Chapter 9 Page 163-180
Chapter nine begins with a plethora of reporters and detectives crowding onto Gatsby's property. Nick, being Gatsby's best friend, steps up to take the lead in organizing the funeral and doing what needs to be done. Henry Gatz, Gatsby's father, arrives from Minnesota, and is amazed at all the wealth and possessions his son has accumulated. He still refers to Gatsby as "Jimmy." Despite Nick's efforts, no one comes to the funeral, and Owl Eyes shows up to the cemetery, only to say its a shame no one came. Nick remembers his college years, and the summer with Gatsby. He breaks up with Daisy and realizes that Tom and Daisy ruin the lives of those they interact with.
Owl Eyes
"Why? my God! they used to go there by the hundreds" (Fitzgerald, 175).
Owl Eyes is unlike the majority of the guests who attended Gatsby's parties, may have been a friend of Gatsbys. He was the only one of Gatsby's friends, other than Nick who made any attempt to go to the funeral. He feels bad for Gatsby when he sees that no body else comes. He is a nice and compassionate character in the novel.
Owl Eyes represents the normal American of the 20s. Unlike the majority of the characters, he has not been corrupted by dishonesty. At the cemetery, Owl-Eyes says, 'The poor son-of-a-bitch" (Fitzgerald 175). He said this because Gatsby had no friends, and basically died alone. His dream died, and so did he. He put all his hopes and dreams into Daisy, and when that fell through, so did he.
"...found Mr. Gatz walking up and down excitedly in the hall. His pride in his son and his son's possessions was continually increasing and now he had something to show me" (Fitzgerald 172). Mr. Gatz was extremely proud of his son's material accomplishments. This shows how money and wealth can blind people of the big picture. Gatsby, although rich, was poor on the inside. He spend his entire adult life waiting for Daisy. Everything he did was for her. The wealth he accumulated it all for her, and did not care one bit about it himself. If Mr. Gatz knew this, I do not think he would be as proud of his son's possessions. It also represents how Gatsby recreated himself.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Chapter 8 Page 147-162
Chapter 8 Page 147-162
Nick goes to Gatsby's house when Gatsby returns from Tom and Daisy's in the middle of the night. Nothing happened at the Buchanan's, and Gatsby goes on to tell Nick about his past. After talking all night, Nick must leave, but first tells Gatsby that he is worth more than the whole crowd they hand around with. At work, Daisy calls, and they have an awkward conversation that later results in their breaking up. WIlson, who had gone missing from the garage, acquired information about Gatsby and his car while he was out. When Tom returns to Gatsby's house, he and the house servants find Gatsby dead in the pool and Wilson dead in the grass.
Michaelis
`Still later Michaelis had to ask the last stranger to wait there fifteen minutes longer, while he went back to his own place and made up a cup of coffee. After that, he stayed there alone with Wilson until dawn" (Fitzgerald 156).
Michaelis is a very caring man. After the accident, he has given up his own time to help out with the investigation and look after George. Michaelis appears to be a honest, hard-working man, who puts others before him.
Michaelis is one of the only characters, other than Nick, who Gatsby shows as honest. He provides an account of the accident first hand and gives us access to what is going on in George's head after it. Michaelis tries to get George to talk after the accident, and through his questions, we learn that George doesn't believe there is a God and about their marriage. We learn that George knew that Myrtle was cheating on him and that he had been destroyed internally.
"He had intended, probably, to take what he could and go--but now he found that he had commiteed himself to the following of a grail. He knew that Daisy was extraordinary, but he didn't realize just how extraordinary a "nice" girl could be" (Fitzgerald 149). Gatsby says this when he tells Nick about his entire past. It shows that he never thought he would fall for Daisy at first. Gatsby fell in love with her, and after he left her, he built her up so much that she could not fill his dream of her. She became a 'grail' which is something so perfect it is nearly impossible to get. He thought of her as just a nice girl at first, but then realized that she was different. She was extraordinary, and that changed the course of his life.
Nick goes to Gatsby's house when Gatsby returns from Tom and Daisy's in the middle of the night. Nothing happened at the Buchanan's, and Gatsby goes on to tell Nick about his past. After talking all night, Nick must leave, but first tells Gatsby that he is worth more than the whole crowd they hand around with. At work, Daisy calls, and they have an awkward conversation that later results in their breaking up. WIlson, who had gone missing from the garage, acquired information about Gatsby and his car while he was out. When Tom returns to Gatsby's house, he and the house servants find Gatsby dead in the pool and Wilson dead in the grass.
Michaelis
`Still later Michaelis had to ask the last stranger to wait there fifteen minutes longer, while he went back to his own place and made up a cup of coffee. After that, he stayed there alone with Wilson until dawn" (Fitzgerald 156).
Michaelis is a very caring man. After the accident, he has given up his own time to help out with the investigation and look after George. Michaelis appears to be a honest, hard-working man, who puts others before him.
Michaelis is one of the only characters, other than Nick, who Gatsby shows as honest. He provides an account of the accident first hand and gives us access to what is going on in George's head after it. Michaelis tries to get George to talk after the accident, and through his questions, we learn that George doesn't believe there is a God and about their marriage. We learn that George knew that Myrtle was cheating on him and that he had been destroyed internally.
"He had intended, probably, to take what he could and go--but now he found that he had commiteed himself to the following of a grail. He knew that Daisy was extraordinary, but he didn't realize just how extraordinary a "nice" girl could be" (Fitzgerald 149). Gatsby says this when he tells Nick about his entire past. It shows that he never thought he would fall for Daisy at first. Gatsby fell in love with her, and after he left her, he built her up so much that she could not fill his dream of her. She became a 'grail' which is something so perfect it is nearly impossible to get. He thought of her as just a nice girl at first, but then realized that she was different. She was extraordinary, and that changed the course of his life.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Chapter 7 Page 113-145
Chapter 7 Page 113-145
Gatsby stops having parties at his house because Daisy does not like them. He replaces the staff at his house because she comes over often and wants to avoid rumors spreading. Daisy invites Gatsby, Nick, and Jordan to have lunch with her and Tom. The day of the lunch, it is very hot. At the house, Daisy shows off her daughter and the adults end up deciding to go to the city. They rent a hotel room and Tom and Gatsby begin to argue about Daisy and she is forced to pick a side. She picks Gatsby and they end up leaving because of increasing tensions in the room. On the way home, Daisy hit Myrtle Wilson who had walked out onto the street. Myrtle is instantly killed and Tom, Nick and Jordan come across the commotion when they are going home. Gatsby and Nick meet ouside of the Buchanan's house. Gatsby making sure Daisy is okay.
Pammy Buchanan
"The child, relinquished by the nurse, rushed across the room and rooted shyly into her mother's dress" (Fitzgerald 117).
Pammy Buuchanan is a normal young girl who is oblivious to the drama and quirks of her parents. As shown in the quote, she is shy around strangers, and feels safe with her mother. Because the family is so wealthy, she spends more time with the nurse than her own parents. Pammy looks like Daisy. Fitzgerald makes a number of references to white when describing her, which indicates purity.
Pammy bonds Daisy and Tom together. Gatsby can never have the connection to Pammy that Tom has. When Gatsby sees Pammy, he is surprised and Fitzgerald says he had never really believed she existed before. Daisy treats Pammy like an object that she can show off. This shows that Daisy is not a great mother and her connection to material things that can be shown off.
"Her eyes fell on Jordan and me with a sort of appeal, as though she realized at last what she was doing--and as though she had never, all along, intended doing anything at all. But it was all done now. It was too late" (Fitzgerald 132).
This marks the Daisy's allegiance shifting from Tom to Gatsby. Gatsby's only goal so far in the entire book was achieved when she chose him. Fitzgerald tells us that she never intended for anything to happen. Daisy's life is her own dream and she took this dream further than she intended.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sean O'Donnell Chapter 6 Pages 97-111
Sean O'Donnell Chapter 6 Pages 97-111
Chapter 6 opens with a reporter asking for a statement because Gatsby's parties have become a big deal. A detailed story of James Gatz is given, who recreated himself to make Jay Gatsby. James Gatz was unhappy with his life and his parents, so when he met the very wealthy Dan Cody on Lake Superior he went with him. He traveled the world with Cody until he died, and although he was supposed to get all of Cody's money, he doesn't. Tom and the Sloanes come over for a drink at Gatsby's and Gatsby tells Tom he knows Daisy. Tom is suspicious of Gatsby. Tom and Daisy go to one of Gatsby's parties that Nick describes as 'oppressive.' Daisy is unhappy at the party except for the 30 minutes that she is alone with Gatsby. Gatsby is unhappy that she did not have fun at the party, then he remembers their first kiss.
Daisy Buchanan
"... some authentically radiant young girl who with one fresh glance at Gatsby, one moment of magical encounter, would blot out those five years of unwavering devotion" (Fitzgerald, 109).
Daisy is a loyal and docile girl. Until she met Gatsby, she did not once think of cheating on Tom even though he made it clear that he was cheating on her. Chapter 6 marks a change in her character. Like the majority of the characters in the book, she is dishonest and is beginning to lose her 'pure and angelic' reputation in our eyes. She lives in a fairy-tale and believes that everything is okay. She is very pure.
Daisy is Gatsby's dream. Everything Gatsby does is for her. He is madly in love with her in a rather creepy way. She provides the majority of the drama in the novel. In the beginning, she is the depiction of how women were supposed to live. Seen and not heard. When she meets Gatsby for the first time in five years, she begins to change and considers cheating on Tom. She shows the change to the new type of woman, one who is not under complete control of her husband.
"Then he kissed her. At his lips' touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete" (Fitzgerald, 111). I believe this is when Gatsby's obsession for Daisy really kicked in. He never moved on from her, and everything he did after they were separated was to win her back. I believe that this shows how great their relationship was in the past, and how Gatsby doesn't want to move on from those days.
Chapter 6 opens with a reporter asking for a statement because Gatsby's parties have become a big deal. A detailed story of James Gatz is given, who recreated himself to make Jay Gatsby. James Gatz was unhappy with his life and his parents, so when he met the very wealthy Dan Cody on Lake Superior he went with him. He traveled the world with Cody until he died, and although he was supposed to get all of Cody's money, he doesn't. Tom and the Sloanes come over for a drink at Gatsby's and Gatsby tells Tom he knows Daisy. Tom is suspicious of Gatsby. Tom and Daisy go to one of Gatsby's parties that Nick describes as 'oppressive.' Daisy is unhappy at the party except for the 30 minutes that she is alone with Gatsby. Gatsby is unhappy that she did not have fun at the party, then he remembers their first kiss.
Daisy Buchanan
"... some authentically radiant young girl who with one fresh glance at Gatsby, one moment of magical encounter, would blot out those five years of unwavering devotion" (Fitzgerald, 109).
Daisy is a loyal and docile girl. Until she met Gatsby, she did not once think of cheating on Tom even though he made it clear that he was cheating on her. Chapter 6 marks a change in her character. Like the majority of the characters in the book, she is dishonest and is beginning to lose her 'pure and angelic' reputation in our eyes. She lives in a fairy-tale and believes that everything is okay. She is very pure.
Daisy is Gatsby's dream. Everything Gatsby does is for her. He is madly in love with her in a rather creepy way. She provides the majority of the drama in the novel. In the beginning, she is the depiction of how women were supposed to live. Seen and not heard. When she meets Gatsby for the first time in five years, she begins to change and considers cheating on Tom. She shows the change to the new type of woman, one who is not under complete control of her husband.
"Then he kissed her. At his lips' touch she blossomed for him like a flower and the incarnation was complete" (Fitzgerald, 111). I believe this is when Gatsby's obsession for Daisy really kicked in. He never moved on from her, and everything he did after they were separated was to win her back. I believe that this shows how great their relationship was in the past, and how Gatsby doesn't want to move on from those days.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Sean O'Donnell Chapter 5 Pages 81-96
Sean O'Donnell Chapter 5 Pages 81-96
Chapter five begins with Nick's conversation with Gatsby as he is returning from the city late at night. Nick asks Gatsby when he wants to get together with Daisy, and Gatsby asks if Nick wants to join in his 'confidential business.' Gatsby is extremely nervous when the day comes, and when Daisy arrives, he is very embarrassed. He freaks out and Nick gives him a pep talk in the kitchen before Nick goes outside for a while. When he returns, Gatsby and Daisy are talking and Gatsby is very joyful. He invites them both over to his house, where he shows off almost everything he owns. Daisy is impressed and by the end of the night, both of them forget that Nick is there.
Jay Gatsby
"He had passed visibly through two states and was entering upon a third. After his embarrassment and his unreasoning joy he was consumed with the wonder at her presence" (Fitzgerald 91-92).
Gatsby is very awkward around Daisy at first. He changes his character completely after Nick talks to him. He shows he is dishonest when he says it took him 3 years to earn the money for the house. He had told Nick that his money was inherited. He is a creeper and shows it when he is showing her his house. His image is important, which can be seen by his house, his fancy clothes and his car.
Gatsby provides great mystery in the novel. He is a binary opposite of a number of characters including Nick and Tom. Gatsby is another character that represents dishonesty, wealth, and obsession of appearance. He provides the drama in the book. Although he too is dishonest, he is the one man of that wealthy class that he likes.
"With enchanting murmurs Daisy admired this aspect or that of the feudal silhouette against the sky, admired the gardens, the sparkling odor of jonquils and the frothy odor of hawthorn and plum blossoms and the pale gold odor of the kiss-me-at-the-gate" (Fitzgerald 90). This quote is found right after Nick, Gatsby, and Daisy enter onto Gatsby's property. It shows how easily Daisy is impressed by material things. Because Gatsby has such a nice garden, Daisy is impressed. Fitzgerald mentions the color gold when explaining the flowers. It shows wealth and the importance of appearance.
Chapter five begins with Nick's conversation with Gatsby as he is returning from the city late at night. Nick asks Gatsby when he wants to get together with Daisy, and Gatsby asks if Nick wants to join in his 'confidential business.' Gatsby is extremely nervous when the day comes, and when Daisy arrives, he is very embarrassed. He freaks out and Nick gives him a pep talk in the kitchen before Nick goes outside for a while. When he returns, Gatsby and Daisy are talking and Gatsby is very joyful. He invites them both over to his house, where he shows off almost everything he owns. Daisy is impressed and by the end of the night, both of them forget that Nick is there.
Jay Gatsby
"He had passed visibly through two states and was entering upon a third. After his embarrassment and his unreasoning joy he was consumed with the wonder at her presence" (Fitzgerald 91-92).
Gatsby is very awkward around Daisy at first. He changes his character completely after Nick talks to him. He shows he is dishonest when he says it took him 3 years to earn the money for the house. He had told Nick that his money was inherited. He is a creeper and shows it when he is showing her his house. His image is important, which can be seen by his house, his fancy clothes and his car.
Gatsby provides great mystery in the novel. He is a binary opposite of a number of characters including Nick and Tom. Gatsby is another character that represents dishonesty, wealth, and obsession of appearance. He provides the drama in the book. Although he too is dishonest, he is the one man of that wealthy class that he likes.
"With enchanting murmurs Daisy admired this aspect or that of the feudal silhouette against the sky, admired the gardens, the sparkling odor of jonquils and the frothy odor of hawthorn and plum blossoms and the pale gold odor of the kiss-me-at-the-gate" (Fitzgerald 90). This quote is found right after Nick, Gatsby, and Daisy enter onto Gatsby's property. It shows how easily Daisy is impressed by material things. Because Gatsby has such a nice garden, Daisy is impressed. Fitzgerald mentions the color gold when explaining the flowers. It shows wealth and the importance of appearance.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Sean O'Donnell--Chapter 4 Pages 61-80
Sean O'Donnell--Chapter 4 Pages 61-80
Chapter four opens with Nick listing all the people who attended Gatsby's parties over the summer. Gatsby picked Nick up one day, and they headed into the city for lunch. He told him the following: he lost his family at a young age, he studied at Oxford, his valor in the war earned him a promotion to major and a medal, and that he traveled around after the war. He learns that Jordan has something to tell him later, when they would meet. They have lunch with Mr. Wolfsheim, the man who fixed the world series, and run into Tom at the restaurant. Jordan tells Nick all about Daisy's past with Gatsby and other men. Gatsby wants to meet with Daisy at Nick's house, without her knowing. Nick is happy to be with Jordan.
Meyer Wolfsheim
"Meyer Wolfsheim? No, he's a gambler... He's the man who fixed the World's Series back in 1919" (Fitzgerald 73).
Mr. Wolfsheim is a middle-aged man, whom at first seems like a completely normal guy. What comes as a shock to Nick is that he is a gambler and a cheater. He fixed the World Series because he 'saw the opportunity' and isn't in jail because "He's a smart man." He is clever and avoided the punishments for a severe crime. He too, like numerous characters in the book, is dishonest.
Mr. Wolfsheim shows the reader another side to Gatsby. He is friends with this sinister man, which leads us to question his honesty. Like many others in the novel, Meyer is attracted to wealth and will do anything to get money. He adds to the mysteriousness of Gatsby.
"Take them down-stairs and give'em back to whoever Gatsby r they belong to. Tell'em all Daisy's change' her mine. Say: 'Daisy's change' her mine!" (Fitzgerald 76).
This quote, said by Daisy the night before her wedding, caught me by surprise. I found it strange that she had second thoughts about marrying Tom. What was even more astonishing to me, is that after their honeymoon, she was crazy about him. She would worry about him if he wasn't home and did not show the slightest sign that she had had second thoughts. I believe this is significant because she may have remembered Gatsby and realized she still had feelings for him. She didn't know whether or not Tom was truly the right man.
Chapter four opens with Nick listing all the people who attended Gatsby's parties over the summer. Gatsby picked Nick up one day, and they headed into the city for lunch. He told him the following: he lost his family at a young age, he studied at Oxford, his valor in the war earned him a promotion to major and a medal, and that he traveled around after the war. He learns that Jordan has something to tell him later, when they would meet. They have lunch with Mr. Wolfsheim, the man who fixed the world series, and run into Tom at the restaurant. Jordan tells Nick all about Daisy's past with Gatsby and other men. Gatsby wants to meet with Daisy at Nick's house, without her knowing. Nick is happy to be with Jordan.
Meyer Wolfsheim
"Meyer Wolfsheim? No, he's a gambler... He's the man who fixed the World's Series back in 1919" (Fitzgerald 73).
Mr. Wolfsheim is a middle-aged man, whom at first seems like a completely normal guy. What comes as a shock to Nick is that he is a gambler and a cheater. He fixed the World Series because he 'saw the opportunity' and isn't in jail because "He's a smart man." He is clever and avoided the punishments for a severe crime. He too, like numerous characters in the book, is dishonest.
Mr. Wolfsheim shows the reader another side to Gatsby. He is friends with this sinister man, which leads us to question his honesty. Like many others in the novel, Meyer is attracted to wealth and will do anything to get money. He adds to the mysteriousness of Gatsby.
"Take them down-stairs and give'em back to whoever Gatsby r they belong to. Tell'em all Daisy's change' her mine. Say: 'Daisy's change' her mine!" (Fitzgerald 76).
This quote, said by Daisy the night before her wedding, caught me by surprise. I found it strange that she had second thoughts about marrying Tom. What was even more astonishing to me, is that after their honeymoon, she was crazy about him. She would worry about him if he wasn't home and did not show the slightest sign that she had had second thoughts. I believe this is significant because she may have remembered Gatsby and realized she still had feelings for him. She didn't know whether or not Tom was truly the right man.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sean O'Donnell--Chapter 3 Pages 39-59
Sean O'Donnell--Chapter 3 Pages 39-59
Throughout the summer, Gatsby constantly threw party after party at his house. Nick is invited to one of Gatsby's party's via one of Gatsby's chaffers. At the party, he finds himself alone and unable to find Gatsby. He runs into Jordan, who he ends up spending the rest of the evening with. They end up meeting Gatsby and Nick discovers that he fought with Gatsby in the war. Jordan and Gatsby talk privately for a long time, and she meets up with Nick again right as the party is ending. Gatsby invites Nick to ride in his hydroplane with him the next morning. After viewing a traffic accident outside the house, he goes home. Nick spend the majority of the summer working. He and Jordan began dating, and he finds he is greatly attracted to her, even though she is dishonest.
Jordan Baker
"Jordan Baker instinctively avoided clever, shrewd men, and now I saw that this was because she felt safer on a plane where any divergence from a code would be thought impossible. She was incurably dishonest. She wasn't able to endure being at a disadvantage..." (Fitzgerald 58).
Jordan, although a strong and determined woman, is not honest. She is very beautiful and has gained great fame for herself through golf. She likes to be in control, and have attention centered around her. She knows a lot about others and is willing to share the latest gossip. Jordan does not like feeling powerless.
Nick is attracted to Jordan throughout the beginning of the novel. She is the definition of the 'new woman' in America. She has gained fame for herself through golf and has become a very popular woman. She is the opposite of Myrtle and Daisy. Because she is dishonest, and so close to Nick, she could be a source of heartbreak later in the novel.
"I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known" (Fitzgerald 59). This quote concluded chapater 3. This simple quote illustrates how Nick does not trust many of the people who surround him because he believes they are all dishonest. Nick, unlike many of us, clearly shows himself to be an honest person. The reader is left to question their own honesty and the honesty of the important people in their own lives.
Throughout the summer, Gatsby constantly threw party after party at his house. Nick is invited to one of Gatsby's party's via one of Gatsby's chaffers. At the party, he finds himself alone and unable to find Gatsby. He runs into Jordan, who he ends up spending the rest of the evening with. They end up meeting Gatsby and Nick discovers that he fought with Gatsby in the war. Jordan and Gatsby talk privately for a long time, and she meets up with Nick again right as the party is ending. Gatsby invites Nick to ride in his hydroplane with him the next morning. After viewing a traffic accident outside the house, he goes home. Nick spend the majority of the summer working. He and Jordan began dating, and he finds he is greatly attracted to her, even though she is dishonest.
Jordan Baker
"Jordan Baker instinctively avoided clever, shrewd men, and now I saw that this was because she felt safer on a plane where any divergence from a code would be thought impossible. She was incurably dishonest. She wasn't able to endure being at a disadvantage..." (Fitzgerald 58).
Jordan, although a strong and determined woman, is not honest. She is very beautiful and has gained great fame for herself through golf. She likes to be in control, and have attention centered around her. She knows a lot about others and is willing to share the latest gossip. Jordan does not like feeling powerless.
Nick is attracted to Jordan throughout the beginning of the novel. She is the definition of the 'new woman' in America. She has gained fame for herself through golf and has become a very popular woman. She is the opposite of Myrtle and Daisy. Because she is dishonest, and so close to Nick, she could be a source of heartbreak later in the novel.
"I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known" (Fitzgerald 59). This quote concluded chapater 3. This simple quote illustrates how Nick does not trust many of the people who surround him because he believes they are all dishonest. Nick, unlike many of us, clearly shows himself to be an honest person. The reader is left to question their own honesty and the honesty of the important people in their own lives.
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