Chapter 5 seemed to be one of the most important chapters in the novel so far. It is a turning point for Jay Gatsby because he is reunited with the “love of his life”. At the beginning of chapter 5, Nick returns from New York and notices that Gatsby’s house is lit up but no party is happening, the house is practically silent. Gatsby then approaches Nick in his lawn with a frustrated demeanor. Gatsby begins to offer to take Nick to take him to Coney Island and to go swimming in his pool, and Nick soon realizes this is only a ploy to ensure that he will help Gatsby with his plan to reunite with Daisy. Gatsby then continues to offer Nick things because he agreed to help with the reunification, but Nick refuses.
On the day of the tea it is raining outside, Gatsby sends flowers to Nick's house as well as has someone cut his grass. To me, Gatsby seems incredibly frustrated and nervous about this meeting, because he is afraid of it not going the way he wants. At first, the meeting is awkward between Daisy and Gatsby, but soon after the two rekindle their true emotions and seem to be incredibly happy about seeing each other again. Coincidentally the rain stops outside and Nick, Daisy, and Gatsby walk to Gatsby’s house in order for Gatsby to be able to flaunt his luxuries. When Gatsby begins to show Daisy his possessions, she seems to become overwhelmed by all the wealth. Nick worries that Daisy won’t be able to live up to Gatsby’s expectations. Soon after, Gatsby calls Klipspringer in to play the piano for the three of them. Nick soon realizes that Gatsby and Daisy have both forgotten he is there, and he quietly leaves the two alone to further kindle their relationship.
Chapter 6 begins with a young reporter from New York approaching Gatsby at his house asking him if he wanted to make a statement. The readers then find out the truth about Jay Gatsby, or should I say, James Gatz. One day as a young seventeen-year-old, James noticed a yacht owned by Dan Cody and began to row out on Lake Superior to warn Cody of a wind. Fitzgerald writes “It was James Gatz who had been loafing along the beach that afternoon in a torn green jersey and a pair of canvas pants, but it was already Jay Gatsby who borrowed the rowboat, pulled out to the Tuolomee, and informed Cody that a wind might catch him and break him up in a half hour” (Fitzgerald 98). I thought this was a very important quote because of what follows in the chapter. Gatsby begins to work for Cody as his assistant on the yacht and begins to see what true wealth and luxury is like. Prior to this Jay Gatsby had attempted to go to St. Olaf’s University in southern Minnesota, but returned after a few weeks to Lake Superior. Dan Cody was an older man and died while Gatsby was still working for him. Dan Cody had left Gatsby $25,000, but Gatsby never received his share of Cody’s inheritance. The chapter switches back to Nick’s life and talks about how Nick went to see Gatsby only to find Tom there. This seemed like a very awkward experience overall. Gatsby invites Tom and Daisy to one of his parties and they attend. Daisy and Tom fight throughout the night and eventually leave the party.
In class, I would like to discuss why we think Gatsby is a compulsive liar and why he lied about all of his life?
Also, something I was confused about was the kind of business Gatsby was offering Nick in chapter 5?
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