Chapter Five

Summary
      In Chapter Five, Nick went on a date with Jordan Baker. On the date, Jordan requests of Nick that he invite Daisy to his house so that Daisy could see Gatsby. The chapter begins with Nick's returning home from the date. He finds that Gatsby has all the lights on in his house and is standing on the lawn. Gatsby quickly crosses to meet Nick and banters with him. Nick, knowing his true purpose, tells him that he will invite Daisy. After arranging an ambiguous day for the date, Gatsby offers Nick in on his business dealings so that Nick can make more money. Nick, not wishing to be repaid for his "service" of inviting Daisy to his house, refuses the offer. The next morning he calls Daisy, invites her over, and warns her not to bring Tom. On the day she is to come over, it is pouring rain. Gatsby sends a man to mow Nick's lawn and also sends a large assortment of flowers. Gatsby then goes to Nick's house and waits in anticipation. Just as Daisy arrives, he disappears. He knocks at the door a few minutes later. Nick, Gatsby, and Daisy all sit around and try to make conversation through all the tension. After a little while, Gatsby and Nick retire to the kitchen. After reassuring Gatsby that Daisy is as uncomfortable as he, Nick slips out the back of his house. He sits under a tree in his backyard until the rain stops about a half-hour later. When he goes back into his house, he finds Gatsby and Daisy much more comfortable than before. Daisy is crying with joy, and Gatsby is suddenly relaxed and confident. Daisy and Gatsby then decide to go to Gatsby's house, and they insist Nick come with them. Gatsby gives Daisy a full tour of the house, the two of them full of emotion the whole time. At the end of the tour, Gatsby gets Klipspringer, his permanent houseguest, to play the piano. By now, Gatsby and Daisy are too engrossed in each other to realize anything else exists. At this point, Nick slips out of the house and leaves them together.

Characters
      This chapter is important in the development of the characters of Daisy and Gatsby. This is the first time we see them together. Their characters change when in the presence of one another.
     DAISY: Daisy, when she sees Gatsby for the first time in years, is quite uncomfortable. However, after a short time, she is crying from joy. It becomes apparent that she still has feelings for Gatsby. Whether or not she loves him is still to be determined as Daisy is a very dynamic character. However, it is strongly suggested she does love him by how she interacts with Gatsby at the end of the chapter.
      GATSBY: Gatsby, upon meeting with Daisy again for the first time in several years, is also quite uncomfortable. There is a reciprocal tension between the two. However, once Nick leaves, they somehow fall in love again. This transforms Gatsby's character from a charming playboy to a gleeful schoolboy. It is certain that Gatsby is in love with Daisy, as evidenced by his childish joy. He displays the qualities of a fool in love.

Symbols
      There are two important symbols in this chapter, the flowers and Gatsby's shirt. The flowers are a representation of Gatsby's love for Daisy. He fills Nick's house with hundreds of bouquets. This is the outpouring of his love. The other important symbol is the large assortment of Gatsby's shirts. These shirts represent his great wealth with which he impresses Daisy. These two symbols together, the flowers and the shirts, combine in this chapter to show Gatsby's love for Daisy.

Motifs
      The most important motif that appears in this chapter is the rain. This is one of only two times that rain occurs in the book. The first rainfall occurs when Gatsby and Daisy meet for the first time in years, and the second rainfall occurs at Gatsby's funeral. The fact it is raining the first time Gatsby and Daisy see each other is an ominous foreshadowing of the relationship.

Setting
      Chapter Five takes place in Nick's house, and towards the end, in Gatsby's house. The setting for this chapter is actually subordinate to the theme of Daisy and Gatsby's reunion.

Important Quotations
      When Nick invites Daisy over to his house, he warns her not to bring Tom. To which Daisy replies, "Who is 'Tom'?" (88) This quotation shows that she knows the nature of the meeting. It is potentially adulterous. It is possible that Jordan informed Daisy of the setup, and she may have even told her that Jay Gatsby is involved. This does not necessarily show love for Gatsby; it shows that she is restless and unsatisfied with her status quo.
      After walking over to Gatsby's house with Daisy, Nick pauses to note, "After his [Gatsby's] embarrassment and his unreasoning joy he was consumed with wonder at her presence" (97). It has become quite clear that Gatsby is in love with Daisy. He cannot hide the excitement of seeing Daisy again; this is a moment that he has pictured and anticipated for years. How Daisy feels is still to be determined.
     As Nick is ready to leave, he writes, "I looked once more at them [Gatsby and Daisy] and they looked back at me, remotely, possessed by intense life" (102). This is an emotional turning point for Daisy. It is clear that she does have feelings for Gatsby, possibly strong enough to be called love. Throughout Chapter Five, we are questioning whether or not Gatsby and Daisy will have a romance. This end definitively says, through all the ups and downs, there will be a romance. It is shown by the two lovers sitting alone, holding hands, and gripped by strong emotion.

Thematic Elements
      Two recurrent themes appear in this chapter, love and reunion. Both of these themes revolve around Gatsby and Daisy's first meeting for the first time in years.

Page last updated on March 17, 1999.
Curator: Sean Bury