the only one there.)
When this doesn't work, Gatsby uses his wealth and power by offering Nick a job with him, one that seems barely legal if at all. Gatsby's desire to conduct events even seize him wanting to cut Nick's grass.
Gatsby's Stage Management
* he cuts Nick's grass
* he gets flowers delivered to Nick's house in preparation
* he seems unhappy with Nick's housekeeper/cook as she isn't perfect enough
Everything about this visit has been fine-tuned by Gatsby to be 'perfect'. Although his perfectionism can be seen to add to his reputation of being theatrical, we also see another side of Gatsby, more emotional and real. However, it's hard to judge how real he actually is because he's hiding behind so many pretenses.
Chapter 5 Notes
The Climax of Daisy’s visit to Gatsby’s mansion results in her sobbing over such ‘beautiful’ shirts because it is at this point that Daisy realises Gatsby has changed. Daisy sobs as she realises how much Gatsby has changed from the man she knew originally. She realises she could have been part of this new wealthy life if she had waited for him.
She’s overwhelmed by the emotion of seeing Gatsby again and thinking about the life she could have lived with him.
Shirts are a symbol of class, particularly ones from England. Gatsby uses them to show Daisy how sophisticated he is. He’s very self-impressed and completely full of himself, he craves the attention and admiration he receives from Daisy which prompts him to do more.
Reappearance of the ‘Green Light’ Symbol
Now that Gatsby and Daisy have be reunited so to speak, Gatsby’s dream has become reality and the green light loses its significance. His envy and longing for her have been erased. The green light was close to Daisy on her side of the bay but now Daisy is near him.
The writer is telling us that dreams can be achieved.
The closer Gatsby’s dreams come to reality, the less of a dream it is and reality can never quite equate to dreams. Daisy can never match up to the dream like figure Gatsby has created of her in his mind. Now that his dream is coming true, he loses the sense of direction that he had dedicated his life to – finding Daisy again – this makes him closer to those in the East Egg as he his losing his purpose slowly.
Gatsby has looked every night at the green light thinking and dreaming of Daisy but now that he has her within his grasp the light no longer seems magical to him, it’s just a light at the end of the dock.
Use of Pathetic Fallacy
Pathetic Fallacy – when weather is used to express the character’s emotions.
On the day that Gatsby is to meet Daisy it’s pouring down with rain highlighting Gatsby’s nerves and apprehension as he awaits Daisy’s arrival.
Once the ice is broken between Daisy and Gatsby and they are able to talk the sun starts to come out showing Gatsby’s sudden change in mood – conveys that he’s very happy that he met with Daisy.
When Gatsby realises that his dream is fading the mist and rain descend. This occludes his dream, making it harder to reach his dream.
“No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man can store up in his ghostly heart.”
Fitzgerald is emphasising that Daisy could not compete with the illusion that Gatsby has of her in his mind – she can never live up to his high ideals that he has created over the years. The fantasy he has created is merely based on Daisy has got so out of proportion that it is not really Daisy any more.
“Ghostly Heart” ghosts exist in an alternate reality. In your heart you can create all sorts of possibilities.
Symbolism
When Gatsby comes into Nick’s apartment he inadvertently knocked over a clock, this indicates Gatsby’s desire a figure who lives on his past relationship with Daisy.
As part of building up Gatsby the myth he even changed his name from Jay Gatz to Jay Gatsby.
His invented name disguised his true upbringing and who his real parents are.