The Great Gatsby, Chapters 8 & 9
As we conclude our summer book club, we see the end of Gatsby’s dream of being with Daisy; now a dreamer without a dream, there is no place left for Gatsby to go except death. Until the very end, Gatsby refuses to believe that he cannot be with Daisy. Daisy and Tom are entangled, and neither desires to be released. Both Gatsby and Wilson have been destroyed by the women who chose to love Tom Buchanan – a fact that seems not to register with Tom.
The remainder of the novel shows Nick trying to come to terms with the conflict he feels surrounding the Midwestern values of his youth and the more flamboyant, visionary standards that were embraced by Gatsby. Nick seems unable to move fully into either arena.
What were your thoughts on the conclusion of the novel? Did your feelings regarding any of the characters change in the last two chapters of this book?
Until next season, I wish you happy reading!
-Director of Guest Experience Programming
Glen Ivy Hot Springs
I was disappointed in Daisy. I don’t know why I expected her to change, leave Tom and live a more ethical life. The only one who seemed to have a positive outcome was Nick and I am not certain if he returned home as a better choice or ran away from his current life. If this story is a metaphor for America in the 1920′s, how are these characters and their endings a reflection of the roaring 20s?