"I tried to think about Gatsby then for a moment but he was already too far away and I could only remember, without resentment, that Daisy hadn't sent a message or a flower." (pg. 183)
I thought the ending was a little unexpected. I did not expect anyone to die. It was shocking to find out that Daisy was the one to kill Myrtle. However, I was not surprised that Gatsby would take the blame for it because he truely loved Daisy. And after Gatsby was murderer for something he did not do, Tom and Daisy did not even have the decency to send flowers. Tom was partially the blame for Gatsby's murder because he lead Wilson to believe that Gatsby had an affair with his wife and ran her over with his car. But Tom did not care about Gatsby and he just packed up and left town with Daisy. I could not believe that Daisy left with Tom and that she did not attend Gatsby's funeral. Daisy was supposedly in love with Gatsby, but she would not even attend his funeral or send flowers after he was murdered for the crime she committed. I think this sums how self-abosorbed the characters were.
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Great Gatsby (9) - Symbol
"Standing behind him Michaelis saw with a shock that he was looking at the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg which had just emerged pale and enormous from the dissolving night." (pg. 167)
The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are an important symbol. The billboard had a constant presence in the story. Whenever they went into the city, Nick mentioned something about the eyes. Dr. T. J. Eckleburg's eyes symbolize God. They are always present and watching the characters' action. But they are only watching; they do not interfere in the characters' lives. Dr. Eckleburg watches the characters have affairs and even Myrtle's death, but does not step in to stop any of it. God acts in the same way - He is always watching over us but never takes away our free will. Wilson seems to realize this when he said, "God sees everything." as he looked at the billboard of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg.
The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are an important symbol. The billboard had a constant presence in the story. Whenever they went into the city, Nick mentioned something about the eyes. Dr. T. J. Eckleburg's eyes symbolize God. They are always present and watching the characters' action. But they are only watching; they do not interfere in the characters' lives. Dr. Eckleburg watches the characters have affairs and even Myrtle's death, but does not step in to stop any of it. God acts in the same way - He is always watching over us but never takes away our free will. Wilson seems to realize this when he said, "God sees everything." as he looked at the billboard of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg.
The Great Gatsby (8) - Dramatic Irony
"'Wreck!' said Tom. 'That's good. Wilson'll have a little business at last.'" (pg. 145)
This quote is a perfect example of dramatic irony. Tom comes across the wreck but he cannot see what happened and he says the most insensitive thing possible. The reader knows that Wilson's wife Myrtle was just killed, but Tom does not. Tom assumes that it was just a car crash and people would need auto repairs so it would be good business for Wilson. Tom did not learn that Myrtle was killed until he pushed his way through the crowd to see what happened. After he learned what happened, he probably wished he could take back what he said. Then the reader also learns that it was Daisy that killed Myrtle, which is also ironic because Myrtle was Tom's mistress.
This quote is a perfect example of dramatic irony. Tom comes across the wreck but he cannot see what happened and he says the most insensitive thing possible. The reader knows that Wilson's wife Myrtle was just killed, but Tom does not. Tom assumes that it was just a car crash and people would need auto repairs so it would be good business for Wilson. Tom did not learn that Myrtle was killed until he pushed his way through the crowd to see what happened. After he learned what happened, he probably wished he could take back what he said. Then the reader also learns that it was Daisy that killed Myrtle, which is also ironic because Myrtle was Tom's mistress.
The Great Gatsby (7) - Humor
"'...I just remembered that today's my birthday.' I was thirty. Before me stretched the portentous menacing road of a new decade." (pg. 143)
I found this statement to be a little humorous. Nick doesn't even realize that it is his own birthday. He was so caught up in the drama around him that he forgot about his birthday. And when he remember, we was not excited at all. Remembering his birthday only seemed to add to his misery. Turning thirty was another miserable event to add to his life. I thought it was funny at first, but then I felt sorry for Nick. It is sad that he views his birthday with melancholy.
I found this statement to be a little humorous. Nick doesn't even realize that it is his own birthday. He was so caught up in the drama around him that he forgot about his birthday. And when he remember, we was not excited at all. Remembering his birthday only seemed to add to his misery. Turning thirty was another miserable event to add to his life. I thought it was funny at first, but then I felt sorry for Nick. It is sad that he views his birthday with melancholy.
The Great Gatsby (6) - Secrecy
"When I asked him what his business was he answered 'That's my affair'..." (pg. 95)
Secrecy is central to this book. Almost everyone has secrets. Tom is having an affair with Myrtle. Daisy loves Gatsby. But the character with the most secrets is Gatsby. No one really knows what he does for a living and he does his best to keep it a mystery. In the quote above, Nick askes Gatsby what his job is and he becomes defensive, basically telling Nick to mind his own business. There were a bunch of wild rumors about Gatsby, but no one knew if the rumors were true or not and Gatsby did not say anything to disprove them. Each character's secrets led to mystery and unhappyness.
Secrecy is central to this book. Almost everyone has secrets. Tom is having an affair with Myrtle. Daisy loves Gatsby. But the character with the most secrets is Gatsby. No one really knows what he does for a living and he does his best to keep it a mystery. In the quote above, Nick askes Gatsby what his job is and he becomes defensive, basically telling Nick to mind his own business. There were a bunch of wild rumors about Gatsby, but no one knew if the rumors were true or not and Gatsby did not say anything to disprove them. Each character's secrets led to mystery and unhappyness.
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Great Gatsby (5) - Foreshadowing
"They shook hands briefly and a strained, unfamiliar look of embarrassment came over Gatsby's face." (pg. 78)
This quote is from chapter 4 when Nick is eating lunch with Gatsby in the city and they run into Tom. Tom mentions to Nick that Daisy is upset that he has not come over lately, then Nick introduces Mr. Gatsby to Tom. Gatsby seemed a little uneasy when he met Tom and he disappeared a few minutes later. I think this is a little bit of foreshadowing because Gatsby reaction to Tom made it seem like he knew him for somewhere. I am not sure if Gatsby recongnized Tom or not, but it seem like he did. So I think they will meet again later in the book and it will not be very pleasant. Then later in chapter 4, Gatsby revealed to Nick that he knew Dasiy and he wanted to meet with her. I think this will cause problems between Gatsby and Tom because Tom will not want Daisy seeing another man.
This quote is from chapter 4 when Nick is eating lunch with Gatsby in the city and they run into Tom. Tom mentions to Nick that Daisy is upset that he has not come over lately, then Nick introduces Mr. Gatsby to Tom. Gatsby seemed a little uneasy when he met Tom and he disappeared a few minutes later. I think this is a little bit of foreshadowing because Gatsby reaction to Tom made it seem like he knew him for somewhere. I am not sure if Gatsby recongnized Tom or not, but it seem like he did. So I think they will meet again later in the book and it will not be very pleasant. Then later in chapter 4, Gatsby revealed to Nick that he knew Dasiy and he wanted to meet with her. I think this will cause problems between Gatsby and Tom because Tom will not want Daisy seeing another man.
The Great Gatsby (4) - dialect
"I thought you knew, old sport. I'm afraid I'm not a very good host." (pg. 52)
Dialect is a distinct variety of a language that differs from the standard language. At times, Gatsby seems to have his own dialect because he used phrases that are uncommon during that time. He says "old sport" all the time and it is kind of strange because it is a phrase that someone from his generation would not commonly use. The phrase makes him seem like he knows more than other people and gives him a feeling of authority. He uses this phrase as a sign of his wealth and superiority. Many social groups seem to have their own dialect that set them apart from others and the wealthy are no exception. Each group's dialect reflects their behaivor and manner by which they live. Gatsby's use phrases like "old sport" also reflect his manner. At one point, Nick is frustrated by Gatsby becasue of his use of the phrase. Nick does not like Gatsby assumption that Nick will do what he wants. However, Gatsby's actions make him seem more realistic.
Dialect is a distinct variety of a language that differs from the standard language. At times, Gatsby seems to have his own dialect because he used phrases that are uncommon during that time. He says "old sport" all the time and it is kind of strange because it is a phrase that someone from his generation would not commonly use. The phrase makes him seem like he knows more than other people and gives him a feeling of authority. He uses this phrase as a sign of his wealth and superiority. Many social groups seem to have their own dialect that set them apart from others and the wealthy are no exception. Each group's dialect reflects their behaivor and manner by which they live. Gatsby's use phrases like "old sport" also reflect his manner. At one point, Nick is frustrated by Gatsby becasue of his use of the phrase. Nick does not like Gatsby assumption that Nick will do what he wants. However, Gatsby's actions make him seem more realistic.
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