Maria Voci
9/21/08
Period 2
The Great Gatsby: Chapter 3 Reflection
I must say, chapter three was not very interesting. The introduction of the party scene was time-consuming and took up most of the chapter. Though toward the end of the party, Nick explains that the rest of the women were arguing with their husbands (motif: unstable relationships), and to solve the dispute, the husbands basically coerced their wives out of the house. This demonstrates how controlling men are in the book’s era and location. Some parts of the chapter did however grasp my attention.
I noticed that in previous chapter, Fitzgerald illustrates Gatsby as a mysterious man. He continues this style in chapter three. On page 48, readers learn through gossip from party members conversing, that Gatsby grew up in Germany, was a German spy during the war, and may have killed a man! On the contrary, Jordan Baker tells Nick that Gatsby once told her he was “an Oxford man” however she seems skeptical about this and does not believe it. Fitzgerald then further augments mystery to Gatsby’s character, because for a while that Nick has been there, he has not spoken nor even saw Jay Gatsby. When they meet, Gatsby recognizes that Nick was in the Third Division during the war (keeping in mind that Gatsby was a spy). From this point on, Nick depicts himself to readers.
Nick explains he was in the Ninth Machine-Gun Battalion. Toward the end of the chapter, Nick exposes himself to readers even more (about time!). He explains he works a lot at the Probity Trust in New York studying investments and securities. He also had an affair with a girl from Jersey City. Though these details are vague, I learned why Nick lives in New York and a little about his prior relationship. The relationship between him and Jordan Baker is portrayed as them being interested in each other. She likes him, and he is confused with his feelings towards her; he is getting mixed up with interest and love. Overall, the chapter gave information about the main characters, but was much too lengthy.
Scene from: Chapter One, Pages 19-20; Perspective: Daisy
Setting: Tom and Daisy’s house; dinner-time
“I love to see you at my table, Nick. You remind me of a – of a rose, an absolute rose. Doesn’t he?” I said, and looked at Miss Baker for confirmation. “An absolute rose?”
There is something I truly admire about Nick; I don’t think he’s like other men—men such as my husband. What is taking Tom? Probably that worthless and degrading woman from New York is trying to talk to him again; as if I didn’t know. She does not have the decency to at least call during some other time rather than dinner, especially with my genuine cousin here! I could not bare the murmur of his voice talking to that disgusting rodent from New York.
Keeping in mind that I must act like a woman with respect and politeness, I calmly excused myself from the table, threw my napkin down, and went into the house.
This ridiculous game needs to end. I cannot bare Tom with that garden-hoe. I think to myself that I must be the smarter person and pretend that his publicly exposed relationship with his mistress does not faze me.
“Sweetie”, I said to Tom. This kindness felt like a bullet piercing through my foot. “Sweetie”, I repeated, “we should not keep our guests waiting on you much longer.” This kindness must have created a guilty feeling in his head, as he hung up the phone. We returned to the table without a word; we both knew what has happened.
I also knew that Jordan is like the rest of the people here. She must have informed Nick about the mistress. These people here gossip and gossip and have no respect for other people’s personal lives; it disgusts me!
As I sat down, I quickly thought of something that would interest her and hoax her into thinking that something dramatic has happened. “It couldn’t be helped!” I cried. I saw her eyes, full of excitement, prop up toward me the way children’s eyes prop up toward giant swirl lollipops. With satisfaction of her arousal, I naively said, “I looked outdoors for a minute and it’s very romantic outdoors. There’s a bird on the lawn that I think must be a nightingale come over on the Cunard or White Star Line. He’s singing away. It’s romantic, isn’t it, Tom?”
I loved the subtle reaction of Jordan’s crushed spirits. The frown in her eyes satisfied me. It’s not that I do not like Jordan, I just do not like the way she gossips like all the other careless people around here. They all think I am a fool. I am no fool. I believe that the best thing a girl can be in this world is to portray herself as a fool, as if nothing is bothering her. Others may not regard her highly, but she’ll always know that she’s smarter than them all.
“Very romantic,” Tom said, and then miserably to Nick: “If it’s light enough after dinner I want to take you down to the stables.”
The phone rang inside again. I knew that witch could not stop calling. I immediately looked at Tom and shook my head. He understood not to permit to answer. I could feel by the tensions of everyone at the table that they knew who was calling. I wonder if they thought I knew. If I did, I wonder if they thought I cared. Oh well, I will not let that desperate loser stress me out. Tom is worthless anyway. He could not make an effort to be present at our child’s birth. Why on earth should I ever allow him to be in my thoughts? I guess the typical woman would care about all of these things. I just ignore them and not stress myself. I think about the necessities, not the extras in life. Though I know that one day all of this nonsense will end.
*I chose this scene, because it absolutely fazed me why Daisy was so calm with her husband’s mistress calling, especially at dinner-time. I also wanted to take on Nick’s challenge; “I couldn’t guess what Daisy and Tom were thinking… (Pg. 20)”