Sunday, September 13, 2015

What is the significance of Mr. Gatz arrival in Chapter 9?

Gatsby's father arrives to attend Gatsby's funeral.  His
character serves several functions.  First of all, we learn what Gatsby was like as a
boy. Mr. Gatz shows the notes  that the young James Gatz wrote in his Hopalong Cassidy
book, and we learn that Gatsby had big dreams very early and was driven to achieve: "He
was bound to get ahead."


We also are reminded of Gatsby's
modest beginnings.  Mr. Gatz is a middle class man and was immensely proud of his son's
financial accomplishments.  In this way, more pathos is created for Gatsby who had dared
to aspire to such heights only to be brought down by the sadly mistaken grieving
husband, George Wilson.

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