"Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover"

    At first glance, the epigraph on the title page seems as though it explains doing everything and more to get one’s desired girl. This can be impersonated by the way the epigraph is written. The first words include, “wear the gold hat.” It is universally known that gold is used to show wealthiness as it is a very expensive and valuable metal. It then continues to say, “if that will move her.” This can mean that a person must do whatever it takes to get a girl. When the epigraph states, “If you can bounce high, bounce for her too,” it is a further establishment of doing everything in one's power to get ‘her’. 

    This introduction leads on the entire story. It isn’t until the fourth chapter that it can really be seen as a relation. 

    The book begins to tell Jay Gatsby’s story in chapter four when he and Nick are out for lunch. It is clearly noted that Gatsby has money in the previous chapters, but we find out that on page 65, his family died and he inherited a “good deal of money”. Gatsby then goes on to explain his adventures in various countries, “collecting jewels,” and doing things for himself. Gatsby then begins to explain his war life. On page 66, he says, “I tried very hard to die,” referring to being at war and not wanting to accept the things from his past, or what is soon to be known as Daisy. 

    Jordan Baker then has the honors of telling part of Daisy’s story. What is learned from this is that Daisy is two years older than her and was, “by far the most popular,” when a teenager. While this was all happening during the war, Daisy was in love with an army officer. Jordan explains that there was a story of Daisy wanting to leave for New York to say good-by to this officer, really showing how much she loved him. When her parents obviously rejected, Daisy seemed to have lost all hope of being with the army man of her dreams. Then she met Tom and married him, but not without tears. She was obsessed with him until he met, “one of the chambermaids,” who he cheats on Daisy with. 

     Then the pieces are put together. In the first chapter at Daisy’s party, Jordan brings up Gatsby as he is Nick’s neighbor. All the memories are brought back to Daisy about the officer she used to love. It can then be inferred all of the things that Gatsby has done for Daisy. He bought a house right actress the Bay from hers so he would, “be just across the bay.” Nick then agrees to Gatsby’s wishes of inviting Daisy over to his house so Gatsby would be able to see her. He makes sure that grass is cut and everything is perfect for Daisy. 

    The epigraph is now easily seen connected with the events throughout the book. Gatsby bought his house right across the bay so he would be able to be near Daisy. He threw all of these extravagant parties to try and get her attention to come see him. He invited Nick to one of his parties and talked him into going for lunch to eventually be with Daisy. He then tries to win Daisy’s affection by giving her a tour of his grand house. He gave up so much of his time all for a girl he met when he was an army officer. He most definitely ‘wore the gold hat’ in trying to win her over with all of his expensive and valuable possessions. Gatsby wants what he used to have with Daisy. The ‘her’ being referred to in the epigraph is who Daisy used to be. In the sixth chapter, Gatsby says, “She used to be able to understand,” and, “We’d sit for hours--,” both referring to a different person than she is now. Gatsby had lost his girl and now he has been introduced to a whole new person so many years later. He will have to 'bounce higher' if he really wants her back.