PLAN: Contrast the portrayal
of Gatsby in Chapter 5 and in the rest of the novel
Introduction:
Turning point
in the novel; not just for how the reader views Nick as a narrator but also in
his presentation of Gatsby - Gatsby is portrayed as the former character’s
antithesis.
In
comparison to Nick’s portrayal of the wealthy ‘elegant young rough-neck’s’ character whose mannerisms were ‘peculiarly
American...and punctilious’, Chapter 5 presents Gatsby in an unfamiliar
light, predominantly exposing the change as a result of the Character’s naive
and unconditional love for character Daisy Buchanan whom he has history with;
revealed by Jordan Baker in Chapter four previously.
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Through
Nick’s narration, Fitzgerald writes a love sick and nervous character, using
the narrator’s direct observations of Gatsby’s exterior to portray...
·
‘Looking at me with suppressed eagerness’ – calm
confident exterior replaced with hidden anxiety.
·
Adverbs provide insight into Gatsby’s delivery
of speech to emphasise the fundamental change in the character eg. ‘he said carelessly’ , ‘with reluctance’, ‘uncertainly, and hesitated’ – largely diverse from the character’s
previous ‘polite ... coolly...gentleman’ deliverance witnessed
throughout the novel so far.
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2:
Similar to Gatsby’s accounted dialogue
throughout the start of Chapter five in comparison to the previous chapters of
the novel, Fitzgerald continues to portray Gatsby in an abnormal state. The
author uses description of physical appearance to enhance the effect Daisy has
on the character.
·
‘the front
door opened nervously’ juxtaposed with ‘white
flannel suit, silver shirt, and gold-coloured tie’ – Using confident, extravagant
dress to show off his wealth in conjunction with his anxious reaction Nick
reveals how Gatsby’s emotions places the character in a paradox, displaying an
uncertainty of feelings – a revelation of Gatsby’s character not witnessed by
the reader before.
·
Nick’s narration provides a visual report on
Gatsby to emphasise how the character is unable to exude the confidence he
previously possessed; ‘pale’ ‘dark signs of sleeplessness beneath his
eyes’ – suggests worry, incompatible with the superficial care-free and
lavish lifestyle lead by the wealthy.
·
Although written in First person narrative,
Nick’s reserved judgement throughout the novel so far has lead to the adoption
of a third person, omniscient tone - In Chapter 5 this tone is abolished when
Daisy and Gatsby meet again in Nick’s home after 5 years of being separated,
here for the first time Nick provides his personal opinion on Gatsby’s
behaviour, breaking out ‘impatiently’
with ‘Your acting like a little boy...
You’re rude’ – this outbreak of judgement from Nick emphasises Gatsby’s
unusual behaviour.
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3:
Despite Daisy’s effect on the character,
Chapter five also reveals another side to Gatsby when asked about his wealth.
Here, Gatsby unintentionally reveals a secretive side to his life.
·
When Nick asked what business Gatsby was in his
answer was ‘That’s my affair’ – an abrupt cold reply; showing how the character
is secretive and reluctant to expose his line of work, linking to Chapter four
and his involvement with Meyer Wolfsheim: Gambler.
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4:
The last half of the chapter shines hope
on the character with Fitzgerald’s use of pathetic fallacy when ‘It’s stopped raining’ as the ironic
positive ‘turning point’ in the novel for Gatsby as he wins Daisy over,
maintaining the character’s momentarily forgotten confidence.
·
Hedonistic approach to life re-exposed – in
comparison to the nervous disposition earlier on, Gatsby adopts a confident
stance through showing off his wealth to Daisy in order to boost both his and
her pleasure instantly – ‘he took out a
pile of shirts and began throwing them ... before us ... the soft rich heap mounted
higher’ – gaining her approval through the materialistic admiration of his
belongings.
·
His obsession of Daisy is noted by Nick’s
observation that ‘He hadn’t once ceased
looking at Daisy’ and ‘his hand took
hold of Daisy’s’ – this intimacy portrayed by the character highlights the
love he holds for Daisy, a complete turnaround from the opposite approach
towards his Guests at his numerous parties where he keeps his distance, not
getting involved and becoming the subject of gossip, expressed in Chapter
three.
·
Use of Verisimilitude throughout all Chapters –
‘dull gold’ – in Chapter five, serves as a metaphor to show how Gatsby’s wealth
may not be as it seems; linking with his secrecy of his business and his past
i.e. In Chapter 4 when Gatsby presents Nick with the decoration from ‘little Montenegro’, taking an unknown
medal however making it seem more than it is – symbolising Gatsby as a
character and how his life looks better than it is with his large parties and ‘celebrated’ friends.
Caitlin Scott
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