Chapter 5 of Great Gatsby

The first sentence in this chapter is "when i came home to West Egg that night i was afraid for a moment that my house was on fire" - this sets the mood for the chapter, build up of tension.

This is the chapter were we first see Gatsby as a weak character.

• has hands in pockets a very childlike posture,
• upset,
• defencive.

Clock is knocked over and Gatsby catches it - idea of psychically stopping time, waiting for an

appropriate time with Daisy, time moving slowly.          



Daisy is very happy "erratic smile" - talks to Gatsby very matter of fact (awkward)
Very descriptive about Gatsby's house - does he have all these possessions purely because of Daisy?

Lyrics - all about the rich getting richer and the poor get - children. (juxta position to the rest of the chapter) - Gatsby does not have any children, could this be significant?

Romantic imagery - makes the relationship between Daisy and Gatsby obvious.


Weather is very important - raining than sunny (juxta position)
"crying stromally" - Daisy sense of loss - freedom, Gatsby, she could of been with him now...
Raining - shirts are a rainbow (colours of the rainbow) - the shirts show Gatsby's character and you're opinion of him.
A Storm is broken emotionally