The Great Gatsby Group

Question:

atropiano
atropiano

What does Nick think the green light means to Gatsby at the beginning of Chapter 5? Why does he feel Daisy has fallen short of Gatsby's dreams?

Rate question:

Posted by atropiano on Thursday March 26, 2009 at 12:40 PM and tagged with chapter 5, daisy, gatsby, green light, nick, the great gatsby, the green gatsby, tumbled short.

Answers:


  1. scarletpimpernel Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    Nick appropriately realizes that Daisy's green light symbolizes Gatsby's American Dream.  The light does not simply represent Gatsby's quest for Daisy's love; it envelopes the idea of what it means to be part of Daisy's aristocratic class: sophistication, acceptance, respect, power.

    Daisy falls short of Gatsby's dream because no human could ever fulfill a dream such as his and because she is tarnished and disiillusioned by Tom's treatment of her.  She is no longer the golden American Dream.

     

    Rate answer:

    Posted by scarletpimpernel on Thursday March 26, 2009 at 2:36 PM