Contrast Jay Gatsby's story about himself on p. 65 and Jordan Baker's story about Daisy and Gatsby on pp. 74-77. What is different about these stories, and why do you think that they are different?
Gatsby’s story mentions nothing of Daisy. The description of his time in the military portrays him as someone of value; he accepts a commission to become a lieutenant, quite a high rank in the military pecking order, rather than enlisting and starting at a lower rank as Jordan’s story would lead one to believe. The rest of the stories’ parts can’t really be contrasted with one another at all in the way that this prompt wants them to be. On page 65, Gatsby lists off information about his wealthy family, him going to Oxford and his achievements during the war. From pages 74 to 77, Jordan tells us of Daisy’s meeting with Gatsby and the soldiers, her breakdown before the wedding because of the letter, and her life after that. She then mentions that she had just become aware of Gatsby’s presence a few months ago. They are two completely different stories that have little to do with the each other, besides the same names being thrown around. Jordan’s story provides no evidence contrary to what Gatsby said about Oxford and his wartime accolades- as far as we know, Gatsby could be telling the truth. Besides the slight difference in the two’s descriptions of Gatsby’s entrance into the military, there’s nothing to contradict Gatsby’s story. Jordan just doesn’t give enough information about him.
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