Post your journals for Ch.1-3, 4-6, & 7-9 here using the following guidelines:
*Title entries with the chapter numbers. (Chapter 1-3 Journal) Each journal should be at least two paragraphs of your analysis/interpretations for the chapters. Here are some ideas:
1. Choose a different character to focus on.
a. Name the character.
b. Choose a quote that you think best represents the character.
c. Describe his/her best and worst qualities.
d. In a paragraph describe the character's role in the novel.
2. Choose one meaningful quote, and then describe its significance in the novel.
3. Note at least two sightings of one or more of the following symbols: the color green, the color white, silver and gold, the ash heap, the eyes of T.J. Eckleberg, Gatsby's career/Nick's career, Gatsby's library of uncut books/Nick's unread books, Dan Cody, East Vs. West Egg, rain in chapter five, heat in chapter seven, Wolfsheim's cufflinks, faded timetable (showing names of Gatsby's guests), Gatsby's cars/clothes.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Edith Wharton
John Steinbeck
Mark Twain
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Ralph Ellison
Alice Walker
25 comments:
Chapter 1-3 Journal
A. Nick Carraway
B. “Every one suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known” (p. 59). Nick is sure of himself, and he is a confident young man. He knows who he is and who he wants to be. He knows he is honest and he knows he does not judge others. He is certain of himself.
C. Nick’s best and worst quality is the same; it is the fact that he doesn’t judge. This is one of his best qualities because he isn’t influenced easily by someone’s appearance or past. To Nick, it does not matter what you have done in the past; he’ll still like you. This is one of his worst qualities because sometimes people need to make judgments about people. When Tom took Nick to meet Myrtle, Nick didn’t make any judgments about Tom having another woman. Nick should have told Tom that having two women is wrong. Also, when Tom punched Myrtle in the nose, Nick should have told Tom, again, that it is wrong to punch others especially women.
D. Nick’s role in the novel is to be the narrator. He also seems to connect everyone in the novel. Nick’s cousin is Daisy, who is married to Tom, who is secretly seeing Myrtle. This connects these three characters to Nick, who also knows Jordan and Gatsby. Nick seems to be the middleman in all of these friendships and relationships.
Oh, Tegan beat me to commenting on Nick. Well I will say what I need to say anyway. Teehee!
The thing I like about Nick is, well, that he reminds me of myself. I've always been a big proponent of the whole "don't judge anyone"-thing. In all honesty, it's only fair. We all have good and bad days, so everybody deserves a couple chances. This being said, I think I would have ditched Tom a long time ago. That's besides the point...
I think its really quite ingenious of Fitzgerald to make Nick's character like he is. It provides a unbiased window for the reader to draw their own conclusions. Oh, Tom just beat Mrs. Wilson. The passage reads so nonchalantly, yet reveals so much about Tom. Actions speak louder than words, as they say.
Also, It's very neat how the characters are so willing to reveal themselves to Nick. In chapter one, Nick is out of his environment, yet told very plainly of Tom's lover. Likewise, in chapter two, Tom just goes out and tells him "Oh! I want you to meet my mistress!" It seems that the other characters have this complete trust in Nick, despite not knowing him for that long. Either its a small flaw in the writing, or an intentional character trait. I'm going to place my bets on the latter. Nick seems like the likable entrepreneur-type who gets along with everyone. On top of that, he's just a real cool guy...
I chose Tom.
Best and worst qualities? How will I get any good ones. well overall he makes a decent living for his family. However the downside is, is that that includes a secret lover in New York.
Tom role in the novel has struck me to be a pain-in-the-butt to the narrator. I feel he does nothing to try and help him. Just causes trouble day, after day, after day.
Ohhhhh Tommmmm!
Chapter 1-3 Journal
3. Symbols
The dresses of Jordan and Daisy when Nick first meets them in chapter 1 are white which could symbolize their purity, though they dont seem to be very pure, so maybe its ironic? but it could also symbolize some kind of character trait like a joyful personality, which both girls seem to have, daisy always making nick feel special and jordan liking big parties so much. the valley of ashes is pretty symbolic too. since its between the egg places and new york, it could represent the waste made from wealth, since new york and the eggs are so rich and the valley of ashes is so poor.
Chapter 1-3 Journal
I decided to do my journal on Tom because I already loathe him. I'm guessing that I will hate him even more as the book progresses. Mrs. Heartz made it seem like he is pure evil, and so far, he hasn't done anything that bad...it's worrying me.
A. Tom Buchanan
B. "Two shining, arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward...It was a body capable of enormous leverage-a cruel body."
I thought that this quote was interesting, especially the last line. Leverage can either be physical or social, and it seems like Tom is a very manipulative person. This may foreshadow that he is capable of cruel manipulation (which it seems like he is).
C. Good qualities...?
Well, it seems like Tom is very driven. He's also very...athletic. And he might actually respect his wife! (I shouldn't be celebrating this). This is shown when he punches his mistress (Myrtle) when she presses the subject of talking about Daisy.
Oh wait, he punches his mistress. And he HAS a mistress. Tom has a temper. He cares about no one but himself and he is incredibly manipulative. He is willing to do anything to get ahead. I hate him.
D.
Tom's role in the novel is not clear. It seems like he may be a foil for Nick. Tom is very dominating and in-your-face, while Nick is submissive and quiet. Tom is cruel and manipulative, while Nick is kind and understanding. Tom judges people based on things as trivial as race, while Nick hardly judges anyone at all. Tom creates drama in the novel, and introduces Tom to many new characters. (Like his mistress!)
A.Tom.
"Her husband, among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football in New Haven-"
Tom's Best Qualities: He attempts to be an intelligent and sophisticated contributor to society.
Tom's Worst Qualities: He seems to be an absent-minded brute who appears to have been the "class bully" of his time; spefifically when he breaks the nose of Mrs. Wilson.
Tom is the husband of Daisy, who doesn't seem to care for him. He may become one of the antagonists of the book.
2. (The first paragraph, which I REALLY don't to type out!) Nick seems to take what his father advised him to heart. He is not completely sure what it meant, but is relatively sure that he needs to be mindful of the situations and circumstances that others are cought up in, and how they got there.
3. Gold: seen reflected from the windows of Tom & Daisy's house
West Egg: Tom insists that he will live only in West Egg
Well, even though Nick is probably the easiest character to blog on, he also has the most to blog about. I do agree that Nick is an honest man and does not judge others despite their outer appearances, but from what I have read I see another attribute of him; his passive demeanor. This may be because of his carefree personality though which isn't always a bad thing.
In every chapter (and I dont know if anyone else may see this) I think Nick comes off as more of a a follower, not a leader. HE seems to just do what everyone else is doing, which isn't the best thing always. But this inevitable trait may come out more becasue he is surrounded by so many stuck up snobs...they make me want to puke... especially Myrtle. Myrtle is the classic example of a woman who has ALL of the wrong outlooks on what life is. But in any matter...Nick is overall a good guy, and so far has proven to be a reasonable, honest man.
The character that I am going to focus on is Nick Carraway. The best quote that describes him is "When you judge people," said my father, "just remember that not everyone has had the advantages that you have had." (p. 1) Nick lives by his father's words like they are God's demand. He never judges anyone, even if they do a terrible thing.
This leads me to Nick's best and worst qualities. Nick's non-judgemental attitude toward people is one of his best qualities because it helps him furthur in his social status. This is because it lets "rich people" (tom) do terrible things, such as cheat on his wife, with out Nick judging him. This also lets the reader experiance these scandaless things that are going on behind peoples' backs because people trust Nick to not tell or jugde. Nick is also so non-judgemental because he doesnt sway the readers to his own oppinion's as he narrates; he lets the reader judge on their own.
Nicks non-judgemental attitude is also his worst quality because it leads him to be friends with the wrong people. An example of this is Tom; Nick knows that Tom is cheating on his cousin, Daisy, and Nick does nothing to stop the betrayel. By assosciation, Nick is also betraying Daisy because he is letting Tom cheat on her when he was capable of stopping it. Since Nick can get tangled up with these bad people, it can eventually lead him into some trouble as well. Nick needs to watch his back because I am sure that something bad is going to happen to him.
Chapter 1-3 Journal
Tom Buchanan...geez, where do I start with this guy? Tom really has no good qualities...he's a violent, unfaithful, racist of a man who seems to only care for himself. As for good qualities, I don't know...he hasn't killed Nick yet?
I think it's interesting how Nick can hold such a feeling of ambivalence towards Tom as it is clear that how he behaves is wrong. It is also clear that Tom has had enough opportunities to be an upstanding person, granted his success, but he certainly is not. I don't know what role Tom will serve as of yet, but if I had to guess I'd say that he will probably cause some sort of trouble for Nick later on. Guess we'll see.
1.
a) Jordan Baker
b) "I noticed that she wore her evening-dress, all her dresses, like sports clothes- there was a jauntiness about her movements as if she had first learned to walk upon golf courses on clean, crisp mornings."
c) I think her best quality is her independence. She seems to rely upon herself almost entirely, and doesn't feel the need to please everyone. Her worst quality is tied to her independence; she is sometimes too unaware of others and their feelings.
d) Jordan acts as a foil for Nick, and to some extent, Daisy. She and Nick are very opposite people; she's bold, he doesn't want to upset anything, etc. She's also the "strong" woman in the story as opposed to Daisy's gentle, ditzy act.
I like Jordan! I hope she and Nick end up together
And we're off and blogging again! Nothing like a little Great Gatsby in the spring...scandals bloom & we'll have to see how other flowers and plants(Daisy, Myrtle)grow. The "rich" soil of East Egg may contain some toxins, as you are mentioning, nor is "ash" typically a productive fertilizer. I'm going to stop now before making a series of unfortunate egg puns. Your astute and clever comments are appreciated as always.
Ch 4-6
Symbols!
Wolfsheim's cufflinks: They are made of the "finest specimens of human molars." I think that this signifies Wolfsheim's cunning, ruthless side; a man who would do anything to get what he wanted.
The rain storm in Chapter Five:
I think that the rain symbolized Gatsby and Daisy's flood of emotions upon seeing one another after such a long time. The rain also created a sort of curtain between them and the outside world, making it easy for Daisy to forget her life across the channel.
Ch. 4 to 6
I agree with Alicia about Wolfsheim's cuff links. Usually, fancy cuff links are a sign of wealth, and Wolfsheim's disgusting cuff links symbolize that he is willing to do anything (or kill anyone) to get rich.
A symbol that wasn't listed is the defunct clock. When Daisy meets Gatsby after so many years, Nick is leaning against the mantlepiece, where there is a broken clock. This broken clock represents Gatsby's yearning to repeat the past and be with Daisy, but since the clock is broken it is an impossible fancy.
I'm kind of combining these journals...but...
One of the quotes in the novel really spoke to me. Fitzgerald often highlights the prosperity of the 20s, and how many people aren't so prosperous.
When Nick and Daisy go to Gatsby's house, Gatsby's "boarder," Mr. Klipspringer, plays the piano. Ironically, the tune is "Ain't We Got Fun." While talking about how much fun everyone is having in the 20s, the song also touches on the darker part of the time.
"One thing's sure and nothing's surer
The rich get richer and the poor get...children."
In the meantime,
In between time."
(I'm sorry it's not an exact quote, but the dashes on my keyboard won't work, so I used ... instead)
This song really sums up the attitude of the time period. Everyone's having a grand old time, but the poor are continuing to suffer. Like the song, people realize that the poor are becoming even more impoverished, but they don't bother to do anything about it. Like the song, everyone just blows over the issue and continues to have fun in the meantime.
Chapter 4-6 Journal
3. Symbols
once again, white is a symbol. when gatsby goes to meet daisy again for the first time in years, he wears a white suit to symbolize his goodness, though white in this book seems to represent a false purity
also when gatsby and daisy meet, its storming real bad representing the tension between the two, but after nick leaves and comes back, the two are like best buds and the rain has stopped
Ch. 4-6 Journal
Mr. Gatsby seems to be a mysterious man. Many secrets that havent been revealed because no one ever really talks to him. However Ch.4 roles around and it seems that Nick and Gatsby have become more friendlier neighbors. When Nick encouters Gatsby at his car, Gatsby replies by saying "It's pretty, isn't it, old sport!" "Havn't you ever seen it before?" Maybe this is a peace offering between the two for friendship to come. Or maybe Gatsby is trying to make Nick jealous.
Only time will tell.
Ch. 4-6
A. Jay Gatsby
B. "If you want anything just ask for it, old sport," "Excuse me, I will rejoin you later."
C. Best: Jay is the typical English gentleman.
Worst: He strongly desires a married woman who he wishes to meet privately.
D. Gatsby seems to be the driving force of the novel, which of coarse is named after him. He throws magnificent parties for anyone who is able to attend. His nature is driven by what seems to be bottomless pot of money.
2. "I thought you knew sport. I'm afraid I'm not a very good host." Gatsby discretely expresses that although he throws massive parties, he doesn't have many real friends, mostly acquaintances.
3. Parties are only mentioned to be thrown on West Egg.
It is mentioned that on weekends Gatsby drives a Rolls Royce. ($400,000.00 new today, 3 year waiting list)
Ch.4-6
Oh Gatsby, you card. I found his social awkwardness to be quite hilarious in this section, as well as a nice respite from the persona Gatsby has shown thus far. It seems that as the chapters go on, Gatsby becomes more and more human, and less of a looming figure. As soon as Gatsby is in a situation he can't really control, his suave personality goes out the window, and he is his "true" self-albeit a nervous version of that self.
It is very interesting how Gatsby created this persona of a rich and smooth young man. It's obvious that he doesn't always act that way (as shown by his fumbling around Daisy, and his frustrations at trying to have her), but it seems as if Gatsby is most successful when he envisions himself being successful. That's essentially how he got where he is (as we found out in this section). He created this persona of "Jay Gatsby", which lead him down the trails of money and glamor.
But this raises the question, why did he have to make the character of Jay Gatsby? Couldn't have James Gatz done the same, and get as far as Gatsby? Was an alter ego really necessary? Maybe in the lies and deceptions of this era it was...
I dunno, I'm guessing it will make more sense later...
All I can say is, I cant decide whether Gatsby is an induvidual woh has a distorted view on happiness in life, or a stuck up rich snob like he rest of the rich people Nick meets. Gatsby is constantly changing, but I almost can't blame him for that since he's finally interacting with Daisy whom he hasn't seen in a long time. But Gatsby doesn't seem to be this "mysterious" and "powerful" character anymore, but more like another rich man, who just likes to share his riches sometimes, but also win over people with them.
If I could compare Gatsby to any kind of person, I'd give him a more youtful position, such as a kid, because thats how he acts. He has so much money that he doesn't know what to do with it. He just apparently knows how to make money, but spends it on whatever he expects to impress people with. This idea also contributes to overall theme of the novel, and his parties are a way to keep the novel going so that Nick continues to meet new people and interact with them to create the story.
Chapter 4-6 Journal
It is completely pathetic that the weather goes EXACTLY with how Daisy is feeling. The mist, and then the pouring rain. But I guess it makes sense because it gives the reader a better indication of how Daisy is feeling because we don't know how she feels all the time. The rain is the worst when Daisy and Gatsby are in that awkward stage of getting to know each other once again, or whatever you want to call that. But once they reconnect, the rain stops. Ohhh.
I love the symbol with Gatsby and the clock and that he's trying to stop time. He's so completely in love with Daisy, and she's so completely unaware. Just the fact that he wants to reverse or stop time to be with her shows his affection. Hopefully his work pays off in the end and she'll notice something...
I rather enjoyed the ending. It was sad, but appropriate given the context and build up. Also, Tom annoyed the heck out of me. That final meeting between Nick and Tom? Yeah, I wanted to punch him. Let me explain...
When asked about what he said to Mr. Wilson, Tom replied...
"What if I did tell him? That fellow had it coming to him. He threw dust into your eyes just like he did in Daisy's but he was a tough one. He ran over Myrtle, like you'd run over a dog and never even stopped his car."
WHAT?! Hypocritical much? Never mind the fact that Daisy was actually the one driving, Tom condemned Gatsby to death for a crime that Tom is just as guilty of. If anyone "threw dust" is anyone else's eyes, it was most definitely Tom. And how about taking advantage of Mr. Wilson? He was mad from grief, and Tom took advantage of him AGAIN, just to rid himself of someone he didn't like. Mr. Wilson trusted Tom til his death, how ironic and horrifying.
Furthermore, Tom goes on to cry about it...
"And if you think I didn't have my share of suffering--look here, when I went to give up that flat and saw that the [darn] box of dog biscuits sitting there on the sideboard I sat down and cried like a baby." (Edited for profanity)
Again, WHAT?! "Oh, feel sorry for me though, cause it was hard to give up the affair"
I don't even think I need to elaborate on how much of an idiot and a hypocrite Tom is for saying that.
Nick is right on his commentary upon Tom and Daisy, they are essentially children. Children with lots of power in their hands, and think they can do anything because of money. Children who have the power to avoid consequences. To that I give a hearty :P
Chapter 7-9 Journal
3. Symbols
t.j. eckelberg's eyes being called god's eyes was pretty much fitzgerald telling us that they definitely werent. they were just staring down at wilson, not seeing him.
daisy was also a symbol. she was the symbol of gatsby's dreams. his actual death helped show the death of his dream of having daisy. both of these also show how things are given meaning, not actually having them. the eyes were only important because wilson made them so, and daisy was only a life goal for gatsby because he lumped her and wealth together.
Ch. 7-9 Journal
Okay, so I guess this didn't post before...great.
So here we go again...
The ending of the book was cool. Although, I was expecting Tom to be much more evil. I mean, he is a creepy adulterer, and he did kind of kill Gatsby, but I was expecting a better villian after all the build up.
I think that Tom meant to kill Gatsby. I mean, why didn't he just lie to the crazy guy with a gun that came to his house? He wouldn't have know the difference. Also, Wilson was very physically and mentally weak, while Tom is a big jock. Why couldn't Tom just overpower him?
Tom may have chosen to tell Wilson Gatsby's whereabouts because he know that Daisy was driving the "death car." Tom may have felt a need for revenge. Daisy killed his lover, so now it's time for her lover to die.
The ending of the novel made me lose a lot of respect for Gatsby. I still like him as a character, but the incident with Myrtle made me disgusted at him also. He didn't even try to see if she was okay afterwards. Being a bootlegger isn't a big deal, but who knows what else Gatsby was involved in? He was good friends with Wolsheim, who has cuff links made out of human teeth. Obviously he keeps good company.
I thought that the ending of the novel was very good. It tied up a lot of loose ends, but I wish that Daisy's reaction to learning of Gatsby's death would have been shown. Did she even care?
I really want to know what Daisy and Tom are like now. I really can't see how they are getting along after both of them cheated, especially with Tom's agressive temper. Why did Tom even want to stay with her after learning about Gatsby? He could have left then and there are run off with Myrtle.
So...that's it...
Chapter 7-9
I hadn't expected Mr. Wilson to be the one to shoot Gatsby. I had always expected it to be Tom.
There was a lot of hyprocrisy in what Tom was arguing against Gatsby. He had been angry that Gatsby and Daisy had been having affair, even though he had an affair with his mistress, Myrtle, long before Gatsby had been reunited with Daisy.
At the beginning of the novel, I had not really minded Daisy, but by the end, i found her shallow and ignorant. I agree with Nick when he said that they were careless people that always retreated back to their money. Daisy had assumed when she first met Gatsby that he had it made, but she decided to marry to rich man instead. Her and Tom's attitude toward the people of West Egg at Gatsby's Party was also shallow. Daisy, when Tom and Gatsby began going head-to-head, also kept on complaining for them to just leave, instead of confronting them initially.
I guess I also should have expected so few to come to Gatsby's funeral. His parties were full of people he didn't really know. Few knew him close enough to call him a friend. It was a shame that he had pursued Daisy for so long only to die at the hands of her mistake soon after they reunited.
I also believe that the heat in chapter 7 to be symbolic of the "heated" argument between Tom and Gatsby. Everyone was on edge.
In the end, I liked the book.
Ch. 7-9
I really love this quote..
"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And one fine morning----
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
I think that this quote really sums up the resilience (and often, the foolishness) of the human spirit. It is significant in the novel because the characters, Gatsby and Myrtle in particular, live their lives in hope of the future, although Gatsby hopes to reclaim his past. It also shows that life goes on, even after a terrible tragedy.
I often feel that I live too much in future, that I need to relax and enjoy the present. I don't want to end up like Gatsby.. :)
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