Nick - The narrator of the story. He remains neutral most of the book. He came from an average family, and lives in a rich neighborhood in a smaller home. He befriends Gatsby and observes as he goes from an almost regal man, to a pathetic dreamer, to nothing.
Tom - Tom is Daisy's wife, and was a friend of Nick's in college. He's a harsh, unfriendly man. He came from old money and thinks he's better than everyone else.
Daisy - Daisy also came from money, and used to see Gatsby. She has a voice "full of money," and is very friendly; however, in the end we find out that she actually narcissistic and uses people to get what she wants.
Myrtle - Myrtle is Tom's lover who aspires to be "perfect" like Daisy. She lives in the valley of ashes and is poor. She wishes to be like Daisy because she loves Tom and wants to have a better life.
Gatsby - Gatsby is a secretive man who was involved in drug trafficking to get rich. He is obssesed with Daisy, who he used to see when he was younger. His dream is that the two of them will get back together and that she'll leave Tom.
Jordan - Jordan is an athlete that Nick meets at one of Gatsby's parties. She is known as a cheater and a liar, but for a while Nick thinks he loves her. She usually doesn't care for people, but takes a liking for Nick.
Mr. Wilson - He is Myrtle's husband. He is known for being stupid and easily fooled. In the end, he goes crazy and is extremely possesive over Myrtle. He shoots Gatsby and himself because of his grief for the loss of his wife.
About Me
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Great Gatsby - Rough Draft
INTRO: The Great Gatsby is a book that tells the story of a young man who dreams of having money and a high social status his whole life. He finds a way to achieve this dream, and surrounds himself in a lavish lifestyle that doesn't end up being a reality at all. All of the characters in this book have different goals in life, but they all believe the American dream to be the same thing. At one point or another, the characters reveal what they want most out of their lives or dreams that they've had at some time. The Great Gatsby portrays the American dream as being wealthy and getting everything you want, no matter how narcissistic you become.
PP2: One example of this "American dream" is Gatsby's character in general. He builds up a dream of having a perfect, happy life with Daisy, but doesn't realize that his dreams may not become a reality, if they ever were realistic at all. "He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through to the end, waited with his teeth set, so to speak, at an inconceivable pitch of intensity" (Fitzgerald 97). To him, everything about Daisy was like a fantasy. He was raised in a poor family and Daisy came from money. Gatsby found a way to make himself successful, rich, and thought that Daisy would love him for it. He thought about Daisy everyday, and he wasn't going to give up on her until he got what he wanted from her: love. By the time they met back up five years later, he had made her into something she wasn't. When he discovered she was different than he had remembered her and want different things, he was miserable. Although their ultimate goals in life were different, the constant dream of being rich and getting what they wanted was evident in both Gatsby and Daisy's characters.
PP3: Daisy is also a good example of being narcissistic and greedy because she was willing to ruin any one's life just as long as she remains happy. She and Tom go around and destroy people's lives, and since they have money they can overlook it and run away from any consequences they might have had to face. In the end, Daisy only wanted to have money. "For Daisy was young and her artificial world was redolent of orchids and pleasant, cheerful snobbery and orchestras which set the rhythm of the year, summing up the sadness and suggestiveness of life in new tunes" (Fitzgerald 158). She ended up ruining Gatsby's life by crushing his one dream to be with her. She thinks that she wants to be with Gatsby for a while and leads him on, saying she loves him and building his hopes, then leaves him alone and dismal, left with memories of when she used to truly love him. After everything is said and done with Gatsby, she and Tom move to the city for a few months and leave all their wrongdoings behind them to smooth themselves out. They cut off all connections with their friends and show how heartless they really are, and how willing they were to do anything to maintain their version of the American dream.
PP4: Myrtle is also an example of a character that exemplifies the stereotypical American dream conveyed in The Great Gatsby. She aspires to be like Daisy because Tom loves Daisy, and Daisy is and has everything that Myrtle wants. Daisy has money, she's innocent and everyone loves her, she has a seemingly amazing husband, and is happy. Myrtle hates her husband, lives in the poorest part around the city, and is extremely unhappy. She tries to impress Tom and Nick by acting elegant and buying things when she first meets Nick, and it implies how much she wanted to be seen as a higher-classed woman. "At the news-stand she bought a copy of "Town Tattle" and a moving picture magazine and, in the station drug store, some cold cream and a small flask of perfume. Upstairs in the solemn echoing drive she let four taxi cabs drive away before she selected a new one, lavender-colored with grey upholstery..." (Fitzgerald 31). Her one sense of satisfaction comes from her affair with Tom, but when her husband discovers it, he doesn't allow it to continue and shuts her up in her room. In the end, Myrtle's desperate need to be with Tom and be like Daisy is the cause of her demise.
CONCLUSION: In the end, all of the characters realize that their dreams were either unrealistic, unachievable, or truly just meant to be dreams and never to be reality. They all go through something extremely dramatic and whether it was for the better or worse they are forever changed by it. It's almost like they are losing their innocence because they realize that what they wanted so badly isn't going to be theirs, and they had based their lives off of this American dream that in the end was impossible to obtain or maintain. The reality of life overcame their hopes and they were forced into the harsh real world to face their new sense of the truth.
PP2: One example of this "American dream" is Gatsby's character in general. He builds up a dream of having a perfect, happy life with Daisy, but doesn't realize that his dreams may not become a reality, if they ever were realistic at all. "He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through to the end, waited with his teeth set, so to speak, at an inconceivable pitch of intensity" (Fitzgerald 97). To him, everything about Daisy was like a fantasy. He was raised in a poor family and Daisy came from money. Gatsby found a way to make himself successful, rich, and thought that Daisy would love him for it. He thought about Daisy everyday, and he wasn't going to give up on her until he got what he wanted from her: love. By the time they met back up five years later, he had made her into something she wasn't. When he discovered she was different than he had remembered her and want different things, he was miserable. Although their ultimate goals in life were different, the constant dream of being rich and getting what they wanted was evident in both Gatsby and Daisy's characters.
PP3: Daisy is also a good example of being narcissistic and greedy because she was willing to ruin any one's life just as long as she remains happy. She and Tom go around and destroy people's lives, and since they have money they can overlook it and run away from any consequences they might have had to face. In the end, Daisy only wanted to have money. "For Daisy was young and her artificial world was redolent of orchids and pleasant, cheerful snobbery and orchestras which set the rhythm of the year, summing up the sadness and suggestiveness of life in new tunes" (Fitzgerald 158). She ended up ruining Gatsby's life by crushing his one dream to be with her. She thinks that she wants to be with Gatsby for a while and leads him on, saying she loves him and building his hopes, then leaves him alone and dismal, left with memories of when she used to truly love him. After everything is said and done with Gatsby, she and Tom move to the city for a few months and leave all their wrongdoings behind them to smooth themselves out. They cut off all connections with their friends and show how heartless they really are, and how willing they were to do anything to maintain their version of the American dream.
PP4: Myrtle is also an example of a character that exemplifies the stereotypical American dream conveyed in The Great Gatsby. She aspires to be like Daisy because Tom loves Daisy, and Daisy is and has everything that Myrtle wants. Daisy has money, she's innocent and everyone loves her, she has a seemingly amazing husband, and is happy. Myrtle hates her husband, lives in the poorest part around the city, and is extremely unhappy. She tries to impress Tom and Nick by acting elegant and buying things when she first meets Nick, and it implies how much she wanted to be seen as a higher-classed woman. "At the news-stand she bought a copy of "Town Tattle" and a moving picture magazine and, in the station drug store, some cold cream and a small flask of perfume. Upstairs in the solemn echoing drive she let four taxi cabs drive away before she selected a new one, lavender-colored with grey upholstery..." (Fitzgerald 31). Her one sense of satisfaction comes from her affair with Tom, but when her husband discovers it, he doesn't allow it to continue and shuts her up in her room. In the end, Myrtle's desperate need to be with Tom and be like Daisy is the cause of her demise.
CONCLUSION: In the end, all of the characters realize that their dreams were either unrealistic, unachievable, or truly just meant to be dreams and never to be reality. They all go through something extremely dramatic and whether it was for the better or worse they are forever changed by it. It's almost like they are losing their innocence because they realize that what they wanted so badly isn't going to be theirs, and they had based their lives off of this American dream that in the end was impossible to obtain or maintain. The reality of life overcame their hopes and they were forced into the harsh real world to face their new sense of the truth.
The Great Gatsby - Thesis
The Great Gatsby portrays the American dream as being wealthy and getting everything you want, no matter how narcissistic you become.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 9
Abstract -
In the last chapter, Nick describes Gatsby's funeral and how hard he tried to make it like one of his parties, but only a few people showed up. He ran into Tom and realized how he and Daisy didn't care about anyone else, and they didn't have to because their money would always save them. On his last night in West Egg, he goes to Gatsby's empty mansion and imagines the "American Dream" that many people see as something so amazing, but are let down just as Gatsby was let down with Daisy.
Response -
I think that Nick realizes the severity of the impact that money and social status has on an American's life in this chapter. He describes the empty dreams that so many people have, and how shallow their intentions can be. He sees the good and Gatsby and is proud of his memory, but realizes that he was a foolish dreamer and that he wasn't realistic about his circumstances.
Questions -
How does the death of Gatsby have an effect on Nick's life?
In the last chapter, Nick describes Gatsby's funeral and how hard he tried to make it like one of his parties, but only a few people showed up. He ran into Tom and realized how he and Daisy didn't care about anyone else, and they didn't have to because their money would always save them. On his last night in West Egg, he goes to Gatsby's empty mansion and imagines the "American Dream" that many people see as something so amazing, but are let down just as Gatsby was let down with Daisy.
Response -
I think that Nick realizes the severity of the impact that money and social status has on an American's life in this chapter. He describes the empty dreams that so many people have, and how shallow their intentions can be. He sees the good and Gatsby and is proud of his memory, but realizes that he was a foolish dreamer and that he wasn't realistic about his circumstances.
Questions -
How does the death of Gatsby have an effect on Nick's life?
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 8
Abstract -
Nick can't sleep that night and goes to Gatsby's house where Gatsby describes the past between he and Daisy to Nick. He tells Nick that they made love and he felt like they were married and that she was the first female he ever felt close with. Gatsby's servant asks if he should drain the pool because it's getting cooler, but Gatsby says that he wants to swim before the summer is over and hasn't used his pool yet. Nick has to go to work, where he finds out that Myrtle's husband was out to get the person who killed Myrtle because he felt immense guilt. He had seen the eyes of the doctor and imagined that they were the eyes of god, watching over them. He goes to Gatsby's house after he finds out he was the owner of the car that hit Myrtle, shoots Gatsby, killing him, and then shoots himself.
Response -
I think that at the end of the chapter when Nick describes how empty and lonely Gatsby must have been feeling in his last minutes due to his loss of Daisy, who became his entire life in the past five years, it exemplifies how well he understood Gatsby. He knew that Gatsby was dependent on Daisy for happiness, and he knew that he was depressed when Daisy wouldn't give him what he had been waiting for for so long.
Questions -
Does Gatsby get a sense of peace from getting killed for Daisy's crime?
Nick can't sleep that night and goes to Gatsby's house where Gatsby describes the past between he and Daisy to Nick. He tells Nick that they made love and he felt like they were married and that she was the first female he ever felt close with. Gatsby's servant asks if he should drain the pool because it's getting cooler, but Gatsby says that he wants to swim before the summer is over and hasn't used his pool yet. Nick has to go to work, where he finds out that Myrtle's husband was out to get the person who killed Myrtle because he felt immense guilt. He had seen the eyes of the doctor and imagined that they were the eyes of god, watching over them. He goes to Gatsby's house after he finds out he was the owner of the car that hit Myrtle, shoots Gatsby, killing him, and then shoots himself.
Response -
I think that at the end of the chapter when Nick describes how empty and lonely Gatsby must have been feeling in his last minutes due to his loss of Daisy, who became his entire life in the past five years, it exemplifies how well he understood Gatsby. He knew that Gatsby was dependent on Daisy for happiness, and he knew that he was depressed when Daisy wouldn't give him what he had been waiting for for so long.
Questions -
Does Gatsby get a sense of peace from getting killed for Daisy's crime?
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 7
Abstract - Nick goes to eat lunch with Tom and Daisy one afternoon and Gatsby and Jordan go, too. During the afternoon, Gatsby and Daisy hardly try to conceal their feelings toward each other, and Tom notices. Daisy suggests they all go to the city, and on their way they stop to get gas. Myrtle's husband has found out that she's been cheating on him and he plans to move her west. She was locked up in her room when they stopped for gas. Once they get to the city, they get a hotel suite due to the extreme heat. Gatsby and Tom get into an altercation and Gatsby tells Tom that Daisy loves him, not Tom. Daisy feels herself growing closer to Tom during the fight. On the drive home, Daisy hit a woman (Myrtle,) killing her. Gatsby waits outside Tom and Daisy's house for Nick, and explains what happens and says he'll take the blame. He sends Nick to check on Daisy, and it seems that she and Tom have made up.
Response -
The first true confrontation between Tom and Gatsby finally comes up, but it's like nothing is solved by it. Tom still feels superior to Gatsby, Gatsby still feels insecurities about Daisy's love for him, and Daisy is still somewhat confused about who she wants to be with. I didn't understand why Daisy wasn't more phased by killing someone, whether it was by accident or not. She's extremely willing to let Gatsby take the fall for her, and it seems uncharacteristic of her.
Questions -
Does Daisy realize that she set Gatsby up at the end of the chapter by leaving him to take the blame for killing Myrtle, and reconciling with Tom?
Response -
The first true confrontation between Tom and Gatsby finally comes up, but it's like nothing is solved by it. Tom still feels superior to Gatsby, Gatsby still feels insecurities about Daisy's love for him, and Daisy is still somewhat confused about who she wants to be with. I didn't understand why Daisy wasn't more phased by killing someone, whether it was by accident or not. She's extremely willing to let Gatsby take the fall for her, and it seems uncharacteristic of her.
Questions -
Does Daisy realize that she set Gatsby up at the end of the chapter by leaving him to take the blame for killing Myrtle, and reconciling with Tom?
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 6
Abstract -
In the sixth chapter, Nick talks more about Gatsby's past and explains that he changed his name from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby when he worked for a man on his yacht. He took care of the man, who was an alcoholic, and would've recieved his inheritance once he was dead if it wasn't for a woman that claimed the money as her own. Nick secludes himself from Daisy and Gastby for a while, and spends some time with Jordan. One afternoon when he does go to Gatsby's house, Tom is there with some friends. Gatsby asks them to stay for dinner, but they decline. They invite him to join them for luch even though they don't necessarily want him to come along, and he accepts. They leave before he can pull his car around to follow them. Tom and Daisy come to one of Gatsby's parties a few days later, and Gatsby is upset when he realizes that Daisy didn't have any fun. Tom told her that all of Gatsby's money came from bootlegging and she tried to tell him it came from drugstores that he owned. Gatsby is desperate to make things the way they used to be between he and Daisy.
Response -
I think that Gatsby makes his feelings for Daisy very obvious. He doesn't try to hide the fact that he wants her to have fun, and speaks to her in front of Tom. They act like there's nothing Tom could do if he found out that Daisy was sneaking around behind his back. Also, I think that Tom thinks he's better than Gatsby because he acts like Gatsby is the biggest outlaw for bootlegging, and tries to convince Daisy that he's a bad person. He also comments on the fact that Gatsby has "new money" quite often.
Questions -
How does Tom not realize that Daisy and Gatsby used to have a thing, or that Gatsby is still in love with her?
In the sixth chapter, Nick talks more about Gatsby's past and explains that he changed his name from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby when he worked for a man on his yacht. He took care of the man, who was an alcoholic, and would've recieved his inheritance once he was dead if it wasn't for a woman that claimed the money as her own. Nick secludes himself from Daisy and Gastby for a while, and spends some time with Jordan. One afternoon when he does go to Gatsby's house, Tom is there with some friends. Gatsby asks them to stay for dinner, but they decline. They invite him to join them for luch even though they don't necessarily want him to come along, and he accepts. They leave before he can pull his car around to follow them. Tom and Daisy come to one of Gatsby's parties a few days later, and Gatsby is upset when he realizes that Daisy didn't have any fun. Tom told her that all of Gatsby's money came from bootlegging and she tried to tell him it came from drugstores that he owned. Gatsby is desperate to make things the way they used to be between he and Daisy.
Response -
I think that Gatsby makes his feelings for Daisy very obvious. He doesn't try to hide the fact that he wants her to have fun, and speaks to her in front of Tom. They act like there's nothing Tom could do if he found out that Daisy was sneaking around behind his back. Also, I think that Tom thinks he's better than Gatsby because he acts like Gatsby is the biggest outlaw for bootlegging, and tries to convince Daisy that he's a bad person. He also comments on the fact that Gatsby has "new money" quite often.
Questions -
How does Tom not realize that Daisy and Gatsby used to have a thing, or that Gatsby is still in love with her?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Great Gatsby Chapter 5
Abstract -
In chapter five, Nick had Gatsby and Daisy over for tea. Gatsby sent flowers to Nick's house and had his gardener cut Nick's lawn. Gatsby was extremely nervous and at first things between he and Daisy were very awkward. Nick walked out to leave the two alone, and when he came back the atmosphere was much lighter and happier. After a while, they went over to Gatsby's house, and he did everything he could to impress Daisy. When he showed her his shirts that had been sent from Europe, she started crying. They walked through the entire house and Nick left when he realized they didn't even notice he was there anymore.
Response -
I think that this chapter is significant because it shows the possibility of a change in Daisy. Around Tom, she tries to pretend everything is perfect, but when she was with Gatsby everything became natural and comfortable. They didn't have to try to be happy, they just were. I think that Daisy realized what she let go in this chapter, and felt some regrets about it.
Questions -
Will Daisy have an affair with Gatsby, or settle with Tom and try to forget about him?
In chapter five, Nick had Gatsby and Daisy over for tea. Gatsby sent flowers to Nick's house and had his gardener cut Nick's lawn. Gatsby was extremely nervous and at first things between he and Daisy were very awkward. Nick walked out to leave the two alone, and when he came back the atmosphere was much lighter and happier. After a while, they went over to Gatsby's house, and he did everything he could to impress Daisy. When he showed her his shirts that had been sent from Europe, she started crying. They walked through the entire house and Nick left when he realized they didn't even notice he was there anymore.
Response -
I think that this chapter is significant because it shows the possibility of a change in Daisy. Around Tom, she tries to pretend everything is perfect, but when she was with Gatsby everything became natural and comfortable. They didn't have to try to be happy, they just were. I think that Daisy realized what she let go in this chapter, and felt some regrets about it.
Questions -
Will Daisy have an affair with Gatsby, or settle with Tom and try to forget about him?
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 4
Abstract -
In chapter four, Gatsby took Nick out to eat. On the way to the restaurant, Gatsby told Nick that his family died and he came into a bunch of money, and how he spent all of it living "like a young rajah in all the capitals of the Europe..." Once they got closer to their destination, Gastby told Nick that Jordan would have something to talk to him about when they had tea later, and Nick wondered why Gatsby couldn't just ask him himself. They ate with one of Gatsby's friends, Mr. Wolfshiem. Nick saw Tom and they went to say hello to him. When Jordan and Nick ha tea later, Jordan explained how Gatsby and Daisy used to date and how she knew Daisy also. Jordan told him that Gatsby only bought the house so that Daisy would be close to him, even if she was married to Tom. She told him that Gatsby wanted him to invite he and Daisy over for tea so they could finally talk again.
Response -
I thought that Mr. Wolfshiem was very shady and wonder if he'll be an important character in the story at all. I also wondered why Gatsby couldn't be upfront with Nick; even if he was embarrassed, Daisy and Nick were close and it wasn't a big favor to ask. I think that Gatsby was shy and not used to having to depend on other people for the things that he wanted, so he felt uncomfortable asking for any kind of favor.
Questions -
Why was Gatsby so shy about asking this favor from Nick?
"Highballs?" (P74) <---What is that?
In chapter four, Gatsby took Nick out to eat. On the way to the restaurant, Gatsby told Nick that his family died and he came into a bunch of money, and how he spent all of it living "like a young rajah in all the capitals of the Europe..." Once they got closer to their destination, Gastby told Nick that Jordan would have something to talk to him about when they had tea later, and Nick wondered why Gatsby couldn't just ask him himself. They ate with one of Gatsby's friends, Mr. Wolfshiem. Nick saw Tom and they went to say hello to him. When Jordan and Nick ha tea later, Jordan explained how Gatsby and Daisy used to date and how she knew Daisy also. Jordan told him that Gatsby only bought the house so that Daisy would be close to him, even if she was married to Tom. She told him that Gatsby wanted him to invite he and Daisy over for tea so they could finally talk again.
Response -
I thought that Mr. Wolfshiem was very shady and wonder if he'll be an important character in the story at all. I also wondered why Gatsby couldn't be upfront with Nick; even if he was embarrassed, Daisy and Nick were close and it wasn't a big favor to ask. I think that Gatsby was shy and not used to having to depend on other people for the things that he wanted, so he felt uncomfortable asking for any kind of favor.
Questions -
Why was Gatsby so shy about asking this favor from Nick?
"Highballs?" (P74) <---What is that?
Friday, April 3, 2009
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 3
Abstract -
In chapter three, Nick describes Gatsby's parties and attends one. He feels like an outcast until he sees Jordan and they talk. They walk around trying to spot Gatsby because Nick still hadn't seen him, and come across a drunk man in the library. When they go back out, they sit with a man around Nick's age and a young girl. The man asks Nick if he was in the Third Division during the war, and Nick tells him he was and that he thought the man looked familiar. Nick says that he still hadn't met the host of the party, and the man looks at him funnily. He tells Nick that he's Gatsby, the host. Nick was embarrassed that he didn't know who he was, but Gatsby was understanding and just said that he thought Nick knew it was him. Someone calls Gatsby so he has to leave, and Nick and Jordan sit and talk for a while. In the end of the chapter, Nick feels like he might be in love with Jordan, but he's unsure.
Response -
In this chapter, Nick talks more and is a bigger part of the story. He starts to enjoy the party later on, especially when he talks with Gatsby. I think that he loosened up from drinking and became more comfortable with his situation.
Questions -
What happened with the men who crashed the car?
In chapter three, Nick describes Gatsby's parties and attends one. He feels like an outcast until he sees Jordan and they talk. They walk around trying to spot Gatsby because Nick still hadn't seen him, and come across a drunk man in the library. When they go back out, they sit with a man around Nick's age and a young girl. The man asks Nick if he was in the Third Division during the war, and Nick tells him he was and that he thought the man looked familiar. Nick says that he still hadn't met the host of the party, and the man looks at him funnily. He tells Nick that he's Gatsby, the host. Nick was embarrassed that he didn't know who he was, but Gatsby was understanding and just said that he thought Nick knew it was him. Someone calls Gatsby so he has to leave, and Nick and Jordan sit and talk for a while. In the end of the chapter, Nick feels like he might be in love with Jordan, but he's unsure.
Response -
In this chapter, Nick talks more and is a bigger part of the story. He starts to enjoy the party later on, especially when he talks with Gatsby. I think that he loosened up from drinking and became more comfortable with his situation.
Questions -
What happened with the men who crashed the car?
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 2
Abstract -
In this chapter, Nick and Tom went to see Tom's "woman" in the city. They pick her up and go to visit at her sister's place. Nick questions what her husband thinks about her leaving, and they tell him that he's pretty stupid and doesn't suspect anything. On their way to her sister's, Myrtle sees puppies and Tom buys her one. Once they get to Catherine's, they all start to drink. Catherine told Nick that both the people in the affair hated their spouses. Catherine said the only reason that they weren't already married to each other was because Daisy was catholic and didn't believe in divorce. Nick knew that wasn't the real reason, though, because he knew that Daisy wasn't catholic. After a while of drinking, Myrtle kept repeating Daisy, saying she could say it whenever she wanted, and Tom hit her and broke her nose.
Response -
I don't understand the part about Daisy being catholic. Did Tom lie to Myrtle and Catherine just to have an excuse to stay married to Daisy or did they just assume that? Another example of how Nick stays out of things as much as he can is when Catherine tells him about why Myrtle and Tom aren't married already. He knows it's not the truth, but he doesn't say anything because he wants to avoid the drama.
Questions -
What's the significance of the big eyes?
In this chapter, Nick and Tom went to see Tom's "woman" in the city. They pick her up and go to visit at her sister's place. Nick questions what her husband thinks about her leaving, and they tell him that he's pretty stupid and doesn't suspect anything. On their way to her sister's, Myrtle sees puppies and Tom buys her one. Once they get to Catherine's, they all start to drink. Catherine told Nick that both the people in the affair hated their spouses. Catherine said the only reason that they weren't already married to each other was because Daisy was catholic and didn't believe in divorce. Nick knew that wasn't the real reason, though, because he knew that Daisy wasn't catholic. After a while of drinking, Myrtle kept repeating Daisy, saying she could say it whenever she wanted, and Tom hit her and broke her nose.
Response -
I don't understand the part about Daisy being catholic. Did Tom lie to Myrtle and Catherine just to have an excuse to stay married to Daisy or did they just assume that? Another example of how Nick stays out of things as much as he can is when Catherine tells him about why Myrtle and Tom aren't married already. He knows it's not the truth, but he doesn't say anything because he wants to avoid the drama.
Questions -
What's the significance of the big eyes?
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 1
Abstract -
In the beginning of the book, the narrator describes some advice his father gave him about never judging people before knowing what they've been through. He talks about his family background and growing up in a middle-western city. He was in the war and when he got back, he decided to move out east and start in the bond business. He moved into a small house in an elaborate part of the country, surrounded by huge mansions filled with rich men and their wives. He goes to see his cousin, Daisy, and her husband, Tom. They have a daughter and seem to be happy. They have a woman over, Jordan Baker, and she tells him that Tom has a lady friend in the city. He isn't surprised and implies that it's not unlikely that Tom would do something like that.
Response -
I think that the narrator is pretty neutral at this point in the story. He doesn't react to anything new and just goes along with everybody. I wonder why he doesn't have a bigger reaction when he finds out that Tom is cheating on his cousin. Even though they weren't very close, it seems odd that he wouldn't be more angry. Another thing I noticed about the narrator is that he's very observant. He tries not to include himself in anything too much and just stays in the background.
Questions -
Does Daisy know that Tom is having an affair?
In the beginning of the book, the narrator describes some advice his father gave him about never judging people before knowing what they've been through. He talks about his family background and growing up in a middle-western city. He was in the war and when he got back, he decided to move out east and start in the bond business. He moved into a small house in an elaborate part of the country, surrounded by huge mansions filled with rich men and their wives. He goes to see his cousin, Daisy, and her husband, Tom. They have a daughter and seem to be happy. They have a woman over, Jordan Baker, and she tells him that Tom has a lady friend in the city. He isn't surprised and implies that it's not unlikely that Tom would do something like that.
Response -
I think that the narrator is pretty neutral at this point in the story. He doesn't react to anything new and just goes along with everybody. I wonder why he doesn't have a bigger reaction when he finds out that Tom is cheating on his cousin. Even though they weren't very close, it seems odd that he wouldn't be more angry. Another thing I noticed about the narrator is that he's very observant. He tries not to include himself in anything too much and just stays in the background.
Questions -
Does Daisy know that Tom is having an affair?
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