Jun 05 2009
The Great Gatsby 7
| American Dream | ” “Big chance,” Wilson smiled faintly. “No, but I could make some money on the other.”
“What do you want money for, all of a sudden?” “I’ve been here too long. I want to get away. My wife and I want to go West.” “Your wife does,” exclaimed Tom, startled. “She’s been talking about it for ten years.” He rested for a moment against the pump, shading his eyes. “And now she’s going whether she wants to or not. I’m going to get her away.” ” (130) Fitzgerald is commenting on the basic principle that makes up the typical American Dream – money. It’s also commenting on how one’s view of the American Dream can be drastically altered. Tom had what he wanted – a pretty wife, the surface image, and then a mistress on the side. Yet all that is being yanked out from under him. Fitzgerald is commenting on the subjecctivity and continual changes that accompany the American Dream. |
| Character Development | “I’d be damned if I’d go in; I’d had enough of all of them for one day, and suddenly that included Jordan too. She must have seen something of this in my expression, for she turned abruptly away and ran up the porch steps into the house. I sat down for a few minutes with my head in my hands, until I heard the phone taken up inside and the butler’s voice calling a taxi. Then I walked slowly down the drive away from the house, intending to wait by the gate.” (150)
Nick is discovereing that he doesn’t like the lifestyle that his friends are living. He doesn’t like the lies and callousness and flippancy that they have, and the innate selfishness. He grew numb to it, but after this wake up call, he realizes that he is not impressed with it and wants to escaoe it.
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| Color | Green, again, is a prominent color. Fitzgerald mentions the “hot green” (127) seats of Gatsby’s car in the beginning of the chapter, then at the end of the chapter, the car is described as a “light green”. Green was a color that pertained to Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship, and it was vibrant and beautiful. But is soon grew uncomfortable, then their connection, their relationship, began to fade, as illustrated by the changing of the color green. |
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