When Fitzgerald first introduces Daisy, he notes her “bright eyes” and “bright passionate mouth” which begins to portray her vivacious character (Fitzgerald 9). Unlike Daisy, when Nick first describes Gatsby, he gives Gatsby a mysterious aura when he describes him as “a figure” that “had emerged from the shadow” (Fitzgerald 20). Yet, Gatsby feels he must reveal his own liveliness to Daisy so that she does not see him as the same dark “figure;” thus, Gatsby insists on presenting his house to Daisy. Nick notes that as they go upstairs, they travel through guest bedrooms “swathed in rose and lavender silk and vivid with new flowers” (Fitzgerald 91). Gatsby decorates his house with flowers so that his home is given a natural, vivid atmosphere. Nick reveals that Gatsby successfully influences him to recognize the zest of his home by describing the silk to be “rose” and “lavender” colors. As Nick observes Gatsby and Daisy together, he believes that Gatsby regards Daisy’s voice as “a deathless song” (Fitzgerald 96). Her voice, which is given a melodious tone, is “deathless,” which suggests that her vitality is so powerful that she is practically immortal. One suspects that Fitzgerald purposefully illustrates Gatsby to be in constant shadow and darkness because for many years he has been unable to access his source of light, Daisy.
Jacky-You range far in this post-returning to the beginning of the novel and our first encounters with both Gatsby and Daisy, and then you make connections with their first encounter within the novel. Impressive. I find it interesting that you struggle a bit with positioning Nick vis à vis Gatsby and Daisy, trying to honor the fact that their impressions and emotions are filtered through Nick, always. The struggle is an indication of just how convoluted and complicated the topic can become. You do a fine job with it.
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