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Fitzgerald’s artistic vision is most prevalent through his poetic language and his use of color throughout his work. In this chapter ( ch.1), the most relevant color is red. Red is usually associated with feelings of love, and lust. Though, when paired with certain characters the context of red varies. In this chapter a character most mentioned is that of Tom Buchanan. With some context clues he is written as a wealthy man, that is almost an adult child. For example he very quickly discusses his political beliefs and notably lies about reading a book supporting such belief. (Pg.17) although this is not a problem it is certainly distasteful to welcome new people into your new home with such touchy subjects, especially with impeccable ignorance. These small details reveal aspects of his “snobby” character. When the two are paired, the color  suggest and explore new meanings. When red is mentioned in the same sentence as Tom I personally interpret the color to represent emotions/ things such as, Anger, lust and danger. This small excerpt, although mentioning several characters, Tom’s introduction seems to be the most important. it is noticeable that the Author makes him the focal point  for a reason, I know for sure I will get more time to analyze him as a character in future chapters. ( worth noting; in Nick’s POV, leads to wonder what is true and what is just perspective)

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Specifically this quote and the theme of the song overall
“ so don’t you stop being a man
Just take a little look
From our side when you can
Sow a little tenderness
No matter if you cry”

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Color continues to be relevant in chapter 2. We are introduced to Tom’s mistress where color is mentioned the most, from the yellow bricks, blue dress, brown dress, lavender dress, and lastly a cream colored dress. The chapter starts with Tom’s persistent attempt to introduce his mistress, Myrtle to Nick. We’re also introduced to Wilson, her husband, and her sister Catherine.  (others too but not as relevant as these two)
The chapter really begins when the drunken conversations start in the middle of their party. (hosted by Tom & Myrtle)
The topic of broken marriages and new love is brought up, along with lies.
“She’s a Catholic and they don’t believe in divorce”..Daisy was not a Catholic and I was a little shocked at the elaborateness of the lies” pg.38
Although little , it reveals Tom’s character and the lengths he is willing to go to keep his life the way it is. No matter how “unhappy” he pretends to be.
Things quickly escalate as the chapter goes on.
“Daisy! Daisy! I’ll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dia-“… Making a short deft movement Tom Buchanan Broke her Nose with his open hand.”pg.41
To me, it reveals 3 things.
1. Tom feels some sort of guilt about his infidelities and doesn’t appreciate being reminded of it.
2. Myrtle knows Tom will never leave Daisy.
3. This isn’t his first time being violent with Myrtle. (nor with Daisy as mentioned in ch. 1!)
The shock is the confidence Tom has to assault her in a room full of people.
these last two chapters are just a rollercoaster- exploration of Tom’s horrible Character, and I bet it gets worst.

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A song that best fits the chapter’s content
(in my opinion).
Specifically these lyrics;
“And when her old man comes to call
He finds her waiting like a lonesome queen
'Cause to be by her side
It's such a change from old routine

But the other woman will always cry herself to sleep
The other woman will never have his love to keep
And as the years go by the other woman
Will spend her life alone
Alone
Alone”

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Jordan’s take on her driving reveals that she likes to live recklessly, expecting other people to drive carefully. Jordan  expects other people to do the work implying that she’s lives in a comfortable state where she hasn’t had to work hard ,  which can be interpreted that she lacks empathy for other people.(tied to her wealth)
Towards the end of the chapter, it is revealed and remembered by Nick of Jordan’s dishonesty.

“Newspapers- a suggestion that she had moved her ball from a bad lie in the semi- final round”
She is quite comfortable with lying and favors being a dominant figure in relationships.
Other than Jordan’s analysis , we are introduced to ( finally) Gatsby. We meet him in a drunken state, (seems all truths/ important key points of the story are often revealed in drunken situations). He shares a love for his collection of “real” books,  which reveals that he is probably ‘new money’ rich. This is inferred by the love for little details in his home, (usually would be overlooked by old money folks).
It is stated that Gatsby chooses his words very carefully, leading us to believe that he is reserved/ hiding certain aspects of himself.
A significant ending, is the car crash, the crying women, broken relationships. It all ends negatively, just like the last two chapters, all in drunken states.

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The most we knew of Gatsby before chapter 4 stemmed from vicious rumors including, “ he killed a man and he was a German spy,”.

As readers our first impression of him is definitely unexpected, considering the build up of suspense throughout the 3 chapters. Gatsby is genuinely piercing and authentic at first, upon meeting Nick.

“ he smiled understandingly.. it was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life.” Pg. 52

Suddenly he is as intriguing as all the rumors made him up to be; so could they be true?

In chapter 4 we get more glimpses into his character, where he’s “supposedly” from, (San Francisco/ but in the Midwest?), where he went to school(Oxford ), of his tragedy that led him to live alone(not yet revealed). It’s all so superficial. It no longer feels authentic as he tries so hard to come off as. The story continues in a restaurant-like setting where we are introduced to Mr. Wolfshiem, who is described as

“A small flat- nosed Jew, with two fine growths of hair which luxuriated in either nostril” pg. 74

Meeting and interacting with this new character contradicts Gatsby’s “image”.
“He’s the man who fixed the world’s series back in 1919”pg.78
Gatsby confirms that Wolfshiem is a criminal.

(It is only important of the business Mr. Wolfshiem does, and why Gatsby participates/ associates himself with Mr. Wolfshiem) .
We also learn of Gatsby’s past with Daisy, and why he avoids Tom Buchanan.
“  she  was sitting in it with a lieutenant I had never seen before. They were so engrossed in each other that she didn’t even see me until I was five feet away ”
A recollection of the past, reveals vulnerability from Gatsby. Soft authenticity that washes away all the bad things we definitely know about Gatsby. In my opinion I think both subjects will somehow connect in a dangerous way.

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Specific lyrics that i feel align with Gatsby.

“Well, no one told me about her, the way she lied
Well, no one told me about her, how many people cried
But it's too late to say you're sorry
How would I know, why should I care?
Please don't bother tryin' to find her
She's not there
Well, let me tell you 'bout the way she looked
The way she'd act and the colour of her hair
Her voice was soft and cool
Her eyes were clear and bright

But she's not there”

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When it comes to Gatsby and green, I often think and feel that the color  is rich and deep.  In class we discussed that green can represent envy, nurturing nature, and growth. Coincidentally I made my blog green because the theme and the story always reminds me of that color. At the end of the doc, the green warning light flickers in front of Gatsby. It can mean so many things but under the context of his reunion with Daisy and knowing the danger he is putting himself by doing so, it could symbolize a warning. The color reflects aspects of Gatsby’s personality, for example it represents his envy for Tom’s life (unspoken but observed), it could represent the tranquility he feels with Daisy in that moment, it even reveals that a rebirth, a rejoice in his life has occurred.

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This song doesn't have any lyrics but the instrumentals are beautiful and remind me of rebirth, nature and green.
( reminds me of the passage where daisy holds Gatsby’s arm)

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Gatsby’s character continues to unravel, as well as his old life.

In chapter 3, pg. 69 Gatsby claims that he was the son of wealthy people from the Midwest whom were all dead. Upon reading chapter 6 it is revealed that claim was simply not true.

“His parents were unsuccessfull farm people, his imagination never really accept them as his parents at all.”pg.104

It is not hard to observe that Gatsby is repressing his past, in these days his upbringing would be seen as a success story. His ambitions to break the cycle of poverty in his youth is admirable. To adapt to his environment and become somebody completely different is hard to understand. It’s not really noticed by anyone but Nick. Little pieces of James shines through to him. I’m excited to learn more of him although he is quite deceiving, it’s got to be all for his reputation. Right?

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“Spoke a lot of words, I don't know if I spoke the truth

Got so much to lose
Got so much to prove
God, don't let me lose my mind

Trouble on my left, trouble on my right
I've been facing trouble almost all my life
My sweet love, won't you pull me through?
Everywhere I look, I catch a glimpse of you
I said it was love and I did it for life”

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When it comes to Tom Buchanan loving the women in his life, I’d say that it is beyond loving, it is beyond adoration. It is not either one, as proven multiple times throughout the book. What he craves is control, he doesn’t truly value his wife nor his mistress, he just wants them to be his.

“ His wife and his mistress, until an hour ago secure and inviolate, were slipping precipitately from his control” pg. 131

Although such a short sentence it is so importantly pieced together and gets my point across.  He says silly sweet things that are definitely manipulative, to try and keep her.

“ I love daisy too. Once in a while I go off on a spree and make a fool of myself, but I always comeback, and in my heart I love her all the time” pg. 138

When it comes to Gatsby it gets a little harder to say that he loves her . Like Tom, it is evident (yet not super noticeable) that he too craves control over Daisy. My only real proof of this is how anxious he gets, how adamant he is on getting Daisy to admit that she never loved Tom. for example;

“Daisy that’s all over now, it doesn’t matter anymore. Just tell him the truth- that you never loved him- and it’s all wiped out forever”. Pg. 139

I don’t think that Fitzgerald intends to show his readers love in his writing, I think he wishes us to see the obsession, the lust. Everything but love.

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These lyrics, reminds me of how Daisy tries to convince both men she loves them.
“If I didn't care, would it be the same?
Would my every prayer begin and end with just your name?
And would I be sure that this is love beyond compare?
Would all this be true if I didn't care for you?”

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A theory I have about the book cover art is a direct quote from chapter 8 that paints the same picture with words.

“Standing behind him Michaelis saw with a shock that he was looking at the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg which had just emerged pale and enormous from the dissolving night.” Pg. 167, ch. 8

My connections may be way off but I find it to be quite similar as the cover art is just that. I think what Christian Kiticos in their article of the cover art is important to my next point.

“Cugat subtly hides a pair of nudes in the gigantic eyes, perhaps reflecting Gatsby’s objectification of Daisy or her own awareness of Tom’s affair.”-American writers museum

In chapter 8, after the first quote is stated about the eyes and the dissolving night, Wilson repeatedly states,

“God sees everything, repeated Wilson”pg. 167 ch. 8

Which is what I believe the eyes represent, a creeping guilt of action

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What I believe Fitzgerald is trying to convey in his novel The Great Gatsby, is the idea that wealth and social class does not amend your woes nor does it grant what you desire. For example, Gatsby had worked his whole life to achieve his wealth yet he was left unsatisfied until he died. Another example, Myrtle Wilson, considerably middle class, was always chasing more when she had Enough.

Fitzgerald also notes (in Nick’s perspective) that wealth does not change character, that in a way it enables their selfishness.

“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and . . . then retreated back into their money . . . and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”

Till the very end I truly loved this book ^_^ Fitzgerald is definitely a poet and that made this novel all the more enjoyable.

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“Those nights were on fire
We couldn't get higher
We didn't know that we had it all
But nobody warns you before the fall

And I'm wasted
Don't leave, I just need a wake-up call
I'm facing the greatest
The greatest loss of them all
The culture is lit and I had a ball
I guess I'm signing off after all

I miss New York and I miss the music”