Playlists & Poetry Notes
Why use playlists & poetry as a vehicle to discuss Gatsby & Daisy's relationship?
Louisville:
Louisville is arguably the most important location on the map of the world of Gatsby. Gatsby and Daisy's relationship begins here, in this innocent and untainted time. Throughout the bulk of The Great Gatsby, Gatsby is trying to recreate this time with Daisy. As readers, we only hear about Louisville through Jordan Baker's perspective. To expand upon this crucial time period, I made a playlist of eight songs. Starting with the more hesistant "R U Mine?", Gatsby's and Daisy's relationship blooms into a comfortable, happy lull. "Yellow," "Sleepwalking," and "Waste" particularly express the height of their relationship. The playlist ends, however, with a song that makes the future seem uncertain. Gatsby is offering Daisy to be his "Favourite Faded Fantasy," making it clear that she is the only one for him. Things only get more unceratin when he is shipped off to war.
To Bear an Enchanted Life:
Fitzagerald's mention of Gatsby in World War I is quite brief. A few things about Gatsby's service are established. Firstly, that it was the war that seperated Gatsby and Daisy, after their love connection in Louisville. Secondly, that Gatsby was a highly celebrated, accomplished soldier. And thirdly, that he "very much wanted to die" in the war, chiefly due to the painful loss of his family (Fitzgerald 66). To expand upon this information and gain a deeper understanding of Gatsby's perspective, I created a playlist of nine songs. Beginning with "Wavin' Bye To The Train Or The Bus," it follows a period of time in Gatsby's life, from when he leaves Louisville to when he returns to the United States, still alive. Most songs highlight one of two aspects of Gatsby's experience: missing Daisy or witnessing the horrors of war. Songs that particularly highlight the terror of war are "Hudson," "War Machine," and "Cold Water." The playlist concludes, however, on a somewhat positive note, with Coldplay's "Everything's Not Lost." Gatsby comes out of the war alive, much to his disappointment. However, post-WWI Gatsby has new goals to fixate upon, namely reliving his past with Daisy. "Everything's Not Lost," and Gatsby has some hope to win back the girl he left back home.
1:
Gatsby holds Daisy in the highest regard. Such a ridiculously high regard, in fact, that he completely romantisizes everything about her. The poem "1" is meant to reveal and explore Gatsby's unreal understanding of Daisy. Gatsby loves the idea of Daisy. He loves believing every aspect of her is perfect. In the poem, he claims that she is a long list of beautiful and impossible things. It mostly seems perfectly fine and romantic, but there is a certain revealed level of creepiness when Gatsby cannot admit Daisy has any flaws whatsoever.
2:
The poems are titled "1" and "2" to cause the reader to compare them. "1" is completely from Gatsby's point of view, while "2" is from Daisy's, but their perspectives are occuring simultaneously. While Gatsby is admiring every little thing about Daisy, Daisy is feeling trapped. Daisy describes how it is to live life as a "beautiful little fool." The two poems highlight the difference in mindsets between Daisy and Gatsby.