Plan: Contrast the portrayal of Gatsby in chapter 5 and in the rest of the novel

Plan: Contrast the portrayal of Gatsby in chapter 5 and in the rest of the novel

Introduction

- Chapter 5 is the first point in the novel in which we see an insecure, materialistic side to Gatsby, and it becomes apparent that this side of him becomes more prominent when Daisy is present.

- It is also obvious that whilst Daisy brings out some of his worst qualities - such as his materialism, extravagance and insecurity - she also introduces us as readers to some of his more loving, caring tendencies.

- It could be argued then that the contrasting portrayals of Gatsby in chapter 5 and the rest of novel serve to emphasize the effect this reunion with Daisy has on him, and highlight the importance that building a relationship with her has to the eponymous hero.

Paragraph 1

- Initially he is presented as materialistic.

- He arranges for his meeting with Daisy to take place at Nick's house, from which she can see the size and grandeur of Gatsby's mansion.

- At this meeting he also wears an extravagant and obviously expensive 'white flannel suit, [with] silver shirt, and gold-coloured tie', in a show of his wealth. 

- These suggest that he intends to impress her with material possessions.

- Contrasts strongly with the seemingly modest Gatsby that is seen throughout the rest of the novel.

Paragraph 2

- This is one of the ways in which Gatsby seems to try and come across differently at the start of chapter 5; he appears in that gaudy, flamboyant outfit in what is an obvious display of wealth and power.

- However, these clothes seem to be only a show of confidence - when Daisy first arrives for tea, Gatsby crumbles, returning to the somewhat reclusive, even shy state that we have seen before.

- Contrast of 'pale as death'/'he literally glowed' - change in Gatsby occurs in what seems like no time at all to the reader, and all because of his successful re-introduction to Daisy.

- These shifts in behaviour seen in Gatsby in chapter 5 are far more extreme than those seen in most of the rest of the novel.

Paragraph 3

- Nick's narrative, or at least the part which applies to Gatsby, changes at the start of chapter five in a way that highlights Gatsby's nervousness, before shifting back to the description of Gatsby as in control

- He describes him as appearing 'absent', talking 'blankly' and muttering replies in a ‘choked murmur’. However, these rather negative adverbs are replaced considerably more positive imagery as the reunion progresses, with Nick soon describing the ‘exultation’ that the meeting has evoked in Gatsby.

- The style of narrative used in chapter 5 contrasts the style used in the rest of the novel. This is another one of the ways in which Fitzgerald attempts to use this chapter to develop the readers’ understanding of Gatsby’s feelings for Daisy, as well as revealing the insecurities he clearly also has about her.

Paragraph 4

- The main purpose of chapter 5 is, it could be argued, to ascertain that Gatsby is only human, and that he suffers doubt, fear and uncertainty as readily as a poorer man – yet it is also these same flaws that allow him to feel the love he does for Daisy

- The initial presentation of his materialism in this chapter highlights that he is a flawed character, but the fact that it contrasts so starkly with his portrayal in the rest of the book suggests that it is Daisy who brings out this shallower side to him – however, it is also Daisy that causes his happier, ‘exuberant’ side of him to come to the fore.

- To conclude then, the portrayal of the title character in this chapter is indeed significantly different to that which we see in the rest of the novel, but it needs to be this way to draw our attention to the fact that whilst Gatsby is tragically flawed – and may appear at times to be shallow, materialistic and dull – he also has qualities that could be considered admirable.

Jamie Hesketh