The Great Gatsby Chapter 5 p81-96

The Great Gatsby

Chapter 5 p81-96

Summary

            Chapter 5 begins with Nick coming home from his time with Jordan, and he sees Gatsby’s house illuminated with lights. Gatsby comes along, asking Nick to go to Coney Island with him or have a swim; Nick denied both offers. He told Gatsby that he’ll invite Daisy over for tea, and to prepare, Gatsby offered to cut his lawn. Gatsby also offered to do business with Nick, without Wolfsheim, but Nick didn’t take his offer, and both go home. Nick called Daisy to invite her over and warned her not to bring Tom, yet Daisy said, “Who is ‘Tom’?” It was raining when the day came, and the man who would cut Nick’s lawn came by, in addition to some flowers for Daisy. When Gatsby arrives at Nick’s house, he had extravagant clothing on, yet he looked pale and sleepless which displayed his nervousness. Gatsby even escaped Nick’s house when Daisy came, and he rang the doorbell after Daisy entered the house. It was very awkward when Gatsby and Daisy first met; Gatsby gets close to breaking a clock. Gatsby and Daisy are left alone for 2 hours, and they talk about Gatsby’s house. Nick comes back seeing them happy. Gatsby took Nick and Daisy to his house for a tour. They ran into Mr. Klipspringer doing liver exercises, and then they entered Gatsby’s room. He showed them his assortment of colored shirts which Daisy liked. Gatsby told Daisy that he could see her house from his own and the green light at the end of her dock. After, Gatsby forces Mr. Klipspringer to play the piano even though Klipspringer knew he hadn’t practiced in a while. Gatsby and Daisy forgot Nick was in the room, so Nick left.

Mr. Klipspringer

“…an embarrassed, slightly worn young man, with shell-rimmed glasses and scanty blond hair.” (94)

When Mr. Klipspringer is introduced, he is doing liver exercises in another room. He must live with Gatsby because he probably can’t afford a house. Gatsby treats him like dirt; he always interrupts Klipspringer and forces him to play the piano even though Klipspringer insists that he is out of practice.

Gatsby treats Klipspringer with no respect whatsoever with his constant interruptions and forceful attitude. I don’t even know why Klipspringer lives with Gatsby. He must be poor if Gatsby took him under his wing. Klipspringer could only be staying at Gatsby’s only to mooch off of his riches. Klipspringer could also be used to display a different side of Gatsby.

“Americans, while occasionally willing to be serfs, have always been obstinate about being peasantry.” (88)

            This quote relates to how people who come to America to be successful and acquire their wants and needs. Gatsby is one of these people because he has riches and a big mansion, yet he wants one more thing: Daisy. He wanted to impress her by showing her his house. He tried to impress her with everything he had, and it worked.