Jay Gatsby

Rhapsody in Blue
Color symbolizes the dreams that Gatsby had; to become
wealthy and prosperous and to find and be with the woman
that he so loved. Like so many other immigrants, the former
James Gatz sought to live a happy life with the girl (Daisy)
that he loved after the Great
War. However, life twisted
him away from this dream,
as he was separated from
her. For the rest of his life,
he spent all of his efforts
into finding her again, the
“green light” on the other
side of the bay. A rhapsody
is an effusive expression of
feeling, and in this regard,
Gatsby shows that his
emotions and feelings are all
directed towards his old
love.
 Nobody Knows You
When You’re Down &
Out
Born James Gatz in North Dakota, forced to take a janitorial
job to make ends meet in college, and fighting in World
War I all represent the former man that Jay Gatsby was. In
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out, Bessie Smith sings
about the lavishness that she used to experience, but sadly
led to a life of loneliness and materialism. For once Jay
Gatsby finds Daisy and their relationship becomes more
adulterous, the green light on the dock vanishes. Like that,
Gatsby’s past and yearning for the future has ceased.
 Side by Side

This song relates to Gatsby in many different ways. On the

level of love, we can tell that Jay really wants to be with
Daisy for the rest of his life. In some ways, he already is
right by her side-she lives in East Egg while Gatsby lives in
West Egg. The song’s line “when they’ve all had their
quarrels and parted” exemplifies that though their
relationship may have been rocky and though Daisy may
have been with other men during her life, they will end up
together, side by side. On a less intimate level, this song can
come to represent the relationship that Nick has with
Gatsby. The song starts off saying “Oh! We ain’t got a barrel
of money,” hinting at how both of them are, or at least used
to, not be as wealthy as those living in East Egg. They also
show a strong connection throughout the story, with Nick
describing Gatsby as a man with strong drive. The friendship
between the two concludes at Gatsby’s funeral, where Nick
says farewell to a man he though would always be by his
side.
Nick Carraway

The Time will Come

Songs about time and reflection are very relatable to Nick
Carraway. He shows that in time and through patience and a
quiet temperament, people will open up to him. We see
throughout The Great Gatsby that Nick is the go-to man for
“opening up.” Because he is a good listener, Gatsby opens up
to him about the feelings he has had for Daisy over his life,
and others including Daisy, Myrtle, and Jordan all confide in
him at times. The reader is able to clearly note that Nick
Carraway is a man who waits for the right time to speak,
and because of this, is able to learn a lot about the other
characters in his life. This is also precisely why he is the
narrator of the novel.
When Shall We Meet Again?
This song is reflective of Nick and Jordan’s affair. Nick
enjoys the fun and upbeat lifestyle of 1920’s New York, but
also realizes that the very things that satisfy him are the same
reason he is disgusted with the corruption and scandal of
society. Jordan represents this in that he is interested and
enticed by her bright and strong personality, all the while
continuing to be sophisticated and smart. However, she also
represents the same flaws with society because of her lying
and inconsiderate remarks that she makes to others. Because
of this, When Shall We Meet Again? Is the perfect song,
because it poses a questionable idea; whether or not he will
meet with the woman who creates such a dichotomy in him.
 Walk Right In
This song, by Cannon’s Jug Stompers, is a good way to
conclude Nick Carraway’s character. He, like the song, has
simply “walked in” to everyone’s life, thus rekindling the
connection between Gatsby and Daisy. He does not fit into
the structure of West Egg, owning only a small bungalow
while neighboring mansions loom over him. However, he
comes and observes the happenings of the Gatsby house;
through this, he is able to actually talk with the owner of the
house and develop relationships with those he would not
have expected to before. The song ends by saying “honey let
your hair down.” This can relate to Nick because he, in
some ways, has contributed to the “untangling” of hidden
relationships and falsities. Through his friendship with
everyone, he stays an arbiter between the old and new
moneys and between established dreams and hopeful
dreamers.
Daisy Buchanan

A Good Man is Hard

to Find
Daisy is stuck between two men that she loves (Gatsby and
Tom), but cannot decide who she should pick. This is why
the song A Good Man is Hard to Find is so perfect for her; by
Daisy’s standards, she cannot decide between the men in her
life. Should she be with her former love, who has clawed his
way back to the top just to be with her? Or should she
remain with the tried and true established love? In the end,
she sticks with Tom Buchanan, but we see the hardships and
internal conflict she faces after she drives home with Gatsby
and runs over Myrtle. It is almost as though, after the
confrontation, she is left with fewer answers than before.
Because of this, she is unable to find the true man for her
life.
 Girl of My Dreams
Jay Gatsby’s entire drive has been to win back the “Girl of
His Dreams.” He invites her to his house, asks Nick to have a
get-together with them, and overall seeks to impress and
rekindle the old flame between the two of them from back
when they met in World War I. The song Girl of My Dreams
is directly relatable, because Daisy is this woman who is
almost a mythical being that Gatsby works towards. He
always sees the green light at the opposite side of the bay,
and struggles to come closer and closer. Daisy is the girl of
Gatsby’s dreams.
  

If Daisies Could Tell

What They Know
Aside from the obvious reference to daisies, the song If
Daisies Could Tell What They Know explains why the problems
in The Great Gatsby arise. Only few people know how Jay
Gatsby became so wealthy and prosperous, and those who
do often don’t share it with others. This “secret,” that
Gatsby was involved in underhanded jobs, is a turning point
in Daisy’s attitude towards him. She realizes that he was so
desperate for her that he resorted to unethical methods in
order to reach them. One of the qualities that she always
appreciated in Gatsby was his honesty and purity, in some
sense, for having parties yet always remaining quiet and
calm. However, now she sees him as a man whose heart got
in the way of his brain. Because of this, she changes her mind
and stays with Tom instead of Gatsby.