later in ch.7, Gatsby has a pink suit on as he sees a pink glow from Daisy’s window…pink is a sensual color, as also representing materialism. This point, when Daisy (as you said) “wants to push G around on a big pink cloud,” is like they are both so caught up in the things of $$$ that it almost seems like theyre trying to make a connection through value of wealth.
REACTION: The pink also symbolizes “attention” and noteworthiness, in this case Gatsby pushing his “amazing, wealthy Daisy” around in a cloud of attention so that everyone will notice Gatsby with his “accomplisment” (and the wealth that comes along with Daisy as well). This then could represent Gatsby’s underlying feeling that Daisy will, above all, make him look truly successful, rather than their love for each other.
Gatsby, in his early years, learned how to take advantage of “young virgins because they were ignorant,” –> Gatsby knows how to use his knowledge of romance for his advantage.
When Fitzgerald describes Gatsby’s backstory, he reveals that Gatsby took advantage of “young virgins because they were ignorant.” In fact, while Gatsby idealizes Daisy and admires her as a true romantic interest rather than a mere sexual pursuit, Fitzgerald later describes the “ravenous and unscrupulous” young Gatsby as having taken “Daisy one still October night … because he had no real right to touch her hand.” This makes it clear that Daisy is merely another of Gatsby’s superficial exploits.
+ “‘I was asleep,’ cried Mr. Klipspringer, in a spasm of embarrassment. ‘That is, I’d been asleep. Then I got up…” (__) → Metaphor for how Gatsby’s trying to revive his relationship with Daisy, which has already been laid to rest.
REACTION: This is a really interesting detail, Klipspringer also represents Gatsby’s relationship with Daisy; Klipspringer is homeless, so he stays in Gatsby’s big, extravagant, trying-too-hard mansion. Just like Daisy and Gatsby’s relationship, Klipspringer has no place where he belongs so he follows Gatsby (Gatsby = The American Dream) and hopes for the best.
REACTION:
In addition to the idea Mr. Klipspringer’s sleep as a metaphor for Gatsby’s and Daisy’s relationship, Nick also presents the idea that, Mr. Klipspringer, once dormant, now wakes up perfectly embarrassed but nevertheless awake. Similarly Gatsby’s love for Daisy, which “had been asleep” but had never ceased to exist, now wakes with less-than-perfect timing, yes, but, again, nevertheless awake.
“I (Nick) tried to go then, but they (Gatsby+Daisy) wouldn’t hear of it…” (94) –> The pair feel like they need to prove that they’re still going strong to someone = not so much
the rain might also symbolize gatsby’s feelings. it’s sunny when he first meets daisy, but as things go wrong with the meet up (at least in gatsby’s eyes) it begins to rain
+All the lights are on in Gatsby’s house, blown out by the wind –> His wasteful, extravagant, flashy personality is easily blown away
+Gatsby wants to cut Nick’s grass –> imposes on everyone: Nick, nature
+Nervous about bringing up business –> he has something to be worried about, questionable source of income
+”You wouldn’t have to do any business with Wolfsheim” –> completely misses that Nick doesn’t want to get into business rather than who he’s getting into business with
+In his beautiful themed rooms/bathrooms and everything well prepared in his house, the effect is still ruined by the homeless Klipspringer –> no matter how hard G tries, he will never be perfect (plus, what straight man would have color themed bathrooms?)
REACTION: (4/4)
Another things that the homeless Klipspringer could represent within G’s carefully created world is he could represent G’s past and the fact that he isn’t “high class” and from money — so that could be his “dirty secret” within his perfect world that will never let him be exactly what he wants to be
Upon his death, the “inessential” material world “melts” away, revealing what this land of opportunity was meamt to be. Material continues to prove meaningless throughout the novel.
(In relation to G’s flashy personality being blown away)
In Ch 9-A, Nick sees that Gatsby’s grass has grown just “as long as [his]”, showing that Gatsby’s high status is gone, they are now equals.
REACTION (3/1) : The color green also reflects the dominant thought in Gatsby’s mind–Daisy–who also represents wealth to Gatsby. This similar to the detail in chapter 7 when Gatsby looks across the harbor to the green dock lights at Daisy’s house, except here, the green is overthrowing his life by growing “out of control”
REACTION: Do you think it’s his personality, or his lies, his flashy, gaudy lies, that are more easily blown away? It seems, rather, that his personality is very strong, and that’s what keeps his network of fakery tenuously in place.
This could also show how meaningless Gatsby’s house is- the wind can go straight through it, showing the hollowness and emptiness of his superficiality.
Gatsby imposes Nick again when, without asking, tells Nick that they are going to have lunch. (64) Gatsby, who throughout the book seems insecure, insists on things, instead of asking, that way there is no possibility of the answer being no.
In chapter 4, Gatsby also imposes on Nick by forcing him to invite Daisy over for ‘just tea’. Gatsby doesn’t want Daisy to know that he will be there, so he asks Jordan to ask Nick to invite Daisy to his house (very out of the way/a lot of work for tea).
Grass=green, green=symbol of new life –> Gatsby stifles Nick, until the end when Nick, finally able to enjoy all the nature around him, reflects on Gatsby’s life
REACTION:
also, at the end Nick observes the “vanished trees… that had made way for G’s house”, showing how just as Gatsby stifles Nick, Gatsby (representing America/American dream/over-users) stifles nature and the natural way of this, OR how Gatsby (representing the snobby wasteful high class) stifles the American Dream
+”You wouldn’t have to do any business with Wolfsheim” –> completely misses that Nick doesn’t want to get into business rather than who he’s getting into business with
REACTION
I agree, Gatsby thinks that money is the most important thing in life, so he has trouble understanding why someone would not want to participate in a business venture.
Which is an interesting dichotomy of character; she represents this beautiful ideal, and yet is shallow and selfish in herself…Fitzgerald seems to be calling them one and the same at some points of this book.
REACTION: Though in this context, Daisy represents the American dream, I also noticed that Fitzgerald’s choice of the word “deathless” rather than lively or another more positive word shows his distaste towards the American Dream.
The reader can also tell that Gatsby had been infatuated with Daisy for a long time because in chapter four Jordan reveals that Gatsby bought his mansion just to be near Daisy.
REACTION: I find it funny that Daisy isn’t taken aback by this. After all, most people would cry foul if they realized that an estranged friend had been keeping scant newspaper clippings about them for nigh on five years…perhaps she’s so happy to be the object of attention, again, that this doesn’t faze her and rather adds to her enjoyment of the visit?
Colors of the flowers that Daisy and Nick notice upon entering Gatsby’s garden, especially the jonquils –> this is hilarious; jonquils are a bright yellow flower of the Narcissus family. The Narcissus legend is of a greek man who, so enamored with himself as he is, pines away longing for his reflection in a mirror pool; he wastes away, and is turned into the most beautiful flower in the land in honor of his beauty. This is a hilariously small detail that nevertheless has the effect of a punch when one realizes that it foreshadows Daisy’s (the yellow) selfishness towards Gatsby later in the book when she denies him to keep the security of having Tom as a husband.
Not only this, but if we continue with the metaphor that yellow=death, Fitzgerald could be insinuating that narcissism, in yellow Daisy and yellow jonquils, could lead to death, or even that the American Dream cannot avoid death and is in fact tainted with death. He does this again in Chapter 2 when he symbolically implies through the converging roads that neither those who have attained the American Dream, nor those who are poor, can escape death
I just think its really interesting that yellow is associated throughout this book with a sickly glow, death, or something lesser than gold, since out of the context of the book, yellow is usually a warm, pleasant, sunny, and bright color associated with happiness. Therefore, I find it interesting that Fitzgerald chose yellow repeatedly for the purpose of associating it with death- maybe he was trying to make a very subtle point that some things that have assumed associations in our culture aren’t everything they’re made up to be? It feels a bit like a stretch, but if nothing else its an interesting irony…:)
+ When Gatsby turned on the lights, “the gray windows disappeared as the house glowed full of light” (94) –> light, perhaps symbolizing life, in the house makes it seem nicer, less dull
this same light is shunned after the accident with M where a blue (deception) covers the light (reason) and W is so far gone that he cannot think rationally
During Daisy’s visit, Gatsby’s illuminated house starkly contrasts the description of his house following their relationship’s collapse: “inexplicable amounts of dust everywhere … the rooms were musty … as though they hadn’t been aired for many days” –>
Daisy’s absence leads Gatsby and his residence to decompose
In chapter 7 part c, the green light above Myrtle seems to symbolize her death. It seems like Fitzgerald uses light as a symbol for many different stages of life.
REACTION: Gatsby finds safety from the rainstorm outside in his mansion, a symbol of all his efforts to escape his fate. Everything gray and bleak seems to head Gatsby’s way from this chapter forward and he has to leave the house at some point.
REACTION: I also thought the quote implies the idea that materialism enhances life, even though, throughout the book, it also seems to lead to the downfall of many of the characters. So, materialism has two sides? (The house can have “gray windows” and can be “full of light”)
Later, after Daisy and Gatsby have accidentally killed Myrtle, Gatsby is too scared to go up to Daisy’s house and see her, so he has Nick go instead. He’s still nervous about being close to her, even though she might need him.
Gatsby seems nervous to make the first move when it involves Daisy. After all, he bought a house just to be close to her but never approached her until he found Nick to act as a middle-man.
well, apparently gatsby and daisy really hit it off back then, gatsby shouldn’t really have too much to be nervous about, unless he already knows daisy isn’t the same from the beginning? foreshadow?
(133) “‘I am [leaving you] though,’ she said with visible effort.” → Daisy’s visible effort in defending this statement might show her insecurity in leaving Tom
This foreshadows Daisy’s lack of response when Gatsby waits outside on her lawn all night waiting for her, that she does not actually want to leave Tom.
(132) When Gatsby says “You never loved [Tom]” “She hesitated… she realised at last what she was doing.” → her hesitation shows the possible dishonesty
The reader can also tell that she wasn’t completely in love with Tom because in chapter 4, Jordan talks about Daisy’s wedding and that the night before she had gotten drunk and confessed that ‘she had changed her mind’ (about getting married).
Reaction:
i agree but I wonder whether her hesitation is simply her realizing the possible consequences of what she is about to do (leave tom) and not dishonesty.
gold hairbrush only thing with which Daisy interacts in Gatsby’s house –> Daisy gravitates toward things that are expensive status symbols, and also anything that benefits her directly, like how the brush makes her prettier and Tom is richer and a more secure financial husband
the gold hairbrush is the only “gold” associated with Gatsby everything else is merely “yellow,” could show that she is only sticking around to see if there might be more “gold” in it for her , realizes there isn’t and sticks with Tom
REACTION: If everything else is Yellow except the Gold Hairbrush—–> Symbolizes everything being fake and bad in Gatsby’s life except for Daisy who reaches for the Gold hairbrush as if it were her’s
REACTION: Also, Daisy wants the real deal. Gatsby is 99.99% yellow and it seems like the only gold thing he has is the brush, which Daisy gravitates toward (yellow is a very diluted, no-shine version of gold). Similar to another reaction comment made on this post, Gatsby, who consists of nothing real, ends up as a man of/with nothing. It’s interesting to think that a man, who grew up in poverty and struck filthy rich later on, would still die as a man with/of nothing. Maybe Fitzgerald is trying to suggest that money really has no true value to a man’s life?
to VIHUANG, I completely agree. It’s as if Fitzgerald wanted his readers to realize that you die the same way you’re born, alone. Fitzgerald also has Nick T, D, G, J and N are all westerners thus incapable of adapting to the East which could also prove that he firmly believes that the past determines who we are
In chapter 6, when Gatsby thinks that Cody’s “yacht represented all the beauty and glamour in the world,” he similarly appears to be attracted to expensive things (100). These both show the recurring idea that people are drawn to materialistic things.
Gatsby keeps pestering Nick until Nick finally mentions that he’s “going to call up daisy to-morrow” (82) —> shows G’s passive aggressive manner of getting what he wants
Similar to Gatsby’s insisting that Nick get his grass cut, he passive aggressively pesters Nick until he finally says he’ll call up daisy; for someone who claims to not want to bother Nick, Gatsby spends an awful lot of time bothering Nick.
I’ve found that Gatsby likes to be in control, but doesn’t want others to know or for him to take responsibility for it. With Nick, Gatsby asked him to invite Daisy over, but then later acts as if Nick had made the plans in the first place.
They “stood in a row looking at the corrugated Sound.” pg 92–>They seem mechanic and manufactured, almost fake, as they stand in a row viewing the ocean as a still sheet of metal rather than a powerful mass of mysterious liquid.
Daisy still thinks Gatsby in the context of their youth- she sees it is a dream and not a reality. They were in love as kids, not adults, so she perceives their relationship as fanciful and surreal.
Much like Gatsby seeing the yacht as a representation of “all the beauty and glamour in the world,” Gatsby’s idolization of Cody symbolizes his skewed view of what is beautiful.
nick also shows he is attracted to wealthy glamorous people when he says he likes going places with Jordan because “everyone knows her name” also what originally attracted nick to Gatsby was his wealthy lifestyle and lavish parties
Yet, Nick reserves internal, negative judgment for similar people in his time, for example: Wolfsheim, Gatsby, Tom, and the Sloans. This could further imply that Nick lives outside of his time; that Nick would be better living in an earlier, maybe simpler time.
Klipspringer at being forced play “I don’t play well. I don’t – I hardly play at all. I’m all out of prac-” –> symbol for Gatsby forcing his relationship with Daisy even though it’s been a long time since they were first in love. Gatsby is going to mess it up.
his imminent failure, even with his determination, is also foreshadowed when Jordan tells Nick how Daisy doesn’t even notice Gatsby’s parties in chapter 4
REACTION: I also noticed that Klipspringer represents many of the problems in Gatsby’s attempts to win back Daisy, after his years of preperation with his oversized mansion, ridiculous parties and his “chance” meeting with Daisy, he can never be perfect because after so many years of not “playing” with others, he no longer “plays well” and is “all out of practice,” in regards to human relationships.
Daisy’s voice “held [Gatsby] most” “that voice was a deathless song”–> considering in Chapter 7 Gatsby identifies the interest in Daisy’s voice as “money”. Gatsby is most entranced by the money that Daisy represents. Gatsby is in love with the image of the rich lifestyle that he strove to gain- Daisy is part of that lifestyle- an incredibly wealthy lover/wife.
Gatsby continues to chase Daisy and it amounts to nothing. Daisy, who seems like a “deathless song”, is Fitzgerald’s depiction of the not-so-great American Dream. However, Gatsby believes in the “green light, the krgastic future” and “we run faster” towards nothing because it seems like we need it. It is ingrained in us without us realozing it amounts to nothing. The last page of the novel and Fitzgerald’s illustration of the rotten American dream correlates to Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy here.
Gatsby lied about his background to Daisy, claiming to be from a wealthy family in order to convince her that he was worthy of her affections => Gatsby wishes he was part of daisy’s lifestyle, old world wealth
I also noticed that Gatsby does certain things in order to come across as ‘old money’. A perfect example is his house, which was intended to look old but still comes off as new.
Reaction: At the end of Chapter 6 as Nick tells of Gatsby’s “night” with Daisy “five years before,” he similarly describes that in pursuing Daisy, Gatsby is reaching for something higher (particularly the whole rich lifestyle, as suggested by G’s parties and home and suits): the “sidewalk” they were on formed a “ladder” to a “secret place” where, once reached, G could take in “the pap of life.”
Daisy wants to place Gatsby in “pink cloud” and “push [him] around” –> sees Gatsby as some sort of toy to be pushed around. Doesn’t want a serious relationship with him. At least not as serious as Gatsby might want.
Again, this shows Daisy’s tendency to see other people, situations, and objects as opportunities and benefits for her rather than people in their own right.
The “We were to see the swimming pool and the hydroplane, but then it started to rain.” —> Gatsby’s luxury interrupted and subdued by nature or uncontrollable forces—> Gatsby isn’t in control of his life.
“Oh, that’s alright,” he said carelessly. “I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”(82) –> Tries to make it seem like he’s a nice, accommodating person ( striving for a sense of ‘elevated’ morality
I also noticed that Gatsby’s actions contrast what he says. He went through multiple people in order to meet Daisy at Nick’s house, but then plays it off as if he had nothing to do with it.
“Of course, of course! They’re fine!” and he added hollowly, “…old sport.” (84) –> tacked on/afterthought pet name seems forced, leaving the implication that his usual manner of speaking is a conscious effort
Also implies that Gatsby doesn’t truly appreciate Nick’s enormous gesture of not only scheduling the date, but buying all the supplies, since Gatsby usually reserves the “old sport” moniker for times when Gatsby feels in control monetarily
+Gatsby lights Daisy’s cigarette for her, forces Klipspringer to play music (94, 95) → he’s literally forcing a romantic, movie-worthy moment
Gatsby also must force Daisy away from Tom when he, not Daisy, tells Tom that she doesn’t love him anymore!!!
Daisy “Wants to push Gatsby around on a big pink cloud” –> similar to romantic movie moment. Enamored with each other.
later in ch.7, Gatsby has a pink suit on as he sees a pink glow from Daisy’s window…pink is a sensual color, as also representing materialism. This point, when Daisy (as you said) “wants to push G around on a big pink cloud,” is like they are both so caught up in the things of $$$ that it almost seems like theyre trying to make a connection through value of wealth.
REACTION: The pink also symbolizes “attention” and noteworthiness, in this case Gatsby pushing his “amazing, wealthy Daisy” around in a cloud of attention so that everyone will notice Gatsby with his “accomplisment” (and the wealth that comes along with Daisy as well). This then could represent Gatsby’s underlying feeling that Daisy will, above all, make him look truly successful, rather than their love for each other.
Gatsby, in his early years, learned how to take advantage of “young virgins because they were ignorant,” –> Gatsby knows how to use his knowledge of romance for his advantage.
When Fitzgerald describes Gatsby’s backstory, he reveals that Gatsby took advantage of “young virgins because they were ignorant.” In fact, while Gatsby idealizes Daisy and admires her as a true romantic interest rather than a mere sexual pursuit, Fitzgerald later describes the “ravenous and unscrupulous” young Gatsby as having taken “Daisy one still October night … because he had no real right to touch her hand.” This makes it clear that Daisy is merely another of Gatsby’s superficial exploits.
Also G insists Klipspringer to play the piano when he insists that he’s “all out of practice” –G tells him, “Don’t talk so much old sport…Play!”
gatspy often tries to force things and assert himself in situations when hes feeling insecure
+ “‘I was asleep,’ cried Mr. Klipspringer, in a spasm of embarrassment. ‘That is, I’d been asleep. Then I got up…” (__) → Metaphor for how Gatsby’s trying to revive his relationship with Daisy, which has already been laid to rest.
REACTION: This is a really interesting detail, Klipspringer also represents Gatsby’s relationship with Daisy; Klipspringer is homeless, so he stays in Gatsby’s big, extravagant, trying-too-hard mansion. Just like Daisy and Gatsby’s relationship, Klipspringer has no place where he belongs so he follows Gatsby (Gatsby = The American Dream) and hopes for the best.
REACTION:
In addition to the idea Mr. Klipspringer’s sleep as a metaphor for Gatsby’s and Daisy’s relationship, Nick also presents the idea that, Mr. Klipspringer, once dormant, now wakes up perfectly embarrassed but nevertheless awake. Similarly Gatsby’s love for Daisy, which “had been asleep” but had never ceased to exist, now wakes with less-than-perfect timing, yes, but, again, nevertheless awake.
“I (Nick) tried to go then, but they (Gatsby+Daisy) wouldn’t hear of it…” (94) –> The pair feel like they need to prove that they’re still going strong to someone = not so much
Part B) “but outside Gatsby’s window it began to rain again” –>foreshadowing Gatsby’s downfall.
the rain might also symbolize gatsby’s feelings. it’s sunny when he first meets daisy, but as things go wrong with the meet up (at least in gatsby’s eyes) it begins to rain
+All the lights are on in Gatsby’s house, blown out by the wind –> His wasteful, extravagant, flashy personality is easily blown away
+Gatsby wants to cut Nick’s grass –> imposes on everyone: Nick, nature
+Nervous about bringing up business –> he has something to be worried about, questionable source of income
+”You wouldn’t have to do any business with Wolfsheim” –> completely misses that Nick doesn’t want to get into business rather than who he’s getting into business with
+In his beautiful themed rooms/bathrooms and everything well prepared in his house, the effect is still ruined by the homeless Klipspringer –> no matter how hard G tries, he will never be perfect (plus, what straight man would have color themed bathrooms?)
REACTION: (4/4)
Another things that the homeless Klipspringer could represent within G’s carefully created world is he could represent G’s past and the fact that he isn’t “high class” and from money — so that could be his “dirty secret” within his perfect world that will never let him be exactly what he wants to be
i mean my reaction was to 5/5
+All the lights are on in Gatsby’s house, blown out by the wind –> His wasteful, extravagant, flashy personality is easily blown away
This forshadows the symbolism after Gatsby’s death where the soft wind scarely corrugates the still surface of the water a he dies….
Upon his death, the “inessential” material world “melts” away, revealing what this land of opportunity was meamt to be. Material continues to prove meaningless throughout the novel.
symbol? wind = real world, eventually blow out his lights(fake bond business)
(In relation to G’s flashy personality being blown away)
In Ch 9-A, Nick sees that Gatsby’s grass has grown just “as long as [his]”, showing that Gatsby’s high status is gone, they are now equals.
REACTION (3/1) : The color green also reflects the dominant thought in Gatsby’s mind–Daisy–who also represents wealth to Gatsby. This similar to the detail in chapter 7 when Gatsby looks across the harbor to the green dock lights at Daisy’s house, except here, the green is overthrowing his life by growing “out of control”
REACTION: Do you think it’s his personality, or his lies, his flashy, gaudy lies, that are more easily blown away? It seems, rather, that his personality is very strong, and that’s what keeps his network of fakery tenuously in place.
REACTION
This could also show how meaningless Gatsby’s house is- the wind can go straight through it, showing the hollowness and emptiness of his superficiality.
+Gatsby wants to cut Nick’s grass –> imposes on everyone: Nick, nature
Gatsby imposes Nick again when, without asking, tells Nick that they are going to have lunch. (64) Gatsby, who throughout the book seems insecure, insists on things, instead of asking, that way there is no possibility of the answer being no.
Reaction:
His imposing nature suggests he has a fear of rejection which stems from his lack of self worth because he doesn’t come from old money.
In chapter 4, Gatsby also imposes on Nick by forcing him to invite Daisy over for ‘just tea’. Gatsby doesn’t want Daisy to know that he will be there, so he asks Jordan to ask Nick to invite Daisy to his house (very out of the way/a lot of work for tea).
Grass=green, green=symbol of new life –> Gatsby stifles Nick, until the end when Nick, finally able to enjoy all the nature around him, reflects on Gatsby’s life
REACTION:
also, at the end Nick observes the “vanished trees… that had made way for G’s house”, showing how just as Gatsby stifles Nick, Gatsby (representing America/American dream/over-users) stifles nature and the natural way of this, OR how Gatsby (representing the snobby wasteful high class) stifles the American Dream
+”You wouldn’t have to do any business with Wolfsheim” –> completely misses that Nick doesn’t want to get into business rather than who he’s getting into business with
REACTION
I agree, Gatsby thinks that money is the most important thing in life, so he has trouble understanding why someone would not want to participate in a business venture.
Daisy’s “voice was a deathless song” –> she represents the American Dream; optimism, faith in life, etc.
Which is an interesting dichotomy of character; she represents this beautiful ideal, and yet is shallow and selfish in herself…Fitzgerald seems to be calling them one and the same at some points of this book.
REACTION: Though in this context, Daisy represents the American dream, I also noticed that Fitzgerald’s choice of the word “deathless” rather than lively or another more positive word shows his distaste towards the American Dream.
+ While looking around his house, Gatsby tells Daisy “here’s a lot of clippings – about you” (93) –> he’s been interested in her for a long time
suggest gatsby’s stuck in his old views on daisy, what if she turns out different than how she was in the clippings?
The reader can also tell that Gatsby had been infatuated with Daisy for a long time because in chapter four Jordan reveals that Gatsby bought his mansion just to be near Daisy.
REACTION: I find it funny that Daisy isn’t taken aback by this. After all, most people would cry foul if they realized that an estranged friend had been keeping scant newspaper clippings about them for nigh on five years…perhaps she’s so happy to be the object of attention, again, that this doesn’t faze her and rather adds to her enjoyment of the visit?
Colors of the flowers that Daisy and Nick notice upon entering Gatsby’s garden, especially the jonquils –> this is hilarious; jonquils are a bright yellow flower of the Narcissus family. The Narcissus legend is of a greek man who, so enamored with himself as he is, pines away longing for his reflection in a mirror pool; he wastes away, and is turned into the most beautiful flower in the land in honor of his beauty. This is a hilariously small detail that nevertheless has the effect of a punch when one realizes that it foreshadows Daisy’s (the yellow) selfishness towards Gatsby later in the book when she denies him to keep the security of having Tom as a husband.
Not only this, but if we continue with the metaphor that yellow=death, Fitzgerald could be insinuating that narcissism, in yellow Daisy and yellow jonquils, could lead to death, or even that the American Dream cannot avoid death and is in fact tainted with death. He does this again in Chapter 2 when he symbolically implies through the converging roads that neither those who have attained the American Dream, nor those who are poor, can escape death
I just think its really interesting that yellow is associated throughout this book with a sickly glow, death, or something lesser than gold, since out of the context of the book, yellow is usually a warm, pleasant, sunny, and bright color associated with happiness. Therefore, I find it interesting that Fitzgerald chose yellow repeatedly for the purpose of associating it with death- maybe he was trying to make a very subtle point that some things that have assumed associations in our culture aren’t everything they’re made up to be? It feels a bit like a stretch, but if nothing else its an interesting irony…:)
+ When Gatsby turned on the lights, “the gray windows disappeared as the house glowed full of light” (94) –> light, perhaps symbolizing life, in the house makes it seem nicer, less dull
this same light is shunned after the accident with M where a blue (deception) covers the light (reason) and W is so far gone that he cannot think rationally
During Daisy’s visit, Gatsby’s illuminated house starkly contrasts the description of his house following their relationship’s collapse: “inexplicable amounts of dust everywhere … the rooms were musty … as though they hadn’t been aired for many days” –>
Daisy’s absence leads Gatsby and his residence to decompose
In chapter 7 part c, the green light above Myrtle seems to symbolize her death. It seems like Fitzgerald uses light as a symbol for many different stages of life.
the abundance of light could also symbolize how Gatsby uses the extravagance of parties and wealthy life in the twenties to fill the gray areas of his
REACTION: Gatsby finds safety from the rainstorm outside in his mansion, a symbol of all his efforts to escape his fate. Everything gray and bleak seems to head Gatsby’s way from this chapter forward and he has to leave the house at some point.
REACTION: I also thought the quote implies the idea that materialism enhances life, even though, throughout the book, it also seems to lead to the downfall of many of the characters. So, materialism has two sides? (The house can have “gray windows” and can be “full of light”)
+ Gatsby “lit Daisy’s cigarette from a trembling match” (94) –> he’s nervous about being so close to Daisy
Later, after Daisy and Gatsby have accidentally killed Myrtle, Gatsby is too scared to go up to Daisy’s house and see her, so he has Nick go instead. He’s still nervous about being close to her, even though she might need him.
REACTION
Gatsby seems nervous to make the first move when it involves Daisy. After all, he bought a house just to be close to her but never approached her until he found Nick to act as a middle-man.
REACTION
or he could just be nervous of her finding out that he is just a fake?
well, apparently gatsby and daisy really hit it off back then, gatsby shouldn’t really have too much to be nervous about, unless he already knows daisy isn’t the same from the beginning? foreshadow?
REACTION
or he could just be nervous of her finding out that he is just a fake?
(133) “‘I am [leaving you] though,’ she said with visible effort.” → Daisy’s visible effort in defending this statement might show her insecurity in leaving Tom
This foreshadows Daisy’s lack of response when Gatsby waits outside on her lawn all night waiting for her, that she does not actually want to leave Tom.
or does.
(132) When Gatsby says “You never loved [Tom]” “She hesitated… she realised at last what she was doing.” → her hesitation shows the possible dishonesty
The reader can also tell that she wasn’t completely in love with Tom because in chapter 4, Jordan talks about Daisy’s wedding and that the night before she had gotten drunk and confessed that ‘she had changed her mind’ (about getting married).
Reaction:
i agree but I wonder whether her hesitation is simply her realizing the possible consequences of what she is about to do (leave tom) and not dishonesty.
(130) Daisy says “Please don’t” when Gatsby is about to reveal their affair→ She isn’t ready to accept that she is having an affair with G
daisy doesn’t seem to fully love either Gatsby or tom, she hesitated in marry tom yet cannot leave him for Gatsby
gold hairbrush only thing with which Daisy interacts in Gatsby’s house –> Daisy gravitates toward things that are expensive status symbols, and also anything that benefits her directly, like how the brush makes her prettier and Tom is richer and a more secure financial husband
the gold hairbrush is the only “gold” associated with Gatsby everything else is merely “yellow,” could show that she is only sticking around to see if there might be more “gold” in it for her , realizes there isn’t and sticks with Tom
Me gusta.
REACTION: If everything else is Yellow except the Gold Hairbrush—–> Symbolizes everything being fake and bad in Gatsby’s life except for Daisy who reaches for the Gold hairbrush as if it were her’s
REACTION: Also, Daisy wants the real deal. Gatsby is 99.99% yellow and it seems like the only gold thing he has is the brush, which Daisy gravitates toward (yellow is a very diluted, no-shine version of gold). Similar to another reaction comment made on this post, Gatsby, who consists of nothing real, ends up as a man of/with nothing. It’s interesting to think that a man, who grew up in poverty and struck filthy rich later on, would still die as a man with/of nothing. Maybe Fitzgerald is trying to suggest that money really has no true value to a man’s life?
REACTION
to VIHUANG, I completely agree. It’s as if Fitzgerald wanted his readers to realize that you die the same way you’re born, alone. Fitzgerald also has Nick T, D, G, J and N are all westerners thus incapable of adapting to the East which could also prove that he firmly believes that the past determines who we are
In chapter 6, when Gatsby thinks that Cody’s “yacht represented all the beauty and glamour in the world,” he similarly appears to be attracted to expensive things (100). These both show the recurring idea that people are drawn to materialistic things.
Gatsby keeps pestering Nick until Nick finally mentions that he’s “going to call up daisy to-morrow” (82) —> shows G’s passive aggressive manner of getting what he wants
Similar to Gatsby’s insisting that Nick get his grass cut, he passive aggressively pesters Nick until he finally says he’ll call up daisy; for someone who claims to not want to bother Nick, Gatsby spends an awful lot of time bothering Nick.
REACTION
I’ve found that Gatsby likes to be in control, but doesn’t want others to know or for him to take responsibility for it. With Nick, Gatsby asked him to invite Daisy over, but then later acts as if Nick had made the plans in the first place.
They “stood in a row looking at the corrugated Sound.” pg 92–>They seem mechanic and manufactured, almost fake, as they stand in a row viewing the ocean as a still sheet of metal rather than a powerful mass of mysterious liquid.
Daisy wants to put G in a pink cloud and push him around–> she feels that in a surreal place she could be in charge of G
Daisy still thinks Gatsby in the context of their youth- she sees it is a dream and not a reality. They were in love as kids, not adults, so she perceives their relationship as fanciful and surreal.
“A large photograph of an elderly man in yachting costume attracted me,”–>Nick is attracted by wealthy men of the past
Much like Gatsby seeing the yacht as a representation of “all the beauty and glamour in the world,” Gatsby’s idolization of Cody symbolizes his skewed view of what is beautiful.
nick also shows he is attracted to wealthy glamorous people when he says he likes going places with Jordan because “everyone knows her name” also what originally attracted nick to Gatsby was his wealthy lifestyle and lavish parties
REACTION:
Yet, Nick reserves internal, negative judgment for similar people in his time, for example: Wolfsheim, Gatsby, Tom, and the Sloans. This could further imply that Nick lives outside of his time; that Nick would be better living in an earlier, maybe simpler time.
Klipspringer at being forced play “I don’t play well. I don’t – I hardly play at all. I’m all out of prac-” –> symbol for Gatsby forcing his relationship with Daisy even though it’s been a long time since they were first in love. Gatsby is going to mess it up.
his imminent failure, even with his determination, is also foreshadowed when Jordan tells Nick how Daisy doesn’t even notice Gatsby’s parties in chapter 4
REACTION: I also noticed that Klipspringer represents many of the problems in Gatsby’s attempts to win back Daisy, after his years of preperation with his oversized mansion, ridiculous parties and his “chance” meeting with Daisy, he can never be perfect because after so many years of not “playing” with others, he no longer “plays well” and is “all out of practice,” in regards to human relationships.
Daisy’s voice “held [Gatsby] most” “that voice was a deathless song”–> considering in Chapter 7 Gatsby identifies the interest in Daisy’s voice as “money”. Gatsby is most entranced by the money that Daisy represents. Gatsby is in love with the image of the rich lifestyle that he strove to gain- Daisy is part of that lifestyle- an incredibly wealthy lover/wife.
Gatsby continues to chase Daisy and it amounts to nothing. Daisy, who seems like a “deathless song”, is Fitzgerald’s depiction of the not-so-great American Dream. However, Gatsby believes in the “green light, the krgastic future” and “we run faster” towards nothing because it seems like we need it. It is ingrained in us without us realozing it amounts to nothing. The last page of the novel and Fitzgerald’s illustration of the rotten American dream correlates to Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy here.
Gatsby lied about his background to Daisy, claiming to be from a wealthy family in order to convince her that he was worthy of her affections => Gatsby wishes he was part of daisy’s lifestyle, old world wealth
REACTION
I also noticed that Gatsby does certain things in order to come across as ‘old money’. A perfect example is his house, which was intended to look old but still comes off as new.
G ❤ $.
D ❤ $.
G ❤ D.
D seems to = $.
So does G $ or $>D?
oops typo.
G loves $, and D loves $. G also loves D. If D=$, to Gatsby, is D > $? or is $ > D?
Reaction: At the end of Chapter 6 as Nick tells of Gatsby’s “night” with Daisy “five years before,” he similarly describes that in pursuing Daisy, Gatsby is reaching for something higher (particularly the whole rich lifestyle, as suggested by G’s parties and home and suits): the “sidewalk” they were on formed a “ladder” to a “secret place” where, once reached, G could take in “the pap of life.”
Daisy wants to place Gatsby in “pink cloud” and “push [him] around” –> sees Gatsby as some sort of toy to be pushed around. Doesn’t want a serious relationship with him. At least not as serious as Gatsby might want.
Again, this shows Daisy’s tendency to see other people, situations, and objects as opportunities and benefits for her rather than people in their own right.
The “We were to see the swimming pool and the hydroplane, but then it started to rain.” —> Gatsby’s luxury interrupted and subdued by nature or uncontrollable forces—> Gatsby isn’t in control of his life.
“Oh, that’s alright,” he said carelessly. “I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”(82) –> Tries to make it seem like he’s a nice, accommodating person ( striving for a sense of ‘elevated’ morality
REACTION
I also noticed that Gatsby’s actions contrast what he says. He went through multiple people in order to meet Daisy at Nick’s house, but then plays it off as if he had nothing to do with it.
“Of course, of course! They’re fine!” and he added hollowly, “…old sport.” (84) –> tacked on/afterthought pet name seems forced, leaving the implication that his usual manner of speaking is a conscious effort
Also implies that Gatsby doesn’t truly appreciate Nick’s enormous gesture of not only scheduling the date, but buying all the supplies, since Gatsby usually reserves the “old sport” moniker for times when Gatsby feels in control monetarily