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.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)