The Great Gatsby Seminar Questions (Chapters I-V)
Opening Question:
How have the roles of women changed from the 1920's to present day?
Core Questions:
Why does Gatsby throw parties every Saturday night, and why, within these parties does he act so mysterious and become "incognito"?
Gatsby throws parties every Saturday night in hopes of finding a girl. He throws a party wondering if maybe one night she will wind up attending, or that he will come across someone who knows of her and her whereabouts. This girl is named Daisy, Nick's cousin. The reader finds out that Gatsby and Daisy were once, "in love", and is in hopes of finding her and connecting with her again.
"'I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties, some night', went on Jordan, 'but she never did. Then he began asking people casually if they knew her, and I was the first one he found...'" (Fitzgerald 79)
Jordan, the character revealing the information on Gatsby, is telling Nick the purpose of his parties. She gives clues as to why he is so mysterious, by asking "casually". Clearly, by throwing a party every night, he wants to see Daisy and run into her again and it almost seems desperate and anxious. Yet, at first he just throws the parties continuously, then, he begins asking about Daisy and if anyone knows her. The reader sees that Gatsby is being sly almost about it so no one assumes anything about his or his relationship with this girl, but, by throwing parties every weekend, the reader knows that it's a desperate attempt.
How is it that Gatsby and Daisy's relationship was so easily and quickly re-kindled?
Gatsby and Daisy's relationship together seemed to be so easily and quickly re-kindled because, from what the reader was revealed about their history, it can be said that they once had a strong connection and were "in love". Their goodbye was not an easy one. Gatsby knew where Daisy lived and bought his mansion to overlook the area in which she presides. He threw parties every Saturday in hopes of seeing her or finding her. The reader can tell that from Gatsby's actions, his emotions are still very strong towards her. As Jordan explains more about Gatsby's and Daisy's history together as a couple 5 years before, the reader understands why their connection can be so easily re-kindled.
"They were so engrossed in each other that she didn't see me until I was five feet away..." (Fitzgerald 74)
"The officer looked at Daisy while she was speaking, in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at some time..." (Fitzgerald 75)
The reader sees that even 5 years ago, Gatsby looked at Daisy passionately, revealing strong emotions towards her. Jordan later goes on to explain how Daisy was very upset when Gatsby had to leave for war, and how even the night before her wedding she had a weird breakdown. It makes the reader wonder, did Daisy ever think about Gatsby after her wedding? Did she ever wonder if he were dead? Daisy was so pleased to see Gatsby, yet it was a calm, almost reluctant greeting from the both of them. The reader could sense anxiety within each of the characters, showing they connected instantly upon reinforced contact with each other. As the day progresses, the two become more comfortable with each other, as if they forget the world, and even Nick's presence. By the end of the chapter, they are holding hands, re-kindled, and connected once again.
Closing Question:
Gatsby felt as though it were necessary to show off his wealth as if it held some kind of importance or matter in Daisy's mind. To what extent is this idea of "wealth" and "possession"present in modern day society?
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