"Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri
In this short story, I was for the most part lost in the plot line. But after reading it a couple of times, I sort of understand the message. To me, the message was that there is something lost when two cultural identities inter mix. Mr. Kapasi and The Dases are two completely different entities of different cultures, different pasts, and different experiences. Yet the two try to co exist in one environment. Which proves to be unfruitful. I especially found that Mr. Kapasi was very wise in explaining to Mrs. Das how her lie to her husband about her illegitimate son was ruining her relationship with her family. Mr. Kapasi explained it to Mrs. Das that "Is it really pain you feel... or is it guilt?" (Lahiri). This spoke to me. How two emotions could be confused and manipulated to feel like the same thing. Perhaps the point of this reading was to express how there can be a loss of emotional identity when there is no truth, or true love. As abstract as that concept is, it made sense to me.
I think that this and all the other works in this unit express how identity is lost through our own actions. How we determine what traits and aspects of our lives can ruin what makes us each individual. This story especially, taught me that we lose a part of ourselves when ever we lie, or hide and alter what is important to our identity, much like in "Everyday Use".
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Unit ONE. post FOUR
"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker.
I would like to comment on how this work especially ties into the theme of this unit. Identity. In the beginning of the story, the speaker and her two daughters are a lower class African American family living in a small shack. Dee, the oldest goes away for school and Maggie and her mother are left at home. This story picks up with Maggie and her mother waiting for Dee to come visit. This is where identity comes in. Dee had participated in one of the Back to Africa movements that were oh so popular in the early twentieth century. This is apparent by the way she speaks. For example, her greeting to her mother and younger sister includes her telling her mother that her names is "Not 'Dee,' Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo!" (Walker). I think that the point of the story is that identity does not lie in cultural past, rather it lies with your family, how you were raised, and what you were taught to believe. This story is deceptively sad in the end because Dee, in trying to discover her identity and heritage, abandoned what really defined her personality, her identity, her true self. This Story paints a vivid picture message that we do not have to look far to find what we really are. When understood, this message is especially powerful when it is expressed ironically as in this work.
I would like to comment on how this work especially ties into the theme of this unit. Identity. In the beginning of the story, the speaker and her two daughters are a lower class African American family living in a small shack. Dee, the oldest goes away for school and Maggie and her mother are left at home. This story picks up with Maggie and her mother waiting for Dee to come visit. This is where identity comes in. Dee had participated in one of the Back to Africa movements that were oh so popular in the early twentieth century. This is apparent by the way she speaks. For example, her greeting to her mother and younger sister includes her telling her mother that her names is "Not 'Dee,' Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo!" (Walker). I think that the point of the story is that identity does not lie in cultural past, rather it lies with your family, how you were raised, and what you were taught to believe. This story is deceptively sad in the end because Dee, in trying to discover her identity and heritage, abandoned what really defined her personality, her identity, her true self. This Story paints a vivid picture message that we do not have to look far to find what we really are. When understood, this message is especially powerful when it is expressed ironically as in this work.
Unit ONE. post THREE.
"Mr. Z" by M. Carl Holman.
In question two, the book asks to identify Mr. Z's motivation to achieve.
This was kinda tough, yet at the same time obvious. While reading this poem, I got the impression that Mr. Z was put down most of his life because of his ethnic background. Specifically his mother, who is implied to have been African American. This poem reminds me of the typical teenager who would do something because his parents said he could not do it. His character develops from a country boy to a sophisticated member of society who is said to have been "unclogged by ethnic weights" (Holman). We see him climb from racial boundaries to become well mannered and educated. His drive was to get away from the racial stereotype that had held him down in the past. And he did, or so he thought. In his death, he was not even viewed as an equal even though he walked like a white person, ate at high end restaurants like white people did, and even spoke like a white person did. None of that changed the fact that he was viewed differently. In the end, his obituary read "One of the most distinguished members of his race" (Holman). This gives the connotation that Mr. Z could never escape his ethnic past, no matter how similar he was to White people. So ultimately he failed at his goal to get away from his culture. He lost his identity, which is all others could see him as.
In question two, the book asks to identify Mr. Z's motivation to achieve.
This was kinda tough, yet at the same time obvious. While reading this poem, I got the impression that Mr. Z was put down most of his life because of his ethnic background. Specifically his mother, who is implied to have been African American. This poem reminds me of the typical teenager who would do something because his parents said he could not do it. His character develops from a country boy to a sophisticated member of society who is said to have been "unclogged by ethnic weights" (Holman). We see him climb from racial boundaries to become well mannered and educated. His drive was to get away from the racial stereotype that had held him down in the past. And he did, or so he thought. In his death, he was not even viewed as an equal even though he walked like a white person, ate at high end restaurants like white people did, and even spoke like a white person did. None of that changed the fact that he was viewed differently. In the end, his obituary read "One of the most distinguished members of his race" (Holman). This gives the connotation that Mr. Z could never escape his ethnic past, no matter how similar he was to White people. So ultimately he failed at his goal to get away from his culture. He lost his identity, which is all others could see him as.
Unit ONE. post TWO
"Toads" by Philip Larkin
In the first question, made me realize that there were two toads, and although I did not answer what the question wanted, I believe understanding the purpose of the two toads is much, much more important.
The first Toad can be described as, in lay man's terms, Senior-itis. The speaker sees the first toad as the temptation to give in and quit. To essentially give up all of his worldly plans to succeed and live off the land. The first toad is his justification to living off the street and materialistically. In Line 13, the speaker says "Lots of folk live up lanes With fires in a bucket, Eat windfalls and tinned sardines - They seem to like it" (Larkin). He says this as if to say that he might like it if he tried to live off the street.
All that the first toad is is negated by the second toad, which we can simply call ambition or self determination. The second toad is the speaker's internal drive to become more than nothing. It is his want to succeed. Quite simply, the second toad gets in the way of satisfying the first.
The point of the poem is to state that one cannot satisfy his desire to be nothing and something at the same time.
In the first question, made me realize that there were two toads, and although I did not answer what the question wanted, I believe understanding the purpose of the two toads is much, much more important.
The first Toad can be described as, in lay man's terms, Senior-itis. The speaker sees the first toad as the temptation to give in and quit. To essentially give up all of his worldly plans to succeed and live off the land. The first toad is his justification to living off the street and materialistically. In Line 13, the speaker says "Lots of folk live up lanes With fires in a bucket, Eat windfalls and tinned sardines - They seem to like it" (Larkin). He says this as if to say that he might like it if he tried to live off the street.
All that the first toad is is negated by the second toad, which we can simply call ambition or self determination. The second toad is the speaker's internal drive to become more than nothing. It is his want to succeed. Quite simply, the second toad gets in the way of satisfying the first.
The point of the poem is to state that one cannot satisfy his desire to be nothing and something at the same time.
Unit ONE. Post ONE.
"Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes.
Perhaps the most outstanding feature of this poem is the author's use of simile and metaphor. This use of metaphor creates powerful images in the readers imagination. The diction chosen elevates the effectiveness of the literary device. For example, "or does it fester like a sore"(Hughes), creates a strong visual while being read.
Question two of in the book states that this poem describes any dream, but makes the reader realize that Hughes was an African American. Knowing his life span and the history of that era, one can put together the puzzle that the poem specifically describes the dream African Americans had for civil freedoms and how they had to fight to attain them. I might even go as far as to say that this poem is a look back on the civil rights movement and how it exploded from the will and dreams of an oppressed people. All of the similes could also be used to describe how African Americans were not acting on their dream of being free from segregation and it was weighing on their mind, or it sugared over like a treat they could never get to. Or it festered and irritated them that that they were doing nothing about their horrible treatment. Or maybe it withered and dried in the sun as their hopes of civil equality died with the rise of Jim Crow Laws.
Maybe I am reading into it too much and I am tying in too many things outside the text, but I believe that when taking the author's history into context, this boils down to the dream of civil equality.
Perhaps the most outstanding feature of this poem is the author's use of simile and metaphor. This use of metaphor creates powerful images in the readers imagination. The diction chosen elevates the effectiveness of the literary device. For example, "or does it fester like a sore"(Hughes), creates a strong visual while being read.
Question two of in the book states that this poem describes any dream, but makes the reader realize that Hughes was an African American. Knowing his life span and the history of that era, one can put together the puzzle that the poem specifically describes the dream African Americans had for civil freedoms and how they had to fight to attain them. I might even go as far as to say that this poem is a look back on the civil rights movement and how it exploded from the will and dreams of an oppressed people. All of the similes could also be used to describe how African Americans were not acting on their dream of being free from segregation and it was weighing on their mind, or it sugared over like a treat they could never get to. Or it festered and irritated them that that they were doing nothing about their horrible treatment. Or maybe it withered and dried in the sun as their hopes of civil equality died with the rise of Jim Crow Laws.
Maybe I am reading into it too much and I am tying in too many things outside the text, but I believe that when taking the author's history into context, this boils down to the dream of civil equality.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Poetry interpretation article.
I found that Perrine had some valid points to his lesson on how to interpret poetry. However, there is a fundamental point that I have trouble grasping, primarily for the fact that I do not believe it to be true. Perrine stated that one must be able to find an interpretation that had no contradictions and if there were contradictions, that visualization is false or wrong. Also, Perrine stated that if there were more than one visualizations, then the one that is most correct is the one that is most "economical" (whatever that means). I disagree with both of these because I do not believe that there is one concrete way of reading and analyzing any type of poetry. I say this because it is hard to pinpoint the exact feelings and purpose the author of a poem is trying to convey without having years of practice and experience with that poet's works. For a novice, such as myself, the idea of poetry, to me at least, is to come up with an interpretation that is satisfying to the reader's imagination (or lack of). That is one of the beauties of poetry, it allows the reader to have his creativity factor into the poem. When we decide that there is one, and only one, way of reading and analyzing a poem, all of the joy is taken out of reading that poem. Secondly, what if the poet wanted you to question your own interpretation by using contradiction. That may be the purpose of the poem, make you question and think.
When reading this article, I believe that Perrine had some very beneficial advice for how to read a poem. Being the lazy person that I usually am, I would normally take words arranged in a poem at face value. I was only able to see literal meaning, which, in poetry, is almost never the correct way to view a poem. I think after reading this article, especially the section about the symbols, it would be helpful to me to open my mind to the different meanings that the words could mean. I think that when reading a poem that contains literary symbols, I would more cautiously consider the higher meaning. Perfect example: the William Blake poem that we went over in class. I had no idea what the rose or worm could have meant. My tiny and underdeveloped literary brain only had the capacity to take the words at face value rather than dig deeper into what the author intended for them to mean. From now on, I think that I will write possible ideas for what authors are trying to say onto a white board or piece of paper, just so that I can grasp the deeper meaning that the author may intend to convey. Similarly, I think that I will have to learn when symbols mean nothing more than their face value.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
My reading photo.
I currently work for a non-profit organization called Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Inc., a wonderful company that I personally love working for. What I do is fulfill the company name. How? Glad you asked.
In the included photo, I am reading F.Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby while providing water to this poor, thirsty Liquidambar styraciflua (better known as the Sweet Gum or Tree Stars from the "Land Before Time" films).
Every year, KIB plants hundreds of native trees around Marion County, as far down as Southeastway park. Who in the world cares for the nearly 5000 trees planted in Indianapolis by KIB and its volunteers? That is where I come in. I am a member of the Youth Tree Team. I, and 80 or so of my coworkers, travel around Indianapolis every week and water all of the trees that we have planted. With this drought, our job has never been more important. As you can see from the photo, every tree is given two five gallon buckets of water each week. Think that it is easy to carry ten gallons of water? Think again. Each bucket weighs forty pounds. And we do it hundreds of times a day, over distances of up to a football field (sometimes the water trailers can't get to some of the trees, which are really far away). Over the summer, as a group, the YTT carried an average of 121,000 buckets of water, which when multiplied by five gives you 605,000 average total gallons of water. Still sound easy? Oh, I forgot to mention that we had to deal with the ridiculous heat daily. In addition to watering the trees, the YTT is tasked with mulching and general care of trees (sadly, including removal of dead trees). I am happy to do my job because I love the people I get to work with, I love helping bring nature to the city, and I love being part of a company that is motivated by the environment rather than corporate advancement.
If you would like to learn more about KIB, volunteer for an event, or apply to be a YTT member, go to KIBI.org/youth_tree_team
Thursday, August 9, 2012
The Great Gatsby. Final Thoughts.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Well, I enjoyed this book. That is after sifting through all of the useless and filler material. I enjoyed reading the fun parts, especially the last chapters. Certainly, I liked this book more than The House of Mirth, primarily because it is 50 pages less in length, but also, because it was not as dry and emotionless as the first novel. I think that the style of narration made this novel so much better. That is because it was actually a first hand account of a character who was looking back on the event. Instead of a narration given by an outside omniscient being. This novel particularly struck me as the typical cheesy love story that you would see on Hallmark or Lifetime. While that may be, Fitzgerald did a superb job of engaging the reader and capturing their attention and keeping it. I especially enjoy how the plot progressions were not really noticeable and that everything just kinda flowed together almost seamlessly. However, there was a lot of information that seemed pretty useless to me. It made me ask what it's purpose was to help to story. Often, I had trouble answering that question. This was an overall enjoyable, but confusing, novel to read.
"He seemed reluctant to put away the picture, held it for another minute, lingeringly, before my eyes" (Fitzgerald, 172 )
Well, I enjoyed this book. That is after sifting through all of the useless and filler material. I enjoyed reading the fun parts, especially the last chapters. Certainly, I liked this book more than The House of Mirth, primarily because it is 50 pages less in length, but also, because it was not as dry and emotionless as the first novel. I think that the style of narration made this novel so much better. That is because it was actually a first hand account of a character who was looking back on the event. Instead of a narration given by an outside omniscient being. This novel particularly struck me as the typical cheesy love story that you would see on Hallmark or Lifetime. While that may be, Fitzgerald did a superb job of engaging the reader and capturing their attention and keeping it. I especially enjoy how the plot progressions were not really noticeable and that everything just kinda flowed together almost seamlessly. However, there was a lot of information that seemed pretty useless to me. It made me ask what it's purpose was to help to story. Often, I had trouble answering that question. This was an overall enjoyable, but confusing, novel to read.
"He seemed reluctant to put away the picture, held it for another minute, lingeringly, before my eyes" (Fitzgerald, 172 )
The Great Gatsby. Chapters 8 & 9.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
By far the most exciting chapters. Ok, so this is going to get complicated, try to follow along. After the confrontation with Tom about his love of Daisy, Gatsby returns home. Later, Daisy is driving Gatsby's car through the valley when she hits Myrtle Wilson, Tom's lover. Tom, in turn, tells George that Gatsby was driving the car. George goes to Gatsby's house, kills him in his pool, then kills himself. Give me a minute to breathe.... that is the short version.
Nick then takes through his account of the events of that day as if it was a flashback. The last chapter goes through the funeral arrangements and other proceedings after Gatsby's death.
This reminds me of the oh so cliche Hollywood love stories that you go to pay $11 to see in a theater. This love triangle, scratch that, love pentagon, developed from a complicated situation to a deadly one. It is interesting to see how an American classic can be used as a template for so many cheesy movies produced by Lifetime or Hallmark. That is not really interesting, but sad, because Fitzgerald made his such an elegant and wonderful masterpiece. I think that this escalation in plot progression was just what Fitzgerald wanted the reader to experience.
"It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson's body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete" (Fitzgerald, 162)
By far the most exciting chapters. Ok, so this is going to get complicated, try to follow along. After the confrontation with Tom about his love of Daisy, Gatsby returns home. Later, Daisy is driving Gatsby's car through the valley when she hits Myrtle Wilson, Tom's lover. Tom, in turn, tells George that Gatsby was driving the car. George goes to Gatsby's house, kills him in his pool, then kills himself. Give me a minute to breathe.... that is the short version.
Nick then takes through his account of the events of that day as if it was a flashback. The last chapter goes through the funeral arrangements and other proceedings after Gatsby's death.
This reminds me of the oh so cliche Hollywood love stories that you go to pay $11 to see in a theater. This love triangle, scratch that, love pentagon, developed from a complicated situation to a deadly one. It is interesting to see how an American classic can be used as a template for so many cheesy movies produced by Lifetime or Hallmark. That is not really interesting, but sad, because Fitzgerald made his such an elegant and wonderful masterpiece. I think that this escalation in plot progression was just what Fitzgerald wanted the reader to experience.
"It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson's body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete" (Fitzgerald, 162)
The Great Gatsby. Pages 130 - 147.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
From the beginning of this section of reading, you see some irony. Tom talking about honesty in relationships and family. Which is absolutely hilarious because he has no room to be talking. That is not the most spicy part of this section. Tom essentially has his marriage thrown in his face when Gatsby says "Your wife doesn't love you" (Fitzgerald, 130). This is the most drama and emotion that has been seen out of Gatsby.
All throughout this argument, Gatsby peppers in his "old sport" saying... I HATE IT!
Now we see all of the marital issues come to the surface and this argument gets a lot more heated. During this argument, Tom inadvertently admits his infidelity openly (not that he needed to). Tom tries to pull the "i'm going to be a better husband, if you stay with me" card, but Daisy is not going to have it. We also find out that Gatsby had been a bootlegger in Chicago. Interesting, I know.
This all explains why Gatsby was always dishonest and always seemed worried.
This section of reading is chock full of interesting facts that were not obvious earlier. I would without a doubt say that this is the climax of the novel.
From the beginning of this section of reading, you see some irony. Tom talking about honesty in relationships and family. Which is absolutely hilarious because he has no room to be talking. That is not the most spicy part of this section. Tom essentially has his marriage thrown in his face when Gatsby says "Your wife doesn't love you" (Fitzgerald, 130). This is the most drama and emotion that has been seen out of Gatsby.
All throughout this argument, Gatsby peppers in his "old sport" saying... I HATE IT!
Now we see all of the marital issues come to the surface and this argument gets a lot more heated. During this argument, Tom inadvertently admits his infidelity openly (not that he needed to). Tom tries to pull the "i'm going to be a better husband, if you stay with me" card, but Daisy is not going to have it. We also find out that Gatsby had been a bootlegger in Chicago. Interesting, I know.
This all explains why Gatsby was always dishonest and always seemed worried.
This section of reading is chock full of interesting facts that were not obvious earlier. I would without a doubt say that this is the climax of the novel.
The Great Gatsby. Pages 113 - 129.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
At the beginning of this chapter, more peculiar behavior from Gatsby can be seen. Apparently, he had fired all of his servants in order to hire some others. These new servants had acquired a favor from Wolfsheim who asked Gatsby to provide that favor. All of this is irrelevant. Now on to the quasi important stuff. Nick and Gatsby go to the Buchanans for lunch and come to find Jordan there. It seems that Daisy urgently wanted them there for the occasion because she was scheming something. Perhaps her marital issues had come to a point that she could not bare any longer? We can see that she is having feelings for Mr. Gatsby when she says "'You know I love you'" (Fitzgerald, 116).
I would just like to stop and ask... are they really complaining that it's hot? I wish they could experience this weather.
Later, Tom finds that his mistress is leaving with her husband to go out west. George had discovered that Myrtle was living a separate life. Simultaneously, Myrtle was staring out the window and saw Jordan Baker in the car and thought that she was Tom's wife. This entire situation is ridiculous to me.
The Great Gatsby. Pages 104 - 111.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Ah, its time for another Gatsby party, and this time with a twist. The Buchanans show up at this affair. Tom creates an uneasy feeling to Nick. Tom apparently came to the party because he was increasingly suspicious of Daisy going about by herself. This party was not as enjoyable to Nick as previous ones had been. Whether it be Tom's presence or it was just not the right night to have a party, Nick and Daisy were not having a particularly enjoyable time.
One of the most enjoyable parts of this book has been the incorporation of history. Throughout the book, it can be seen that direct historical references are pulled straight from the era. From Jazz to bootlegging during the prohibition, Fitzgerald made history part of the plot, which I particularly like. This is an excellent writing strategy because it gives the reader something to anchor the reading to in history, which can make the plot easier to understand.
"Or perhaps I had merely grown used to it, grown to accept West Egg as a world complete in itself, with its own standards and its own great figures, second to nothing because it had no consciousness of being so" (Fitzgerald, 104).
Ah, its time for another Gatsby party, and this time with a twist. The Buchanans show up at this affair. Tom creates an uneasy feeling to Nick. Tom apparently came to the party because he was increasingly suspicious of Daisy going about by herself. This party was not as enjoyable to Nick as previous ones had been. Whether it be Tom's presence or it was just not the right night to have a party, Nick and Daisy were not having a particularly enjoyable time.
One of the most enjoyable parts of this book has been the incorporation of history. Throughout the book, it can be seen that direct historical references are pulled straight from the era. From Jazz to bootlegging during the prohibition, Fitzgerald made history part of the plot, which I particularly like. This is an excellent writing strategy because it gives the reader something to anchor the reading to in history, which can make the plot easier to understand.
"Or perhaps I had merely grown used to it, grown to accept West Egg as a world complete in itself, with its own standards and its own great figures, second to nothing because it had no consciousness of being so" (Fitzgerald, 104).
The Great Gatsby. Pages 97 - 103.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
After his bout of confusing and difficult to understand behavior, Gatsby seems to be in a state of normal as he talks to a reporter who is chasing a long shot.
This section of the book, like so many others before it, serves the purpose of doing nothing more than acting as filler. There are a few recognizable secondary characters that had disappeared earlier who reappear for a stint in the spotlight. We do see some history of the characters come to the surface, but nothing spectacular or of notation. Thus far in the book, I am not really sure what to think of the main characters. Nick appears to be a bystander in most of the situations. That may be a byproduct of him being the narrator, or it could be that he has a boring personality. Gatsby has gone through some personality shifts which make me question his purpose and sanity. Daisy seems like she is unhappy underneath her upbeat facade. If anything, I think that she is displeased with her marriage to Tom, primarily because of his infidelity. Nevertheless, it is interesting to see how these characters evolved from the beginning to now. However, this section of the book acts as a cutaway from the main story to a different story.
"He had been coasting along all too hospitable shores for five years when he turned up as James Gatz's destiny in Little Girl Bay" (Fitzgerald, 99).
After his bout of confusing and difficult to understand behavior, Gatsby seems to be in a state of normal as he talks to a reporter who is chasing a long shot.
This section of the book, like so many others before it, serves the purpose of doing nothing more than acting as filler. There are a few recognizable secondary characters that had disappeared earlier who reappear for a stint in the spotlight. We do see some history of the characters come to the surface, but nothing spectacular or of notation. Thus far in the book, I am not really sure what to think of the main characters. Nick appears to be a bystander in most of the situations. That may be a byproduct of him being the narrator, or it could be that he has a boring personality. Gatsby has gone through some personality shifts which make me question his purpose and sanity. Daisy seems like she is unhappy underneath her upbeat facade. If anything, I think that she is displeased with her marriage to Tom, primarily because of his infidelity. Nevertheless, it is interesting to see how these characters evolved from the beginning to now. However, this section of the book acts as a cutaway from the main story to a different story.
"He had been coasting along all too hospitable shores for five years when he turned up as James Gatz's destiny in Little Girl Bay" (Fitzgerald, 99).
The Great Gatsby. Pages 92 - 96.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Gatsby's peculiar behavior continues as he shows Nick around his house.
By the way, the "old sport" thing is really starting to tick me off.
I feel like nothing particularly special is happening in this section of the book, other than observing how characters are behaving, of course. I don't really understand the significance of this part of the book, it seems like useless filler to me. Then again, if this part did not exist, we would not get to see Gatsby act like a lunatic. Other than the entertainment factor, this part of the book did not really do anything to progress the plot or to advance the character profiles. Maybe that was Fitzgerald's intention so that the reader would have a retreat from absorbing detail or doing anything to interpret the symbolism. I can't tell. I enjoy reading and being able to paint a mental picture with the detail that the writer provides. Fitzgerald has done a remarkable job of making that possible.
"The rain was still falling, but the darkness had parted in the west , and there was a pink and golden billow of foamy clouds above the sea" (Fitzgerald, 94)
Gatsby's peculiar behavior continues as he shows Nick around his house.
By the way, the "old sport" thing is really starting to tick me off.
I feel like nothing particularly special is happening in this section of the book, other than observing how characters are behaving, of course. I don't really understand the significance of this part of the book, it seems like useless filler to me. Then again, if this part did not exist, we would not get to see Gatsby act like a lunatic. Other than the entertainment factor, this part of the book did not really do anything to progress the plot or to advance the character profiles. Maybe that was Fitzgerald's intention so that the reader would have a retreat from absorbing detail or doing anything to interpret the symbolism. I can't tell. I enjoy reading and being able to paint a mental picture with the detail that the writer provides. Fitzgerald has done a remarkable job of making that possible.
"The rain was still falling, but the darkness had parted in the west , and there was a pink and golden billow of foamy clouds above the sea" (Fitzgerald, 94)
The Great Gatsby. Pages 81 - 92
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
This is one time where Gatsby displays especially erratic behavior. Nick is getting home late when Gatsby approaches him and says "'Lets go to Coney Island, old sport. In my car'" (Fitzgerald, 81). Gatsby is showing very peculiar and restless behavior as he is having a conversation with Nick. This strange behavior would continue for the rest of this section of the book. Nick and Jay had arranged to meet for tea with Daisy, and without Tom. I am not exactly sure why Gatsby is acting so strangely, or if it will be explained later. This section covers primarily the tea party and that is pretty much it.
Gatsby and Nick seem to be worried about their own situation but Gatsby seems to be nervous about something, important or not. I think that it is strange how he responds to Nick and how he is talking in general. It seems like something is bothering him in some way.
This is one time where Gatsby displays especially erratic behavior. Nick is getting home late when Gatsby approaches him and says "'Lets go to Coney Island, old sport. In my car'" (Fitzgerald, 81). Gatsby is showing very peculiar and restless behavior as he is having a conversation with Nick. This strange behavior would continue for the rest of this section of the book. Nick and Jay had arranged to meet for tea with Daisy, and without Tom. I am not exactly sure why Gatsby is acting so strangely, or if it will be explained later. This section covers primarily the tea party and that is pretty much it.
Gatsby and Nick seem to be worried about their own situation but Gatsby seems to be nervous about something, important or not. I think that it is strange how he responds to Nick and how he is talking in general. It seems like something is bothering him in some way.
The Great Gatsby. Pages 72 - 80.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
In this section of reading, we are introduced to Mr. Wolfsheim. He seems to know something of Mr. Gatsby's history. It turns out that Gatsby had been lying about some parts of his past. Instead of being educated at Oxford like he said, Gatsby was instead educated at Oggsford. I am personally confused about the dishonesty, but I guess that is one of the mysteries of the book. This section of the book serves as a bridge between two different time periods. Essentially Nick presses the fast forward button and goes into the future by a few years. Nick gives a synopsis of how the different characters have evolved and advanced.
Just a side note, Tom had pretty much dropped off the plot line up until this point. Another side note, I think it is annoying how Gatsby keeps calling Nick "old sport" (Fitzgerald, 71). I am not sure why it is annoying to me, but it is.
Tom seems to have not developed any more than when we last saw him. He is still a demanding and forceful person.
"'How have you been ,anyhow?' demanded Tom of me" (Fitzgerald, 74).
We also see Daisy playing with the idea of getting married (and drunk). It could be presumed that Daisy found out about Tom having an affair with Myrtle, but I am not entirely sure. All of this part is told in a style that resembles "How I Met Your Mother". Later we find that Tom had an accident and was injured along with his passenger, who he was cheating on his wife with. Daisy drifts around for a few years after that.
In this section of reading, we are introduced to Mr. Wolfsheim. He seems to know something of Mr. Gatsby's history. It turns out that Gatsby had been lying about some parts of his past. Instead of being educated at Oxford like he said, Gatsby was instead educated at Oggsford. I am personally confused about the dishonesty, but I guess that is one of the mysteries of the book. This section of the book serves as a bridge between two different time periods. Essentially Nick presses the fast forward button and goes into the future by a few years. Nick gives a synopsis of how the different characters have evolved and advanced.
Just a side note, Tom had pretty much dropped off the plot line up until this point. Another side note, I think it is annoying how Gatsby keeps calling Nick "old sport" (Fitzgerald, 71). I am not sure why it is annoying to me, but it is.
Tom seems to have not developed any more than when we last saw him. He is still a demanding and forceful person.
"'How have you been ,anyhow?' demanded Tom of me" (Fitzgerald, 74).
We also see Daisy playing with the idea of getting married (and drunk). It could be presumed that Daisy found out about Tom having an affair with Myrtle, but I am not entirely sure. All of this part is told in a style that resembles "How I Met Your Mother". Later we find that Tom had an accident and was injured along with his passenger, who he was cheating on his wife with. Daisy drifts around for a few years after that.
The Great Gatsby. Pages 61 - 71
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
"'One time he killed a man who had found out that he was nephew to Von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil'" (Fitzgerald, 61).
This part of the book provides one very important clue as to the narration and writing style. For one thing, we get hints that Nick is recounting past events because he tells of a timetable that "is an old timetable now, disintegrating at its folds, and headed 'This schedule in effect July 5th, 1922.' But I can still read the gray names" (Fitzgerald, 61). Essentially, Nick is telling a story that is based in the past. In this section of the book, there are several secondary characters that are introduced to the story line. Most of these characters, I suspect, will more than likely disappear into the background and never surface again. Pretty much that is all that happened in this section of the book. Small characters were introduced and a small bit of plot development. My suspicion about Gatsby's personality thus far has been correct. It seems that Gatsby is a soft spoken and quiet person who is very reserved. We also learn a little of Gatsby's origins and history. Specifically how he acquired his wealth. Nick believes that Gatsby is not being completely honest with him, just as Miss Baker had suspected.
"'One time he killed a man who had found out that he was nephew to Von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil'" (Fitzgerald, 61).
This part of the book provides one very important clue as to the narration and writing style. For one thing, we get hints that Nick is recounting past events because he tells of a timetable that "is an old timetable now, disintegrating at its folds, and headed 'This schedule in effect July 5th, 1922.' But I can still read the gray names" (Fitzgerald, 61). Essentially, Nick is telling a story that is based in the past. In this section of the book, there are several secondary characters that are introduced to the story line. Most of these characters, I suspect, will more than likely disappear into the background and never surface again. Pretty much that is all that happened in this section of the book. Small characters were introduced and a small bit of plot development. My suspicion about Gatsby's personality thus far has been correct. It seems that Gatsby is a soft spoken and quiet person who is very reserved. We also learn a little of Gatsby's origins and history. Specifically how he acquired his wealth. Nick believes that Gatsby is not being completely honest with him, just as Miss Baker had suspected.
The Great Gatsby. Pages 49 - 59.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
The Roaring Twenties... the Jazz age... all parts of the setting that Fitzgerald has set up for the reader to experience. Fitzgerald has done an excellent job making all of the setting very visual for the reader. We can see more development in Mr. Gatsby's personality. For one, we find that Gatsby is a loner, standing alone while everyone else is having a good time at the party. Also, we can see that Gatsby has a thing for Miss Baker because Gatsby pulls her aside to speak alone.
So far, this book seems to be rather dry and kinda boring. Maybe it is just me. I have not seen very much plot progression and that makes me wonder what Fitzgerald's strategy was. However, I am learning a lot about characters and how they will relate to one another later on in the story. Really, there is nothing going on other than Nick giving his accounts about his experiences with his neighbors and cousins.
I think I can see similarities between Nick and Mr. Gatsby. I feel that they have very similar personality traits. For one, Nick and Gatsby have no wife and are the quiet loner types. Secondly, I think that despite him being so wealthy, Gatsby is a down to earth person, unlike Tom, Daisy, and Jordan. I will see if I am correct in my analysis.
"The caterwauling horns had reached a crescendo and I turned away and cut across the lawn toward home" (Fitzgerald, 55).
The Roaring Twenties... the Jazz age... all parts of the setting that Fitzgerald has set up for the reader to experience. Fitzgerald has done an excellent job making all of the setting very visual for the reader. We can see more development in Mr. Gatsby's personality. For one, we find that Gatsby is a loner, standing alone while everyone else is having a good time at the party. Also, we can see that Gatsby has a thing for Miss Baker because Gatsby pulls her aside to speak alone.
So far, this book seems to be rather dry and kinda boring. Maybe it is just me. I have not seen very much plot progression and that makes me wonder what Fitzgerald's strategy was. However, I am learning a lot about characters and how they will relate to one another later on in the story. Really, there is nothing going on other than Nick giving his accounts about his experiences with his neighbors and cousins.
I think I can see similarities between Nick and Mr. Gatsby. I feel that they have very similar personality traits. For one, Nick and Gatsby have no wife and are the quiet loner types. Secondly, I think that despite him being so wealthy, Gatsby is a down to earth person, unlike Tom, Daisy, and Jordan. I will see if I am correct in my analysis.
"The caterwauling horns had reached a crescendo and I turned away and cut across the lawn toward home" (Fitzgerald, 55).
The Great Gatsby. Pages 39 - 48
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
The opening of chapter three describes the type of extravagant parties thrown by the rich of the twenties. The great decadence described does so much for the senses, it almost feels like you could be at the party. To read about the behavior and demeanor of the guests paints a picture of how these parties went. "Once there they were introduced by somebody who knew Gatsby, and after that they conducted themselves according to the rules of behavior associated with an amusement park" (Fitzgerald, 41).
The attention to detail that Fitzgerald put into his diction makes it so easy to imagine how the scene plays out.
We can glean a lot of information about many of the character's personalities. Especially Jordan Baker. We learn of her competitiveness and habits through her conversations with Nick and two other women. At the end of this section, we really meet Gatsby for the first time and have extended contact. We get some insight into his personality and see how his behavior reflects upon what kind of person he is. We see that he is a kind person and has humility despite his fortune. It seems that his riches have not made him into an impolite person.
The opening of chapter three describes the type of extravagant parties thrown by the rich of the twenties. The great decadence described does so much for the senses, it almost feels like you could be at the party. To read about the behavior and demeanor of the guests paints a picture of how these parties went. "Once there they were introduced by somebody who knew Gatsby, and after that they conducted themselves according to the rules of behavior associated with an amusement park" (Fitzgerald, 41).
The attention to detail that Fitzgerald put into his diction makes it so easy to imagine how the scene plays out.
We can glean a lot of information about many of the character's personalities. Especially Jordan Baker. We learn of her competitiveness and habits through her conversations with Nick and two other women. At the end of this section, we really meet Gatsby for the first time and have extended contact. We get some insight into his personality and see how his behavior reflects upon what kind of person he is. We see that he is a kind person and has humility despite his fortune. It seems that his riches have not made him into an impolite person.
The Great Gatsby. Pages 23 - 38
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
At the beginning of chapter two, we see a different side to the beauty and wealth of the Eggs. In between the two Eggs, there lies a desolate wasteland where nothing grows. Later we will find out that this area is a product of industrialism. In this chapter of the book, we are introduced to poorer characters of the story. In explaining the billboard depicting Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, Fitzgerald leaves the symbolism up to interpretation. This is a strategy that I expect to see throughout the book. We are introduced to two more characters in this section of the book, George and Myrtle Wilson. Myrtle is Tom's lover and Tom seems to have control over what she says and does. Myrtle joins Tom and Nick on a train to go to New York City. New York is vastly different from the setting of the West Egg, East Egg, or the desolate valley. There are several more secondary characters that are thrown into the mix. I expect most of them, aside from Myrtle Wilson, to disappear into the background.
"''You can't live forever, you can't live forever ''"(Fitzgerald, 36).
At the beginning of chapter two, we see a different side to the beauty and wealth of the Eggs. In between the two Eggs, there lies a desolate wasteland where nothing grows. Later we will find out that this area is a product of industrialism. In this chapter of the book, we are introduced to poorer characters of the story. In explaining the billboard depicting Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, Fitzgerald leaves the symbolism up to interpretation. This is a strategy that I expect to see throughout the book. We are introduced to two more characters in this section of the book, George and Myrtle Wilson. Myrtle is Tom's lover and Tom seems to have control over what she says and does. Myrtle joins Tom and Nick on a train to go to New York City. New York is vastly different from the setting of the West Egg, East Egg, or the desolate valley. There are several more secondary characters that are thrown into the mix. I expect most of them, aside from Myrtle Wilson, to disappear into the background.
"''You can't live forever, you can't live forever ''"(Fitzgerald, 36).
The Great Gatsby. Pages 13 - 21
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
This part of the book provides a look into the lifestyle people are living during the early twenties. We were introduced to several characters earlier and now we are introduced more to their personalities. Tom Buchanan, a rich man who had recently settled down in the East, seems paranoid and restless. We see in Tom the turn of the century racism and fear of other races threatening the security of white dominance. Daisy seems to give off a light-hearted and almost care free vibe. Miss Baker, to me anyway, seems to be the typical snooty rich girl. One who you would see on VH1's "You're Cut Off". Pages 13 to 24 serve as a look into the turn of the century life that many upper class people were living. Fitzgerald seems to have depicted the attitudes and behaviors of stereotypical rich people of the era. I feel like this book provides an accurate representation of what the upper class was like in the twentieth century. So far, there have been no real plot developments other than an introduction to a few of the main characters and their personality. At the very end of chapter 1, we see the first appearance of the so talked about Mr.Gatsby.
"When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness" (Fitzgerald, 21).
This part of the book provides a look into the lifestyle people are living during the early twenties. We were introduced to several characters earlier and now we are introduced more to their personalities. Tom Buchanan, a rich man who had recently settled down in the East, seems paranoid and restless. We see in Tom the turn of the century racism and fear of other races threatening the security of white dominance. Daisy seems to give off a light-hearted and almost care free vibe. Miss Baker, to me anyway, seems to be the typical snooty rich girl. One who you would see on VH1's "You're Cut Off". Pages 13 to 24 serve as a look into the turn of the century life that many upper class people were living. Fitzgerald seems to have depicted the attitudes and behaviors of stereotypical rich people of the era. I feel like this book provides an accurate representation of what the upper class was like in the twentieth century. So far, there have been no real plot developments other than an introduction to a few of the main characters and their personality. At the very end of chapter 1, we see the first appearance of the so talked about Mr.Gatsby.
"When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness" (Fitzgerald, 21).
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
The Great Gatsby. Pages 1 - 12
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
After reading the first few pages, all that went through my mind was the question, what does this mean? There is so much symbolism and imagery contained within this first small section. For example, the main character talks about his father giving him advice which he uses throughout his life. Some strong Imagery can be seen when Nick says "And after boasting this way of my tolerance, I come to the admission that it has a limit. Conduct may be founded on the hard rock or the wet marshes, but after a certain point, I don't care what it's founded on" (Fitzgerald, 2). It seems that this first section of the book provides a look into the past of the main character. Nick Carraway, the novel's narrator and main character, seems to emanate a feeling of either contempt or envy for the rich upper class that he is surrounded by while living in the East. I got this feeling from when he was thinking about Tom and Mr. Gatsby. I am not sure as to which he is feeling but I am sure that I will find out as I read into it more.
F. Scott Fitzgerald has done a great job of making his transitions to different parts of the book impossibly smooth. While I was reading, I did not realize that I had gone on to a completely different part of the plot. This is a book that one could easily loose track of time while reading.
After reading the first few pages, all that went through my mind was the question, what does this mean? There is so much symbolism and imagery contained within this first small section. For example, the main character talks about his father giving him advice which he uses throughout his life. Some strong Imagery can be seen when Nick says "And after boasting this way of my tolerance, I come to the admission that it has a limit. Conduct may be founded on the hard rock or the wet marshes, but after a certain point, I don't care what it's founded on" (Fitzgerald, 2). It seems that this first section of the book provides a look into the past of the main character. Nick Carraway, the novel's narrator and main character, seems to emanate a feeling of either contempt or envy for the rich upper class that he is surrounded by while living in the East. I got this feeling from when he was thinking about Tom and Mr. Gatsby. I am not sure as to which he is feeling but I am sure that I will find out as I read into it more.
F. Scott Fitzgerald has done a great job of making his transitions to different parts of the book impossibly smooth. While I was reading, I did not realize that I had gone on to a completely different part of the plot. This is a book that one could easily loose track of time while reading.
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