This is a very interesting section you have highlighted,
because it serves to confirm the great mystery surrounding Gatsby and his rise to power
and wealth. Remember, it is only in this Chapter that we are finally introduced to Jay
Gatsby, after having heard lots about him. Especially during the party in Chapter 3,
Nick hears many different kinds of rumours explaining Gatsby's rise in society. It is
important to remember that this is something else that serves to isolate Gatsby from the
society that he is now a part of and has given up so much to join - he is nothing more
than an object of suspicion, rumour and gossip. That the guests at his party use the
time to circulate and discuss such rumours show that, for all his wealth, Gatsby is not
an accepted member of the wealthy.
However, this paragraph
also shows Nick's curiosity as well at how Gatsby was able to reach his current social
standing. It is important to note the way that Nick identifies himself with Gatsby.
There are many similarities between them in terms of their background, and so Nick is
curious as to how Gatsby has achieved so much coming from such a humble background. Nick
shows his rational character here - he doesn't accept the more "romantic" rumours
concerning how he gained his wealth, but he does logically look at the issue and express
his uncertainty at how Gatsby managed to gain the wealth that he
did:
But young
men didn't - at least in my provincial inexperience I believed they didn't -
drift coolly out of nowhere and buy a palace on Long Island
Sound.
Note the reasonable
and logical tone Nick takes here as he seeks to work out a more realistic explanation
for Gatsby's wealth.
Jordan is revealed to be one of those
shallow socialites who prefer large parties because they are more "intimate", preferring
the "privacy" that such events give you, whereas smaller parties give you no room for
escape.
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