We see all of our themes in this chapter. The American Dream and the relationships between most of the characters falls apart. "I have an idea that Gatsby himself didn't believe it would come (Daisy's phone call) and perhaps he no longer cared. If that was true he must have felt that he had lost the old warm world, paid a price for living too long with a single dream" (page 169) "We talked like that for a while and then abruptly we weren't talking any longer. I don't know which of us hung up with a sharp click but I know I didn't care." (page 163) Nick and Jordan, Gatsby and Daisy, and of course George and Myrtle's American Dreams had completely ended.
We also see appearance vs. reality in this chapter. First of all in the begining of the story, Nick tells us " In consequencce I'm inclined to reserve all judgements..." (page 5) However he after telling Gatsby "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together." He says "It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I dissaproved of him from beginning to end." (page 162) He tells us he never judges people but contradicts himself by saying this. Also it appears to George that whoever drove the yellow car that killed Myrtle was the one who had the affair with her. Because this is how it appears George goes out and shoots Gatsby then himself.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Chapter 7 Locations
In this chapter, we see all of our major places, West Egg, East Egg, Valley of Ashes, and New York City.
West Egg-
West Egg-
- We learn that Gatsby has stopped throwing parties. He has also fired all of his servants and replaced them with others. Gatsby says this is because "I wanted somebody who wouldn't gossip. Daisy comes over quite often-in the afternoons." (page 119)
- This shows that Gatsby only threw the parties to get daisy's attention and now that she visits he doesn't need them anymore. He also doesn't want the risk of rumors from his servants to ruin his appearance to Daisy.
- We first go to East Egg on page 121 when Nick and Gatsby go to have lunch with Tom, Daisy, and Jordan. Gatsby and Daisy share a kiss while tom is on the phone in another room and Gatsby meets Daisy's daughter, whom he didn't believe existed. When Tom comes back, Daisy mentions going to New York and Gatsby basically flirt in front of him. Getting jealous and Tom interrupts and says "All right, ...I'm perfectly willing to go to town. Come on-we're all going to town." (page 125)
- Tom suggests that Daisy and he take Gatsby's car and Gatsby take his car. However Daisy decides to go with Gatsby and Tom will take Nick and Jordan.
- We return to East Egg at the end of the chapter. Gatsby is hiding in a bush to make sure Tom won't hurt Daisy over what happened in the Valley of Ashes while Nick waits for a taxi. "I want to wait here till Daisy goes to bed. Good night. old sport." (page 153)
- Tom stops in the Valley of Ashes to get more gas for Gatsby's yellow car. While there he sees George who looks very sickly because he found out his wife has had an affair but doesn't know with whom. From a window Myrtle looks at Tom and looks at Jordan with disgust assuming shes Tom's wife. After getting gas Tom speeds up to catch up to Gatsby and Daisy.
- We return to the Valley of Ashes to learn that Myrtle is dead. She assumed that Tom was still in the yellow car and ran towards it. However they hit her and she dies they then speed away. We later learn from Gatsby that Daisy was driving but that he will take the blame.
- After arriving, they all go to the Plaza Hotel where the conflict between Gatsby and Tom gets worse. After much arguing, Gatsby tells Tom that Daisy never loved him. Then she admits this to Tom. However she does say she once loved him. "'Even alone I can't say I never loved Tom."' (page 140) Tom then tells them he's been doing research on Gatsby and that he is a bootlegger. He then tells Gatsby to bring Daisy home. "'Go on. He won't annoy you. I think he realizes that his presumptuous little flirtation is over.'" (page 142)
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