Chapter 5

Chapter 5
Pgs. 81-96

Summary
-Nick comes home to see Gatsby’s house lit from head-to-toe and has a conversation with him on his lawn; Nick asks Gatsby what day would be good for him to come over for tea and he declines a business offer from Gatsby. Nick invites Daisy to tea and Gatsby has a gardener cut Nick’s lawn and has a greenhouse delivered with all sorts of flowers; Gatsby shows up just before four and Daisy arrives just after, without Tom. Gatsby becomes incredibly nervous and has a hard time trying to make conversation with Daisy, so he calms down in the kitchen and goes back out while Nick observes Gatsby’s house for a little while and then goes back in. Gatsby seems like a renewed man, taking Daisy and Nick and giving them a tour of his home; Daisy is engrossed by everything and they seem to almost fall in love. Nick leaves them and goes back to his house in the rain.

Character Qualities
-Nick Carraway: “I’ve got my hands full, I’m much obliged but I couldn’t take on any more work (Fitzgerald 83).” Nick is a trustworthy and non-judgmental person. He is very sophisticated and likeable, especially by his close friends: Jordan, Daisy, and Gatsby. He gets to know people fully before he forms his opinions and holds strongly to his beliefs. He seems somewhat pessimistic at times, but that is very rarely and always studies a situation, place, or person with great care and detail.
-Nick is the main character and narrator of the story, and the most trustworthy person besides Daisy so far. We know from the beginning that we can trust him because he assures us that he does not judge people. Nick is the bridge between Gatsby and Daisy and is somewhat exploited by Gatsby in this chapter so he can meet Daisy. After Gatsby has rekindled his distant friendliness with Daisy, he becomes basically an awkward character as Gatsby does not need him anymore. He feels so awkward at the end of the chapter that he is compelled to leave the mansion and return back to his house because the other two are immensely engrossed with each other.

Most Important Quote
-“But there was a change in Gatsby that was simply confounding. He literally glowed; without a word or gesture of exultation a new well-being radiated from him and filled the room.” I feel that this quote is important because it illustrates Gatsby’s personality; he tries very hard to appeal to everyone and tries to do what it takes to keep it that way. It is a good example of his personality and also the moment where he truly connected with Daisy and was able to hit it off with her. Because of his change in this quote, he was able to get Daisy and will probably feel very esteemed and first-class in the coming chapters.