The Great Gatsby 5

1.     Chapter 5 Pages 81-96

2.     Summary: Nick arrives home late at night from a date with Jordan when Gatsby comes across the lawn in hopes of convincing Nick to set up the date with Daisy. Nick agrees and Gatsby offers him a business deal that Gatsby refuses. Nick and Gatsby spend the day cleaning up the house so that it is perfect for Daisy and on the morning of the tea, Gatsby enters the house after walking in the rain. In the beginning of their meeting, Gatsby wonders if he made a mistake meeting Daisy because it was painfully awkward, but later they warm up to each other and rekindle their friendship. Gatsby invites Daisy and Nick over to his mansion to admire his possessions and tells Klipspringer to play the piano for them, when Nick feels uncomfortable and leaves them alone for their privacy.

3.     a. Character: Klipspringer

b.     Quote: “...an embarrassed slightly worn young man, with shell-rimmed glasses and scanty blond hair. He was now decently clothed in a sport shirt, open at the necks, sneakers, and duck trousers of nebulous hue."
(94)

c.      Qualities: Mr. Klipspringer plays the piano, yet he is not confident at all. He will do whatever Gatsby tells him. Mr. Klipspringer is staying with Gatsby and he is seen doing liver exercises in one of Gatsby’s rooms. He is poor and Gatsby looks down on him. When Gatsby treats him unkindly, he just takes it and doesn’t attempt to stop him.

d.     Role: Klipspringer’s is first introduced in Chapter five. His role is a man who lives in Gatsby’s house who plays the piano. He is commanded by Gatsby and does whatever Gatsby wants him to do. Klipspringer does not stand up for himself, showing us how much power Gatsby has. He is a mysterious character that we don’t know much about. Klipspringer brings out both the good and bad in Gatsby’s character. Letting him have a home, but mistreating him while he lives there.

4.     "I was in the drug business and then I was in the oil business. But I'm not in either one now." (87)

Right when we thought we were getting to know Gatsby better, we realize we still don’t know much about him at all. This shows where Gatsby made his money also. The ‘drug business’ leads me to believe Gatsby made quick money illegally. The fact that Gatsby is saying this to Nick shows that he has started to trust Nick and confide in him. Nick and Gatsby’s friendship is growing deeper.