What Does Gatsby Mean When He Says “Can’t Repeat the Past? Why, of Course You Can”

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby," the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, makes the statement "Can't repeat the past? Why, of course, you can." This line is spoken in a conversation with his former love interest, Daisy Buchanan, and it reflects Gatsby's belief that the past can be relived and recreated, even if only in his own mind.
Gatsby is a nostalgic character who is constantly looking back on his past and longing to relive it. He believes that by recapturing the past, he can erase the mistakes he made and start over again. He is willing to do anything to bring Daisy back into his life, including lying about his wealth and background, which is why he believes that repeating the past is possible.
However, this belief is a false hope as the past cannot be relived. No matter how much Gatsby tries to recreate the past, it can never be the same. The people, places, and events have changed, and the memories are faded. In the end, Gatsby's attempts to repeat the past only lead to tragedy and a deeper sense of loss.