Brief Summary Of The Great Gatsby Chapter 5

At the start of chapter five in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, an absent-minded Gatsby approaches Nick to discuss the meeting with Daisy, as the scene progresses Gatsby prepares for Daisy’s arrival at Nick’s house. Nick first breaches the subject of Daisy, and Gatsby tries to act nonchalant, although once Gatsby agrees on a date he excessively prepares for the tea, all the while acting vacant and unsure of himself.
In this section, Nick on his way home when he is dazzled by Gatsby’s house, shortly after Nick is joined by a distracted Gatsby, whose uncharacteristic-distant and awkward disposition leaves for a scattered encounter. On his way home Nick mistakes Gatsby house which is “lit from tower to cellar” “blazing with light”, as a “fire”, and when he mentions it to Gatsby, Gatsby

Brushing aside Nick’s comments, Gatsby blabbers about things Nick and him should do, but Gatsby’s attention is drawn when Nick mentions inviting Daisy to tea, although Gatsby tries to

Gatsby, continuing to rely on appearance to attract people, early the day of the meeting, sends “a man in a raincoat dragging a lawn-mower… over to cut [Nick’s] grass (89). This visual ruse of wealth and beauty also continues in Nicks house, which is filled with a “greenhouse” of flowers that Gatsby sent over (89). Gatsby even goes as far as to have “twelve lemon cakes” ready for the three of them to enjoy during tea (89). The garish amount of adornment in Nick’s house shows Gatsby’s excitement and content on making his and Daisy’s reunion perfect, although it also appears to be Gatsby’s attempt to distract Daisy from the dishonorable action of cheating on her husband, that he is trying to get her to participate