Hey sorry for taking so long everybody. I unfortunately was not capeble of figuring out how to log-on by myself until the other day (thank you Kyle).

Anyway, going back to chapter one, I wanted to post one of my thoughts about Nick.
It's safe to say that Nick has had a fairly interesting life. A Yale graduate, growing up in the midwest as well as fighting in World War I. After returning from the war he tried staying in the midwest but was not able to because he was looking forward to more interesting things since life had become bland to him. He looked to move east, to the city, where he could move forward. There seems to be a theme to his attitude of getting more, and moving up and on to greater things. I was wondering though, after his visit to Tom and Daisy's if he began to question the lifestyle of upperclass people. I think he felt they were superficial, and fake. It will be interesting to see if his goals change or if he composes a new attitude towards the meaning of success, especially as the novel progresses and he interacts more with this lifestyle.

Image and nick as narrator

Nick endlessly foreshadows and dishes out hints about the people in this book with his beautiful imagery. One place where this is shown is the book scene where the drunken man is astonished as he explains that the books are real on the shelf. “Absolutely real-have pages and everything. I thought they’d be a nice durable cardboard. A Matter of fact, they’re absolutely real. Pages and –Here! Lemme show you” (p 45). This alludes to the fact that Gatsby is a fraud. The drunken man can no believe that the books are real because everything about these people are fake. They invite themselves to parties uninvited…He even admits he was brought by someone else. The act as thought they are friends when in fact they know nothing about each other, they don’t even know the host. Nick foreshadows that this fortune is very superficial on page 46, when he describes how Owl eyes takes the book back. “He snatched the book from me and replaced it hastily on the its shelf, muttering that if one brick was removed the whole library was liable to collapse.” Obviously this relates to Gatsby and his elaborate disguise that can be picked apart and once is discovered all will crumble; just like if one brick is out of place the shelf with collapse. This is even more explained when Nick talks about Gatsby’s almost choice of words when talking to him, “Some time before he introduced himself I’d got a strong impression that he was picking his words with care” (p 48). He must pick his words carefully because if he changes character people will know his true self.
-Michael Spinosa

Gatsby's Party

Chapter 3 opens with yet another house party and we are finally introduced to Gatsby. From the very beginning, the reader can detect that there is something different about Gatsby that sets him apart even at his own house and at his own party. Many of the guests at the party are wealthy and also seem to be very vain. Most guests are drunk, and seem to talk with other guests just to fit in. At the beginning of the party, the men and women, “glide on through the sea-change of faces and voices and color under the constantly changing light.” This constant change and external stimuli show that the guests are incapable of simply interacting with each other, but need materials and worldly entertainment in order to be happy. At the party, Nick hears even more rumors and speculation about Gatsby. This “romantic speculation [Gatsby] inspired” caused much whispering by the guests, “who found very little that it was necessary to whisper about in this world.” All of the guests are wealthy, well off, and feel no reason to be insecure or to whisper. As we learn from the description by the other guests, Gatsby does not fit in well in these parties and almost never engages in conversation or drinking that often occurs. Also, Gatsby is the only character, with which Nick seems to connect and admire. While Nick feels awkward trying to talk with the other guests, he is “reassured” by Gatsby’s “rare smiles.” Gatsby seems to be disconnected from the stereotypes of the Twenties. During this time, many people drank alcohol and partied openly, but Gatsby seems reserved and contented with himself, not needing to establish false relationships with others in order to boost his self-esteem. Gatsby seems to be content with the world and distant from its problems. Even as “the caterwauling horns had reached a crescendo… a wafer of a moon was chining over Gatsby’s house, making the night as fine as before.”

some comments

To the class (again!):

I'm generally pleased with what I've been seeing thus far, but please don't feel you need to spend much time simply retelling the story.  Let's assume that everyone's reading and at least "getting it" at a superficial level.  As Katie M. pointed out, there really hasn't been much plot yet.  We shall continue to focus on character and setting in class.  We now have three parties to compare.  I'd like to see more comments on the connections between the party in ch. 2 (at Myrtle's apartment) and the party in ch. 3 (at Gatsby's).  

I welcome your speculations on Gatsby (the character).  The words that recur in your postings are "mysterious," "lonely," and the like--and it's good that you see this.  I believe Fitzgerald wants to give Gatsby a mythic dimension, to make him larger than life, ultimately undefinable, so he does remain elusive and continually evades our attempts to pin down his identity (but again, that's part of the plan).

On Thursday I'd like to spend some time looking at the Valley of Ashes (beginning of ch. 2) and at Fitzgerald's descriptive techniques (beginning of ch. 3).  Please be sure to continue reading the postings, and feel free to respond to each other's observations.

Dr. No

assignments (the mundane)

To the class:

Here's a reiteration of assignments for next week:

Monday, 2/4 - ch. 4

Tuesday, 2/5 - ch. 5

Wednesday, 2/6 - Something Else

Thursday, 2/7 - ch. 6

I'll save a few comments for a separate post . . .

Dr. No

The image of Gatsby

Gatsby was described to be a mysterious person who lives in a huge mansion through out the book so far. When Nick was invited to his party I thought all the myteries of him  would be revealed. At the party Lucille even talked about Gastby killing a person as a  German spy. I think Lucille thought in this way because of the time period. 20's is the period after World War I, thus Lucille might have thought Gatsby got rich because he spied for Germany. When Nick complained about the absence of the host Gatsby, Gatsby informed that he is the host. (I think Nick couldn't have recognized Gatsby at the end of chapter 1, in the dark. He could have just imagined that the person trembling was Gatsby. Otherwise, why couldn't Nick recognized Gatsby at the party?)

Enchanted

The life of Gatsby in this chapter is elegant and everything anyone could want. His parties are to die for filled with laughter, gossip, drinking, music, dancing; it's the wild side and everyone wants be on it. When Nick attends the first party, he is formally invited by Gatsby, and arrives in a sent chauffeured car; and he's immediately enchanted. There is something about this party unlike the other two we have seen that grabs Nick and pulls him in. Perhaps its the constant jazzy music, or the "two finger-bowls of champagne" that had turned the scene into "something significant, elemental, and profound." At any rate, Nick actually says he is enjoying himself at this party, and unlike the others, does not leave with a feeling of disgust or confusion. It brings up the questions, is Nick getting used to the way of life in the East? Or is he just easily influenced by the sugarcoated life-style? Or perhaps is it his interest in Gatsby, a man of mystery and one who is not influenced by this life style, but rather just lives among it (he doesn't even have anything to drink according to Nick)?

Nick the Narrator

Nick posseses several qualities that define him as a good narrator of the book, The Great Gatsby. Nick is very observant. His descriptions are very detailed, which helps the reader understand what's going on. For example on page 30, "Mr. McKee was a pale, feminine man from the flat below. He had just shaved, for there was a white spot of lather on his cheekbone..." Other narrators may have simply said, Mr. McKee lived in the flat downstairs, but Nick takes the time to explain things. This says something about Nick's personality too; that he is understanding and a good listener. It also shows that Nick picks up on his surroundings. Because of this, he is able to know what kind of mood everyone is in, and then tell the reader.
Obviously, Nick didn't write this book. In real life, it was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. By complimenting Nick, I suppose I'm actually praising the author. Thus far in Gatsby, I find myself very satisfied with this book. It is extremely well written, and enjoyable to read. When you stop and think about it, very little has happened polt-wise in the book yet. But because of the descriptive writing style that Fitzgerald possesses, the book seems like a lot has happened already. I am enjoying this book, and I look foreword to reading more about what Nick (Fitzgerald) has to say.

Smile like you mean it

After Nick has the slight embarrassment of unknowingly talking to the mysterious host, Gatsby breaks into "one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life" (52). In contrast to the superficial and cynical guests, Gatsby has a genuinely strong, quiet, radiant air about him, which makes him irresistibly appealing even if solely through the subconscious. Although Gatsby attracts many by his wealth and his elaborate parties, Nick finds a deeper understanding of his appeal. Gatsby does not directly draw attention to himself and does not feel the need to become inebriated to mask or forget his past, passion, or problems. He smiles at Nick in a way that makes his guest feel of great importance as if he provides the utmost interest and entertainment. Nick feels as if he is the one being kind to Gatsby and even feels the need to apologize for not recognizing him when in reality Gatsby is the understanding one. Gatsby also has an independent spirit and what appears to be a general love for everyone he encounters, but he needs them less. During the party, Nick sees his neighbor "standing alone on the marble steps and looking from one group to another with approving eyes" (54). Not only does Gatsby's sobriety separate him from the crowd, but also his philanthropic "extraordinary gift for hope" sets him in stark contrast with any cynacism. Nick's innocent and somewhat naive nature connected with Gatsby's pure loving smile, which opened his eyes to a fresh optimism.

Gatsby's Party

Nick is cordially invited to one of Gatsby's infamous parties. Unlike most people that attend Gatsby's parties he was actually invited. A car was sent to his house and he was picked up. Most people just show up to his parties. Nick is surprised that he gets invited so formally. When he gets to the party he immediately wants to find his host and thank him for the invite. I can picture Nick aw struck with what he sees. He has probably never seen such an extravagant party before. What I found interesting was that no one at the party seemed to know anything about Gatsby. They all had different stories to tell about his life and what they think he has done. "Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once," or " I don't think its so much that, it's more that he was a German spy during the war." Almost every person has an opinion on Mr. Gatsby. But no one really knows anything about the man that throws lavish parties. So, it was no surprise that Nick had no idea who he was talking to. It was Mr. Gatsby, believe it or not. Nick was apologetic when he did not realize who he was. This proves that Mr. Gatsby is some what of a loner. People don't know who he is and most of them don't even know what he looks like. So far all we know is that Mr. Gatsby may or may not be a "murderer" and he may or may not have been a "German spy." These are assumptions but all that is apparent about him is that he is a very wealthy man that enjoys throwing extravagant parties for people that apparently no nothing about him.

Drinking

Drinking is more of a central theme in The Great Gatsby than in any book I've ever read. This is due in large part to prohibition occuring in the same era. As with many things, when something is denied, you tend to want it more. You don't necessarily truly have a stronger desire for it, but its allure is greater when you have to "rip the system" to get it. This most certainly can be applied to alcohol during prohibition. When the government enacted this measure, their aim was to eliminate the severe drinking problem in the U.S., but it instead made drinking a more central part of society. The three chapters of the book so far have been entirely centered around parties. And especially at the latter two, the alcohol has been flowing freely. Even Nick, who gives off an impression of innocence, seems to show some pride in getting drunk for the second time in his life at Myrtle's apartment, and then proceeds to do it again (although not quite to the same extent) at Gatsby's party. Drinking seems to be a central part of everybody's life, at least the wealthy people we have come in contact with so far. The man in the library has been "drunk for a week" and although he is attempting to "sober up" he is clearly failing miserably. Then there are the two drunk women begging there husbands to stay longer because they're "always the first ones to leave" even though at that point in the party, the majority of the guest were gone. These two had to literally be carried out of Gatsby's house. Finally, there is the man who wrecks his car and takes off a tire but assumes he has simply run out of gas and only needs to get to a gas station. But in the midst of all this drunkenness, Gatsby seems to remain entirely sober. This just adds to the mystery surrounding Fitgerald's title character. He is almost above human desire, able to withstand the allure of alcohol and remain sober while every one around him succumbs to it. Nick notices this in Gatsby as well and finds it incredibly interesting. There is omething about the way Gatsby carries himself that fascinates Nick and this sobriety may be a part of it. "I wondered if the fact that he was not drinking helped set him off from his guests, for it seemed to me that he grew more correct as the fraternal hilarity increased" (50). Not only is Gatsby able to withstand the temptation of alcohol, but he is able to offset the increasing drunkenness of his guests by becoming more level headed.

chapter two talks and confirms tom's mistress and his slightly unexpected lifestyle when he is around her. in chapter one, it was just a rumor that tom had a mistress but in this chapter, he actually confirms it and takes nick along to her place only to witness the shocking lifestyle myrtle, the mistress, leads. she is actually married to a man she thought she had compatibility with only to regret later that he barely had what it took to make a man. myrtle and her sister catherine both married the wrong men and their relationships are awkward and unsatisfactory. even though it might seem unacceptable or awkward to talk about their unhappy marriages, the sisters openly express their true feelings about their marriages. maybe that could be what drew tom to myrtle.

In chapter 2 we meet Myrtle, Tom's secret lover. We soon realize she is the classic, annoying, obnoxious drunk. When Tom and Nick host a small party, things slowly get out of control. During the end of the party, Myrtle starts talking about Daisy and Tom tells her not to. Instead of shutting up, Myrtles wasted self keeps saying "Daisy, Daisy, Daisy...". Tom then punches her in the nose. Owch! The party then ends on a low note. Nick seems to be upset that he let himself get as drunk as he did. I think he likes to watch these people, who have it all, mess things up. He likes to see things go downhill for people who put on a mask--it's fun to watch. I think he's hoping to never end up like Tom.

The Buchanan's and Myrtle's Place

In this chapter we met the character Myrtle. She is Toms mistress, who is also married. Tom goes to see her in New York and Nick unwillingly goes along. The two houses are very differently described. The Buchanan's home is a mansion and everyone inside it is expected to act accordingly. Be respectful, neat, and talk about how they are better than the rest of the world. At the Buchanan's the people seem to be very narrow minded and ignorant. Tom is the epitome of ignorance and narrow mindedness. The atmosphere at Myrtle's apartment is quite different. They speak openly about divorcing there spouses. I find out odd that Tom would associate with people of a lower class them him. It's almost as if he is a different person with Myrtle than he is with Daisy. Maybe Tom feels like he has to hide who he really is with Daisy but with Myrtle he can be himself.

Ch. 2 Journal Response

Nick Carraway just can't seem to keep himself out of awkward situations. In the second Chapter, Nick is invited to another dinner party alongside Tom Buchanan. The party is to be hosted by Myrtle Wilson, Tom's new mistress. Nick describes her as "in the middle thirties, and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously as some women can..." (pg. 25). She is also married; to a man named George B. Wilson, the owner of a car garage.  The motley trio continues their travel to New York, and in an attempt to be inconspicuous, Tom convinces Myrtle to ride on a different train car, just in case any "East Eggers" happen to be on the train. Myrtle acts on a whim in the cab and buys a puppy to bring to the simple apartment where everyone will gather for the party. At the party, Tom breaks out the whiskey before the guests even arrive. We then meet Myrtle's sister, Catherine and the McKees. Tom and Nick engage in small talk, but even in this less-pressure atmosphere, Tom still seems to have his stone-faced disposition. Nick finds the whole situation very strange, and struggles to understand what exactly Tom finds appealing about this situation. As mentioned by Nick in the first chapter, Tom is a man who moves around a lot, searching for the same glory he felt playing football. He seems to be a man of change. Perhaps Myrtle being the opposite of Daisy is what draws him to her. She is lower class, not as good-looking, but not necessarily more down-to-earth. It seems Myrtle finds the same contradiction between her husband and Tom appealing. Her husband is not the wealthiest man, and she complains she married him "because I though he was a gentleman...I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoe," (pg. 34). Maybe she's attracted to Tom's wealthy, arrogant persona because she also wants change. However, as the night progresses, the two get into a pretty intense dispute: "Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face, discussing in impassioned voices whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy's name..." (pg. 37). Myrtle proceeds to repeat Daisy's name until she gets punched out by Tom, leaving her with a broken nose. As we saw in Chapter 1, Tom doesn't appreciate that behavior; Daisy calls him a "hulking man" and when he tells her he doesn't like that word, she uses it again. At this point, as Myrtle sits on the couch bleeding and wailing, Nick is desperate to leave. At Daisy's party, he didn't feel this way. He felt comfortable, like he was supposed to be there. At this party he just felt out of place and awkward. Everyone was drunk at Myrtle's, while at Daisy they were much classier. Nick leaves the with yet another bad impression of Tom.

Daisy's vs. Myrtle's party

Not only do the differences in Daisy's and Myrtle's parties show two very different social situations, they also exemplify some of the main differences between these two women. Daisy and Myrtle actually have a lot in common. They are both unsatisfied with their lives, and this dissatisfaction is in both cases caused by Tom at its core. Myrtle, married to another man, is unhappy because she wants to be with Tom, her boyfriend. Daisy, on the other hand, is married to Tom with a baby. She feels unsatisfied with her life because she doesn't love Tom and wishes she wasn't tied down for life with someone she doesn't even like being with. In the first chapter of The Great Gatsby, Daisy and Tom host a party at their fancy home in West Egg. The party, whom Daisy is hostess of, mirrors part of her personality, especially her relationship with Tom. The location of the party is important. It takes place in their home, a spacious mansion. Although this home is much bigger than Myrtle's apartment, only four people are present at the party. Also at this party, there is a fair amount of tension between Tom and Daisy, especially when Daisy repeatedly calls him "hulking" against his will. (12) It is doubtful that anyone would describe this party as much fun, but it was a pleasant party, although awkward and lonely beneath its shiny surface. This is also a good representation of Daisy who seems nice enough on the outside, when she is really quite alone actually. On the other hand, Myrtle's party was more of a stereotypical 1920s blowout. It is apparent that the booze is kept free-flowing, made obvious when Nick gets drunk for the second time in his life, many guests show up, and the hostess, like her party, is much more flamboyant. From the little we know about Myrtle thus far, it seems she is much more open about her situation than Daisy. She doesn't love her husband, but instead of keeping it bottled up inside like Daisy, she makes it known to the world by being Tom's "girl". Daisy and Myrtle have contrasting personalities, which are shown in their very different parties.

further questions

I have a few questions to complicate the issues . . . and a few observations as well.

• can anyone suggest a connection between the Valley of Ashes and the Buchanans' place?
• why do people party?  and to what extent do the parties we've seen thus far fulfill what parties are supposed to provide?
• what does Tom see (or have) in Myrtle that he doesn't see (or have) in Daisy?  In other words, what does Myrtle give Tom that Daisy doesn't?
• interesting comments on Dr. T. J. Eckleberg!
• If you see this in time, please bring in a small piece of one blog that you find intriguing or particularly insightful--either from your own or from another blog.

Dr. No

The Eyes and the Valley of Ashes

The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg “They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a non-existent nose” (p23). Looking over the Valley of ashes, pacing judgment as it sees the inhabitants of west and east egg meet at the train. When Nick follows Tom to meet Tom’s “girl” Nick even mentions the eye’s “persistent stare” (p 24). Tom’s wrong actions can be hidden from every soul, he can even make Mrs. Wilson (Myrtle) stay in another car to avoid suspicion from “those East Eggers who might be on the train” (p 26). But the eyes of the Doctor will always see his sin. And because of his eyes the only “real” place in this book is the Valley of Ashes. This is mostly shown when we meet Mr. Wilson. He lives on the edge of the valley symbolizing his morality but still his eagerness to fit in with the Eggers. He has an honest business that he works hard to maintain unlike Tom who inherits his money, but is still looked down upon by his wife, Tom, and other Egger snubs at the party. Not to mention his wife is having an affair with Tom; the woman he would do anything for. She would rather be with someone that gives her a broken nose. But this is all the norm for the shallow people in this story. For example Myrtle’s idea of a Gentleman is a good breeder, “I married him because I thought he was a gentleman, I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn’t fit enough to lick my shoe” (p 34). What has she done to make her so great? He is the one bringing home the bacon. The Eggers live in a fake world that is the “Roaring 20’s”. They think all is grand and they can do anything they want. But in reality the valley of ashes is closer then they think they have to cross it everyday and it’s the train in the valley that keeps the rich upper class world connected. Just like the large amount of poor people in the 20’s kept the rich up on their pedestal. When the rich have a problem they toss it aside and it’s left for the “ash-gray men” to “stir up the impenetrable cloud” (p 23).
-Michael Spinosa

Parties of Myrtle and Daisy

In the second Chapter, Nick is invited to another dinner party with Tom Buchanan, this time with his mistress, Myrtle Wilson, and her friends. This party seems to be very different than the one in the first chapter as the setting, tone, and people are all different. While at Daisy’s house, everyone at the party seemed to be civilized and polite there was only a hint of tension below the surface. At this party, the guests are constantly arguing with each other, are drunk, and by the end of the night, Tom has broken Myrtle’s nose. Nick explains that whenever he tried to leave, he was “entangled in some wild strident argument.” In addition to the behavior of the guests, there is a great contrast between the living spaces of Myrtle and Daisy. Daisy’s larger-than-life mansion is described as welcoming nature, “gleaming” with light, and “allowing fresh grass” to almost grow into the house. However, Myrtle lives in a shabby apartment, which was “crowded to the doors with furniture entirely too large for it.” Throughout the first two chapters, Nick does not seem to play a major role in either of the parties, but he passively sits and observes the others. Another interesting trend is that right when information about Gatsby begins to be revealed, there is an interruption, and the story cannot be completed. This reinforces the mystery and obscurity associated with Gatsby.

comparison of the two parties

Different from the huge mansion of Tom which has a great view, Myrtle's apartment was 'on the top floor-a small living room, a small dining-room, a small bedroom, and a bath'.(pg.29) The party at Tom's mansion was somewhat luxurious and graceful. People only had dinner together at Tom's place. At Myrtle's party, people drank alcohols. I felt Myrtle shows cheap culture during 20's while Tom shows wealthy living. The topics that people dealt with in each party was different. At Tom's house, people talked about the book although it was about radical racism. At Myrtle's place, the topic that she talked about was divorce. Compare to the topic at Tom's place, Myrtle's place's was cheaper culture. (The mysterious phone call was from Myrtle in my opinion).

The Parties

At the Buchanon's party Nick and Tom acted much more conservative and well mannerd than they did at the party at Myrtle's apartment. The Buchanon party was a get together with friends who were rich and much so snobby. This is the same way Nick and Tom acted only in order to keep the party interesting. At Myrtle's apartment Tom showed the true side of him, which was arrogant. He was married but was able to keep his affair going only because of this apartment. The friends that attended this party weren't from the same background as Tom, but they remained close friends. The Mckee's were from the same apartment which sat on the edge of the valley of ashes so their was no reason for Tom to have to act snobby that night. According to Nick the party got out of hand and he felt a little disgusted by it. They were drinking and eventually Tom hit Myrtle in the face because she kept saying Daisy's name and wouldn't stop. This reaction from him was out of anger and he also wanted her to know that he was in control of their relationship. The party eventually ended after the incident and Nick was raedy to go, he later caught a train back home around 4 am.

Opposingly similar

While the Buchanans' and Myrtle's parties contrast in appearance and magnitude, their overall structure mirrors one another. Myrtle's apartment, in complete disaray compared with the Buchanans' mansion, flows with whiskey while Daisy's party remained relatively dry. Although the second party's amplified chaos far exceeds the second, similar events take place. In both scenes, the subject of Nick's mysterious neighbor, Gatsby, greatly intrigues the listeners, but other distractions quickly dismiss the topic. At the Buchanans' mansion, the supper call discontinues any further discussion of Gatsby, and at Myrtle's apartment, Nick disappointedly observes that "this absorbing information about [his] neighbor was interrupted by Mrs. McKee's pointing suddenly at Catherine" (37). Also, just as Daisy plays matchmaker to Nick and Jordan, Myrtle also hints about the immense beauty of her sister, Catherine, in the presence of Nick. At both parties, the "other woman" becomes a topic of discussion, but the abundance of disorder and alcohol magnifies the conflict at Myrtle's apartment. While a tersely hushed telephone call alludes towards Myrtle at the first party, Mrs. Wilson outwardly exclaims Daisy's name and subsequently "making a short deft movement Tom Buchanan broker her nose with his open hand" (41). Although the two parties have opposing exterior qualities, the conversation subject of Gatsby, the desire to pair a woman with Nick, and the conflict of Tom's mistress remains similar.

Two Types of Parties

So far in The Great Gatsby, Nick Carraway has been to two parties, one at the Buchanan's and one at Myrtle's apartment. While at the Buchanan's, the party they have seems to be a very proper party where everyone converses properly with formal conversations while everyone is around. Tom is very formal and tries to be a polite gentleman when a guest is at his home. At the Buchanan's, Tom shows obvious signs of anger towards Daisy, "'Well, these books are all scientific," insisted Tom, glancing at her impatiently." (pg. 13) But at Myrtle's apartment, Tom seems to be more open about his attitude, and the party seems to be more of a get together, rather than a proper party. There are separate conversations happening, and they are drinking and having fun. Later in the party Tom hits Myrtle because of an argument they had about mentioning Daisy's name. The party seems to be hectic, "and women's voices scolding, and high over the confusion a long broken wail of pain."(pg. 37) Both parties seem to be hectic and open Nick to the problems going on in the Buchanan's life.

Perfect Party?

When I think of parties, it usually involves cake, ice cream and an ample amount of laughter. I enjoy parties whether its to dance, talk, or just hang out. However the two parties Nick attended at the Buchanans and at Myrtle's apartment is hardly what I would call fun.  The first party, at the Buchanans, Nick arrives to a beautifully furnished home in East Egg. Pretty people are present, such as Miss Baker and Daisy, and they are waited on by a butler. The party's sole purpose was to be a lighthearted night of catching up for some old friends, and make small talk over dinner. The conversation is polite and civilized and parallels the lifestyle and imagery of the scene, sophisticated. With the exception of masked tension between Tom and Daisy, and her confession to Nick on the porch, the dinner ran smoothly, almost in a fake, structured way. In contrast, the second party that Nick attends is much more chaotic and filled with public drama that leaves you wanting to know more. Myrtle's apartment party was originally for a few people to get together and drink, as well as introducing Nick to Tom's mistress, Myrtle, a stout woman in her 30s. The apartment is described as small with "furniture too large for it" and one has to "stumble about." Again, the disorganization of the apartment reflects the overall atmosphere of the party. There is an assortment of people mostly lower class with the exception of Tom and Nick somewhat and lots of drinking, in fact Nick notes that this is his second time ever in his life to be drunk. The conversation jumps around with the McKees talking about photography, to studies, to gossip, and finally ending the night in a dramatic climax of Tom punching Myrtle in the nose. Though both parties are vastly different, they both give Nick a perspective on the lifestyles of those that live on the East.

The Parties

In the first two chapters of Gatsby, you can see two very different types of lifestyles going on during the "roaring twenties". This contrast is most clearly seen when looking at the party at the Buchanans and the party at Myrtle Wilson's apartment. At the first location, the reader gets the sense of a very refined way of living. That characteristic is first exemplified by the Buchanan's house. Beautiful lawns and gardens decorate the exterior, and upon entering, Nick gets an impression that the interior is simply an extension of the beaty outside with the "fresh grass outside that seemed to grow a little way into the house" (8) and the breeze filtering in and setting the room into motion. The house has a feeling of decorative perfection. The refined nature of the house seems to be carried over into the dinner and the conversation. The dinner seems to be perfectly arranged with a butler waiting on all of the guests. And although there is some verbal sparring between Tom and Daisy, the feeling of the conversation seems refined and almost structured. This party is very different from the one Nick experiences in chapter 2 at Myrtle's apartment. As soon as Nick walks in the door, he gives an image of the setting that sharply contrasts the Buchanan's house, describing the apartment as overcrowded with furniture and poorly decorated. The disorder of the room is an augury of the disorder of the party to come. It involved Nick getting drunk, one of just two times he has ever done so, conversations about Tom and Myrtle cheating on their spouses, and finally, Tom breaking Myrtle's nose. The chaotic, action-filled scene at this party shows another side of twenties life that displays a sharp contrast to the well-mannered party at the Buchanans.

Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby

Nick Carraway

Nick Carraway is the narrator in the book and a cousin of Daisy. Growing in a wealthy and famous family, he graduates from Yale. For the bond business, he moves to West Egg in the Long Island, New York where the Buchanans also live on the other side of the Long Island. When Nick reunites with Daisy and her husband, Tom, he gets acquainted with Daisy's friend, Jordan Baker whom Daisy wants him to be interested in. He is a tolerant and genuine man who would be involved in rekindling Daisy and Gatsby who lives across Nick’s house.

Character Sketch of Daisy part. 2

When the phone rang during dinner she did not seem faded. She must have known that it was her hunsbands "other women" but it did not seem to bother her. Miss Baker even said "She might have the decency to not call him during dinner." If Miss Baker knows then Daisy most definatley knows. Daisy is the common example of the women in the 20's. Men are the head of the house and are able to do anything. The women like Daisy are unable to conntradict the "man of the house." So they fake happiness and fake that everything is okay, when everything really isn't.

Character Sketch of Daisy

I've read the first chapter. The character I found to be quite interesting was Daisy. She seems to be a very complex women and character. I feel like she hides her intelligence from her husband and the men around her. It bothers me that she doesn't care about her husbands adultry. I don't understand why she doesn't seem to care. But perhaps she is just trying to hide her pain under her cheerfulness. I think that she wil be a very interesting character to follow in this book.

Ch. 1 Journal Response

Daisy Buchanan seems to contradict her husband Tom's personality. While Tom is a serious, intimidating figure, Daisy is light-hearted and full of classic charm. Nick describes her disposition as "a promise that she had done gay, exciting things just a while since and that there were gay, exciting things hovering in the next hour". Daisy is an approachable character and although her and Nick don't know each other very well (despite them being family), she still has a way of making him feel comfortable. Daisy seems to be a child stuck in a woman's body. She enjoys simple things like the longest day of the year and a bird on the lawn and engages people in endearing yet unsubstantial conversation. It seems odd that Tom and Daisy would be together, while he drones on about science and polo ponies, Daisy ridicules him for being a brute or a hulking type of man. Daisy doesn't seem to take too much seriously at first. However, when she pulls Nick aside she admits to him that she's cynical about everything. Although Daisy comes off as optimistic I have a feeling as the story progresses we'll learn more about her deeper, "sophisticated" side.

Daisy, the little debbie

Daisy Buchanan would make an exemplary southern belle. Not only does she wear a beautiful flowing white dress, but she also engages her company with infinite charm. Nick Carraway, the narrator and Daisy's second cousin once removed, pays her a visit, and she greets him as if "there was no one in the world she so much wanted to see" (13). He describes her melodious voice as "an arrangement of notes that will never be played again" when she murmurs charmingly in order to bring him closer (13). Daisy anticipates the longest day of the year just as a small child counts down the days until Christmas; just one of her many appealing qualities that make for brilliant company. She even strives to do a little matchmaking between Nick and Miss Baker, but in a polite delightful manner that would never embarrass or annoy a single soul. Daisy also playfully teases her husband, Tom, for bruising her little finger, calling him "a brute of a man, a great big hulking physical specimen" (16). Yet even with her polite personal magnetism which makes her the ideal hostess, several strategically placed winks and cold responses to Tom give her a strength and lead the reader to think she might be aware of her husband's other woman in New York. By the end of The Great Gatsby's first chapter, Fitzgerald introduces the appealingly elegant Daisy who is irresistibly loveable.

Character sketch of Jordan Baker

“The younger woman of the two was a stranger to me. She was extended full length at her end of the divan, completely motionless, and with her chin raised a little, as if she were balancing something on it which was quite likely to fall. If she saw me out of the corner of her eyes she gave no hint of it indeed, I was almost surprised into murmuring an apology for having disturbed her by coming in” (p.8). This small passage is all Nick has to say to describe Jordan to the reader. She is an actress trying to appeal to the crowd. A very fake person, she struggles to save face with the company she so desperately wants to be apart of. Just as she struggles with her balancing act, trying to keep her chin raised. Nick wants to apologize for making her lose focus on what she wants. Nick is not apart of the “scene” so she doesn’t even bother to acknowledge him walking into the room. To keep her persona she rejects cocktails claiming “I’m absolutely in training” (p.10). But she is questioned as if something is up. But questions are halted because as Nick says “I enjoyed looking at her” (p.11). Her outer appearance keeps her inner qualities hidden to the reader. Her true colors are brought out when she quietly speaks to Nick about Tom and Daisy in the other room as she tries to eavesdrop on their conversation. The last trick Jordan has is near the end of the chapter when she goes to bed at 10:00 because she has a tournament the next day, “Time for this good girl to go to bed” (p.18). She finds it necessary to exclaim that good girls go to bed early like her. She wants everyone to believe she is a good girl.
-Michael Spinosa

Character sketch of Tom Buchanan

Living in East egg of New York, wealthy Tom Buchanan is the husband of Nick's second cousin, Daisy. When Nick mentioning about where he graduated from and who lives next to his neighbor, I thought he is the materialist. But he was not quite as much as Tom Buchanan. Tom was arrogant, suspicious, rich racist. When Nick answered to Tom's question about who he works with, Tom said arrogantly, 'never heard of them' as if he knows all the bond men. Tom have never seen his daughter. It is quite suspicious that he was not with Daisy when she gave birth to their daughter. I think the call from some woman in New York might explain why Tom has never seen his daughter. The book that he mentioned, 'The Rise of the Colored Empire' shows that only Nordics is superior and other races are inferior. Tom said everyone should read the book which means that he agrees with the book. 

Daisy

Thus far in The Great Gatsby, we have gotten to know a little bit about three characters: Nick (the narrator of the story), Daisy, and Tom. Although there isn't much physical description or background information given about Daisy, it seems as though Fitzgerald is trying to make her character show through her words and her actions, rather than by simply describing her. This is an interesting and highly effective technique, because after reading only one chapter of the book, I feel as though I know the most about Daisy. Nick is visiting Daisy, his second cousin once removed; her husband Tom; and their friend Miss Baker. Nick encounters Daisy lounging on a couch, and right away the reader starts to experience Daisy's personality. By the fact that she didn't even rise from her perch to greet her cousin, but instead laughs and makes a witty comment, it is apparent that Daisy feels a sense of entitlement in life. She thinks that people and things should come to her rather than her going to seek them. Something else about Daisy's personality is that she's fun loving and appears to be carefree, although she isn't really. Nick's description about Daisy's intoxicating voice and laugh might make it seem as though she lives a charmed life, but really, she's just masking her true feelings of sadness. She misses her old life in Chicago, and doesn't really love her husband or baby girl. Sophisticated Daisy, who has done everything, describes her life as "a very bad time" and thinks "every thing's terrible." (p. 16-17) The last bit of Daisy's personality that I've picked up is that she spends a lot of her life waiting for something exciting to happen. When it's over, she goes on waiting rather than finding excitement in her every-day existence. An example of this is when Daisy makes the comment about waiting for the longest day of the year, and then missing it when it's through (p. 11) Daisy is an intriguing character, and I look foreword to learning more about her and how she got to be that way.

Tom and Daisy's Relationship

In The Great Gatsby, Nick goes to dinner at his cousin, Daisy's, house. He already knows Tom, but as he stays there longer he begins to learn things about him and Daisy's relationship. In the first chapter Nick makes Tom out to be a powerful, mean man. Nick says Tom has "two shining arrogant eyes" that had "established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward." Tom and Daisy are basically described by Nick as complete opposites, as Tom is the aggressive man and Daisy appears to be the quiet woman that is very innocent. During the dinner there are a couple moments that show there are problems between Daisy and Tom. There is the obvious fact that Tom has a woman in New York, but there are also smaller things like when Tom asks Nick what he does for a living. Nick says he is a bond man and he will know about it if he stays in the East. The Tom responds back, "Oh, I'll stay in the East, don't you worry, I'd be a God damned fool to live anywhere else." and after he says this he looks at Daisy, then back at Nick "as if he were alert for something more." I believe these issues between Tom and Daisy could be an important issue and I believe that the fact that they are almost polar opposites could lead to more issues between them later on in the book.

Daisy, Delicately Insecure

In the beginning of The Great Gatsby, there are six characters mentioned, Nick, the narrator, Tom, Daisy, Jordan Baker, and Gatsby. The relationships between each character is some what vague except that Daisy, Nick's cousin, is married to Tom, Miss Baker is a friend of Daisy, and Mr. Gatsby is a well-known man in the New York community and lives in a mansion neighboring Nick. However, despite the little known relationships, secrets are revealed about characters from the start, specifically Daisy. At first Daisy appears to be a quiet woman who stands by her husband. She is described as being delicate, having "bright eyes and a bright passionate mouth"  and having a "charming little laugh." She is dressed in white which suggests innocence and and the soft adjectives used to describe her every move show her calm, at ease side. The delicate and almost angelic illusion, however, is somewhat tarnished when her insecurity begins to shine through. Daisy reveals a secret to Nick on the porch, that she felt abandoned by Tom especially after she had her little girl. After learning that Daisy felt neglected, her previous delicate image turns more fragile and easily broken. Her laugh seems more of a self-lifting exercise rather than a reaction to something funny. Also, she is seen as needy and insecure when she continuously inquires about those who miss her in Chicago and "jokingly" suggests they move back. Overall, the first impression of Daisy seems to be that she is insecure, and feels abandoned or overshadowed by her husband and a women who is seeking neglected attention.

Nature and Daisy

In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses much nature imagery to describe the setting and many of the characters, especially Daisy. Besides the fact that her name is that of a flower, Daisy is also described as being “flower-like” and her house is described as “blooming with light.” While we do not learn a lot about Daisy in the first chapter, there is a sense of tension between her and her husband, Tom Buchanan, who Nick learns has “some woman” New York and holds many racial prejudices. Through reading books such as the “Rise of the Colored Empires,” Tom believes that Nordics are the only group of people who contribute to society and that other races are inferior in every way. This view represents much of the Anti-immigrant sentiment present during the Twenties, which was also known as the Age of Intolerance. It seems that this view of racial supremacy is not shared by Daisy and is also a source of tension. Later, Nick finds that Daisy felt abandoned by Tom, who was not present at the birth of his daughter. We find that Daisy seems to feel that women are inferior and that they can only grow up to be “beautiful little fools.” This seems to show some of Daisy’s cynicism on the view towards women during the Twenties, where being a “flapper” was the cultural norm. Besides this tension and anger directed at her husband, who she at one point referred to as “hulking,” Daisy is mainly portrayed in a positive manner and often by references to nature. Daisy is often said to be “glowing” with the light of the sun. Nature and the outside world are welcomed into her house as “breezes blew through the room” and the grass seemed to “grow a little into the house.” At the very end of the chapter, Nick sees Gatsby for the first time standing on his lawn and looking up at the stars and serenely enjoying the “bright night” and the “organ sound of the frogs.” It is interesting that Gatsby also seems to have a close connection with nature.

Tom Character Sketch

Throughout the first chapter of The Great Gatsby, there is not a ton of information released about the characters. The people at the dinner party, Tom, Daisy, Jordan, and Nick, all maintain an air of mystery about them. It almost seems as if Fitzgerald is trying to withold as much as possible from the reader at this point in order to pull him in little by little. Of all the characters in this scene, it seems like the author is willing to reveal the most about Tom. Because of his years playing football at Yale, he became a sort of national figure. But as he stopped playing, he has disappeared from the scene. But Tom continues in search for this past glory. Even Nick believes that "Tom will drift on forever seeking, a little wistfully, for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game". But despite Fitzgerald's willingness to expose some of Tom Buchanan's personality, he keeps a lot of it mysterious. One of the most interesting things we find out about Tom is his strange fascination towards Nick. The two have strikingly different personalities, yet Nick is concinced that Tom "approved of me and wanted me to like him with some harsh, defiant wistfulness of his own". Adding to Tom's mystery is his "woman in New York". But we find out no more than that about this woman, because the author cleverly cuts off the conversation at that point to leave the reader hanging. The last thing we learn about Tom is his belief in white supremacy. Although this is something not uncommon for people to believe in this time peiod, it is worth noting because it seems to make Nick slightly uncomfortable.

i'm in

i'm in. this web blog is off-da-chain. whooooo hooooo let's learn

everyone in?

By my count there are about 12 or 13 bloggers on the site, and we have 16 in the class--so we're almost there!  Did anyone have trouble getting in?

Please remember the purpose of the blog (yes, an ugly word)--to keep an academic journal of musings, reflections, and ideas on Gatsby.  (If this is successful, as we move through the semester we'll try to continue.)

I hope you're enjoying what you're finding out on the 1920s.  Tomorrow it should be interesting to see what you've latched onto.

Till then . . .

Dr. No

hola

Hey.I'm in and ready to blog!!!! =]

Isa here

I like this blog stuff. What a word. Blog

like yay!

like this is so awesome! im like totally obsessed like facebook! im like excited to learn about james gatz! :)

roger

Thanks for the invite Sean Connery.

Blog Entry

I am in the blog!
(fist pump)

here

Mmk. I logged in.

i got it!

mine worked
-cara giaramita

Kiel Phillips Reporting

yeahhhhhhhh Kiel's here in the blog, great idea, i love english

welcome!

Hi 3rd period English 11 - and welcome to our blog!

 I hope we'll use this to explore ideas, images, passages, and impressions of our reading this term.  We'll start with The Great Gatsby, of course.  I'd like to ask you to post your journal entries to this blog rather than to write them out and hand them in, for there can be a real advantage both in sharing our thoughts and in having others respond to them.  As I add you into this blog, please write back to confirm you're officially signed up.

I'm looking forward to a good semester with you all.

Dr. No