The Great Gatsby, Chapter 4
In this week’s reading we become more intrigued with Jay Gatsby’s past and his former relationship with Daisy. Gatsby’s background seems implausible: Oxford educated, big game hunter, a decorated soldier in WWI, and hailing from a wealthy family in the Midwest. Although able to produce seeming proof of some of his accomplishments, Gatsby’s ties to bootleggers and organized crime cast further doubt on his tales of grandeur. Just as the appeal of Gatsby’s charm begins to wane, his long held feelings for Daisy wins us back. Gatsby’s unwavering love for Daisy survived through the war and seems to be the impetus for his quest for wealth and decadent surroundings.
The green light at the end of the dock returns in this chapter. Among other things, this distant light can symbolize the riches that Gatsby is unable to grasp; although surrounded by money, prestige, mystery and power, Gatsby is cannot have what he truly treasures – Daisy’s love.
Did you see other meanings in the green light? Is there any other symbolism that struck you in this chapter?
Until next week, Happy Reading!
-Director of Guest Experience Programming
Glen Ivy Hot Springs
At one point I thought the green light might symbolize the “go ahead”symbol for Gatsby to go after Daisy even though she is married. Daisy symbolizes for me that something that we want so badly that we idealize over time into something pure and worthy of our desire. Daisy isn’t what she seems to Gatsby. She has her own less than pure side that he cannot see or chooses to overlook. She is self centered and prejudiced toward her social standing. I find it interesting that Scott named her Daisy which implies sweetness and naïveté, unworldliness.
The green light represents two dreams: Gatsby’s dream to make his love for Daisy a reality and the American dream.
Gatsby has all of the material things he could ever want. He is living the American dream of the 1920s: wealth, luxury, leisure. He has the life that everyone around him wishes they had. How he is achieving this American dream is the mystery. In this chapter there are some facts that are revealed that suggest that Gatsby didn’t achieve this dream in the most honest of ways. The one thing that he doesn’t have is Daisy’s love. I think that the symbol of the green light representing two dreams go hand in hand for Gatsby.