Q: How and what ways do Fitzgerald create the mood and

atmosphere in chapter five?

Chapter five describes an essential part of the plot as it highlights Gatsby’s dream of
Daisy that he has longed to fulfil for the past five years. Gatsby’s love for Daisy is
more than personal. It is a passion permeating his entire life as well as his self-image
and it is the depth of that feeling which probably fascinates Nick. This is why we
might find it strange as to why Fitzgerald described a setting that includes ‘pouring
rain’ and ‘damp mist’. In fact, Gatsby held his parties in hope of meeting Daisy, but
the rain gives a cool and still atmosphere, a stark contrast to the warm and vibrant
atmosphere of Gatsby’s parties. The ‘increasing rain’ not only forewarns us on how
the meeting may be like, but it adds to the cold and dreariness of the atmosphere,
which is no doubt, later reflected by the equally negative emotions that the characters
project. It does not exactly provide the perfect romantic setting for the couple to
reacquaint. However, this is perhaps what makes their encounter all the more
naturalistic.

Fitzgerald extensively underlines the importance of time. There are several references
to it, which emphasises the awkwardness felt between Daisy, Gatsby and Nick. For
example, ‘For half a minute there wasn’t a sound’ illustrates the tense atmosphere, it
makes us feel that the silence is stretched, and the more it is stretched, ‘A pause; it
endured horribly’, the tenser the atmosphere becomes. In fact, it grows to be so
awkward that Nick’s face is a ‘deep tropical burn’. Clearly, we are witnessing him
feeling embarrassed and self-conscious at the whole situation, and when he escapes,
we are once again aware of how time passes by, examples of direct references
includes, ‘I stared at it…for half an hour’, ‘After half an hour’, ‘Five years next
November’ and ‘set us back a minute’. The ‘automatic quality of Gatsby’s answer’
further intensifies the mood of uneasiness and in Daisy’s case, most likely, surprise.
The short dialogue spoken within the long pauses adds to the strained atmosphere.

Gatsby’s ‘trembling hands’ and ‘distraught eyes’ confirms that he is obviously

distressed and anxious about his encounter with Daisy, most likely fearing her
reaction towards him. Therefore, we can understand why he arrives one hour in
advance. His desire to ensure that everything goes smoothly and perfectly (as matched
to his dream) does not go planned, but in fact goes exactly the opposite. His repetition
of ‘terrible mistake’ demonstrates his panic mood and increases the inner turmoil for
not only himself but for Nick as well. This is exemplified when Nick’s behaviour is
affected by the unrest atmosphere, he becomes impatient, ‘“You’re acting like a little
boy,” [he] broke out impatiently.’ The words ‘broke out’ suggest he had pent up
frustration with Gatsby due to his inability to simply converse with Daisy.

The way Fitzgerald describes the characters’ posture and actions blatantly builds up
the nervous mood and the fake appearance they are trying to uphold. We see this
when Gatsby has his ‘hands still in his pockets’ and then sits down ‘rigidly’. The
irony is that everyone is trying to act casual, but their discomfort is clearly shown to
the point that the scene almost becomes humorous. Daisy’s voice holds an ‘artificial
note’ demonstrating that even she is experiencing an inept moment, and when she
tries to speak in a ‘matter-of-fact’ voice, it implies that she is trying to pretend that
everything is okay or that seeing Gatsby is simply a pleasant occurrence, when really

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it has left her shocked at the unexpected visit. This is supported when we read Daisy
sitting ‘frightened but graceful’. The fact that she feels ‘frightened’ illustrates she is
lost in handling such an unpredictable predicament she never thought she would
confront.

The element of water (rain) suggest a fresh start for Daisy and Gatsby, and Fitzgerald
swiftly changes the mood and atmosphere through Nick as he enters back in the room
to find that the awkwardness that was previously in the atmosphere has diminished.
This is reflected in the sudden change of the weather, ‘sun shone again’, which
emphasises the positive outcome. Fitzgerald repeatedly uses bright colours to
illustrate the happiness and joy portrayed between the couple, for example, ‘glowed’
and ‘twinkle bells of sunshine’. The words ‘exaltation’ and ‘radiated’ provides a
brighter, relaxed and more comfortable atmosphere, and we can now feel the mood
has is far more high-spirited. Seeing that Gatsby and Daisy are now more comfortable
in each other presences, Gatsby gives Daisy a tour of his mansion. The repetition of
‘admired’ shows that Daisy is in the state of awe at Gatsby’s wealth and possessions.
This in turn pleases Gatsby. Therefore, the mood continues to grow positively
between the couple. Fitzgerald makes a rich use of colour for example, ‘sparkling
odour of jonquils’, ‘plum blossoms’ and ‘pale gold odour’, which add vibrancy and
life to the images, this can reflect on the new life or chance that Gatsby and Daisy are
given for a fresh start in their relationship. However, the intensity of Gatsby’s
emotion puts an immense pressure on Daisy. His vibrant and sensuous shirts become
a symbol to express his five years of devotion and struggle. It is possible that Daisy is
shaken by this feeling and thus is the cause of her sobs. Despite her sweet naïve
comment, ‘It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such – such beautiful shirts
before’, which make it seem she is crying out of joy, yet there is the underlying tones
of the real sadness in her sobs, which may be representing her overwhelmed
emotions.

The pattern of imagery of light, colour and the use of naturalistic dialogue all play a
tribute to the faithfulness with which Gatsby has held on to his dream at the expense
of rationality, the passing time and any moral awareness, and we see that right to the
end of the novel, his loyalty is maintained. As the chapter ends, Nick offers a
perceptive reading on the whole situation. He interprets a look on Gatsby’s face to
indicate that perhaps he is dissatisfied with the whole affair. Nick and Gatsby may
have realised that once a dream is achieved, life still must continue. We begin to
question whether Gatsby, who has spent the past five years dreaming of Daisy, was in
love with Daisy, or the idea of Daisy. His relentless pursuit of his dream has allowed
him many opportunities to construct different views in his head and to imagine her in
a way that she may not be in the present. As Gatsby peers into Daisy’s eyes and
listens to her enchanting voice, he forgets about everything and leaves his focus
entirely on her, ‘Gatsby didn’t know me now at all’. We recognise he simply becomes
falls further in love, either with Daisy, or possibly the vision he has conjured of Daisy.