Chapter 9
Pgs. 163-180
Summary
-Nick recalls the morning after the shooting; there were policemen and a bunch of reporters who were trying to get information and Wilson was deemed a man “deranged by grief” to keep the case under control. He calls Daisy but they had left and he can’t get a hold of her, so he sends a letter to Wolfsheim and receives his answer later asking Nick when the funeral is; a little later he answers a call from Gatsby’s associate and he hangs up. Gatsby’s father arrives a day later and tells Nick much about his son and he later talks to Klipspringer on the phone who says that he probably wouldn’t be able to come to the funeral which angers Nick. Nick goes to the city to talk to Wolfsheim at his business “The Swastika Holding Company” and he tells Nick that he made Gatsby what he was before he died. Before the funeral Gatsby’s father shows Nick a book that his son had sent him and on the back was his schedule; the funeral proceeds and Nick remembers coming back home from college at Christmas time and his Midwest. Time passes and Nick runs into Jordan who recalls that comment that Nick made to her about being a careless driver which she elaborates on that Nick is a careless driver in life; she then tells him that she is betrothed to another man and they are done. The story ends with Nick going to the beach and just laying down in the sand and looking up into the sky at the stars.
Character Qualities
-Henry C. Gatz: “He had a big future before him, you know. He was only a young man, but he had a lot of brain power here (Fitzgerald 168).” Mr. Gatz is an old man whose biggest characteristic is his immense appreciation of his son. When seeing Gatsby laid out on the couch after being shot, he is sad and filled with grief. He loves and adores his son and seems so amazed by what Gatsby could accomplish. Gatz is very understanding as he understands why his son ran away from home, because he believes that it was this way because Gatsby would become very successful in the future. He loves and cherishes the things that his son does for him and the mementos that he has from him like Gatsby’s old book that he had when he was a kid.
-Henry C. Gatz’s role at the end of this novel is to be the father of Gatsby and also be the only other person who truly knew the real Gatsby, James Gatz, not the illusion that everyone else knows. He is the person that Nick can actually really talk to about Gatsby for what he really was and not about what he has falsely planted in others’ minds that they all have come to know. He is also very sentimental and serves as a board of support for Nick as his appreciation of his son helps Nick out immensely.
Most Important Quote
- “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).” I think this quote is significant because it is the last quote of the novel, so it is obligated to be, but also because it is very inspiring and positive. It urges us to strive for our goals and always look onwards, never giving up, trying and trying until we reach it. It is a fitting end to the story and offers a positive and optimistic message about what we should do to grasp our dreams and desires.
edramsey.blogspot.com
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Pgs. 147-162
Summary
-Nick goes to Gatsby’s house the next morning to check on him and Gatsby says that he stayed outside Daisy’s house until four in the morning and nothing happened. He seems very depressed and begins to tell Nick about the time that he spent with Daisy before the war. He had nothing to go on when he was seeing Daisy, no family, not a lot of money, but she only saw Jay Gatsby. He then says that he jumped quickly through the ranks in the military during the war earning the trip to attend Oxford in Europe, which meant that he could not return to Daisy. When he came back she was already married to Tom and he couldn’t have her anymore; Nick leaves later on and has an awkward talk with Jordan on the phone that ends badly. It cuts to Michaelis, George’s neighbor, trying to consul him for a while before having to go back to his diner to attend to the customers. Wilson wants revenge, so he takes a gun and finds his way to Gatsby’s house where he shoots him while he is using his pool and then commits suicide. The servants and Nick hear the gunshots and run over finding Gatsby dead in the pool and Wilson dead in the bushes nearby.
Character Qualities
Michaelis: “You’re morbid George, this has been a strain to you and you don’t know what you’re saying. You’d better try and sit quiet till morning (Fitzgerald 158).” Michaelis is a caring and concerned man. He wants to comfort Wilson by letting him get out all his emotions and figure out what’s going on. He doesn’t seem to let religion become involved in discussions as he constantly tells Wilson to stop mentioning God when he is recalling his last talk to Myrtle. He could seem pushy because he wants to find out what happened between his two neighbors the night that Myrtle was murdered.
-Michaelis only appears in about three pages of the novel, but his role was established. He is the friend of the Wilson’s and neighbor as he owns the diner next door. He is somewhat of an interrogator because of his hard questioning of Wilson after the accident but his motives are good. He wants to comfort Wilson and relieve him of the shock, but it fails as it proves to motivate Wilson to go and find Gatsby so he could exact justice for the murder of Myrtle even though Michaelis tries to assure that it wasn’t. So his role could sort-of be a catalyst that brought about the end of the character due to his efforts to find out as much as he could.
Most Important Quote
- “The touch of a cluster of leaves revolved it slowly, tracing, like the leg of transit, a thin red circle in the water (Fitzgerald 162).” I found this quote important because it seems to represent tranquility after the accident. I found it interesting the way he contrasts the violent shooting with a description of almost calmness and serenity. The scene holds great significance in setting the tone of the last chapter and tries to instill a sense of immense sorrow for the loss of Gatsby. Like a friend and trusted person, even though we know that his personality, his name, and his motives are all an illusion. It seems to represent the ending of the illusion of Gatsby, to be seen by no one anymore, but to leave the illusion in their heads to always think of him that way and not see the person that he truly was.
edramsey.blogspot.com
Pgs. 147-162
Summary
-Nick goes to Gatsby’s house the next morning to check on him and Gatsby says that he stayed outside Daisy’s house until four in the morning and nothing happened. He seems very depressed and begins to tell Nick about the time that he spent with Daisy before the war. He had nothing to go on when he was seeing Daisy, no family, not a lot of money, but she only saw Jay Gatsby. He then says that he jumped quickly through the ranks in the military during the war earning the trip to attend Oxford in Europe, which meant that he could not return to Daisy. When he came back she was already married to Tom and he couldn’t have her anymore; Nick leaves later on and has an awkward talk with Jordan on the phone that ends badly. It cuts to Michaelis, George’s neighbor, trying to consul him for a while before having to go back to his diner to attend to the customers. Wilson wants revenge, so he takes a gun and finds his way to Gatsby’s house where he shoots him while he is using his pool and then commits suicide. The servants and Nick hear the gunshots and run over finding Gatsby dead in the pool and Wilson dead in the bushes nearby.
Character Qualities
Michaelis: “You’re morbid George, this has been a strain to you and you don’t know what you’re saying. You’d better try and sit quiet till morning (Fitzgerald 158).” Michaelis is a caring and concerned man. He wants to comfort Wilson by letting him get out all his emotions and figure out what’s going on. He doesn’t seem to let religion become involved in discussions as he constantly tells Wilson to stop mentioning God when he is recalling his last talk to Myrtle. He could seem pushy because he wants to find out what happened between his two neighbors the night that Myrtle was murdered.
-Michaelis only appears in about three pages of the novel, but his role was established. He is the friend of the Wilson’s and neighbor as he owns the diner next door. He is somewhat of an interrogator because of his hard questioning of Wilson after the accident but his motives are good. He wants to comfort Wilson and relieve him of the shock, but it fails as it proves to motivate Wilson to go and find Gatsby so he could exact justice for the murder of Myrtle even though Michaelis tries to assure that it wasn’t. So his role could sort-of be a catalyst that brought about the end of the character due to his efforts to find out as much as he could.
Most Important Quote
- “The touch of a cluster of leaves revolved it slowly, tracing, like the leg of transit, a thin red circle in the water (Fitzgerald 162).” I found this quote important because it seems to represent tranquility after the accident. I found it interesting the way he contrasts the violent shooting with a description of almost calmness and serenity. The scene holds great significance in setting the tone of the last chapter and tries to instill a sense of immense sorrow for the loss of Gatsby. Like a friend and trusted person, even though we know that his personality, his name, and his motives are all an illusion. It seems to represent the ending of the illusion of Gatsby, to be seen by no one anymore, but to leave the illusion in their heads to always think of him that way and not see the person that he truly was.
edramsey.blogspot.com
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Pgs. 113-145
Summary
-In this chapter Gatsby stops throwing house parties every Saturday night because he believes that Daisy would not like them and dismisses all of his servants and hires a bunch of people that Wolfsheim knows. Nick and Gatsby take a train to Daisy’s for tea the next day and are led into a shaded room where Jordan and Daisy are sitting; Tom is talking on the phone to George Wilson in the next room and we meet Pam, Daisy’s daughter, who is being cared for by a nurse. They eat lunch later and Daisy’s and Gatsby’s eyes meet during the eating and Tom sees it and becomes a bit suspicious; he insists then that they go into town. Tom drives Gatsby’s car with Jordan and Nick and Gatsby and Daisy take Tom’s car; Tom has to stop at Wilson’s for gas and offers to sell him Gatsby’s car; Nick spots Myrtle looking out the window and believes that Jordan is Tom’s wife. The gang rents out a suite in New York and Tom lashes out at Gatsby and he lashes back; Gatsby wants Daisy to tell Tom that she never loved him, but she can’t because she says that she did love him once. A yellow car coming from New York hits Myrtle after she runs out of the garage because of a fight with George and an investigation is started. Nick waits by the gate at Tom’s house for a taxi and runs into Gatsby who tells him that they were the ones who hit Myrtle; Daisy was driving. Gatsby hides in the bushes and continues to watch the house while Nick leaves.
Character Qualities
-George Wilson: “She’s been talking about it for ten years. And now she’s going whether she wants to or not. I’m going to get her away (Fitzgerald 123).” George’s most persistent and noticeable quality is his complete devotion to his wife. He cares for her immensely and will do anything to make her happy, even continuing to work when he looks deathly ill. He is so committed to his wife that he never questions her once about where she goes when she sees Tom and never even suspects that they are seeing each other. He cares for her so much that he can only mutter a few words and is barely able to stand after Myrtle is run over by Daisy when they are coming back from New York.
-Wilson has only been in this story for a few pages, but his role has been clearly established. His role is to be Myrtle’s wife and I think, represent the faithful companion to Myrtle just like Daisy is most of the time to Tom. He is meant to embody the ideal that is present in our society concerning marriage… that we should remain faithful to our loved ones and not pursue others and risk committing adultery. I think that this characterization was meant to be a reflection of society during Fitzgerald’s time period: that those kinds of ideal marriages which we believe in almost never occur. There is always something between couples that threaten their perfect unity, be it constant fighting, affairs with other people, etc.
Most Important Quote
-“She never loved you, do you hear? She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone except me (Fitzgerald 130)!” I think this quote is significant because it is a very bold statement that Gatsby says to make himself seem like he’s the only one meant for Daisy. It is a serious jab at Tom that escalates the argument between the two men that I think drives Daisy over the edge. I found it interesting and impactful because I believe that Gatsby tries to assert his assertions of being the one truly meant for Daisy’s love and affection. I think it also reveals an important characteristic of Gatsby that he thinks to highly of himself in certain areas and is unwilling to accept anything that he doesn’t believe.
edramsey.blogspot.com
Pgs. 113-145
Summary
-In this chapter Gatsby stops throwing house parties every Saturday night because he believes that Daisy would not like them and dismisses all of his servants and hires a bunch of people that Wolfsheim knows. Nick and Gatsby take a train to Daisy’s for tea the next day and are led into a shaded room where Jordan and Daisy are sitting; Tom is talking on the phone to George Wilson in the next room and we meet Pam, Daisy’s daughter, who is being cared for by a nurse. They eat lunch later and Daisy’s and Gatsby’s eyes meet during the eating and Tom sees it and becomes a bit suspicious; he insists then that they go into town. Tom drives Gatsby’s car with Jordan and Nick and Gatsby and Daisy take Tom’s car; Tom has to stop at Wilson’s for gas and offers to sell him Gatsby’s car; Nick spots Myrtle looking out the window and believes that Jordan is Tom’s wife. The gang rents out a suite in New York and Tom lashes out at Gatsby and he lashes back; Gatsby wants Daisy to tell Tom that she never loved him, but she can’t because she says that she did love him once. A yellow car coming from New York hits Myrtle after she runs out of the garage because of a fight with George and an investigation is started. Nick waits by the gate at Tom’s house for a taxi and runs into Gatsby who tells him that they were the ones who hit Myrtle; Daisy was driving. Gatsby hides in the bushes and continues to watch the house while Nick leaves.
Character Qualities
-George Wilson: “She’s been talking about it for ten years. And now she’s going whether she wants to or not. I’m going to get her away (Fitzgerald 123).” George’s most persistent and noticeable quality is his complete devotion to his wife. He cares for her immensely and will do anything to make her happy, even continuing to work when he looks deathly ill. He is so committed to his wife that he never questions her once about where she goes when she sees Tom and never even suspects that they are seeing each other. He cares for her so much that he can only mutter a few words and is barely able to stand after Myrtle is run over by Daisy when they are coming back from New York.
-Wilson has only been in this story for a few pages, but his role has been clearly established. His role is to be Myrtle’s wife and I think, represent the faithful companion to Myrtle just like Daisy is most of the time to Tom. He is meant to embody the ideal that is present in our society concerning marriage… that we should remain faithful to our loved ones and not pursue others and risk committing adultery. I think that this characterization was meant to be a reflection of society during Fitzgerald’s time period: that those kinds of ideal marriages which we believe in almost never occur. There is always something between couples that threaten their perfect unity, be it constant fighting, affairs with other people, etc.
Most Important Quote
-“She never loved you, do you hear? She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone except me (Fitzgerald 130)!” I think this quote is significant because it is a very bold statement that Gatsby says to make himself seem like he’s the only one meant for Daisy. It is a serious jab at Tom that escalates the argument between the two men that I think drives Daisy over the edge. I found it interesting and impactful because I believe that Gatsby tries to assert his assertions of being the one truly meant for Daisy’s love and affection. I think it also reveals an important characteristic of Gatsby that he thinks to highly of himself in certain areas and is unwilling to accept anything that he doesn’t believe.
edramsey.blogspot.com
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Pgs. 97-111
Summary
-A reporter travels to Gatsby’s house one day to ask him if he has anything to say about a rumor that involves him. We learn that Gatsby’s real name is James Gatz and that he is from a farming family from North Dakota. He meets Dan Cody when he docks in Lake Superior and traveled with him aboard his yacht for a while before Cody died, keeping from drink and inheriting twenty-five thousand dollars. Nick visits Gatsby one day, but Tom shows up with the Sloanes on horseback to have tea at Gatsby’s; they have a conversation and later they all leave to a dinner party at the Sloane’s except for Nick. The next weekend, Daisy, Tom, and Nick attend Gatsby’s party where Daisy and Gatsby dance, but he soon has to be away from the party; Daisy and Tom leave a little while later. After everyone leaves, Gatsby tells Nick that he thinks that Daisy did not like it.
Character Qualities
Tom Buchanan: “My God I believe the man’s coming; doesn’t he know she doesn’t want him? (Fitzgerald 103)” Tom has many bad qualities that make him an-trustworthy character. He is impolite, rude, self-centered, and controlling. He is extremely rude to many of the other characters in this novel such as the McKees and talks badly about others, such as he is talking about Gatsby in the quote, behind their backs. He is very controlling, especially of Daisy and Myrtle, the women which he is in relationships with, and likes to keep everything in its own little place, completely separate from one another. As we see in earlier chapters, he is a racist and cynical.
-Tom’s role in the story is to be the wife of Daisy and to serve as the binary opposite of Nick. He is also the antagonist of the novel as he stands for and represents everything that Nick despises and has mannerisms that show his callous, controlling nature. He tries to maintain his public image, which means treating Daisy well at parties and other events, but even then does not show her much respect or give her much attention.
Most Important Quote
-“Just why these inventions were a source of satisfaction to James Gatz of North Dakota isn’t easy to say. (Fitzgerald 98)” I think that this quote is important because it reveals Gatsby’s true identity and leads to a critical part of the story where we learn of his origins. It helps to explain the character underneath his mask of good cheer and easy-goingness and to an extent how he obtained some of his vast wealth. We learn that he was a completely different person back then than he is now.
edramsey.blogspot.com
Pgs. 97-111
Summary
-A reporter travels to Gatsby’s house one day to ask him if he has anything to say about a rumor that involves him. We learn that Gatsby’s real name is James Gatz and that he is from a farming family from North Dakota. He meets Dan Cody when he docks in Lake Superior and traveled with him aboard his yacht for a while before Cody died, keeping from drink and inheriting twenty-five thousand dollars. Nick visits Gatsby one day, but Tom shows up with the Sloanes on horseback to have tea at Gatsby’s; they have a conversation and later they all leave to a dinner party at the Sloane’s except for Nick. The next weekend, Daisy, Tom, and Nick attend Gatsby’s party where Daisy and Gatsby dance, but he soon has to be away from the party; Daisy and Tom leave a little while later. After everyone leaves, Gatsby tells Nick that he thinks that Daisy did not like it.
Character Qualities
Tom Buchanan: “My God I believe the man’s coming; doesn’t he know she doesn’t want him? (Fitzgerald 103)” Tom has many bad qualities that make him an-trustworthy character. He is impolite, rude, self-centered, and controlling. He is extremely rude to many of the other characters in this novel such as the McKees and talks badly about others, such as he is talking about Gatsby in the quote, behind their backs. He is very controlling, especially of Daisy and Myrtle, the women which he is in relationships with, and likes to keep everything in its own little place, completely separate from one another. As we see in earlier chapters, he is a racist and cynical.
-Tom’s role in the story is to be the wife of Daisy and to serve as the binary opposite of Nick. He is also the antagonist of the novel as he stands for and represents everything that Nick despises and has mannerisms that show his callous, controlling nature. He tries to maintain his public image, which means treating Daisy well at parties and other events, but even then does not show her much respect or give her much attention.
Most Important Quote
-“Just why these inventions were a source of satisfaction to James Gatz of North Dakota isn’t easy to say. (Fitzgerald 98)” I think that this quote is important because it reveals Gatsby’s true identity and leads to a critical part of the story where we learn of his origins. It helps to explain the character underneath his mask of good cheer and easy-goingness and to an extent how he obtained some of his vast wealth. We learn that he was a completely different person back then than he is now.
edramsey.blogspot.com
Monday, February 7, 2011
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Pgs. 81-96
Summary
-Nick comes home to see Gatsby’s house lit from head-to-toe and has a conversation with him on his lawn; Nick asks Gatsby what day would be good for him to come over for tea and he declines a business offer from Gatsby. Nick invites Daisy to tea and Gatsby has a gardener cut Nick’s lawn and has a greenhouse delivered with all sorts of flowers; Gatsby shows up just before four and Daisy arrives just after, without Tom. Gatsby becomes incredibly nervous and has a hard time trying to make conversation with Daisy, so he calms down in the kitchen and goes back out while Nick observes Gatsby’s house for a little while and then goes back in. Gatsby seems like a renewed man, taking Daisy and Nick and giving them a tour of his home; Daisy is engrossed by everything and they seem to almost fall in love. Nick leaves them and goes back to his house in the rain.
Character Qualities
-Nick Carraway: “I’ve got my hands full, I’m much obliged but I couldn’t take on any more work (Fitzgerald 83).” Nick is a trustworthy and non-judgmental person. He is very sophisticated and likeable, especially by his close friends: Jordan, Daisy, and Gatsby. He gets to know people fully before he forms his opinions and holds strongly to his beliefs. He seems somewhat pessimistic at times, but that is very rarely and always studies a situation, place, or person with great care and detail.
-Nick is the main character and narrator of the story, and the most trustworthy person besides Daisy so far. We know from the beginning that we can trust him because he assures us that he does not judge people. Nick is the bridge between Gatsby and Daisy and is somewhat exploited by Gatsby in this chapter so he can meet Daisy. After Gatsby has rekindled his distant friendliness with Daisy, he becomes basically an awkward character as Gatsby does not need him anymore. He feels so awkward at the end of the chapter that he is compelled to leave the mansion and return back to his house because the other two are immensely engrossed with each other.
Most Important Quote
-“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 and filled the room.” I feel that this quote is important because it illustrates Gatsby’s personality; he tries very hard to appeal to everyone and tries to do what it takes to keep it that way. It is a good example of his personality and also the moment where he truly connected with Daisy and was able to hit it off with her. Because of his change in this quote, he was able to get Daisy and will probably feel very esteemed and first-class in the coming chapters.
Pgs. 81-96
Summary
-Nick comes home to see Gatsby’s house lit from head-to-toe and has a conversation with him on his lawn; Nick asks Gatsby what day would be good for him to come over for tea and he declines a business offer from Gatsby. Nick invites Daisy to tea and Gatsby has a gardener cut Nick’s lawn and has a greenhouse delivered with all sorts of flowers; Gatsby shows up just before four and Daisy arrives just after, without Tom. Gatsby becomes incredibly nervous and has a hard time trying to make conversation with Daisy, so he calms down in the kitchen and goes back out while Nick observes Gatsby’s house for a little while and then goes back in. Gatsby seems like a renewed man, taking Daisy and Nick and giving them a tour of his home; Daisy is engrossed by everything and they seem to almost fall in love. Nick leaves them and goes back to his house in the rain.
Character Qualities
-Nick Carraway: “I’ve got my hands full, I’m much obliged but I couldn’t take on any more work (Fitzgerald 83).” Nick is a trustworthy and non-judgmental person. He is very sophisticated and likeable, especially by his close friends: Jordan, Daisy, and Gatsby. He gets to know people fully before he forms his opinions and holds strongly to his beliefs. He seems somewhat pessimistic at times, but that is very rarely and always studies a situation, place, or person with great care and detail.
-Nick is the main character and narrator of the story, and the most trustworthy person besides Daisy so far. We know from the beginning that we can trust him because he assures us that he does not judge people. Nick is the bridge between Gatsby and Daisy and is somewhat exploited by Gatsby in this chapter so he can meet Daisy. After Gatsby has rekindled his distant friendliness with Daisy, he becomes basically an awkward character as Gatsby does not need him anymore. He feels so awkward at the end of the chapter that he is compelled to leave the mansion and return back to his house because the other two are immensely engrossed with each other.
Most Important Quote
-“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 and filled the room.” I feel that this quote is important because it illustrates Gatsby’s personality; he tries very hard to appeal to everyone and tries to do what it takes to keep it that way. It is a good example of his personality and also the moment where he truly connected with Daisy and was able to hit it off with her. Because of his change in this quote, he was able to get Daisy and will probably feel very esteemed and first-class in the coming chapters.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Pgs. 61-80
Summary
-Nick describes the numerous amounts of people that visit Gatsby’s house in the summer such as the Cheadles, the Poles, the Mulready’s, etc. One morning, Gatsby invites Nick to lunch and they drive to New York in his expensive, luxurious car; Gatsby also asks tells Nick a personal story about his earlier life in which he was the son of a wealthy Mid-Western businessman. All his family died and he said he then went to Oxford and afterwards lived in many cities such as Venice and Rome. Gatsby shows him all his souvenirs and tells him that he has something important to discuss with him later; they then go to lunch in a cellar on 42nd Street. Jordan recalls the last few years of her life and describes how popular Daisy was among the boys and her first few years of marriage with Tom. During Nick’s date with Jordan, she explains Gatsby’s elaborate plan to meet Daisy by having Nick invite her to his house for tea.
Character Qualities
-Jay Gatsby: “Well, I’m going to tell you something of my life; I don’t want you to get a wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear (Fitzgerald 65).” Gatsby is a bright, eloquent, and friendly person. Everything he owns expresses his unique qualities: his car, his suits, his butlers, etc. The colors that we most frequently see associated with him are bright colors like blues and pinks that accentuate his exceptional personality. He is somewhat of a loner as he does not mingle at his parties very often. He is elusive and mysterious and very popular among many who spread false stories about him, but we learn his origins as he tells them to Nick during their car ride.
-Gatsby’s role in the story so far is to be the center of the plot; the most important, elusive, point that requires the reader’s full attention to understand and a topic of interest among the main characters in the story. He is the major theme of this story, and his elaborate plan to get Daisy will be the major plot arc.
Most Important Quote
-“After that I lived like a young rajah in all the capitals of Europe — Paris, Venice, Rome — collecting jewels, chiefly rubies, hunting big game, painting a little, things for myself only, and trying to forget something very sad that had happened to me long ago (Fitzgerald 65).” I think that this quote is important because it is our first real glimpse into Gatsby’s past and possibly even a hint that there may be some pent-up emotions inside Gatsby. I think it also has something to do with the reason why he implements such bright colors and seems to always have a bright and positive persona.
edramsey.blogspot.com
Pgs. 61-80
Summary
-Nick describes the numerous amounts of people that visit Gatsby’s house in the summer such as the Cheadles, the Poles, the Mulready’s, etc. One morning, Gatsby invites Nick to lunch and they drive to New York in his expensive, luxurious car; Gatsby also asks tells Nick a personal story about his earlier life in which he was the son of a wealthy Mid-Western businessman. All his family died and he said he then went to Oxford and afterwards lived in many cities such as Venice and Rome. Gatsby shows him all his souvenirs and tells him that he has something important to discuss with him later; they then go to lunch in a cellar on 42nd Street. Jordan recalls the last few years of her life and describes how popular Daisy was among the boys and her first few years of marriage with Tom. During Nick’s date with Jordan, she explains Gatsby’s elaborate plan to meet Daisy by having Nick invite her to his house for tea.
Character Qualities
-Jay Gatsby: “Well, I’m going to tell you something of my life; I don’t want you to get a wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear (Fitzgerald 65).” Gatsby is a bright, eloquent, and friendly person. Everything he owns expresses his unique qualities: his car, his suits, his butlers, etc. The colors that we most frequently see associated with him are bright colors like blues and pinks that accentuate his exceptional personality. He is somewhat of a loner as he does not mingle at his parties very often. He is elusive and mysterious and very popular among many who spread false stories about him, but we learn his origins as he tells them to Nick during their car ride.
-Gatsby’s role in the story so far is to be the center of the plot; the most important, elusive, point that requires the reader’s full attention to understand and a topic of interest among the main characters in the story. He is the major theme of this story, and his elaborate plan to get Daisy will be the major plot arc.
Most Important Quote
-“After that I lived like a young rajah in all the capitals of Europe — Paris, Venice, Rome — collecting jewels, chiefly rubies, hunting big game, painting a little, things for myself only, and trying to forget something very sad that had happened to me long ago (Fitzgerald 65).” I think that this quote is important because it is our first real glimpse into Gatsby’s past and possibly even a hint that there may be some pent-up emotions inside Gatsby. I think it also has something to do with the reason why he implements such bright colors and seems to always have a bright and positive persona.
edramsey.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Pgs. 39-59
Summary
-Chapter 3 begins with Nick telling us about the crazy parties that Gatsby seems to throw almost every night and the extravagance of them, “On buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors d’oeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs… (Fitzgerald 40).” Nick recalls the first night he went to Gatsby’s house and the fact that he was actually invited, telling specifically about the butler who came with an invitation. Nick runs into Jordan and they begin looking for Gatsby; visiting his library briefly, they go outside where a man who turns out to be Gatsby starts talking to Nick, but is interrupted and has to leave. Nick leaves later on and then describes the next few weeks; having many dates and going to events with Gatsby. He met up with Jordan weeks later and finally tries to understand why she shows no feeling or emotion, because she may be trying to hide a secret from others.
Character Qualities
-Jordan Baker: “I hate careless people. That’s why I like you (Fitzgerald 58).” Jordan is always extremely calm and composed and has a very professional personality according to Nick. She is a professional golfer and seems to be somewhat close to Gatsby as she has had many private chats with him. She has that very professional, almost emotionless kind of persona where almost everything is treated like business. She likes Nick and reveals her true nature to him because he has gotten so close with her; he even says that he almost loves her. But she is very rash and impolite, and that shifts their relationship and keeps Nick from loving her.
-Jordan’s role so far in the story is to be a potential love interest for Nick. She and Nick get along really well and for a while seem very much alike. She is very straightforward and not entirely judging at first much like Nick who does not prematurely judge people. By the end of Chapter 3, they are very good friends and Nick almost loves her. She likes Nick as they always attend parties and go out to other places when together.
Most Important Quote
-“Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once (Fitzgerald 44).” This quote exemplifies the popularity of Gatsby among those who have never met him. I was interested in this quote because the way that the people say this makes it almost sound like Gatsby is a murderer, even though its probably more logical to assume that the person he killed happened in World War I rather than after. I just thought it was interesting because Gatsby seems to be so famous and popular that a bunch of stories and rumors are spread about him.
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