Chapter 3 Flashcards
I believe that on the first night I went to Gatsby’s house I was one of the few guests who had actually been invited. People were not invited—they went there. . . . Sometimes they came and went without having met Gatsby at all, came for the party with a simplicity of heart that was its own ticket of admission.
People used Gatsby for their own pleasure and this is reflected at the end of the novel at Gatsby’s funeral where only three people show. It shows the nature of the partygoers who are self-centred and only have interest in their own gains and happiness not others.
I was immediately struck by the number of young Englishmen dotted about. . . . I was sure they were selling something: bonds or insurance or automobiles. They were at least agonisingly aware of the easy money in the vicinity and convinced that it was theirs for a few words in the right key.
Reflects the ease to make money in 1920s America and hints towards Gatsby’s fraudulent gains which is in actual fact criminally gained. The englishmen know they can gain money from stocks but they dont realise the ease that they can be dragged into the world of Criminality, just like Nick nearly is.
‘Gatsby. Somebody told me—’”
The two girls and Jordan leaned together confidently.
‘Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once.’
A thrill passed over all of us. The three Mr. Mumbles bent forward and listened eagerly.
No one really knows who he is. This is a big deal in the book – how did Gatsby get him money? How dangerous is he? What sorts of lengths would he go to to get what he wants? This is the sort of thing you wonder in this chapter and the quote above shows that idea. Once this facade is ruined, Gatsby is forgotten about and every one else goes back to their normal lives without considering his death.
