Anecdote

"They had never been closer in their month of love, nor communicated more profoundly now with another, than when she brushed silent lips against his coat's shoulder or when he touched the end of her fingers, gently, as though she were asleep." (pg 150)

In chapter 8 Nick spends a great deal of time trying to understand the events that had unfolded previously. He mentions that he could not sleep and therefore had the urge to go speak with Gatsby. When Nick arrives at Gatsby's house he stays awhile smoking a cigarette and talking about Gatsby's past. It is here that Gatsby enlightens him on his love affair with Daisy (previously it was Jordan Baker who recounted their love affair). In this chapter the author provides a short anecdote in which Gatsby describes the first time he met Daisy and how his feelings for her grew with each passing day. Gatsby describes his longing to find her for so long. I think the inclusion of this anecdote is essential to the understanding of the story. Because the reader is provided with support for why Gatsby is so attached to Daisy, the audience feels more sympathetic towards him. The difference lies in Gatsby's explanation of the time he spent writing to Daisy, waiting for her, and searching for her.Although he was a home wrecker, this anecdote at the least provides the reader with a bit of justification.