F. Scott Fitzgerald opens The Great Gatsby with an epigraph, composed of a poem, apparently written by Thomas Parke D'Invilliers. D'Invillier, a fictional character created by Fitzgerald, describes the advice given to a man to woo his woman of interest with materialistic things. This epigraph directly parallels Gatsby and Daisy's courtship, as he uses his wealth to cultivate the past love, which was once central to their relationship. The use of the epigraph serves as an illusory element in The Great Gatsby, drawing attention to the employment of wealth used in an attempt to rekindle the lost love between Gatsby and Daisy, ultimately leading the reader to sympathize with Gatsby. Gatsby strives to wear the "golden hat", a color associated with abundance and success to win the affections of Daisy, a worshiper of vanity (D'Invillier). Aware of Daisy's "enthusiasm" for materialistic possessions, Gatsby throws "bright and dazzling parties" for five consecutive years in the hope of her appearance (Fitzgerald 67.114). Strategically wearing the “golden hat,” during his reunion with Daisy, Gatsby shows Daisy his “enormous” and “beautiful” house (Fitzgerald 93). The house, conveniently located across the bay from Daisy's house, is adorned with expensive and valuable decor that Gatsby reassessed "based on the extent of the response it elicited from his beloved eyes” (Fitzgerald, 59). Fully absorbed in Daisy and his interest in his royal household, it is evident that Gatsby values ​​the materials solely on their ability to "bring Daisy closer" to him (D'Invillier). Similar to the tour of her house, Gatsby's display of her "nice shirts" was intended to romanticize her (Fitzgerald 59). Gatsby's wealth, which was shown to be overwhelming as Daisy cried for "n...... middle of paper..." was never realized. Gatsby's use of wealth attracted Daisy, but proved to be a weak force compared to the strength of social structure and ancient wealth that is the nature of the East Egg. While the male lover of the epigraph reigns as champion with the golden hat, Gatsby will always be silver to Daisy, because his social class will never be able to compete with Tom. “There are things between Daisy and [him]” that Gatsby will never know, such as how to be born into the respected upper class (Fitzgerald 114). Perhaps the male lover in the epigraph succeeds because he wears the "golden hat" and "bounces high", while Gatsby only successfully fulfills one of the requirements. Gatsby's lack of success causes the reader to sympathize with him, as his dreams of Daisy never come true. Works Cited Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. 1925. New York: Scribner, 2004. Print.