The Great Gatsby Group

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gatsby-2009
gatsby-2009
Student
College - Freshman

What is significant about the imagery within chapter 5 of The Great Gatsby?

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Posted by gatsby-2009 on Monday November 2, 2009 at 1:27 PM and tagged with great gatsby chapter 5 imagery, the great gatsby.

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  1. mstultz72 Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Chapter 5 is the middle chapter, the turning point, of the 9 chapter novel. In it, Gatsby has finally reunited with Daisy after five long years of preparation.

    The dominant imagery in the chapter deals with time.  Gatsby stands near the clock on Nick's mantle as he speaks to Daisy. At one point, the clock tumbles to the floor, but Gatsby rescues it. The clock is a symbol of Gatsby's attempt to stop time and return to he and Daisy's original courtship.

    Clothing imagery also abounds. Gatsby wears white, as if a bride at a wedding, with a gold and silver tie, symbolizing wealth. When Daisy sees all of Gatsby's shirts in his closet she begins to weep. Gatsby mistakes her tears for joy, but Daisy knows she cannot relive the past. She knows that she cannot have love and wealth (with Gatsby), only wealth (with Tom). Gatsby's idealism regarding time stands in contrast to Daisy's and Nick's realism.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/great-gatsby/chapter-5-summary-anal...

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    Posted by mstultz72 on Monday November 2, 2009 at 4:48 PM