Question

1. how were his years with dan cody a \singularly appropriate education\ for gatsby? rl.3 3. nick says that gatsby lives his life in \the service of a vast, vulgar, and meretricious beauty\ (98). why is this word choice significant? hint: meretricious is defined in the box at the top of this handout rl.4 start on page 102 at \you come to supper with me...\ stop on page 103 at \tom and i shook hands, the rest of us exchanged a cool nod, and they trotted quickly down the drive, disappearing under the august foliage just as gatsby, with hat and light overcoat in hand, came out the front door.\ 4. what does this interaction reveal about gatsby and his social status? rl.3

Explanation:

1. Dan Cody exposed Gatsby to wealth, luxury, and the ways of the rich. This experience shaped Gatsby's desire for wealth and social - climbing, preparing him for his future life.
2. The words "vast, vulgar, and meretricious" suggest that Gatsby's pursuit of beauty (his ideal of Daisy and his lavish lifestyle) is empty and showy. It reflects the hollowness of the American Dream he is chasing.
3. The interaction shows Gatsby's eagerness to fit in with the upper - class, but also his outsider status. His formal attire and the way he is received by Tom and others indicate that he is trying to be part of the established social circle but is not fully accepted.

Answer:

1. Dan Cody's influence exposed Gatsby to wealth and the upper - class lifestyle, fueling his aspirations.
2. The word choice reveals the shallowness and emptiness of Gatsby's pursuit.
3. It shows Gatsby's eagerness to be part of the upper - class and his semi - outsider status.