Chapter 9 is written two years after Gatsby's death. After Gatsby's death, the curious media swarmed his mansion. The turnout for his funeral was quite the contrary. The only people at Gatsby's funeral was Nick, Owl Eyes, Gatsby's father, and a few servants. Nick fed up with the people he is surrounded by decides to move back to the Midwest. Nick encounters Tom and refuses to shake his hand at first, eventually shaking it realizing he's "talking to a child." On the last night before Nick leaves he goes out on the beach behind Gatsby's house and ponders peoples motivations and dreams.
"It was Gatsby's father, a solemn old man, very helpless and dismayed, bundled up in a long cheap ulster against the warm September day."
Henry Gatz was very proud of his son. He was proud of his success and saves a picture of Gatsby's house. He is a proud father and has loving feelings towards his son even though Gatsby did not visit him much.
Henry Gatz gives us an idea of Gatsby as a child. He shows Nick a book Gatsby wrote as a kid for self-improvement. Henry believes all his son's hard work paid off in his success, when in reality Gatsby's fortune came from illegal business. Mr. Gatz is ignorant to his son's true self, and like Gatsby imagining Daisy, Henry imagines his son as the same way as he was when he was a child.
"Nobody came."
-These two words stood out to me because it showed how people really felt about Gatsby. People would use him for his extravagant parties but no one truly cared about him. He was also too caught up in his dream of Daisy, that he didn't make other friends or try to reach out to other people on a more personal level. Gatsby is an example that money cannot buy happiness. He died a lonely unhappy man who lost his dream.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Chapter 8 pgs. 147-162
Nick has trouble sleeping and goes to talk to Gatsby the next morning. Gatsby says nothing happened the previous night, and Nick warns him to get out of town. Gatsby gives Nick details of his prior relationship with Daisy. Nick goes to the office but is too distracted to work. When Wilson sees the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, he believes they are the eyes of God and that the driver of the car was Myrtle's lover. Wilson finds Gatsby floating in his pool and shoots him then himself.
"He didn't like to go into the garage, because the work bench was stained where the body had been lying, so he moved uncomfortably around the office."
Michaelis is a coffee shop owner. Michaelis is there for Wilson when he needs somebody to talk to. He is a genuinely caring person, which we don't see much of in The Great Gatsby.
Michaelis is a witness to the accident, and is the voice of reason for Wilson after. He is the only one that stays with him that night and tries to calm him down. Michaelis is a character that does not have a negative light shown on them like all the other characters in the book.
"They're a rotten crowd," I shouted across the lawn. "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together."
-This is Nick passing a rare judgement. He says this is the only compliment he gave Gatsby even though he disapproved of him from beginning to end. The reason Nick thought of Gatsby higher than the rest was because Gatsby had a passion and something to live for. He was rich with a purpose and a goal. Everyone else was rich but like Dan Cody were bland and nothing to do with their money. Although Gatsby's dream and goal of Daisy was extreme Nick still respected him for pursuing a goal.
"He didn't like to go into the garage, because the work bench was stained where the body had been lying, so he moved uncomfortably around the office."
Michaelis is a coffee shop owner. Michaelis is there for Wilson when he needs somebody to talk to. He is a genuinely caring person, which we don't see much of in The Great Gatsby.
Michaelis is a witness to the accident, and is the voice of reason for Wilson after. He is the only one that stays with him that night and tries to calm him down. Michaelis is a character that does not have a negative light shown on them like all the other characters in the book.
"They're a rotten crowd," I shouted across the lawn. "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together."
-This is Nick passing a rare judgement. He says this is the only compliment he gave Gatsby even though he disapproved of him from beginning to end. The reason Nick thought of Gatsby higher than the rest was because Gatsby had a passion and something to live for. He was rich with a purpose and a goal. Everyone else was rich but like Dan Cody were bland and nothing to do with their money. Although Gatsby's dream and goal of Daisy was extreme Nick still respected him for pursuing a goal.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Chapter 7 pgs. 113-145
Now that Gatsby has Daisy, the reason for his parties, he no longer has them. He also fires his old staff and replaces them with associates of Wolfsheim. Nick attends a lunch at the Buchanan's where Jordan and Gatsby are also present. The party decides to go to the city for the afternoon. On the way Nick, Tom and Jordan discover Wilson has found out about his wifes affair, but does not know whom with. In New York, they stay at a suite where Tom begins interrogating Gatsby. Throughout the argument Daisy starts to side with Tom, who eventually sends her off with Gatsby back to East Egg. On the way back, Nick, Tom and Jordan encounter an accident where Myrtle had been hit by a car, the description matching Gatsby's. While waiting for a cab Nick finds Gatsby in a bush. Gatsby explains Daisy was the one driving the car, and he is waiting to make sure Tom does not hurt her.
"She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw. He was astounded. His mouth opened a little, and he looked at Gatsby, and then back at Daisy as if he had just recognized her as some one he knew a long time ago."
Tom is very wealthy, athletic, racist and sexist.
Tom is Daisy's husband. He is also Myrtles boyfriend and Gatsby's nemesis. He represents the arrogant upper society with old money.
"Was Daisy driving?"
"Yes," he said after a moment, "but of course I'll say I was."
This quote reiterates that Gatsby would do anything for Daisy. Hes showed from his actions ever since they parted ways he puts her before himself. Gatsby puts her well being completely in front of his own. This is important to the chapter because it could cause future problems for Gatsby.
"She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw. He was astounded. His mouth opened a little, and he looked at Gatsby, and then back at Daisy as if he had just recognized her as some one he knew a long time ago."
Tom is very wealthy, athletic, racist and sexist.
Tom is Daisy's husband. He is also Myrtles boyfriend and Gatsby's nemesis. He represents the arrogant upper society with old money.
"Was Daisy driving?"
"Yes," he said after a moment, "but of course I'll say I was."
This quote reiterates that Gatsby would do anything for Daisy. Hes showed from his actions ever since they parted ways he puts her before himself. Gatsby puts her well being completely in front of his own. This is important to the chapter because it could cause future problems for Gatsby.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Chapter 6 pgs. 97-111
The truth of Gatsby's past is revealed in the beginning of chapter six. Gatsby was born James Gatz on a North Dakota farm. He attended college but dropped out after two weeks. Gatsby met a man named Dan Cody and became his personal assistant. After Cody past away Gatsby vowed to be successful.To Nick's surprise he finds Tom at Gatsby's house. Tom and Daisy attend the next party at Gatsby's, one that Nick notices is unlike the others. Chapter six ends with the story of Gatsby's and Daisy's first kiss and how at that moment Gatsby knew he needed to be with her.
"His brown, hardening body lived naturally through half-fierce, half-lazy work of the bracing days. He knew the women early, and since they spoiled him became contemptuous of them, of young virgins because they were ignorant, of the others because they were hysterical about things which in his overwhelming self-absorption he took for granted."
Gatsby- Mysterious, deceptive, wealthy, corrupt, romantic, stalker
Gatsby is the protagonist and the foundation of the novel. He represents how appearances can be manipulated to fit a certain persona. His love and desire for Daisy is what drives his every action. He has followed her and dedicated his life to being with her.
"He talked a lot about his past, and I gathered that he wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy."
Gatsby refers to his past a lot when thinking of Daisy. He wants to recreate their past relationship in the present. He wants a world that no longer exists. Daisy cannot live up to the hopes that Gatsby has put on her.
"His brown, hardening body lived naturally through half-fierce, half-lazy work of the bracing days. He knew the women early, and since they spoiled him became contemptuous of them, of young virgins because they were ignorant, of the others because they were hysterical about things which in his overwhelming self-absorption he took for granted."
Gatsby- Mysterious, deceptive, wealthy, corrupt, romantic, stalker
Gatsby is the protagonist and the foundation of the novel. He represents how appearances can be manipulated to fit a certain persona. His love and desire for Daisy is what drives his every action. He has followed her and dedicated his life to being with her.
"He talked a lot about his past, and I gathered that he wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy."
Gatsby refers to his past a lot when thinking of Daisy. He wants to recreate their past relationship in the present. He wants a world that no longer exists. Daisy cannot live up to the hopes that Gatsby has put on her.
Chapter 5 pgs. 81-96
Chapter five begins with Nick coming home late at night and being approached by Gatsby. Gatsby wants to make sure Nick is going to arrange the meeting with Daisy, and offers Nick an business opportunity. On the day of the tea Gatsby is extremely nervous. When Daisy arrives, Gatsby leaves but eventually returns. The reunion between the two is awkward at first, but after some time they become happier to be in each others company. Gatsby invites both Nick and Daisy over and gives them a tour of his mansion. The chapter ends with Nick leaving Gatsby and Daisy together.
"Then she laughed, an absurd, charming little laugh, and I laughed too. She laughed again as if she said something very witty, and held my hand for a moment, looking up into my face, promising that there was no one in the world she so much wanted to see. That was a way she had."
Daisy- beautiful, wealthy, superficial and cynical- perhaps due to husbands infidelity.
Daisy is Nick's cousin, and unhappily married to Tom. Tom is cheating on her, although she pretends it doesn't effect her. She has a pessimistic outlook on life especially for woman. Daisy shows that being wealthy does not necessarily mean happiness. She is essential in the novel to unlock the mystery of Gatsby.
"Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her... Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one."
The green dock light had always represented Gatsby's longing for Daisy, and it was as close as he was going to get. Now that he has her next to his side the green light lost it's significance. From now on the light will not be enough. He will need to have her physically present.
"Then she laughed, an absurd, charming little laugh, and I laughed too. She laughed again as if she said something very witty, and held my hand for a moment, looking up into my face, promising that there was no one in the world she so much wanted to see. That was a way she had."
Daisy- beautiful, wealthy, superficial and cynical- perhaps due to husbands infidelity.
Daisy is Nick's cousin, and unhappily married to Tom. Tom is cheating on her, although she pretends it doesn't effect her. She has a pessimistic outlook on life especially for woman. Daisy shows that being wealthy does not necessarily mean happiness. She is essential in the novel to unlock the mystery of Gatsby.
"Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her... Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one."
The green dock light had always represented Gatsby's longing for Daisy, and it was as close as he was going to get. Now that he has her next to his side the green light lost it's significance. From now on the light will not be enough. He will need to have her physically present.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Chapter 4 pgs. 61-80
Chapter four starts with Nick telling of all the wealthy and powerful people that attend Gatsby's parties. Gatsby takes Nick to lunch and tells him stories of his life. Nick finds some of it to be unbelievable but Gatsby has photos and a medal to back his stories up. When Nick has lunch with Jordan he finds out Gatsby used to know Daisy and he is still in love with her. Daisy had not wanted to marry Tom but ended up anyways. Gatsby wants Nick to invite Daisy over for tea so he can drop by and Daisy will have no option but to see him.
"He's the man who fixed the World's Series back in 1919."
Meyer Wolfsheim is a small, flat-nosed Jewish man with a large head. Meyer is involved in many illegal ventures which leads Nick to wonder why Gatsby is hanging around him.
Meyer could play a significant role into uncovering the mysterious Gatsby. Meyer is a side of Gatsby no one sees. I think more will eventually come out about this side of Gatsby involving Meyer.
"There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired."
-This quote describes all the different characters in the book so far. The residents of the Eggs are the pursued, residents of the Valley of Ashes, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired. This quote has significance to me because I see how this is also applicable to people around me. Some are at the top followed by people trying to reach their level.
"He's the man who fixed the World's Series back in 1919."
Meyer Wolfsheim is a small, flat-nosed Jewish man with a large head. Meyer is involved in many illegal ventures which leads Nick to wonder why Gatsby is hanging around him.
Meyer could play a significant role into uncovering the mysterious Gatsby. Meyer is a side of Gatsby no one sees. I think more will eventually come out about this side of Gatsby involving Meyer.
"There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired."
-This quote describes all the different characters in the book so far. The residents of the Eggs are the pursued, residents of the Valley of Ashes, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired. This quote has significance to me because I see how this is also applicable to people around me. Some are at the top followed by people trying to reach their level.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Chapter 2 pgs 23-38
Nick and Tom are on the train together when Nick forces Tom off to meet his mistress. Nick, Tom, and Myrtle meet up with Catherine, Myrtle's sister, and the Mckees. During their small party, Catherine informs Nick Gatsby was the nephew or cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm, the ruler of Germany during WWI. As the party progressed Myrtle and Tom get into an argument which leads to Tom breaking her nose. Nick leaves and waits for the 4 o'clock train.
"I married him because I thought he was a gentlemen, I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoes."
Mrs. Wilson is in the middle thirties, and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously. Her face contained no facet or gleam of beauty, but there was an immediate perceptible vitality about her.
Mrs. Wilson's role in the novel is that of Tom's mistress. She exudes power and strength in a woman. Now that Nick has met Tom's mistress it could create a rift between Tom and Nick because Daisy is Tom's cousin. Although she seems to be a strong woman, she shows men are still dominant when Tom breaks her nose.
"You can't live forever, you can't live forever."
-This quote by Myrtle stood out to me because it shows how she lives her live. This could be why she got into a relationship with Tom. I think this is a good model to live your life by but I would not take the same actions as Mrs. Wilson did. This quote relates to the carpe diem attitude of living each day to the fullest.
Mrs. Wilson is in the middle of her thirties, and faintly stout, but she carries her surplus flesh sensuously as some women ca
""I married him because I thought he was a gentleman, I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoes."I married him because I thought he was a gentleman, I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoes."
"I married him because I thought he was a gentlemen, I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoes."
Mrs. Wilson is in the middle thirties, and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously. Her face contained no facet or gleam of beauty, but there was an immediate perceptible vitality about her.
Mrs. Wilson's role in the novel is that of Tom's mistress. She exudes power and strength in a woman. Now that Nick has met Tom's mistress it could create a rift between Tom and Nick because Daisy is Tom's cousin. Although she seems to be a strong woman, she shows men are still dominant when Tom breaks her nose.
"You can't live forever, you can't live forever."
-This quote by Myrtle stood out to me because it shows how she lives her live. This could be why she got into a relationship with Tom. I think this is a good model to live your life by but I would not take the same actions as Mrs. Wilson did. This quote relates to the carpe diem attitude of living each day to the fullest.
Mrs. Wilson is in the middle of her thirties, and faintly stout, but she carries her surplus flesh sensuously as some women ca
""I married him because I thought he was a gentleman, I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoes."I married him because I thought he was a gentleman, I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoes."
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