Nick receives an invitation to join Gatsby’s party. Nick does not know any characters in the party so he decides to get “roaring drunk,” but on his way there, he finds Jordan Baker. Nick joins Jordan and her friends for the evening, and he waits in anticipation to meet the host, Gatsby. While looking for Gatsby, Jordan and Nick find a middle-aged man with owl spectacles in the Gothic library. He continuously talks about the book being real and he confesses that he came to the library to sober up. Nick and Jordan returned to dinner, where Nick met a man almost the same age as he was. He conversed with the man and discovered that they fought together in the war. Surprisingly, the man turned out to be Gatsby. Gatsby is called off and the night continues. Soon it is 2 AM, and Nick is almost the only one there. Before he leaves, Gatsby greets Nick goodbye. Nick felt as though he was significant to Gatsby, and he was happy. A few weeks later, he meets Jordan Baker again. He then discovers what he finds wrong with her. He realizes that she is dishonest and careless. Nick felt somewhat connected with her though and almost feels as though he were in love.
Jordan Baker
b. "'Suppose you met somebody just as careless as yourself.' 'I hope I never will,' she answered. 'i hate careless people. That's why i like you.' (Fitzgerald 58)"
c. Jordan seemed to be cool and collected at first sight, but now it seems as though she keeps some of herself hidden from the rest of the world. She's confident in her work and with people. But she is careless and dishonest about how she lives life. Her dishonesty in how she wanted to be seen as well. She did not want to be at a disadvantage at any point, and she avoided to talk to clever, shrewd men to avoid trouble. "It takes two to make an accident. (Fitzgerald 58)"
d. Jordan plays the binary opposite of Nick. While Nick is more careful and quiet with people and situations, Jordan is loud and curious. But these two characters attract each other and bring about something new. It seems as though Nick needs Jordan to grow out of the loneliness. In the same way, Jordan seems to need Nick. In this case, opposites attract.
"At the enchanted metropolitan twilight I felt a haunting loneliness sometimes, and felt it in others - poor young clerks who loitered in front of windows waiting until it was time for a solitary restaurant dinner - young clerks in the dusk, wasting the most poignant moments of night and life. (Fitzgerald 56-57)"
This quote again touches on Nick's ability to connect or understand people. As he watches the people walk by, he imagines being part of their lives to fill in the void of loneliness he somewhat feels. I also think that these characters he sees relate to his life. He feels compassion towards them because he sees his own self in their lives.
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