The Great Gatsby - Chapter 4

In this chapter Gatsby is depicted as "so peculiarly American" and Fitzgerald uses Gatsby to represent the behaviour of 1920 Americans. The first description we are given of Gatsby is "gorgeous." There is an obvious gorgeousness of the Jazz age. However the "burst of melody from its three-noted horn" suggests a more simple beauty, lacking depth. This is the first time Nick interacts intimately with Gatsby even after attending his parties and using his beach. Nick interoperates Gatsby as "restless.. never quite still... sporadic... there was always a tapping foot somewhere or the impatient opening and closing of a hand." This behaviour makes it obvious that Gatsby is hiding something and it makes him nervous. This relates to the general behaviour of Americans after the war. This generation is often known as “the lost generation” due to their escape into an aimless pursuit of pleasure to forget the horrors of war. Not after long, Gatsby began “leaving his elegant sentences unfinished and slapping himself indecisively on the knee.” This shows how Gatsby is wearing a mask, he is playing a “character” in order to live his dream. His answers about his past are too rehearsed to be believable. Similarities arise between Gatsby and America in general as they are both turning their back to the harsh realities of life.