The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
In chapter 6, we finally start to gain a real glimpse of Jay Gatsby's past, or should I say James Gatz's past. Not only do we learn his real name but we learn that he used to be a young imaginatively ambitious boy of a poor, failed farm-family. When describing the young Gatsby, I like how Fitzgerald uses the phrase "He was a son of God", describing that he thought of himself as being part of a higher calling than just a farm-boy (Fitzgerald 98). With all his ambition, young James Gatz was soon taken under the wing of the millionaire Dan Cody. It was he who Gatz aspired to be like.
So back at Gatsby's mansion, one of Jay's many usual house guests decided to bring Tom Buchanan over for a drink. By some curious impulse, Jay very brazenly starts directing his conversation towards Tom. In mid-conversation, Jay suddenly says, " 'I know your wife,' continued Gatsby almost aggressively" (Fitzgerald 102). I am not sure the exact reason for Gatsby's eagerness to get that across to Tom, whether it be out of nervousness or a negative disposition towards Tom and his rude "hosts", but I am sure that after hearing this, Tom is greatly off put at the thought of Daisy "running around alone" (Fitzgerald 103). Tom, who already seems like the jealous type, is soon to find out about Daisy and Gatsby's newly found love, and once Tom decides to take action against Gatsby, I believe this story will not end well for either Tom or Jay.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
The Great Gatsby, Chapter 5
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
So in chapter 5, Nick answers Gatsby's request by asking Daisy to come over for tea alone without Tom. For this chapter for the first time, we get to see Jay Gatsby nervously frantic. The reason for his nervous demeanor probably spawns from the fact that this meeting he is to have between Daisy is his best attempt at reconciling their past love. After Daisy arrives, Gatsby soon knocks on the front door and Nick answers it only to find, "Gatsby, pale as death, with his hands plunged like weights in his coat pockets" (Fitzgerald 86). For the first half hour, the whole experience is a very awkward and embarrassing ordeal for all of them, until Nick leaves the room for a short while only to return and find Gatsby back to his usual confident expression and Daisy in tears of longing. It seems that Nick and Jay's relationship is starting to really strengthen because Nick now talks to Gatsby with a certain impolite criticism that can be found between two friends who have known each other for a long time. Nick says to Gatsby, "You're acting like a little boy... Not only that, but you're being rude. Daisy's sitting in there all alone" (Fitzgerald 88).
Although the awkwardness has settled, Gatsby, excited by the whole event, accidentally lets his act slip in front of Nick on the topic of his affairs. He mentions to Carraway that it took him three years to raise the money for the house. Nick quickly remembers that Jay had once told him he inherited the money and asks him about this. Nick realizing his mistake fabricates a lie that he had lost his money during the war and now was in business. Upon Nick's question of what business he was in, Gatsby quickly says, "That's my affair" (Fitzgerald 90). It appears to me that the smooth, clever Jay Gatsby is starting to lose his grip, and I predict that this dirty business he is involved in, most likely bootlegging, will soon crash down upon him.
So Jay Gatsby invites Nick and Daisy over to his house to show them, but mainly her, his house. Daisy is in wonderment of the house and also in a depressed state realizing what she has been missing, while Gatsby is, at the same time, enchanted by everything about Daisy. I find it funny because the more the moment becomes more perfect between Daisy and Gatsby, the more Nick gets uncomfortable and attempts to leave. After a while, the couple becomes so infatuated with each other that their remarks borderline stupidity, " 'I'd like to just get one of those pink clouds and put you in it and push you around.' I tried to go then..." (Fitzgerald 94). When Nick finally leaves, Daisy and Jay are left on the couch "remotely, possessed by intense life" (Gatsby 96).
So in chapter 5, Nick answers Gatsby's request by asking Daisy to come over for tea alone without Tom. For this chapter for the first time, we get to see Jay Gatsby nervously frantic. The reason for his nervous demeanor probably spawns from the fact that this meeting he is to have between Daisy is his best attempt at reconciling their past love. After Daisy arrives, Gatsby soon knocks on the front door and Nick answers it only to find, "Gatsby, pale as death, with his hands plunged like weights in his coat pockets" (Fitzgerald 86). For the first half hour, the whole experience is a very awkward and embarrassing ordeal for all of them, until Nick leaves the room for a short while only to return and find Gatsby back to his usual confident expression and Daisy in tears of longing. It seems that Nick and Jay's relationship is starting to really strengthen because Nick now talks to Gatsby with a certain impolite criticism that can be found between two friends who have known each other for a long time. Nick says to Gatsby, "You're acting like a little boy... Not only that, but you're being rude. Daisy's sitting in there all alone" (Fitzgerald 88).
Although the awkwardness has settled, Gatsby, excited by the whole event, accidentally lets his act slip in front of Nick on the topic of his affairs. He mentions to Carraway that it took him three years to raise the money for the house. Nick quickly remembers that Jay had once told him he inherited the money and asks him about this. Nick realizing his mistake fabricates a lie that he had lost his money during the war and now was in business. Upon Nick's question of what business he was in, Gatsby quickly says, "That's my affair" (Fitzgerald 90). It appears to me that the smooth, clever Jay Gatsby is starting to lose his grip, and I predict that this dirty business he is involved in, most likely bootlegging, will soon crash down upon him.
So Jay Gatsby invites Nick and Daisy over to his house to show them, but mainly her, his house. Daisy is in wonderment of the house and also in a depressed state realizing what she has been missing, while Gatsby is, at the same time, enchanted by everything about Daisy. I find it funny because the more the moment becomes more perfect between Daisy and Gatsby, the more Nick gets uncomfortable and attempts to leave. After a while, the couple becomes so infatuated with each other that their remarks borderline stupidity, " 'I'd like to just get one of those pink clouds and put you in it and push you around.' I tried to go then..." (Fitzgerald 94). When Nick finally leaves, Daisy and Jay are left on the couch "remotely, possessed by intense life" (Gatsby 96).
The Great Gatsby, Chapter 4, Pages 74-80
The second half of chapter 4, we finally get to here what Gatsby had told Jordan at that first party. Coincidentally, the whole story ties into Daisy Buchanan and her and Gatsby's past relationship. "But it wasn't a coincidence at all" (Fitzgerald 78). As Jordan tells Nick, Gatsby's real intent for moving into the West egg was to be in close proximity to Daisy and his sudden interest in Nick was in hoping that he would have her over for tea. So now the life and motives of the mysterious great Mr. Gatsby are starting to come into focus and oddly enough it is not that fascinating. It's like that moment in The Wizard of Oz when they realize that the wizard is not the all powerful being he claims to be but rather just a man behind a curtain; or it is like what the masking of Master chief would be like when you lift his hallowed helmet to find just a man staring back at you. When we learn more about this character, he soon starts to become more human, thus making him much less grand and amazing.
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One big development before the end of chapter 4 is Nick and Jordan's kiss where Nick finally abandons his self-control and gives into the moment by kissing Jordan. I believe that in discussing the plights of men such as Tom Buchanan and Gatsby involving their women problems, Nick gains a kind of confidence that assures him that he, in some aspects, has it better than these rich powerful men; in his case it is his steady relationship with the beautiful women whom his arm is around. "Unlike Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, I had no girl whose disembodied face floated along the dark cornices and blinding signs , and so I drew up the girl beside me, tightening my arms" (Fitzgerald 80).
The Great Gatsby, Chapter 4, Pages 61-74
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The beginning of chapter 4 offers a very long and poignant list of the many characters who have visited Gatsby's house parties. I found it interesting that at several occasions, Fitzgerald will mention some kind of dramatic event that happened to the person later on. Phrases such as: "before he went to the penitentiary", "who afterward strangled his wife", "divorced now", or "who killed himself by jumping in front of a subway train in Times Square" (Fitzgerald 62) (Fitzgerald 63). I believe Fitzgerald does this to show the real mortality that these rich socialites hide behind the facade of glamour and material happiness. This may turn out to be a heavy theme throughout the book.
On another one of Nick's outings with Gatsby, he is offered some irrefutable evidence from pictures of Gatsby's past that confirm that he did attend to Oxford and he really is a war hero. Although the chances of him being a bootlegger or being involved in any other vices now seem much slimmer, I will not complete reject the idea. Following their car-ride to the city, Carraway and Gatsby sit down for lunch with a new character named Mr. Wolfsheim. Wolfsheim proves to be a very sketchy character with a questionable background. He talks about the night when one of his old associates was killed, "I can't forget so long as I live the night they shot Rosy Rosenthal", giving the impression that Wolfsheim is involved in shady business (Fitzgerald 70). The most shocking news comes from Gatsby when he explains to Nick after Wolfshein's departure that he was the man who had fixed the 1919 World's Series. Of course, in lines with his mysterious aurora, Gatsby does not go as far to explain how Wolfshein executed such a feet but this statement does suggest two things: that he is beginning to trust Nick, and that he is involved with some not so honest people.
The beginning of chapter 4 offers a very long and poignant list of the many characters who have visited Gatsby's house parties. I found it interesting that at several occasions, Fitzgerald will mention some kind of dramatic event that happened to the person later on. Phrases such as: "before he went to the penitentiary", "who afterward strangled his wife", "divorced now", or "who killed himself by jumping in front of a subway train in Times Square" (Fitzgerald 62) (Fitzgerald 63). I believe Fitzgerald does this to show the real mortality that these rich socialites hide behind the facade of glamour and material happiness. This may turn out to be a heavy theme throughout the book.
On another one of Nick's outings with Gatsby, he is offered some irrefutable evidence from pictures of Gatsby's past that confirm that he did attend to Oxford and he really is a war hero. Although the chances of him being a bootlegger or being involved in any other vices now seem much slimmer, I will not complete reject the idea. Following their car-ride to the city, Carraway and Gatsby sit down for lunch with a new character named Mr. Wolfsheim. Wolfsheim proves to be a very sketchy character with a questionable background. He talks about the night when one of his old associates was killed, "I can't forget so long as I live the night they shot Rosy Rosenthal", giving the impression that Wolfsheim is involved in shady business (Fitzgerald 70). The most shocking news comes from Gatsby when he explains to Nick after Wolfshein's departure that he was the man who had fixed the 1919 World's Series. Of course, in lines with his mysterious aurora, Gatsby does not go as far to explain how Wolfshein executed such a feet but this statement does suggest two things: that he is beginning to trust Nick, and that he is involved with some not so honest people.
Friday, August 3, 2012
The Great Gatsby, Chapter 3, Pages 50 - 59
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
So now I am starting to get the picture that Nick is not as much the cool, content bachelor that I once saw. Well before from some of his actions at other social events I thought him maybe not the must outgoing but now I see that he is a shy introvert who lives his best moments through his head. Nick talks about how he enjoys the bustling walk through downtown manhattan and how he romanticizes different scenarios involving himself and other lovely women who cross his path. Then it does make sense when right after he states, "At the enchanted metropolitan twilight I felt a haunting loneliness sometimes, and felt it in others" (Fitzgerald 56). Still I may be jumping to conclusions because the relationship between Nick and Miss Jordan Baker appears to be steadily becoming more intimate. One thing peculiar about Nick's infatuation of Jordan is that it sprouts from a great curiosity of her true personality. As Carraway soon realizes, "She was incurably dishonest" (Fitzgerald 58). It makes some sense why Nick, a self-proclaimed honest man, would become so infatuated with a girl who is quite the opposite. Its as if such a difference is in a way exciting to Nick and this excitement would go along the lines as to fuel his hot obsession of her. However, when the fun and excitement has died down, I would suspect that these little traits of Jordan will not exude Nick to love her in a serious relationship. In fact I think this difference would easily destroy their courtship. So like all hot and exciting love affairs, I predict that this one will just as well burnout quickly.
So now I am starting to get the picture that Nick is not as much the cool, content bachelor that I once saw. Well before from some of his actions at other social events I thought him maybe not the must outgoing but now I see that he is a shy introvert who lives his best moments through his head. Nick talks about how he enjoys the bustling walk through downtown manhattan and how he romanticizes different scenarios involving himself and other lovely women who cross his path. Then it does make sense when right after he states, "At the enchanted metropolitan twilight I felt a haunting loneliness sometimes, and felt it in others" (Fitzgerald 56). Still I may be jumping to conclusions because the relationship between Nick and Miss Jordan Baker appears to be steadily becoming more intimate. One thing peculiar about Nick's infatuation of Jordan is that it sprouts from a great curiosity of her true personality. As Carraway soon realizes, "She was incurably dishonest" (Fitzgerald 58). It makes some sense why Nick, a self-proclaimed honest man, would become so infatuated with a girl who is quite the opposite. Its as if such a difference is in a way exciting to Nick and this excitement would go along the lines as to fuel his hot obsession of her. However, when the fun and excitement has died down, I would suspect that these little traits of Jordan will not exude Nick to love her in a serious relationship. In fact I think this difference would easily destroy their courtship. So like all hot and exciting love affairs, I predict that this one will just as well burnout quickly.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The Great Gatsby, Chapter 3, Pages 39-49
The setting for most of the third chapter is at one of Gatsby's many extravagant house parties. Nick points out that among the many guests who had traveled to enjoy the party and all of its accolades, " I was one of the few guest who had actually been invited" (Fitzgerald 41). One constant theme of the party is the overall mystery surrounding Gatsby. Although most of the apathetic guests do not give much mind, Nick does notice that the host of this grand party is in fact no where to be found. This and the talks and murmurs Nick exchanges with some of the other attendants even more convolutes the image of this enigmatic man. Nick is quite taking back when one girl in a hushed voice tells him, "Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once", and then later, Jordan Baker informs Nick she had heart he was an Oxford man before quickly rejecting the statement (Fitzgerald 44). While contemplating the ambiguities of Gatsby's pass, Nick said something that caught my attention, "But young men didn't- at least in my provincial inexperience I believed they didn't- drift coolly out of nowhere and buy a palace on Long Island Sound" (Fitzgerald 49). Extracting from the countless droves of organized crime movies I have witnessed, I would have to assume that Gatsby is a regular Tony Montana... well maybe without the violent lust for killing and the Cuban accent. In all seriousness, however, I do have a firm belief that this wealth that Gatsby has so mysteriously accrued can be ascribed to some kind of illegal organized business.
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| "Say 'Hello' to my little friend!" |
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Great Gatsby, Chapter 2
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Chapter two begins with Nick and Tom's journey to Doctor T.J. Eckleburg's district or in other words, the valley of ashes, "...a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens..."(Fitzgerald 23). I believe Fitzgerald adds bypass of the ash yard as a way to juxtapose the two kinds of living in early 1900's New York. Just as the maid in The House of Mirth displayed to Lily the true problems of the world, the ash-yard does the same for Nick. However, the main reason for Tom and Nick's visit is to meet with Tom's mistress, Mrs. Myrtle Wilson. One aspect of the book that keeps me puzzled is what is the true nature of Tom's propensity towards Nick. Just as its said earlier in the book, for some reason or other, Tom has this desire to earn approval from Nick. You would think, realizing that Tom has accomplished so much more so far in his life, that it would be Nick who searches for camaraderie with Tom, however that is not the case. I think we will find out why in fact Tom takes such a liking to our protagonist.
So Tom and Nick travel to Mrs. Wilson's apartment and commence to have one wild rumpus with Myrtle's sister and the McKee couple. From the narrator's descriptions, a clear painting is portrayed of these people: odd, revolting, arrogant, and very fickle. The ring leader of the motley crew would be Tom's freshly intoxicated mistress, who prances around the tiny apartment gearing all attention towards herself. "The intense vitality that had been so remarkable in the garage was converted into impressive hauteur" (Fitzgerald 30). At one point, when she discovers that a hard-working bellhop has failed to retrieve the ice she had requested, she responds by shrilly hollering, "These people: You have to to keep after them all the time" (Fitzgerald 32). This remark shows Nick Myrtle's true colors and has to at least make him reflect upon how Tom could betray the courtship of his lovely wife for such a ignorant, obnoxious woman.
I find the end of this chapter pretty amusing, at least if I am right to infer that the sudden obscurity and quick unexplained events are Fitzgerald's attempts to put on the page, Nick's drunken memories. If so, I have to give kudos to this man, because I have never read a book that attempted something such as this. I would like to remark, however, that I am very worried about what happened during the hours when Nick's drunken stupor rejected the last of his memories. All I know is that the chapter ended with, "I was standing beside his bed and he was sitting up between the sheets, clad in his underwear, with a great portfolio in his hands" (Fitzgerald 38). What Nick is doing with an undressed Mr. McKee, who is originally described as a feminine man, is a question I can not quite answer. I guess I will have to read on to find out.
Chapter two begins with Nick and Tom's journey to Doctor T.J. Eckleburg's district or in other words, the valley of ashes, "...a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens..."(Fitzgerald 23). I believe Fitzgerald adds bypass of the ash yard as a way to juxtapose the two kinds of living in early 1900's New York. Just as the maid in The House of Mirth displayed to Lily the true problems of the world, the ash-yard does the same for Nick. However, the main reason for Tom and Nick's visit is to meet with Tom's mistress, Mrs. Myrtle Wilson. One aspect of the book that keeps me puzzled is what is the true nature of Tom's propensity towards Nick. Just as its said earlier in the book, for some reason or other, Tom has this desire to earn approval from Nick. You would think, realizing that Tom has accomplished so much more so far in his life, that it would be Nick who searches for camaraderie with Tom, however that is not the case. I think we will find out why in fact Tom takes such a liking to our protagonist.
So Tom and Nick travel to Mrs. Wilson's apartment and commence to have one wild rumpus with Myrtle's sister and the McKee couple. From the narrator's descriptions, a clear painting is portrayed of these people: odd, revolting, arrogant, and very fickle. The ring leader of the motley crew would be Tom's freshly intoxicated mistress, who prances around the tiny apartment gearing all attention towards herself. "The intense vitality that had been so remarkable in the garage was converted into impressive hauteur" (Fitzgerald 30). At one point, when she discovers that a hard-working bellhop has failed to retrieve the ice she had requested, she responds by shrilly hollering, "These people: You have to to keep after them all the time" (Fitzgerald 32). This remark shows Nick Myrtle's true colors and has to at least make him reflect upon how Tom could betray the courtship of his lovely wife for such a ignorant, obnoxious woman.
I find the end of this chapter pretty amusing, at least if I am right to infer that the sudden obscurity and quick unexplained events are Fitzgerald's attempts to put on the page, Nick's drunken memories. If so, I have to give kudos to this man, because I have never read a book that attempted something such as this. I would like to remark, however, that I am very worried about what happened during the hours when Nick's drunken stupor rejected the last of his memories. All I know is that the chapter ended with, "I was standing beside his bed and he was sitting up between the sheets, clad in his underwear, with a great portfolio in his hands" (Fitzgerald 38). What Nick is doing with an undressed Mr. McKee, who is originally described as a feminine man, is a question I can not quite answer. I guess I will have to read on to find out.
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| I find this kind of fitting... |
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