In addition to this explicit suggestion about the role of Gatsby’s wealth, the language used in his speech initially suggests that his true level of confidence is also obscured by his persona. The use of the address ‘old sport’ continues, though it now appears even more inappropriate as Fitzgerald juxtaposes it with the less competent, hyphenated speech, “I can’t – when I try to…” This speech is used to convey a form of contentment, but his vague laughter is in contrast with that of Daisy, who never ceases to take interest in Gatsby’s possessions. The text encourages consideration of the James Gatz era and his previous relationship with Daisy. Fitzgerald uses the continuing image of discomfort and uneasiness during the tour of the house to show that both characters have restrictions that complicate the idea of a romance ever forming between them – Gatsby is rooted in the past and Daisy has the constraint of being already married with a daughter.
The ‘Merton College Library’, alluding to Gatsby’s past, appears grossly out of place in such a modern house and is used to make a reference to the falseness of the guests’ attitudes towards their host (Nick imagines the owl-eyed man breaking into ‘ghostly laughter’). It also continues the debate as to whether Gatsby attended Oxford, particularly as the previous photograph depicts him in Trinity Quad. This past event is contrasted with Gatsby’s continuing admiration of Dan Cody, who is referred to formally as ‘Mr’ out of respect and is most likely to be placed in the text at this point to represent perseverance. Cody started Gatsby on the path to financial success and this has not failed him, though the similar image of the green light often clouds with mist, despite Gatsby and Daisy having moved close. Fitzgerald’s imagery represents the short extent to which the dream pursued by Gatsby has become a reality so far, and that the brief movement towards achieving it where ‘Daisy put her arm through his abruptly’ is not continuing.
Fitzgerald aims to create a strong visual image of the scene in order that the emotions of the characters may be reflected. There are two uses of ‘presence’ to refer to Daisy in significantly close proximity and they suggest that Gatsby perceives her almost in terms of a deity. Conversely, she is contrastingly presented as human when crying; the extensive colours of the shirts being thrown into a heap may represent confusion and rather than demonstrating characteristics of the ideal figure created in Gatsby’s mind, she buries her face among the material to hide her emotion. To the reader, it is clear that her tears are not solely directed towards the shirts, but at this point towards what she has missed by marrying Tom instead. However, the more important role of this image is to separate and contrast this character who appears so differently in reality with the ideal partner created in Gatsby’s mind – he has longed for the past to return, but it will never fully happen, and thus Fitzgerald also contrasts Gatsby and Daisy themselves. Gatsby is blinded to complications, but Daisy’s character has the ability of realisation.
Finally, the happiness eventually achieved in this extract is quickly juxtaposed with Gatsby’s irritability on the telephone, arousing further suspicion that his wealth may be attributed to bootlegging. Gatsby is quoted as saying, “I can’t talk now, old sport…” which highlights that he is unwilling for Daisy to know of the subject matter and it abruptly breaks the calmness that is being experienced. It continues a similar theme to the rest of the extract, where Fitzgerald seeks to illustrate to the reader a clear definition between Gatsby’s idealistic, but unrealistic mind and the triumph of inevitable reality. It is maintained that the characters presented are not without faults; whereas Gatsby longs for the past, Fitzgerald’s writing explains that his dream is unachievable and that his love is, contrary to his beliefs, for an ideal.
