Saturday, 6 April 2013

Chapter 5 (SAME QUESTION)

Fitzgerald begins the chapter with Nick's narration illustrating how lit up Gatsby's house is, exclaiming that he though his 'house was on fire' being lit from top too bottom. This light is symbolic of Gatsby's character coming to light, as we learn from the last chapter Gatsby has been dying to meet Daisy after there romantic youth, and Nick being the connection, Gatsby seems to have 'come alive'. However, Nick remarks how 'there was no sound', in fact Gatsby's house seems to be sustained in waiting- Gatsby is anxious in the immanent meeting. As Gatsby comes over we see he is quite obviously anxious, not noticing that his house is lit 'like the worlds fair' and pestering Nick to go out with him, even though Nick declares 'it is too late'. Fitzgerald casually mentions how Gatsby 'hasn't made use of [the swimming pool] all summer' subtly foreshadowing his eventual use, when he is murdered. Gatsby attempts to invite Nick into business with him, except Nick, stating that it was 'a service to be rendered' denies him. Nick is obviously aware that whatever Gatsby's business is, to be involved would be 'one of the crisis' of his life, after meeting Gatsby's criminal friend Wolfsheim in the previous chapter.

The Day of Daisy's arrival it is pouring with rain, this sees Fitzgerald use pathetic fallacy to mimic the release of emotion that will proceed when the two meet. Nick tells of how Gatsby proceeds to furnish his home by getting his grass cut and decorating the room with flowers, it is obvious that Gatsby is trying to impress Daisy with his wealth, his appearance is noted as having 'dark signs of sleeplessness beneath his eyes' the character is so anxious about meeting Daisy he has not slept. He talks 'vaguely' as if his mind was not concentrated but filled with thoughts of the immanent meeting. Daisy's introduction juxtaposes Gatsby's as it injects a sense of life and vitality as the water beautifully 'glistens on her hands' , her voice a 'tonic' to the rain. Daisy offers a sense of clear headedness. As the two finally meet Gatsby is greeted with 'i am awfully glad to see you again' and the pair tediously make themselves acquainted with each other as they stumble over the furniture in nervousness. Nick, noticing the pair obviously do not feel so comfortable in each others company, makes an excuse to leave and take shelter from the rain under a tree in his garden. Nick notes how 'the sun shined' after half an hour, and when entering the room Gatsby 'glowed', it is obvious that some revelation has occurred that has ceased the release of emotion to resolve in some glorious fashion which makes Gatsby so glowing.

Nick notices a flaw in Gatsby's story upon gaining his wealth, stating how it 'only took [him] three years to earn the money' to buy it, when earlier he noted how he inherited from extremely wealthy parents. The character 'automatically' replied as if his responses were pre planned. Nick then narrates how Daisy notices all the elements of Gatsby's house from his garden to his 'jonquils', her materialistic values are attaching to Gatsby's wealth. However inside we can't help but feel Gatsby's home is hollow and empty as Nick decries how he expects to find guests 'hiding' under furniture, there is obviously something missing within Gatsby's home. It's grand nature cannot hide its lack of emotion and homely feel. Nick states how Gatsby 're evaluates' his possessions dependant of Daisy's response to them- it appears now that Gatsby's entire world is shaping around Daisy. When Daisy begins to enquire about Gatsby's passed he quickly changes subject, it appears even now Gatsby's story is collapsing with him.

Fitzgerald ends the chapter with Nick narrating how 'they have forgotten me'. The character has once again become marginalised as he realises his only use was to instigate the two meeting, he was only a bridge in Gatsby's control and now has no use. He remarks how Gatsby doesnt't know him anymore, he decides to leave them and walk into the rain.

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