The Great Gatsby

Chapter 8 Questions

Before heading into the city the day after the accident, Nick visits Gatsby and makes this observation before leaving: “The lawn and drive had been crowded with the faces of those who guessed at his corruption—and he had stood on those steps, concealing his incorruptible dream, as he waved them good-bye.”Fitzgerald masterfully employs the juxtaposition of “corruption” and “incorruptible” in this sentence. What point do you think he is making?

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That if one is corrupt, then they are always corrupt, there is no opposite way around it.

Gatsby's illusion, his dream was the one incorruptible "pure" idea that he clung to. All his "corruption" served to build his incorruptible dream. Yes, lots of irony and juxtaposition!

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