The Great Gatsby Chp. 5 (pg 81-96)

Chapter 5 Summary-

After Nick's moment with Jordan, he finds Gatsby with his house illuminated by lights, but no party occurring. Gatsby suddenly gave Nick a job proposal which was described as "confidential." Nick understood what was happening so he declined Gatsby's offer. Nick had invited Daisy for tea the next morning and planned for Gatsby to meet her there. When Daisy and Gatsby finally meet, it becomes awkward because of the mutual embarrassment. They have not seen each other in about 5 years. Nick leaves them alone to talk and once he comes back he finds Daisy crying and Gatsby glowing. Gatsby then invites Nick and Daisy to his home where he shows off his valuables, connections, and musics. 

Jay Gatsby

"Gatsby, pale as death, with his hands plunged like weights in his coat pockets, was standing in a puddle of water glaring tragically into my eyes. (Fitzgerald 86)"

Gastby

• Wealthy, but wants more.
• Smart, but obsessive.
• Powerful, but is hiding something

Normally, we have read Gatsby as a confident, cunning, and powerful character. But in this chapter, we see a side of Gatsby which we have never seen before: fear. This chapter reveals a lot about Gatsby. He talks a lot about his house and his connections throughout the chapter. He is a very important man, but he has not revealed why he is so connected yet. In the beginning, he offers Nick a job to make confidential money. This shows that Gatsby is truly involved with "illegal" matters and throughout the chapter the reader has a sense that Gatsby is hiding something. Gatsby also shows a creepy obsession with Daisy. Gatsby has gone through a lot trouble to just to see Daisy. One must question, now that he has seen Daisy, what more will he want? Gatsby plays a very important role in the book. He is definitely more interesting because of his mystery. I think Daisy and Gatsby are binary opposites so far. Gatsby has become rich while Daisy married into wealthiness. Gatsby has power while Daisy has none. There attitudes and personality differ from each other as well. Daisy is more uplifting and funny. Gatsby is more serious.

"I tried to go then, but they wouldn't hear of it; perhaps my presence made them feel more satisfactorily alone. (Fitzgerald 94)" 

This quote caught my attention because it showed how important Nick was to these two characters. Nick is the connection between the two. He is how they met and how they will stay together. It is interesting to see Nick still caught up between them. He has often felt like a "third-wheel" throughout the chapter, but he tags along anyway.