During chapters 4-6, we find out so much about Jay Gatsby and his history with Daisy Buchanan. It was shown that they knew each other during the war, even before Daisy decided to marry Tom.
In chapter IV, we discovered information about Gatsby’s family, education, military past, and relationship with Daisy Buchanan. We found out that Gatsby attended Oxford, and he came into a great deal of money when his family died. He went on to explain how he lived in numerous places; Paris, Venice, and Rome. There, Gatsby was, “ … collecting jewels, chiefly rubies, and painting …” We discovered a lot of Gatsby’s background in chapter IV.
Then came the war where it all started. Gatsby started as a lieutenant and later was promoted to be a major. Daisy was also involved in the war. She was a young girl who lived in Louisville, Kentucky, and all the military officers were in love with her. Jay Gatsby was also stationed near there, and the two eventually fell in love. According to Jordan Baker, Daisy was found lying on her bed the night of her wedding, “... drunk as a monkey.” She drank because she was getting married to Tom, and not the man who she truly loved. In the end, it was discovered that Gatsby “... bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the Bay.”
In chapter V, Nick goes over to Gatsby’s house. He told Gatsby that he would “... call up Daisy tomorrow and invite her over here to tea.” After receiving that news, Gatsby became pale and was said to have signs of sleeplessness beneath his eyes. He seemed anxious and almost nervous in the moments leading up to Daisy’s arrival. The tea between the two seemed to go well as Nick returned to Gatsby, “... literally glowing….” The group then went on a tour of Gatsby’s mansion. When touring the outside grounds, Gatsby said, “You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock.” This green light has been discussed before when Nick caught Gatsby reaching out to touch it at the beginning of the book.
In chapter VI, there is yet another party at Gatsby’s house. This time Tom and Daisy are both in attendance, alongside Nick. At this party, Gatsby keeps an eye on Daisy to ensure she is having a good time. When the party is over, he is filled with remorse as he believed she “.. didn’t like it.” Gatsby wanted more. He wanted her to go to Tom and say, “I never loved you.” He wanted to go back to the life they shared in Louisville, where they both loved one another. All he wanted was Daisy.
The epigraph is an example of Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship. Gatsby has done everything to be close to her again. The lines: “Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her; If you can bounce high, bounce for her too,” compares to all of Gatsby’s actions. How he moved to East Egg with the hope of being right across the bay from her. How he fought for his money because he thinks that is what will lure Daisy in. How he throws lavish and over-the-top parties to draw her attention. It symbolizes his never-ending fight to have her as his own and how he will do anything to achieve that goal. The lines: “Till she cry, ‘Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover, I must have you!” relates to what Gatsby has been longing Daisy to say, that she will leave Tom and continue her life with him instead. This epigraph signifies their love.
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