"We saw the three or four automobiles and the crowd when we were still some distance away.
'Wreck!' said Tom. 'That's good. Wilson'll have a little business at last.'" pg. 138
So essentially Tom is the most awful person in the world. First you find out he's arrogant and annoying. Then, you find out he cheats on his wife. Then, you find out its with a married woman. Then, you find out that he's lying to her too. OH! And now, he sees a wreck and the first words out of his mouth are "that's good". So basically, he just serves the purpose of ruining everyone's lives and being an insensitive brat. However, the dramatic irony in this scene does work against him, which made me a little happy, even though its in the worst way possible. Little does Tom know that a woman died in the accident and that woman happens to be his mistress. The reader does know, though, and because the reader knows the truth, Tom's awful insensitivity becomes overwhelmingly apparent. It makes it obvious that this man gives little thought to anyone but himself. He sees a wreck and his first reaction is a snide comment. Seriously, whatta jerk. But that snide comment does serve a purpose in characterizing Tom and revealing his selfishness. Had the reader not known that Myrtle died in the accident, they might have just overlooked Tom's comment as a typical annoying remark (we already know he's an idiot). But because the reader knows Myrtle's fate, the comment carries twice the weight, and the reader recognizes Tom as the evil person that he is. I honestly would not be surprised if he served as an inspiration to Hitler.
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Great Gatsby: Simile
"So the whole caravansary had fallen in like a card house at the disapproval in her eyes." pg. 114
In reading this novel, I've been extremely impressed at F. Scott Fitzgerald's use of similes and descriptive details. He's very good at making each scene vividly unfold in the reader's mind, and this simile in particular stood out to me. Not only does it sum up the situation, but it says a lot about Gatsby as a character as well. For five years, Gatsby had been throwing parties in hopes that Daisy would somehow end up at his house. He'd been doing it for five years with only that one intention. When Gatsby finds out that Daisy doesn't enjoy the parties, he completely stops them. He ends a tradition that he's carried on for five years all for Daisy because Daisy doesn't like it. I think that this represents Gatsby's desperation to gain Daisy's approval. He wants Daisy and all she represents. He wants Daisy because she is the best of the best when it comes to women and he wants the best of the best. I think Gatsby's complete willingness to please Daisy shows how susceptible he is to the demands that his aspirations make on him. He is willing to alter his whole life in order to achieve greatness, but in the end, its really just the luck of the draw.
In reading this novel, I've been extremely impressed at F. Scott Fitzgerald's use of similes and descriptive details. He's very good at making each scene vividly unfold in the reader's mind, and this simile in particular stood out to me. Not only does it sum up the situation, but it says a lot about Gatsby as a character as well. For five years, Gatsby had been throwing parties in hopes that Daisy would somehow end up at his house. He'd been doing it for five years with only that one intention. When Gatsby finds out that Daisy doesn't enjoy the parties, he completely stops them. He ends a tradition that he's carried on for five years all for Daisy because Daisy doesn't like it. I think that this represents Gatsby's desperation to gain Daisy's approval. He wants Daisy and all she represents. He wants Daisy because she is the best of the best when it comes to women and he wants the best of the best. I think Gatsby's complete willingness to please Daisy shows how susceptible he is to the demands that his aspirations make on him. He is willing to alter his whole life in order to achieve greatness, but in the end, its really just the luck of the draw.
The Great Gatsby: Ambition
"I suppose he'd had the name ready for a long time, even then. His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people--his imagination had ever really accepted them as his parents at all. The truth was that Jay Gatsby of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself." pg. 99
I think one of the overwhelming themes of this book definitely centers around ambition. I've had a hard time completely deciphering it, but I'm pretty sure its something along the lines of "everybody wants to be the best but not everyone can be the best". Gatsby has spent his whole life aspiring to be some big shot with a life to envy. From the quote above, one can tell that his ambition certainly stems from some sort of dissatisfaction with the lot that he was born into. Every action in his life, thus far, has been conducive to creating a better or more superior image for himself. He's even altered the details of his past in order to make himself seem more awe-inspiring and exceptional. All he wants to do is impress people, and he craves reassurance from others that he is succeeding in this task. Nick especially serves as a confidence boost to Gatsby who is constantly expressing doubts about his relationship with Daisy just so that Nick will tell him that he's wrong. Even Daisy herself is a representation of the things Gatsby values: wealth, beauty, materials. Gatsby isn't used to not getting what he want, not being the best, so in the end when Daisy rejects him, I think the theme I stated above comes to full fruition. All his life, Gatsby just wanted to be the best. He did everything he could possibly think of to establish a reputation for himself. But, not everyone who wants to be the best will be the best. Gatsby's life ends with his own defeat and Daisy's rejection of him.
I think one of the overwhelming themes of this book definitely centers around ambition. I've had a hard time completely deciphering it, but I'm pretty sure its something along the lines of "everybody wants to be the best but not everyone can be the best". Gatsby has spent his whole life aspiring to be some big shot with a life to envy. From the quote above, one can tell that his ambition certainly stems from some sort of dissatisfaction with the lot that he was born into. Every action in his life, thus far, has been conducive to creating a better or more superior image for himself. He's even altered the details of his past in order to make himself seem more awe-inspiring and exceptional. All he wants to do is impress people, and he craves reassurance from others that he is succeeding in this task. Nick especially serves as a confidence boost to Gatsby who is constantly expressing doubts about his relationship with Daisy just so that Nick will tell him that he's wrong. Even Daisy herself is a representation of the things Gatsby values: wealth, beauty, materials. Gatsby isn't used to not getting what he want, not being the best, so in the end when Daisy rejects him, I think the theme I stated above comes to full fruition. All his life, Gatsby just wanted to be the best. He did everything he could possibly think of to establish a reputation for himself. But, not everyone who wants to be the best will be the best. Gatsby's life ends with his own defeat and Daisy's rejection of him.
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Great Gatsby: Foreshadowing
"'You see,' cried Catherine triumphantly. She lowered her voice again. 'It's really his wife that's keeping them apart. She's a Catholic, and they don't believe in divorce.'
Daisy was not a Catholic, and I was a little shocked at the elaborateness of the lie." pg. 34
I think this excerpt is an example of F. Scott Fitzgerald foreshadowing future quarrel between Tom and Myrtle. Obviously, he is being false about the reasons why he isn't leaving Daisy. He must not really want to leave her. But, he also doesn't want to lose Myrtle, so he tells her that he is unable to leaver his wife. I think that there will be some discrepancy about this lie eventually. Myrtle will find out. Now, to the real point of why I chose this quote, I think Tom is disgusting. All he does is lie to women and he is just awful. I don't know if he respects anyone but himself. He talks to everyone in a demeaning manner, he slaps his wife, and he doesn't even respect his mistress, this woman that he is seeking outside of his wife. It seems he is completely filled with pride and dissatisfaction with life. He should probably stop taking it out on others.
Daisy was not a Catholic, and I was a little shocked at the elaborateness of the lie." pg. 34
I think this excerpt is an example of F. Scott Fitzgerald foreshadowing future quarrel between Tom and Myrtle. Obviously, he is being false about the reasons why he isn't leaving Daisy. He must not really want to leave her. But, he also doesn't want to lose Myrtle, so he tells her that he is unable to leaver his wife. I think that there will be some discrepancy about this lie eventually. Myrtle will find out. Now, to the real point of why I chose this quote, I think Tom is disgusting. All he does is lie to women and he is just awful. I don't know if he respects anyone but himself. He talks to everyone in a demeaning manner, he slaps his wife, and he doesn't even respect his mistress, this woman that he is seeking outside of his wife. It seems he is completely filled with pride and dissatisfaction with life. He should probably stop taking it out on others.
The Great Gatsby: Personification
"He smiled understandingly--much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It face--or seemed to face--the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that tit had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey." pg. 48
I think this description of Gatsby's smile has honestly been my favorite part of the book so far. This meeting of Nick and Gatsby was enhanced by every moment prior to this one in which Gatsby was mentioned. Just as Nick was curious about the man, so too was I biting my nails at his description, anxious for his actual arrival into the story. I can't say I was disappointed when he was finally introduced. The man did seem to exude an air of wonder like many had described. But this moment in particular, where Nick addresses the effect of Gatsby's smile, I found pretty awe-inspiring. The personification of the man's smile really shows what effects it can have on you and it shows how powerful this man really is. If his mere smile can make you feel understood and appeased, there must be no limit to this man's charm. Though this personification and extended description of Gatsby's smile could seem unnecessary, I think it provides the right effect that Fitzgerald was trying to create. It succeeds in expressing the true wonder that is Jay Gatsby.
I think this description of Gatsby's smile has honestly been my favorite part of the book so far. This meeting of Nick and Gatsby was enhanced by every moment prior to this one in which Gatsby was mentioned. Just as Nick was curious about the man, so too was I biting my nails at his description, anxious for his actual arrival into the story. I can't say I was disappointed when he was finally introduced. The man did seem to exude an air of wonder like many had described. But this moment in particular, where Nick addresses the effect of Gatsby's smile, I found pretty awe-inspiring. The personification of the man's smile really shows what effects it can have on you and it shows how powerful this man really is. If his mere smile can make you feel understood and appeased, there must be no limit to this man's charm. Though this personification and extended description of Gatsby's smile could seem unnecessary, I think it provides the right effect that Fitzgerald was trying to create. It succeeds in expressing the true wonder that is Jay Gatsby.
The Great Gatsby: Stock Character/Irony
"'Mr. Carraway, this is my friend Mr. Wolfsheim.'
A small, flat-nosed Jew raised his large head and regarded me with two fine growths of hair luxuriated in either nostril. After I discovered his tiny eyes in the half-darkness." pg. 70
I found this excerpt of the book somewhat ironic. In the beginning of the book, Nick states how he is disinclined to judgment because of his upbringing; however, he quickly judges Mr. Wolfsheim and describes him like anyone would describe a typical Jew. It is possible that this form of characterization is essential to correctly inform the reader of what type of person Mr. Wolfsheim is. But, it was rather ironic that Nick addresses his description in this way so early in his meeting of the man. Did he not say that he did not have the tendency to judge people? I think that this excerpt could be revealing a hint of the author's voice as well. In the '20s, there were very common stereotypes attached to people who were of unique heritage. Jewish people were known for their dedication to their heritage and for their expansive wealth. It is made obvious in this excerpt that Wolfsheim exudes these aspects. However, I had a hard time deciding whether he really did exude them or whether Nick's perception of his comments was skewed simply because Wolfsheim was Jewish.
A small, flat-nosed Jew raised his large head and regarded me with two fine growths of hair luxuriated in either nostril. After I discovered his tiny eyes in the half-darkness." pg. 70
I found this excerpt of the book somewhat ironic. In the beginning of the book, Nick states how he is disinclined to judgment because of his upbringing; however, he quickly judges Mr. Wolfsheim and describes him like anyone would describe a typical Jew. It is possible that this form of characterization is essential to correctly inform the reader of what type of person Mr. Wolfsheim is. But, it was rather ironic that Nick addresses his description in this way so early in his meeting of the man. Did he not say that he did not have the tendency to judge people? I think that this excerpt could be revealing a hint of the author's voice as well. In the '20s, there were very common stereotypes attached to people who were of unique heritage. Jewish people were known for their dedication to their heritage and for their expansive wealth. It is made obvious in this excerpt that Wolfsheim exudes these aspects. However, I had a hard time deciding whether he really did exude them or whether Nick's perception of his comments was skewed simply because Wolfsheim was Jewish.
The Great Gatsby: Gatsby's Role Prior to Introduction
"'Really? I was down there at a party about a month ago. At a man named Gatsby's. Do you know him?'
'I live next door to him.'
'Well, they say he's a nephew or a cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm's. That's where all his money comes from.
'Really?'
She nodded.
'I'm scared of him. I'd hate to have him get anythin on me.'"
pg. 33
Prior to his actual appearance in the story, I think Gatsby still plays a very important part in the story. The mere rumors about his lavish lifestyle and mysterious personality are vital to his development as a character. The way he is portrayed to Nick by those who have met with him imspires the curiosity and awe that nick establishes for him. Whenever Nick is asked about Gatsby, or whenever someone asks him, he is often met with comments on the man's wonder and air of prestige and power. This not only affects Nick's perception of Gatsby but also the reader's perception of Gatsby. It makes the reader as curious about this man as Nick is. The way that people describe him without fully explaining what they mean creates an air of mystery about him that makes the reader want to know more about this seemingly extraordinary man. While many of the events up until the point where Gatsby is finally physically brought into the picture seem trivial, the occasional comment made about this man keeps the reader interested and wanting to move forward in the story. It provides an unknown aspect in the mostly relaxed and exposed lifestyles of these rich and showy individuals.
'I live next door to him.'
'Well, they say he's a nephew or a cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm's. That's where all his money comes from.
'Really?'
She nodded.
'I'm scared of him. I'd hate to have him get anythin on me.'"
pg. 33
Prior to his actual appearance in the story, I think Gatsby still plays a very important part in the story. The mere rumors about his lavish lifestyle and mysterious personality are vital to his development as a character. The way he is portrayed to Nick by those who have met with him imspires the curiosity and awe that nick establishes for him. Whenever Nick is asked about Gatsby, or whenever someone asks him, he is often met with comments on the man's wonder and air of prestige and power. This not only affects Nick's perception of Gatsby but also the reader's perception of Gatsby. It makes the reader as curious about this man as Nick is. The way that people describe him without fully explaining what they mean creates an air of mystery about him that makes the reader want to know more about this seemingly extraordinary man. While many of the events up until the point where Gatsby is finally physically brought into the picture seem trivial, the occasional comment made about this man keeps the reader interested and wanting to move forward in the story. It provides an unknown aspect in the mostly relaxed and exposed lifestyles of these rich and showy individuals.
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