How does Fitzgerald tell the story of 'The Great Gatsby' in chapter 7?
In 'The Great Gatsby' there is a transformation in chapter 7, when Fitzgerald shows that all the happiness and glamour of Gatsby's life has suddenly deteriorated. As readers we are saddened by this change because Gatsby is a profound and heroic character, full of ambition and determination. Even though his quest and fixated desire for Daisy was irrational, we admire how devoted his was to his idea of having Daisy.
Throughout chapter 7, Fitzgerald uses pathetic fallacy of heat to emphasise that there is a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. Nick describes the day as 'broiling, almost the last, certainly the warmest day of the summer', this illustrates to the readers that there is a coming conflict and foreshadows the height of the emotions to come, at the suite in New York, also the death of Myrtle Wilson and Daisy's rejection of Gatsby.
The extreme heat also emphasises the mix of confusions, and how the unbearable weather means thinking is virtually impossible. Daisy conveys this idea by saying that 'it's so hot and everything is confused'. The heat also symbolizes the unpredictable relationship of Daisy and Gatsby. When the weather is at its hottest, their relationship reaches a climax. Making the readers concerned about their future together. The tragic event of Myrtle's death is foreshadowed when Nick describes the seats on the scorching train as 'hovering on the edge of combustion', at the beginning of chapter 7. This is a connection to chapter 2 when Nick describes 'The Valley of The Ashes' as: 'where ashes grow like wheat' and 'powdery air'. Myrtle lives in 'The Valley of The Ashes' and also get killed there, suggesting a link for the upcoming event of her death. So, the word 'combustion' indicates...