Some of the occurrences within chapters six and seven seemed
very peculiar to me. These chapters reflect much on the time period that the
story occurs in.
The first topic I would like to discuss is Gatsby’s
description of his background and how he became who he is. Gatsby tells Nick
that he grew up as just an average man in the Midwest, and eventually worked on
Lake Superior. One day, coincidentally, Gatsby met a wealthy man named Dan
Cody. This man employed Gatsby. Gatsby eventually realized that he wanted
wealth and riches just like Dan Cody had. This situation symbolizes the
“American dream” as we discussed before. Gatsby dreamed of being rich just like
most Americans do. Gatsby also believes that his wealth will bring Daisy back
to him. Gatsby dreams of being rich, having the perfect woman, and living a
perfect life. We all dream of living a perfect life and keep trying to have the
next best thing. What we don’t realize is that money cannot buy us happiness. I
feel as though Gatsby’s social class is going to foreshadow that he won’t
always get what he wants even if he has endless money and riches.
In the middle of chapter seven, Gatsby is trying to convince
Daisy to admit to Tom that she never loved him. At first she tells Tom that she
never loved him, but then admits the truth. Daisy admits to Gatsby that she
will always love Tom, and that Gatsby needs to accept that. I don’t understand
why Gatsby describes to Tom that he and Daisy’s love had been “Going on for
five years now….both of us loved each other all that time.” If Daisy really
loved him, she wouldn’t have left him for another man, and would take advantage
of the opportunity to be with Gatsby. Also, Gatsby stated, “She only married
you because I was poor.” If Gatsby is telling the truth, then Daisy is setting
another example for greed and the “American dream”. Towards the end of the
chapter, Daisy and Gatsby were on their way home when Daisy struck Myrtle
Wilson with Gatsby’s car. Gatsby is willing to take the blame for the accident ,
even though Daisy was driving. This proves that Gatsby loves Daisy with all of
his heart and would basically take a bullet for her if he had to. Even though
Gatsby is trying to put Daisy’s happiness over his own, Daisy realizes that she
still loves Tom and is happy with him. Gatsby realizes that his dream to be
with Daisy is finally ending. Is the green light finally out now? Is Gatsby’s
hope gone?
The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg appeared a few more times
within the section of reading. While Nick, Tom, and Jordan followed Gatsby and
Daisy, Nick mentioned seeing the eyes. He described them as faded, and they
came into sight down the road. A few moments later the eyes are mentioned again
and Nick describes them as giant and having “peculiar intensity.” These blurry,
faded eyes should be able to foreshadow something by the end of the book.
Fitzgerald continues to include situations and occurrences
in the book that assist the reader in understanding the time period in which
the book is written. A few examples include the situation in chapter seven,
where Daisy kisses Gatsby once her husband, Tom, leaves the room. This example
adds to the other times in the book where significant others are cheating.
Being unfaithful was definitely a characteristic of the 1920s. All of the
parties and greed for alcohol also relate to the time period, which later led
into prohibition of alcohol. These are a few symbols that relate to the time
period.
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