Chapter 5 Reader Response

Gatsby is further characterized in Chapter 5 as a worldly, material man unaccustomed to moments of intimacy via his encounters with Nick and Daisy. Fitzgerald uses Gatsby's insecurity and his wooing of Daisy to contrast with Nick's self-confidence, and wooing of Jordan. In the previous chapter, Jordan and Nick have a heartfelt conversation about Daisy and Gatsby's past. The two talk as equals – lovers, yes, but equals.
On the other hand, Gatsby goes to extremes to make himself appear more “manly” when Daisy visits him. He insists that Daisy and Nick move the party to his mansion, and appears visibly awkward when he attempts to woo Daisy in Nick's house – away from the signs of Gatsby's wealth and status. Nick describes it as “reclining against the mantelpiece in a strained counterfeit of perfect ease, even of boredom”(86). Gatsby also storms out of the room several times to pace nervously before Daisy arrives, almost like a teenage boy awaiting a girl's call.
However, as soon as Gatsby moves Nick and Daisy to his mansion, and conducts them on a guided tour that shows his exploits, Daisy begins to fall for him. Gatsby even decorates his room with a gold toilet set (91) and allows Daisy to use it. Upon seeing his shirt collection (and hearing Gatsby pompously proclaim that they come from England), Daisy bursts into tears, saying “It makes me sad because I've never seen such – such beautiful shirts before”(92).
Soon after, Daisy puts her arm around Gatsby “abruptly”(93), symbolizing the abrupt change the couple has undergone. When compared to Nick's relationship with Jordan, Gatsby's relationship with Daisy is obviously based around Gatsby's material accomplishments – his achievements in the paper, his wealth, etc. Using this, Fitzgerald continues to criticize the rich and idyllicize Nick, and the middle class, as having the true idea of 'love'.