A recurring theme in chapter five is time. Some examples of time in this chapter are Jordan’s flashback of Daisy and Gatsby, and how Daisy and Gatsby react after seeing each other for a long time.
During the chapter Nick and Gatsby are getting ready for Daisy’s arrival at Nick’s house. Gatsby is very nervous and does not know what to do. Gatsby hires someone to cut Nicks lawn because he wants everything to look perfect for Daisy. Nick and Gatsby’s plan is to have tea with Daisy and bring up old memories. As soon as Daisy gets to Nick’s house Gatsby runs out of the house so he will not be seen. Then Gatsby comes around front and knocks on the door, so it seems that he is just coming over. When Daisy and Gatsby see each other it is very weird and awkward. They both do not know what to say. They eventually warm up to each other and are over powered by their emotions and start to cry. They start to cry because they have all ways loved each other. Also that now it seems that they can finally be together and see each other.
In Jordan’s flashback she is a pre teen and is walking down the street. While she is doing this she sees what she now realizes to be Daisy and Gatsby in a car kissing(this happened in chapter 4 but is important in 5 that’s why I bring it up). Back then they were in love but while Gatsby was in the war Daisy had to marry Tom. Jordan brings this up to Nicks attention so he will understand why Gatsby wants to have Daisy over his house.
All of this involves time because it illustrates what was and what will hope to be. In the past the novel showed us how grateful life is. In the future it shows us what has happened and how things in life do not always come out they way you have hoped. Time also can show us how people have changes physically and emotionally. That is why the major theme in chapter 5 is time.