The Costume
When Gatsby arrives at Nick’s house to meet Daisy after many years, he is found at the door standing there in the rain. “Gatsby, in a white flannel suit… hurried in.” The white suit Gatsby is wearing is symbolic to the fact he is seeing Daisy again and is showing her how this expensive suit represents his new wealth. The white represents how Gatsby still has hope for being with Daisy again now that he is not a poor man like he used to be. Later in the chapter Daisy is looking through Gatsbsys expensive shirts and clothing and is now realizing all she has missed by choosing to marry Tom. The clothes also represent Gatsby’s new wealth as he can now afford to have so many and Daisy recognizes that. All these fancy clothes Gatsby has are just to disguise the fact that he is not really this eccentric rich party goer, but a poor family’s son from North Dakota.
The Props
When Gatsby is driving through town with Nick, he first shows Nick his medal of honor he received during the war, and then a photo to prove he went to Oxford. When he is being pulled over a bit later he pulls out a white card and shows the policeman, who immediately recognizes it and lets Gatsby just drive away. The white card represents Gatsby is a man of wealth and power and does not abide to the law. Gatsby brushes off Nick when he asks what the card is and it’s from the police commissioner who he apparently did a favour for once. Gatsby has brought these props to convince Nick what he has said is all true, further trying to force on his fake identity.
The Stage
Throughout the story we learn more about how Gatsby’s life is in fact an illusion, and one big factor of this illusion, is his giant house he lives in. It is a massive mansion that frequently hosts big extravagant parties, and makes Gatsby seem like a very wealthy charming man, just what he wants. His house is also right across the bay from Daisy’s house, which is the main reason why he lives there, as he still has hope that he can be with Daisy again. One man at Gatsbys house one night is in the library talking to Nick and refers to Gatsby as a “regular Belasco” referring to David Belasco, a famous theatre producer known for making very realistic sets. This is a metaphor for Gatsby making a very realistic ‘set’ which is his life, saying that although it looks like Gatsby has it all, that is not the case.
Dialogue
Gatsby has a certain way of speaking that is eccentric, charming, and extremely persuasive. This allows him to talk to people with ease, and help him get what he wants. But Gatsby hasn’t always been this charming sweet talker, he clearly taught himself these skills to help boost his new persona, and back up his backstory he has created. The only time Gatsby shows his true colours, and doesn’t speak as confidently or as smoothly is when he meets with Daisy for the first time in years at Nicks house, and even has to run outside before she comes in as he is so nervous. One important phrase Gatsby uses a lot is “old sport” which he picked up from his old friend Dan Cody, who helped Gatsby transform into his current persona, and probably taught him some more fancy language and how to speak with more charm.
The Backstory
At the first of Gatsby’s parties, Nick attends we hear many theories about Gatsby and his background even a story about how he murdered someone, and he was a German spy. Gatsby is well aware of the rumors floating around and tries telling Nick to not believe them, and he tells Nick the ‘real’ story which doesn’t really add up as when Nick asks What part of the middle west Gatsby is from, he responds with “San Francisco” which is not in the middle west leading to more suspicion from Nick. Gatsby also shows Nick a photo of him at Oxford, which we learn later he only attended for only 5 months. Near the end of the story, we discover Gatsby’s true backstory: James Gatz (his real name) came from a poor farming family in North Dakota but was very ambitious and was determined to become successful. He changed his name to Jay Gatsby, and one day became friends with Dan Cody, a rich man, and picked up his mannerisms. When Dan Cody died, Gatsby was supposed to inherit his money, but it was taken by Cody’s ex-wife leading Gatsby dirt poor, but with the knowledge and manners of the upper class.
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