Fitzgeralds opens the chapter with Nick narrating that 'a reporter' arrived at Gatsby's house one morning 'asking for a statement', this juxtaposes the end of the last chapter where Gatsby and Daisy shared an intimate moment, where Gatsby seemed complete and 'shone'. However, this opening suggests that behind this there is still some sense of mystery that Nick, being our guide, is not yet aware of.
It is in this chapter that Fitzgerald in fact reveals Gatsby's true background, Nick informs us of how his real name was in fact 'James Gatz' whom upon seeing the infamous Dan Cody's yacht took the opportunity to board with him 'already Jay Gatsby'. It seems 'Gatsby' was an invention conceived by an imaginative adventitious 17 year old boy who has not excepted his fathers business. He ''knew women early', from his days cruising on the Yacht down south, and became 'tired of them', i assume because of the quantity. He tells of how Gatsby befriended Cody and their arrangement lasted '5 years' in which 'more and more trust was placed with Gatsby'. Nick notes how Gatsby gained some of Cody's qualities explaining how they both had 'the habit of letting liquor alone'. However, Cody unfortunately died one night when 'Ella Kaye' came on board. By Nicks language here we assume that it was in fact Ella that killed of the ageing Cody.
Nick then brings us back into our standard time scale, an evening with Gatsby company which he now decries as 'rare'. However, is surprised when Tom Buchanan is 'invited in for a drink'. The two engage into a strangers conversation but by Gatsby's language he is obviously not approving of his company, 'aggressively' mentioning his wife. Gatsby then invites the party to attend one of his own parties, which they agree to. Gatsby then fails to keep there company as a 'Mr Sloane' wishes to leave the Gatsby residence, denying the lunch request. However Gatsby managed to worm along, seemingly pressuring his own company to the party's own plans.
The next night Tom and Daisy attended Gatsby's party, Nick notes that there was an air of 'oppressiveness' in the party that Nick decides it down to Tom's presence. Tom has become uneasy about Daisy knowing Gatsby as he questions 'how and earth' she knew him, his presence at the party seems just to watch Daisy. Gatsby here tries to assert his dominance over Tom when asking them to 'look around you' and to recognise all these famous people, he is trying to show that he is a man with contacts and status. He introduces Tom as 'the polo player' belittling him to his occupation alone. However Nick notices that 'apart from the half an hour alone with Gatsby [Daisy] was not having a good time. The guest who were previously entertaining have now become 'septic' as Nick grows tired of them. They are no longer illustrated as merry comical characters but instead as aggressive drunks 'she's always screaming like that'. Daisy is told to be 'appalled' of West Egg, coming from the sophisticated wealth she see's the materialism and hollow ill qualities that reside in the 'new money' side. Upon leaving Tom announces that he will 'make a point of finding out' exactly what Gatsby does. He is uneasy about the character and does not trust him, especially his connection to Daisy.
Nick stays late at this particular party and has a rare engagement with Gatsby. Gatsby illustrates how he 'feels away from' Daisy, he is finding it difficult to gain Daisy's commitment as he wishes her to tell Tom 'she doesnt love him'. Nick resolves this with the statement 'You cant repeat the past' to which Gatsby, obviously disturbed by this, insits 'why of course you can!'. Gatsby seems in denial that what he had with Daisy may never become again, stating 'im going to fix everything to how it was before' . Gatsby then reveals the night that he fell in love with Daisy 'one autumn night five years ago' where 'she blossomed like a flower for him' except, the structure of this memory compared the the chapters events make the love story seem hollow and emotionless, Daisy's love seems out of reach for Gatsby as he struggles to hold on to her. Nick sums this up in the closing of the chapter, stating how Gatsby's story held 'hollow' words, a silence.
No comments:
Post a Comment