Chapter 5: Summary

Later that evening when Nick returns home to West Egg, he finds Gatsby’s house lit up, though nobody seems to be home. Nick walks home, and Gatsby startles him by coming across the lawn. In an attempt to please Nick, Gatsby offers him all kinds of things. Nick assures Gatsby that he will phone Daisy the next day and invite her to tea. In return, Gatsby offers to send someone to cut Nick’s grass.

On the day of the meeting, it rains. Gatsby, wanting everything to be perfect, sends a man to cut Nick’s grass and, later, has flowers delivered. For the first time in the novel, Gatsby appears to be nervous and unsure of himself. When Nick brings in Daisy, he realizes Gatsby is not there. He later comes in through the front door. Initially, the reunion is awkward. Nick, therefore, decides to give Daisy and Gatsby some privacy and leaves the place for thirty minutes. Upon his return, he notices that the tension has eased out.

Soon, they go over to Gatsby’s mansion. Daisy, just as Gatsby had intended, is delighted by the magnificence of his estate. On seeing Gatsby’s fine collection of English shirts, Daisy begins to cry. Gatsby then confesses that he has spent all these years dreaming of a future together. At the end of the chapter, Nick departs, leaving Gatsby and Daisy alone together.

Chapter 5: Analysis

This chapter deals in more detail with Gatsby’s longing for Daisy. Nick fulfils Gatsby’s dream by reuniting them at his place. Once they are reunited, the novel focuses on their actual relationship and the challenges they face. Their relationship helps Fitzgerald explore the excesses of American culture from the viewpoint of love.

In his interaction with Daisy, Gatsby seems most genuine. Nick, being tolerant, does not object to Daisy’s relationship with Gatsby. Nonetheless, Nick yet again comes across as conflicted. He talks about the moral decay of society, but is fine with the relationships his friends and family have outside of marriage.

Gatsby’s wealth, his collection of antiques, and other valuables overwhelm Daisy. Her reaction gives Gatsby the assurance that his efforts have paid off. He has managed to forge the lifestyle Daisy had demanded years ago.

However, Nick warns the reader that Daisy might not be able to live up to the “ideal” of Daisy that Gatsby has created over the last five years.