A literary archetype displayed through that chapter is the
quest. Every hero goes through one of these and it is the process of the journey that
makes him the well-rounded individual he eventually becomes. During this time the
character may also acquire a new identity or undergo a transformation. This
"quest" might be a possible theme. The idea
of transformation might work. It seems that his time with
Cody significantly shaped him because he seems to have more images of Cody than his own
father (at least one), and Cody is significant enough that both Gatsby the character
brings him up and Fitzgerald, the author brings him up. The real life of Gatsby as
reported through other characters throughout most of the book seems to be significantly
impacted by Cody too.
The image I always get of Gatsby is a
type of nautical man well before the discussion of Cody comes around. This might be
something the author has crafted in his description from chapters 1-5 so that he can
bring the evidence of Gatsby's roots to the surface.
This
sequence of events in chapter 6 also demonstrates a longing for
identity.
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