In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the symbolism used throughout chapter five suggests
that the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy will be troubled and difficult at first, but will eventually
flourish. In an attempt to spark life into an old relationship, Nick arranges a tea party where his cousin,
Daisy, will unexpectedly be reunited with her former lover, Jay Gatsby. During an awkward moment
between Daisy and Gatsby, Gatsby leaned on a defunct mantelpiece clock, causing it to “tilt dangerously at
the pressure of his head, whereupon he turned and caught it with trembling fingers and set it back in
place” (Fitzgerald 86). The clock would have been shattered if Gatsby had not caught it; Gatsby’s efforts to
save the clock from destruction mirror his efforts to save his relationship with Daisy from falling to
pieces. Gatsby’s “trembling” fingers imply that saving this relationship is a delicate and difficult process.
Eventually, Nick decides to leave Daisy and Gatsby alone to give them time to catch up. Nick walks
outside to sit under a tree and observes, “once more it was pouring and my irregular lawn…abounded in
small muddy swamps and prehistoric marshes” (Fitzgerald 88). The rain causes Nick’s lawn to be messy,
which is symbolic of the tense and messy start of Gatsby and Daisy’s rekindled relationship. However,
rain also brings creation and life, which implies that Daisy and Gatsby’s relationship will thrive and
flourish in the future. As Nick returns to his house, he notifies Gatsby that the downpour had ended,
causing Gatsby to notice “the twinkle-bells of sunshine in the room” (Fitzgerald 89). The ending of the
rain signifies that the messy, awkward period of their relationship will pass while the sun, another
necessity for life, symbolizes hope for survival and growth of their relationship. The symbols used by
Fitzgerald are reflective of how Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship will progress from awkward to
successful.