Gastby was not trying to stop time but to turn time back. He wanted to return to the time when Daisy loved him. He never understands that she rejected him, not because he was poor, but because he was not born into her social class of old money. He believes that if he just has money, Daisy will leave Tom for him. However, Daisy is more in love with the power and prestige that old money can buy, than she is with a newly rich young man. Nick tries to tell Gatsby that he cannot turn time back, but Gatsby is too naive to believe Nick.