Colors in Chapter 9

"I though of Gatsby's wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy's dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled under the night.

Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year receded before us."(189)

The green light that has followed us throughout the book has gone from representing Gatsby's unrequited love, to hope, vitality and life. Now, we learn another meaning of the green light - "the orgastic future." Gatsby would stand out in the dark night, looking at the light which cradled all of his will and hope.

Another note would be the "blue lawns" - blue can symbolize one of two things - depression and sadness or Gatsby's deeply romantic dreams and illusions. For me, it represents both. We saw a lot of blue around Gatsby in the book, whether it be in is house or on his servants and I think that emphasized that his wealth was all part of his dream to "woo" Daisy. The blue lawns, could also be referring to the depressing setting of Gatsby's house. The parties were not enjoyable unless you were drunk, and the last one had a hostile, rude atmosphere. Gatsby's house was not full of life, because he himself was empty.

Locations in Chapter 7

Chapter 7 is a really crucial chapter in the book that pretty much sets in place the events that lead up to the shocking ending.

Gatsby, Jordan, and Nick go over to the Buchanan's house for a lunch, but later decide to go into town, on the way stopping at Wilson's garage. While in the city, because of the unbearably heat they check into a room in the Plaza Hotel. (which is the only new location introduced in this chapter) It is in the Plaza where the affair between Gatsby and Daisy is revealed out into the open. Gatsby and Tom proceed to fight over Daisy in a very tense and dramatic scene. I think this happened while in a suite in the Plaza because it's such a perfect, pristine place and it's ironic that their "perfect and pristine" lives were unraveling right in its very rooms. Underneath them they could hear music and a party taking place which contrasted the awkward fighting in their suite. Their wealth changed nothing about the secrecy and immortality in their lives; lying beneath it all they were still ordinary people. Even standing in one of the most famous hotels in New York City, could not change what they had done or felt.

Themes in Chapter 4

The immortality of the 1920's and the American Dream are shown subtly in this chapter.


American Dream - Gatsby explained to Nick about the time before the war, he said, "I lived like a young rajah in all the capitals of Europe - Paris, Venice, Rome - collecting jewels, chiefly rubies, hunting big game, painting a little, things for myself only, and trying to forget something very sad that had happened long ago." (pg.70) This shows how Gatsby was somewhat living the dream, he was traveling and living without a care. He was filthy rich, young, and living extravagantly. He becomes a decorated war hero, representing bravery and integrity and all things "American." Then later on in the chapter, as Gatsby and Nick are driving, Nick describes the city "in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world." (pg. 73) This shows why people, including Nick, moved out east. For the lure of the American Dream and the promise of wealth and adventure. But this quote also gives the connotation that that's not what the city is; that there's a deeper, darker truth within its streets.


Immortality -  There are little things that show the immortality, for example, Gatsby used his connections and past to get out of a simple ticket. And we also meet a man, Mr. Wolfsheim, a man who turns out to be a gambler who fixed the 1919 World Series. It would have been distasteful to have interacted with a man of such sorts, but Gatsby reveres him and finds him good company.  Wolfsheim assumes Nick is a man who wants to do business, and we see a glimpse of an abruptness in him. When he learns of his mistake, he relaxes and continues merrily. To me, this shows how underneath the easy-going, care free of the 20's there was corruption and crime - and the two were intertwined.