Nick, on Gatsby:”Gatsby turned out all right at the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men” (6). Daisy, on her newborn girl:”All right…Im glad its a girl. And I hope …
Theme AnalysisThe Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgeralds classic twentieth-century story of Jay Gatsbys quest for Daisy Buchanan, examines and critiques Gatsbys particular vision of the 1920s American Dream. Written in 1925, the novel serves as a bridge between World War I and the Great Depression of the early 1930s. Although Fitzgerald was an avid participant …
Gatsbys green light: Located at the end of the Buchanans dock, this green light represents Gatsbys ultimate aspiration: to win Daisys love. Nicks first vision of Gatsby is of his neighbors trembling arms stretched out toward the green light (26). Later, after Daisy and Gatsbys successful reunion, a mist conceals the green light, visibly affecting …
Nick CarrawayNick provides the voice of the novel, documenting his companions exploits in the summer of 1922. Raised in a wealthy middle-western family, Nick graduates from New Haven, the college he attended with Tom Buchanan. After serving in World War I, Nick — at age 29 — moves east to learn the bond business, and …
After the climax of Chapters 7 and 8, Fitzgerald closes The Great Gatsby by tying up several loose ends. During the day after Gatsbys death, Nick feels that he alone is on his neighbors side, as Gatsbys house floods with police, photographers, and newspapermen. Discovering that Tom and Daisy Buchanan have left town, leaving no …
Chapter 8In Fitzgeralds eighth chapter, Nick awakes with a start near dawn after Chapter 7s occurrences, feeling the ominous need to tell Gatsby something, “something to warn him about and morning would be too late” (154). Going next door Nick finds a dejected Gatsby, who relates that nothing had happened during his late night vigil …
Chapter 7At the outset of Chapter 7, Nick realizes that Gatsbys lavish parties have suddenly ceased. In addition, he discovers Gatsby has fired all his servants, and hired new ones who wouldnt gossip about he and Daisy, who comes over frequently. Shortly after this discovery, Gatsby calls Nick, inviting him to Daisys for lunch the …
Chapter 6In Fitzgeralds sixth chapter, Nick reveals Gatsbys true history, in an attempt to explode “those first wild rumors about his antecedents, which werent even faintly true” (107). In reality, Jay Gatsby is James Gatz, son of unsuccessful farmers from the Midwest. In a chance encounter with Dan Cody — a fifty year old ex-millionaire …
Chapter 5Chapter 5 takes place on the day following Nicks revelations about Gatsby and Daisys previous involvement. Nick calls Daisy, and, without mentioning Gatsby, invites her over for tea under the condition that she doesnt bring Tom. Gatsby arrives first on the rainy afternoon, and waits nervously for Daisy. When she arrives, Nick invites her …
Chapter 4At the outset of Chapter 4, Gatsby arrives at Nicks house, informing him they are going to lunch in New York City. On this occasion Gatsby provides Nick with his long awaited biography, swearing that he is the son of wealthy parents in the middle-west and that he attended Oxford. Nick, suspicious of the …
