F. Scott Fitzgerald opens The Great Gatsby with an epigraph, composed from 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 interests with materialistic things. This epigraph directly parallels Gatsby and Daisy's courtship, as he uses his wealth to cultivate past love, which was once at the heart of their relationship. The use of the epigraph serves as an illusory element of The Great Gatsby, drawing attention to the use of wealth used in an attempt to rekindle the lost love between Gatsby and Daisy, ultimately leading the reader to empathize with Gatsby. Gatsby strives to wear the "golden hat", a color associated with abundance and success to win the affection of Daisy, who is a worshiper of vanity (D'Invillier). Aware of Daisy's enthusiasm for materialistic possessions, Gatsby throws "glittering and dazzling parties" for five consecutive years in the hope of his appearance (Fitzgerald 67,114 Strategically wearing the "golden hat", upon reuniting with Daisy, Gatsby shows Daisy his house). “enormous” and “good looking” (Fitzgerald 93). The house, conveniently located across the bay from Daisy's house, is decorated with expensive and valuable furnishings that Gatsby has revalued “by size of the response it elicited from her beloved eyes" (Fitzgerald, 59). Completely absorbed in Daisy and her interest in her royal home, it is evident that Gatsby values ​​the materials solely on his ability to "bring" Daisy closer to him (D 'Invillier). Similar to the tour of her home, Gatsby's display of his “beautiful shirts” was designed to woo her (Fitzgerald 59). Gatsby's wealth, which proves overwhelming as Daisy cries over "n... means of paper...", has never been satisfied. Gatsby's use of wealth attracted Daisy, however, it proved to be a weak force when compared to the strength of social structure and the old wealth that is the nature of the East Egg. While the lover of the epigraph reigns champion with the gold hat, Gatsby will always be silver to Daisy, as his social class can never 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 lover in the epigraph succeeds because he wears the "golden hat" and "bounces high," while Gatsby successfully fulfills only one of the requirements. Gatsby's failure makes the reader 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.