To receive full credit, you must include textual support AND:
1. share your best insight from this chapter
2. answer two questions from the phishbowl, connecting your thinking to others' ideas AND the text. You may also address other outer circle members' ideas on the blog.
Happy Blogging!
Please note: you should refresh the page every few minutes to see what others are adding.
69 comments:
What do you make of how much work Gatsby put into making his and Daisy's meeting appear accidental? Especially when he's showing her around his house "under orders to be breathlessly silent" (91).
On page 92 Daisy cries into the shirts saying "They're such beautiful shirts, It makes me sad because I've never seen such-such beautiful shirts before". Why do you think Daisy reacts like this considering that she has of course seen the expensive shirts of tom before?
To answer Leah's question from page 84, Gatsby is about to be reunited with the love of his life, who happened to marry another man. I think he is distracted because he is overwhelmed with anxiety for what is about to happen, and he is trying to hold it all together.
It's very interesting to think about the differences between the relationships between the two couples, both Tom and Myrtle and Daisy and Gatsby. Tom and Myrtle are very bitter and rude when they are with each other. They are both driven by materialism and the physical things in there life. One can see with Gatsby and Daisy how they are more modest with each other and it seems that their feelings overcome their lives. They have a comfort with each other that Tom doesn't have with either Daisy or Myrtle.
I think that Daisy and Gatsby will pursue a relationship, since Tom has contently cheated on her and she seems to like him.
Nick suggests at one point that "..perhaps my [Nick's] presence made them feel more satisfactorily alone." This singular line immediately jumped out at me, because it shows how Nick is slowly becoming part of something bigger than himself. It shows that at the same time, both of them trust Nick in the deepest way (concealing an affair). Do any of y'all think that this will hurt Nick's friendship with Tom or any other people in the story because of his role as unofficial third-wheel/keeper of the secret?
One thing that stood out to me in the chapter was Gatsby showing Daisy all his shirts. "While we admired he brought more and the soft rich heap mounted higher-shirts with stripes and scrolls and plaids"(Fitzgerald 92). I think it really stood out because it seemed kind of ridiculous that Daisy started sobbing over how beautiful the clothes were. I wondered if Gatsby showed them to her because he felt a special connection to clothes, because being able to have this many showed how successful he was and that hard work paid off.
Is Gatsby lying to create a better image for himself?
I believe that Gatsby is not the man that he leads people to believe. The multitude of backstories that people have about him do give Gatsby an element of mystery, but also leave readers with more questions than answers. Gatsby himself has seemed to struggled when answering questions about his past. The only parts of Gatsby that readers can confirm to be true is that Gatsby loves Daisy but this could mean that Gatsby is putting a mask over his life to impress her.
I think my best insight was how Daisy addressed Gatsby at the beginning when they met. Fitzgerald wrote "followed by Daisy's voice on a clear artificial note:'I certainly am awfully glad to see you again'"(Fitzgerald 86) I found it really interesting how contrasting the words "awfully glad" are and how they're relationship seems so forced at the beginning. It also says a lot about Daisy's character and how she still felt the need to be civil even though it felt "artificial".
"...he turned toward her with a rush of emotion. I think that voice held him most, with its fluctuating, feverish warmth, because it couldn't be over-dreamed-that voice was a deathless song" (page 96). Gatsby had this idealized and perfect image of Daisy, which is still reflecting in the way he perceives her. The phrase 'a deathless song' proves the fact that Gatsby cannot see Daisy doing any wrong. While he sees this perfect and gentle version of Daisy, in this moment he is not able to see the flaws in her and their relationship. She is married, and often puts on a face in front of others. He is unable to see her flaws, which at this moment seems to strengthen their relationship. However, I think this will eventually fade, and show Gatsby the flaws in her and make him turn away in disappointment.
Do you think that Daisy is more interested in Gatsby because of his wealth or genuinely for who he is? and do you think it's the same and true for Gatsby, but in the way he's no wooed by money, but wooed by looks instead?
Gatsby's illusion definitely outdoes reality, or reality falls short of his illusion. It seems as though he's really romanticized his future dream, and he's held onto that for so long that when it comes true- I don't think he has really separated the lines between reality and illusion yet. He's still living as the guy who FIRST fell in love with Daisy and it hasn't occured to him that while he might still be that guy, Daisy is not. On 96, "No amount of fire or freshness can challenge what a man will store up in his ghostly heart." The use of the word "ghostly" is really important, I think, because Gatpsy is a ghost of sorts; his "heart" and what lives in it was dead, and I guess it can be thought of revived now (his and Daisy's love), but it't not oging to be the same before. A ghost stays a ghost because it can not grow as something present and alive would.
Response to first question (Sarah):
In this book, illusions seem to cover up the reality of who different people are. With Gatsby, we are first lead to believe that he is some mysterious, high-importance gentleman. However, as Nick begins to spend more time with Gatsby, he begins to come across less as a grandiose figure and begins to act more human; he shows that he struggles with the same problems that common people struggle with: "Gatsby, pale as death, with his hands plunged like weights in his coat pockets, was standing in a puddle of water glaring tragically into my eyes" (Fitzgerald 86). Fitzgerald is exposing the strain and suffering that Gatsby feels concerning his relationship with Daisy. The fact that Gatsby appears "pale as death" suggests that he is not impervious to pain and suffering.
I think that it was all just paranoia that we have seen in Gatsby before this moment with all the mention of his nervous tics in the chapters previous to this one. I think he was just worried that either Daisy wouldn't be the same as he was when they first fell in love or that she would not want the same things that he wanted. However, she was already coming over and there was nowhere else to go but put for him, so that what he did.
In the Great Gatsby, weather and seasons play an important role symbolizing some of the mood in the book. Gatsby is extremely anxious waiting for Daisy to come. "One of the papers said that they thought the rain would stop about four"(84). Rain is mentioned several more times throughout this chapter while Gatsby is struggling to communicate well to Daisy. It was spring when Nick first arrived. And then, later on, Nick says "I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer" (6). Weather and seasons play an important role in this book, I think that it tends to foreshadow a lot which leads me to believe that as fall and winter start to come, possibly, life will present more challenges for each character.
(note: this does not relate to any previous discussion)
One interaction I thought was really interesting in this chapter was the one between Gatsby and Nick on pages 87-88:"'You're just embarrassed, that's all," and luckily I added: 'Daisy's embarrassed too.' 'She's embarrassed?' he repeated incredulously. 'Just as much as you are.' 'Don't talk so loud.' 'You're acting like a little boy.'". It was interesting reading it because Nick straight up calls out Gatsby on his ridiculousness, instead of mimicking the passive permissiveness people tend to display around him. Gatsby is often treated more like a figurehead or an idol than a person, and so this part of the chapter is very humanizing-- associating him directly with an emotion, revealing what unsettles him, and putting him, for once, not in a position of power. Up until now we've only seen Gatsby at his house, throwing his own parties, surrounded by his acquaintances, showing off his wealth. Now he's in Nick's space with Daisy, and it's interesting to see him so off-balance.
Connecting to the inner circle's first question. The idea of expectation versus reality is present. We talked about how creating a false image of people through illusions becomes real to them. In this case, Gatsby had 5 years to create an illusion of how everything will go about. What she will say, how she will act, but when he saw Daisy that whole illusion or almost world, crumbled. Reality took his illusion away, it's not what he expected or planned. On page 87, Gatsby says, "'This is a terrible mistake,' he said, shaking his head from side to side, 'a terrible, terrible mistake,'". Gatsby freaking out that things aren't going as he imaged connects to yesterday's idea of Gatsby being like a clock and how he is always on a schedule. He is ticking out of time, especially with Daisy, and he panics and becomes very paranoid with that thought.
Related to this, what is the significance behind the phrase "breathlessly silent"? The first thing that comes to my mind is holding one's breath, which can be associated with fear. In Gatsby afraid to pursue a relationship with Daisy?
I think that she does this out a politeness, also to get on Gatsby's good side. Also since Tom is a Hemingway he might not have as fine of shirts instead opting to have more casual/sports wear (Bottom page 6).
I don't think she is necessarily talking about the shirts. I think she is remembering her time with Gatsby and how much she loved it, and then realized that she is with Tom and Gatsby can be no more. I think it is more of a mental breakdown of her realizing all that has come to past
My best insight from this chapter is that Gatsby seems to become even more suspicious than he already was. When he is talking about his house he mentions that it took him only three years to save up the money for it. When Nick points out that Gatsby had earlier told him that he inherited all of his money, Gatsby seems to get very defensive, "When I asked him what business he was in he answered, 'That’s my affair,' before he realized that it wasn’t the appropriate reply...He looked at me with more attention. 'Do you mean you’ve been thinking over what I proposed the other night?'" Clearly Gatsby is stretching the truth because he has trouble answering simple questions about himself, and then starts questioning Nick to bring change the topic. This chain of events further adds to Gatsby's suspicious personality.
Response to Leah's Question:
Its clear in the book that Daisy will pursue some sort of relationship with Gatsby. When she visits him at Nick's tea party, she gradually grows more enamored with Gatsby, and at the end the chapter they physically become closer: "His hand took hold of hers, and as she said something low in his ear he turned toward her with a rush of emotion" (Fitzgerald 96). This physical contact combined with Nick's observations of both Gatsby and Daisy's actions towards each other is a sure sign that they will pursue some sort of relationship.
I meant to add this to my response before:
"He looked at me sideways- and I knew why Jordan Baker had believed he was lying. He hurried the phrase "educated at Oxford," or swallowed it, or choked on it, as though it had bothered him before."
Response to the weather question.
The rain outside is a juxtaposition to the warm, dry interior where Daisy and Gatsby are. The weather keeps them cooped up inside for a while, which gives them time to know each other. Plus it says that he is glowing when the sun comes out. Not "happy," not "ecstatic," but "glowing," in the warm sun. I think that is important because it shows that Fitzgerald was deliberately using the weather to symbolize their conversation and meeting.
^^quote on page 90.
My Best Insight: on page 84, Gatsby's tone changes when he is nervous, and Nick notes "and he added hollowly, "Old Sport". This change of tone makes Gatsby seem real, but he still has a strong filter and takes care to stay consistent with Nick, who he constantly addresses as "Old Sport".
A Question: Why does Gatsby call Nick "Old Sport"? What does it say about their relationship?
For Leah's question about how Fitzgerald has lived his life, I feel like he is always thinking ahead and not thinking about the present which then leads to him living a demeaning life. I think that ties in with something Daisy said about Gatsby's house as well: "I love it, but I don't see how you live there all alone" (Fitzgerald 90). This stuck out to me because it shows that Gatsby was so caught up in his lavish wealth and the need to flaunt it, he didn't think about the fact that he doesn't have anyone to share all that with.
Katie made a comment yesterday comparing Gatsby to a clock. By this chapter, I think time is definitely a motif, so on pg. 86, Gatsby, "...leaned back so far that it rested against the face of a defunct mantelpiece clock...clock took this moment to tilt dangerously at the pressure of his head..." We know Gatsby to be a man who's waiting for time to catch up with him, the way he's been planning his parties and his house for Daisy, or as a guy who'se obsessed with his past. And it also seems he's lied about his past. Does this passage indicate that perhaps Gatsby is challenging time? How may struggling with the passage of time cause problems on a personal level?
Also, in the Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, the narrator is not at peace with what's come of time. Do you think Gatby could turn out the same if he doesn't learn how to move on from the past version of Daisy? Do you think he is wasting his life and energy and potential for new relationships on his obsession?
Is Gatsby lying to make himself look better?
I believe that Gatsby is lying, if not completely maybe just a little bit, but I don't think it is to make himself look better. I think he is lying so maybe he doesn't have to think about the pain of his past. Even when he talks about his dead friend he doesn't say much and when Daisy is talking about his yacht he changes the subject as if he was hiding something. "'The pompadour! You never told me you had a pompadour-or a yacht.' 'Look at this,' said Gatsby quickly."(Fitzgerald 9). So maybe he uses his incomplete truths to hide how he really feels, he might not be very good at talking, and wishes to glaze over the truly painful parts of his past.
Like Sarah said, Daisy is likely realizing that the relationship is temporary. I also think that because of Daisy's character, and the persona she takes over when she's around Tom, she is unable to experience and express true and raw emotion. She clearly has little to no positive feelings for Tom, but meeting Gatsby again is something that allows her to release all of that tension and emotion, without pretending to be somebody else.
I think here it's important to note the contrast between 'beautiful' and expensive. Gatsby himself seems to lend an ethereal beauty to the things that surround him- he is glamour, he is youth, he is wealth, he is vibrance. Gatsby inhabits his money, sure, but it does not define him; for him, money is more of a tool than a trophy. Tom, on the other hand, while he might have nice material possessions, is a lot more hollow. Gatsby chooses things for their beauty, Tom chooses things for his status.
In review: Daisy probably has seen prettier shirts before. But the fact that she sees them around Gatsby reinvents them for her. And the contrast between Tom and Gatsby, even in their clothing, I think also represents the way the approach Daisy. Gatsby sees her as something beautiful, glorious, and desirable for that, Tom sees her as the symbol of a wealthy life, a demure wife, and good social standing. Given that, it's unsurprising that she seems so enamored of Gatsby even now.
To answer one of Leah's questions, I think that Gatsby lies not to make himself look good necessarily, but more for him to ignore is past. There must be something that he does not wish to tell Nick or anyone else, and because of this he tries to cover up and create a kind of "new start" with Nick. As a result of this I think he has persuaded himself that his lies are true, which is why he had such a struggle revealing his past to Nick.
I think that Gatsby was hoping for everything to come off perfectly. He wanted the moment to reflect perfection and glamour. Enamored by Daisy he wanted to impress her. "He hadn't once ceased looking at Daisy, and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes." (91)
On page 96, it says, "They had forgotten me, but Daisy glanced up and held her hand; Gatsby didn't know me now at all." They have a connection. From the backstory talking about the way Gatsby looked at Daisy, it seemed like they were in love, and here again we see it. They have rekindled a relationship that has nothing to do with wealth. I think that Gatsby obviously thinks she's beautiful, but I think he also sees her for her and that's why he is so surprised by how much she has changed, because it isn't just about looks.
I agree that this interaction serves to humanize Gatsby. He loses his atmosphere of wealth, power, and mystery, and becomes a common man, struggling with his feelings over a girl. Its an important idea for Fitzgerald to bring out, since he is writing the reality of how people of his class are still human, and still deal with the same problems as the rest of us. This could be Fitzgerald's way of reaching out to the common people, as if to say when you strip away the money, we're not any different from the rest of you.
I think that chapter 5 is very important in looking at the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy. “He hadn't once ceased looking at Daisy, and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes.”(91). This part is very important because there is it shows just how in-love Gatsby is with Daisy. He is willing to revalue things that are very important to him even just by how adoringly she looks at it. While she began to cry because of the beauty she saw while looking at the shirts in his closet. By admiring, through the way he speaks to Daisy readers see another side of Gatsby. Being with Daisy makes him vulnerable which is a side readers don't see of him in the begening of the book.
(In response To Leah's second question)
I think that Gatsby is most definitely preoccupied. In my comment, I talked about how weather and seasons show us the mood of the book for the characters at the time. And when I think about how it's raining while I'm driving my car, sometimes the windows fog up. I think that Gatsby's mind is fogging up too. He is distracted and fearful about how he might mess this up with Daisy. But the rain stops when Daisy and Gatsby start losing the awkwardness of the moment. In a way, yes I'd say that this reflected Fitzgerald also. Although this is interesting because in Modernism, I think more of how they lived in the moment not caring about how their actions right then and there would then later affect things happening in the future. But, maybe this is some of what makes Gatsby so mysterious to others. He actually takes time to analyze life and even focused on Daisy for so long. It says on the back of the book that he had "murky business interests and a shadowy past"(cover?). But Fitzgerald had a lot of thinking going on also as he wrote a lot reflecting who he too was as a person.
Why do you think that Gatsby keeps asking Nick for favors or to do something for him? How do you think that will affect their relationship going forward into the book?
One other thing I noticed, is how quickly Gatsby is to change the conversation whenever anybody brings up how he makes his money. That is why I am inclined to believe that he is either a bootlegger or a gangster or criminal. He specifically mentioned a "small town," then said something like "if he thinks Detroit is a small town" ect. Detroit was notorious for bootlegging in the pre-depression era, and famous crime-lords like Al Capone made their name their. But they did nearly all the production in small towns and farmer's fields. That looks to me like more evidence that Gatsby is not at all who he says he is.
I think that in some ways the mansion does embody Gatsby. "'I love it but I don't see how you live there all alone." "I keep it always full of interesting people, night and day..." This seems to suggest that Gatsby wants to appear to be surrounded by people but in reality he is quite alone. He may throw elaborate parties but it doesn't seem as if Gatsby has any real friends. Gatsby's sole obsession with reuniting with Daisy have caused him to alienate himself from those he comes in contact with.
If he is some sort of criminal, I wonder if part of the reason Gatsby seems to struggle with his relationship with Daisy is that he worries he would turn her away if she knew who he really was.
What do Gatsby's actions tell us about him? And what more do we learn about Nick?
I feel in the quote specifically used in the question, “‘You’re acting like a little boy,’ I broke out impatiently. ‘Not only that, but you’re rude. Daisy’s sitting in there all alone.’ He raised his hand to stop my words, looked at me with unforgettable reproach, and opening the door cautiously, went back into the other room” (88). The reader can see that Gatsby is truly insecure, even though he does his best to hide those feelings. He tries to avoid being in the room alone with her, because the whole day has gone awkward and he isn't yet sure about how Daisy feels. It seems he isn't the best at emotions and isn't quite ready to face what could end up being defeat after years of trying to get Daisy back. While the chapter shows us how much Nick truly cares for Daisy. He knows how hard her marriage has been and doesn't want her to get hurt because of Gatsby's actions. He seems to think that Daisy likes Gatsby and doesn't want her to get her hopes up only for Gatsby to crush them.
I agree that Gatsby is wasting time on Daisy. It's almost as if he's trying to force himself back into the past, which is something he has idealized for some time. He continues his parties, essentially repeating time, trying to fulfill his ideal image of being with Daisy. However, when he finally does meet her again, it's not during a party. This could also represent how Gatsby fails to relive the past, where he is desperately trying to get back to.
The word ghostly is really important to this passage because it signifies that Daisy and Gatsby's relationship has passed, or is dead. It was mentioned in the discussion how real and yet unsettling Daisy and Gatsby are when around each other, how they are "taking off their masks". Paired with Fitz-Gerald word choice, I can infer that Gatsby is trying to resurrect a dead relationship. Can this be even a remotely good idea?
It's interesting to note with this, though, how new Daisy and Gatsby's relationship is.
"...I saw that the expression of bewilderment had come back into Gatsby's face, as though a faint doubt had occurred to him as to the quality of his present happiness." (95)
Although Daisy and Gatsby are certainly presented here as very idealized, their relationship is also very much in its infancy; Gatsby's tenacious, obsessive devotion and Daisy's relief and wonder. Their relationship is young, and they seem young through it. This is important because that doesn't necessarily lend an air of permanence to their situation; at this point, everything they have still seems very fragile. As for comfort, it should be noted that Gatsby and Daisy are both described as "embarrassed" (87), and that Daisy seems overwhelmed and Gatsby tumultuous and paranoid. Does it feel like their relationship could grow and flourish into stability? Yes. But it's not there yet; they are very much in an almost 'honeymoon' mode, whereas Tom, Myrtle, and Daisy have had years to learn and grow to resent each other.
Answering Leah's question: On page 83 (my book) Nick is talking to Daisy on the phone about the meeting she is about to have, “‘Don’t bring Tom.’ I warned her. ‘What?’ ‘Don’t bring Tom.’ ‘Who is ‘Tom?’’ She asked innocently” (83). Do you think that Daisy knows what’s happening and that this situation will turn into one like Tom and Mrs. Wilson’s? Will Daisy pursue a relationship with Gatsby and try to hide it from Tom?
I think that Daisy has some idea of what is happening and I do think that this situation will turn into something similar to that of Tom and Myrtle. It is very apparent that Tom and Daisy's marriage is not very strong, so I don't think it would be unrealistic for Daisy to pursue a relationship with Gatsby. At the end of chapter 5 on page 96, Nick leaves Daisy and Gatsby, "They had forgotten me, but Daisy glanced up and held out her hand; Gatsby didn’t know me now at all. I looked once more at them and they looked back at me, remotely, possessed by intense life." The language here foreshadows that Daisy and Gatsby will have a relationship again, as they seemed to be "possessed" by each other. This connects to Danielle's point earlier about how their physical contact also shows that they will pursue a relationship.
Question for the Blog:
On page 90, Gatsby states this about his house: "I keep it always full of interesting people, night and day. People who do interesting things. Celebrated people." However, in the party scenes we've read through, Gatsby seems to isolate himself from nearly everyone at the party. Why would Gatsby invite all these high profile people to his house, only to shut himself out from them?
What is the significance of the weather in the chapter?
I think the characters are connected to the weather throughout, but I see it the most with Gatsby and Daisy's relationship, not purely Daisy or Gatsby like Tiana said. On page 89, Nick says "Daisy's face was smeared with tears, and when I came in she jumped up" which he immediately juxtaposes with Gastby, who "Literally Glowed; without a word or gesture of exultation"- shorty after that, the rain stops, and whatever words were exchanged between Daisy and Gatsby seem to have brought them closure, similar to the passing of a storm.
I think that Daisy really likes Gatsby for who he is. When they first met, it was their connection that drew them closer. However, when she was touring his house, "she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. "it makes me sad because I've never seen such-such beutiful shirts before."' (92). While the money and clothes are a nice additive, it isn't her main concern.
With Lexi's question about the weather, I also talked about this in my annotations and how the rain was pouring down during their icy meeting but then stopped later. At the start their personalities clashed; but then their relationship develops and it seems as though they are almost in love. Additionally the skies and rain seemed like a motif in this chapter as: "The rain was still falling, but the darkness had parted in the west, and there was a pink and golden billow of foamy clouds above the sea"(Fitzgerald 94). This, I believe, wholeheartedly represented the change in their relationship and how although it is all still different and strange, so the rain still falls; there a deeper love blossoming and painting the skies with a deep untouched love and gratitude.
One of the most important interactions that I noticed in the chapter cam during Gatsby's decorations of Nick's house. The multitude of flowers and food, the mowing of Nick's lawn, and the nice clothing that Gatsby wears all seem to be his attempt to express his feelings of Daisy. However Gatsby struggles to verbally express that because of his fear of losing her. "'You're acting like a little boy," I broke out impatiently. "Not only that, but you're rude. Daisy's sitting in there all alone.'" To Gatsby, Daisy is his most valuable possession and he is terrified of anything happening that might cause her to leave him again.
Answering Leah's question, I think that Gatsby is a man with good intentions, but will lie in order to get there. With that, I think that Nick could possibly be pushed in the way he is now. We see Nick slowly adjusting to the this lifestyle he has never had before. He goes to parties, hanging out with wealthier people, and just overall in his writing, you see him more comfortable in it all. While he is adjusting and taking some of what he's learned from this lifestyle, I don't think Nick will be affected by this. On page 82, Gatsby and Nick have a conversation, and Gatsby says, "'Why, I thought--why, look here, old sport, you don't make much money, do you?' 'Not very much.'..'Well, this would interest you. It wouldn't take up much of your time and you might pick up a nice bit of money.'...'I've got my hands full,' I said." Gatsby tries to ask another favor of Nick, but Nick declines, and when Gatsby tries more, Nick stands his ground, proving he is not at moldable as he may appear.
I think that Gatsby does this more for his reputation than for his actual self. This is a repeated idea in the text, that Gatsby seems to have a very complex reputation.
To Lexi's Question: I think Nick is the moral compass that pushes the book along, and allows the reader to perceive events as more of what they are and not as what one person makes them out to be. His witnesses events, like Tom's affair, and now Daisy and Gatsby's reunion. And despite organizing it- by someone else's will- he seems to be in the background of it all. He is honest, remains that way, and he doesn't exactly support or refutes the events happening. Therefore, I think this says that he is a stable , persistence character with a good sense of what HE should do, despite what others do too.
When Gatsby and Daisy first encountered each other after nearly 5 years, how come all of a sudden, they are acting like kids, kind of relating to how Tom and Daisy's relationship is?
On page 94 Gatsby demands that Mr. Klipspringer to play the piano even though he insists that he is rusty and can not play. Why do you think Gatsby was so determined that he play? Is there any significance or was Gatsby just trying to escape from an awkward silence and listen to music?
(to answer Leah's third question)
I think that this goes back to one of our focus questions. What is the relationship between one's past, one's hopes, and one's future? I think that a lot of what Gatsby hopes for (something with Daisy?), then also about his past though, interfere a lot with each other. So then he feels the need to lie possibly about his past. Which makes me personally as the reader curious to know what he's trying to cover up and why. I view Nick as a smaller figure on a social stance compared to Gatsby. However, Nick is already calling Gatsby out without any fear of being rejected from someone higher up as himself. "You're acting like a little boy," I broke out impatiently"(87). I googled how old each character was, and it said that Jay was about a year older than Nick. But Nick is saying that Jay is acting like a young boy here despite him being slightly older than Nick. He definitely is "more ahead' of Nick in life. And so I think that Nick will have an equal amount on Gatsby that Gatsby will have on Nick. Nick is already drinking more some of which is in relation to Gatsby. But I think that Nick will also impact Gatsby.
To answer Sarah's illusion question
I think that the light resembled a feeling of hope for Gatsby that Daisy was right across the water and that she could maybe come visit and be with him again. Now that she is with him again the light is still hopeful but more resolved
Will Daisy pursue a relationship with Gatsby and try to hide it from Tom?
I am pretty certain that Daisy will pursue a relationship with Gatsby. The way that they speak and interact with each other is one which shows that they are going to want to pursue a relationship. While spending time with Daisy Gatsby is described as, "But there was a change in Gatsby that was simply confounding. He literally glowed"(89). This quote shows just how emotional and venerable that Gatsby could be. We don't see this kind of relationship between Tom and Daisy, in really any aspect. Daisy doesn't seem to worry that much about Tom finding out nor would I think that Tom would care, therefor there is no reason to keep the secret.
To answer the question about The prehistoric Marshes. Personally, I think that it is just kind of imagery and Hyperbole. I believe he is just talking about large puddles and mud patches. I think "prehistoric swamps" Is supposed to draw the reader into the setting and promote the image of a mossy, muddy, mire of a lawn.
My best insight from the Chapter is that Gatsby and Daisy are isolated in their ability to have a true relationship with one another. Even though Daisy is already in a baseless relationship with Tom, this chapter shows that she is capable of holding genuine feelings for Gatsby, and he holds the same feelings for her. Compared to every other insubstantial relationship we've seen in this book, Gatsby and Daisy's relationship contests the atmosphere of chaos: "Every vestige of embarrassment was gone... Gatsby... literally glowed; without a word or a gesture of exultation a new well-being radiated from him and filled the little room" (Fitzgerald 89). When he reconnects with Daisy, Gatsby discovers a "new well-being" in himself, relieving him of the pain and suffering he has endured since he lost connection with her.
My best insight from this chapter is how much Gatsby changes. At first he is a nervous wreck because of the meeting with Daisy, and he seems lost in his own thoughts. In the beginning of their meeting, Gatsby leaves, and Nick calls him out for it. This is not the Gatsby we have seen in previous chapters. As the chapter continues, Gatsby lightens up after being around Daisy. It seems like Daisy is a source of comfort for Gatsby and her presence calms him. We have seen Gatsby dwelling over the past a lot, but when he is with Daisy, he seems to live in the moment more.
I think it is interesting how on 92 when Gatsby opens the cabinets with his suits, Fitzgerald uses the word "hulking" to describe the cabinets. This is also exactly the same word that in chapter one Daisy used to describe Tom.
How does the mansion change at the absence of the party?
I think it is interesting here how Gatsby's bedroom on 91 is "the simplest room of all" humanizing Gatsby immensely, and showing more about the inner workings of him. If we use the Romantic Era train of thought, Gatsby's upper rooms connect to his mind (upper on the body) and show how he really doesn't need the amounts of power and wealth he has- the only luxury he has is a gold dresser- wealth seems to constantly be on Gatsby's mind, but it is not all of him- the simplicity of the room could hint at Gatsby's isolation, a literal illustration of how Gatsby's wealth has isolated him. The mansion feels more empty without guests, and further serves to isolate Gatsby.
It's interesting to me that you describe Gatsby's personality as 'suspicious.' Is he hiding something? Yes, probably. But he doesn't seem to contain any malevolence. Rather, there's almost a sense of restless melancholy about him; he keeps on trying to get places or do things, but never really seems to get there. Money, here, feels like a very touchy subject for Gatsby-- which is odd, if we take as truth his statement of inheriting it. If he didn't, though- and, as you brought up in your quotes, it sounds very much like that may be the case, then it's possible he either lies about it to fit in (a tie in here, then, to the comments about his self consciousness from yesterday) or to present some sort of more glamourous facade about himself; either to inspire respect, or to better fit into the mold of who he wants himself to be. He does seem very uncomfortable with himself, or at least how he present himself. Up until this chapter, he's seemed very much like an image, not entirely human (like his mythicness in chapter 1.) That's starkly contrasted on the last page of this chapter with the, "and they looked back at me, remotely, possessed by intense life." Because we're now seeing Gatsby come into who he actually is more, and embrace the possibility of genuine happiness, we might get to see more about how he actually is.
- THE PICTURE- with Gatsby he is dressed in white and his tie is yellow just like a daisy yet the undershirt is grey and dull. a symbolism of her and himself.
- "It had seemed as close as a star to the moon. Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one." Now that daisy is here the effect of the light loses its significance. blinded by the allusion of love because she and him think its a star and nick only sees a light. AKA a symbolism of their love?
- How do we feel about about Nicks morals and Gatsby's Lies. do you think Gatsby will rub off on nick? - I think nick will break out. they share the same traits but they will bring out their true nature but nick will not be changed. There will be bumps in the road.
- The house symbolizes gatsby. (alive and awake. flourishing with the life of the party. yet once daisy is inside it is ghostly, haunting.
- "you are acting like a little boy. "- bigger person yet he is compares as a silly child. like the idea yesterday. they all are children and only have themselves. Lost generation.
- a new well being, brings out the badness, flaws , more easily. "so easy to hate these characters and its intentional.everything bad is brought out.
- lots of mention of lavender. delicate and most precious flowers holding refined grace. alone they are refined grace. yet together they are frail and delicate.
- clothes are a huge roll to explain personality.
- CLOCKS almost breaks a clock. pretended the clock was broken (95) they want time to stop. to not worry at all. to stay in this moment.(overwhelmed clock) etc. past propper limit. back to my clock idea yesterday.
(88) prehistoric marshes. - what do you think this means. ot be determined.
- katie hill.
In response to Lexi's last question:
Using the same quote used in the question on page 88, “‘You’re acting like a little boy,’ I broke out impatiently. ‘Not only that, but you’re rude. Daisy’s sitting in there all alone.’ He raised his hand to stop my words, looked at me with unforgettable reproach, and opening the door cautiously, went back into the other room,” we learn more about both Nick and Gatsby. Nick, who in the past has always been a very sincere character, shows more of his aggressive side here by almost yelling at Gatsby. He seems to gain power for a split second, but then it is crushed by Gatsby. So, maybe Nick will start to become a more powerful character.
We know that Nick’s morals don’t really go along with how Gatsby views life but will Gatsby’s nature eventually rub off on Nick because everyone else around him is self centered and always trying to make themself look better?
I think that it is very difficult to keep one's morals when there are so many people who aren't doing so around you. I think that Nick will give in to the peer pressure from those constantly surrounding him, which is not good in the eyes of the readers. But I also believe that he will end up noticing and disliking the changes he made and revert back to his old self.
Post a Comment