Mr. Gatsby, up to this point, seems like a cool, collected figure of power, manipulating and persuading everyone he meets (or at least Nick) to do whatever he wants. however, upon Daisy's arrival to the Tea Party, he very uncharacteristically becomes shy, clumsy, and incredibly awkward. He mumbles around Daisy until he is told that Daisy is just as embarrassed as he is. Gatsby then puts on his mask of cool, "old-sport" personality, and the the visit turns for the better.
So which is the real Gatsby? do we really know who he is? what if Gatsby reverts to awkwardness again? will Daisy leave him?
I think Gatsby is definitely the cool, collected guy that he is portrayed as. I think he reverts to his awkwardness because he is reminded of the pain and embarrassment he remembers from when their relationship ended, so now when he looks at her, that is all he can think about. But that goes away when he is told that Daisy is just as embarrassed as he is. I don't think that Gatsby will revert to awkwardness; it was just an awkward beginning because seeing Daisy again was a painful reminder about the way things ended between them. That being said, what will happen between Gatsby and Daisy? How does Nick feel about this?
ReplyDeleteIt's more likely him just being very awkward around the object of his affection, and especially due to the circumstances his awkwardness is pretty justified. He might act like this around her more, but I don't think he's really concealing another side of his personality.
ReplyDeleteWhen people are placed in a position of stress, they show who they really are. Gatsby comes off to me as being that guy who acts incredibly cool, but hides most everything about himself in order to camouflage any vulnerability which might be exposed if he were to come out of his safety net. Deep down inside, he is most likely an insecure mess that just does not know what to do with itself.
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