The Great Gatsby Chapter 5 Essay
How does Fitzgerald tell the story in Chapter 5 of The Great Gatsby?
In Chapter 5, Daisy and Gatsby are reunited in Nick’s house and then Gatsby shows Daisy around his house. Gatsby attempts to reward Nick with money for helping bring him and Daisy together again, “Well, this would interest you. It wouldn’t take up much of your time but you might pick up a nice bit of money.” This shows how Gatsby is not used to people being hospitable towards him without wanting anything in return. It also demonstrates how Gatsby thinks he has to buy Nick’s loyalty in the hope that by bribing Nick with money, he won’t tell Tom about his meeting with Daisy. Nick refuses claiming, “I’ve got my hands full,” This reveals that Nick is very class conscious as he thinks he is above receiving money for something he has done. It also shows that he is aware of the corrupt criminal world that Gatsby is involved in because he doesn’t want to take the chance of getting involved in the same world as Gatsby.
Fitzgerald uses the symbolism of the “defunct mantelpiece clock” to relieve the tension of Gatsby and Daisy’s first meeting and also to demonstrate how Gatsby wants to be able to turn back the time with Daisy. The word “defunct” used to describe the clock shows how it is impossible for Gatsby to have the same relationship he had with Daisy five years ago, now. The clock also highlights how nervous Gatsby is because he is clumsy in knocking the clock over and then catches it “with trembling fingers”. This contrasts with Gatsby’s usually polished, confident persona, showing how he has true feelings for Daisy and he knows that he cannot win Daisy over with his wealth.
In Chapter 5, Daisy and Gatsby are reunited in Nick’s house and then Gatsby shows Daisy around his house. Gatsby attempts to reward Nick with money for helping bring him and Daisy together again, “Well, this would interest you. It wouldn’t take up much of your time but you might pick up a nice bit of money.” This shows how Gatsby is not used to people being hospitable towards him without wanting anything in return. It also demonstrates how Gatsby thinks he has to buy Nick’s loyalty in the hope that by bribing Nick with money, he won’t tell Tom about his meeting with Daisy. Nick refuses claiming, “I’ve got my hands full,” This reveals that Nick is very class conscious as he thinks he is above receiving money for something he has done. It also shows that he is aware of the corrupt criminal world that Gatsby is involved in because he doesn’t want to take the chance of getting involved in the same world as Gatsby.
Fitzgerald uses the symbolism of the “defunct mantelpiece clock” to relieve the tension of Gatsby and Daisy’s first meeting and also to demonstrate how Gatsby wants to be able to turn back the time with Daisy. The word “defunct” used to describe the clock shows how it is impossible for Gatsby to have the same relationship he had with Daisy five years ago, now. The clock also highlights how nervous Gatsby is because he is clumsy in knocking the clock over and then catches it “with trembling fingers”. This contrasts with Gatsby’s usually polished, confident persona, showing how he has true feelings for Daisy and he knows that he cannot win Daisy over with his wealth.