A Colossal Jay Gatsby

Anabel Rodriguez
Section 2 T/TH 4:00-5:15

In the novel The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby owned a colossal mansion that represented
what kind of man he wanted to be. Jay Gatsbys ideal characteristics he should possess went
hand in hand with what the mansion exactly was. The colossal mansion and Gatsbys ideals were
intertwined but only to a certain extent. Individuals who came in contact with the colossal
mansion where coming in contact with Gatsbys constructed character and not Gatsby himself.
Gatsbys colossal mansion created and allowed relationships with certain individuals possible.
Nick Caraway moved to West Egg in Long Island, and was surrounded by individuals
with wealth. To Nicks right was Jay Gatsbys mansion. Nick Caraway had a significant reaction
to Gatsbys mansion, it was a mansion he couldnt help overlook. The one on my right was a
colossal affair by any standard- it was a factual imitation of some hotel de Ville in Normandy
(5). Colossal means massive, enormous, gigantic, monumental, and when used in an architecture
context, is of giant order having more than one story of columns. Gatsbys mansion was an
imitation of an actual factual place that exists in Normandy but as the word imitation implies it
can only be that, a copy, a replica, a reproduction because an original already exists. Colossal and
imitation are words used to describe Gatsbys mansion as seen in the eyes of Nick Caraway. Nick
Caraway has these particular feelings and thoughts towards a physical object, Gatsbys mansion
but can Nick Caraways feelings and thoughts be passed along towards the owner of this
mansion. The first night Nick went over to Gatsbys mansion it was on a personal invitation by
Jay Gatsby himself. Nick didnt relate to anyone present at the party and the whole time there he
was in search of the host. Nick didnt relate to the people in the party because they were all came
from old money which wasnt the case for Nick. Nick couldnt relate to the people at the party
in Gatsbys mansion, the only individual he interacted with was a familiar face, Jordan Baker.
This is an unusual party for me. I havent even seen the host. (47) Nick caraway was not

feeling the party but once he finally came in contact with the host his whole demeanor changed.
He was enchanted by the host and his presence. Nick in that precise moment was glad he was in
Gatsbys mansion, in Gatsbys party. It was one of those smiles rare smiles with a quality of
eternal reassurance in it that you may come across four or five times in life (48) Nick was taken
by Gatsbys smile, he called it rare. Nick described Gatsby as a colossal character. Nick and
every other guest at the mansion headed home. Nick once back at his home can see Gatsbys
mansion. The grand party was over. A sudden emptiness seemed to flow now from the windows
and the great doors, endowing with complete isolation the figure of the host, who stood on the
porch, his hand up in a formal gesture of farewell (55). Nick describing how Gatsbys mansion
remained after the party. Complete isolation the figure of the host, this line can be interpreted
in two ways. Nick might be physically referring to the figure of Gatsbys body standing alone
after everyone left the party. On the other hand, Nick can also be referring to Gatsby himself
being an isolated individual who is just seen as a figure, a host of these extravagant parties with
no depth of his actual person. Nick paid much attention to details of Gatsbys mansion. Your
place looks like the worlds Fair I said. (81) Nick sees light and is aware of the mansion, he
compares it to a colossal image the worlds fair, not the county, or state fair, but the worlds fair.
Nick attending Gatsbys party at his mansion is how Nick and Gatsby began a relationship.
Gatsbys disappearance or lack of presence during these parties gave a sense of indifference
towards the people who attended these parties. Nick had certain responses towards Gatsbys
mansion, he couldnt relate to the mansion or interact with the individuals in the mansion. On the
other hand Nick had relatable moments, interaction, and a positive response to the owner of the
mansion, Gatsby.

Daisy, Gatsbys great love. Daisy is the one person Gatsby desperately wants to
see and witness his colossal mansion. Gatsby wants Daisy to attend the colossal parties in the
mansion thats the mere reason he hosts these parties in the first place, with the hope Daisy will
attend. Daisy is on her way to see Gatsbys mansion. That huge place there? she cried
pointing (90). Daisy reacts in a similar way Nick does when he sees Gatsbys mansion. The
difference is that Daisy has always come from money, she has always lived in huge mansions,
and does so now. This just adds magnitude to the colossal Gatsby mansion represents. Daisy
responds to the mansion in a positive way. Daisy admired this aspect or that of the feudal
silhouette against the sky, admired the gardens, the sparkling of jonquils and the frothy odor of
hawthorn and plum blossoms and the pale gold odor of kiss-me-at-the-gate (90). Daisy is
responding to the outside of the mansion in this manner, she has absolute admiration of the
garden. Daisy did not just respond to the mansion in a positive way, daisy also had interaction
with objects inside the mansion. Daisy took the brush with delight, and smoothed her hair
(91). Daisy perhaps felt right at home or can see herself in the mansion day in and day out. Daisy
felt comfortable in the mansion. Gatsbys mansion gave himself and Daisy a chance to mend an
old relationship or begin a new relationship. Daisy was delighted, enjoying the mansion. Daisy
had a positive response to the mansion, Daisy related to the colossal mansion, and Daisy
interacted with the mansion. On the contrary, Daisy didnt relate create or show the same positive
responses, and interactions with the man who owned the mansion, Gatsby. Daisy seemed to
create a connection or identify more with the physical object, the mansion rather than with Jay
Gatsby himself.
Jay Gatsby the owner of the colossal mansion and the creator of the colossal, extravagant
parties inside the mansion seem to not show great interest towards his own mansion. Gatsby has

unusual reactions, and interactions towards his mansion. Nick points out to Gatsby that his
mansion is full of lights that it looks like the worlds fair. Nick makes a colossal comparison of
Gatsbys mansion he doesnt compare it to a simply state, county, or even nation fair but instead
to the world fair. Does it? he turned his eyes toward it absently. (81) Jay Gatsby doesnt show
any interest in his mansion. Gatsby is absent minded towards his colossal mansion, he is not
present. Daisy is in Gatsbys presence and is about to go see Gatsbys colossal mansion for the
very first time. Gatsby refers to his mansion in a positive light. My house looks well doesnt it?
he demanded. See how the whole front of it catches the light.(89). Gatsby shows confidence
and shows up his mansion to Daisy. Gatsby refers to the light, the very light he disregarded when
Nick brought it up to his attention. Gatsby is present and not absent in this moment. Gatsby kept
his mansion full of strangers who were only there to enjoy the extravagant parties. I keep it full
of interesting people, night and day. People who do interesting things. Celebrated people (90).
Gatsby refers to the individuals who are always in his mansion with no real attachment,
connection, or relationship with them. Gatsby has no interest in these nameless people. Jay
Gatsby didnt relate to his own mansion, it wasnt a warm home like atmosphere. The mansion
had no feel of the individuality of Gatsby. Gatsby saw his mansion as a physical object. I think
he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her wellloved eyes (91). Gatsby was willing to change, rearrange his whole mansion without hesitation,
disregarding his own taste or feelings towards what the mansion was. Gatsby only cared to
please Daisy through his mansion. Gatsby biggest and meaningful interaction with the mansion
came in the form of looking out the window and seeing Daisys mansion, and the green light. If
it wasnt for the mist we could see your home across the bay, said Gatsby. You always have a
green light that burns all night at the end of your dock (92). The green light represented Daisy,

the one person Gatsby bought this mansion for, the person Gatsby wanted to see the mansion, the
one person Gatsby would throw colossal parties in hope she would show up. Gatsby created his
whole identity around this colossal physical object, his mansion. Gatsby had no response to the
mansion unless Daisy was present, Gatsby didnt relate to the mansion or anything in it unless
Daisy was standing inside it. Gatsbys interaction to the mansion came in the form of a green
light, who represented Daisy. Gatsbys colossal mansion was created to build a relationship with
Daisy. Gatsby constructed his identity to fit his colossal mansion and reel in Daisy.
Gatsbys colossal mansion a physical object contributed to his ideal character as a
gateway to build and construct a relationship with his ideal love, Daisy.