Chapter 9

Narrative Style:

This is the last chapter of the Novel. The chapter after Gatsby's death. The first part of this chapter is about Nick trying to arrange the funeral for Gatsby, thus still showing that Nick was genuinely a true friend of his. To connote with this, the first line of the chapter is 'After two years I remember the rest of that day, and that night and the next day...' it is almost as if Nick is recollecting at the very moment we are reading it, like we are actually sat with the character in a room and he is telling us his story or rather Gatsby's.


Characters/Characterisation:

We find out that Tom and Daisy have left town 'She and Tom had gone away early that afternoon, and taken baggage with them.' It's bad enough that Gatsby has died but now it's almost as if Fitzgerald is trying to erase everything about him including his past; not only Fitzgerald, but it seems his characters are aswell. No one came to Gatsby's funeral even people that where meant to be his friend. It's almost as if they want to forget about him quickly, this being why they did not attend his funeral.

We find more out about the sad truth about Jay Gatsby's past or rather 'James Gatz' as that was his real name. It turns that that although Gatsby seemed to have a real lonely and miserable life he actually did have a family that loved him dearly and were greatly effected by his death.

I believe Fitzgerald tries to get a point across that money cannot buy happiness. It seems that everybody who has wealth is either lonely or miserable. Even Gatsby's friends couldn't get 'mixed up in it' meaning Gatsby's death so he didn't attend his funeral. It is sad that these people would rather make sure that their name and reputation is safe rather than be respectfull and go to the funeral. 'The hair in his nostrils quivered slightly, and as he shook his head his eyes filled with tears.' His friend, Meyer Wolfshiem, is clearly upset about the whole ordeal yet still refuses the invite.

Themes:

• Sorrow
• Lonelyness
• Guilt
• Death

Settings:

Gatsby's house is one of the area's that the chapter is set. The giant empty halls of Gatsby's home only echo the true emptyness of Gatsby's life. Now that all the party guest's have left and the music has ended, much like Gatsby's life has, it is only now that Nick realises it for what it is. Although Gatsby was surrounded by the joy and life of his parties he still constantly felt alone. This could, once again, be what Fitzgerald wants to get across that not only money can't buy happyness but apparently it cannot buy you real friendship or loyalty either.