“Then came the war, old sport. It was a great relief, and I tried very hard to die, but I seemed to bear an enchanted life.” Ch. 4
-Gatsby was unhappy with how his life was fanning out. This may be because he was given everything he wanted in life, but he was still not happy. When people are given everything money can buy, the things that really matter get lost behind material things. This can make one feel like something is missing, but they cannot figure it out because their minds are clouded. They begin to forget that love and happiness exist outside of money and power. Without knowing what else there is besides what money has given them, it is harder to find out what can make them happy and feel like they lived life.
“There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired.” Ch.4
-Miss Baker said this as an overall description of people. She added this to mainly add an ending to the personality of Mr. Gatsby. Mr. Gatsby, because of his wealth, was often pursued; like during his parties and all his uninvited guests. However when it came to Miss Daisy, he turned into the pursuer. He wanted to see her again and find the love they had when they were younger. Many people who are often looked up to have someone in their minds they look up to and wish to follow. It can either be love, idolization, or whoever a person cares to look up to.
“I keep it always full of interesting people, night and day. People who do interesting things. Celebrated people.” Ch. 5
-Mr. Gatsby lived alone. However, he was never alone. Keeping a house full of “interesting people” may be an attempt to try and find the fulfillment in life he is looking for. These people add excitement as well as company for a man that has it all. The social need for these people, show that Gatsby surrounds himself with people to feel part of something. Gatsby does this without knowing exactly what it is in life he needs to be truly happy. He has to fulfill each level in order to reach the overall goal.
“Sometimes, too, he stared around at his possessions in a dazed way, as though in her actual and astounding presence none of it was any longer real.” Ch. 5
-Readers can begin to see how Gatsby is starting to realize what it is in life he needs to be happy. His possessions start to mean nothing in comparison to Daisy. His love for her and his need of her love has surpassed material objects. He originally bought them impress her while also trying to make himself happy. Simply being in the room with Daisy, Gatsby’s needs are slowly being filled. This is an essential time when Gatsby has to think of tactics to keep her in his life and become the happy he has thrived for.
“Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever.” Ch. 5
-To Gatsby, the light resembled the small but significant space that separated him from the love of his life. He waited years to get the courage to be around Daisy let alone talk to her. Now the light had no meaning; the distance was closed and she was there before him. He no longer had to wait to make his move. The question now is whether or not he can come up with a way to no longer have distance from her. His need for happiness and love lies within Daisy. Once the space closed between them distance is no longer tolerable.
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