Sunday, December 23, 2012

In The Great Gatsby what is significant in Jordan's remark that Daisy's voice has an amorous tinge? Chapter 5

The reference relates to Jordan's observation that:



" Perhaps Daisy never went in for amour at all — and yet there’s something in that voice of hers. . . ."



The conversation is between Jordan and Nick in the tea-garden at the Grand Plaza Hotel. Jordan is telling Nick about the occasion that she had seen Daisy with Jay Gatsby for the first time. She further informs him about Gatsby going to the war and Daisy's marriage to Tom, the birth of their child and the first few years of their marriage.


Jay Gatsby had asked Jordan to approach Nick and request that Nick invite Daisy over to his (Nick's) place so that Jay could meet Daisy there. This is why Jordan divulges all this information.


Jordan's remark is significant because it informs of the power and charm of Daisy's voice. Jordan suggests that Daisy was probably not a romantic at heart, but that her voice intimated romance. When one hears Daisy voice, therefore, one cannot resist being overwhelmed and drawn in. Her voice had (and has) an irresistible and captivating lure to it.


Even Nick found it difficult, at times, to exactly pinpoint wherein the charm of Daisy's voice lay. In chapter seven, whilst talking to Jay Gatsby, he remarks that:



“She’s got an indiscreet voice,” “It’s full of ——”



Jay suddenly retorts that: "Her voice is full of money."


Nick then realises:



"That was it. I’d never understood before. It was full of money that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals’ song of it. . . . high in a white palace the king’s daughter, the golden girl. . . ."


No comments:

Post a Comment

What is the main function of the fool in "King Lear"? What is the secondly function?

The fool as a character is confusing, but part of this is the difference between the 1600s and today, as well as the difference in place. If...