Joana Tsuhlares Question 2
I think Nick brings a really interesting feeling to this novel. He develops with the reader, in the beginning he seems separated to the world he is entering shocked at somethings even, but by the end he isn't clear on his feelings towards people he is more angry and clearly plays a part in that upper class world. I do not believe Nick is trustworthy, he isn't clear on his feelings for Gatsby and other characters (Jordan) openly claim he us untruthful. This questionability of the narrator brings something to the novel. Nick says, " Every one suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known" (Fitzgerald 59). That's a pretty big, and frankly arrogant statement that gets the reader thinking about what Nick's position really is.
He is not perfect, no one is in this novel. Everyone has skeletons in the closet and the narrator isn't exempt. The point of this book is showing the role of a perfect dream. Gatsby tried to create himself a perfect world and it fell apart, so it makes sense that the narrator isn't perfect either. It shows how we all have different perceptions of ourselves compared to reality and it plays into the themes on unattainable and unhealthy dreams for the past.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Joana Tsuhlares Question 1
In the Great Gatsby we know Nick was born into an affluent family and he has recently moved to New York. He is distantly related to Daisy and he lives right next door to Gatsby. Over all through out the novel the story does not focus on him, but rather on Gatsby and Daisy. It does address him but the story isn't about him. My opinion really changed when it came to Nick through out the novel in the beginning he was an outsider. Nick wasn't comfortable with Gatsby's parties and the casual affair Tom had. Nick seemed above that, he seemed to be trying to be unbiased towards the story. He cared for Jordan and it looked like he would develop a relationship with Gatsby.
By the end of the novel I have a sour taste in my mouth about Nick, he is a complex, but subtle character, he does some good things, but he isn't all upfront. He says, "'They're a rotten crowd,' I shouted across the lawn. 'You're worth the whole damn bunch put together.' I've always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end" (Fitzgerald 154) What does that mean? There has been almost no major point where Nick showed this disapproval. This is also right before he obsesses about finding people who really cared about Gatsby enough to pay respects, and he even gets mad at people who don't do this. Then there is the one thing that really made me think about Nick. Towards the end of the Novel Jordan confronts Nick with, "'You said a bad driver was only safe until she met another bad driver? Well, I met another bad driver, didn't I? I mean it was careless of me to make such a wrong guess. I thought you were rather an honest, straightforward person, I thought it was your secret pride" (Fitzgerald 177). This is the same position the reader is in, Nick seems truthful until you look at the little things he says like his comment on Gatsby, or the woman in the west he barely talks about, or how he continues to be his relationship with Jordan, when he doesn't really love her. This statement from Jordan makes you question what you don't know. He is hiding how he feels about Gatsby and the others, is there more?
I believe that Nick doesn't realize how many of his biases show, which can be dangerous, because that can make it hard to tell what is him and what is truth. He called himself the most truthful person he knows right after ending a relationship ,he lied to Daisy about, to be with Jordan. He is a part of that high-class and untruthful world, and he doesn't see it.
In the Great Gatsby we know Nick was born into an affluent family and he has recently moved to New York. He is distantly related to Daisy and he lives right next door to Gatsby. Over all through out the novel the story does not focus on him, but rather on Gatsby and Daisy. It does address him but the story isn't about him. My opinion really changed when it came to Nick through out the novel in the beginning he was an outsider. Nick wasn't comfortable with Gatsby's parties and the casual affair Tom had. Nick seemed above that, he seemed to be trying to be unbiased towards the story. He cared for Jordan and it looked like he would develop a relationship with Gatsby.
By the end of the novel I have a sour taste in my mouth about Nick, he is a complex, but subtle character, he does some good things, but he isn't all upfront. He says, "'They're a rotten crowd,' I shouted across the lawn. 'You're worth the whole damn bunch put together.' I've always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end" (Fitzgerald 154) What does that mean? There has been almost no major point where Nick showed this disapproval. This is also right before he obsesses about finding people who really cared about Gatsby enough to pay respects, and he even gets mad at people who don't do this. Then there is the one thing that really made me think about Nick. Towards the end of the Novel Jordan confronts Nick with, "'You said a bad driver was only safe until she met another bad driver? Well, I met another bad driver, didn't I? I mean it was careless of me to make such a wrong guess. I thought you were rather an honest, straightforward person, I thought it was your secret pride" (Fitzgerald 177). This is the same position the reader is in, Nick seems truthful until you look at the little things he says like his comment on Gatsby, or the woman in the west he barely talks about, or how he continues to be his relationship with Jordan, when he doesn't really love her. This statement from Jordan makes you question what you don't know. He is hiding how he feels about Gatsby and the others, is there more?
I believe that Nick doesn't realize how many of his biases show, which can be dangerous, because that can make it hard to tell what is him and what is truth. He called himself the most truthful person he knows right after ending a relationship ,he lied to Daisy about, to be with Jordan. He is a part of that high-class and untruthful world, and he doesn't see it.
Question two Luke Knollinger
I think the author chose Nick to be the narrator for a few reasons. The first reason is that Nick isn't directly involved in any of the conflict in the book. He is mainly observing all of the actions take place in front of him. This gives him an unbiased view based off of the events that happen so we can get the clear story without having feelings get in the way of how the story went in the first place. Because of these attributes of Nick in the story, this gives Fitzgerald a unique and perfect way of telling the story by using Nick as the narrator.
In the beginning of the book, Nick is very neutral an optimistic about meeting the characters in the story and getting to see how the titans of wealth lived. He went with the flow and was just there to witness it all go down. He went to extravagant parties, and had great dinners and memorable times with these people. As the story goes on, he keeps this momentum going until after Gatsby dies. After Gatsby got brutally murdered, it changes Nick's way of life and how he sees these people. He becomes a drunk and New York haunts him. He is appalled by the lack of attendance to Gatsby's funeral. In the final pages of the novel, he sees Tom again somewhere in New York. Nick is disgusted to see him and even states, "I could not forgive him or like him" ( Fitzgerald 179). This shows the hatred for tom and he even goes on by calling Tom and Daisy "careless" as well (Fitzgerald 179). When he says ,"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy-they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back to their money or their vast carelessness" (Fitzgerald 179). This just shows the major change in Nick's attitude from the beginning of the book from the end of the book. I think this adds realism to the book and shows the reality of the life and the way Nick feels coming out of all of this. It shows that he is not directly involved with all of the events, but it ends up affecting him in a lot of ways, even making him an alcoholic. It also adds that Nick felt this way pretty much the whole time he was writing the story. These events weren't journal entries so they were being told after the fact that all of this happened. There is hardly any way to be able to tell that Nick felt that way towards those people until after it is all said and done and he tells the reader about it.
I personally believe that Nick is an honest man and is very mellow. He goes with the flow and enjoys every minute he gets meeting these new people. I believe these things because Nick seems very down to earth and He even calls himself honest on page 59. Also how he is very neutral and does not express any emotional irrationality one way or another towards the other characters until the ending of the Novel. Also I believe this because as stated earlier, where he's positioned among these people. He is not directly involved in any of the conflict, but rather just acquainted with the people involved. He has no emotional attachment until the end when of course Gatsby dies because of Tom's words to Wilson. In conclusion, Nick is a great aspect of the book, and Fitzgerald did a great job by incorporating Nick's point of view as the narrator of the novel The Great Gatsby.
I think the author chose Nick to be the narrator for a few reasons. The first reason is that Nick isn't directly involved in any of the conflict in the book. He is mainly observing all of the actions take place in front of him. This gives him an unbiased view based off of the events that happen so we can get the clear story without having feelings get in the way of how the story went in the first place. Because of these attributes of Nick in the story, this gives Fitzgerald a unique and perfect way of telling the story by using Nick as the narrator.
In the beginning of the book, Nick is very neutral an optimistic about meeting the characters in the story and getting to see how the titans of wealth lived. He went with the flow and was just there to witness it all go down. He went to extravagant parties, and had great dinners and memorable times with these people. As the story goes on, he keeps this momentum going until after Gatsby dies. After Gatsby got brutally murdered, it changes Nick's way of life and how he sees these people. He becomes a drunk and New York haunts him. He is appalled by the lack of attendance to Gatsby's funeral. In the final pages of the novel, he sees Tom again somewhere in New York. Nick is disgusted to see him and even states, "I could not forgive him or like him" ( Fitzgerald 179). This shows the hatred for tom and he even goes on by calling Tom and Daisy "careless" as well (Fitzgerald 179). When he says ,"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy-they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back to their money or their vast carelessness" (Fitzgerald 179). This just shows the major change in Nick's attitude from the beginning of the book from the end of the book. I think this adds realism to the book and shows the reality of the life and the way Nick feels coming out of all of this. It shows that he is not directly involved with all of the events, but it ends up affecting him in a lot of ways, even making him an alcoholic. It also adds that Nick felt this way pretty much the whole time he was writing the story. These events weren't journal entries so they were being told after the fact that all of this happened. There is hardly any way to be able to tell that Nick felt that way towards those people until after it is all said and done and he tells the reader about it.
I personally believe that Nick is an honest man and is very mellow. He goes with the flow and enjoys every minute he gets meeting these new people. I believe these things because Nick seems very down to earth and He even calls himself honest on page 59. Also how he is very neutral and does not express any emotional irrationality one way or another towards the other characters until the ending of the Novel. Also I believe this because as stated earlier, where he's positioned among these people. He is not directly involved in any of the conflict, but rather just acquainted with the people involved. He has no emotional attachment until the end when of course Gatsby dies because of Tom's words to Wilson. In conclusion, Nick is a great aspect of the book, and Fitzgerald did a great job by incorporating Nick's point of view as the narrator of the novel The Great Gatsby.
Question one Luke Knollinger
The narrator in the novel The Great Gatsby is the one and only Nick Carraway. Nick is a graduate of Yale and he works with trading and selling bonds to make a living. He makes good money and lives a mediocre life for the most part. He does not come from big money but does come from a wealthy family line from their earnings in the wholesale hardware business. He also has grown up with a huge family as stating,"The Carraways are something of a clan"(Fitzgerald 3). Nick is also a WWI veteran and served in the Army. These are the main points of information that we know about Nick and his life previously and leading up to the start of the book. In the beginning, Nick is very informational and gives us a descent amount of information about himself to get the reader up to speed on himself. The only downfall is that Nick doesn't take the time to describe the physical features of himself. Quite frankly, there really isn't any form of way to describe him besides one's imagination. Due to me seeing the movie of the book beforehand, my mind was already set on him looking like Toby Mcguire and no one else. I guess that is for most people as well. For the readers who have not been contaminated by the movie, I guess it is up to his/her will on his looks. Aside from that, we are in the loop from the beginning on the Narrator and his life before the story officially begins.
My personal opinion on Nick stays virtually the same throughout the novel. I personally believe Nick is a well centered guy who goes with the flow, so to speak. I also believe that Nick is an honest guy. In the end of the book, we realize his hatred for Tom after the fact, and that he didn't really care for Gatsby. Throughout the book, it doesn't seem that he has any negative affliction toward either of the characters or doesn't seem biased with them either. Even when the story clearly happened well before the story was published, Nick didn't put his bias into the equation. I believe he is an honest person. Nick even states in the novel , "I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known" (Fitzgerald 59). Not only this, but I believe that he is honest from what he stated, "I'm inclined to reserve all judgements, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me" (Fitzgerald 1). Due to him saying these two statements really makes me believe that he is actually an honest person. He seems down to earth and very revealing from the start by even saying that he reserves all judgements. This to me shows an honest person, or at least one who doesn't jump to conclusions on someone and how they are with other people. In conclusion, the novel's narrator is an honest, down to earth guy who gives us The Great Gatsby like no other.
The narrator in the novel The Great Gatsby is the one and only Nick Carraway. Nick is a graduate of Yale and he works with trading and selling bonds to make a living. He makes good money and lives a mediocre life for the most part. He does not come from big money but does come from a wealthy family line from their earnings in the wholesale hardware business. He also has grown up with a huge family as stating,"The Carraways are something of a clan"(Fitzgerald 3). Nick is also a WWI veteran and served in the Army. These are the main points of information that we know about Nick and his life previously and leading up to the start of the book. In the beginning, Nick is very informational and gives us a descent amount of information about himself to get the reader up to speed on himself. The only downfall is that Nick doesn't take the time to describe the physical features of himself. Quite frankly, there really isn't any form of way to describe him besides one's imagination. Due to me seeing the movie of the book beforehand, my mind was already set on him looking like Toby Mcguire and no one else. I guess that is for most people as well. For the readers who have not been contaminated by the movie, I guess it is up to his/her will on his looks. Aside from that, we are in the loop from the beginning on the Narrator and his life before the story officially begins.
My personal opinion on Nick stays virtually the same throughout the novel. I personally believe Nick is a well centered guy who goes with the flow, so to speak. I also believe that Nick is an honest guy. In the end of the book, we realize his hatred for Tom after the fact, and that he didn't really care for Gatsby. Throughout the book, it doesn't seem that he has any negative affliction toward either of the characters or doesn't seem biased with them either. Even when the story clearly happened well before the story was published, Nick didn't put his bias into the equation. I believe he is an honest person. Nick even states in the novel , "I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known" (Fitzgerald 59). Not only this, but I believe that he is honest from what he stated, "I'm inclined to reserve all judgements, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me" (Fitzgerald 1). Due to him saying these two statements really makes me believe that he is actually an honest person. He seems down to earth and very revealing from the start by even saying that he reserves all judgements. This to me shows an honest person, or at least one who doesn't jump to conclusions on someone and how they are with other people. In conclusion, the novel's narrator is an honest, down to earth guy who gives us The Great Gatsby like no other.
Question 2 Jared Jorden
I believe Fitzgerald chose Nick to be the narrator because he is a mutual party and leaves many things unanswered early in the book. Throughout the story Nick corrects himself about information he didn't know so it's almost like we're learning as he is. He also is very close to everyone while staying as unbiased as possible. In chapter 1 Nick describes how he lives right next to Gatspy and right across the lake from Tom (Fitzgerald 5). This shows how he is involved with everyone simply by location.
With that he is also involved because of relation.
Nicks perspective changes the story because it's a neutral state. If Gatspy was the narrator it would be his creepy planning to get Daisy then his different attempts at that. If it was Tom then it would be him trying to keep Daisy while he's going out with other girls. I think it's good for Nick because he is subjected to both sides of the cases. Since he is related to Daisy he can see things from Tom's side and since him and Gatspy became closer he can see things from that side as well. My opinion of Nick is that he is a good guy and I personally like him a lot. He always tried to do what the best thing he thought was even though it didn't always play out like that.
With that he is also involved because of relation.
Nicks perspective changes the story because it's a neutral state. If Gatspy was the narrator it would be his creepy planning to get Daisy then his different attempts at that. If it was Tom then it would be him trying to keep Daisy while he's going out with other girls. I think it's good for Nick because he is subjected to both sides of the cases. Since he is related to Daisy he can see things from Tom's side and since him and Gatspy became closer he can see things from that side as well. My opinion of Nick is that he is a good guy and I personally like him a lot. He always tried to do what the best thing he thought was even though it didn't always play out like that.
Part 2- Shayla McFarland
I think
Fitzgerald chose to make Nick the narrator so all his experiences were new. All
the other characters were rich, or had at least basic knowledge of each other,
whereas Nick was seeing everything for the first time. Because of this, it lets
the reader experience what’s going on for the first time too. It almost makes
it seem as though you are going through everything with Nick, adding the
ability to form your own opinions about things without a biased influence as he
says, ” reserving judgments is a matter of infinite hope” (Fitzgerald 6).
I
personally think Nick is a good guy. I like his personality and his state of
mind. It seems to me that he always makes rational decisions, and uses common
sense and morals. Very rarely did he do anything that I thought a bad decision,
and he says a lot of inspiring things. All in all, I would have to say Nick is
my favorite character.
Question 1 Jared Jorden
The narrator of our story is Nick Carraway. Nick is both the narrator and a participant in the Great Gatspy. His family hardly had any money and he graduated from Yale. Nick is friends with Tom Buchannan and cousins with Daisy Buchannan. He has an awkward intimate relationship with Jordan Baker and his lives in West Egg right next to Jay Gatspy. I would describe Nick as someone who just goes with the flow of everything. Especially towards the beginning of the book he gets kind of walked all over by Tom because of Tom's wealth. At the apartment party Nick kept trying to leave but he didn't because Tom wanted him to stay (Fitzgerald 27). This showed that Nick was more focused on going with the flow of things because these people were more successful than he was.
Nick was characterized as the guy that had certain connections to everyone but wasn't exactly in the mix of everything. Like how he was neighbors with Gatspy and related to Daisy. He was also old buddies with Tom. So Nick had certain connections to everyone that no one else had. My opinion of Nick didn't exactly change during the novel. I always liked him. I thought he was very interesting and gave the story a good flow. He story changed occasionally, but my opinion of him didn't change because he was a nice guy that always tried to do the right thing.
Nick was characterized as the guy that had certain connections to everyone but wasn't exactly in the mix of everything. Like how he was neighbors with Gatspy and related to Daisy. He was also old buddies with Tom. So Nick had certain connections to everyone that no one else had. My opinion of Nick didn't exactly change during the novel. I always liked him. I thought he was very interesting and gave the story a good flow. He story changed occasionally, but my opinion of him didn't change because he was a nice guy that always tried to do the right thing.
Question 2 - Carson Corrick
Nick makes a great narrator because he was raised not to judge others. He is very unbiased and he has never fully experienced the 'upper class' until he moves to West Egg, which allows the reader to see all perspectives of the world in which he finds himself in. We can see the carefree attitude of Jay Gatsby and we can see the old money attitude of Tom and Daisy. We can see George's fear of losing his wife. We can see the relationships that Daisy has between Gatsby and Tom. We can also see the relationships that Tom has between Myrtle and Daisy. If Fitzgerald didn't chose to have Nick as the narrator, then we would not have had the full story. We would have a very biased and one-sided novel. Fitzgerald gives the reader a chance to form their own opinions of the characters before the narrator can. An example of this is near the end of the novel when Nick states, "For all I knew he was going to rob the house in a moment; I wouldn't have been surprised to see sinister faces, the faces of 'Wolsheim's people' behind him in the dark shrubbery" (Fitzgerald 142). This quote shows that Nick is starting to not be as fond of Gatsby as he once was. This is the first time that Nick shows he dislikes Gatsby. Nick is seeing Gatsby as one of the thugs that he affiliates himself with to lure Daisy.
I honestly really like Nick. I can relate to Nick in the aspect that he just goes with things and then gives his opinion at the end. He gives us all perspectives of the story. He gives his honest opinion about the characters and he shows us the ups and downs of living a high class life. Many people think that money is the key to happiness, but Nick proves that money is not always happiness.
I honestly really like Nick. I can relate to Nick in the aspect that he just goes with things and then gives his opinion at the end. He gives us all perspectives of the story. He gives his honest opinion about the characters and he shows us the ups and downs of living a high class life. Many people think that money is the key to happiness, but Nick proves that money is not always happiness.
Question 1 - Carson Corrick
The narrator throughout The Great Gatsby is Nick Carraway. Nick is from a family that are "prominent, well-to-do people in this Middle Western city for three generations" (Fitzgerald 3). He comes from a fairly nondescript background. He is a World War 1 veteran and after he fights in the war, he moves east to make his fortune. He wants to trade and sell bonds as a living. He moves to West Egg and is neighbors with Jay Gatsby, who will eventually become his friend. He often visits his cousin, Daisy Buchanan, who is married to Tom Buchanan. Nick also attended Yale with Tom.
On the first page of the novel, Nick says, "'Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone,' he told me, 'just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Fitzgerald). Young Nick's mind set was forever changed by this quote. He grew up relying on this quote. He grew up with the belief that it was wrong to criticize others when they are of a lower social/financial status. Nick is the type of person who goes with the flow of things. Nick doesn't argue or retaliate in anyway, shape, or form.
Throughout the novel, my opinion of Nick did start to change. Nick is one of the only characters that has a change in their personality from the story's beginning to its end. When Nick first moves to West Egg, he is fascinated by the wealth and freedom, but as the novel progresses, Nick starts to recognize the atrocities that the elite commit towards those they consider beneath them. An example of some of these atrocities can be seen when Tom abuses Myrtle and how Tom and Daisy deal with Daisy murdering Myrtle. Near the end of the novel, Nick says, "After Gatsby's death the East was haunted for me like that, distorted beyond my eyes' power of correction. So when the blue smoke of brittle leaves was in the air and the wind blew the wet laundry stiff on the line I decided to come back home" (Fitzgerald 176). The upper class lifestyle is permanently ruined for Nick due to what he has experienced. Nick realizes that this superficial life style is not what he desired at all and that he misses the Midwest.
On the first page of the novel, Nick says, "'Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone,' he told me, 'just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Fitzgerald). Young Nick's mind set was forever changed by this quote. He grew up relying on this quote. He grew up with the belief that it was wrong to criticize others when they are of a lower social/financial status. Nick is the type of person who goes with the flow of things. Nick doesn't argue or retaliate in anyway, shape, or form.
Throughout the novel, my opinion of Nick did start to change. Nick is one of the only characters that has a change in their personality from the story's beginning to its end. When Nick first moves to West Egg, he is fascinated by the wealth and freedom, but as the novel progresses, Nick starts to recognize the atrocities that the elite commit towards those they consider beneath them. An example of some of these atrocities can be seen when Tom abuses Myrtle and how Tom and Daisy deal with Daisy murdering Myrtle. Near the end of the novel, Nick says, "After Gatsby's death the East was haunted for me like that, distorted beyond my eyes' power of correction. So when the blue smoke of brittle leaves was in the air and the wind blew the wet laundry stiff on the line I decided to come back home" (Fitzgerald 176). The upper class lifestyle is permanently ruined for Nick due to what he has experienced. Nick realizes that this superficial life style is not what he desired at all and that he misses the Midwest.
Part 1- Shayla McFarland
Our
narrator through The Great Gatsby is
Nick Carraway. He is cousins with Daisy, a neighbor to Gatsby, and a potential
love interest of Daisy’s friend Jordan. We also know he is a war vet, lived in Minnesota
before moving to New York, and graduated from Yale. He is kind of seen as the
person who is friends with everyone, has a healthy curiosity, and would go
along with whatever you ask him to do.
I would
say he is a seemingly unbiased party living in a rich neighborhood. He
experiences everything the rich he hangs out with do, and he always has one
opinion or another for it, “I was within and without. Simultaneously enchanted
and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life” (Fitzgerald 40). To me, he
almost seems like a puppy just following around its owners. He was always
learning about whatever his neighbors were getting u to next. While that
opinion didn’t change much, I’d say once I reached the end of the book, I didn’t
see him as unbiased anymore, blatantly stating how he didn’t approve of Gatsby
or like Tom.
Friday, February 26, 2016
question 2- Olivia Palotay
Nick makes a good narrator because he is very unbiased. When he moves to New York and becomes connected with Daisy, he is surrounded by people from a higher social class than him, and that is not the life that he is used to. He does a good job of fitting in because he does not judge the people around him, and that is why the author chose Nick as the narrator. He gives the readers a chance to form their own opinions on the characters before the narrator, Nick, gives away his. Usually when someone reads a book they have the same opinion on the other characters as the narrator, but this book is different. At the beginning of the book Nick got along with all the characters. He had a bad feeling about Tom because of the way he treated women, especially Daisy, and because of his arrogance. He never spoke bad about Tom though. Nick always treated him with respect as well as the rest of the characters. At the end of the back Nick sees Tom at a jewelry stores and Tom offers to shake Nick's hand. Tom says," "What's the matter, Nick? Do you object to shaking hands with me?" "Yes. You know what I think of you" (Fitzgerald 178). Nick eventually reveals his trues feelings on all the characters. In the quote, Nick rejects Tom's hand shake and tells him that he does not care for him because the accident was his fault. Tom is the one that told Wilson that is was Gatsby who hit Myrtle which later caused Gatsby's death. Nick also tells Jordan Baker how he feels about her. He explains that her life is not the life for him. The rich life was all fun and games for a little while, but once Nick got caught up in all of their crazy drama, he decided that was not they way he wanted to live. Nick's perspective on the story keeps the readers informed on everything that is happening with every character, and how every character feels. Readers would not know the full side to the events that happen if Nick was not the narrator he was.
I like Nick a lot. He is very honest about the characters and the events that happened no matter how terrible or odd they may seem. He was able to give an inside look on Gatsby that no one else in the story could give. He viewed him as the great man he was until the end. Nick shows readers that no matter how great something can seem, it always has its flaws. Everyone thinks that living a rich, high class life is everything that you could wish for, but Nick shows us the bad side of it. He is a very real person, and I respect that.
question 1- Olivia Palotay
The narrator of The Great Gatsby is Nick Carraway. He took part in WW1 and graduated from Yale. He did not come from money, and coincidently moved in next door to Mr. Gatsby when he moved to the West Egg in New York City. He is cousins with Daisy Buchannan, friends with her husband Tom Buchannan, and forms a close relationship with Jordan Baker. He claims to be an honest man, and throughout the book he proves it in different ways. Nick portrays an honest man from the beginning of the book when he says, ""Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had"" (Fitzgerald 1). The quote is one of the first sentences in the book, and it immediately gives readers a sense of how Nick's character in the book. The quote is saying that you should look at things from everyone's perspective because everyone's experiences are different, and Nick definitely lives by this quote throughout the book. For a majority of the book, Nick does not judge anyone. He knows how the stereotypical rich person is supposed to act, but tried to see past that in all the characters, only to be disappointed in the end.
Nick is thrown into this new, high class lifestyle immediately when he moves to the West Egg because of Daisy. Daisy, Tom, and Jordan show Nick what it is like to have all the money you could ask for and party all you want. He is in a lower social class than them, but does not seem phased by it. He does everything with them and never judges them because of their money. I believe that the author made Nick the character he is because it shows an outside view of the rich life. Everyone treats Nick like an equal, but he is constantly reminded that he does not have what they have, especially since he lives next door to Gatsby. Through out the book, Nick began finding out more and more about his friends' lives. Daisy and Tom cared about money and social status, and Gatsby cared about Daisy and what she thought of him. Once Nick knew them well enough, he formed an opinion on them. He realized that they are not as great as they come off to be, and I respect Nick for that. He went the whole having little opinion on everything, but once he knew enough about each of them to form an opinion, he did. I liked Nick and the way his character was throughout the whole book, and I think the he could not have narrated the book any better.
Nick is thrown into this new, high class lifestyle immediately when he moves to the West Egg because of Daisy. Daisy, Tom, and Jordan show Nick what it is like to have all the money you could ask for and party all you want. He is in a lower social class than them, but does not seem phased by it. He does everything with them and never judges them because of their money. I believe that the author made Nick the character he is because it shows an outside view of the rich life. Everyone treats Nick like an equal, but he is constantly reminded that he does not have what they have, especially since he lives next door to Gatsby. Through out the book, Nick began finding out more and more about his friends' lives. Daisy and Tom cared about money and social status, and Gatsby cared about Daisy and what she thought of him. Once Nick knew them well enough, he formed an opinion on them. He realized that they are not as great as they come off to be, and I respect Nick for that. He went the whole having little opinion on everything, but once he knew enough about each of them to form an opinion, he did. I liked Nick and the way his character was throughout the whole book, and I think the he could not have narrated the book any better.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Joana Tsuhlares
Changes in the Narrator
I think overall (compared to other narrators I've seen) Nick is fairly neutral, or genuinely attempts neutrality. He does change though. I think he has become much more comfortable with the sin around him. In the beginning he was shock at how normal it was to be talking about Tom's affair saying " Almost before I had grasped her meaning there was the flutter of a dress and the crunch of leather boots" (Fitzgerald 15), but now he barely bats an eye before bringing Gatsby and Daisy even knowing their history. He has become comfortable with this extravagant lifestyle. He is getting caught up in their big dreams of things they'll never be able to have ( Daisy and Gatsby). This aren't as they seem (Like Gatsby's past), and I think Nick will see how unrealistic, impossible goals can hurt him and the people he loves.
Joana Tsuhlares
Over and over again in the novel you see yellow. For instance when Nick is at Gatsby's party for the first time and he meets the pair of girls every time he sees them he specifically mentions their yellow dresses. The glasses of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg are yellow and Gatsby's car is Yellow. Gatsby refers to Daisy as the Golden girl, "High in a white palace the king's daughter, the golden girl" (Fitzgerald 120). All of these things relate, I believe. When Nick sees the girls in yellow, that's supposed to be an experience beyond real life, so big, so lush, so extravagant that it seems perfect. Gatsby's paradise (for lack of a better word) that he created to show Daisy (that being his party). The Glasses also show this perfection, their are on the eyes that hang over the point of sin with Tom and Myrtle. They are in the air watching clean and bright above the area that isn't in any way heavenly. The car as well, it is a good car, as we see with the haggling Tom does over it. Also it is an extension of the house, with its extravagance, to show strived for godliness. Finally Daisy, Daisy is Golden, this is what Gatsby strives for, this is what he sees at the end of that pier. She is what takes up his world, and what motivates him, so it makes sense that she would be golden. At the same time though this perfection Gatsby has been trying to show with his wealth and his dreams doesn't exist on earth.
Over and over again in the novel you see yellow. For instance when Nick is at Gatsby's party for the first time and he meets the pair of girls every time he sees them he specifically mentions their yellow dresses. The glasses of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg are yellow and Gatsby's car is Yellow. Gatsby refers to Daisy as the Golden girl, "High in a white palace the king's daughter, the golden girl" (Fitzgerald 120). All of these things relate, I believe. When Nick sees the girls in yellow, that's supposed to be an experience beyond real life, so big, so lush, so extravagant that it seems perfect. Gatsby's paradise (for lack of a better word) that he created to show Daisy (that being his party). The Glasses also show this perfection, their are on the eyes that hang over the point of sin with Tom and Myrtle. They are in the air watching clean and bright above the area that isn't in any way heavenly. The car as well, it is a good car, as we see with the haggling Tom does over it. Also it is an extension of the house, with its extravagance, to show strived for godliness. Finally Daisy, Daisy is Golden, this is what Gatsby strives for, this is what he sees at the end of that pier. She is what takes up his world, and what motivates him, so it makes sense that she would be golden. At the same time though this perfection Gatsby has been trying to show with his wealth and his dreams doesn't exist on earth.
Friday, February 19, 2016
Time Period Luke Knollinger
The time period is key to the success of this story. One of our discussion questions as I recall asked us if this story could take place in another time. I believe not for a few reasons. First this time in American history was a booming success. The Great War caused our production rate of supplies and good to increase. Not only does this circulate more money, but also creates more jobs. During this time, prohibition was in effect meaning this created a black market for boose. This would create revenue for people who had the "Connections" so to speak. Also due to the influx of the economy, this created a rise in popularity in stocks and bonds which after the 20's, would result in a crash and create what is known as the Great Depression. But this story takes place before that so the significant increase in wealth in this time is shown by Jay and Tom in particular for which they both have money. This also correlates that people were starting to spend willingly on anything such as Jay spends money on oranges and lemons. An example of this can be when Nick describes all of the elegant shirts of Gatsby's when he says," He took a pile of shirts and began throwing them"(Fitzgerald 92). He had so much money to spend on just shirts. That is crazy. I'm certain that in the future, there will be more instances of us seeing Gatsby's wealth in items for enjoyment.
Prejudice Luke Knollinger
Currently in the book I believe there is prejudices toward the main wealthy characters in this book, such as Tom and Jay. These are not negative connotations, but they are stereotypical as to who people with money were back in those days. Throughout the novel, there are some hints of stereotypical actions from these wealthy people. Let's start off with Jay Gatsby, he has a great mansion, extravagant clothes (so many, he can throw a pile of shirts on Daisy), Butlers, Parties, and of course, everyone seems to know him. Nick describes his closets like, "he opened for us two hulking patent cabinets which held his massed suits and dressing gowns and ties, and his shirts, piled like bricks in stacks a dozen high" (Fitzgerald 92). As for Tom, he also has a great mansion, butlers, and has connections. He differs by his background has always been wealthy, it is more distinct, and does not have any gaps in his past. He does have a mistress, and has a very abrasive attitude. According to Nick, "Now he was a sturdy straw-haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner" (Fitzgerald 7). As noticed Both are minutely stereotyped in the novel thus far and will most definitely continue in the future.
Currently in the book I believe there is prejudices toward the main wealthy characters in this book, such as Tom and Jay. These are not negative connotations, but they are stereotypical as to who people with money were back in those days. Throughout the novel, there are some hints of stereotypical actions from these wealthy people. Let's start off with Jay Gatsby, he has a great mansion, extravagant clothes (so many, he can throw a pile of shirts on Daisy), Butlers, Parties, and of course, everyone seems to know him. Nick describes his closets like, "he opened for us two hulking patent cabinets which held his massed suits and dressing gowns and ties, and his shirts, piled like bricks in stacks a dozen high" (Fitzgerald 92). As for Tom, he also has a great mansion, butlers, and has connections. He differs by his background has always been wealthy, it is more distinct, and does not have any gaps in his past. He does have a mistress, and has a very abrasive attitude. According to Nick, "Now he was a sturdy straw-haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner" (Fitzgerald 7). As noticed Both are minutely stereotyped in the novel thus far and will most definitely continue in the future.
What role does gender play in your story? - Carson Corrick
During the late 1800's and early 1900's it was expected of women to play the 'typical housewife' by staying home to clean, cook for their husbands, and to take care of the family. Getting married should have been a woman's top priority. Marriage had a life time commitment. Women were discourages from working, it was frowned upon. Women were powerless. The Southern belle is a stock character designated to exemplify the deep southern upper class. They were raised to be educated and appealing to the public. They were well-mannered and were raised to be prepared for marriage. Daisy is a perfect example of these types of women when she says, "'I'm p-paralyzed with happiness.' 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" (Fitzgerald 8-9). Daisy is a sweet and affectionate person who tries to win the people around her. She craves attention and wants people to adore her, but she is incredibly selfish and cares too much about social status. She is quite fashionable and has many of the qualities of a Southern belle. She loves to social and showing off her husband.
In the novel, the female presence is almost nonexistent and the male presence is predominate. This is portrayed through how the male characters and how they act around their family, specifically Tom Buchanan. Tom has a powerful male voice and is brutal and intimidating. He only cares about money and social status. Tom does not acknowledge other women's opinions and throws them off to the side. Tom is abusive to Daisy, and she follows his commands. In the novel, everyone keeps referring to Tom and Daisy as the "Tom Buchanans." I personally feel like Tom views Daisy more as a property than an actual human being. Daisy also hopes that her daughter will be a "beautiful little fool" (Fitzgerald 17). Perhaps being submissive to the husband is an easier life style for women at the time rather than being independent. On the cover of the book, if could be seen as three women. The main woman and then two women in her eyes. The women in the eyes could represent Myrtle and Jordan and the main woman could represent Daisy. It could also be that the main woman is Daisy, and the two people that are in the eyes could be Tom and Gatsby.
I think that the novel states exactly how this time period was with gender roles. Women may be starting to gain power and be able to vote, but many men are still treating them like they are things to be obtained. They are viewing them more along the lines of objects rather than people who can express their own opinion.
In the novel, the female presence is almost nonexistent and the male presence is predominate. This is portrayed through how the male characters and how they act around their family, specifically Tom Buchanan. Tom has a powerful male voice and is brutal and intimidating. He only cares about money and social status. Tom does not acknowledge other women's opinions and throws them off to the side. Tom is abusive to Daisy, and she follows his commands. In the novel, everyone keeps referring to Tom and Daisy as the "Tom Buchanans." I personally feel like Tom views Daisy more as a property than an actual human being. Daisy also hopes that her daughter will be a "beautiful little fool" (Fitzgerald 17). Perhaps being submissive to the husband is an easier life style for women at the time rather than being independent. On the cover of the book, if could be seen as three women. The main woman and then two women in her eyes. The women in the eyes could represent Myrtle and Jordan and the main woman could represent Daisy. It could also be that the main woman is Daisy, and the two people that are in the eyes could be Tom and Gatsby.
I think that the novel states exactly how this time period was with gender roles. Women may be starting to gain power and be able to vote, but many men are still treating them like they are things to be obtained. They are viewing them more along the lines of objects rather than people who can express their own opinion.
Jay Gatsby - Carson Corrick
Analyze a character in your story. How are they characterized by the author? What is their role in the story? What do you think of them? Why?
Jay Gatsby
At the beginning of the novel, everyone wonders about the mysterious Gatsby. Everyone wants to know how he has as much wealth as he does, how he obtained it, where he's from, and the college he went to, so they created untrue rumors to satisfy their need for answers. Later on in the novel, in chapter 6, we discover what really happened. Jay Gatsby's real name is James Gatz, who was from North Dakota. He ended up changing his name after he met Dan Cody, the person who influenced Gatsby to become wealthy. In chapter 6 it claims that Gatsby attempted to go to college but ended up dropping out when it says, "An instinct toward his future glory had led him, some months before, to the small Lutheran college of St. Olaf's in southern Minnesota. He stayed there two weeks, dismayed at its ferocious indifference of the drums of his destiny, to destiny itself, and despising the janitor's work with which he was to pa his way through" (Fitzgerald 99). Gatsby ended up falling in love with wealth and luxuries while he was on his escapades with Dan Cody. Gatsby's job was to watch over Dan whenever he got drunk. When Dan Cody passed away, he left Gatsby $25,000, but his wife wouldn't let him have his inheritance. Gatsby then decided that he would work to become wealthy himself.
In my opinion, I think Gatsby is an interesting character. Nick seems fascinated by Gatsby. I think that Gatsby is a liar, but a good person. We now know that he did not seek wealth to attract Daisy, but he did it for himself. Daisy is just a perk that could come with the wealth. I am intrigued with his character and I am looking forward to reading more about him.
Jay Gatsby
At the beginning of the novel, everyone wonders about the mysterious Gatsby. Everyone wants to know how he has as much wealth as he does, how he obtained it, where he's from, and the college he went to, so they created untrue rumors to satisfy their need for answers. Later on in the novel, in chapter 6, we discover what really happened. Jay Gatsby's real name is James Gatz, who was from North Dakota. He ended up changing his name after he met Dan Cody, the person who influenced Gatsby to become wealthy. In chapter 6 it claims that Gatsby attempted to go to college but ended up dropping out when it says, "An instinct toward his future glory had led him, some months before, to the small Lutheran college of St. Olaf's in southern Minnesota. He stayed there two weeks, dismayed at its ferocious indifference of the drums of his destiny, to destiny itself, and despising the janitor's work with which he was to pa his way through" (Fitzgerald 99). Gatsby ended up falling in love with wealth and luxuries while he was on his escapades with Dan Cody. Gatsby's job was to watch over Dan whenever he got drunk. When Dan Cody passed away, he left Gatsby $25,000, but his wife wouldn't let him have his inheritance. Gatsby then decided that he would work to become wealthy himself.
In my opinion, I think Gatsby is an interesting character. Nick seems fascinated by Gatsby. I think that Gatsby is a liar, but a good person. We now know that he did not seek wealth to attract Daisy, but he did it for himself. Daisy is just a perk that could come with the wealth. I am intrigued with his character and I am looking forward to reading more about him.
What role does gender play in your story? How are men and women treated or portrayed differently? -Olivia Palotay
The 1920s was the time when women had just gained the right to vote, and were beginning to realize that they can do what men can do, and that they should be viewed as equals. There are many cases in the story that show the differences between the genders. Tom is married to Daisy, but he is having on affair with Myrtle. Everyone knew about Tom and Myrtle. He went to see her on the weekends, and they even had their own apartment. Daisy never actually acknowledges that Tom is having an affair, but she know. If Daisy would leave Tom, people would think less of her. But on the other hand, if Daisy was having an affair, everyone would throw a fit because she is a woman, and woman should not disrespect a man like that. Nick and Gatsby do not show many qualities of treating women as unequal like Tom does, but there are other men in the story that do. At one of Gatsby's parties the women want to stay longer, but there husbands do not, so they begin yelling at them and pretty much carry them out of the party.
Besides Tom having an affair with Myrtle, he is also very rude to Daisy. They were once in love, but now it seems the love has faded away for both of them. In chapter five when Tom and Daisy are at one of Gatsby's parties, Tom wants to leave and gets in an argument with Daisy; ""At least they're more interesting than the people we know", she said with an effort. "You didn't look so interested."
"Well, I was." Tom laughed and turned to me. "Did you notice Daisy's face when that girl asked her to put her under a cold shower?"". Tom completely disregards Daisy's opinion and tries to tell her how she feels about the party and the people. He treats her with very little respect. I think the author want Tom to treat Daisy poorly to explain the how women were treated in the 20s and to show how Gatsby is actually in love with her. If Tom was in love with Daisy the way Gatsby is, he would be doing kind things for her. Tom does not have to go as far as building her a gigantic house like Gatsby did, but the little things matter, and I think that shows that Gatsby is who Daisy is truly meant to be with.
Besides Tom having an affair with Myrtle, he is also very rude to Daisy. They were once in love, but now it seems the love has faded away for both of them. In chapter five when Tom and Daisy are at one of Gatsby's parties, Tom wants to leave and gets in an argument with Daisy; ""At least they're more interesting than the people we know", she said with an effort. "You didn't look so interested."
"Well, I was." Tom laughed and turned to me. "Did you notice Daisy's face when that girl asked her to put her under a cold shower?"". Tom completely disregards Daisy's opinion and tries to tell her how she feels about the party and the people. He treats her with very little respect. I think the author want Tom to treat Daisy poorly to explain the how women were treated in the 20s and to show how Gatsby is actually in love with her. If Tom was in love with Daisy the way Gatsby is, he would be doing kind things for her. Tom does not have to go as far as building her a gigantic house like Gatsby did, but the little things matter, and I think that shows that Gatsby is who Daisy is truly meant to be with.
How does the perspective of the narrator change the story? What do you think the author is trying to convey with this? -Olivia Palotay
The perspective of the narrator has a great impact on the story. The narrator, Nick Carraway, does not come from money like the rest of the people upper class people he associates himself with. Since he is different from his friends (Tom, Daisy, Gatsby, Jordan), you would expect Nick to feel inferior to them because of his lower status, but that is not the way Nick sees he. He gives a very unbiased perspective on the story, and I think that is contributes greatly to the way readers view the story. If Nick was biased when he told the story of Gatsby, he would give the readers an opinion on Gatsby before we found out anything about him. Nick is fully aware that Gatsby treats him like he is superior to him, but he does not seem to care. Nick does not think less of Gatsby, and the same goes for the rest of the upper class people that look down on him. When Nick invites Gatsby over to his house for tea, Nick says, "The day agreed upon was pouring rain. At eleven o'clock a man in a raincoat, dragging a lawn-mower, tapped at my front door and said that Mr. Gatsby had sent him over to cut my grass". Gatsby did not like the way that Nick's house looked, so he decided that he should make improvements to it such as cutting the grass and planting flowers. Nick could have easily been upset by Gatsby's actions, but instead he is not phased by it.
I think the author wants us to see the story of the roaring 1920's through the eyes of someone who is not living like the rich were during that time. Nick is not used to have tons of money and constantly celebrating, so when he gets thrown into this new life, we see it from his perspective. Also, we get to see how the upper class act towards the lower classes. Tom is very arrogant, and he treats Nick, along with most people, with little respect. If the story was told by someone from the upper class, we would not can an outside perspective of the lives of the rich, or see how differently the treat other people. In my opinion, it makes the story more interesting because instead of the narrator giving you an opinion at the beginning of the story, you get the chance to form your own.
I think the author wants us to see the story of the roaring 1920's through the eyes of someone who is not living like the rich were during that time. Nick is not used to have tons of money and constantly celebrating, so when he gets thrown into this new life, we see it from his perspective. Also, we get to see how the upper class act towards the lower classes. Tom is very arrogant, and he treats Nick, along with most people, with little respect. If the story was told by someone from the upper class, we would not can an outside perspective of the lives of the rich, or see how differently the treat other people. In my opinion, it makes the story more interesting because instead of the narrator giving you an opinion at the beginning of the story, you get the chance to form your own.
Tom Buchanan
In The Great Gatspy Tom Buchanan is super rich. He is one of those people who love to show off what he has. I personally believe he isn't in love with the money as much as he likes people thinking he has money. He is very rude and arrogant. He makes people feel bad about themselves for not having as much as he does. He shows everything he has off to Nick basically bragging about it.
He also cheats on his trophy wife daisy with a girl that doesn't have any money. In one of the scenes he gets a phone call from Myrtle while the rest of the people are sitting there awkwardly (Fitzgerald 13). He is a man that doesn't think he should have any consequences for what he does. Daisy deep down knows what Tom does, but she doesn't want to end things because of the social status that Tom gives her.
- Jared Jorden
How does the time period affect the characters?
The time period in the story The Great Gatspy is around the 1920s. This is the time period when money was going around and the wealthy people had significantly more than the middle class. We learned in history class that during this time the top .01% had the same money as the bottom 50% combined. Money gave a huge affect mentally and made average citizens look up to wealthy people. This let there be a huge gap difference in social status as you see in the book. Nick is describing Tom's house in chapter 1 and the way he is talking about it makes Tom sound godly (Fitzgerald 8).
The economy was the main thing that affected the time period of the story. Because of the time period with technology developing many high end companies had loads of money while the average citizens stayed where they were. The common people then looked up to all the people with money which expanded the social classes. Even Nick has a good job as a stock broker, but to Gatspy and Tom he hardly had anything.
- Jared Jorden
The economy was the main thing that affected the time period of the story. Because of the time period with technology developing many high end companies had loads of money while the average citizens stayed where they were. The common people then looked up to all the people with money which expanded the social classes. Even Nick has a good job as a stock broker, but to Gatspy and Tom he hardly had anything.
- Jared Jorden
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Jay Gatsby- Shayla McFarland
In
chapter 4, Gatsby tells Nick, who subsequently tells us, about his life. While the
believability of this is pulled into question, “He hurried the phrase “educated
at Oxford,” or swallowed it or choked on it as though it had bothered him
before,” for the moment, it lifts some of the
mystery clouding Gatsby (Fitzgerald 69). He still is a very under described individual however,
because he never elaborates on why he is allowed to evade the law, or how he
knows such shifty people as those who can rig the World Series. Nick certainly
seems to find him fascinating though, going on how he constantly describes him,
and is curious as to what he is up to. This does lead to Nick making
connections, and trying to bring Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby together.
Personally I find Gatsby very interesting. Not only does he never
greatly elaborate on his mystery, but when he does, he is almost clearly lying.
I wonder what he could really be hiding. Also many of his actions make me
wonder if he has ulterior motives, such as when Jordan says he moved across
from Daisy to live closer to her, and watch her. I am very excited to read on
and discover more about this ‘Great Gatsby.’
How does the perspective of the narrator change the story? –Shayla McFarland
I think
the fact that the narrator is Nick influences the story quite a bit. He is
perfectly in the middle of all other characters to give us a view into all
their lives. He is cousin to Daisy, went to the same collage as her husband
Tom, lives next door to Gatsby, and is a potential love interest for Jordan.
Also, he seems to be an unbiased party to the wealth/social classes, while
keeping a healthy curiosity of them as well.
I think
the author uses this to his advantage. Nick seems like a kind man through all
that we’ve read, even going so far as to protect Gatsby from slander with
information he doesn’t even learn until later, “His
life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he could return to a
certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he could find out what that
thing was” (Fitzgerald 113). He also protects Tom’s ‘secret’, and helps
Daisy with Gatsby. I don’t think we’d see this from any other character as the
narrator.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Gender role Luke
Gender plays a subtle role in these two chapters. In the beginning there really isn't much regarding the roles between men and women, but in order to eventually understand the differences, you must understand the time period. This was the 1920's and women were fighting for the right to vote at this point in time. My great grandmother grew up during these times and I can remember her telling me that women weren't even allowed to wear pants. It had to be a dress of some sort. Also during this time, the only jobs women were to have were either secretary/ typing jobs, sewing/ seamstress jobs, teaching jobs, or childcare jobs. With that being understood we can continue to the gender roles in the novel.
The gender roles in chapters 1 and 2 are very subtle but with the previously stated in mind, it is easy to catch on. In chapter one, Nick states," the history of the summer really begins on the evening I drove over there to have dinner with the Tom Buchannans"(Fitzgerald 5). This is the first to come about gender role differences in the novel. If you noticed, Nick refers to Tom and Daisy as the "Tom Buchannans", instead of referring to them individually. This tells the reader that Tom is the dominant figure there, and Daisy has no say when it comes to them. It also shows how people saw couples back then too, referring to them only by the husband's name. Yet very subtly stated, there are gender differences in this novel and there definitely will be more to come.
Gender plays a subtle role in these two chapters. In the beginning there really isn't much regarding the roles between men and women, but in order to eventually understand the differences, you must understand the time period. This was the 1920's and women were fighting for the right to vote at this point in time. My great grandmother grew up during these times and I can remember her telling me that women weren't even allowed to wear pants. It had to be a dress of some sort. Also during this time, the only jobs women were to have were either secretary/ typing jobs, sewing/ seamstress jobs, teaching jobs, or childcare jobs. With that being understood we can continue to the gender roles in the novel.
The gender roles in chapters 1 and 2 are very subtle but with the previously stated in mind, it is easy to catch on. In chapter one, Nick states," the history of the summer really begins on the evening I drove over there to have dinner with the Tom Buchannans"(Fitzgerald 5). This is the first to come about gender role differences in the novel. If you noticed, Nick refers to Tom and Daisy as the "Tom Buchannans", instead of referring to them individually. This tells the reader that Tom is the dominant figure there, and Daisy has no say when it comes to them. It also shows how people saw couples back then too, referring to them only by the husband's name. Yet very subtly stated, there are gender differences in this novel and there definitely will be more to come.
Jay Gatsby- Luke
Analyze a character
Mr. Gatsby , as referred by the characters thus far, is a very mysterious person. Little is known, or mentioned yet, but I believe that this is a pre cursor to something extraordinary about him. Given the title of the book is named after him, it is safe to say that he has an important role in the story. But as of now, he is a secluded man who only watches from his windows of his house, and comes out once to stare at the green light across the channel. The only thing here is that there is a little bit of an excitement about his name. When mentioned Daisy asks sporadically,"Gatsby? What Gatsby"(Fitzgerald 11)? I personally believe that this is something that will transpire into something with Daisy and Mr. Gatsby. Finally, as for now, Mr. Gatsby remains a suspenseful mystery that I believe will soon be figured out.
Analyze a character
Mr. Gatsby , as referred by the characters thus far, is a very mysterious person. Little is known, or mentioned yet, but I believe that this is a pre cursor to something extraordinary about him. Given the title of the book is named after him, it is safe to say that he has an important role in the story. But as of now, he is a secluded man who only watches from his windows of his house, and comes out once to stare at the green light across the channel. The only thing here is that there is a little bit of an excitement about his name. When mentioned Daisy asks sporadically,"Gatsby? What Gatsby"(Fitzgerald 11)? I personally believe that this is something that will transpire into something with Daisy and Mr. Gatsby. Finally, as for now, Mr. Gatsby remains a suspenseful mystery that I believe will soon be figured out.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Prejudice- Joana Tsuhlares
Prejudice, I believe, is really used as character distinction. Tom shows strong prejudice tendencies saying, "...if we don't look out the whit race will be-will be utterly submerged" (Fitzgerald 13). Nick is also very unfaithful and respectful to his wife, while she, in sharp contrast, is much more kind and less manipulative overall. You also see his (Tom) also shows the differences with this strong statement between him and more passive Nick. I think this will really show in Tom's character more often, because it shows he can be hateful, and if there is conflict this might show itself.
Prejudice, I believe, is really used as character distinction. Tom shows strong prejudice tendencies saying, "...if we don't look out the whit race will be-will be utterly submerged" (Fitzgerald 13). Nick is also very unfaithful and respectful to his wife, while she, in sharp contrast, is much more kind and less manipulative overall. You also see his (Tom) also shows the differences with this strong statement between him and more passive Nick. I think this will really show in Tom's character more often, because it shows he can be hateful, and if there is conflict this might show itself.
The Time Period and the Characters-Joana Tsuhlares
The time period, I believe, has a huge impact on how our characters behave. For example there are very strict, new money old money differences between the neighborhoods and you don't see that as much today. Also, Tom brings up old and racist ideas at super that we simply wouldn't see today. But the time period effects our characters in bigger ways as well. For instance Nick's restlessness from his time in WWI. He says, "...I participated in that delayed Teutonic migration known as the Great War. I enjoyed the counter-raid so thoroughly that I came back restless" (Fitzgerald 3). So, even the basis for our character's setting can be related to the time period in which they lived.
The time period, I believe, has a huge impact on how our characters behave. For example there are very strict, new money old money differences between the neighborhoods and you don't see that as much today. Also, Tom brings up old and racist ideas at super that we simply wouldn't see today. But the time period effects our characters in bigger ways as well. For instance Nick's restlessness from his time in WWI. He says, "...I participated in that delayed Teutonic migration known as the Great War. I enjoyed the counter-raid so thoroughly that I came back restless" (Fitzgerald 3). So, even the basis for our character's setting can be related to the time period in which they lived.
The narrators perspective on the story has an immense effect on the story is told. Nick, our narrator, gives you an extremely unbiased look on the story. how he was brought up, was to not voice his opinion and when he feels as though he should, to remember that not everyone had the advantages you had. Nick's family is described briefly as at least middle class. So, as a result of his upbringing, I believe, He doesn't voice his opinion; therefore giving a perfectly un-bias prospective.
When observing a situation, you can almost guarantee that you are getting a true look. He doesn't put his own beliefs or thoughts to skew what is actually happening. he is a passive person, so he is not aggressive enough to engage but it is his nature to observe. so not only do you get the story from an un-bias source, but a full story.
shawn guthoerl
When observing a situation, you can almost guarantee that you are getting a true look. He doesn't put his own beliefs or thoughts to skew what is actually happening. he is a passive person, so he is not aggressive enough to engage but it is his nature to observe. so not only do you get the story from an un-bias source, but a full story.
shawn guthoerl
How does the perspective of the narrator change the story? Olivia Palotay
Nick Carraway is the narrator of The Great Gatsby. He was in WWI and graduated from Yale. He has just moved to New York, coincidently next to Gatsby, who is the talk to the town. Daisy Buchanan is his cousin, and she invited Nick to join her and Tom. Daisy and Tom live a glamorous life. They have been all over the world, and have experienced many things, which is the opposite of Nick.
Although Nick is not used to their lifestyle, he is very open to it. He does not judge them because they act differently, and he enjoys experiencing how they live. It gives the story an unbiased view. Nick says, "The abnormal mind is quick to detect and attach itself to this quality when it appears in a normal person, and so it came about that in college I was unjustly accused of being a politician, because I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men" (Fitzgerald 1). Nick's perspective gives a view inside the lives of Daisy and Tom Buchanan and Jordan Baker, who are very different than him. He is beginning to get used to this new lifestyle, and since he is the narrator, readers get to watch him react and form into a different person because of the different ways of living that he is experiencing.
Although Nick is not used to their lifestyle, he is very open to it. He does not judge them because they act differently, and he enjoys experiencing how they live. It gives the story an unbiased view. Nick says, "The abnormal mind is quick to detect and attach itself to this quality when it appears in a normal person, and so it came about that in college I was unjustly accused of being a politician, because I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men" (Fitzgerald 1). Nick's perspective gives a view inside the lives of Daisy and Tom Buchanan and Jordan Baker, who are very different than him. He is beginning to get used to this new lifestyle, and since he is the narrator, readers get to watch him react and form into a different person because of the different ways of living that he is experiencing.
How does the time period affect the characters? Olivia Palotay
The Great Gatsby takes place during the 1920's, which was the time of a huge financial boom. During that time period, people were happy from multiple reasons. The war had just ended, and they way people did things was beginning to change for the better. It was also a great financial time because of the stock market boom. The people were happier than they had been for a long time.
The first three chapters of The Great Gatsby takes place at two different parties. The parties are exciting and lively. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald says, "On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city between nine in the morning and long past midnight, while his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains" (39). The time period affects the characters because they are apart of the ideal lifestyle that the people in the 20's were living. They had money, and they were invited to the celebrations for no reason every single night. The way that Daisy, Tom, and Jordan are the best way to describe what life was like during that time. If the book took place in a different time period, the characters would be completely different. They would not have all the money that they have, and they would not be partying constantly and living this care-free lifestyle. Gatsby, even though not much information has been given about him yet, plays a big role in the big. He is the mysterious guy giving the people of New York a party to go to. He has nothing but money, and if this were to take place in a different time period, it is possible that Gatsby would not be as successful as he is, and he would not have all of New York on his property every weekend.
The first three chapters of The Great Gatsby takes place at two different parties. The parties are exciting and lively. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald says, "On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city between nine in the morning and long past midnight, while his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains" (39). The time period affects the characters because they are apart of the ideal lifestyle that the people in the 20's were living. They had money, and they were invited to the celebrations for no reason every single night. The way that Daisy, Tom, and Jordan are the best way to describe what life was like during that time. If the book took place in a different time period, the characters would be completely different. They would not have all the money that they have, and they would not be partying constantly and living this care-free lifestyle. Gatsby, even though not much information has been given about him yet, plays a big role in the big. He is the mysterious guy giving the people of New York a party to go to. He has nothing but money, and if this were to take place in a different time period, it is possible that Gatsby would not be as successful as he is, and he would not have all of New York on his property every weekend.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Tom Buchanan - Carson Corrick
Analyze a character in your story. How are they characterized by the author? What is their role in the story? What do you think of them? Why?
Tom Buchanan
Nick Carraway's cousin-in-law, Tom Buchanan, is extremely wealthy. By American standards, he technically 'has it all'. Tom comes from an old, wealthy Chicago family. When Tom was in college, he enjoyed flaunting his money. He was one of the best football players when he played at Yale. Tom is married to Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan, who he is currently cheating on with Myrtle Wilson. He leads a luxurious life in East Egg by engaging himself in polo, riding horses, and driving fast cars. The author characterizes Tom as an arrogant, dominant, racist, and unfaithful person. Tom's role in The Great Gatsby is that of an antagonist in my opinion. I honestly cannot stand Tom because of his actions. He comes off as extremely snobby and rude. Not to mention that he is currently cheating on Nick's cousin, Daisy, and talks about his other lover, Myrtle, with Nick. Why would he talk about it to Nick when it's Nick's family that its happening to?! Tom is the kind of person who flaunts what he has and what he can get to Nick because he knows Nick cannot have it, therefore, making Tom feel superior and feeding his ego. I believe that Tom is a vulgar being who just needs to go away.
Tom Buchanan
Nick Carraway's cousin-in-law, Tom Buchanan, is extremely wealthy. By American standards, he technically 'has it all'. Tom comes from an old, wealthy Chicago family. When Tom was in college, he enjoyed flaunting his money. He was one of the best football players when he played at Yale. Tom is married to Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan, who he is currently cheating on with Myrtle Wilson. He leads a luxurious life in East Egg by engaging himself in polo, riding horses, and driving fast cars. The author characterizes Tom as an arrogant, dominant, racist, and unfaithful person. Tom's role in The Great Gatsby is that of an antagonist in my opinion. I honestly cannot stand Tom because of his actions. He comes off as extremely snobby and rude. Not to mention that he is currently cheating on Nick's cousin, Daisy, and talks about his other lover, Myrtle, with Nick. Why would he talk about it to Nick when it's Nick's family that its happening to?! Tom is the kind of person who flaunts what he has and what he can get to Nick because he knows Nick cannot have it, therefore, making Tom feel superior and feeding his ego. I believe that Tom is a vulgar being who just needs to go away.
What role does prejudice play in your book?-Shayla McFarland
Nick has used prejudiced language at times, most likely without
even knowing it. The word prejudice comes with a negative connotation when it
could simply come from someone naïve or misinformed. I notice it most in The Great Gatsby when Nick talks
about the place he lives, or more specifically, who he lives around.
When describing his house, the
narrator, Nick, says, “I lived at West Egg, the
– well, the least fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag
to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them”
(Fitzgerald 14). He goes on to describe the lavish houses of his neighbors, and
those of East Egg. Although he only knows his cousin Daisy, and her husband
Tom, he assumes everyone living around him are millionaires who live luxurious
lives, and throw fantastic parties. An example, Gatsby, whom Nick assumes is
mysterious and throws parties to show off, but later meets for himself, and
learns more about. So for now, I’d say stereotypes are very present in The Great Gatsby, but Nick could change
his views.
How does the time period affect the characters? - Carson Corrick
Nick Carraway
In Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, we are brought into a time period full of celebration. This time period is known as the 1920's, often referred to as "The Roaring 20's." Nick Carraway was a World War 1 veteran, and during the 1920's, World War 1 had just come to an end. Nick ends up moving from Minnesota to New York to learn about the Bond Business. He wants the "Glitz and Glamour" that New York contains. During this time period, the stock market is reaching an all time high and it was very common for people to start getting involved with the stock market and big businesses.
In chapter two of The Great Gatsby, Nick goes to a party with Tom and Myrtle. Nick claims that he got drunk for the second time in his life at this party. During the early 1900's a prohibition movement started gaining more and more supporters which led to a constitutional amendment being passed in 1920, which banned alcohol sales and consumption. As the demand of alcohol increased, so did the methods of masking its production. Party hosts made sure that there were 'finger foods' at parties to insure that there would be no alcohol consumption on an empty stomach. People came up with inventive ways to hide alcohol by creating heavily flavored mixtures assembled to mask the taste of gin. These concoctions are commonly referred to as cocktails. The reason why parties were happening more often was due to that fact that it was the Jazz Age. During the Jazz age, many artists felt the need to create something that expressed what they were feeling at the time. Some created music, yet some created beautiful works of art. The music helped add to the entertainment to the parties at a reasonable price. Although the characters in the story are fiction, the time period seems extremely accurate compared to what actually happened.
In Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, we are brought into a time period full of celebration. This time period is known as the 1920's, often referred to as "The Roaring 20's." Nick Carraway was a World War 1 veteran, and during the 1920's, World War 1 had just come to an end. Nick ends up moving from Minnesota to New York to learn about the Bond Business. He wants the "Glitz and Glamour" that New York contains. During this time period, the stock market is reaching an all time high and it was very common for people to start getting involved with the stock market and big businesses.
In chapter two of The Great Gatsby, Nick goes to a party with Tom and Myrtle. Nick claims that he got drunk for the second time in his life at this party. During the early 1900's a prohibition movement started gaining more and more supporters which led to a constitutional amendment being passed in 1920, which banned alcohol sales and consumption. As the demand of alcohol increased, so did the methods of masking its production. Party hosts made sure that there were 'finger foods' at parties to insure that there would be no alcohol consumption on an empty stomach. People came up with inventive ways to hide alcohol by creating heavily flavored mixtures assembled to mask the taste of gin. These concoctions are commonly referred to as cocktails. The reason why parties were happening more often was due to that fact that it was the Jazz Age. During the Jazz age, many artists felt the need to create something that expressed what they were feeling at the time. Some created music, yet some created beautiful works of art. The music helped add to the entertainment to the parties at a reasonable price. Although the characters in the story are fiction, the time period seems extremely accurate compared to what actually happened.
What role does gender play in your story?-Shayla McFarland
In the novel The
Great Gatsby, gender is brought up multiple times, and in many different
contexts. It's never implicitly stated, but when Nick talks of the millionaires
he lives around, and the workers he sees, they're all men. This is most likely
due to the fact the book is set in the 20's, and women were only just beginning
to gain the right to vote, and have better jobs. The time period would also
explain the differences in the way Nick describes the way men and women dress
and move at an event such as Gatsby's party, or when Tom takes Nick to the
apartment with Myrtle and the gang, as Tom seems to use and abuse her
because she is a woman.
Women are portrayed in
a good light too though. When speaking of Jordan, Nick says, "Almost any exhibition
of complete self-sufficiency draws a stunned tribute from me" (Fitzgerald
32). It's also worth noting that the cover of the book portrays what seems to
be a woman's face, with two other women in her eyes. So while I don't think gender
plays a huge role in The Great
Gatsby, there are some subtly
differences in the way Nick describes men and women, and how they're treated.
Nick Carraway - Jared Jorden
Nick Carraway is the narrator in the story The Great Gatspy. He was a WW1 veteran and a graduate of Yale before he lived in West Egg right next to Gatspy. His role in the story is to be a mediator and to basically let everyone know what is happening in New York at this time. He wants to go out with the rich people at that time and wants to be known for fun, but doesn't actually want to take part in everything that is going on. For example, in the apartment Nick wanted to go and have a good time with the rich and popular people, but once he got there he just wanted to leave. He never actually left because he didn't want to ruin the party for anyone.
He seems like a guy that has trouble making up his mind with certain decisions. He admits to having attraction to Jordan Baker, but then doesn't want to be with her. I believe he wants to be like the rich and popular people at that time but feels wrong about how things are going about.
He seems like a guy that has trouble making up his mind with certain decisions. He admits to having attraction to Jordan Baker, but then doesn't want to be with her. I believe he wants to be like the rich and popular people at that time but feels wrong about how things are going about.
How does the perspective of the narrator change the story? - Jared Jorden
Jared Jorden
I think it's really interesting how the narrator is Nick Carraway in The Great Gatspy. I feel as if Nick gives the story a suspicious feeling like he doesn't actually know what's going on. Nick is next door neighbors with Gatspy which gives him an interesting view on everything that goes on at his house.
Along with that, Nick lives right across the lake from Tom Buchanan. Early in the story Tom and Gatspy have no connection, but they have an intermediate source in Nick. I believe the author is trying to make the reader make some sort of connection between Tom and Gatspy through the eyes of Nick.
I think the authors main goal is to leave everything at a non favored view. Nick is the character that seems to somewhat know everyone and have no preference who he is around. The author is trying to get keep us interested before we find out a big connection later in the story.
I think it's really interesting how the narrator is Nick Carraway in The Great Gatspy. I feel as if Nick gives the story a suspicious feeling like he doesn't actually know what's going on. Nick is next door neighbors with Gatspy which gives him an interesting view on everything that goes on at his house.
Along with that, Nick lives right across the lake from Tom Buchanan. Early in the story Tom and Gatspy have no connection, but they have an intermediate source in Nick. I believe the author is trying to make the reader make some sort of connection between Tom and Gatspy through the eyes of Nick.
I think the authors main goal is to leave everything at a non favored view. Nick is the character that seems to somewhat know everyone and have no preference who he is around. The author is trying to get keep us interested before we find out a big connection later in the story.
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