Chapter 8

Narratie Style:

As usual the chapter is shown from Nick's point of view. This is fairly strange as a segment of the chapter is telling us about how Gatsby first met daisy. Even though it is Gatsby's memory, it is still Nick telling us about it, or rather Nick informing us about what Gatsby had previously told him. I think that Fitzgerald wrote the chapter in this way so that we would still be conscious of the fact the Gatsby and Nick are friends and there for do speak to each other other than the times we hear about in the novel. I believe it is just a way for Fitzgerald to remind us that they have become quite close and are genuine friends.

Characters/Characterisation:

This chapter is, once again, mostly about Gatsby's infatuation with Daisy. However, it is the first time that we read about how they met and what they felt as if it were happening at the present time. We know that Gatsby has a very very strong attraction towards Daisy and it is now that we finally see where it all began. From the first moment Gatsby meets Daisy he thinks she is 'extroadinary' he 'didn't realise how extroadinary a 'nice' girl could be.' This just shows that Gatsby's feelings towards Daisy are not only real but apparently eternal. Nothing will ever stop Gatsby from loving her. This may be an important factor as it could symbolise the danger that is to come, Gatsby's profound feelings for Daisy will inevitably get him into trouble; even more so than the damage that has already been done, that being Myrtles death.

We find out about when and why Daisy left Gatsby for Tom and how Gatsby was determined to belive that she never loved Tom. ' I dont think she ever loved him'.
I feel that this chapter is kind of a way to sum-up Gatsby's life. Fitzgerald informs us about all of Gatsby's past, I think he does this so that we can finally settle our quarelles about how we feel about Gatsby. Throughout the novel we are constantly challenging ourselves as to whether or not Gatsby is a good or bad character and I think that after reading this chapter the readers would have determind that he was a good yet sad character and will feel sorry for him. I know that by the end of this chapter I felt very sympathetic for Gatsby.


Themes:

• Love
• Sadness
• Death

Settings: At first the novel is placed in Gatsby's house until later following Gatsby's death. The time of year seems to be autumn as there are quite a few leaves around and in Gatsby's pool. the fact that it is autumn could be to symbolise the fact that Gatsby's end is near. Gatsby will fall just as the leaves do. Autumn is also usually a cold time of the year when everything is coming to an end. This also suggest's that something bad is sure to happen.