Everyday Use
Alice Walker
I thought it was very interesting how the author presented the short story through the eyes of a character speaking in first person. This point of view is not only interesting, but also the way she presents what she understands. She is very "matter-of-fact", and the passage I found initially very interesting was the presentation of her observation of a proud family. The narrator talks of a television show in which a child is brought to the stage with her parents so they can acknowledge the "risen star" of a child she is. The narrator dreams of herself being up on the stage with Dee, celebrating and loving each other and being proud of each other's successes. I think this admission gives real insight into the values and intent of the family. They want to be able to work hard and to appreciate accomplishments made by the whole family. Even when Dee claims to not want her own name, a "name of her oppressors", and the difference between Dee and her family is shown, there is still a family love for each other throughout the story, and a desire to make each other better, "You ought to try to make something of yourself too, Maggie."
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Interpreter of Maladies
Interpreter of Maladies
Jhumpa Lahiri
In Interpreter of Maladies, what I noticed most was what type of marriage American culture seems to cultivate. Mrs. and Mr. Das fell in and out of love far too early, but not too early to not have had children, who of course, they now ignore. The sad little family is taken on a tour by Mr. Kapasi, and Mr. Kapasi seems to take special notice of Mrs. Das. "He observed her." What is interesting though, is that he starts to think that Mrs. Das is interested in him! Her subtle actions lead his lonely mind to imagine a connection between them. In the end though, he learns that she only needs his advice, and that in fact he is seen as a father figure, and not a potential date. I think, through reading this short story that there is much to say about implications and about assumptions. The unhappiness of a family and the distance between Mrs. and Mr. Das is not by any means an invitation. Even if the alternative seems hold potential for happiness, Mr. Kapasi assumed with his little mind that she was a good idea.
Jhumpa Lahiri
In Interpreter of Maladies, what I noticed most was what type of marriage American culture seems to cultivate. Mrs. and Mr. Das fell in and out of love far too early, but not too early to not have had children, who of course, they now ignore. The sad little family is taken on a tour by Mr. Kapasi, and Mr. Kapasi seems to take special notice of Mrs. Das. "He observed her." What is interesting though, is that he starts to think that Mrs. Das is interested in him! Her subtle actions lead his lonely mind to imagine a connection between them. In the end though, he learns that she only needs his advice, and that in fact he is seen as a father figure, and not a potential date. I think, through reading this short story that there is much to say about implications and about assumptions. The unhappiness of a family and the distance between Mrs. and Mr. Das is not by any means an invitation. Even if the alternative seems hold potential for happiness, Mr. Kapasi assumed with his little mind that she was a good idea.
Mr. Z
Mr.Z
M. Carl Holman
I see this poem as actually a testimony to the pressure to denounce one's ethnicity- if not white. Mr. Z seems to do everything he is capable of to become a traditional white man. He marries a white woman, who too has lost the roots to her heritage, he disowns the music of his culture, and he refuses the food of a traditional African Americans in the United States at the time. The fact that his own wife is trying to find relief from the harsh stereotypes yields that it is very common to be found under this pressure. So it only makes sense that he would make every move possible to become more accepted in the Anglo-Saxon barriers of the United States, and only seems to earn the title "one of the most distinguished members of his race" (as if the standard of "distinguished" is low in the first place). This could potentially be seen in a positive light, that he overcame the stereotypes and was true to the meaning of his heritage, but in fact, it is just the opposite. Rather than refusing to be a denizen of hope and promise, he manifests the standards of the racist white man and tries to become just like them. He becomes more and more a mold of what society has wanted him to be, living on the right streets, eating the "normal" food, and disowning everything he came from.
M. Carl Holman
I see this poem as actually a testimony to the pressure to denounce one's ethnicity- if not white. Mr. Z seems to do everything he is capable of to become a traditional white man. He marries a white woman, who too has lost the roots to her heritage, he disowns the music of his culture, and he refuses the food of a traditional African Americans in the United States at the time. The fact that his own wife is trying to find relief from the harsh stereotypes yields that it is very common to be found under this pressure. So it only makes sense that he would make every move possible to become more accepted in the Anglo-Saxon barriers of the United States, and only seems to earn the title "one of the most distinguished members of his race" (as if the standard of "distinguished" is low in the first place). This could potentially be seen in a positive light, that he overcame the stereotypes and was true to the meaning of his heritage, but in fact, it is just the opposite. Rather than refusing to be a denizen of hope and promise, he manifests the standards of the racist white man and tries to become just like them. He becomes more and more a mold of what society has wanted him to be, living on the right streets, eating the "normal" food, and disowning everything he came from.
Hazel Tells Laverne
Hazel Tells Laverne
Katharyn Machan Aal
The rough vernacular used in the poem actually contributes to the main understanding of the theme. "Me a princess", seems like ridiculous diction for that of formal poem, but it creates the picture of a woman, likely lesser on the totem pole of society, being addressed as a future princess. As she is confronted by the absurd notion of this poor frog, the woman is drawn back by his offer, and rather than jumping for joy at her ability to pull herself out of her "lowly" position, she cries out that it is ridiculous. This seems to me like a more realistic angle of the story about the Frog Prince. Hazel Tells Laverne is in a way a form of a satire. Through the fairy tales we tell and read about, we are made to believe that a mere kiss or magic or some man is going to sweep girls off their feet and to a different world of luxury and comfort and of living happily ever after. This poem brings awareness to the realities of the pursuit of happiness, and by God, even the pursuit of comfort. The woman in the poem is actually a symbol of the harsh reality that keeps us denying a mystical existence that will sweep away our problems, and directs us to the notion that life is truly going to be hard, and that a frog is not going to change that.
Katharyn Machan Aal
The rough vernacular used in the poem actually contributes to the main understanding of the theme. "Me a princess", seems like ridiculous diction for that of formal poem, but it creates the picture of a woman, likely lesser on the totem pole of society, being addressed as a future princess. As she is confronted by the absurd notion of this poor frog, the woman is drawn back by his offer, and rather than jumping for joy at her ability to pull herself out of her "lowly" position, she cries out that it is ridiculous. This seems to me like a more realistic angle of the story about the Frog Prince. Hazel Tells Laverne is in a way a form of a satire. Through the fairy tales we tell and read about, we are made to believe that a mere kiss or magic or some man is going to sweep girls off their feet and to a different world of luxury and comfort and of living happily ever after. This poem brings awareness to the realities of the pursuit of happiness, and by God, even the pursuit of comfort. The woman in the poem is actually a symbol of the harsh reality that keeps us denying a mystical existence that will sweep away our problems, and directs us to the notion that life is truly going to be hard, and that a frog is not going to change that.
Dream Deferred
Dream Deferred
Langston Hughes
When reading Dream Deferred, I couldn't help but feel inspired. Even though the author confronts the act of deferring dreams as a bad thing, he also dictates that there is hope for dreams that have been put on the shelf for another time. Even when they seem to "dry up like a raisin in the sun", or to "fester like a sore", these dreams seemingly have minds of their own. And yet- if these dreams are significant, meaningful, or important enough, they have the ability to reach an action potential and arouse an inevitable confrontation, hence "or does it explode?" In the context of the author's own experiences however, I understand the context of the poem as during the Civil Rights Movement, or in the process there of. Hughes applies this great "dream" as a hope for freedom and equality. After years of letting the dream sit and weigh down the souls of African Americans, the dream started to become more and more apparent as many people together became more aware of its presence on the shelf and their ability to reach it. Hughes describes the tension of just barely becoming able to reach their desire as a potential for an explosion.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Perrine Poetry Entry
I guess I knew coming into this reading that it would be controversial. It has such polars and such insults against authors that try to "keep themselves out of trouble" (as Perrine were to say). Regardless, I agree with his logic on select terms. One of them being that fact that there are many factors that go into poems that have to even out, so in better words, the poem OR interpretation of a poem can't contradict itself. Also, Perrine asserts that the interpretation grounded most in the boundaries of the poem and not in mere assumptions. I can agree with that part of it, but when I read his analysis of the three poems that we read for class, I was actually insulted. In what way is it okay for him to denounce the value and the truth I find in some one's writing? It's not even his to say! For a purely academic sense I can understand the value of speaking on "like" terms, but for me, I like to understand works on my own terms, and at the same time, I'd like to be completely honest with the writer by trying to best represent and interpret their brilliance.
To be perfectly honest, I may just be bitter that my analysis of the the poems did not get the approving nod from Perrine, but I really think my interpretation, as well as my peers, were intelligent, well thought out, and cared for in a way that for mere conversation, it shouldn't be put away as if there's one answer to the mystery of a poem. In a couple cases, I was surprised by the, well, "scenic" interpretation of the poems. I figured that Emily Dickinson was speaking of far more than a sunrise, or a garden, or whatever physical place it may be. I think more in terms of it's relativity to humanity, or an explanation of the way of humans. When reading poems, I think I get stuck in thinking in a certain dimension. I haven't found myself pulled to the physical explanation of diction and imagery, but rather an explanation of me, or you, or of people in general or of lovers or of society. Poetry is so personal. It describes the interpreter and how they see the world.
Gosh I am such a procrastinator. Sorry Mr. Costello.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
15. Colors
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
I have discovered through the course of reading this book that color seems to be of high importance throughout the book- especially the green light seemed to arise often with the picture of Gatsby reaching out to it from across the water. In the end, Nick returns to Gatsby's home, staring out into the sky from the comfort of the beach. He describes the scene with the "moving gloss of a ferryboat across the Sound", and the "old island" that had appeared "flowered once for Dutch sailors" (Fitzgerald, 180). Colors and imagery in this last section seem to "commensurate a capacity for wonder" and represent a larger truth. The green light is again referenced, and is assigned a definition, "the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us" (Fitzgerald, 180). The problem with this metaphor to me is that it's far too depressing, that this light is never attained, not by Gatsby, and seemingly in this section the author seems to believe that it is never attained, and that we will continue to "run faster, stretch out our arms, farther", but we will not ever come to a definite close, a satisfactory ending because we are far too focused on the past to get anywhere. This is a terrible ending. It acknowledges that yes, we as humans are optimistic, but that that green light is never going to be within reach because the current will always be pushing us into the past.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
I have discovered through the course of reading this book that color seems to be of high importance throughout the book- especially the green light seemed to arise often with the picture of Gatsby reaching out to it from across the water. In the end, Nick returns to Gatsby's home, staring out into the sky from the comfort of the beach. He describes the scene with the "moving gloss of a ferryboat across the Sound", and the "old island" that had appeared "flowered once for Dutch sailors" (Fitzgerald, 180). Colors and imagery in this last section seem to "commensurate a capacity for wonder" and represent a larger truth. The green light is again referenced, and is assigned a definition, "the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us" (Fitzgerald, 180). The problem with this metaphor to me is that it's far too depressing, that this light is never attained, not by Gatsby, and seemingly in this section the author seems to believe that it is never attained, and that we will continue to "run faster, stretch out our arms, farther", but we will not ever come to a definite close, a satisfactory ending because we are far too focused on the past to get anywhere. This is a terrible ending. It acknowledges that yes, we as humans are optimistic, but that that green light is never going to be within reach because the current will always be pushing us into the past.
14. Self Improvement
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
"Rise from bed......................................................... 6.00 A.M.
Dumbbell exercise and wall-scaling.................... 6.15-6.30 ''
Study electricity, etc............................................. 7.15-8.15 ''
Work........................................................................ 8.30-4.30 P.M.
Baseball and sports................................................ 4.30-5.00 ''
Practice elocution, poise, and how to attain it..... 5.00-6.00 ''
Study needed inventions........................................ 7.00-9.00 ''" (Fitzgerald, 173)
This journal given to Nick by Gatsby's dad I think really showed some last pieces of insight into Gatsby's character. He was out to improve himself, even from a young age. He idolized certain qualities in people, for example, poise, and he made plans to practice it so he could embody a better version of himself. Eventually though, when he meets Daisy, and her obsession with her own wealth is prevalent, and his new mission develops into the desire to become good enough for Daisy- wealthy enough, poised enough, popular enough. I can actually identify with Gatsby in this sense, I am obsessed with the idea of making myself better and oftentimes externalize my hopes for myself through lists and writing like young Gatz did in his journal. I think this truly captivates the means of his motive for becoming wealthy, popular, and good enough for Daisy. It seems that he has been intrinsically motivated up until the point when he met Daisy, and when he transferred his motivation to external desires, which was unfortunate in the long run, he became obsessed with external proofs of success, because he was all so caught up with impressing Daisy. Young Gatsby really set the stage for himself and his future failure when he began self-improving for other reasons and for other people than just himself.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
"Rise from bed......................................................... 6.00 A.M.
Dumbbell exercise and wall-scaling.................... 6.15-6.30 ''
Study electricity, etc............................................. 7.15-8.15 ''
Work........................................................................ 8.30-4.30 P.M.
Baseball and sports................................................ 4.30-5.00 ''
Practice elocution, poise, and how to attain it..... 5.00-6.00 ''
Study needed inventions........................................ 7.00-9.00 ''" (Fitzgerald, 173)
This journal given to Nick by Gatsby's dad I think really showed some last pieces of insight into Gatsby's character. He was out to improve himself, even from a young age. He idolized certain qualities in people, for example, poise, and he made plans to practice it so he could embody a better version of himself. Eventually though, when he meets Daisy, and her obsession with her own wealth is prevalent, and his new mission develops into the desire to become good enough for Daisy- wealthy enough, poised enough, popular enough. I can actually identify with Gatsby in this sense, I am obsessed with the idea of making myself better and oftentimes externalize my hopes for myself through lists and writing like young Gatz did in his journal. I think this truly captivates the means of his motive for becoming wealthy, popular, and good enough for Daisy. It seems that he has been intrinsically motivated up until the point when he met Daisy, and when he transferred his motivation to external desires, which was unfortunate in the long run, he became obsessed with external proofs of success, because he was all so caught up with impressing Daisy. Young Gatsby really set the stage for himself and his future failure when he began self-improving for other reasons and for other people than just himself.
13. Sacrifice
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
"'Was Daisy driving?' 'Yes,' he said after a moment, 'but of course I'll say I was'" (Fitzgerald, 142).
He is a fool- a fool head over heels in love with a woman as shallow and heartless as Lily Bart. He would put a claim on the death sentence for a woman who blatantly refused his love even after confessing her own love for him hours earlier. I think I'm coming to understand that Daisy Buchanan is more like Tom than I thought. Her security in money and aristocracy is far more important than her safety and than her happiness, because she seems to understand happiness in terms of money, wealth, and by no means an association with new money. I think it would be interesting to see how Tom would respond if he knew it was by Daisy's hand (or reckless driving) that his mistress was murdered. What kind of new situation would this understanding of his wife present? I would think that it would be far more likely that Gatsby and Daisy would end up together, if Tom didn't wring his hands around her to kill her first. I just cannot comprehend such an unfathomable love for a careless reckless woman, who doesn't actually love Gatsby at all.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
"'Was Daisy driving?' 'Yes,' he said after a moment, 'but of course I'll say I was'" (Fitzgerald, 142).
He is a fool- a fool head over heels in love with a woman as shallow and heartless as Lily Bart. He would put a claim on the death sentence for a woman who blatantly refused his love even after confessing her own love for him hours earlier. I think I'm coming to understand that Daisy Buchanan is more like Tom than I thought. Her security in money and aristocracy is far more important than her safety and than her happiness, because she seems to understand happiness in terms of money, wealth, and by no means an association with new money. I think it would be interesting to see how Tom would respond if he knew it was by Daisy's hand (or reckless driving) that his mistress was murdered. What kind of new situation would this understanding of his wife present? I would think that it would be far more likely that Gatsby and Daisy would end up together, if Tom didn't wring his hands around her to kill her first. I just cannot comprehend such an unfathomable love for a careless reckless woman, who doesn't actually love Gatsby at all.
12. An Extended Metaphor (I think)
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
In Chapter 8, one (seemingly casual) topic that was talked about often was the weather. Interestingly though, the weather (as in many plots these days) positively correlate with the emotional feelings of the characters. For example, the day when all hell broke loose and Tom confronted Gatsby was on one of the hottest days of the year, symbolizing the hot-headed behavior of the two in their fight for Daisy. Then soon enough, the weather cools as autumn starts to turn the corner, and Gatsby is desperate to hold onto Daisy, so when Gatsby stands outside of Tom and Daisy's house in the cooling night, he starts to grasp the reality and the end of him and Daisy, Tom doesn't hurt her, and Daisy doesn't ever leave the house. "He put his hands in his coat pockets an turned back eagerly to his scrutiny of the house, as though my presence marred the sacredness of the vigil. So I walked away and left him standing therein the moonlight- watching over nothing" (Fitzgerald, 145). He realized by the cold of the moon that there was nothing he was watching over, and that his hopes of having Daisy were dying like the leaves on the trees and the temperature of the air.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
In Chapter 8, one (seemingly casual) topic that was talked about often was the weather. Interestingly though, the weather (as in many plots these days) positively correlate with the emotional feelings of the characters. For example, the day when all hell broke loose and Tom confronted Gatsby was on one of the hottest days of the year, symbolizing the hot-headed behavior of the two in their fight for Daisy. Then soon enough, the weather cools as autumn starts to turn the corner, and Gatsby is desperate to hold onto Daisy, so when Gatsby stands outside of Tom and Daisy's house in the cooling night, he starts to grasp the reality and the end of him and Daisy, Tom doesn't hurt her, and Daisy doesn't ever leave the house. "He put his hands in his coat pockets an turned back eagerly to his scrutiny of the house, as though my presence marred the sacredness of the vigil. So I walked away and left him standing therein the moonlight- watching over nothing" (Fitzgerald, 145). He realized by the cold of the moon that there was nothing he was watching over, and that his hopes of having Daisy were dying like the leaves on the trees and the temperature of the air.
11. Confrontation
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
This chapter has been extremely shocking to say the least. First, Tom recognizes the passionate love that exists between Gatsby and Daisy, when he caught them mid-stare. He immediately gets hot and tempered and demands that the whole party goes to town. What's even more pivotal in this chapter is that Tom stops to get gas on the way into town, and Mr. Wilson, Mrytle's husband, admits that he is aware of his wife's infidelity, and is moving west. I'm sure at this point Tom feels incredibly betrayed and alone. His wife is with Gatsby, and the woman he's been having an affair with is being dragged across the country, leaving Thomas Buchanon all alone and tempered. Once he meets back up with Gastby and Daisy, he confronts Gatsby initially about "all this 'old sport' business", making fun of him, but eventually he tries to dig up the lies Tom thinks Gatsby is telling about being an Oxford man. Tom asks one more question, why he's been messing with his and Daisy's marriage. I am overall repulsed by Tom's reaction to this affair, he all of a sudden was made into the victim, and obviously is applying some sort of "double standard" because of course his own affair "doesn't matter any more" (Fitzgerald, 132).
I also can't fathom why Daisy responds the way she does, she ultimately chooses Tom, and Tom sends them both away because he no longer feels threatened after Daisy denies Gatsby of their love. This is terrible, and this is certainly not going to end happily as I thought with the bad characters away and the good ones happily in love.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
This chapter has been extremely shocking to say the least. First, Tom recognizes the passionate love that exists between Gatsby and Daisy, when he caught them mid-stare. He immediately gets hot and tempered and demands that the whole party goes to town. What's even more pivotal in this chapter is that Tom stops to get gas on the way into town, and Mr. Wilson, Mrytle's husband, admits that he is aware of his wife's infidelity, and is moving west. I'm sure at this point Tom feels incredibly betrayed and alone. His wife is with Gatsby, and the woman he's been having an affair with is being dragged across the country, leaving Thomas Buchanon all alone and tempered. Once he meets back up with Gastby and Daisy, he confronts Gatsby initially about "all this 'old sport' business", making fun of him, but eventually he tries to dig up the lies Tom thinks Gatsby is telling about being an Oxford man. Tom asks one more question, why he's been messing with his and Daisy's marriage. I am overall repulsed by Tom's reaction to this affair, he all of a sudden was made into the victim, and obviously is applying some sort of "double standard" because of course his own affair "doesn't matter any more" (Fitzgerald, 132).
I also can't fathom why Daisy responds the way she does, she ultimately chooses Tom, and Tom sends them both away because he no longer feels threatened after Daisy denies Gatsby of their love. This is terrible, and this is certainly not going to end happily as I thought with the bad characters away and the good ones happily in love.
10. Tom and Gatsby
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
The dynamic between Tom and Gatsby is really interesting. When Nick stops by the Gatsby mansion, he is surprised to find Tom Buchanon in the company of Gatsby as well as Mr. and Mrs. Sloane. It's interesting and quite strange to Nick that Gatsby is trying to find ways to spend more time with Tom. I think Gatsby is just trying to size Tom up, and he's trying to think of all the possible reasons Daisy would have fallen for Tom in his absence. I also think that it is unbelievably ironic when Tom once again questions why Daisy would have known Gatsby, he says, "I wonder where in the devil he met Daisy. By God, I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me. They meet all kinds of crazy fish" (Fitzgerald, 103). First of all- the "crazy fish" Tom is talking about is a man who is likely in love with Daisy, and she with him. Second, the notion of his "old-fashioned ideas" are a quite humorous if you ask me, from committing adultery, to being downright rude and violent, Tom is not the picture of purity and morality. Not to mention that Tom is one of the men "women run around with", so his argument is completely strewn right from under his feet. He is a dark man; I have no respect for Tom Buchanon.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
The dynamic between Tom and Gatsby is really interesting. When Nick stops by the Gatsby mansion, he is surprised to find Tom Buchanon in the company of Gatsby as well as Mr. and Mrs. Sloane. It's interesting and quite strange to Nick that Gatsby is trying to find ways to spend more time with Tom. I think Gatsby is just trying to size Tom up, and he's trying to think of all the possible reasons Daisy would have fallen for Tom in his absence. I also think that it is unbelievably ironic when Tom once again questions why Daisy would have known Gatsby, he says, "I wonder where in the devil he met Daisy. By God, I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me. They meet all kinds of crazy fish" (Fitzgerald, 103). First of all- the "crazy fish" Tom is talking about is a man who is likely in love with Daisy, and she with him. Second, the notion of his "old-fashioned ideas" are a quite humorous if you ask me, from committing adultery, to being downright rude and violent, Tom is not the picture of purity and morality. Not to mention that Tom is one of the men "women run around with", so his argument is completely strewn right from under his feet. He is a dark man; I have no respect for Tom Buchanon.
9. The Son of God
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Well first off- St. Olaf College is referenced in Chapter 6, which is extremely exciting to me, as St. Olaf is the only college I will be applying to this fall. My mom, my fives aunts, two uncles, two grandparents, 3 great aunts, and 3 great uncles attended St. Olaf, so I basically am tied to St. Olaf by all means possible, and I have literally been obsessed with the idea of going there as long as I can remember. But anyway, back to the book!
"The truth was that Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself. He was a son of God—a phrase which, if it means anything, means just that—and he must be about His Father’s business, the service of a vast, vulgar, and meretricious beauty. 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" (Fitzgerald, 98)
I find it extremely interesting that Gatsby is called "a son of God", as if he is Jesus Christ. This is a huge and risky comparison made by the author, and well, Nick. I am actually left confused by this allusion. What I have been thinking is that Gatsby was made out of the likeness of his own father, being virtuous in his own character, and Gatsby created himself based on the goodness of his father and continued the work through the character he created of himself to which he applied himself faithfully. I do not fully understand what "business" of "His Father" he is referring to, but I am very interested in how this comparison fits into his character that is increasingly being revealed.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Well first off- St. Olaf College is referenced in Chapter 6, which is extremely exciting to me, as St. Olaf is the only college I will be applying to this fall. My mom, my fives aunts, two uncles, two grandparents, 3 great aunts, and 3 great uncles attended St. Olaf, so I basically am tied to St. Olaf by all means possible, and I have literally been obsessed with the idea of going there as long as I can remember. But anyway, back to the book!
"The truth was that Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself. He was a son of God—a phrase which, if it means anything, means just that—and he must be about His Father’s business, the service of a vast, vulgar, and meretricious beauty. 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" (Fitzgerald, 98)
I find it extremely interesting that Gatsby is called "a son of God", as if he is Jesus Christ. This is a huge and risky comparison made by the author, and well, Nick. I am actually left confused by this allusion. What I have been thinking is that Gatsby was made out of the likeness of his own father, being virtuous in his own character, and Gatsby created himself based on the goodness of his father and continued the work through the character he created of himself to which he applied himself faithfully. I do not fully understand what "business" of "His Father" he is referring to, but I am very interested in how this comparison fits into his character that is increasingly being revealed.
8. Rekindled Romance
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
I really think the story has hit a pivotal point as far as it goes with Daisy and Gatsby. Their reunion is slightly awkward initially, but after hours of conversing and shedding tears of happiness, they are as they were, in love and obsessed with the happiness that comes with being together. Nick even fades out into the background, and eventually leaves unnoticed, but he struggles with thoughts of their future success as a couple. Obviously Gatsby had been dreaming of her for years, staring out across the water to a green light, thinking of her in every moment, working so hard for her, Nick worries that all of Gatsby's efforts- the parties, his move to the mansion, and trying with such dedication for her attention will seem extensive once he discovers she's not what she had once been. So many years of "hide-and-seek" may seem all a waste, but I can't imagine why they would if they truly loved each other as they had before.
I really like how Gatsby responds to Daisy, and how he glowed after his meeting with her, "But there was a change in Gatsby that was simply confounding. He literally glowed; without a word or gesture of exultation a new well-being radiated from him a filled the little room" (Fitzgerald, 89). He no longer is concerned about his supposed Oxford education, or of his medals, or of his wealthy relatives from the San Fransisco in the Midwest.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
I really think the story has hit a pivotal point as far as it goes with Daisy and Gatsby. Their reunion is slightly awkward initially, but after hours of conversing and shedding tears of happiness, they are as they were, in love and obsessed with the happiness that comes with being together. Nick even fades out into the background, and eventually leaves unnoticed, but he struggles with thoughts of their future success as a couple. Obviously Gatsby had been dreaming of her for years, staring out across the water to a green light, thinking of her in every moment, working so hard for her, Nick worries that all of Gatsby's efforts- the parties, his move to the mansion, and trying with such dedication for her attention will seem extensive once he discovers she's not what she had once been. So many years of "hide-and-seek" may seem all a waste, but I can't imagine why they would if they truly loved each other as they had before.
I really like how Gatsby responds to Daisy, and how he glowed after his meeting with her, "But there was a change in Gatsby that was simply confounding. He literally glowed; without a word or gesture of exultation a new well-being radiated from him a filled the little room" (Fitzgerald, 89). He no longer is concerned about his supposed Oxford education, or of his medals, or of his wealthy relatives from the San Fransisco in the Midwest.
7. Ahh.. The Truth is Being Revealed!
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald seems to have an incredible grasp on the method of foreshadowing throughout the novel so far, so when Meyer Wolfsheim describes Gatsby as "very careful about women. He would never so much as look at a friend's wife" (Fitzgerald, 72), it makes me wonder about Gatsby and his love for Daisy. I just read Jordan's account of Daisy and Jay Gatsby as younger adults, and how they had been separated by the war and eventually by Daisy's marriage to Tom. This move to West Egg, reaching out to Daisy through her friends, and these elaborate parties are all a cry out to Daisy, he wants her to notice him and to realize he's still there for her. When Jordan talks about Daisy waking her six weeks prior to ask about what Gatsby she was referring to when she had dined with Nick, Jordan, and Tom, I felt a rush of hope for the once-young lovers. Tom is miserable, Daisy is miserable, Myrtle is miserable, Mr. Wilson is miserable, and Jay Gatsby is desperate for his love. They might as well all switch to be with who they want to be with, or in the case of Tom, he should switch to the woman who he's been cheating with on Daisy. There are so many complications with relationships in this story- it's all exhausting, for the reader, and I'm sure the characters themselves.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald seems to have an incredible grasp on the method of foreshadowing throughout the novel so far, so when Meyer Wolfsheim describes Gatsby as "very careful about women. He would never so much as look at a friend's wife" (Fitzgerald, 72), it makes me wonder about Gatsby and his love for Daisy. I just read Jordan's account of Daisy and Jay Gatsby as younger adults, and how they had been separated by the war and eventually by Daisy's marriage to Tom. This move to West Egg, reaching out to Daisy through her friends, and these elaborate parties are all a cry out to Daisy, he wants her to notice him and to realize he's still there for her. When Jordan talks about Daisy waking her six weeks prior to ask about what Gatsby she was referring to when she had dined with Nick, Jordan, and Tom, I felt a rush of hope for the once-young lovers. Tom is miserable, Daisy is miserable, Myrtle is miserable, Mr. Wilson is miserable, and Jay Gatsby is desperate for his love. They might as well all switch to be with who they want to be with, or in the case of Tom, he should switch to the woman who he's been cheating with on Daisy. There are so many complications with relationships in this story- it's all exhausting, for the reader, and I'm sure the characters themselves.
6. Liar Liar Pants on Fire (Gatsby's Pants)
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
So Gatsby and Nick go out to lunch in New York City, and Gatsby seems to start revealing himself to Nick, his past, where he grew up, stories of Oxford- PLEASE, all lies. I am not convinced, mostly because of Gatsby's obvious slip about his hometown, "And with this doubt, his whole statement fell to pieces, and I wondered if there wasn't something sinister about him, after all. 'What part of the Middle West?' I inquired casually. 'San Francisco.' 'I see'" (Fitzgerald, 65). Either Gatsby was simply mistaken of the actual location of his hometown, San Francisco, or he just performed an ill-prepared lie. The problem is with Gatsby is that when I look with Nick into his face for any signs of deception, we are returned with a sincere flash of emotion. I think he's probably so accustomed to lying to cover over a deep pain that he has been able to transfer the sadness of whatever he has struggled through to the lies and supposed truths of his history he feels like he should share with Nick. I'm interested to see how all of his stories fit together, especially because he has very convincing evidence of the stories he's told Nick, a metal from Montenegro, a picture of his cricket team at Oxford, all seems too convincing and well planned out.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
So Gatsby and Nick go out to lunch in New York City, and Gatsby seems to start revealing himself to Nick, his past, where he grew up, stories of Oxford- PLEASE, all lies. I am not convinced, mostly because of Gatsby's obvious slip about his hometown, "And with this doubt, his whole statement fell to pieces, and I wondered if there wasn't something sinister about him, after all. 'What part of the Middle West?' I inquired casually. 'San Francisco.' 'I see'" (Fitzgerald, 65). Either Gatsby was simply mistaken of the actual location of his hometown, San Francisco, or he just performed an ill-prepared lie. The problem is with Gatsby is that when I look with Nick into his face for any signs of deception, we are returned with a sincere flash of emotion. I think he's probably so accustomed to lying to cover over a deep pain that he has been able to transfer the sadness of whatever he has struggled through to the lies and supposed truths of his history he feels like he should share with Nick. I'm interested to see how all of his stories fit together, especially because he has very convincing evidence of the stories he's told Nick, a metal from Montenegro, a picture of his cricket team at Oxford, all seems too convincing and well planned out.
5. Jordan Baker
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
One character that really stood out to me in this next section was Jordan Baker. Fitzgerald applies the use of direct characterization to put words to this increasingly important character, "She was incurably dishonest. She wasn't able to endure being at a disadvantage and, given this unwillingness, I suppose she had begun dealing in subterfuges when she was very young in order to keep that cool, insolent smile turned to the world and yet satisfy the demands of her hard, jaunty body" (Fitzgerald, 58). After the party, Nick and Jordan are left together, and up until this point she has merely been a body besides Nick, a safety net for Nick in this new environment, but he develops a "tender curiosity" for her and her strangely dishonest ways. I think together they would have a weird dynamic. Nick seems to be such a moralistic person, that even though he doesn't make such personal judgements about people, I would think he would be wise enough to see that a relationship with this kind of a person would be difficult. I just see them as such different individuals, I'm interested to see how this relationship unfolds between the two.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
One character that really stood out to me in this next section was Jordan Baker. Fitzgerald applies the use of direct characterization to put words to this increasingly important character, "She was incurably dishonest. She wasn't able to endure being at a disadvantage and, given this unwillingness, I suppose she had begun dealing in subterfuges when she was very young in order to keep that cool, insolent smile turned to the world and yet satisfy the demands of her hard, jaunty body" (Fitzgerald, 58). After the party, Nick and Jordan are left together, and up until this point she has merely been a body besides Nick, a safety net for Nick in this new environment, but he develops a "tender curiosity" for her and her strangely dishonest ways. I think together they would have a weird dynamic. Nick seems to be such a moralistic person, that even though he doesn't make such personal judgements about people, I would think he would be wise enough to see that a relationship with this kind of a person would be difficult. I just see them as such different individuals, I'm interested to see how this relationship unfolds between the two.
4. Who the Heck is Gatsby?
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
So far, Jay Gatsby is a familiar stranger to Nick. Over and over I've read Gatsby this Gatsby that, everyone seems to know him. The problem, everyone seems to know a different story to Gatsby. Some theories of his history include that he was a murderer, and some say just that much, but some say he killed someone in the context of being German spy in the war. One even backed up this theory with knowledge of a man who knew Gatsby supposedly very well and had grown up with him in Germany. Another disputes this claim by telling of Gatsby's being in the American army during the war. Gatsby "inspired romantic speculation" (Fitzgerald, 44). He was a mysterious charismatic, he made people all around at his own party whisper about him, the idea of him fascinated people. Once Nick and Gatsby finally met face to face, Nick wasn't even aware he was conversing with the host of the party initially. He was thrown for a loop when Gatsby announced who he was, and Nick was embarrassed he didn't the face of this great host. After their brief conversation, Nick was left in a rut of confusion. Gatsby leaves people desperate to know him, to hear his story, just as Nick turned to Jordan and demanded, "'Who is he? Do you know?' 'He's just a man named Gatsby.' 'Where is he from, I mean? And what does he do?' 'Now you're started on the subject,' she answered with a wan smile" (Fitzgerald, 48). I myself as the reader have been left with this same frustration, we finally see Gatsby's face, but we're left with an even deeper emptiness and curiosity, who is this great Gatsby?
F. Scott Fitzgerald
So far, Jay Gatsby is a familiar stranger to Nick. Over and over I've read Gatsby this Gatsby that, everyone seems to know him. The problem, everyone seems to know a different story to Gatsby. Some theories of his history include that he was a murderer, and some say just that much, but some say he killed someone in the context of being German spy in the war. One even backed up this theory with knowledge of a man who knew Gatsby supposedly very well and had grown up with him in Germany. Another disputes this claim by telling of Gatsby's being in the American army during the war. Gatsby "inspired romantic speculation" (Fitzgerald, 44). He was a mysterious charismatic, he made people all around at his own party whisper about him, the idea of him fascinated people. Once Nick and Gatsby finally met face to face, Nick wasn't even aware he was conversing with the host of the party initially. He was thrown for a loop when Gatsby announced who he was, and Nick was embarrassed he didn't the face of this great host. After their brief conversation, Nick was left in a rut of confusion. Gatsby leaves people desperate to know him, to hear his story, just as Nick turned to Jordan and demanded, "'Who is he? Do you know?' 'He's just a man named Gatsby.' 'Where is he from, I mean? And what does he do?' 'Now you're started on the subject,' she answered with a wan smile" (Fitzgerald, 48). I myself as the reader have been left with this same frustration, we finally see Gatsby's face, but we're left with an even deeper emptiness and curiosity, who is this great Gatsby?
Monday, August 6, 2012
3. A Look into Daisy
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
I hate- HATE that she said this. It reinforces how I see her as weak, as hopeless, as lost. He husband is already with another woman, and she goes on to say that she hopes her daughter is just as much of a fool as she is, well not only that, she wants her to be beautiful, so she can be like prize money. She gives up hope in her daughter from her very birth, meaning that she assumes her daughter won't amount to anything intelligent, but just that she grows up to be a meaningless prize, an empty, beautiful statue. Soon after this admittance to Nick, she justifies it by telling him that she's cynical, that she's seen everything, and understands the world for what it is. She verifies that she knows where women stand at that point in society, and she is intelligent for realizing that that is not necessarily right, but she is too lazy and too much of a fool to care to defy the traditional standard of women. I do not like the insight I saw into Daisy with her talk with Nick, I'm unbelievably disappointed with her method of mothering her child.
2. Relationships Unfolding
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
I do not like Tom. His personality seems to represent very well the kind of man I would imagine to have an affair, "his speaking voice, a gruff husky tenor, added to the impression of fractiousness he conveyed. There was a touch of paternal contempt in it, even toward the people he liked- and there were men at New Haven who had hated his guts" (Fitzgerald,7). He is obviously a man lacking gentle social skills, which is probably why he is so intimidating, and why he has such the ability to manipulate and convince women (like Mrytle) that she is actually of value to him and actually wants to marry her. Not to mention he cuts every one's sentences off way before they're seen to close. Tom also seems like the kind of person that would regurgitate someone else's opinions for the purpose of sounding passionate and intelligent himself. In this first chapter he references "The Rise of the Colored Empires" by some author Goddard. He is so utterly obsessed with his image that he forcibly spit out someone else's opinions onto the unprotesting Daisy, Nick, and Jordan. He seems like he could be dangerous, a narcissist who is desperate for control.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
I do not like Tom. His personality seems to represent very well the kind of man I would imagine to have an affair, "his speaking voice, a gruff husky tenor, added to the impression of fractiousness he conveyed. There was a touch of paternal contempt in it, even toward the people he liked- and there were men at New Haven who had hated his guts" (Fitzgerald,7). He is obviously a man lacking gentle social skills, which is probably why he is so intimidating, and why he has such the ability to manipulate and convince women (like Mrytle) that she is actually of value to him and actually wants to marry her. Not to mention he cuts every one's sentences off way before they're seen to close. Tom also seems like the kind of person that would regurgitate someone else's opinions for the purpose of sounding passionate and intelligent himself. In this first chapter he references "The Rise of the Colored Empires" by some author Goddard. He is so utterly obsessed with his image that he forcibly spit out someone else's opinions onto the unprotesting Daisy, Nick, and Jordan. He seems like he could be dangerous, a narcissist who is desperate for control.
1. First Impressions
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
I like Nick Carraway. He's down to earth, humble. I would never usually give a character such a compliment as "down to earth", because generally, I don't find that very flattering. It's like by saying someone is "down to earth" you're calling them boring, simple, grounded in something so literal. There's not usually passion invested into these kind of people, but for some reason, I see Nick in a more positive light. He doesn't act entitled, like Lily Bart seemed to feel. He even puts a claim on his ignorance, especially in his "younger and more vulnerable years" when he admits to still having the advice his father gave him years ago turning in his head. His father said to him, "'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.' (Fitzgerald, 1). I like that he is reserved, nonjudgmental, and seemingly simple. He in a way seems more like Seldon in The House of Mirth, and obviously completely the opposite of shallow-minded Lily Bart, who used her judgements as a reality for most people. This is already a drastically different book than The House of Mirth, and my God, GOOD.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
I like Nick Carraway. He's down to earth, humble. I would never usually give a character such a compliment as "down to earth", because generally, I don't find that very flattering. It's like by saying someone is "down to earth" you're calling them boring, simple, grounded in something so literal. There's not usually passion invested into these kind of people, but for some reason, I see Nick in a more positive light. He doesn't act entitled, like Lily Bart seemed to feel. He even puts a claim on his ignorance, especially in his "younger and more vulnerable years" when he admits to still having the advice his father gave him years ago turning in his head. His father said to him, "'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.' (Fitzgerald, 1). I like that he is reserved, nonjudgmental, and seemingly simple. He in a way seems more like Seldon in The House of Mirth, and obviously completely the opposite of shallow-minded Lily Bart, who used her judgements as a reality for most people. This is already a drastically different book than The House of Mirth, and my God, GOOD.
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