The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald Essay Example
The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald Essay Example

The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald Essay Example

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  • Pages: 5 (1149 words)
  • Published: October 23, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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'The Great Gatsby' delves deep into American life during the 20s, thanks to F. Scott Fitzgerald's expert craftsmanship, resulting in a thought-provoking exploration.

According to Nick's perspective, 'The Great Gatsby' is a collection of various social gatherings and events that urge the reader to delve into the different themes of the novel. To be an effective book, it must have a definitive turning point that greatly alters its course. Chapter V is this significant event in 'The Great Gatsby,' inhabiting the center of the book. This event illuminates various themes in greater detail and provides new knowledge. It is the first meeting between Gatsby and Daisy in five years, set amidst pouring rain, which is a foreboding literary gesture similar to works by Dickens.

Within the greater insight gained into the character of Gatsby and the themes surrounding

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him, the line "for at two o'clock, a greenhouse of flowers arrived from Gatsby's" is significant. Demonstrating his nervous and relentless desire to impress Daisy, Gatsby takes various actions prior to her arrival: he sends a gardener to ensure that Nick's lawn is perfect, generously adorns his house with flowers and "innumerable receptacles," and arrives at Nick's door in flashy attire. Gatsby's wealth is evident in the colours of his clothing, a tool he uses to attract Daisy. With his white shirt symbolizing his starry dreams, Gatsby is obsessed with finding any information he can about Daisy, having lost her once before.

As predicted by the newspaper, the rain transformed into a damp mist that created a murky atmosphere mirroring Gatsby's five-year-long world of dreams and illusion, soon to be shattered along with his beloved "green light." During the meeting,

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Gatsby was remarkably out of control as shown by his miserable posture after Nick's prompting. Such an occurrence was uncommon, considering that Gatsby was usually in charge. Daisy's entry into the house created a contrast to this state, with her bright smile and lilac and lavender attire. Meanwhile, Gatsby stood pale and lifeless.

With hands gravely weighing in his pockets, the character reflects on the skillful usage of character description in this Chapter by Fitzgerald. The author's portrayal has imparted a deeper understanding of the theme of dreams and their impact on people, including the personal aspiration of Gatsby and the more prominent American Dream, both set for an equal downfall. The character leans back so far that his head rests against a non-functional mantlepiece clock.

By describing Gatsby's stance, we gain insight into his current state and his aspirations. As the pouring rain once again falls outside, Gatsby leans against his dormant clock of dreams with a feigned air of ennui. The mention of the clock emphasizes the importance of time to Gatsby and his desire to return to a point five years in the past, where his dreams existed in perfect harmony with reality. Gatsby nudges the clock, causing it to tilt dangerously before catching it with trembling fingers and restoring it to its place. This gesture highlights that although he may attempt to prevent time from passing and his dreams from fading, it is ultimately futile, as the clock remains inoperable and useless aside from taking up space.

Gatsby expresses his apology with nervousness, but the reply is brief - "It's an old clock." This single line highlights that Gatsby's dream is outdated and

unrealistic. Nonetheless, seeing Daisy show strong emotions, crying and looking frightened during their reunion, gives hope that Gatsby still holds some significance to her.

In the later stages of the Chapter, the story is told about a brewer who wished to live out a fantasy of being in a stately home and surrounded by thatched roofs of his neighbors. He imagined himself as the founder of a dynasty, but his generous offer of five years tax payments was refused by his neighbors who ruined his plan and caused him to spiral into immediate decline. Eventually, he took his own life, leaving a black wreath upon the door of his house. This house was eventually sold to Gatsby, another man whose dreams dominated him. After reading this tale, I saw it as an omen of what would befall Gatsby and the resulting consequences.

During my experience, I gained a greater understanding of dreams and the notion that it may be best to leave them be. As the rain cleared and the sun emerged, Gatsby's dream was reignited. Leaving Nick's house, he aimed to prove to Daisy that he was the one for her by showcasing something he lacked during their initial meeting. He took her to his house, a display of his wealth and grandeur, acquired for this specific purpose. Gatsby described it as catching the light, which could represent Daisy as she was about to be impressed and convinced by the largeness of his possessions.

The house contains numerous rooms, including music rooms and Restoration Salons, among other plural elements.

As the party moved through the huge house, the abundance of pool rooms and bathrooms only impressed Daisy.

This further highlighted Gatsby's adoration for her, as evidenced by his willingness to value everything in his home based on her response. It wasn't his wealth, possessions, or property that mattered; only her reaction did. Despite the dull gold decor and numerous extravagances, Gatsby's own bedroom was the simplest of all. He then proudly displayed his collection of suits.

Gatsby's shirts were piled high like bricks, and Daisy cried stormily when she saw them, exclaiming how beautiful they were. They went for a walk and it started raining again, causing a mist to obscure Daisy's house. Gatsby realized that his count of enchanted objects had diminished by one, as he came to terms with the fact that Daisy was no longer just a dream but a reality. In his dream, she was perfect, but in reality, there was disappointment in her true nature and the state of things.

Within this chapter, the novel explores the distinction between the beauty of fiction and dreams versus the harshness of reality. Daisy's desire to push Gatsby around in a pink cloud, from the vantage point of her window, symbolizes this fantastical yearning that cannot be fulfilled just as their relationship cannot. The chapter concludes with Nick exiting Gatsby's residence, descending the marble steps "into the rain," leaving the couple together. Through the vivid depiction of characters, setting, and events, this chapter provides a detailed exploration of the novel's underlying themes.

The Chapter of the book showcased the clear realization of the futility of Gatsby's dream and the criticism of the American Dream. It conveyed the strong emotions, the anguish of time, and the power of illusion and hope that humans

can generate. This multi-faceted book holds significant depth within its pages, providing a thought-provoking experience.

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