The Great Gatsby: Blog 9

    To start, I am absolutely appalled at the reaction of both Daisy and Gatsby concerning the death of Myrtle Wilson.  First, I am extremely annoyed at Daisy Buchanan's dismissive attitude towards the wrongs in her life.  For example, years ago, when Mrs. Buchanan learns she cannot marry Gatsby, she drinks herself numb to push away the pain.  Next, Daisy urges they "...all go home.." when Gatsby and her husband share in a fiery argument (Fitzgerald, 130).  Also, when disputing with the two men, she claims to just love both instead of choosing one.  Daisy truly just wants all her self-inflicted problems to just resolves themselves.  In reality, this may, to her, by the best possible solution, but it only hurts the people around her.  Moreover, she is stringing Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan along with the memories of the past.  Then, later, Daisy happens to accidentally hit her husband's mistress, Myrtle Wilson, driving back to her home with Gatsby.  Even though the automobile killed Mrs. Wilson instantly, Daisy continues to drive.  To me, the most startling part is that Gatsby "spoke as if Daisy's reaction was the only thing that mattered" (Fitzgerald, 143).  I really believe that Mr. Gatsby knows of the graveness of his lover's crime, but because of his obsession with Daisy, he only think of the tragedy will affect her.

The Great Gatsby: Blog 8

   Through the whole novel, the audience receives a very negative image of Mr. Tom Buchanan.  To start Tom is a wealthy man  fortunate will a loving wife and daughter.  This blessed man chooses to be unfaithful to his spouse and even flaunts his mistress to his friends.  Now, halfway through the piece, I still maintain a disgusted attitude towards Tom Buchanan.  First, I would like to note that Tom's infidelity is known by his loyal wife.  Daisy, though miserably married, has remained faithful all these years to her dishonest spouse.  Then, when Daisy finds true happiness in the company of Gatsby, Tom continuously denies that happiness insisting that she did not have a good time.  I feel this shows Tom Buchanan's selfish ways.  This cheating man expects his wife to accept his mistress, but is unwilling to face the idea that his wife is, not even being unfaithful, but is simply having a good time with another man.  I have a feeling that Daisy will eventually stick up for herself and "obliterate four years (of marriage)" (Fitzgerald, 109).  When this does happen, I believe Tom will be absolutely furious.  The relationship being pursued by Daisy and Gatsby will most likely lead to the well-deserved downfall of Tom Buchanan.

The Great Gatsby: Blog 7

    In the beginning of chapter five, I find Gatsby's eagerness to please Nick to be very annoying.  Although agitating, I believe this notion reveals much about the true character of Jay Gatsby.  With his expensive mansion, imported luxuries, and indulging lifestyle, it is easy for one to forget that Gatsby is, in fact, just another human being with human qualities.  This scene shows Gatsby, not as a sophisticated man, but as a nervous, awkward youth.  When asked what day would work best for his reunion with Daisy, he replies, "I don't want to put you to any trouble" (Fitzgerald, 82).  This statement both displays a technique Gatsby uses to get Nick to plan a tea event and shows Gatsby's unsure personality. Even though Gatsby means well, he will do absolutely anything to achieve his true desires.  For example, Jay Gatsby offers to cut Nick's grass and further goes on to present him with a promising business opportunity.  Although a kind proposal, it has an opposite effect on Mr. Carraway.  Instead, Nick feels almost insulted by the suggestion.  I learn that while others think Mr. Jay Gatsby is a well thought-out, mighty, superior, man, he has his flaws.  This scene proves itself to be truly significant in understanding the character of Gatsby.  

The Great Gatsby: Blog 6

   While reading more of The Great Gatsby, I begin to understand the working of Mrs. Daisy Buchanan.  I realize now that Daisy's happiness is neither genuine and authentic.  At the beginning, I took Daisy ignoring her husband's infidelity as a sign that she is unwilling to accept the act because it means her love is not good enough.  However, behind Mrs. Buchanan's mask is sheer numbness towards the life she lives.  When the short lived affair between Daisy and Gatsby ceased, I believe an extremely distraught Daisy, married the first man who came by, which happened to be Tom Buchanan.  Because of the unwanted schism between the two, the pair live their lives in ways that they feel best.  Daisy endures a miserable life with a husband who neither loving or faithful.  Jay Gatsby lurks in the shadows of New York watching Daisy from afar.  I predict that after two reunite at Nick's invitation to tea, they will realize they still love each other and have an affair.  I assume this because at a time "they were so engrossed in each other", and now they both lead extremely unhappy lives (Fitzgerald, 74).  Eventually, I would expect Daisy to leave Tom Buchanan and pull Gatsby out of the shadows.  Ultimately, I think Nick's tea invitation will have a very positive outcome.

The Great Gatsby: Blog 5

Leonardo Di Capro will play Jay Gatsby in the latest movie of
The Great Gatsby.

   To me, a major detail about Gatsby that stands out is his usage of the phrase "old sport".  This recurring phrase serves an important purpose to Gatsby.  To the people of West Egg, Gatsby is a man of great mystery.  Some say this unknown man is a foreigner.  Others think Gatsby to be a murderer.  Because of the many rumors concerning Jay Gatsby, I believe he uses this motif to present himself in an approachable, welcoming way.  Moreover, when Nick meets up with Jay Gatsby for lunch, Gatsby consistently throws in "old sport" at the end of almost every statement.  To set himself apart from the numerous rumors.  Gatsby goes even further to tell Nick about his background.  Mr. Gatsby even states, " I don't want you to get a wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear" (Fitzgerald, 65).  So, Jay is obviously aware of the town's accusations of him.  Even after he tells Nick the story of his life, Gatsby then shows proof by presenting his war medal and a souvenir of his Oxford days.  Although this may all seem unnecessary , it was essential that Gatsby did this to earn the trust of Nick due to the fact that Nick believed Gatsby was lying.

The Great Gatsby: Blog 4

     Honestly, the relationship between the two opposite characters, Nick and Jordan, makes perfect sense despite their differing personalites.  Upon moving to New York, Nick seems to, other than seeing an occasional friend, be very lonely.  This feeling of oneness causes Nick to aimlessly drive the bright streets to "pick out romantic women from the crod and imagine that in a few minutes (he) was going to enter into their lives..." (Fitzgerald, 56).  To fill this "haunting loneliness", I believe Nick chooses to spend his time with the well-know and haughty Jordan Baker.  Jordan appears to be a character who does not let the everyday routine of life control her.  I believe Miss Baker's spunk and unique outlook is what most attracts Nick to her.  But, later in the chapter, Nick pieces together that Jordan cheats at golf, the game that has made her name known.  It is truly shocking to me that even after learning this knowledge, Nick goes on to admit that he may even love this rule breaker.  I assume I was so taken back by this because of my view of Nick.  I think of Nick as an ambitious, considerate man, deserving of the best.  Unlike Jordan, Nick plays by the rules.  Also, this layed back man, unlike Jordan, is not well-known and does not put forth much effort to become so.  Because of this, I think Nick longs for someone to bring exitement into his life.  For Jordan, she avoids anyone who will make her feel inferior.  Although the pair are total opposites, I definitely can see why they both spend time with one another.  The reasoning may be selfish, but still, I understand.

The Great Gatsby: Blog 3

    First, I would like to mention how completely inaccurate I was with my assumptions of Gatsby.  Within a few short pages of chapter three, I learn that Gatsby quite frequently hosts parties.  However, many "came and went without having met Gatsby at all..." (Fitzgerald, 41).  Before, I predicted that Gatsby, whose full name is Jay Gatsby, was a mystery to most New York; a loner.  Though I still have yet to discover his full, true character, I really think that Gatsby is just not truly known, but not a complete hermit who excludes himself from the world.

   When Nick attends one of Gatsby's large parties, he realizes that he, along with most of the other guests, have never even seen Gatsby.  As the party goes on, some guests state rumors they have heard of Gatsby.  Reading this, I realize that no one really knows Gatsby.  I believe this because he purposely sets himself aside from other people making it nearly impossible for others to become close to him.  The character of Gatsby reminds me of Rhett Butler, the leading male character in Gone With the Wind.  Rhett, a wealthy Southern man, first presents himself as a bombastic socialite, but really is one who lingers in the dark.  Like Gatsby, many tell negative rumors of Mr. Butler's past.  The two characters, although frequent party goers, remain mysteries to most.