The Great Gatsby: Key Quotes Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Key Quotes

Depictions of Setting:

“I couldn’t sleep all night; a fog-horn was groaning incessantly on the Sound…“ This quote underscores the unease and tension pervading the air, foreshadowing the tragic events that are about to unfold, using the “fog-horn” as an effective auditory symbol.
“At his lips’ touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete…“ In describing Gatsby’s reminiscence about his past with Daisy, Fitzgerald uses floral imagery to bring life to Gatsby’s emotions, symbolising the peak of their love.

Development of Characters:

“It was this night that he told me the strange story of his youth with Dan Cody…“ This quote gives a deeper view into Gatsby’s past and how he transformed to become who he is, underlining his relentless pursuit of a better life and the American Dream.
“I want to get away. My wife and I want to go West…“ George Wilson’s statement here adds depth to his character, portraying him not just as a victim, but a man desperate for change.

Emerging Themes:

“She was the first nice girl he had ever known… she was just out of reach.” Gatsby’s past recounted in this quote emphasises the theme of class and the unattainability of the upper class lifestyle for people like Gatsby, born in lower social strata.
“He had felt married to her, that was all.” This quote underscores the theme of love and infidelity, highlighting how perceived emotional bonds can override societal norms and legal bindings.

Employment of Symbolism:

“He must have looked up at an unfamiliar sky through frightening leaves and shivered as he found what a grotesque thing a rose is…“ This symbolises Gatsby’s disillusionment with his pursuit of Daisy (the ‘rose’), now realising the harsh reality behind his lofty dreams.
“He saw that the ends of justice were served…“ Fitzgerald utilises the concept of justice as symbolic of the moral decay within the society and the cruel impartiality of fate, serving to reflect the tragic end that awaits Gatsby.