Commentary on Gatsby Passage

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This passage located at the falling action of Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, after Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan’s argument (page 128-129) focuses on Gatsby recounting his initial courting of Daisy Buchanan. It contributes to the development of the novel, for it is the first time that Gatsby confronts his past and reveals his desperation to preserve his dream of attaining Daisy, which, the reader senses through Fitzgerald’s ominous tone, is coming to a hopeless end. Through Fitzgerald’s portrayal of Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship and Gatsby’s unconscious illusions, the passage addresses the themes regarding the arrogance of the rich, and the illusionary nature of the American Dream.

The passage features Nick retelling Gatsby’s disclosure of his initial romantic relationship with Daisy that ultimately ends “leaving Gatsby –nothing.” The young Gatsby’s fascination towards Daisy’s privilege and wealth is described along with his uneasiness towards the fact that he does not meet the social expectations to court Daisy.

Through this passage, Fitzgerald addresses the themes regarding the arrogance of the wealthy, and the illusionary nature of the American Dream. Daisy is portrayed as one of the self-centered rich who took advantage of the poor in order to maintain their social and financial power, which Fitzgerald describes as “gleaming… safe and proud above the hot struggles of the poor.” The author conveys his disapproval of the rich and their exploitation of the poor laborers, which was apparent in American society in the 1920’s, and still is in the present day. Gatsby views even this immoral haughtiness with fascination, for he is deceived by his own uncontrollable illusions. In fact, as Nick identifies, Gatsby’s love is not a...

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...a sense of wonder, adding an dreamy and romantic quality to the tone. However, at one point in the passage is an extreme tone of urgency, where Gatsby worries of his true identity being discovered “at any moment” and resolves to take “what he could get.” This sudden shift in tone evokes the fear of Gatsby being separated from Daisy, like being awoken from a dream. A subtle ominous tone appears as well at the end, where Fitzgerald mentions the “hot struggles of the poor,” ending the passage on an ominous note and possibly including a foreshadow of Wilson murdering Gatsby.

This tone created by Fitzgerald builds up a mood within the reader. The mood initially seems to be a dreamy one, related with fascination or romance. However, beneath this is a more ominous mood, consisting of Fitzgerald’s sudden shift to an urgent tone and the disapproval caused by Nick’s filter.

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