“… as obscurely as it had begun, his career as Trimalchio was over” (Fitzgerald, 113).
At the beginning of chapter seven, as Nick explains that Gatsby has ceased to throw his infamous weekend parties, he draws an allusion to Trimalchio ⎯ a fictional character in first century AD Roman. Trimalchio was a freed slave who worked to attain an enormous amount of wealth and threw lavish parties, similar to Gatsby’s. Trimalchio was also the title of the original novel that Fitzgerald sent to his editors. He later revised it extensively, and changed the title to The Great Gatsby. The brief allusion to Trimalchio has a two-fold effect ⎯ it emphasizes Gatsby’s rise from his humble beginnings in North Dakota to his current position of power and wealth and it foreshadows Gatsby’s sharp decline from power that takes place throughout chapter seven.
At the beginning of chapter seven, as Nick explains that Gatsby has ceased to throw his infamous weekend parties, he draws an allusion to Trimalchio ⎯ a fictional character in first century AD Roman. Trimalchio was a freed slave who worked to attain an enormous amount of wealth and threw lavish parties, similar to Gatsby’s. Trimalchio was also the title of the original novel that Fitzgerald sent to his editors. He later revised it extensively, and changed the title to The Great Gatsby. The brief allusion to Trimalchio has a two-fold effect ⎯ it emphasizes Gatsby’s rise from his humble beginnings in North Dakota to his current position of power and wealth and it foreshadows Gatsby’s sharp decline from power that takes place throughout chapter seven.
“… there was no such difference between men, in intelligence or race, so profound as the difference between the sick and the poor” (124).
On their way to New York City, Nick, Jordan, and Tom stop at Wilson’s gas station and find that Wilson is gravely ill. Wilson has discovered that his wife, Myrtle has been having an affair, and “the shock [has] made him physically sick” (124). Nick reflects that despite their differences in class and power, Tom and Wilson are in the same position. Nick has a powerful revelation at his point in the novel, as it becomes apparent to him that Tom and Wilson are effectively equals in that both of their wives have been unfaithful to them, and that the only true difference between them is that one is ill and the other is healthy. This quote is also significant in that it highlights the major theme of class division present in the novel. Nick concludes in this quote that this division, present throughout the novel, is largely irrelevant.
On their way to New York City, Nick, Jordan, and Tom stop at Wilson’s gas station and find that Wilson is gravely ill. Wilson has discovered that his wife, Myrtle has been having an affair, and “the shock [has] made him physically sick” (124). Nick reflects that despite their differences in class and power, Tom and Wilson are in the same position. Nick has a powerful revelation at his point in the novel, as it becomes apparent to him that Tom and Wilson are effectively equals in that both of their wives have been unfaithful to them, and that the only true difference between them is that one is ill and the other is healthy. This quote is also significant in that it highlights the major theme of class division present in the novel. Nick concludes in this quote that this division, present throughout the novel, is largely irrelevant.
"She never loved you, do you hear? She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved any one except me!" (130).
Gatsby says this to Tom during their argument over who Daisy really loves; he says that Daisy only married Tom for his wealth. This is significant as it advances the plot in articulating the powerful rivalry between the two men and the significance of money in that rivalry. It also furthers our understanding of Gatsby and his frustration. He believed he had Daisy's love, but lost her because of his poverty. Now he has wealth but has still lost her to Tom.
Gatsby says this to Tom during their argument over who Daisy really loves; he says that Daisy only married Tom for his wealth. This is significant as it advances the plot in articulating the powerful rivalry between the two men and the significance of money in that rivalry. It also furthers our understanding of Gatsby and his frustration. He believed he had Daisy's love, but lost her because of his poverty. Now he has wealth but has still lost her to Tom.