More on Fitzgerald’s use of song in Chapter 5

Fitzgerald’s original readership would have been very familiar with the lyrics of The Love Nest and Ain’t we got fun. Together they provide a counterpoint to the events of the chapter. 

The Love Nest

1

Many builders there have been
Since the world began;
Palace, cottage, mansion, inn,
They have built for man.
Some were small and some were tall:
Long or wide or low.
But the best one of them all
Jack built long ago.
’Twas built in bygone days,
Yet millions sing its praise.

2

Just a love nest
Cozy with charm,
Like a dove nest
Down on a farm.
A veranda with some sort of clinging vine,
Then a kitchen where some rambler roses twine.
Then a small room,
Tea set of blue;
Best of all, room—
Dream room for two.
Better than a palace with a gilded dome,
Is a love nest
You can call home.

3

Building houses still goes on
Now as well as then.
Ancient Jack and Jill are gone,
Yet return again.
Ever comes the question old:
Shall we build for pride,
Or shall brick and mortar hold
Warmth and love inside?
The answer you may know:
Jack solved it long ago.

• In what ways does this song re-enforce - and undercut – Gatsby’s actions and aspirations?

Ain’t we got fun

1

Bill collectors gather 'round and rather
Haunt the cottage next door
Men the grocer and butcher sent
Men who call for the rent
But within a happy chappy
And his bride of only a year
Seem to be so cheerful, here's an earful
Of the chatter you hear

Ref

Ev'ry morning, ev'ry evening
Ain't we got fun?
Not much money,
Oh, but honey
Ain't we got fun?
The rent's unpaid dear
We haven't a bus
But smiles were made dear
For people like us

2

In the winter in the summer
Don't we have fun
Times are bum and getting bummer
Still we have fun
There's nothing surer
The rich get rich and the poor get children
In the meantime, in between time
Ain't we got fun?

3

Just to make their trouble nearly double
Something happened last night
To their chimney a gray bird came
Mister Stork is his name
And I'll bet two pins, a pair of twins
Just happened in with the bird
Still they're very gay and merry
Just at dawning I heard

Ref

Ev'ry morning, ev'ry evening
Don't we have fun
Twins and cares, dear,
Come in pairs, dear
Don't we have fun
We've only started
As mommer and pop
Are we downhearted
I'll say that we're not

4

Landlords mad and getting madder
Ain't we got fun?
Times are so bad and getting badder
Still we have fun
There's nothing surer
The rich get rich and the poor get laid off
In the meantime, in between time
Ain't we got fun?

5

When the man who sold 'em carpets told 'em
He would take them away
They said, ‘Wonderful, here's our chance
Take them up and we'll dance’
And when burglars came and robbed them
Taking all their silver, they say
Hubby yelled, "We're famous, for they'll name us
In the pepers today

Ref

Night or daytime, it's all playtime
Ain't we got fun?
Hot or cold days, any old days
Ain't we got fun
If Wifey wishes
To go to a play
Don't wash the dishes
Just throw them away

6

Streetcar seats are awful narrow
Ain't we got fun?
They won't smash up
Our Pierce Arrow
We ain't got none
They've cut my wages
But my income tax will be so much smaller
When I'm laid off, I'll be paid off
Ain't we got fun?

• Fitzgerald uses the words of Ain’t we got fun to remind us of Daisy’s family commitments (‘children’) and the passage of time, both of which will undermine Gatsby’s hope of romantic success. In what other ways does this song reflect on the characters and society of The Great Gatsby?

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