What do you think? Gatsby becomes even more intriguing! How is Fitzgerald (or Nick, depending on how you look at it) choreographing the reader's experience? What about Gatsby as a lens (what are we learning about Nick and others by the ways in which they see Gatsby?)? What else?
Nick tried to be all cunning and outsmart Gatsby like by asking him which part of the mid-west he lived in. However, even after Gatsby comes up short here, he manages to present pictures and medals as proof of at least some of his crazy story. Gatsby may be a cheat or a liar or a killer for all we know, but he is in love with Daisy, so he must have a heart somewhere right?
ReplyDeleteI find Gatsby as a poor man who has the unfortunate chance to fall in love with a married women. To be honest I find him a little fishy, but a decent man who doesn't deserve to be the subject of such nasty gossip and rumors.
ReplyDeleteI was really surprised that Gatsby and nick wen to lunch. Although the both do not drink much and were both supposedly in the military they seem to be of much different walks of life. Gatsby seems a little too elite for nick to be hanging around with but now maybe they will start doing more together if they are really getting to be friends.
ReplyDeleteI really feel sympathy for Gatsby, considering that he knew about Daisy all along and was hoping with each passing day that Daisy would finally find him again. He bought the house to be near her, looked out of his balcony to see Daisy, and held the large parties in the hope that he would one day talk to Daisy and they would reunite again. This part of the story interests and intrigues me because of the possibilities for their relationship. Would they get together, or would Daisy continue living with her disgusting unfaithful husband? This part of the story is much better than the previous chapters whereby we read about superficial drama.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting how we are learning more about characters that we met before Gatsby, like Daisy, through Nick's stories of and time spent with Gatsby. Also, I agree with Tsi Yu. I am definitely becoming more interested in the story and the intertwined relationships of all the characters.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, I particularly enjoyed the scene on page 66 when Nick and Gatsby are in the car driving into New York, and Gatsby is telling Nick of his past. I found this scene to be really realistic, especially when Nick writes that he was trying to hold back his "incredulous laughter." As a reader, I felt the same way, especially since Gatsby's stories seemed so fake and planned out. However, I'm becoming more sympathetic for him as I am learning more about his story with Daisy.
-Elena Ridker
I found it interesting that with such emphasis placed on Nick's role as a narrator and the lack of information about his life during this time that is divulged, his own life seems to sneak up unexpectedly from out of the plots of the lives of others. As the title suggests, much of the book (so far) has been about Gatsby and the people surrounding him or related to him in some way, and Nick seems to be simply a lens. Then at the end of the chapter, following the revelations about Gatsby and Daisy's shared past (and the first solid information about Gatsby's history), we see that the relationship between Nick and Jordan Baker has reached a new level, as they are suddenly comfortable together and she appears to have lost some of her disinterested, laconic airs. The kiss was definitely a surprise (or at least what I thought was a kiss). Its as if we are seeing the world through him and then suddenly see him instead.
ReplyDeleteI think the kiss between Jordan and Nick wasn't so unexpected for me (but that was mostly because Mr Colburn told us that they would get together...), but I do think that Nick's own life gets a little lost within everything else going on, and his focus on everyone else's lives.
ReplyDeleteOn a different subject, I think Gatsby's character is becoming more interesting. There seems to be a dichotomy between Gatsby's big life and big parties, and his privileges (like the white card he waves to the policeman), and his quieter, almost shy personality (he has lived near Daisy for five years without contacting her). He really does seem to be shaping up to be the somewhat extraordinary figure Nick first described, which, as a reader, is pretty rewarding.
Although this chapter does make Gatsby even more intriguing, it also sheds some light on him and makes him easier to understand, explaining much more of his past and his actions. Now knowing him as a hopeful romantic, it is easier to comprehend his behavior, especially with the green light from earlier.
ReplyDeleteI didn't really even care about the developing relationship between Jordan and Nick - I was much more intrigued by Gatsby and DAisy. I'm still a little bit confused about why they couldn't get married - was it that he was poor at the time, or that he went to war, or that things just didn't work out? I'm probably missing something.
ReplyDelete- Catherine Marris
I agree with Kasra. While before, Gatsby seemed to be a bit of a tasteless rich snob, I now think of him as a hopeless romantic. Everything he does, he does for Daisy. I don't know if his past is real, but I believe his story. He is certainly a very strange man with an interesting tale to tell. I feel so terribly for him. What an incredible story. I loved the scene where he was looking out desolately from the dock at the green light, although it was terribly depressing. With the introduction of his passion, Gatsby to me has now taken on infinite new dimensions.
ReplyDeleteNot only do we now get a view of Gatsby as a hopeful romantic, now he seems like a real person. Before, he was just a unimaginably wealthy, mysterious neighbor. But now he has human emotions that make him somewhat relatable to the reader.
ReplyDeleteBut what is still very mysterious is how he made all his money. He had proof to back up all his other claims, but I find it hard to believe that his entire family died except for him, just happening to leave him as a young millionaire.
One thing I have noticed in Nick's narration is that he seems to make quick judgements of people, while at the same time letting the reader know what he thinks of a character. The moment Nick meets Mr. Wolfsheim he illustrates his negative characteristics. He thinks to himself, "A small, flat-nosed Jew raised his large head and regarded me with two fine growths of hair which luxuriated in either nostril." Nick also comes across as sarcastic and blunt sometimes. For example, when he is talking to Mr. Wolfsheim alone, Mr. Wolfsheim asks, "You know Oggsford College?" Nick responds, "I've heard of it." Nick, being well educated, has obviously heard of Oxford, but he chooses to be short with Mr. Wolfsheim. -- Rohan
ReplyDeleteIn addition to telling us about Gatsby's love of Daisy, in this chapter Nick portrays Gatsby as being even more sketchy in my opinion than he already seemed. He has random, odd people at his parties, he has an odd fondness for his medal from Montenegro, he has a strange, illegal relationship with the police, he pals around with a guy whose friend got assassinated outside of a restaurant and who fixed the world series and lastly as soon as Nick introduces Tom to Gatsby, he disappears. Gatsby has also been extremely odd in his method of contacting Daisy. I doubt this is because he is shy. Rather it seems, at least based on this chapter that Gatsby is somewhat sinister, and he will perhaps even be ruthless in his pursuit of Daisy.
ReplyDeleteI thought the part with the guy who helped throw the world series was very strange. That guys seems weird and he appears to have connections with criminals. The fact that Fitzgerald included him makes me think that Gatsby may be involved with some bad people. Could this perhaps be how he got so wealthy?
ReplyDeleteHenry Lucey
I agree with Sarah that Gatsby is forming into a character. Then again, he does seem to be solid, his expressions seem hidden, his stories almost unreal, and his true intentions masked.
ReplyDeleteThrough Nick's conversation with Gatsby, I have picked up that Nick is very candid. He has no problem telling Gatsby that his stories seem strange.
This chapter really left me actually wanting to read more and find out what's actually going to happen when Gatsby meets up again with Daisy(if they do)....Gatsby's tale so far really reminds me of the fact that money doesnt buy happiness. Despite his great fortune, Gatsby still hasn't found happiness as he was intended to die while fighting the war and after it, has been doing everything and anything impossible in order to find his true love, Daisy. Its funny in a way, how the reasons for all the partying that happens in Gatsby mansion, and even the fact that Gatsby brought the mansion, was all to try and meet up with Daisy again.
ReplyDeleteAndrew C
I have a feeling that Gatsby is like a stalker or a creep because he moved just so her house could be in his view. Thats crazy. He also uses Nick to get closer to Daisy because he knows Tom. Gatsby doesn't want Nick to be his friend. He just wants Daisy. He is obsessed.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like the more we learn about Gatsby, the more we have to question. Why does everything seem like such a lie? Why does he have stories that seem so cookiecutter and untrue? And what will happen when he sees Daisy?
ReplyDelete-Sydney
I feel like Gatsby will never cease to be a mystery to both the reader and to Nick. Gatsby's lying ways and overwhelming ostentatious lifestyle give me the feeling that what he is hiding, is far more mind blowing than Nick could ever imagine.
ReplyDelete--Nathan R.
Gatsby is getting weirder and weirder. In the beginning, I thought he'd be a snob, since he throws all those lavish parties. Then he appeared to be the opposite, more down-to-earth. Now we're getting another different picture- I guess our expectations weren't that far off. Maybe he is a snob after all? He lies, and we can't respect him for that.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused by San Fran's classification as a "MidWest city." Was this done to put doubt in our minds that Gatsby was legit, only to have them cleared up later by the medal? What's with Gatsby's special white card? Anyways, apart from the confusion, Daisy is turning out to be one of my favorite characters - perhaps it is because she is the only one we haven't spent a lot of time with yet. On the subject of Gatsby, I sort of agree with Dalia in that we have many conflicting depictions of Gatsby. I'm going to reserve my judgement until we get a clearer picture.
ReplyDeleteThis chapter showed us another reason as to why Nick is the narrator. He is able to bridge the gaps that exist between characters such as Gatsby and Daisy. Also, I agree with Layla, I was very surprised when San Francisco was considered to be a midwest city. Nick was also suspicious of Gatsbys connection to Wolfshiem. Could Gatsby be lying to Nick? Lets find out.
ReplyDeleteFrom the party on foward the reader was meant to think that Gatsby had something up his sleeve. Here Gatsby reveals to Nick that he wants to reintroduce himself to Nick's cousin Daisy. There is definently more to Gatsby than what appears on the surface.
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter we finally get to know a little more about Gatsby. His stories are hard for Nick to believe at first. The luncheon with Wolfshiem raises bring about another mystery. Wolfshiem asks about a business agreement which suggests Gatsby might be up to something. Although we've found out more about Gatsby, he has just become more and more confusing. On one hand he seems like a dishonest guy, but on the other hand, Jordan Baker describes him as a sweet man who only wants to express his secret love for Daisy.
ReplyDeleteI like how Nick gets tired of thinking of Gatsby and spends a little time just thinking of himself when he's with Jordan.
ReplyDelete-Benny
I think Gatsby's intentions of trying tow woo Daisy show how fake he really is. When the man in the library talked about how he had gone to such ends as to even fill the library with real books he had believed Gatsby's house and life to be all a set. And now, it really is. He has just made a set for him to win Daisy on. All of his parties and friendships have been only for this one reason. So although Gatsby does prove to have atleast one genuine motive, the rest of everything he does is almost entirely fake. This shows why Nick can not seem to trust him no matter what he does.
ReplyDeleteMatt Goroff
I think it is very interesting how a man as great an luxurious as Gatsby seems so shy and plain when talking of Daisy. She has such and effect on him especially when he sees Tom and gets embarassed. Also this is seen when Gatsby asks via Jordan if Nick will askDaisy over to her his house so that he might get a chance to see her.
ReplyDeleteNick's voice as a narrator is giving me a lot more context into the time period - normally I wouldn't have thought of some of the things that Gatsby said as ridiculous, but since Nick seems so un-believing, there must be some cultural norms of that time that I'm not aware of that make his stories seem so false.
ReplyDelete- Catherine Marris
Chapter 5:
ReplyDeleteI think Its is pretty weird how Gatsby and Daisy are able to rekindle their love so quickly. It is as if the are young kids. It is strange to think that too grown up would just be so lovey dovey the first time they see each other in years.
We see that although Nick usually plays the part of the observer, with Gatsby he is forced into a position of attention. Although before he was on the edge of the groups of people, sitting and judging, here Gatsby and Jordan are putting him in an active position. Also, Gatsby explains things to Nick therefore influencing what Nick believes and what the reader knows.
ReplyDeleteI like Elijah's perception that there is something adolescent about Gatsby and Daisy's getting all lovey-dovey so quickly. Adults can act like that too, but... --EC
ReplyDeleteI think the point Olga brings up is really interesting. By having to be the one that brings Gatsby and Daisy back together, Nick can no longer just judge from a distance, he actually has to play an active role in making the two sides meet even though Gatsby and Jordan have to push him into doing so.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting chapter because so many connections between Nick and the other characters are finally brought together. It seems that Nick is disinterested in telling the reader about himself, or at least directly. The only way we get into his brain is through the interpretations we make based on his thoughts OF other characters. This is an interesting writing style, Fitzgerald, and an interesting way to tell a story, Nick.
ReplyDeleteLike the scene at the party, we see different sides of Gastby. I agree with Cody when he said that there is more to Gastby than we know because he's beginning to tell Nick his true intentions and what he wants.
ReplyDelete