Quote Analysis
"It was when curiosity about Gatsby was at its highest that the lights in his house failed to go on one Saturday night- and, as obscurely as it had begun, his career as Trimalchio was over" (113)
Speaker: Nick Carraway (Narrative)
Context: Narrating about his discovery about Gatsby's character development, towards not throwing parties
Significance:
Character Development: As Gatsby's relationship with Daisy is beginning to flourish, he does not need to throw these extravagant parties in hopes that she will walk through the door into his life. Now as he is now close to Daisy, he is able to drop his false act of enjoying hosting these parties, and is now able to focus all of his time and effort on Daisy. By giving up his social life, it proves his deep relentless care for her, and shows sacrifice and his ability to settle down.
Background Information: In this quote, Fitzgerald refers to Gatsby as Trimalchio, who in Roman literature was a man who attained power and wealth through hard work and perseverance. Like Gatsby, Trimalchio is known for throwing lavish dinner parties, hence the reference to Jay's discontinuation of his social gatherings. By implying Gatsby is a Trimalchio figure, it provides a notion that Gatsby truly did earn his fortune through work and dedication, like the American Dream requires, instead of Tom's accusation of Gatsby earning dirty money through bootlegging.
Speaker: Nick Carraway (Narrative)
Context: Narrating about his discovery about Gatsby's character development, towards not throwing parties
Significance:
Character Development: As Gatsby's relationship with Daisy is beginning to flourish, he does not need to throw these extravagant parties in hopes that she will walk through the door into his life. Now as he is now close to Daisy, he is able to drop his false act of enjoying hosting these parties, and is now able to focus all of his time and effort on Daisy. By giving up his social life, it proves his deep relentless care for her, and shows sacrifice and his ability to settle down.
Background Information: In this quote, Fitzgerald refers to Gatsby as Trimalchio, who in Roman literature was a man who attained power and wealth through hard work and perseverance. Like Gatsby, Trimalchio is known for throwing lavish dinner parties, hence the reference to Jay's discontinuation of his social gatherings. By implying Gatsby is a Trimalchio figure, it provides a notion that Gatsby truly did earn his fortune through work and dedication, like the American Dream requires, instead of Tom's accusation of Gatsby earning dirty money through bootlegging.
"She's not leaving me!" Tom's words suddenly leaned down over Gatsby. "Certainly not for a common swindler who'd have to steal the ring he put on her finger." (133)
Speaker: Tom Buchanan
Context: Tom insulting Gatsby during his attempt to take her from him, in the hotel room at the Plaza Hotel
Significance:
Theme: This quote falls under two themes in the novel, which are women's roles/sexism, and money/the American Dream. By referring to Daisy as just something you put a ring on, Tom implies that she is just another possession that he owns and can control. He refuses to let her have any say in the matter, which gives his view on women, in that the men decide what they should do, while they just sit there and be "fools". Also when referring to the ring, he implies that because he spent so much money on her with the ring and the pearls ($350,000), she should be happy and that money can buy you happiness. He acheives his goals in life and obtains the American Dream through buying his way through life.
Irony: Although Tom is married to Daisy, he hardly shows any love or affection for her until there is a chance that she may be stolen from him. Even with a child, Tom is still having an affair, which is a relationship that he puts more effort into. Tom does not truly love Daisy, he is bored of their relationship, but as soon as someone comes by to steal his toy, he immediately begins to care for it, just because it is his and he cannot stand to lose. This also relates to his superiority complex, that he is greater than everyone else and things deserve to be his.
Speaker: Tom Buchanan
Context: Tom insulting Gatsby during his attempt to take her from him, in the hotel room at the Plaza Hotel
Significance:
Theme: This quote falls under two themes in the novel, which are women's roles/sexism, and money/the American Dream. By referring to Daisy as just something you put a ring on, Tom implies that she is just another possession that he owns and can control. He refuses to let her have any say in the matter, which gives his view on women, in that the men decide what they should do, while they just sit there and be "fools". Also when referring to the ring, he implies that because he spent so much money on her with the ring and the pearls ($350,000), she should be happy and that money can buy you happiness. He acheives his goals in life and obtains the American Dream through buying his way through life.
Irony: Although Tom is married to Daisy, he hardly shows any love or affection for her until there is a chance that she may be stolen from him. Even with a child, Tom is still having an affair, which is a relationship that he puts more effort into. Tom does not truly love Daisy, he is bored of their relationship, but as soon as someone comes by to steal his toy, he immediately begins to care for it, just because it is his and he cannot stand to lose. This also relates to his superiority complex, that he is greater than everyone else and things deserve to be his.