Final answer:
Gatsby knocks a clock off of the mantle at Nick's house when meeting Daisy, which symbolizes the lost time and Gatsby's wish to recapture the past in 'The Great Gatsby'.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Gatsby renews his acquaintance with Daisy at Nick Carraway's house, in a moment of nervousness, Gatsby reaches out to steady himself and knocks a clock off of the mantle. This occurs in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, during the significant scene where Gatsby is about to meet Daisy after a long separation. The clock is a symbol of the precious time lost since Gatsby and Daisy last saw each other and his desire to stop time and recapture the past. This ticking emotional core of the narrative accentuates the themes of time, the past, and the elusive nature of the American dream.