"Dream Deffered"
Langston Hughes
Obviously a big fan of figurative language, Langston Hughes uses a variety of similes in order to emphasize his point in "Dream Deferred." The similes are woven into rhetorical questions that help to illustrate what happens to an abandoned dream, the author's main theme. The repitition of the figurative language serves to impress the physical image of a dying dream. This image, however, is very negative and thus causes the reader to view the defferment of a dream as negative. Or the dream cam simply "sag like a heavy load" over the head of the dreamer and burden him with the loss of his opportunity (Hughes).
The poem possesses a very negative theme and ultimately is very depressing until the last phrase of the writing: "Or does it explode?" (Hughes). It is italicized ultimately to draw attention to it. This rhetorical question causes the reader to consider a possibly more positive reaction to a dream put on the sideline. One day, the accumulation of all the feelings toward the once fervered dream resurface in an explosion of passion. Although this could also have a negative connotation, I consider this to be positive because it allows for the realization of oneself and for the release of negative energy stored within oneself.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
"Mr. Z"
"Mr. Z"
M. Carl Holman
Seeming to be written as a narrative of the life of one black man overcoming diversity to live a stereotypically "white" life, "Mr. Z" is a story that can be very relatable for many people who share in the same ethnic background. That is why the title of this poem is so very ambiguous. Failing to provide any information as to the identification of its subject, the poem allows readers to imagine themselves in the shoes of Mr. Z himself.
But greater than the title's ambiguity is its choice of the letter Z, the last letter of the alphabet. When he left the title so open for interpretation, Holman must have had a reason behind the selection of the letter. It could actually represent a Mr. Zimmerman or Mr. Zachford, or it might represent the view of minorities as a whole in the time period of the poem. Z, being the last letter of the alphabet, is representative of the lowest and last part of a series; this offers a connection to the position of minorities within society. They feel as if they are the lowest, and they are often treated as so by the majority. However, one is not limited to the bottom of the totem pole. Just as Mr. Z, himself, "climbed, unclogged by ethnic weights," so too can every other person (Holman).
The grammatical structure of this poem also lends itself to the idea that Mr. Z did somewhat succeed in his quest for equality. It is written in a very formal and well organized manner similar to that of a well educated white male of the time. Although it does rhyme, it does not detract from the overall scholarly nature of the piece.
M. Carl Holman
Seeming to be written as a narrative of the life of one black man overcoming diversity to live a stereotypically "white" life, "Mr. Z" is a story that can be very relatable for many people who share in the same ethnic background. That is why the title of this poem is so very ambiguous. Failing to provide any information as to the identification of its subject, the poem allows readers to imagine themselves in the shoes of Mr. Z himself.
But greater than the title's ambiguity is its choice of the letter Z, the last letter of the alphabet. When he left the title so open for interpretation, Holman must have had a reason behind the selection of the letter. It could actually represent a Mr. Zimmerman or Mr. Zachford, or it might represent the view of minorities as a whole in the time period of the poem. Z, being the last letter of the alphabet, is representative of the lowest and last part of a series; this offers a connection to the position of minorities within society. They feel as if they are the lowest, and they are often treated as so by the majority. However, one is not limited to the bottom of the totem pole. Just as Mr. Z, himself, "climbed, unclogged by ethnic weights," so too can every other person (Holman).
The grammatical structure of this poem also lends itself to the idea that Mr. Z did somewhat succeed in his quest for equality. It is written in a very formal and well organized manner similar to that of a well educated white male of the time. Although it does rhyme, it does not detract from the overall scholarly nature of the piece.
"Hazel Tells LaVerne"
"Hazel Tells LaVerne"
Katharyn Howd Machan
Throughout her poem, Machan uses many different literary techniques in order to convey the message the poem is illustrating on an analytical level. The two most important, however, are the lack of punctuation and the use of a very specific dialect of the English language. The lack of punctuation in the entirety of the poem does not detract from its clarity or from its literary effectiveness; consequently, it increases the overall effect of the writing. Machan purposely leaves out periods, commas, and capitalization to emphasize the lack of education that Hazel posseses. It also allows for a better flow of the writing and allows the reader to adjust his reading style in order to fit the language of the poem. The language also works to emphasize this educational void that Hazel so clearly characterizes. Hazel's diction with words such as "sida," "sohelpmegod," and "hitsm," and the revelation of her current employer in the third line prove the lower social and educational status in which Hazel finds herself. Her repetition of the phrase "me a princess" accentuates the main meaning of this poem: her inability to rise above her current social standing (Machan). To even think that there might be a better life for her is simply a preposterous idea that Hazel quickly refutes by repeatedly mocking the idea with the rhetorical question.
Katharyn Howd Machan
Throughout her poem, Machan uses many different literary techniques in order to convey the message the poem is illustrating on an analytical level. The two most important, however, are the lack of punctuation and the use of a very specific dialect of the English language. The lack of punctuation in the entirety of the poem does not detract from its clarity or from its literary effectiveness; consequently, it increases the overall effect of the writing. Machan purposely leaves out periods, commas, and capitalization to emphasize the lack of education that Hazel posseses. It also allows for a better flow of the writing and allows the reader to adjust his reading style in order to fit the language of the poem. The language also works to emphasize this educational void that Hazel so clearly characterizes. Hazel's diction with words such as "sida," "sohelpmegod," and "hitsm," and the revelation of her current employer in the third line prove the lower social and educational status in which Hazel finds herself. Her repetition of the phrase "me a princess" accentuates the main meaning of this poem: her inability to rise above her current social standing (Machan). To even think that there might be a better life for her is simply a preposterous idea that Hazel quickly refutes by repeatedly mocking the idea with the rhetorical question.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
You Say 'Potato', I Say 'Tragic Love Story set in Medieval England'...
As I read through Perrine's article, I saw his argument as adressing two different audiences: the writer himself and the interpreter, the reader.
The Writer
Throughout the first page or so, Perrine asserts that it is the reader's responsibility to interpret poetry and there is no way for a writer to know exactly what he means to write. An inserted quote from E. A. Robinson helps to explain Perrine's thoughts, "A writer should not be his own interpreter." Perrine means to say that although the writer may have a specific concept in his mind throughout the writing process, it is not wise to admit this truth of his poetry. If a writer is to limit his work, he is cutting out the fun behind poetry: being able to see what one wants to see within the mere lines on the page. It diminishes the ability to find an alternate meaning or create an extra story that exceeds that which already exists. Sadly, Perrine also claims that this "above and beyond" is not tactful on the reader's behalf.
The Reader
For as much advice that Perrine offers to the author, he offers three times as much to the reader. From such basics as covering all the details and not letting our interpretations become too farfetched to the importance of diction in illustrating the setting of a poem, Perrine makes sure to cover his bases. By providing his "correct" analyses on several works we covered in class (coincidental, eh?), Perrine is able to show his audience how to correct apply the information which he has given to us.
As far as his basic principles are concerned, I agree with Perrine's stance on the interpretation of poetry; as long as it covers details without contradicting itself or becoming too abstract, an interpretation is valid. However, the statement that one evaluation is more correct than another bothers me. Poetry is art, and art is for the eye of the beholder. If we want to see something in a certain work, who is to say that we shouldn't? Yes, our own individual visions must have some grounding in reality, but why can't it stick its head to the clouds?
The Writer
Throughout the first page or so, Perrine asserts that it is the reader's responsibility to interpret poetry and there is no way for a writer to know exactly what he means to write. An inserted quote from E. A. Robinson helps to explain Perrine's thoughts, "A writer should not be his own interpreter." Perrine means to say that although the writer may have a specific concept in his mind throughout the writing process, it is not wise to admit this truth of his poetry. If a writer is to limit his work, he is cutting out the fun behind poetry: being able to see what one wants to see within the mere lines on the page. It diminishes the ability to find an alternate meaning or create an extra story that exceeds that which already exists. Sadly, Perrine also claims that this "above and beyond" is not tactful on the reader's behalf.
The Reader
For as much advice that Perrine offers to the author, he offers three times as much to the reader. From such basics as covering all the details and not letting our interpretations become too farfetched to the importance of diction in illustrating the setting of a poem, Perrine makes sure to cover his bases. By providing his "correct" analyses on several works we covered in class (coincidental, eh?), Perrine is able to show his audience how to correct apply the information which he has given to us.
As far as his basic principles are concerned, I agree with Perrine's stance on the interpretation of poetry; as long as it covers details without contradicting itself or becoming too abstract, an interpretation is valid. However, the statement that one evaluation is more correct than another bothers me. Poetry is art, and art is for the eye of the beholder. If we want to see something in a certain work, who is to say that we shouldn't? Yes, our own individual visions must have some grounding in reality, but why can't it stick its head to the clouds?
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Closing Reflections
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 163-180
"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter - tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther..." (Fitzgerald, 180).
For as much of a lavish and acquaintance filled lifestyle that he led, Gatsby had a relatively pathetic funeral. I use the term 'acquaintance' because the attendance of his ceremony showed the lack of people who actually cared for him. I felt bad for the man. He was constantly used throughout the entirety of his life and has little to show for it in death. At least his father still cared for his son, who, in his eyes, could not be more successful or a bigger source of pride.
As Nick narrates the end of the story, I found a bit of truth in his contrast of the East and the West. He claimed that even though Daisy, Tom, Jordan, and himself liked the East, there was always a little bit of their home within their perceptions of who they were. I felt a very strong connection to this section because entering my senior year, I will be beginning on a new chapter in my life. Moving away from home to continue my education in college, I can only hope to cling to my roots and not let the exciting new surroundings change the person that my home had spent so many careful years shaping.
Overall, I really liked this book. It was easy to read, yet it contained many truths about life symbolically hidden throughout the story. It was far more interesting than The House of Mirth, and the language was much more comprehensible.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 163-180
"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter - tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther..." (Fitzgerald, 180).
For as much of a lavish and acquaintance filled lifestyle that he led, Gatsby had a relatively pathetic funeral. I use the term 'acquaintance' because the attendance of his ceremony showed the lack of people who actually cared for him. I felt bad for the man. He was constantly used throughout the entirety of his life and has little to show for it in death. At least his father still cared for his son, who, in his eyes, could not be more successful or a bigger source of pride.
As Nick narrates the end of the story, I found a bit of truth in his contrast of the East and the West. He claimed that even though Daisy, Tom, Jordan, and himself liked the East, there was always a little bit of their home within their perceptions of who they were. I felt a very strong connection to this section because entering my senior year, I will be beginning on a new chapter in my life. Moving away from home to continue my education in college, I can only hope to cling to my roots and not let the exciting new surroundings change the person that my home had spent so many careful years shaping.
Overall, I really liked this book. It was easy to read, yet it contained many truths about life symbolically hidden throughout the story. It was far more interesting than The House of Mirth, and the language was much more comprehensible.
I. See. Everything.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 156-162
"'God knows what you've been doing, everything you've been doing. You may fool me, but you can't fool God!'" (Fitzgerald, 159).
I KNEW IT! The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg were a symbol for something; they are an illustration of God's omnipresence on earth. The strange part about it, though, is the location of the sign. It stands in the wasteland of ashes, between the artistocracy and wealth of Long Island and the fast-paced immoral lifestyle of New York. Many times, Tom Buchanan had passed by these 'eyes of God' as he crossed into the city to carry on his affair. They had also witnessed the abrupt end of this very same affair. Another thing though, is that the advertisement lacks a mouth, which I interpret as the lack of judgment being passed, especially from Nick. He was aware of both affairs, yet he let them continue without interruption because it was not his place to ruin the lives of others.
But other than the grand symbolism in this section, GATSBY?! I'm beginning to notice a reoccuring theme in our summer reading: an individual on the search for love whose life is stripped from them as they discover what they want. Depressing, yes.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 156-162
"'God knows what you've been doing, everything you've been doing. You may fool me, but you can't fool God!'" (Fitzgerald, 159).
I KNEW IT! The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg were a symbol for something; they are an illustration of God's omnipresence on earth. The strange part about it, though, is the location of the sign. It stands in the wasteland of ashes, between the artistocracy and wealth of Long Island and the fast-paced immoral lifestyle of New York. Many times, Tom Buchanan had passed by these 'eyes of God' as he crossed into the city to carry on his affair. They had also witnessed the abrupt end of this very same affair. Another thing though, is that the advertisement lacks a mouth, which I interpret as the lack of judgment being passed, especially from Nick. He was aware of both affairs, yet he let them continue without interruption because it was not his place to ruin the lives of others.
But other than the grand symbolism in this section, GATSBY?! I'm beginning to notice a reoccuring theme in our summer reading: an individual on the search for love whose life is stripped from them as they discover what they want. Depressing, yes.
The Unattainable Grail
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 147-155
"He was clutching at some last hope and I couldn't bear to shake him free," (Fitzgerald, 148).
Even after a traumatic evening and the soft rejection of his love, Gatsby refuses to leave behind his hopes of Daisy. He even takes the time to tell Nick of their courtship years ago in Louisville. Nick realizes that Gatsby "had committed himself to the following of a grail" because Daisy had become unattainable, and it seemed clear to all except for the man with the strongest feelings. When Gatsby reveals that he and Daisy gave themselves to each other, he also reveals that this is the point in their relationship that he felt the strongest connection to Daisy. Because of this, he has refused to let her go.
When we come back to reality, the weather is lovely and cool, a sharp contrast from the previous day and excellent foreshadowing of another completely unexpected turn in the story. Perhaps a happier one this time. But even the weather could not relieve Nick of his worries involving his friends and the previous night. He even rejects a date with Jordan Baker, a woman for whom he feltly so strongly only the evening beforehand.
I'm really confused as to what Fitzgerald is doing right now. This day seems to be in complete contrast from the day that preceeded it. But, hey, it's only half over...
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 147-155
"He was clutching at some last hope and I couldn't bear to shake him free," (Fitzgerald, 148).
Even after a traumatic evening and the soft rejection of his love, Gatsby refuses to leave behind his hopes of Daisy. He even takes the time to tell Nick of their courtship years ago in Louisville. Nick realizes that Gatsby "had committed himself to the following of a grail" because Daisy had become unattainable, and it seemed clear to all except for the man with the strongest feelings. When Gatsby reveals that he and Daisy gave themselves to each other, he also reveals that this is the point in their relationship that he felt the strongest connection to Daisy. Because of this, he has refused to let her go.
When we come back to reality, the weather is lovely and cool, a sharp contrast from the previous day and excellent foreshadowing of another completely unexpected turn in the story. Perhaps a happier one this time. But even the weather could not relieve Nick of his worries involving his friends and the previous night. He even rejects a date with Jordan Baker, a woman for whom he feltly so strongly only the evening beforehand.
I'm really confused as to what Fitzgerald is doing right now. This day seems to be in complete contrast from the day that preceeded it. But, hey, it's only half over...
Hit and Run to a Crash and Burn
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 136-145
"There is no confusion like the confusion of a simple mind," (Fitzgerald, 125).
And Mr. Wilson is simple-minded indeed. After finally noticing the very public affair of your wife, locking her away in her room seems to be the simplest way of dealing with an obviously very complex issue. Yet, his wife must also share in his simple-mindedness if she thinks running in front of a speeding car in an attempt to catch its attention is a good idea.
Survival of the fittest, I guess...
After the shock of one mistress dying passed, I was confronted by yet another involving the other mistress. Daisy had attempted to steer herself into the path of oncoming traffic, but she lost her nerve and turned back the other direction and instead ended up killing her own husband's mistress.
Talk about a twisted love story!
Again, we are presented a Mr. Gatsby standing in the moonlight, adoring his love from a distance. Only this time, he is in a completely different position. At the beginning of the story, he was working his way to confronting his long lost love, but now, she is drifting away from him. The parallelism here is really cool. As his physical distance to Daisy shortened, she grew farther away from him emotionally.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 136-145
"There is no confusion like the confusion of a simple mind," (Fitzgerald, 125).
And Mr. Wilson is simple-minded indeed. After finally noticing the very public affair of your wife, locking her away in her room seems to be the simplest way of dealing with an obviously very complex issue. Yet, his wife must also share in his simple-mindedness if she thinks running in front of a speeding car in an attempt to catch its attention is a good idea.
Survival of the fittest, I guess...
After the shock of one mistress dying passed, I was confronted by yet another involving the other mistress. Daisy had attempted to steer herself into the path of oncoming traffic, but she lost her nerve and turned back the other direction and instead ended up killing her own husband's mistress.
Talk about a twisted love story!
Again, we are presented a Mr. Gatsby standing in the moonlight, adoring his love from a distance. Only this time, he is in a completely different position. At the beginning of the story, he was working his way to confronting his long lost love, but now, she is drifting away from him. The parallelism here is really cool. As his physical distance to Daisy shortened, she grew farther away from him emotionally.
It's Getting Hot in Here!
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 113-136
"Their eyes met, and they stared together at each other...She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw," (Fitzgerald, 119).
As this chapter opens up, we are presented with a description of the unbearable heat. I interpretted this change in the weather as foreshadowing to a "heated" confrontation of some sort. And boy, was I right...
With a single glance, Tom Buchanan was able to distinguish the affair from the stares of the lovers, thus reiterating the reoccuring presence of eyes in the story. But another thing I noticed about Tom Buchanan was his eagerness to pick at the phrase "old sport" which was such an omnipresent selection in Gatsby's diction. For so long, it had gone unquestioned, yet Tom uses it to initiate his inquisition of his wife's affair.
To add to his control of the argument, Tom maintained his composure and managed to convince Daisy of their love through past experiences. Again, time comes into play in their argument; Gatsby attempts to tell Tom that Daisy had loved him for the past five years, but his plan backfires when Daisy realizes how much more Tom had contributed to her within that timespan. Finalizing his dominance over the discussion and Daisy, Tom orders Gatsby and his wife to ride home by themselves because he is sure that he has ruined any inkling of an affair that may have continued to exist.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 113-136
"Their eyes met, and they stared together at each other...She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw," (Fitzgerald, 119).
As this chapter opens up, we are presented with a description of the unbearable heat. I interpretted this change in the weather as foreshadowing to a "heated" confrontation of some sort. And boy, was I right...
With a single glance, Tom Buchanan was able to distinguish the affair from the stares of the lovers, thus reiterating the reoccuring presence of eyes in the story. But another thing I noticed about Tom Buchanan was his eagerness to pick at the phrase "old sport" which was such an omnipresent selection in Gatsby's diction. For so long, it had gone unquestioned, yet Tom uses it to initiate his inquisition of his wife's affair.
To add to his control of the argument, Tom maintained his composure and managed to convince Daisy of their love through past experiences. Again, time comes into play in their argument; Gatsby attempts to tell Tom that Daisy had loved him for the past five years, but his plan backfires when Daisy realizes how much more Tom had contributed to her within that timespan. Finalizing his dominance over the discussion and Daisy, Tom orders Gatsby and his wife to ride home by themselves because he is sure that he has ruined any inkling of an affair that may have continued to exist.
The Spark Fades
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 97-111
"It is invariably saddening to look through new eyes at things upond which you have expended your own powers of adjustment," (Fitzgerald, 104).
I'm glad we finally have some solid information on Jay Gatsby. I was honestly getting tired of characterizing the man solely on his interactions with others and the rumors ensuing from these others.
However, I kind of liked the story that Gatsby had told earlier better. I know this 'American dream' that led Gatsby to his current state of wealth embodies the ambitious attitude that allows us as fellow Americans to relate to the story, yet it still makes me a little disappointed. And I still can't place my finger on why Fitzgerald chose to insert this information at this point in the story even though Nick confesses that it was told much later. The only reasoning I can see behind this is that this is some turning point of the story; the information to follow is directly relevant to Gatsby and the author simply wants the audience to feel a connection towards his character before some sort of triumph or tragedy.
Another thing I found interesting in this section was the lack of enjoyment that took place at Gatsby's party. I feel like this was bigger than the actually party itself. I think the party is simply a metaphor for Gatsby and Daisy's relationship. They used to be so extravagant and entertaining when the mystery and the chase was involved, but now that Gatsby has claimed his prize, he realizes it was not all that he had hoped it to be. Therefore, the party has lost its allure. Even Nick goes as far to comment on the matter by say that "the incarnation [of Gatsby's fantasy] was complete," (Fitzgerald, 111).
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 97-111
"It is invariably saddening to look through new eyes at things upond which you have expended your own powers of adjustment," (Fitzgerald, 104).
I'm glad we finally have some solid information on Jay Gatsby. I was honestly getting tired of characterizing the man solely on his interactions with others and the rumors ensuing from these others.
However, I kind of liked the story that Gatsby had told earlier better. I know this 'American dream' that led Gatsby to his current state of wealth embodies the ambitious attitude that allows us as fellow Americans to relate to the story, yet it still makes me a little disappointed. And I still can't place my finger on why Fitzgerald chose to insert this information at this point in the story even though Nick confesses that it was told much later. The only reasoning I can see behind this is that this is some turning point of the story; the information to follow is directly relevant to Gatsby and the author simply wants the audience to feel a connection towards his character before some sort of triumph or tragedy.
Another thing I found interesting in this section was the lack of enjoyment that took place at Gatsby's party. I feel like this was bigger than the actually party itself. I think the party is simply a metaphor for Gatsby and Daisy's relationship. They used to be so extravagant and entertaining when the mystery and the chase was involved, but now that Gatsby has claimed his prize, he realizes it was not all that he had hoped it to be. Therefore, the party has lost its allure. Even Nick goes as far to comment on the matter by say that "the incarnation [of Gatsby's fantasy] was complete," (Fitzgerald, 111).
A Timely Meeting
The Great GatsbyF. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 81-96
"I think that voice held him most, with its fluctuating, feverish warmth, because it couldn't be over-dreamed - that voice was a deathless song," (Fitzgerald, 96).
At last, a reunion between two star-crossed lovers who had been lost to time and the expectations of society.
"But it wasn't coincidence at all," Ms. Baker reminds us (Fitzgerald, 78). This had been a plan of Gatsby's ever since he lost the eye of Daisy Fay years ago. He established himself at a location where their paths would be likely to cross, yet fate never interjected its guiding hand. I now see that the point of his open invitation parties were to see if Daisy would wander in through his front door, but she failed to make it.
Gatsby had imprisoned himself in the past, obsessed over an idea that once was. He idealized his former love, but still, he remained satisfied when her reality revealed itself to him. His knocking of Nick's clock during their meeting is symbolic of this. It is a reminder that time has separated them, but they are going against it in order to try their love once more. Gatsby is shattering the distance between them, enacting his plan that he so carefully forged over the years.
Pages 81-96
"I think that voice held him most, with its fluctuating, feverish warmth, because it couldn't be over-dreamed - that voice was a deathless song," (Fitzgerald, 96).
At last, a reunion between two star-crossed lovers who had been lost to time and the expectations of society.
"But it wasn't coincidence at all," Ms. Baker reminds us (Fitzgerald, 78). This had been a plan of Gatsby's ever since he lost the eye of Daisy Fay years ago. He established himself at a location where their paths would be likely to cross, yet fate never interjected its guiding hand. I now see that the point of his open invitation parties were to see if Daisy would wander in through his front door, but she failed to make it.
Gatsby had imprisoned himself in the past, obsessed over an idea that once was. He idealized his former love, but still, he remained satisfied when her reality revealed itself to him. His knocking of Nick's clock during their meeting is symbolic of this. It is a reminder that time has separated them, but they are going against it in order to try their love once more. Gatsby is shattering the distance between them, enacting his plan that he so carefully forged over the years.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
They have History
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 74-80
"There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired," (Fitzgerald, 79).
WHAT?!
A PAST LOVE AFFAIR?!
Discovering that Mr. Gatsby and Mrs. Buchanan had a fling in their early years definitely throws an element of excitement into the story. This explains the awkward interaction between Tom and Gatsby at lunch the other day.
I feel that this revelation came along at an appropriate time in the story, but I am having trouble trying to figure out why Fitzgerald selected Jordan as the herald of the news and not either of the parties involved. It would have been much easier for Gatsby to just confide in his new friend rather than to put Nick through this great ordeal of secrecy and stress.
In any manner, the truth is revealed and another mystery of Gatsby is unveiled. Just as the green light that he so longed for in the first chapter had seemed so mysterious, an unknown source calling to him over the water, Gatsby's past is also hidden in a haze which will presumably be cleared by characters surrounding Gatsby and not the man himself. However, now that Nick connects that the light with Daisy, things start to make more sense.
The symbolic connection between Gatsby and Daisy is very evident in this section. Hopefully, more characters establish connections through other symbols in the story because I just think it's a really cool way of creating relationships.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 74-80
"There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired," (Fitzgerald, 79).
WHAT?!
A PAST LOVE AFFAIR?!
Discovering that Mr. Gatsby and Mrs. Buchanan had a fling in their early years definitely throws an element of excitement into the story. This explains the awkward interaction between Tom and Gatsby at lunch the other day.
I feel that this revelation came along at an appropriate time in the story, but I am having trouble trying to figure out why Fitzgerald selected Jordan as the herald of the news and not either of the parties involved. It would have been much easier for Gatsby to just confide in his new friend rather than to put Nick through this great ordeal of secrecy and stress.
In any manner, the truth is revealed and another mystery of Gatsby is unveiled. Just as the green light that he so longed for in the first chapter had seemed so mysterious, an unknown source calling to him over the water, Gatsby's past is also hidden in a haze which will presumably be cleared by characters surrounding Gatsby and not the man himself. However, now that Nick connects that the light with Daisy, things start to make more sense.
The symbolic connection between Gatsby and Daisy is very evident in this section. Hopefully, more characters establish connections through other symbols in the story because I just think it's a really cool way of creating relationships.
STUDY BREAK!
Ok, let's watch the trailer for the movie coming out next summer...
A little Frank Ocean, nice touch...
A Little Bit of Truth
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 61-74
"And with this doubt, his whole statement fell to pieces, and I wondered if there wasn't something a little sinister about him, after all," (Fitzgerald, 65).
After what seemed to be a pointless two and a half page recap of the guest list from the summer, we finally get to decode the man, the myth, and the legend: Jay Gatsby.
Or, at least I thought we did...
Well, I mean, at least we got some information into his past that helps to outline the entity that is the great Gatsby. But at the first sign of doubt from Nick, I began, as well, to doubt the story that flowed forcefully from the lips of Mr. Gatsby. The only credible item was his involvement in the war; it had been proven earlier by his recognition of Carraway and again by his medal from Montenegro.
Recalling the claim I made earlier of illegal ongoings connected to Gatsby, the meeting with Mr. Wolfsheim only seemed to reassure my assertion. Wolfsheim's tale of an acquaintance being shot down along with a shady business proposal reveal his illicit background. Adding to his resume, Gatsby tells us that he fixed the World's Series.
Also, the interaction between Tom Buchanan and Gatsby was awfully suspicious. What is Gatsby hiding from Tom? What in his past could be so shameful?
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 61-74
"And with this doubt, his whole statement fell to pieces, and I wondered if there wasn't something a little sinister about him, after all," (Fitzgerald, 65).
After what seemed to be a pointless two and a half page recap of the guest list from the summer, we finally get to decode the man, the myth, and the legend: Jay Gatsby.
Or, at least I thought we did...
Well, I mean, at least we got some information into his past that helps to outline the entity that is the great Gatsby. But at the first sign of doubt from Nick, I began, as well, to doubt the story that flowed forcefully from the lips of Mr. Gatsby. The only credible item was his involvement in the war; it had been proven earlier by his recognition of Carraway and again by his medal from Montenegro.
Recalling the claim I made earlier of illegal ongoings connected to Gatsby, the meeting with Mr. Wolfsheim only seemed to reassure my assertion. Wolfsheim's tale of an acquaintance being shot down along with a shady business proposal reveal his illicit background. Adding to his resume, Gatsby tells us that he fixed the World's Series.
Also, the interaction between Tom Buchanan and Gatsby was awfully suspicious. What is Gatsby hiding from Tom? What in his past could be so shameful?
"It takes two to make an accident."
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 55-59
"Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply..." (Fitzgerald, 58).
At this point in the story, Nick halts his narration to clarify the chronology of the events occurring that summer. I had read the events as happening all within the same short period of time, yet they actually all took place several weeks apart. And although Nick claims that these events did not absorb him, he spent a good deal of time recording the events within the first quarter of the story. I think that these events actually will be key to the events that have yet to unfold in the upcoming portion of the novel.
Also, as Nick gets to know Jordan Baker better, her character becomes revealed to the reader. Nick claims that he is not particularly in love with the professional golfer, but he rather experiences "a sort of tender curiosity" towards something that he feels she is concealing (Fitzgerald, 57). He describes her as dishonest which is ironic because he claims to be the most honest person he knows. The irony lies within the classic cliche that opposites attract. Another seeming irony within the pair's relationship is that while Jordan is careless with her own wellbeing, she is attracted to more careful counterparts which explains her attraction to Nick.
The juxtaposition by Fitzgerald of the two quotes beginning and ending this entry show the difference between the views of honesty in men and honesty in women; it's not at woman's fault, but it is choice for man.
"Every one suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known," (Fitzgerald, 59).
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 55-59
"Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply..." (Fitzgerald, 58).
At this point in the story, Nick halts his narration to clarify the chronology of the events occurring that summer. I had read the events as happening all within the same short period of time, yet they actually all took place several weeks apart. And although Nick claims that these events did not absorb him, he spent a good deal of time recording the events within the first quarter of the story. I think that these events actually will be key to the events that have yet to unfold in the upcoming portion of the novel.
Also, as Nick gets to know Jordan Baker better, her character becomes revealed to the reader. Nick claims that he is not particularly in love with the professional golfer, but he rather experiences "a sort of tender curiosity" towards something that he feels she is concealing (Fitzgerald, 57). He describes her as dishonest which is ironic because he claims to be the most honest person he knows. The irony lies within the classic cliche that opposites attract. Another seeming irony within the pair's relationship is that while Jordan is careless with her own wellbeing, she is attracted to more careful counterparts which explains her attraction to Nick.
The juxtaposition by Fitzgerald of the two quotes beginning and ending this entry show the difference between the views of honesty in men and honesty in women; it's not at woman's fault, but it is choice for man.
"Every one suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known," (Fitzgerald, 59).
No Less Mysterious
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 47-55
"It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey," (Fitzgerald, 48).
Putting a face to the name, Nick finally gets the pleasure, unbeknownst at first to him, of meeting the great Jay Gatsby. Recalling memories of the war they endured together, the two struck up an instant bond. Solidifying the new friendship, Gatsby draws Nick in with a captivating smile full of "eternal reassurance," (Fitzgerald, 48).
But I feel this ivory flash might not be as friendly as it seems. Twice within this section, Gatsby is called away by a servant to receive a phone call that is simply referred to by its city of origin. Shrouded in secrecy, I think these phone calls have to do something with his business, about which nothing is known. The lack of information provided as to the reason behind these covert conversations leads me to believe that Gatsby's business may not be entirely accepted by society; he might be involved in some sort of criminal activity that provides his incredible wealth.
Even more secrets ensue when Gatsby takes Jordan aside to have a private conversation with her. Jordan refuses to tell Nick about the nature of their conversation, but instead, she invites him to come visit her at her aunt's house.
I'm a little confused about the car incident that closes out this section though. Maybe it will connect later, or it might just be thrown in to take up space. We'll see.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 47-55
"It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey," (Fitzgerald, 48).
Putting a face to the name, Nick finally gets the pleasure, unbeknownst at first to him, of meeting the great Jay Gatsby. Recalling memories of the war they endured together, the two struck up an instant bond. Solidifying the new friendship, Gatsby draws Nick in with a captivating smile full of "eternal reassurance," (Fitzgerald, 48).
But I feel this ivory flash might not be as friendly as it seems. Twice within this section, Gatsby is called away by a servant to receive a phone call that is simply referred to by its city of origin. Shrouded in secrecy, I think these phone calls have to do something with his business, about which nothing is known. The lack of information provided as to the reason behind these covert conversations leads me to believe that Gatsby's business may not be entirely accepted by society; he might be involved in some sort of criminal activity that provides his incredible wealth.
Even more secrets ensue when Gatsby takes Jordan aside to have a private conversation with her. Jordan refuses to tell Nick about the nature of their conversation, but instead, she invites him to come visit her at her aunt's house.
I'm a little confused about the car incident that closes out this section though. Maybe it will connect later, or it might just be thrown in to take up space. We'll see.
Welcome to the Show!
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 39-46
"...the air is alive with chatter and laughter, and casual innuendo and introductions forgotten on the spot, and enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each other's names," (Fitzgerald, 40).
Finally! An opportunity for Nick to meet this mysterious neighbor of his that is the source of so many rumors.
And yet, there only seems to be more rumors... A German spy! A Murderer! An Oxford alumnus!
As Jordan Baker invites Nick to follow her on a self-guided tour through the house, the two stumble upon the library of Gatsby. In the library, they encounter an inebriated man who proceeds to prove that the library contains genuine books (shocking to find real books in a library, I know). Apparently, the man, referred to as Owl Eyes, expected the whole room to be a show, even going as far to compare Gatsby to "Belasco," an allusion to American theatre.
I found it strange to read that allusion in reference to Gatsby. Unless, Gatsby's extravagance, his wealth, and his prestige is all an act, some sort of elaborate performance orchestrated by the man to hide some aspect of his character. What if Gatsby's wealth isn't completely genuine? I don't know why Fitzgerald would include this dialogue in the story other than for that reason. I guess we will see as the book progresses.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 39-46
"...the air is alive with chatter and laughter, and casual innuendo and introductions forgotten on the spot, and enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each other's names," (Fitzgerald, 40).
Finally! An opportunity for Nick to meet this mysterious neighbor of his that is the source of so many rumors.
And yet, there only seems to be more rumors... A German spy! A Murderer! An Oxford alumnus!
As Jordan Baker invites Nick to follow her on a self-guided tour through the house, the two stumble upon the library of Gatsby. In the library, they encounter an inebriated man who proceeds to prove that the library contains genuine books (shocking to find real books in a library, I know). Apparently, the man, referred to as Owl Eyes, expected the whole room to be a show, even going as far to compare Gatsby to "Belasco," an allusion to American theatre.
I found it strange to read that allusion in reference to Gatsby. Unless, Gatsby's extravagance, his wealth, and his prestige is all an act, some sort of elaborate performance orchestrated by the man to hide some aspect of his character. What if Gatsby's wealth isn't completely genuine? I don't know why Fitzgerald would include this dialogue in the story other than for that reason. I guess we will see as the book progresses.
A Public Affair
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 23-38
"People disappeared, reappeared, made plans to go somewhere, and then lost each other, searched for each other, found each other a few feet away," (Fitzgerald, 37).
To begin, I'm a little confused about this field of ash which they drive through to get to New York. It might be my infamiliarity with the Empire State's geography, but I thought Nick and Tom lived on Long Island.
Another item of confusion were the giant eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg that loomed over the wasteland. By the manner in which they were described, I have a feeling they are symbolic for something, but I'm unable to figure out their meaning at this point. Hopefully, they will reappear later on in the book.
The public affair of Tom Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson is shocking, not only the fact that Tom invites his mistress out in front of her husband but also in the fact that he welcomed his wife's cousin to be his company. The party seemed to make things even more strange for me. A middle-aged man only being drunk for the second time in his life. A sister who knows more about the marriages of the couple than they seem to know themselves. An awkward couple from the apartment downstairs. I'm glad that Nick felt uncomfortable and disapproved of his company; however, is this a subtle disapproval of the affair and lifestyle being lead? Nick wants to leave, but he is fascinated by the lifestyles held by his financial superiors. "I wanted to get out...but each time I tried to go I became entangled," (Fitzgerald, 35).
I think Nick will eventually intercede within the lives of the Buchanans, Gatsby, and other members of the wealthy class.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 23-38
"People disappeared, reappeared, made plans to go somewhere, and then lost each other, searched for each other, found each other a few feet away," (Fitzgerald, 37).
To begin, I'm a little confused about this field of ash which they drive through to get to New York. It might be my infamiliarity with the Empire State's geography, but I thought Nick and Tom lived on Long Island.
Another item of confusion were the giant eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg that loomed over the wasteland. By the manner in which they were described, I have a feeling they are symbolic for something, but I'm unable to figure out their meaning at this point. Hopefully, they will reappear later on in the book.
The public affair of Tom Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson is shocking, not only the fact that Tom invites his mistress out in front of her husband but also in the fact that he welcomed his wife's cousin to be his company. The party seemed to make things even more strange for me. A middle-aged man only being drunk for the second time in his life. A sister who knows more about the marriages of the couple than they seem to know themselves. An awkward couple from the apartment downstairs. I'm glad that Nick felt uncomfortable and disapproved of his company; however, is this a subtle disapproval of the affair and lifestyle being lead? Nick wants to leave, but he is fascinated by the lifestyles held by his financial superiors. "I wanted to get out...but each time I tried to go I became entangled," (Fitzgerald, 35).
I think Nick will eventually intercede within the lives of the Buchanans, Gatsby, and other members of the wealthy class.
Ignorance is Bliss
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 13-21
"And I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool," (Fitzgerald, 17).
As we get a glimpse at the beginning of social interactions between the characters in the story, we are introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Buchanan. Although Nick and Daisy are cousins, they barely have any idea of who the other is except for what they have been told and what is rumored. But by the end of the evening, Nick (or at least the proactive reader) has discovered the unhappiness of his cousin in her marriage. Her husband is pursuing a seemingly public affair while she is imprisoned at home by the shackles of women's role in 1920 society.
At a time when the role of women in society was changing, Daisy Buchanan is caught between her own desires and those of her provincial husband. Wishing to break away from the normalcy and live life for herself, Daisy confides her struggle to her two friends. Her advice to her child further emphasizes this point by hinting that a fool who did not realize the situation in which she finds herself would be much happier than she ever would be.
This part is added into the story to set the stage for the upcoming happy reunion between Mrs. Buchanan and Gatsby which I connected after reading further ahead in the story.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 13-21
"And I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool," (Fitzgerald, 17).
As we get a glimpse at the beginning of social interactions between the characters in the story, we are introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Buchanan. Although Nick and Daisy are cousins, they barely have any idea of who the other is except for what they have been told and what is rumored. But by the end of the evening, Nick (or at least the proactive reader) has discovered the unhappiness of his cousin in her marriage. Her husband is pursuing a seemingly public affair while she is imprisoned at home by the shackles of women's role in 1920 society.
At a time when the role of women in society was changing, Daisy Buchanan is caught between her own desires and those of her provincial husband. Wishing to break away from the normalcy and live life for herself, Daisy confides her struggle to her two friends. Her advice to her child further emphasizes this point by hinting that a fool who did not realize the situation in which she finds herself would be much happier than she ever would be.
This part is added into the story to set the stage for the upcoming happy reunion between Mrs. Buchanan and Gatsby which I connected after reading further ahead in the story.
Excuse Me, but What Is Your Name?
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 1-12
"'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).
As the story opened with some background information on the narrator and the purpose of the story, I realized that we were still missing critical information: who the narrator actually was. I was unable to decipher whether I would be reading the novel through a first person point of view, a third person point of view, or even an objective point of view. It wasn't until the story actually began two pages later that I ascertained Nick Carraway would be my guide through the life of Gatsby. Only, I didn't know his name till ten more pages later. The opening quote of the book also has some foreshadowing behind it, letting the reader know that money, possessions, and experiences will come into play in the evaluation of certain characters. However, as the old cliche goes, we must not judge a book by its cover and instead wait until we can fully critique the whole of a character.
I can already tell that Fitzgerald doesn't like to spoonfeed his readers; he likes them to figure things out on their own. Some might call it ambiguity, but I like to think of it more as a challenging adventure in which I have to navigate my mind through a perilous sea of words and phrases. But then again, that might just be me wanting to make my summer work more exciting...
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 1-12
"'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).
As the story opened with some background information on the narrator and the purpose of the story, I realized that we were still missing critical information: who the narrator actually was. I was unable to decipher whether I would be reading the novel through a first person point of view, a third person point of view, or even an objective point of view. It wasn't until the story actually began two pages later that I ascertained Nick Carraway would be my guide through the life of Gatsby. Only, I didn't know his name till ten more pages later. The opening quote of the book also has some foreshadowing behind it, letting the reader know that money, possessions, and experiences will come into play in the evaluation of certain characters. However, as the old cliche goes, we must not judge a book by its cover and instead wait until we can fully critique the whole of a character.
I can already tell that Fitzgerald doesn't like to spoonfeed his readers; he likes them to figure things out on their own. Some might call it ambiguity, but I like to think of it more as a challenging adventure in which I have to navigate my mind through a perilous sea of words and phrases. But then again, that might just be me wanting to make my summer work more exciting...
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