Denouement of ‘The Great Gatsby’
The ending of The Great Gatsby in the final chapter, which is Chapter 9, concludes with
Nick’s downbeat reflection of the novel’s events.
He reflects upon the historical significance of Long Island as it was for “Dutch sailor’s eyes”
a “fresh, green breast of the new world” which—
By doing so, Nick refers to the first Dutch settlers in the USA and the durability of hope,
drawing links to the boundless possibility of hope and opportunity the American land
symbolises to these settlers.
Chapter 9, where Nick is completely disillusioned at how the Buchanans “retreated back into
their money,” escaping any negative consequences for their actions.
The final line is most famous: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back
ceaselessly into the past.”
The ending of The Great Gatsby in the final chapter, which is Chapter 9, concludes with
Nick’s downbeat reflection of the novel’s events.
He reflects upon the historical significance of Long Island as it was for “Dutch sailor’s eyes”
a “fresh, green breast of the new world” which—
By doing so, Nick refers to the first Dutch settlers in the USA and the durability of hope,
drawing links to the boundless possibility of hope and opportunity the American land
symbolises to these settlers.
Chapter 9, where Nick is completely disillusioned at how the Buchanans “retreated back into
their money,” escaping any negative consequences for their actions.
The final line is most famous: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back
ceaselessly into the past.”
