A small detail that I would like to revisit from the last reading (that we did not get to in class), occurs in the scene when Gatsby attempts to act suave in front of Daisy but instead leans back and hits the mantle. In doing so, he nudges a “mantelpiece clock” onto the floor (87). This clock shatters and embodies the awkward confrontation that occurs between Gatsby and Daisy.
I bring up this detail because I would like to pose the question of whether we think there is deeper meaning to the object (specifically the clock) that Gatsby knocks off the mantle. Is it a reference to Gatsby’s warped perception of time— something he thinks can be repeated? Or is it more so a reference to Gatsby’s reliance on time and time’s ultimate failure at returning him the love he once had for Daisy? I would love to hear your thoughts.
I think of the clock as a metaphor for the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy. The “defunct mantelpiece clock” falls but Gatsby catches it and puts it back in place. Nick then says, “I think we all believed for a moment that it had smashed in pieces on the floor”, and Daisy mentions how they hadn’t seen each other in many years. Thinking of the clock as their relationship, Gatsby and Daisy are defunct, and although they all thought that their connection was broken, Gatsby is trying to put things back where they used to be. Thinking that the clock remains in tact, it provides hope that they might actually stay together this time. I would be interested to see if this clock shows up later in the novel, but I think the time imagery on these pages does show its importance.
That was very insightful. I believe that part of the book could have been foreshadowing the future of Daisy and Gatsby’s relationship. The clock could have represented the amount of time the two had together for a lasting relationship. Once the clock broke, that was hinting at the time for the pair together has passed, and any opportunity they had was to be gone forever.
Interesting thoughts. Reading this book for the second time I noticed Fitzgerald’s emphasis on time throughout the novel. Specifically to respond to your questions I think passages on pages 151, 161 and the ending of the novel all support the idea that Gatsby wants to turn back time to achieve his dream of Daisy loving him. Also I think I remember the clock was mentioned again at some point but I’m not sure.