The beginning of chapter 6 opens with a reporter visiting Gatsby to question him, specifically to know who he truly is-just like everyone else around New York. Nick begins to explain Gatsby's past, starting with his former name James Gatz of North Dakota whose family owned a farm. Gatsby was a poor college student at St. Olaf's in Minnesota and worked as a janitor to pay for it, but dropped out after only two weeks, unsurprisingly, unfulfilled by his life and searching for more. He changed his name when he met a drunk yachter named Dan Cody, who brought him along as his "steward, mate, skipper, secretary, and even jailor". I thought it was interesting Nick included an abrupt look into Gatsby's life, an "honest" take on a man who literally invented the person he is today just from the conception of what he thought he should be. Gatsby did not attain his wealth of $25,000 after Cody's death due to a mistress, but let that moment drive him to be successful and wealthy.
We continue in this chapter to a scene with Tom Buchanan being invited to Gatsby's for a drink, with Nick and Mr. and Mrs. Sloan. To add to an already awkward situation, Gatsby begins to conversate with Tom, saying how they had met before and how he knows his wife. There is also a very odd interaction with Mrs. Sloan, who invites them to dinner, but then leaves Gatsby behind. Tom also decides to insert a quite hypocritical statement regarding Daisy visiting Gatsby alone and without accompaniment. Next, we see Tom accompanying Daisy to Gatsby's next big party, which gave the evening its "peculiar quality of oppressiveness" and unpleasantness, as Nick states. It seems that Gatsby has done everything to impress Daisy, he even dances with her, however, both she and Nick appear to not be having a good time. Annoyed by the behavior of Gatsby, Tom assumes that his wealth comes from bootlegging and wants to search more into who he is. Daisy defends Gatsby, saying his wealth comes from owning drug stores and pretends to have had a good time, as to not give Tom any satisfaction. We end the chapter with Gatsby saying he wishes he could make Daisy understand. Nick explains Gatsby's want for a life with Daisy as he has envisioned it is unrealistic. One where Daisy says to Tom: "I never loved you.", runs to Louisville and marries Gatsby "just as if it were five years ago." Nick explains to Gatsby that "you can't repeat the past," but is given denial, with Gatsby searching for the idea of himself that was with Daisy before. Nick also details Gatsby and Daisy's first kiss and we see how she became a part of who he was, and without her, he could not find the "thing" that makes him, him.
In chapter 7, the tea is "spilt", as some would say. We start with a description of Gatsby's disheveled house, no party's happening, and a sudden change in staff. Nick is invited to have lunch at Daisy's house and Gatsby is too, during one of the hottest days of the summer. We learn that heat causes people to act very differently, learn things, and let feelings out. In the house, Tom is sent to prepare drinks and Daisy kisses Gatsby on the lips after saying "You know I love you," in front of Nick and Jordan. Daisy's child runs in, someone I forgot even existed, and causes Gatsby to remember the little person as well. Obvious awkward tension fills the room, with Tom trying his very best to showcase his talents and superiority to Gatsby, who stays silent and observant at this time. In a moment, Daisy comments on Gatsby's ability to remain cool while staring at each other in unspoken conversation, which reveals to Tom their secret love. Gatsby also describes Daisy's voice as "full of money", which causes Nick to have an "a-ha!" moment and realize the distinctiveness as well. Now knowing of the romance, Tom insists on heading into New York and for some reason switches cars with Gatsby-a yellow "circus wagon" for a blue coupe. Needing to stop for gas, Tom ends up at the Wilson's, seeing Mr. Wilson sickly and grave as he describes how he and his wife are moving West after Tom gives him the car to sell. In a window, we see Mrs. Wilson, locked in a room, staring into the yellow car and seeing her lover and a woman, who she presumes to be his wife. Tom is not pleased by Wilson's information and realizes that his wife and his mistress are "slipping through his fingers" and are no longer in his "secure and inviolate" control.
Continuing on to the hotel scene, where the five of them end up as a way to get out of the heat. Tom continues his questioning of Gatsby, there's a conversation of a Mr. Biloxi who was at their wedding, and there is even a wedding happening just down the stairs. Ironic that a marriage is joining below while a marriage is dying above. Then the getting gets good with Tom's final question to Gatsby, "What kind of a row are you trying to cause in my house anyhow?" This causes an uproar, with a verbal battle between Tom and Gatsby over whether or not Daisy truly loved Tom, and Gatsby revealing how he became a rich man that she could love. This part specifically reminded me of the quote at the beginning of the book: a man willing to do anything to get the girl to love him back. Daisy is forced into the conversation, revealing how she never loved Tom, but she did, but actually only says anything to satisfy Gatsby. I feel in this scene Daisy's true character is shown as well. Tom, in order to get back at Gatsby for stealing his wife, reveals the crooked life that is Gatsby, his dealings with Wolfshiem, the reality of his drug store business, and other sketchiness that leaves Gatsby looking as if "he had killed a man". Gatsby and Daisy inevitably leave, leaving Nick to remember that it is his 30th birthday.
Finally, leaving to return home to Long Island, Tom, Nick, and Jordan pass by a crowded scene at the Wilsons, where it is learned that Myrtle Wilson had been killed in a car crash, by a yellow car that refused to stop. Knowing that he could be a culprit for the crime, Tom instantly steps in to explain how he did not kill her and on the car ride home, is seen sobbing at the loss of his mistress. Arriving home, Nick refuses to go inside, understandably, with the drama from earlier, and walks past a hidden Gatsby in the bushes. The reader learns that it was Daisy driving the car that killed Myrtle, who, believing it to be Tom, stepped towards the car, while Daisy intentionally (I think) turned the wheel back towards her. Nick no longer trust Gatsby and disliked him so much at this point. Gatsby is waiting to protect Daisy if anything were to happen inside and Nick goes to look into the window to see a surprising scene. Tom and Daisy, neither happy nor unhappy, share an intimate moment of conversation. Nick does not tell Gatsby this, leaving Gatsby to believe that his love is waiting for him, and the fantasy to continue.
No comments:
Post a Comment