Thursday 2 December 2010

'The Great Gatsby' reading jorunal, chapter five

In this chapter, we learn that Nick has arranged for Gatsby and Daisy to meet for the first time after a long period of time. Even before the meeting, there is language used that suggests Gatsby is nervous about the event. When Nick is trying to arrange a day for this, Gatsby responds with "I want to get the grass cut". By trying to change the subject, it appears as if Gatsby is trying to shy away from something. However, a sense of class decision is felt when Nick describes the grass as 'a sharp line where my ragged lawn ended and the darker, well-kept expanse of his began'. As Gatsby has a lot more money than Nick, I felt the contrast in the grass represents their levels of wealth and the differences. This sense of class soon becomes awkward and verbal, however, When Gatsby tries to offer Nick employment. Nick notes that Gatsby first tries to bring this up by fumbling 'with a series of beginnings' which indicates again that Nick and Gatsby talk very little or know little about each other - Gatsby can't even start a sentence about cash in front him. Once Daisy arrives at Nick's home, Gatsby makes an immediate attempt to flee - Nick comments that the room was 'deserted' as soon as Daisy arrived. Gatsby is then found outdoors, however, and when he enters, Nick comments that ' he turned sharply as if he was on a wire'. The image of this suggests someone having to be precise about their every move or suffer a consequence, and this image is mirrored in Gatsby's feeling towards Daisy - one slip, and its all over.

There are also physical descriptions that suggest Daisy and Gatsby have a relationship history, and the pressure that Gatsby is feeling because of this re-uniting. A clock nearly falls from Nick's mantelpiece, But Gatsby manages to catch it 'with trembling fingers'. The strain can again be felt in two senses. One is that the clock could be large and heavy, so therefore the weight of it could be putting Gatsby under a lot of stress. This stressed feeling though, could also be caused by being in Daisy's presence. We know that, because of Tom's wealth and treatment towards her, Daisy has been left with little, if any, power in this lifetime. However, in contrast to this, by making Gatsby feel incredibly nervous, it is as if she does have some form of power. Gatsby clearly feels this, to the point where he has to leave the room, and states "This is a terrible mistake". Eventually, the rain, that had been pouring for hours previously, exchanges with sunlight. It is at this time that the mood between Gatsby and Daisy takes a shift. 'He literally glowed' describes Nick, as if his glow is parallel with the glow of the outdoor sun. All of a sudden, he has become a lot more confident around her.

Gatsby then invites Nick and Daisy for a tour of his house. However, why he decides to invite Nick too, is somewhat questionable - It appears as if him and Daisy are to soon re-kindle their romantic feelings, so why is he needed? After seeing Nick's house, is he showing Daisy around his own to make her alert of his much higher wealth? Even if this was the case, why would Nick still be needed at this point? Nick even ponders this himself - "You're sure you want me to come?". Further questions are then raised about how Gatsby managed to become so wealthy. He says that it took him "just three years" to get the money and buy his house. Nick then bring bring up an earlier conversation topic between them - "I thought you inherited your money." This shows that Nick has the ability to to be a good listener, but he does not always use it, particularly when around female company. When Nick asked him what his current job status was, he replied with "That's my affair." Despite everything Gatsby had told Nick in the previous chapter in an attempt to earn his trust, it still appears as if there are aspects of Gatsby to be questioned.

While they are exploring Gatsby's gigantic house, noting the 'Marie Antoinette music-rooms and Restoration Salons' Nick states that it is as if 'there were guests concealed behind every couch and table, under orders to be breathlessly silent until we had passed through'. In terms of imagery, this could well be a true portrait of what is actually happening - Gatsby wants Daisy to see everything perfectly, so therefore, if anyone is actually there, he probably would have commanded silence upon them all. He wouldn't want any interruptions during this time. He really wants Daisy to see how wealthy he has become - his house is like another world compared to Nick's, with the extravagant nature truly highlighted with 'rose and lavender silk'. This sight is able to reduce Daisy to tears - "It makes me sad because I've never seen such - such beautiful shirts before." - Is Daisy in tears because she has realized the wealth she could of had, if she stayed with Gatsby? Or is she just overwhelmed by the sight of everything? Or a combination of both? The symbolic nature of the green light, which shone on Daisy's house across the bay, also shatters here. Nick talked of it being a 'great distance' between Gatsby and Daisy, as if it was a beacon of hope, but now that the two are re-united, 'now it was just again a green light on a dock'. It has no significance anymore.

Similarly, it is as if Nick's presence is somewhat dismissed by Gatsby in a matter of seconds too. He calls in a musician to play the piano for him and Daisy, further highlighting his own wealth in front of her. During this time, it had began to rain again, and this is symbolic in representing what Gatsby is about to lose - Nick. Daisy's voice towards Gatsby is described as 'a deathless song' as if the memory of her voice had never died inside of him. After this this, Nick comments that 'Gatsby didn't know me now at all'. He has become so caught up in the rush of feeling towards Daisy that the only thing for Nick to do now is leave. Gatsby has his women, that was all he ever needed Nick for. So, what happens next for Nick? Will he become 'just a neighbour' again, as the beacon of hope became 'just again a green light on a dock'? Has his significant narration of the story suddenly come to a grinding halt?

1 comment:

  1. You end with a very good question. Also, I like your comment about what the lawns symbolise. This reads like an essay. I am enjoying your detailed analyses. Thanks.

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