Chapters 6-7

Chapter 6

Narrative style:

In this chapter, after alot of eager anticipation, we find out alot about Gatbsy's past. By telling us more about Gatsbys past, it makes him seem more human to the reader. He isn't some kind of 'god like' character anymore he is just a somtimes fortunate person with a rough past.
Nick is reflecting on his past memories of Gatsby. Since he remembers an awfull lot about Gatsby and since he refers to him rather fondly it is clear that Gastby made quit an impression on Nick. It also shows that Nick did really like Gatsby, enough so to remember alot about him.



Characters/Characterisation:

We see how Nick is caught in the conflict between Gatsby and Tom. They are both silently quarreling over Daisy. Tom is suspicious of Gatsbys connection and relationship with her and Gatsby seems to be biting his tongue and fighting the urge to blurt out his affair with Daisy.

"'I know your wife,' continued Gatsby, almost aggressively.
'That so?'"
This shows how even though they are acting politely towards each other it is very obvious it is just a front, proberly in order so as not to risk 'hurting' their reputation by being rude.

We are also introduced to two new characters, Mr Sloane and a 'pretty woman' with him. The fact that the woman isn't given a name shows that she is not a necessary nor important character. Her only purpose is to remind us of how popular Gatsby's is especially with woman.
Mr Sloane's character also doesn't really have any real importance as he doesnt play a very big role. He seems very lazy and laid back, the only time he seems to do anything is when the oman he is with takes an intrest in Gatsby. The fact that he doesn't really do anything up until that point makes the situation seem to excel greatly when he finally does become more active. Fitzgerald may have done this to show how worried and panicked the man became as soon as Gatsby started to become a problem; as he becomes so worried it lets us know how easy it seems for Gatsby to 'steal' woman away from other men.
We also find out more about Gatsby and Daisy's past relationship and how Gatsby became infatuated with her so.

Themes:

• Love
• Hate
• Anguish
• Friendship

Settings:

The chapter takes place at Toms house and at a dance. The fact that it is held at Toms house gives the reader a feeling of slight suffocation. Gatsby is getting dangerously close to Tom's woman and is also in Toms 'Terratory', his home. It's almost as if Fitzgerald wants the reader to get the feeling that Gatsby is replacing Tom.

Chapter 7

Narrative style:

As usual the chapter is told from Nick's point of view. This makes sense as Nick is really the only character that has an insight to all of the other characters. Also, it once again allows us to see how Nick really feels about Gatsby and his fondness of him.

Charcters and Characterisation:

Gatsby seems to be acting strange in this chapter as he hasn't been seen in a while and had 'dismissed every servant in his house'.

We finally see the truth behind how Tom and Gatsby feel about each other and which one of them Daisy cares more about. It's important that we feel the tension between all of the characters as it inevitably leads up to the scene when Daisy knocks over and kills the woman Tom is having an affair with. It is also when we see how bad Gatsby's morbid attraction towards Daisy had gotten considering he waited outside Daisy's house gazing into her window. 'I want to wait here till Daisy goes to bed. Good night,old sport.'

We also see another side of Tom as he becomes upset bordering distraught when he finds out that Myrtle has been killed.

'The god damned coward!' he whimpered. 'He didn't even stop his car.'

This shows that even though Tom always seems to be an arrogant pig, he is still only human and does feel for his companions.

Nick also seems to be growing weary of all of the other characters. 'I'd be damned If I'd go in; I'd had enough of all of them for one day, and suddenly that included Jordan too.' Nicks relationship with Jordan is beginning to see cracks, and now after this one chapter it seems that the whole novel is taking a turn for the worst and each character's life seems to be tumbling down.

Themes:

• Infatuation
• Love
• Hate
• Death
• Fear
• Grief
• Sadness

Settings:

The weather is really hot showing that maybe the story itself has gotten to 'boiling point'. The conflict between Gatsby and Tom finally explodes and everything is laid out. It's as if the weather is symbolising all of the characters emotions.