The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald Flashcards
Gatsby has an obsession and desire for Daisy and this is symbolised by the green light on Daisy’s dock. The light is separated by the water which shows the physical separation between him and Daisy.
“He stretched out his arms towards the dark water in a curious way, and… I could have sworn he was trembling.”
“A single green light, minute and far away”
Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy extends to him just wanting to read her name in the paper.
“He says he’s read a Chicago paper for years just on the chance of catching a glimpse of Daisy’s name.”
Gatsby, when finally with Daisy, cannot stop looking at her and seems to be in a trance.
“He hadn’t once ceased looking at Daisy… he nearly toppled down a flight of stairs.”
Gatsby does everything for Daisy - to try and see her. His obsession is stalker-like, buying a house to be close to her.
“Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.”
Daisy about her daughter. She hopes she will be a “fool”, suggesting this is the best thing for her in the male-driven world in which they live.
“I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”
Not only did Gatsby move to West Egg to be closer to Daisy, he threw lavish parties in the hope that she would “wander” in.
“I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties, some night…but she never did”
