Weather in The Great Gatsby Essay

Weather is used as a motif in F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby. Since weather is not restricted to a mere description of the setting, Fitzgerald matches this attribute with the emotional and narrative tone of the novel. Whether it be through events of reconciliation or confrontation, birth or death, reparation or destruction, it is apparent that the weather correlates with the major events of the story. Although individually the aspects of weather may seem extraneous, as a whole, they are significant in their reflection of the situation at hand. Through the reunion of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, the confrontation between Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, as well as Gatsbys eventual death, Fitzgerald effectively employs weather imagery, emphasizing the mood and interrelationships among the characters.

Throughout Gatsby and Daisys reunion, set up by Nick Carraway, the weather plays a critical role in portraying the emotions of the individuals. Representative of Gatsbys intense nervousness in regards to finally reuniting with his love, the mood is set by the pouring rain (83), foreshadowing an awkward and unpleasant situation. Sure enough, the rain continues during their initial encounter as the uncomfortable situation keeps the characters dead silent; Gatsbys anxiety even causes him to knock over an old mantelpiece clock, whereupon he turned and caught it with trembling fingers (86). Like rain, the shared nervousness ruins what could have been an enjoyable reunion. However, as Gatsby and Daisy rekindle, the sun shone again (88), symbolizing the clearing up of the initial uneasiness. Nevertheless, this joyous occasion does not last long as it began to rain again (92), foreshadowing the future of Gatsby and Daisys relationship. By this time, Gatsbys exhilaration starts to fade, as the question becomes known of whether or not Daisy will be able to live up to Gatsbys idealized image of her.

The weathers significance increases as the story progresses; not only does it symbolize discomfort and delight, but weather can also represent anger and hostility amongst the characters. More than just marking the transition from spring to summer, Fitzgerald uses the intense heat of the warmest day of the summer (114) to indicate the growing love between Gatsby and Daisy. However, this blossoming love sparks Toms suspicions, and eventually leads to a growing tension between Tom and Gatsby. It is during the meeting at the Plaza Hotel that Tom confronts Gatsby; he accuses Gatsby of never attending Oxford, selling grain alcohol over the counter (133), and asks about his intentions with Daisy. The dispute results in Daisy ultimately having to choose between both Gatsby and Tom. This situation fits well with the intense heat of that day, as the hot weather connects perfectly with the quarrel. Even though this part is not the climax of the novel, it is the most intense.

As the story concludes, Fitzgerald diverges from his earlier uses of weather to a more complex representation; rather than just setting the emotional tone between the interactions of the characters, Fitzgerald utilizes the weather to help readers discover the implied meaning behind the events. After the confrontation between Gatsby and Tom, the weather takes a dramatic turn, as there begins to be an autumn flavor in the air (153). As the change in weather suggests a transformation of events, Gatsby and Daisys affair ends. However, Gatsbys refusal to accept what he cannot control, still clinging to the hope of making Daisy love him, leads to his downfall. Fitzgerald relates the dreary weather to Gatsbys death as Wilson murders Gatsby in cold blood. Nevertheless, during the funeral, the rain represents more than just sadness and awkwardness, as it had previously in the novel when Gatsby and Daisy reunites. As the minister says, Blessed are the dead that the rain falls on (174), the rain symbolizes the cleansing of the body. Even though Gatsby had committed wrong deeds, the rain blesses and forgives him.

F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby contains a diverse group of characters that are combined with nearly as complex weather patterns. While it may be dark and raining at one moment, just as tensions ease, the sun will come out. The weathers main purpose in this novel is to set the mood of the situation and to emphasize the relationships between the characters. This notion is evident through the reunion of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, the confrontation between Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, as well as Gatsbys eventual death. Therefore, while Fitzgerald could have written the novel with only the plot, the weathers imagery adds much significance to the books meaning.