All 5 Uses of
assume
in
The Great Gatsby
- The supercilious assumption was that on Sunday afternoon I had nothing better to do.
p. 24..8 (definition 1) *assumption = something treated as trueeditor's notes: Supercilious is a synonym for arrogant. Here Tom wanted Nick to meet Myrtle and had no respect for Nick's preferences.
- Instead of rambling, this party had preserved a dignified homogeneity, and assumed to itself the function of representing the staid nobility of the country-side — East Egg condescending to West Egg, and carefully on guard against its spectroscopic gayety.
p. 44..9 (definition 2)assumed = took on or adopted
- The tears coursed down her cheeks — not freely, however, for when they came into contact with her heavily beaded eyelashes they assumed an inky color, and pursued the rest of their way in slow black rivulets.
p. 51..4 (definition 2)assumed = took on
- My own face had now assumed a deep tropical burn.
p. 86..9 (definition 2) *assumed = took on (the appearance of)
- The notion originated with Daisy's suggestion that we hire five bathrooms and take cold baths, and then assumed more tangible form as "a place to have a mint julep."
p. 126..4 (definition 2)assumed = took on
Definitions:
-
(1) (assume as in: I assume it's true) to accept something as true without proof
-
(2) (assume as in: She assumed a false identity) to take on (adopt, wear, strike a pose or appearance of) -- often while pretending or disguising