"I couldn't forgive him or like him, but I saw that what he had done was, to him, entirely justified. It was all very careless and confused. They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made..." (181).
This was the most profound quote in the book for me, and it summarized the preceding action well. Throughout the novel, the rich lived without care and concern, harboring secrets while socializing at the summer parties. Tom, Daisy, Gatsby, and even Myrtle Wilson all caused havoc in their own lives but never took responsibility. Others were left to deal with the messes they left behind. This was one of the key points that separated Nick from the others; he cared about others. The wealth these people had could protect them from responsibility, but it couldn't make them happy or truly satisfied. I think this is a theme in the novel, how unsatisfied the rich were as they acted with carelessness. The damaging consequences serve as a warning, showing how the carefree, lavish lifestyle leads to corruption and destruction.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Symbols and the Protagonist: The Great Gatsby
"The locality was always vaguely disquieting, even in the broad glare of the afternoon, and now I turned my head as though I had been warned of something behind. Over the ashheaps the giant eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg kept their vigil, but I perceived, after a moment, that the other eyes were regarding us with peculiar intensity..." (125).
Although I originally thought that Gatsby would be the protagonist with his name being in the title and all, but I came to the conclusion that Nick is the protagonist in the story. He suffers an external conflict with society, and he doesn't ever fit in with their personalities or lifestyles. This conflict is shown throughout his interactions with everyone, but I think it might also be represented in some reoccurring scenery. The eyes of Dr. Eckleburg passed judgement on Nick and his companions many times as they passed by the ash. Those giant eyes were always watching, and I got the impression that they looked on with disapproval and scorn. The ashheaps made the location seem desolate and hopeless, and nothing really positive occurred by the ash. I think that whole area with the eyes and the ash represent how their careless lifestyle was not free of consequence, and someone was always watching their lives. They never had any secrets with those eyes watching. The characters couldn't escape the eyes or the desperation of the ashheaps even when they weren't at the physical spot.
Although I originally thought that Gatsby would be the protagonist with his name being in the title and all, but I came to the conclusion that Nick is the protagonist in the story. He suffers an external conflict with society, and he doesn't ever fit in with their personalities or lifestyles. This conflict is shown throughout his interactions with everyone, but I think it might also be represented in some reoccurring scenery. The eyes of Dr. Eckleburg passed judgement on Nick and his companions many times as they passed by the ash. Those giant eyes were always watching, and I got the impression that they looked on with disapproval and scorn. The ashheaps made the location seem desolate and hopeless, and nothing really positive occurred by the ash. I think that whole area with the eyes and the ash represent how their careless lifestyle was not free of consequence, and someone was always watching their lives. They never had any secrets with those eyes watching. The characters couldn't escape the eyes or the desperation of the ashheaps even when they weren't at the physical spot.
The Not so Great Gatsby
"'And she doesn't understand,' he said. 'She used to be able to understand. We'd sit for hours-'...'Can't repeat the past?' he cried incredulously. 'Why of course you can!' He looked around him wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadow of his house, just out of the reach of his hand" (111).
Throughout Nick's entire relationship with Gatsby, I thought that the rich man was strange. Even though he threw these lavish parties with many people in attendance, he was not especially social. In fact, his social encounters were sort of awkward. His actions were abrupt and sharp, like when he looked around wildly. I picture him like a cornered animal, acting erratically and slightly defensive. I don't know if the author wanted him to come off as that weird, but I definitely got a strange vibe from him. I wasn't really sympathetic towards him, even when he was pursuing Daisy. The whole mystery surrounding him confused me, especially because in the beginning Nick said Gatsby turned out alright. Maybe Nick was talking about how Gatsby turned out to be alright as a person. Since he died at the end, I would guess that Nick didn't mean that Gatsby's situation was alright.
Throughout Nick's entire relationship with Gatsby, I thought that the rich man was strange. Even though he threw these lavish parties with many people in attendance, he was not especially social. In fact, his social encounters were sort of awkward. His actions were abrupt and sharp, like when he looked around wildly. I picture him like a cornered animal, acting erratically and slightly defensive. I don't know if the author wanted him to come off as that weird, but I definitely got a strange vibe from him. I wasn't really sympathetic towards him, even when he was pursuing Daisy. The whole mystery surrounding him confused me, especially because in the beginning Nick said Gatsby turned out alright. Maybe Nick was talking about how Gatsby turned out to be alright as a person. Since he died at the end, I would guess that Nick didn't mean that Gatsby's situation was alright.
James Gatz to Jay Gatsby
"So he invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen-year-old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end" (99).
The parties and the grandeur of the characters' lifestyles were used a distractions from their unhappiness, and everything about that group of people was not genuine. Even the mysterious and incredibly wealthy Jay Gatsby was not who he seemed to be; he was instead an illusion conjured up in his teen years. No one really knew who Gatsby was because the man before them was not truly a Gatsby. He morphed himself into the kind of man he thought he needed to be to be successful. He had to distance himself from James Gatz, the poor farmers' boy, in order to live in the rich society of New York. The more he became Gatsby, the more he left his former life behind and turned into the restless, strange rich man Nick knew. I thought having this other life that he rarely spoke about made Gatsby less genuine. The novel talks about how he formed this conception about himself and let that consume him; he hardly ever disclosed his true identity or story. I think this covering of his past and becoming the unsatisfied, corrupt "businessman" led to the events surrounding his demise.
The parties and the grandeur of the characters' lifestyles were used a distractions from their unhappiness, and everything about that group of people was not genuine. Even the mysterious and incredibly wealthy Jay Gatsby was not who he seemed to be; he was instead an illusion conjured up in his teen years. No one really knew who Gatsby was because the man before them was not truly a Gatsby. He morphed himself into the kind of man he thought he needed to be to be successful. He had to distance himself from James Gatz, the poor farmers' boy, in order to live in the rich society of New York. The more he became Gatsby, the more he left his former life behind and turned into the restless, strange rich man Nick knew. I thought having this other life that he rarely spoke about made Gatsby less genuine. The novel talks about how he formed this conception about himself and let that consume him; he hardly ever disclosed his true identity or story. I think this covering of his past and becoming the unsatisfied, corrupt "businessman" led to the events surrounding his demise.
A Thought to End With: The Great Gatsby
"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter- tomorrow we will run faster, stretch our arms out farther...And one fine morning- So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past" (182).
The only somewhat optimistic part of this whole book were the final lines of the novel that gave a glimmer of hope for the future. Although it sounds like the current keeps pushing them back, at least they keep trying to achieve a goal. Nick seems to be fighting society, like when he mentions how the people at Gatsby's party are so stupid. He never really fits in with the rest of the high society types, but they seemed more lost in the world than he did. They are the people fighting the current and being pushed back as the future recedes. There came a point in people's lives when they seemed to give up, like when Daisy and Gatsby cannot be with each other. Even their riches and materials could not bring them happiness or closure. This is a theme in the novel, centered around the meaningless society events that Nick attended as he watched the people be pushed back by the current. They were never really happy, just bored and unsatisfied most of the time. The quote seemed really profound to me and appropriate to end the novel.
The only somewhat optimistic part of this whole book were the final lines of the novel that gave a glimmer of hope for the future. Although it sounds like the current keeps pushing them back, at least they keep trying to achieve a goal. Nick seems to be fighting society, like when he mentions how the people at Gatsby's party are so stupid. He never really fits in with the rest of the high society types, but they seemed more lost in the world than he did. They are the people fighting the current and being pushed back as the future recedes. There came a point in people's lives when they seemed to give up, like when Daisy and Gatsby cannot be with each other. Even their riches and materials could not bring them happiness or closure. This is a theme in the novel, centered around the meaningless society events that Nick attended as he watched the people be pushed back by the current. They were never really happy, just bored and unsatisfied most of the time. The quote seemed really profound to me and appropriate to end the novel.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Style/ Theme: The Great Gatsby
"The instant her voice broke off, ceasing to compel my attention, my belief, I felt the basic insincerity of what she had said. It made me uneasy, as though the whole evening had been a trick of some sort to exact a contributory emotion from me. I waited, and sure enough, in a moment she looked at me with an absolute smirk on her lovely face, as if she had asserted her membership in a rather distinguished secret society to which she and Tom belonged" (18).
The author seems to be giving subtle commentary on the lives of the rich characters. Their personalities, motivations, and secrets are slowly revealed as Nick gets deeper into their social circle. Nick's tone overall seems neutral with instances of suspicion and unhappiness as he tries to fit in with this crowd. The author's tone seems more ironic and perhaps satirical as the characters as described as arrogant and insincere. The theme will be embodied by the characters and their choices in life, and the message may not be too positive. The characters obviously lead a life of excess and low morals for the time period, as shown by the descriptions of their actions and character. Much mystery surrounds the characters, as seen with Nick's interactions with Daisy, Jordan, and Gatsby especially. There seems to a tone of disapproval in regards to the characters' actions.
The author seems to be giving subtle commentary on the lives of the rich characters. Their personalities, motivations, and secrets are slowly revealed as Nick gets deeper into their social circle. Nick's tone overall seems neutral with instances of suspicion and unhappiness as he tries to fit in with this crowd. The author's tone seems more ironic and perhaps satirical as the characters as described as arrogant and insincere. The theme will be embodied by the characters and their choices in life, and the message may not be too positive. The characters obviously lead a life of excess and low morals for the time period, as shown by the descriptions of their actions and character. Much mystery surrounds the characters, as seen with Nick's interactions with Daisy, Jordan, and Gatsby especially. There seems to a tone of disapproval in regards to the characters' actions.
Techniques: The Great Gatsby
"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. 'Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,' he told me, 'just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had'" (1).
The author did not dive right into the story on Nick and Gatsby; instead the novel began with a brief reflection in which Nick talks about judging others and Gatsby. This piece included a quote and a statement about Gatsby that hinted at future events, but it really created more questions. The beginning serves a greater purpose, but I expect that to come back into play at the end. Nick has been telling the story in the first person point of view, giving the reader insight into the lives of his friends and neighbors. Nick does not appear to be overly wealthy and lives in a smaller house, so he is on the outside of the wealthy circle. His associations allow him to join the rich at parties and dinners, and he shares those events with the reader. He rarely makes a judgmental comment on the happenings he tells and instead gives the facts of the event. He shares his observations with dramatic irony as the reader learns the secrets of his acquaintances.
The author did not dive right into the story on Nick and Gatsby; instead the novel began with a brief reflection in which Nick talks about judging others and Gatsby. This piece included a quote and a statement about Gatsby that hinted at future events, but it really created more questions. The beginning serves a greater purpose, but I expect that to come back into play at the end. Nick has been telling the story in the first person point of view, giving the reader insight into the lives of his friends and neighbors. Nick does not appear to be overly wealthy and lives in a smaller house, so he is on the outside of the wealthy circle. His associations allow him to join the rich at parties and dinners, and he shares those events with the reader. He rarely makes a judgmental comment on the happenings he tells and instead gives the facts of the event. He shares his observations with dramatic irony as the reader learns the secrets of his acquaintances.
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