0
In The Great Gatsby, Gatsby does not literally turn the clock back five years, but rather does so figuratively with Daisy. At the end of Chapter 6, Nick Carraway, the narrator, ends the chapter with a description of how Gatsby and Daisy's love first blossomed five years ago. In that same area, when Nick warns Gatsby about repeating the past, Gatsby incredulous and says a famous line "Can't repeat the past?...Why of course you can!" (Fitzgerald 110).
Gatsby, who even purchases a house across the Long Island Sound from Daisy Buchanan's home just so he can see the green light on her house's dock every night, is very much in love with Daisy. The height of their relationship was five years ago when they first fell in love while Gatsby was stationed as an army lieutenant in Daisy's town. Gatsby wants to turn back time to when they were in love and Daisy was his sweetheart. Everything Gatsby does in this novel, is to bring him and Daisy closer together. He has the parties in hope that Daisy will one day show up to one of them. He has a house across from hers, just to see the green light on her dock every night.
As shown in the quote I cited above, Gatsby wants to (figuratively) turn the clock back five years because he wants the love that he and Daisy shared to blossom yet again.
My edition of the book: F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 1925.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Gatsby is trying to recreate the past with Daisy, so he resets the clock to the time when they were last together to symbolize the idea of returning to that moment when they were happy and in love. This action reflects Gatsby's belief that he can recapture the past and erase the years that have passed since he last saw Daisy.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is the clock a metaphor of in The Great Gatsby?
In "The Great Gatsby," the clock is a metaphor for the passing of time and the inevitability of change. It symbolizes the idea that time is constantly moving forward, regardless of the characters' desires or actions. The clock serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the impermanence of human endeavors.
How long had it been since daisy and gatsby had seen each other?
Five years .
Why is it so important to Gatsby that Daisy enjoy his parties?
Gatsby believes that by impressing Daisy with his extravagant parties, he can win back her love and erase the five years they have been apart. He hopes that through his lavish gatherings, Daisy will see his wealth and status, and he can recreate the romantic relationship they shared before.
How long did Gatsby stay with and learn fron Dan Cody?
Gatsby spent five years with Dan Cody, learning about business operations and how to navigate high society. Cody acted as a mentor figure to Gatsby, teaching him valuable skills and contributing to his transformation into a wealthy and successful individual.
Why does Gatsby say he is seen Daisy when he hasn't seen her for five years?
Gatsby believes he has been in love with Daisy for five years, so in his mind, he has been seeing her all along despite their physical separation. He holds an idealized image of Daisy in his mind and their past relationship, which makes him feel as though he has never stopped seeing her.
Who is Dan Cody in The Great Gatsby?
He is a man of 50 who Gatsby met at the age of 17, while clam-digging and salmon-fishing. He owned a yacht and that's when Jay Gatz changed his named to Jay Gatsby. Dan Cody was an alcoholic and took Gatsby under his wing for five years, teaching him illegal bootlegging before his death. He left Gatsby $25,000
What was Daisy doing in Louisville when she met Gatsby?
Daisy was living in Louisville when she met Gatsby. She was a debutante from a wealthy family, and Gatsby, a young military officer at the time, was stationed nearby. They fell in love, but their relationship faced challenges due to social expectations and Gatsby's lack of wealth and social status.
Who does gatsby meet for the first time whom he may have doubted existed?
Gatsby meets Daisy Buchanan for the first time in about five years at Nick Carraway's house. He had doubts about ever reuniting with her after their initial relationship.
What are the release dates for The Great Gatsby in Five Minutes - 2011?
The Great Gatsby in Five Minutes - 2011 was released on: USA: 5 October 2011 (New York Film Festival)
What is the angle made by the hands of a clock at five o'clock?
The angle in which the hands of the clock make at five o'clock is 150o.
What rhymes with five o' clock?
"Dock" and "flock" are words that rhyme with "five o' clock."
How old was Jay Gatsby when he died?
Gatsby met Daisy five years previous whilst training for the infantry. He mentions that he left home at 17 to join the infantry, so I would assume he met Daisy at about 17, in 1917. So he would be twenty two in 1922, the year that he he died.
