The Great Gatsby Group

Question:

sabrinaj
sabrinaj
Student
High School - 10th Grade

In what way is Gatsby's uniform an invisible cloak?

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Posted by sabrinaj on Friday March 20, 2009 at 1:30 PM and tagged with daisy, fitzgerald, gatsby, great gatsby, the great gatsby, theme, uniform.

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  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    When Gatsby was a soldier, his uniform was just like all the other soldiers. No one could tell his social status because he looked like all the other soldiers. This made his uniform an invisible cloak and hid the fact that he came from a poor background from Daisy, who had been born into a rich family. After the war, it would be apparent that Gatsby was not from the same social class as Daisy because his civilian clothes would not be as expensive as hers. The uniform thus disguised Gatsby's background enough so that she allowed herself to form a real relationship with a man who would generally not have met her standards.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/great-gatsby

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    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Friday March 20, 2009 at 1:45 PM


  2. locksnbagels Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Sabrina-

    First of all, thanks for posting, and good luck with Gatsby.

    I encourage you to think about the uniforms people wear, their purposes and categories. First, look at them literally. What do they mean, both to the wearer and to those with whom they come in contact? Next, look at the uniforms more figuratively and symbolically. On a deeper level, what do the uniforms mean? Uniforms are powerful in that they can create a mood and can even alter peoples' actions and beliefs. What does Gatsby do in his uniform? What things does he do while 'cloaked' in his uniform? How do his actions and interactions change when he has his uniform on? Start there, then make sure to get a second opinion on any research you do. Good luck, Sabrina!

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    Posted by locksnbagels on Friday March 20, 2009 at 2:34 PM

  3. brinaaa
    brinaaa Student
    High School - 10th Grade

    thanks.:).

    no thats a good way of thinking about it. :)

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    Posted by brinaaa on Friday March 20, 2009 at 2:41 PM


  4. locksnbagels Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Oh--one more thing, Sabrina: also consider the disparity (or inconsistency and inner conflict) of the uniform and the person wearing it. A firefighter who smokes, a hangman who has an abiding love for life...that kind of thing.

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    Posted by locksnbagels on Friday March 20, 2009 at 2:44 PM

  5. abygirlb
    abygirlb Student
    High School - 11th Grade

    Hey Sabrina,

    The reason the Military uniform is like an invisible cloak is because when Gatsby put the outfit on he wasnt seen for who he really was he was seen as a person that Daisy Buchanan could see herself with in the future. But when he takes the uniform off he is seen as just another person.

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    Posted by abygirlb on Tuesday April 14, 2009 at 11:01 AM