The Great Gatsby

At Nick’s home, Gatsby and Daisy meet for the first time in many years. When Daisy asks about why she’s invited to Nick’s house, questioning whether he is in love with her, he refers to the novel Castle Rackrent. Prior to the meeting, Gatsby acts uninterested. Nevertheless, he betrays his true level of anxiety about impressing Daisy through a series of actions, including having Nick’s lawn cut beforehand.

As the meeting proceeds awkwardly, Nick attempts to give them time to themselves. Gatsby, however, follows him to plead for his help with the situation. Nick chastises Gatsby for behaving foolishly and senses that this angers Gatsby.

Later, they all go to Gatsby’s house. Nick mentions the original owner of Gatsby’s mansion. He was a rich brewer who bought a home when the area was still dotted with small rural homes. According to rumors, the brewer requested that the surrounding inhabitants thatch their roofs like medieval serfs’ dwellings, but Nick speculates that Americans are averse to being treated this way. The house is empty aside from Klipspringer, the dissolute “boarder” who never seems to leave. Gatsby pulls out hundreds of expensive shirts in his bedroom, as if they are a sort of treasure. Nick and Daisy marvel at them, and Daisy cries over their beauty.