jacquelinej’s Blog

“But he knew that he was in Daisy’s house by colossal accident.  However glorious might be his future as Jay Gatsby, he was at present a penniless young man without a past, and at any moment the invisible cloak of his uniform might slip from his shoulders.  So he made the most of his time.   He took what he could get, ravenously and unscrupulously -eventually he took Daisy one still October night, took her because he had no real right to touch her hand.” page 149

    Surprise, sorrow and disbelief is what I feel.  Throughout the introduction of the novel I felt as if Gatsby was not the man he was portrayed as but now I feel sorrow towards him.  Focused on the American dream, he took his life out of the state of poverty and unimportance and made something of it.  Although he dedicated his life to a woman, he did everything in his ability to please not only Daisy, but the others around him.  From hosting meaningless parties, to waiting outside of her house throughout the night, he dedicated his life to her and her safety.  The quote I chose proves that clearly, Gatsby realized that he never really had Daisy.  She was more infatuated than in love.   Infatuated with his money, his stability and her memories of her adolescence.  I also found it interesting that Nick says that Gatsby felt betrayed by Daisy.  Considering that betrayal and dishonesty were two major themes in the novel, it’s interesting how became included within the relationship of Daisy and Gatsby.

  The amount of drama included within this chapter is outrageous.  The awkward trip to New York City was clearly the start to all the drama.  Though Tom and Gatsby have been seen together earlier in the novel, it was clear that this chapter was going to strike the fight.  What first seemed ironic in the chapter was that Daisy and Gatsby rode together to the city.  Why would Tom let this happen?  It’s clear that he was proving a point, but wouldn’t he want to show Daisy love, and not acts of ignorance? 

     Also within the chapter, the theme of dishonesty was reintroduced.  Wilson has found out that his wife has been having a romantic relationship with another man.  It seems as if this detail was included to introduce the conversation that was later taken place in the chapter.  Finally, Daisy is confronted by Tom.  While he basically forces her to tell Gatsby she doesn’t love him, she does. “..she hesitated.  Her eyes fell on Jordan and me with a sort of appeal, as though she realized at last what she was doing–and as though she had never, all along, intended doing anything at all.  But it was done now.  It was too late. “I never loved him,” she said, with perceptible reluctance.pg 132.   Subsequent to her admitting that she never loved Gatsby, Tom continues to question Daisy, almost as if to assure himself that she is indeed saying she never loved him.  Focusing on Gatsby; he has dedicated his life to this woman, now to find that she “never loved him”.  Clearly she’s not telling the truth, but the fact remains, she did say it.  But, when Gatsby approches Daisy, she’s quick to push him away.  Clearly, Daisy is a torn woman. 

  It seems as if I was wrong about Gatsby. After reading chapter six, it’s clear that Gatsby is as innocent as the rest of the class predicted.  Lingering questions the class had were answered and it’s fair to say that he’s an overall good person.  Aside from his hardworking past, it’s interesting that he was not always weathy.  I also found it interesting how Fitzgerald explained how Gatsby grew a strong amount of affection for wealth. 

  The party at Gatsby’s house…akward?  I don’t know what’s going on with Tom.  It seems like he has a strong hatred towards Gatsby, but never really confronts him.  He’s almost waiting to catch he and Daisy in order to confront them about their love for each other.  What was even more akward in this chapter was that when Nick walked into Gatsby’s house, Tom was there!  What’s he doing?  Does Gatsby know that Tom knows?  Does Tom know that his wife and Gatsby are inlove?

 Also, towards the end of the chapter, it’s clear that Gatsby is intimidated by Tom but does not let that get in the way of his love towards Daisy.  Ultimately, he has devoted his life to pleasing her, and would rather see her happy than anything else in the world.  What next?

  Throughout reading chapter five, I continued to reflect on our class discussion this Friday.  I feel as if my personal thoughts of Gatsby differ greatly from the rest of the class.  While most of our class expressed positive thoughts about Gatsy, there’s something about him that is a little unusual.  As James and I said in class, there has to be something beneath his greatness.  I feel that in the reading, I seek to find more clues to demonstrate his sketchiness/sneakiness.  Yes, Gatsby is meeting the love of his life in this chapter, and has a good reason to be nervous, but it seems as if he’s very uncomfortable with himself.  He is portrayed as such a great man, and it’s almost as if he’s afraid to let Nick down. 

“What day would suit you?”

“What day would suit you?” he corrected me quickly. 

It seems that he puts himself second, and is very concerned about the wellfare of others.  Why is he so concerned about other people around him?  Is there a reason/ force that is forcing him to be so generous?  Does he feel that he owes society something?  What about his past made him feel so responsible for the happiness of others?  I’m very suspicious, and I feel that he has an alterior motive when exhibiting his generosity. 

http://www.maginationpress.com/4419176.html

   Nick is a very close observer.  He doesn’t let a lot pass his eyes and takes notice of a lot.  During the party, he notices that Gatsby isn’t drinking.  What does this represent?  It’s as if Nick is looking up to Gatsby in one way or another.  It also seems that Nick idolizes the relationship of Tom and Daisy.  He listens to, and respects their advice and then begins to date Jordan.  Like the other women included in the story so far, Jordan is described as dishonest.  However, Nick pushes that aside and takes the risks of being with her.   It seems that in the novel, women represent evil and dishonesty.  Interesting.  In my point of view, this has changed within society.  Personally, I see more instances in which a man is dishonest than a woman.  “Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply-”58.  This quote can be debated/ analyzed endlessly.

    What stuck out most about this chapter was the drinking insident.  It seems that the more I think about our essay topic while I read, the more I notice. This novel is clearly more related to the American character than Moby-Dick and I find it interesting that throughout history, the stereotype of rich people remains unchanged.  We meet Wilson in this chapter that represents the average rich man.  He’s described as handsome yet unemotional.  Then his wife becomes a part of the story.  Once again we see a generalization.  It is clear that Wilson’s wife is unloyal to him and is perhaps using him for his money.  ” Wilson? He thinks she goes to see her sister in New York.  He’s so dumb he doesn’t know he’s alive.” 26  It’s cleat  that the American relationship is portrayed as dishonest and unable to last.   Through the remainder of the chapter, the character actions and interactions make it clear that perhaps these people have very little appreciation. 

   The intro to The Great Gatsby has already gotten me excited.  It has no relation to Moby-Dick, and of this I’m happy.  It seems to be a normal story, and easy, enjoyable read.  I see Nick as an average young man, aside from the fact that he seems a little concieted.  However, the constant referances to the area in which he lives seems to be a little much.  The difference between East Egg and West Egg is a little confuesing to me, but it seems as if the characters in the wrong place.  He separates himself from his town and is talking more about what surrounds him then his life himself.  Perhaps he’s a little materialistic?  Is it too soon to jump to conclusions? I believe so.  The introductary quotes struck me.  “Then wear the gold hat, it that will move her; If you can bounce high, bounce high for her too, Till she cry “Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover, I must have you!”- Thomas Parke D’Invilliers.  Obviously this quote is significant.  As I read the chapter, it became clear that Nick is going to fight for something.  Whether a woman or acceptance of some kind, he’s most likely going to become someone he’s not.  Or maybe he’s someone he’s not…and is going to find his true self?  We shall see.   Because I did not know much about West or East Egg Long Island, I decided to look up some information about the area.  Early in my search, I realized it was a made up area..

http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=61181

http://www.enotes.com/great-gatsby/west-egg-long-island