Great Gatsby 6

1. Chapter 6 Pages 97 – 111
2. Summary: This chapter begins with a reporter showing up at Gatsby’s door, asking for a statement from him. Nick reveals Gatsby’s true identity- James Gatz, from North Dakota who didn’t even finish two weeks of college. We learn about Gatsby’s past and how, as a fisherman, he met Dan Cody on his yacht. Dan Cody acted as a mentor for Gatsby. He took Gatsby in as a personal assistant on his yacht, and together they traveled around the world. While Gatsby had to look after Dan because of his alcohol abuse, Gatsby decided to stay away from alcohol. After Dan dies, James Gatz starts anew by changing his name to Jay Gatsby and aspires to become as rich as Dan was. Continuing, Nick sees Tom, Daisy and the Sloans at Gatsby’s mansion. The following Saturday, Gatsby throws another party and Daisy shows up along with Tom. Because she is unhappy the entire time, Gatsby becomes unhappy too. Gatsby starts to remember his first kiss five years ago and wants things to be the way they were in the past. However, Nick points out that he can’t have the same thing twice making Gatsby angry.
3. A. Dan Cody
b. “Cody was fifty years old then, a product of the Nevada silver fields, of the Yukon, of every rush for metal since seventy-five.”
c. Qualities: Chapter six describes Dan Cody with an “empty face.” Dan Cody was a successful, rich man. He acted as though he was a mentor for Gatsby. Because he was a heavy drinker, Gatsby was forced to take care of him. In return, Cody gave all of his money to Gatsby, making Gatsby where he is today.
d. Role: Dan Cody’s role thus far is a mentor and an idol to Gatsby. With the exception of his alcoholism, Gatsby aspired to be like Cody. Cody was his best friend and given the background on Cody, we can decipher more information about Gatsby. Because of Dan Cody, Gatsby turned his life around and aspired to become successful. Dan Cody is a great example of new money that he worked for with a great life and he opened Gatsby’s eyes, to the possibilities of new opportunity in his life.
4. Quote: "You can't repeat the past."
"Can't repeat the past?" he cried incredulously. "Why of course you can!"
Gatsby wants to relive his past, so that he can be with Daisy. However, Nick knows that this is nonsense and it can never happen. He tries to explain to Gatsby that there is no turning back time. Gatsby ignores this, believing that he will one day get Daisy back. Even though the past cannot be altered, the future can be different- whatever Gatsby wants it to be. Gatsby is thinking of life, as though he is in a fairytale and with all of his riches, he will be able to win Daisy. His heart will be broken when he realizes that he may not ever be with Daisy again.