The Great Gatsby Passage Analysis

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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.

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