Gatsby Blog 2

In the beginning of the book The Great Gatsby, we are presented with a very important quote, that has a very important meaning throughout the book, “Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her; If you can bounce high, bounce for her too, Till she cry, ‘Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover, I must have you!” In the beginning the quote does not make much sense, but in chapters 4-6 the meaning is clearer. This quote is indicating that someone is using material deception in order to win someone(a girl) over. This quote is towards a woman that would usually not pay attention to any man. This is exactly what Gatsby does-- he wears the “gold hat” to win Daisy.


     In chapter 4, Gatsby talks to Nick about his past and he says to Nick, Gatsby also tells him that after his wealthy family died and all of the money went to him he spent time in very expensive and popular capitals in the world, “After that I lived like a young rajah in the Capitals of Europe- Paris, Venice, Rome- collecting jewels, chiefly rubies, hunting big game” this only proves that he cares about what people think about him. Every weekend he also throws parties so people think of him as a cool, wealthy and classic guy. He says that he has spent time collecting ‘jewels’ and ‘rubies’, these are very expensive gemstones, he says it to Nick because he only wants to show off.


    In chapter 5, Nick invites Daisy to have a cup of tea at his house. Gatsby purposely then shows up to Nick’s house while Daisy is there. Gatsby was aware that Daisy was coming so he bought a large amount of flowers to impress her. Page 85 states, “The flowers were unnecessary… a greenhouse arrived from Gatsby’s” This means that Gatsby would do anything to win Daisy over, just like the quote from the beginning states, “wear the gold hat, if that will move her.” In chapter five, Daisy cries because she was overwhelmed with Gatsby’s shirts, as the shirts emphasized his wealth, she realizes that she could have married Gatsby, and not have settled for a man like Tom. Daisy crying when she was overwhelmed goes into the “Till’ she cry” part of the quote from the beginning of the book.


      In chapter 6, Gatsby’s real identity was revealed. His legal name turns out to be James Gatz. Gatsby changed his name at the age of 17. The book then goes into detail with Gatsby’s past and how he inherited his wealth. “James Gatz—that was really, or at least legally, his name.” In chapter 6, Gatsby throws another part, to which Daisy and Tom attend. Daisy was impressed at the party, and overwhelmed with all of his wealth. Gatsby introduces the Buchanans to “famous” people at his party. Gatsby then dances with Daisy and by the end of chapter 6, they kiss and Gatsby wants Daisy to leave Tom. This incident relates to the quote from the beginning because it states ‘I must have you’ because it is clear that Daisy and Gatsby feel the same way for each other.


      In the beginning we are presented with a quote and it does not make any sense, why would the author do this? The author did it because the quote makes chapter 4-6 and surely the whole story makes more sense. Throughout the 3 chapters the reader is able to analyze the quote, and realize that the quote from the beginning actually has a very important meaning. Gatsby goes out of his way to impress Daisy with his wealth, she ends up going back to him after she realizes that he is a ‘rich’ man.