Dear AP students:
Daisy and Jay Gatsby finally meet in Chapter V. It's an unusual/awkward scene. What are your thoughts on this scene? What do we learn about Gatsby? About Daisy? About both of them?
There is a memorable passage in this chapter that goes like this....
After the house, we were to see the grounds and swimming pool, and the hydroplane and the mid-summer flowers--but outside Gatsby's window it began to rain again, so we stood in a row looking at the corrugated surface of the Sound.
"If it wasn't for the mist we could see your home across the bay," said Gatsby. "You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock."
Daisy put her arm through his abruptly,but he seemed absorbed in what he had just said. Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever. Compared to the great distance that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close as a star to the moon. Now again it was a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one.
What's going on the above passage? What's with the green light?
Related to the above, what's going on at the beginning of the chapter when the narrator arrives home at night to find Gatsby's mansion lit up like "the World's Fair." Gatsby informs Nick that he has been "glancing into some of the rooms." He then asks Nick if he wants to go to Coney Island, or go swimming in his swimming pool, which he hasn't used all summer long.
This is a somewhat bizarre scene, but I think it reveals something about Gatsby. What are your thoughts?
P.S. Take a look at clip from 1974 Great Gatsby movie, located under You Tube video in right hand margin of blog
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36 comments:
I believe that both Gatsby and Daisy are stunned to see each other knowing that it has been five years since their last good-byes, and maybe have the sense to let each other know how it has been, how their lives have changed, and most importantly if they still thought of one another during that long period of time.
Gatsby seems to be this lost puppy once his eyes are layed upon her beautiful face and seems to be lost of words for once in the book.
Daisy seems to be passive as Gatsby comes in the door because of the big gap in their history.
It is apparant that from parties they are pleased and immature of seeing each other how they act as if they have been more than happy without each other, and also how clingy they are to one another. One thing is true, love is a powerful feeling.
The reunion is nothing short of awkward. It reveals to us readers that Gatsby, deep down inside and past his genteel exterior, is the same shy, young soldier who fell in love with Daisy years ago. Even Daisy loses her elegantly poised persona and becomes quite sympathetic and overjoyed for Gatsby's achievements.
The green light at the end of the dock represents Gatsby's dream to be reunited with Daisy. All this time, there has been a sense of physical separation, as Manhattan Bay serves as a barrier between East Egg and West Egg, homes of both Daisy and Gatsby, respectively. The green light is the only object that keeps Gatsby yearning for the future. He believes that "the significance of that light had now vanished forever," as it finally serves no future purpose: He is finally reunited with Daisy within his own home.
I may be going on a tangent here, but the mist, to me, symbolizes uncertainty. The fact that it has obfuscated the green light leads me to question whether or not Gatsby has truly reached his goal. Does the mist signify obtainment? Or does it signify the fact that the dream is no longer obtainable? This symbolic dichotomy is very obscure.
In addition, Gatsby portrays his home as the World Fair in an anxious and almost desperate attempt to impress Nick (and hopefully Daisy). But despite all of these posh possessions, Gatsby is still a lonely man who is need of company, which is why he constantly invites Nick to join his outings.
I got the sense that Gatsby wasn't as great as I originally thought. He was a wreck upon meeting Daisy. It made him seem a little more realistic to me, as many people are shy or nervous upon meeting someone that they like.
As for the green light, the significance of it vanished right as Daisy conveniently put her arm around Gatsby. Maybe the green light was initially a sign to take action, which he no longer needed to do since it was happening at that moment.
Since the World Fair was an global exhibition to show the rest of the world what advances your country was working on, maybe Gatsby is trying to exhibit all the nice things he has access to to make an impression on his friends.
Graeme Scott
The awkward scene that unravels between Daisy and Gatsby allows the readers to pinpoint the vulnerability of their long awaited reunion. I have to admit, that there is an innocence that is evident at the surface when Gatsby is pulled by his inner emotions which are acknowledging that his love interest is with him in the present. Gatsby melts into the past and Daisy is tongue-tied and immediately becomes self-conscious. It is obvious that they cannot be in the same room together alone for their emotions are rattling and turning violently in their chests. There is the potential endearment of returning to their loss love and both are overwhelmed by each others presence. One is left to wonder what happens next, and obviously there is an unconditional love that Gatsby has for Daisy although it may not be reciprocated. Love is unpredictable and often foolish. Although Daisy has transgressed Gatsby, both are still impacted by this reunion.
The green light is a testament to what Gatsby's hopes and dreams are for the future. His life ambition is to win Daisy back, and at that given moment he was with her again. The light has lead him to this goal (Daisy) and now that he has met some aspect of it, Gatsby feels somewhat complete.
The World Fair is compared to Gatsby's home because with everything being purposefully lit up, Gatsby is preparing for the possibility that Daisy may be enchanted by the glorious sight and impressed with his wealth.
LauraLee Johnson
The awkward conversation between Gatsby and Nick in the beginning of the chapter really shows Gatsby in a new light. Although he seems collected to most, his nerves get the best of him regarding any thought about Daisy. The sight of his overly lit up house, to me, signifies that he wants to catch Daisy's attention just like the green light to him from her house. Gatsby wants Daisy to know he's there without making it seem like he's trying too hard.
Reading the scene about Daisy and Gatsby finally meeting, it again shows that asides from the rumors that's been spread about Gatsby, he too gets vulnerable and anxious about something he's been passionate about. He's longed for Daisy since the day they met and finally seeing her in front of him causes Gatsby to lose it a little because he knows that no money can buy the feelings he was going through at the time of their encounter.
I think the green light was a symbol for Gatsby to pursue what he wants in life. Now that the light can't be seen because of the mist it seems like he was at home. At the the same time the mist gave an effect of unsureness and anxiousness. I think the passage above reveals what he was really trying to pursue other than money. This is ironic because the one thing he was trying to pursue was accomplished by wealth and social standards.
Yuji Usami
The scene where Daisy and Jay meets is awkward. I was expecting Gatsby to be cool and collected upon his meeting with Daisy. This scene shows more of Jay's true character; in that he is shy. To me the green light represents the hope of Daisy and Jay being together once again. And with Daisy putting her arm through Gatsby-signaling that they have been physically bonded somewhat again puts end to the significance of the green light. "The World's Fair" type situation at Gatsby's mansion further reveals his desire to impress and guide people into his company with materialistic things. Also it expresses his personality a bit and how his actions are unexpected and inconsistent.
Stephen Davis
Gatsby and Daisy seemed to be awkward when they meet, however I believe they still feel the spark for each other they felt many years ago. Daisy is uncertain whether it is true that she is meeting the one she loved years ago, however she is a bit sad and she is crying because she remembers that she is married to Tom.
The green light symbolizes Gatsby's dreams and hopes for the future. The green light can be associated to Daisy because he used it as a guide to help him become sucessful in order to impress Daisy. Back when he was a soldier, he had nothing and he did not feel like he was good enough for Daisy.
Gatsby's home was described as a "World Fair" because it was simply marvelous to others who saw it. He built up his home by earning money illegally in order to impress Daisy. In the end, he is still uncertain whether Daisy feels the same way he does after all these years.
The first meeting of Gatsby and Daisy was awkward. Gatsby wants to impress Daisy so he could show her how successful he is now. But Daisy is still confused in how she feels for Gatsby. When she put her arm on his, she was probably thinking how hard this situation is. She realizes she's married but still have feelings for Gatsby. The green light was gone because he is now with Daisy, his goal was to get her back and impress her with all his possessions and money. Gatsby wants to impress people with his "World's Fair" like mansion. He is stuck on his goal of trying to become one of the rich people when really he knows he needs someone to be there for him. This is probably why he invites Nick on his adventures.
In this scene we can see how the characters are both stunned to see one another. The fact that they are both nervous assures the reader that they still feel something for eachother eventhough Daisy is married. This is proven becuase they dont allow Nick to leave them alone because they just feel more alone and together when Nick is present. Another thing that i noticed about Gatsby is that he had been reaching for something for so long, Daisy, that it was amazing to him hoe all the time that he had spent staring into a green light at acroos his house was finally a dream come true when Daisy herself is right in front of him. One thing that I noticed about Daisy is that she also seemed stunned to see Gatsby because she hadnt a clue about what in the world wasabout to happen. Her reuniting with Gatsby was a surprise unexpected that she simply had no words to describe what she felt which in part is compatible to many women in those days, even now.All this time they were so close yet so far apart.
Sunny Avila
In Chapter V when Daisy and Jay are introduced they feel shy and very nervous because they obviously still have feelings for each other. Although it has been many years since they last spoke and Daisy is now married it seems to not matter in this scene. When Daisy puts her arm around Jay the green light across the bay disappears, showing his dream of having Daisy has come true.
It is only a period of awkardness when Gatsby and Diasy finally come face to face after five years. Both of their lives have changed frequently throughout the previous years yet they still never stopped thinking about each other. This passage revels how Gatsby really does have a heart and really cares for Daisy and loves her, even just by the way he looks at her. Daisy is somewhat annoyed when Gatsby enters the picture, however she is overjoyed once seeing Gatsby again. It revels what Gatsby's personality is really like and how he's not all bad.
I agree with Justin, that this awkward meeting shows that Gatsby is still the same, shy person who fell in love with Daisy years ago. The awkwardness could also be a result of Daisy not being the same person she was when they fell in love.
-Alex Sonnenberg
In this scene we finally see the reunion of Daisy and Gatsby that he has been dying for. I agree that Gatsby's character became realistic once he saw her. He became nervous and shy as most people do. We learn that Daisy is very intrigued with the fact that Jay is extremely rich and has a lot of nice things. She seems to adore him more because of that as she puts her arm through his. The significance of the green light has vanished because what he was searching for is already living in the moment with him.
Alyssa lagasca
Alyssa lagasca
Gatsby became anxious when reunited with daisy. when gatsby would notice the green light he knew that he would always have this connection with her since it was at the end of daisy's dock. gatsby used it as his motivation to someday have her close to himself someday.many of us expected him to be confident and collected but he was nothing close to it. but when that day came he almost called it off since he was so nervous to come face to face with the girl he had loved. the awkwardness might have made them realize that they were once in love but now that things have changed, she married tom instead of gatsby but still share the same feelings for each other.
We learn that both Gatsby and Daisy feel embarrassed and are shy about the relationship they had once been in. Gatsby shows his vulnerability towards Daisy and it shows that he isn't as poised and cool as he usually is. We learn that Daisy is just as embarrassed because it describes her crying in part of the scene. The scene reveals that they begin reforging their relationship together.
The green light was a symbol of Gatsby's love for Daisy. Nick's reference to how Gatsby's, "enchanted objects had diminished to one," means that Gatsby no longer needs to see a symbol for his love, because his true love with Daisy is right in front of him.
When the mansion was lit, it shows how Gatsby prepared for his moment when Daisy arrived. He then tries to remove Nick's presence from his moment with Daisy by offering him to stay in places away from him. In other words, it can be interpreted that Gatsby has been using Nick the whole time and just sees him as a third-wheel.
I'd have to say that their meet was a bit awkward only cuz they haven't seen each other (or Daisy hasn't seen him) or communicated in over 5 years so some feelings definetly were rushing at this moment and thoughts, questions, answers, etc.
This scene also reveils a side of affection/caring from Gatsby that we have not seen yet since he struts around like some billionaire oweing the finest clothes in town.
The overwhelm of seeing a past lover after five long years can explain for the awkwardness. It must be an unbelievable and unimaginable feeling to reunite this way. It shows the importance of Daisy to Gatsby's life as he cannot find the "normal" words to say in this situation.
The green light serves as a guide to link Gatsby and Daisy only having the power to guide so far. Once Daisy is standing in front of him at his own home, its purpose is fulfilled and the light gives way to Destiny to do its job. It is now up to Gatsby and Daisy to make their past love rebuild. However, the five year gap of living their own lives and the lost time together serves as a serious barrier maybe even more thick than the sea that separated them.
I think the way Gatsby acts when he first meets Daisy after 5 years is awkward and a bit funny. Before this part in the book, Gatsby is portrayed as this man that is "untouchable" because of his fame, money, and power, and now that Daisy is in front of him he is shy, nervous, and anxious like a normal, flushed, in-love person would. I agree with Stephen that the way he acts is unexpected and reveals his true character. I also agree with Alyssa's interpretation of the green light, that it signifies their distance from each other and now that they are finally together in this moment, it is gone. Maybe to Gatsby, it was a light to get to Daisy, showing that it was on, waiting for him because she still had feelings for him even though they had separate lives.
-Christine De Lara
I sensed that Gatsby would be awkward before being reuinted with Daisy because of the simple fact that people do tend to be nervous when reuniting with someone they once had something for long ago. When meeting, both Daisy and Jay were awkward and quiet but when Fitzgerald left the room they were able to relax and connect with eachother without any pressure of their surroundings.
I think the green light represented a way Gatsby was emotionally connected with Daisy. By him looking out at her home across the Bay and seeing that green light it was his way of wishing he could be close to her again, and that was his comfort. But since he was reunited with Daisy and she was now standing next to him linked in his arm the "significance of that light had now vanished" because Gatsby didn't have to wish for her company anymore. He had it.
My thoughts onto why Gatsby had asked so much of Nick to go with him late at night to Coney Island is because Gatsby had alot on his mind and it revolved around Daisy. Knowing that Daisy and Nick are second cousins Gatsby wanted to spend any time he could with Nick because it was a way of being "close" to Daisy.
Kelsey Ehm
I feel like at first, the scene is awkward because they have some real love for each other. It's the kind where all you can do is smile and you can't stop it. After a while though, they become comfortable. Not even being highly popular, throwing lavish parties and having a huge mansion can stop his shyness for Daisy. The mist can symbolize that there indeed is an obstacle, but then again it's not a real physical barrier. Daisy is there for the taking, but she is married legally even though Tom has a mistress. The green light can represent his greed and lust for money. It doesn't mean anything more to him because he is with Daisy physically once again, after all the stolen securities and heavy spending on material goods.
He may have gone over the top with turning on all the lights at his house in order to get Daisy's attention, or possibly to ponder on how far he's come in the past five years. If he's up that late and restless, his mind is probably consumed by the thought of Daisy. He can't seem to pin a date on actually interacting with her though, so Nick does that himself, which results in Gatsby not being collected and calm for the first time in the story.
The green light represnts his hopes to be with daisy and there he is with her and thats why his hopes fade away for the moment and i also agree with kelsey that gatscy wanted to go do something with mick becasue he knows that him and daisy are related and he wants to be as close as possible to her
-Daniel Hernandez
In this scene, I think the meet between Daisy and Gatsby was nerve-wrecking and somewhat awkward between them. But as the scene goes on all those uneasy feelings vanish and they become comfortable with each other once again. In the scene above, I believe that the green light represents something that Gatsby has been longing for, for a very long time. Something that he couldn't buy with his wealth; which would be Daisy. As Daisy puts her arm around his the light disappears.
Myzel Esguerra
I believe that this meeting between Gatsby and Daisy is extremely awkward. Gatsby is a nervous mess. He is "pale as death" and he even pulls Nick aside to say that the reunion was a mistake. But after Nick leaves and returns 30 minutes later, you can tell that Gatsby is more comfortable with the situation.
As for the green light, I believed it symbolizes hope. The hope that he would one day reunite with his old love. When Daisy puts her arm through his, the value of the light diminshes, because he finally has what he's been hoping for.
My thoughts on this particular scene from the novel are indifferent. I was unsure of why the usually calm, cool, and collected character of Jay Gatsby could be so baffled simply by the presence of this female character of Daisy. I learned of the true personality of Gatsby, and that all the materialistic things he has, and the parties he throws are just covers for the real him. The one who sits alone, and watches the green light that is Daisy's home. I learned that the two had a past that was truly significant to the plot because it's the whole reason that Gatsby is the way that he is when introduced.
My thoughts on this scene are that it is only natural for this scene to be very awkward—this is the first time the two former lovers have seen each other in five years. Moreover, Daisy has moved on with her life; she is now married and has a young daughter. Therefore, her awkwardness comes from an internal confliction; she knows she has responsibilities to uphold, yet her past feelings for Gatsby seems to have instantly emerged. Also, we learn in this scene that Gatsby can emotionally break easily. Despite his pursuing Daisy for five years of illegal activity and gaining a fortune, he becomes very apprehensive at the moment he finally meets Daisy.
In the passage, it appears that Daisy and Gatsby are rekindling an old flame; they are reconnecting with each other. The green light symbolizes Gatsby’s desire to “go” for Daisy, meaning to win over Daisy’s heart once again.
Upon their meeting Gatsby and Daisy already have a connection. Gatsby ended up falling apart when he meets her, and it made his character seem like people could relate to it. I could relate to it. Gatsby, in my perspective, acted as anyone would when they find that they have feelings of fondness towards another person. The feeling of being nervous and wanting to be "perfect" or trying to impress the person is completely normal.
Jillian Buenviaje
When Daisy and Gatsby meet in Chapter V, it was an awkward scene. It has been five years since thye've seen each other. Shock and nervousness may be the cause of the awkwardness. Daisy is now married and Gatsby is still madly inlove with her and Gatsby just didnt know what to do. But after showing Daisy his place, I bet it was a big relief.
Ciarra Gagan
Since the two haven't met in a while the meeting was awkward at first. After a while they started to have a good time and showed love for each for the first time sine Gatsby left Kentucky. The light symbolizes the hope for the two to rekindle what they used to have before.
Cobrin Humphery
I think that the way Gatsby was acting with daisy made his character seem more vulnerable and he didn't seem to be such a big shot anymore. I also believe that the significance of the green light sort of faded because Gatsby was actually speaking with daisy he did not have to wish anymore.
Steven Exum
I know that one thing green can symbolize is hope. And the green light symbolized Gatsby's hope to reunite with Daisy. And now since they have reunited, his hope became reality. To him that green light has disappeared.
Gatsby wanting to swim and go to Coney Island I believe is him being reinvigorated with life. Meeting Daisy has brought excitement with his life. Now he wants to enjoy it more. He wants to do those fun things that he hasn’t done in so many years.
Although it had been five years snice they last meet, the meeting of Daisy and Gatsby prove that they have a connection right away. However this scene also shows the true charcter of Gatsby when he becomes nervous and cold. By knocking the clock over in this event it shows Gatsby's attempt to stop time and go back to the past. As they become more comfortable with eachother the scene warms up and we see Gatsby try to impress Daisy by showing her his house.
The green light metioned here symbolizes hope for Gatsby. He bought this house so he could see Daisy's house and hold onto something. in life we all need to hold onto something and this green light was want Gatsby held onto.
The reunion is awkward, but isn't that expected? Gatsby and Daisy are former lovers who have not seen eachother in years. So much has changed since then, at least for Daisy. She found someone else. Who wouldn't get tired of waiting years for someone that wasn't even sure to come back? They had some catching up to do. That being said, there were quite a bit more uneasy moments. When Gatsby was explaining about the green light being visible from across the bay, why did Daisy cling to him? Wouldn't anyone else be a little worried that a man, stranger or not, had been watching them since who knows when? Gatsby is a strange person. Maybe Gatsby just invited Nick to spend more time with him because he felt he owed Nick something for bring him and Daisy together. Maybe he was just trying to change the subject.
The green light symbolizes Gatsby's hope and anticipation. Once he reunites with Daisy, the light is not longer important because he doesn't need it as a connection to Daisy anymore; he has her in his arms once again, even if for a brief moment.
I don't think this passage is as complicated as it seems. First of all, when Gatsby and Daisy meet, we see a different side of him. He's usually confident, relaxed, and has everything under control, but when he finally sees Daisy, after all those years, he's a nervous wreck.
Now, on the aspect of the light, both Gatsby's and the famous geen light- I think Gatsby was trying to get Daisy's attention through a source of light just as he was captured by her green one. (this is because light represents hope)But on to the gren light, I think Gatsby felt that having her just across the bay made her closer than ever before, but now that he had her in front of him, he realized that he was actually farther away than what he expected, so now the light lost its significance of closeness to her (although in the end she did become closer to
Gatsby).
The pool which he has not used all summer long, represents Gatsby's inability to live in the present. He has not enjoyed a single one of parties, or part of his wealth because he is concentrated in finding Daisy. Now, I find it ironic that Gatsby died in his pool,once he was finally able to embrace his present life, he got killed. Which made me wonder, did he accomplish anything in life?
The reunion reveals the "true" Gatsby. Not the cool and collected high class society big shot who throws elaborate parties but a normal man from the west.
The green light represents the hope Gatsby has to being closer to Daisy and now that she is as close as they can be, the green light has faded. Maybe because he has reached his goal or possibly because it his goal is longer a possibility.
Alexandra Daigle
This much anticipated scene between Daisy and Gatsby shows that love always lasts and can never be broken, despite time or the people in our lives. The very awkwardness between them shows their true personalities, Gatsby being the shy soldier in a strange new world and Daisy casting her superficiality to the wind and is no longer the foolish girl she presumes to be. This scene illustrates that love opens yourself to be who you truly are, knowing that the other person will love you in reciprocal regardless.
The green light resembles Gatsby’s hope for Daisy to be his once more as so here in this scene. He forgets reality, seeing that Daisy was in his arms, in his house, in his life again, and only sees the green light getting closer to him, almost in reach, which was probably an illusion of the mist concealing everything but the piercing green light, just as Gatsby would want to imagine it. Bearing in mind the fact that Daisy was with him again, he assumed that the “colossal significance” of that light had relinquished.
Following that, Gatsby lights his entire house up like a “World Fair” symbolizes his loneliness. By him obscuring his solitude, he puts on a light show, impressing his neighbor Nick, trying to grab the attention of Daisy across the bay, and ridding his subconscious’ fatigue of covering up the past. His need for all the lights to be on allows him to believe that he isn’t alone and those lights are needed for other people even though there is no one there but him. To liberate his insanity, he invites Nick to go somewhere since he cannot be with Daisy during the night. Gatsby feels he needs someone constantly there so he no longer suffers the aloneness he feels.
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