Gatsby 5-6

Gatsby’s behavior before meeting Daisy

He is nervous, restless, checks the clock, childlike in anticipation.

Gatsby’s behavior during first moments with Daisy

Awkward, embarrassed, self-conscious, unable to speak smoothly.

Gatsby’s behavior after reconnecting with Daisy

Confident, exuberant, showing off wealth, energized.

Clue that Gatsby’s dream is crumbling

Daisy cannot live up to his idealized vision.

“Count of enchanted objects diminished by one”

Nick’s phrase meaning Daisy lost her mystical perfection and became real.

Green light significance

Once Daisy is with Gatsby, the green light loses meaning; it symbolized his dream, not reality.

Green light vs. star and moon

Shows closeness is an illusion; like Daisy, the dream seemed near but was distant.

Daisy’s heavenly imagery

She compares Gatsby to stars, showing romantic attachment.

Reason for Gatsby’s bewilderment

Reality falls short of dream; Nick says Daisy isn’t at fault because Gatsby’s expectations were too high.

Aspects of Daisy important to Gatsby

Wealth, social class, beauty, charm, family prestige, luxury lifestyle.

“James Gatz” reveal purpose (in-book)

Shows Gatsby’s true background before Tom’s confrontation.

“James Gatz” reveal purpose (literary)

Deepens character, shows reinvention, heightens irony and tragedy.

Gatsby’s origins

Poor farmer’s son from North Dakota; reinvented at 17.

Dan Cody’s role

Wealthy copper magnate Gatsby worked for; inspired Gatsby’s dream of luxury.

Impact of imagination on Gatsby

Gatsby’s imagination allowed him to reinvent himself and fuel his dream of Daisy.

Tom’s attitude at Gatsby’s party

Arrogant, mocking, jealous, represents old money superiority.

Gatsby’s attitude at his party

Desperate for Daisy’s approval, hopeful, represents new money.

Daisy’s reaction to Gatsby’s party

Unimpressed, uncomfortable, overwhelmed by vulgar excess.

Tom’s reaction to Gatsby’s party

Mocks guests and Gatsby’s background, feels threatened.

Why Gatsby couldn’t predict their reactions

He believed money and parties alone would win Daisy back.

Why Gatsby wanted Nick to stay after party

Party unimportant; needed reassurance about Daisy’s feelings.

Nick on repeating the past

You cannot repeat the past; circumstances and people change.

Gatsby on repeating the past

Insists you can repeat it; wants to recreate love with Daisy exactly as before.

Theme: Old Money vs. New Money

Tom embodies inherited wealth and privilege; Gatsby embodies self-made ambition and flashiness.

Theme: Dream vs. Reality

Gatsby’s dream of Daisy is unattainable because no reality matches his imagination.

Symbol: The Green Light

Represents Gatsby’s dream and longing for Daisy; loses power once dream seems attainable.

Symbol: Dan Cody

Represents the wealth Gatsby aspired to, but never inherited; shaped his dream.