Final answer:
Quotes from 'The Great Gatsby' that support the theme of the past include Gatsby's realization that one cannot repeat the past, his persistent dream of reclaiming what he had lost, and Daisy's wish for her daughter to be a 'beautiful little fool', indicative of a desire to shield her from the world's complexities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme of the past is extensively explored in The Great Gatsby, as the characters grapple with their memories and desires to either reclaim or escape their previous lives. To support this theme, the following quotes from the novel are relevant:
"You can't repeat the past?"—This quote directly addresses the futility of attempting to recreate or live in bygone days, which is a central struggle of Jay Gatsby's character.
"His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it."—This quote reflects Gatsby's undying hope and his determination to achieve his vision of the past, despite the elusiveness of such a dream.
"I hope she'll be a fool — that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."—Although this quote speaks to gender expectations, it also indirectly connects to the past as Daisy wishes for her daughter to be naively unaware of the world's harsh realities, reminiscent of her own past innocence.
Quote b) from the question does not appear in the novel and is therefore not an actual quote to reference for supporting the theme of the past in The Great Gatsby.