Poetry- Metre

I've found this website which describes well the different types of metre. Just thought it could be useful for everyone as it is a difficult concept to grasp (well for me anyway).
http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xmeter.html
Chris

Rossetti Easter Reading

If you are a big fan of the link from  the last post, have a look at this one too. It has lots of articles and useful information about Rossetti:
http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/crossetti/index.html

Useful Rossetti website

This website is absolutely brilliant for studying Christina Rossetti. It not only has a wealth of background context, but it also has detailed synopses and analysis of the poems in the anthology. You could pretty much teach yourself the poems with the content they provide.

Use the drop-down menu at the top of the page to access the different sections.

http://m.crossref-it.info/textguide/The-poetry-of-Christina-Rossetti/28/0

CliffsNotes

www.cliffsnotes.com

This website is especially good for summarising and analysing the individual chapters. There's even a character map for all the visual learners! Is it wrong to find this exciting? I think the English blog has gone to my head.

You can find both novels under "literature".

Revision Schedule

Date	Room	Title of Session
16/04/12	N7	Christina Rossetti; Three Poems
18/04/12	N10	W H Auden; Three Poems
23/04/12	N7	The Kite Runner; Narrative and Context
25/04/12	N7	The Great Gatsby; Narrative and Context
30/04/12	N7	Christina Rossetti; Three Poems
02/05/12	N10	W H Auden; Three Poems

AS English Literature Revision Schedule

Here is the Revision Timetable for English Literature; sessions will run on Monday and Wednesday.

The sessions will last approximately 1hour 45 minutes and attendance is highly recommended as we will cover some new material too.

Please make sure you bring the correct text to each session.

If you can’t attend, ensure you pick up the notes from someone in the class.

The exam is on May 16^th.

Shmoop!

Here's the link:

http://www.shmoop.com/kite-runner/literary-devices.html

They speak student...innit...

The presentation of one close relationship- Essay Presentation

“Explain the presentation of one close relationship and how it changes over the course of the novel, refer to two different passages”

Possible relationships that can be looked at:

Amir and Baba- Amir wants to share the best of Baba’s traits, but instead what they share is the betrayal of their best friends. The differences between them are outweighed by this definitive similarity. 

Hassan and Baba 

Amir and Hassan

Amir and Sohrab 

Amir and Soraya

Amir and Rahim Khan

Baba and Rahim Khan

Baba and Amir the journey chronologically:

Seeking of approval (Chapter 1-7)

 “With me as the glaring exception, my father moulded the world around his liking.” Page 14

"I didn’t want to disappoint him again.” Page 16

"I will never forget Baba’s valiant efforts to conceal the disgusted look on his face” Page 19

"Most days I worshiped Baba with the intensity approaching the religious.” Page 27

"I wished I too had some kind of scar that would beget Baba’s sympathy.” Page 40

"Baba and I lived in the same house but in different spheres of existence.” Page 43

"Maybe he’d call me Amir jan like Rahim Khan did.” Page 49

"I felt his gaze on me like the heat of a blistering sun.” Page 54

A false kind of love (Chapter 8-10, arguably the intense affection ends within chapter 8 when Amir asks for new servants)

 “It happened just the way I’d imagined.” Page 69

A sense of equality (Chapter 11-13)

“For me, America was a place to bury my memories. For Baba, a place to mourn his.” Page 112

"My student hand, clean and soft, on his labourer’s hand, grubby and calloused.” Page 113

"Hadn’t he been taller in Kabul?” Page 11

"I am moftakhir, Amir.” Page 114“I didn’t want to sacrifice for Baba anymore.” Page 117

“Baba was hobbling up the Taheri’s driveway for one last fatherly duty.” Page 142

“I could see his internal smile, as wide as the skies of Kabul.” Page 151

Life after death (How the perception of Baba changes)

Themes running through the relationship

A sense of ownership- “My father, my Baba” Page 4 / “I wanted Baba all to myself.” Page 12 / “I was proud of Baba, of us.” Page 13 / “Baba waved. I couldn’t tell if he was waving at me or Hassan.” Page 54 /

Idolisation- Building “the most beautiful house in the Wazir Akbar Khan district.” Page 4 / “Baba was used to winning, winning at everything he set his mind to.” Page 49 / “Caught between Baba and the mullahs at school, I still hadn’t made up my mind about God.” Page 55

Shame- “A boy who doesn’t stand up in himself becomes a man who can’t stand up for anything” Page 20/ “If I hadn’t seen the doctor pull him out of my wife with my own eyes, I’d never believe he’s my son.” Page 20

“I hurled a pebble at the bear when no one was watching.” Page 74- This could represent Amir’s betrayal towards his father, who is described as the bear several times in the novel. By not helping Hassan in the alleyway it has an indirect affect on his father too. However this is outside of Amir’s knowledge until he finds out that Hassan is his half brother.

Points

Being the son of a wealthy admired businessman, Amir is more than privileged but the novelty is lost when all he seeks is the approval of Baba, who despairs of his son’s inability to portray the noble traits Baba possesses. Amir cannot play football, has no stomach for a fight and writes stories, a talent in which Baba has no interest. It is Hassan who seems to have the qualities Baba looks for in Amir.

In his determination to win the admiration of Baba, Amir finds ways to humiliate Hassan which is an act of healing his bruised ego and shows his jealousy of having to share Baba with Hassan. “Hassan hadn’t done anything to earn Baba’s affections; he’d just been born with that stupid harelip.” This juvenile statement only adds to the reader’s unfavoured opinion of him.

***

The contrast of living in California is a way Hosseini manipulates setting to show the effect stature has on relationships, Baba’s noble image means nothing in America and his modest earnings bring equality between him and Amir. For once it appears that Amir is more in control as he adapts and integrates into the unfamiliar culture. This is most striking in the “Fast & Easy” grocery store where Baba is alienated by the fact that “No one trusts anybody!”  and Amir is overcome by a new found responsibility for his father.

[Needs updating]

How does Hosseini tell the story in Chapter 10?

Chapter 10 is, foremost, a chapter that focuses on transition as Amir and Baba flee Afghanistan, in language, country, and – for the main protagonist (Amir) – age. Hosseini uses a number of techniques to reinforce this, and demonstrate the alterations in chronology.

The changing setting of the chapter, starting in Afghanistan but travelling through to Pakistan, allows Hosseini to mirror the beginnings of the emotional journey of escapism that Amir is undertaking. By describing the back of the truck and the “young woman sat across from us”, Hosseini adds a sense of immediacy to the opening of the chapter.

When the setting shifts to the inside of the petrol tanker, the writer builds a sense of panic and claustrophobia for the reader; by using short, fragmented sentences he creates tension and conveys the breathless panic felt by the narrator. The lack of descriptive detail of the setting also helps to portray the sensory deprivation of being trapped in the dark.

Primarily, the chapter (and the majority of the novel) is written in a first person, retrospective narrative. However, in this section, the writer uses present tense and imperatives coupled with the second person in order to try to get the reader to empathise by involving the reader directly. The narrator tells us “you need air, need it NOW,” the capitalisation adding to the terror felt by Amir.

Hosseini uses dates and time in order to narrate the chapter, showing us that by “March 1981”, the situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated. The chapter is largely linear in chronology, though Hosseini utilises a flash back to a “Friday afternoon in Paghman” to juxtapose a positive, calm memory with the present fear. As well as flashbacks, the writer foreshadows Amir’s much later wedding with the wedding song, drunkenly sung by the Russian soldier, however in this context, its presence is threatening.

Within chapter 10, the writer also depicts the sense of alienation felt by both Amir and the reader, through the use of Farsi and Russian language. By requiring Karim to translate for the Russian soldier, it prolongs the tension, slowing the pace and highlighting the danger for Baba.

Structurally, the chapter has two moments of climax: the first when Baba stands up to the soldier, declaring he will not “let this indecency take place”; Hosseini heightens tension by switching to an internal, italicised monologue where Amir resigns himself to the fact that “It’s done, then”, forestalling the revelation that Baba is, in fact, still alive. The second, however, is sudden and unexpected, where Kamal’s father commits suicide at the end of the chapter. This provides a somewhat cathartic release for the reader after the tension of the chapter.

The chapter takes on the feel of an action/thriller, due to the intensity of pace, multiple climaxes and constant conflicts. As with the entire novel, we see Amir grow in this chapter, contributing to the idea of the text being a Bildungsroman – however, his journeying in this chapter is more physical, from place to place, rather than the moral journey he later undertakes.

Exam Preparation

In order to ensure you are fully prepared for the exam, we suggest that you plan for your Section A, part a) answer, for all possible chapters.
With this in mind, I have found the following two links, for both texts. Use the information as a starting point:

http://thebestnotes.com/booknotes/Great_Gatsby/Great_Gatsby_Fitzgerald_Study_Guide01.html

http://thebestnotes.com/booknotes/Kite_Runner/Kite_Runner01.html

Select Two Passages and Discuss Hosseini's use of Seasons

Passages of reference: 6, 7, 12 and 25

Chapter 6:

• P42 - "Winter" is structurally alone at the start of chapter six, this signifies its importance as it is the winter the reader is built up to (reference page 2, "winter of 1975). The word winter is then repeated many times in it's description; this builds suspense of what is to come later.
• P42 - "Snow" can be seen to symbolise Hassan's Purity; "Snow so white my eyes burn", syntactically this sentence is worded oddly which can be seen to signify its importance as it can also foreshadow what is to come.
• P43 - "The chill between me and Baba thawed a little", this juxtaposition between snow melting in the winter represents the schism in the relationship as being awkward.

Chapter 7:

• P69 - "Those tiny drops that fell from between his legs and stained the snow black" can be seen to do three things:
• Ruin the purity which Hassan has.
• If it had happened during the summer when everything was dull in colour there would be less emphasis than there is with snow.

Chapter 25:

• P324 - "First flake melting" this indicates Amir's redemption through rescuing Sohrab and standing up to the General Tahiri which links back to how it all started, in the snow; showing the reader the journey.

Chapter 12:

• P125 - Involves the idea of "Yelda" which is not a season in its self but is the "first night of winter". It can be argued that the idea of a long night and the setting of winter could be seen as romantic emphasising Amir's feelings. On the other hand "Starless night tormenting lovers" can be seen as the complete opposite of romantic; painstaking, this idea makes us feel a slight amount of sympathy towards Amir as every night of the week became Yelda for him.

The Great Gatsby Questions and Content

Below are some past Section A questions, with some points you may consider when answering them. If you complete any in your own time, I will happily give you some feedback on them...

Write about the ways Fitzgerald tells the story in Chapter 4.

Form: 20th century tragedy, a novel about writing a novel, a love story, etc

Structure: begins with a general focus on some party goers and their assessment of Gatsby, leads to a series of mysterious meetings between Gatsby and Nick, Nick and Wolfshiem and Nick and Jordan, central revelation is the past relationship between Gatsby and Daisy, ends with Gatsby’s intention to meet Daisy again and how Nick is to assist/disjointed chronology here, use of story of 5 years previously told through Jordan/story framed by the reflections of the retrospective narrator, etc.

Language: poetic prose, descriptive detail, use of French ‘amour’, use of children’s song, use of contrast, symbolism of the timetable to write names of Gatsby’s guests, use of irony, image of the dead man, use of dialogue, etc. Narrative perspective/voices: first person narrator, self conscious story teller and author, use of choric voices and rumour, use of Jordan to tell the story, use of voices of Gatsby and Wolfshiem, slow pace to unravel the mystery, etc.

Setting: New York, Gatsby’s mansion, Nick’s house, Gatsby’s car, specific date 5th July (day after Independence Day), Forty-second Street cellar, tea-garden at the Plaza, flashback October 1917, etc.

What do you think about the view that there are no women in The Great Gatsby with whom the reader can sympathise?

Some will agree and focus on:

·       The unflattering portrayal of Daisy, Jordan and Myrtle who are all deceivers, materialistic and insincere

·       The destinations of Jordan and Daisy

·       Daisy’s part in Gatsby’s tragedy, etc.

Some will disagree and focus on:

·         The way a male narrator filters the narrative and distorts the picture

·         The way Nick has a romanticised view of Gatsby and this colours his judgement

·         The vulnerability of women

·         Their being victims in a male world

·         Their charm, etc.

Some will distinguish between the women and discuss them separately in the light of the task.

Write about some of the ways Fitzgerald tells the story in Chapter 3.

Form: Narrative perspective/ voices: first person narrator, self conscious story teller and author, narratorial distancing of last two pages, etc. use of choric voices and rumour, etc.

Setting: New York, Gatsby’s mansion, etc.

20th century tragedy, a novel about writing a novel, etc.

Begins with a generalised reflection of the summer parties, moves to Nick’s first party,

dramatic explosion of Gatsby’s entrance, ends with focus on Nick and Jordan’s relationship, story at this point is chronological but framed by the reflections of the retrospective narrator, etc.

Language: poetic prose, descriptive detail, sensual description of Jordan, topical references, time references, car symbolism, etc.

“Gatsby’s world is corrupt but ultimately glamorous.” How do you respond to this view of the novel?

Some will agree and focus on:

• The corruption in the novel – Gatsby’s underworld, his affair with Daisy, Daisy’s betrayal, the rumours about his life

• The glamour of Gatsby’s parties

• The romance of Gatsby and Daisy, especially the description of their early love affair,

• The surreal, dreamlike quality of Gatsby himself

• The filtering of the story through Nick who is biased, etc.

Some will disagree and focus on:

• Corruption dominating the novel and leading to the deaths of three people

• Shadiness of Gatsby’s associates that no amount of lyrical prose can disguise

• The hollowness of Gatsby’s parties

• The gaudiness of his house and yacht

• The vulgarity of new money

• The fact that Gatsby’s hopes are all dreams

• The failure of Nick to persuade and romanticise Gatsby’s story, etc.

Write about some of the ways Fitzgerald tells the story in Chapter 9.

Form: narrative perspective/voices: first person narrator, self-conscious story teller and author, use of choric voices, use of Mr Gatz’s voice, stray voice of Slagle, use of the telephone, etc.  Setting: New York, Nick’s house, Gatsby’s mansion, the cemetery, Fifth Avenue, early 20^th century, etc 20th century tragedy, a novel about writing a novel, a love story, etc

Structure: Time leap. 2 years have passed, flashback through Nick’s memory, non-chronological.  Begins with the remembered scene outside Gatsby’s house, leads to Nick’s attempt to call Daisy, the arrival of Gatsby’s father . his story of Gatsby’s youth, Gatsby’s funeral, reflections of Nick’s thoughts about the Mid West, Nick’s final meeting with Tom and Daisy, Nick’s leaving New York, etc

Language: poetic prose, descriptive detail, sensual description, funereal language, use of French, dialogue, variations of pace, use of Wolfshiem’s letter, use of Gatsby’s schedule, imagery of utopia, valedictory quality, natural imagery, important use of final word which is .past., etc.

“Illusory as it is, Gatsby’s dream gives meaning and value to human experience” How do you respond to this view?

Some will agree and focus on:

·        Nick’s enchantment and fascination with Gatsby

·        Gatsby’s being worth more than the rest of the characters because he has a passion, something to aspire to.

·        Gatsby’s dream gives Nick the inspiration to write (and of course the same can be said for Fitzgerald)

·        Gatsby’s life is given a purpose because of his dream

·        The dream links Gatsby and Nick with the Dutch sailors and the whole of American history

·        The dream preserves the sense of human wonder, human potential, free from limits

·        Gatsby is mourned by Nick and the reader whereas the other characters, the realists, perhaps, are shallowed dull, etc.

Some will disagree and focus on:

·        Gatsby’s deluding himself

·        The dream being death-centred and hollow

·        The dream being based on corruption and crime

·        Gatsby’s having a basic disregard for the feelings and dreams of others

·        The dream being equated with wealth and getting rich

·        Gatsby’s house becoming no more than a tourist attraction, etc.

·        Relevant references might be made to the American Dream.

Write about some of the ways Fitzgerald tells the story in Chapter 5.

Narrative perspective/voices: first person narrator, self-conscious story teller and author, voices of Gatsby and Daisy, etc

Setting: Nick’s house, Gatsby’s mansion. The importance of the stage management by Gatsby, the mansion not a home but an elaborate prop, etc 20th century tragedy, a novel about writing a novel, a love story, etc

Structure: centrepiece of the whole novel. The meeting between Gatsby and Daisy; begins with a description of Nick’s arrival home at night and his telling Gatsby that Daisy is to come to tea the following day, leads to Gatsby’s meticulous preparations, Daisy’s arrival and the romantic encounter; finally Nick leaves the lovers alone, and reflects on whether or not Daisy tumbled short of Gatsby’s dreams, chronological story but told retrospectively, use of page breaks, etc

Language: poetic prose, descriptive detail, sensual description, use of Klipspringer’s songs, use of colour

(especially green) and musical imagery, time references, dialogue, repetition, references to the past, reference to Adam, etc.

Essay presentation: The Kite Runner: Choosing two passages, explore the extent to which Hosseini wants the reader to side with his narrator

Hosseini’s portrayal of Amir as a narrator develops drastically throughout the novel. If we were to take a passage from the beginning of the novel (Chapter seven) and compare it to a later passage (Chapter twenty-two) we would see a dramatic difference in the depiction of Amir, and the reader’s ability to empathise with him.

“I had one last chance to make a decision. One final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. I could step into that alley, stand up for Hassan-the way he had stood up for me all those times in the past-and accept whatever would happen to me. Or I could run.

In the end I ran” (Chapter 7, page 68)

This is arguably the pivotal chapter, in which Hosseini decides the fate of the characters in the novel. In doing so it is illustrated that Amir is a “coward”. In this passage it is questionable as to whether or not Hosseini wishes to delineate Amir in a positive light.

Hosseini neglects to prompt Amir’s character to provide justification of his desertion of Hassan. This has the effect of further condemning Amir from the reader’s perspective. In itself the paragraph is fragmented. Separated. The phrase “Or I could run” appears rhetorical. The decision that Amir made is presented on the next line. Structurally this brings the reader into more immediate contact with the horror of Amir’s choice.

“I forgot what I’d done”(page 69)
“For you a thousand times over”(page 59, Hassan)
“Hassan was the price I had to pay, the lamb I had to slay”(page 68)

In contrast, chapter 22 shows Amir to be a character that the reader can respect. It does indeed show Hosseini’s novel to be one of bildungsroman, with reference to Amir’s development as both a character and as a narrator.  

“My body was broken- just how badly I wouldn’t find out until later- but I felt healed.” Amir’s betrayal of Hassan has clearly haunted him throughout his life and the relief he feels at putting his deed right through taking this beating is evident. It is possible, in this chapter, for the reader to see Amir as a courageous and likeable character.

“You’ve done much more than I paid you for. I don’t expect you to come in with me.” In chapter 22, there is a clear contrast between Amir’s thoughts and his dialogue. He tells Farid he doesn’t expect him to come in with him but his internal narrative states that he wished he would. This is a contrast to chapter seven, where Amir states “he could run” and does exactly that.

Page 250: "It was my turn"-Hassan was the lamb Amir felt he had to slay. In chapter 22, Amir becomes that lamb, so it's as through Amir's pain that he becomes "good again". One could argue that this makes him a more likeable character, in view of his transformation.

Discuss Hosseini's choice of title and explore its effectiveness

The Kite Runner is a title which has effectiveness on multiple levels, including the main moral, cultural and emotive ideas which are presented throughout.


The importance of kites is introduced in the opening chapter where he takes a walk and sees, "a pair of kites, red with long blue tails". The colours of these kites are an embodiment of the moral highs and low which happens throughout the novel. The kites also foreshadow the ending of the novel with Sohrab, making what happens in-between the encapsulation of the title.


Kite Running is highly influential in Afghan culture, highlighted by Farid, on Amir's journey to Kabul, when he says that, "You won't find kites or kite shops on Jadeh Maywand or anywhere else in Kabul". The loss of culture in Afghanistan is based on the flying of the kites, with the Taliban forbidding the flying of kites. Farid mentioning the kites serves as a link which resides in all Afghan men, thus the title encompassing the brotherhood of Afghanistan.


Finally the idea of kites represents the cyclic nature of the novel. On the final page of the book when Sohrab shows a glimmer of joy through flying a kite Amir greets the smile, "with open arms. Because when spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time, and maybe I just witnessed the first flake melting". The idea of winter references the kite competition in 1975 when Amir's life changes forever.  This also takes Amir's problematic life and shows, through kite flying, how everything can become great, even if it for a  split second in time.

The Great Gatsby - Chapter 5 Analysis

The Great Gatsby                           Chapter V                      Summary and Analysis  

Summary

·        PIVOTAL POINT in the Novel – where everything changes from this point on

·        Nick helps to arrange Gatsby and Daisy’s meeting – For the first time the narrator is involved in the actions of the novel and his previous role as an omniscient narrator and observer has been reversed.

·        Gatsby’s character is seen in a new light – nervous and love sick approach takes over his previous calm and confident exterior.

·        Nick leaves Daisy and Gatsby to become re-acquainted.

·        Gatsby takes Daisy/Nick to his mansion for a tour – showing off his wealth in shape of his clothing and possessions to impress Daisy, playing on her hedonistic and materialistic character.

·        Gatsby’s love and awe for Daisy is exposed through Nick’s recollection of speech and reactions of the character – his re-evaluation of his possessions, the green light and the paper cuttings.

·        Klipspringer plays music to entertain Gatsby’s treasured guest(s)

-       ‘The Love Nest’

-       ‘Ain’t we got fun’

Analysis

Changing of Gatsby’s character

·      Implications that Gatsby adopts a superficial stance in order to impress Daisy and gain her affections through his wealth, a change to the non-drinking observer at his own parties…

-       ‘I want to get the grass cut’ – portraying how Gatsby wishes to create a perfect appearance of what he owns for Daisy’s instant gratification and hedonistic pleasures.

·      Use of oxymoron to present Gatsby’s confusion and mix of emotions towards seeing Daisy again after ‘five years’, showing how the present mind-set of the character has been affected by his past love for Daisy…

-       ‘supressed eagerness’ – showing how the Character is desperately trying to hide his direct feelings of excitement and worry from Nick, affecting the reader’s view of Gatsby and seeing him as a lovesick character; resulting with sympathy and empathy.

·      Use of adverbs enhances the change of the protagonist’s character in the chapter too…

-       ‘Immediately … reluctantly … uncertainly’ – contrast to his previous polite, certain and gentlemanly manner.

·      The use of contrast though the combination of materialistic appearance with physical appearance also adds to the implication that Gatsby is determined to impress Daisy by presenting a wealthy facade and hiding his love sick worry...

-  ‘White flannel suit, silver shirt, and gold-coloured tie’ – using   ‘rich’ colours and extravagant dress to show wealth.

-    ‘he was pale... dark signs of sleeplessness beneath his eyes’ –   using imagery associated with worry.

·      When asked about how he accumulated his wealth, Gatsby’s reply was blunt with ‘That’s my affair’ implying his reluctance to reveal the information, also backing up the secretive nature of his business in Chapter 4 when Meyer Wolfsheim is introduced, a new uneasy side to the character – however he mends it with respectable business i.e. ‘drug....and oil business’ .

·      Gatsby’s love and awe for Daisy is enhanced through his reaction towards the character’s response, backing up all previous evidence that he tries to impress Daisy for recognition and love...

- ‘he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes’ – An idea backed up in Chapter 7 when he stops holding parties because she disapproves.

·      Gatsby’s laid back approach witnessed in previous chapter’s is dismissed by Nick’s introduction of Gatsby’s possessive hold over Daisy portrayed through Gatsby’s speech...

- ‘You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock’ – obsessive nature – ‘always’

                      –  ‘green’ – colour symbolises his envy/jealousy of Tom

                          Buchanan.

- ‘Here’s a lot of clippings – about you’ – obsessive – shows how despite they haven’t seen each other for 5 years he still persisted to know everything about her, the parenthesis of ‘-about you’ also shows Gatsby’s need for Daisy to realise this admiration of her.

Language Analysis

·      Pathetic Fallacy used in structure with the transition from ‘pouring rain’ to ‘stopped raining’ and finally ‘twinkle-bells of sunshine’ - weather is presented as parallel to the character’s change of mood, and provides a sense of hope to the chapter.

-  The rain symbolises the worry Gatsby and the tears of Daisy at the start of the chapter, whereas the sun presents the newly found confidence of Gatsby and re-kindled love between the two focused characters.

-  Pathetic Fallacy also mirrors Gatsby’s change of emotions through the chapter – ‘embarrassment’ – ‘unreasoning joy’ – ‘wonder’.

·      The use of Verisimilitude throughout the chapter to reveal that not everything is not as it seems ...

- ‘brass buttons...gleamed in the sunlight’ – using brass which is dull and cheap but disguising them as something bright and falsely shining like gold in the sun – metaphor that the love between Daisy and Gatsby isn’t as it first appears in the chapter, foreshadowing the inevitable complications later on in the novel (chapter 7).

- ‘pure dull gold’ – juxtaposition of the description ‘dull’ with the valuable, precious metal ‘gold’ enhances the idea that Gatsby’s wealth isn’t as it seems; linking to his reluctance to reveal his business and his secret friendship with Wolfsheim.