Great Gatsby 8 Essay, Research Paper
Iterpretive Essay
Then wear the Gold hat, if that will move her if you can bounce high, bounce for her too Till she cry, ‘Lover, gold-hatted , high-bouncing lover, I must have you’
This poem is about someone’s struggle to obtain a woman just out of reach. He does everything for her. “Then wear the Gold hat, if that will move her,” Shows even the smallest things are done with her in mind. The poem does assume that if everything is done for her, then she will eventually be his.
This is not only the story of Gatsby, but also the story of F. Scott Fitzgerald. He sought out his ex-wife, with the same “Everything for you” attitude. She refused to marry him until he made his first million. Since he had fixated on her as his goal, he did not realize that could not be the basis of a healthy relationship.
According to his letters to his daughter Scotty, he did finally realize this but not until too late. He realized that she demanded to much from him. She expected everything to be done for her, because that’s what she was used to. Gatsby couldn’t keep that up, she was sucking everything out of him, including his other dreams and goals. That is what ultimately ended their marriage.
Gatsby’s goals are also based on this poem. After he had come back from the war, and found Daisy married to Tom, he dedicated his life towards his dream of having Daisy again. Everything he did from that point on was for her.
After making as much money as possible, Gatsby bought an elaborate house across the water from Daisy and Tom’s dock, for the sole purpose of gazing upon the green light at the end of the dock. He through extravagant parties hoping she would someday show up. All of this is wearing the “gold hat” and “bouncing high.”
When Daisy realizes he has done all this for her she cries. It seems ridiculous at first because it appears it is because of the beauty of his shirts. This is the moment where she cries ‘Lover, Gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover. I must have you.’ She has realized that every thing is for her. He is wearing the Gold hat, and bouncing high, for her to notice.
Every relationship based on the “Everything for you” attitude we have witnessed has failed. Is Fitzgerald trying to tell us something with that? Is he trying to show us that his relationship failed based on this principle through his books. If so, maybe we should heed his warning.