Blog 7: Foreshadowing

    In chapter 4 of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, readers get a brief look into Jordan Baker and Daisy Fay's teenage years. Not only within these next few pages is there foreshadowing, but also irony and shock. We learn of Jordan's relationship with Daisy: one where sixteen year old Jordan looks up to older beautiful Daisy, who seemingly is the coolest young woman around. Mr. Jay Gatsby is introduced as Daisy's first love. Ironic that Gatsby, who readers have been following the entire novel, and Daisy too, knew each other and actually had a relationship in their younger years. " 'His name was Jay Gatsby, and I didnt lay eyes on him again for over four years--even after I'd met him on Long Island I didn't realze it was the same man,' "(Fitzgerald,75). Thus far, it has been assumed that the two were not connected at all with each other. And Jordan Baker happens to be longtime acquaintances with Daisy, who was with Gatsby, and now Nick is told of the inter affiliation of them all. I was shocked! It really is a small world after all. So thats what Jordan Baker and Gatsby discussed at the party: Jordan's connection to Daisy, who knew Nick, who could set Gatsby and Daisy hooked up again. Nick truly is the center of it all, the middle man. This meeting foreshadows the eventual reunion of Gatsby and Daisy over tea, just as the story of their childhood and love foreshadows their future possible rekindling of that love.

Blog 6: Comparing a specific line to personal experience

    At the conclusion of chapter 3 of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a line is drawn separating Nick from Jordan. This difference is that Jordan is a dishonest woman, while Nick, is a admirable and truthful man. I think this is what actually attracts the two to the other. The fact that Nick justifies Jordan's lying and loves her nonetheless, and Jordan looks to Nick to save her from her own careless ways. And, in the last sentence of the chapter, Nick points out this quality in himself. "Every one suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known," (Fitzgerald,59). I can relate to the character of Nick and his truthfulness. Not to put myself on a pedastool or to brag of myself, but I never suspect anyone is lying to me. I will admit to screwing up at many things and to having some not so great qualities about myself that I try to work on, but lying is something I never think of doing. I guess I just have this ultimate trust in people from the get go and expect the same in return. No matter how much I know the person, I am always truthful and expect no less. This, however, has led to others taking advantage of my trust, and sometimes, I have end up disappointed and hurt. However, I was interested in this similiarity between Nick and I, and have an even deeper regard and respect for him.

Blog 5: Character Analysis

In chapter 5 of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nick attends his first party at his neighbor's. Upon meeting his host, and being oblivious to this fact, the two are formally acquainted. This is the first time in the novel Gatsby is really introduced to the reader as more than just the interesting individual next door. Gatsby, who, to me, has already come across as a charming individual, furthers this assertion in my eyes by a quote which conveys him as understanding too. In regards to Gatsby's smile: " It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey," (Fitzgerald,48). I find this admirable because I don't think I myself have ever found someone with the ability to do all this by just a simple smile. Gatsby seems to be a deep and wise man, which not many people can see into and understand the depths of his soul and knowledge. And, although, many accusations have been spread that he killed a man, I am too fascinated with his character to be turned away be any of them. Aside from this point, I would guess him to be a colored man. My reasoning for this assumption is that I think the book depicts him as a man of success at a time when little  respect is given to minorities and other races. If my assumption is correct, I'm happy to see the book proves people of all races and ethnicities are capable of the same successes.

Blog 4: Imagery

    In opening chapter 3 of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the description of Gatsby's home creates the sort of imagery which drew many pictures in my mind and had a sort of importance to me. "In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars," (Fitzgerald,39). Not only using special imagery, but similes as well, Fitzgerald creates an understanding of Gatsby without defining and bringing him up specifically. I find this to be especially important because I am drawn to believe Gatsby to be a well liked man, who throws extravagant parties, and entertains in elaborate ways, attracting flocks of various people. Additionally, the descriptive words selected by the author helps to also convey the beauty and free nature that summer brings. Literary techniques such as these help me to become more engrossed in the novel, feeling I can relate to and envision what Fitzgerald describes. I can see the happiness the parties bring, and the sadness when the party is over. "And on Mondays eight servants, including an extra gardener, toiled all day with mops and scrubbing-brushes and hammers and garden-shears,repairing the ravages of the night before," (Fitzgerald,39). This, to me, symbolized that all good things must come to an end. However, I feel the mentioning of Gatsby's parties will have significance in the novel and maybe affect Nick, a bystander for now.

Blog 3: Comparison to modern society

    In chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a common theme of unfaithfulness and treachery presents itself. Tom Buchanan goes behind his wife Daisy's back for Myrtle Wilson, who, in turn, betrays her husband. The reasoning, " 'Neither of them can stand the person they're married to,' " (Fitzgerald,33). Within the next few pages, and after Catherine's suggestion that the two divorce their spouses and marry each other, Myrtle's motives for marrying her husband in the first place are discussed. " 'I married him because I thought he was a gentleman,...I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoe,' "(Fitzgerald,34). This precisely shows how selfish desires overtake love as the root of most marriages. That is why today, we still hear of failed marriages and those that have gone wrong. In this novel, even Lucille McKee almost married for the wrong reasons. Aggravating that, the entire room of people, with the exception of Nick, can all unite under the commonality that they've all thrown away the meaning of true love and marriage. So disgusting, that I don't blame Nick Carraway for trying to escape the party. Overall, I find too strong a connection between modern day's sloppy take on marriage and early nineteenth century's carelessness with it too.

Blog 2:Comparison to another work

    In chapter one of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, readers are given some insight into the relationship of Nick and his father. A quote, which Nick recalls his father saying especially stuck out to me. " 'Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,' he told me, 'just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had,' " (Fitzgerald,1). I thought this similar to the saying, "There is always someone who has it worse than you." Nick, blessed with a good upbringing and all his basic needs met, can feel satisfied knowing he has more than enough. I find this an important thing to remember myself, having been given these same blessings myself. Then in the next statement, "He didn't say any more but we've always been communicative in a reserved way," (Fitzgerald,1).. Though, I cannot fully understand this type of relationship, a song I've heard quite similarly relates to it. Reba McIntire's song, The Greatest Man I Never Knew, explains a relationship where unspoken words are loudly heard. The line, "He never said he loved me, guess he thought I knew," depicts the idea that actions speak louder than words, and sometimes the loudest words are heard amidst utter silence.

Blog 1: Character Analysis

    Upon my first glimpse at the character of Daisy Buchanan in the novel, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, I have keyed slightly into her personality. Daisy's flamboyant and bright attitude first first stuck out to me as she is introduced into the novel. She has a way of making others feel particularly important. To show, "...promising that there was no one she so much wanted to see. That was a way she had,"(Fitzgerald,9). By this point, I was drawn to Daisy's charming nature and carefree soul which continued to show through as the chapter progressed."...her voice glowing and singing,"(Fitzgerald,14). This attribute, I find admirable but peculiar because she knows her husband is cheating on her. The fact that she can withstand such composure despite this, is certainly plausible. Aside from this, and luckily, on a lighter note, Daisy's sporadic personality makes for easier, yet unpredictable reading. One moment, talking about long days, and next, civilizations. Though, only a chapter into this book, I already have connected with the character of Daisy. Overall, I believe she is a character to envy, and I myself wish I could emulate her same constant giddiness.