Journal Entry #6

Chapter 6: Pages 97-111

Chapter Summary:

Chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby begins with a news reporter arriving at Gatsby’s door trying to interview him. Nick chooses this moment to tell the readers the truth about Gatsby’s early life. He tells us that Gatsby’s real name is James Gatz, from North Dakota, and how had lived a simple life until the day he had rowed out to warn Dan Cody and his yacht of the approaching winds on Lake Superior and introduced himself to the wealthy man as Jay Gatsby. Gatsby worked on Dan’s boat as his steward, mate, skipper, secretary, and even jailor, for five years up until Dan Cody’s death. After Nick tells of Gatsby’s past, he continues by saying that he hasn’t seen Gatsby for several weeks because he’s been in New York with Jordan and her aunt. One day, he finally goes over to his house and sees Tom Buchanan arrive on horseback with Mr. and Mrs. Sloane and she invites Gatsby and Nick over for a dinner party. They don’t attend but see the company at Gatsby’s next party where Gatsby and Daisy sneak off to the front porch so they can speak privately. At dinnertime, Tom asks Daisy if he can go sit at another table to eat because ‘a fellow’s getting off some funny stuff’. After the party, Gatsby tells Nick that Daisy doesn’t understand him like she used to and that the dance they shared was unimportant. He tells Nick that he wanted nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and tell him she never loved him. Nick remembers something he had heard a long time ago, but it doesn’t come to words.

Character:

a) Dan Cody

Most Defining Quote:

b) “.. for Dan Cody sober knew what lavish doings Dan Cody drunk might soon be about, and he provided for such contingencies by reposing more and more trust in Gatsby.” (Nick 100)

Characteristics:

c) “Cody was fifty years old then, a product of the Nevada silver fields, of the Yukon, of every rush for metal since seventy-five. The transactions in the Montana copper that made him many times a millionaire found him physically robust but in the verge of soft-mindedness, and, suspecting this an infinite number of women tried to separate him for his money.” (Nick 99)

Role in the Book:

d) In Chapter 6, Dan Cody is shown as Gatsby’s mentor. This is evident because during the five years that Gatsby spent with Dan Cody, he learned a lot; especially not to drink. He saw the world by travelling on the yacht and he became the person he is because of all the extravagances he encountered with Dan Cody.

Quote:

“Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!” (Gatsby 110)

This quote really stood out to me as if it were the only piece of writing on the page because it completely sums up who Gatsby is in the book so far. All his efforts have been put into making sure Daisy would be impressed with him; from his house and car, to his clothing and to the parties he holds. All he wants is to be with Daisy again, just like it was in the past and this quote really shows that he believes it is possible and that everything will be the same as it was five years ago.