The Great Gatsby Passage Analysis

THE GREAT GATSBY PASSAGE ANALYSIS - CHAPTER 6 This passage points to the heavenly nature of Jay Gatsby, and his pursue of the American Dream. It is taken from the end of chapter six, right after Gatsby reveals to Nick his longing for things to be like they had been 5 years before. In the passage Daisy and Gatsby's relationship is laid bare, as he relinquishes his endless potential in order to be with her. The imagery of the sidewalks forming a ladder alludes to Gatsby's wish to climb social classes. The "incomparable milk of wonder" can be interpreted as wealth, which Gatsby can only achieve if he climbs alone. This means that, while he has the potential of rising up in society, Gatsby must choose between loving Daisy and the American Dream. By stating that "He knew that after he kissed that girl... his mind would never romp again like the mind of God", Nick is saying that Gatsby made the choice of being with Daisy instead of achieving his full potential, as a God-like persona. In the last line, the word "incarnation" suggests that Gatsby chose plain mortality by loving Daisy. While he still has potential as the Son of God, his mind no longer romps like the mind of God. Gatsby tying "his unutterable visions to her perishable breath" also hints at the fact that he gave up some of his potential for Daisy, and now he is forever connected with her. This accounts for why he is so eager to be with her again and repeat the past: he thinks that by doing so he will regain his God like persona and his endless potential to fulfill his dreams. The fact that it is autumn also relates to Gatsby's situation. Autumn is the season of death and endings, much like what is happening to Gatsby in the passage. The color white appears several times in the passage, mainly when describing Daisy and the sidewalk. White means false purity, a façade that hides something corrupt underneath. The fact that the characters are surrounded by it suggests that the romantic scenery described by Fitzgerald conceals something distorted. Daisy's white face in the moment where their relationship is at its climax foreshadows that Gatsby's love for her will be his ruin. Also, the white "milk of wonder" represents the false innocence of the wealthier classes, and the corruptive power of money.