December 11,2007

Well, I didn't think that the book ended really spectacular. We learned a few things, like Nick is moving back to the mid-west and Jordan and Nick break off the relationship. She claims to be engaged to someone else. We also meet Gatsby's father, Henry Gatz, who soon becomes amazed at how impressive his son really was. Nick invites Wolfsheim to the funeral, but he declines because he claims that he is too busy and does not want to get involved. Barely anyone even came to the funeral. Nick, Henry, Owl Eyes, and a few others were all that came. Even though he was rich and threw great parties, I think this shows how little other people thought of him. When Nick is about to leave New York for the midwest, he meets Tom in the street, and at first refuses to shake his hand, but gives in. He then tells Nick of how he planned to trick Wilson and told him that it was Gatsby's car that killed Myrtle, and insinuating that he was the one that is cheating. This only proves how careless Nick and Daisy are toward others and how little they think of others. The night before Nick leaves, he visits Gatsby's house for one last time. He erases a word that has been written on his front steps. I think it could symbolize what Nick is erasing from his memory about Gatsby.

December 4, 2007

The next two chapters have by far been the best chapters that I have read so far! We start off by finding out that Gatsby has fired all of his staff because of them gossiping about him. Daisy calls Gatsby and decide about to get together the next day, which is by far the hottest day of the summer. I interperated the heat as the tension that is building up between Daisy and Jay. It also symbolizes that something bad could soon happen. Jay and Nick arrive at the Buchanan's house with Jordan and Daisy powdered and sitting on the sofa. Tom is in the hallway talking quietly to Myrtle. He joins them in the living room and Daisy insists that he get them drinks. When he leaves, Daisy immediately kisses Jay. After eating lunch, they go to the city. Jay, Jordan and Nick ride in Tom's car and Jay and Daisy take Gatsby's car.
They soon drive by Dr. Eckelburgs everlasting stare and get gasoline at Wilson's shop. Wilson notices that he is driving a yellow car which is important to the rest of the next few chapters. Tom pays for the gas and leaves. Later on, they arrive at a suite at the Plaza Hotel and start to talk. But talk soon turned to argument. It started with Tom trying to disprove that he is an Oxford man. He has done his research and knows somewhat is going on. Then things get more heated between Tom and Jay, with Jay saying that Daisy has never loved Tom and never will, but Tom deeply denies it.
After the confrentation that I have been expecting, Daisy and Jay start back to West Egg, with Daisy driving. She is very tense with what has just gone on so Jay lets her drive to take some steam off. As they approach the valley of ashes, Myrtle dashes out into the street because she needs to talk to Daisy (I think), but instead of pulling over, she hits her, killing her instantly. Now this is the turning point in the story to me, because it really takes a drastic turn from here.
In chapter 7, we find Wilson and Michaelis sitting in Wilson's shop. All he does is mutter for hours. Then something interesting happens. He tells Michaelis that there is a leash in the drawer. He connects the leash with a man that is cheating with his wife, which would be the man in the yellow car, which was Gatsby. If I was Wilson, I would probably think the same thing for a couple reasons. First, he knows Tom and would probably expect him to be the last person for he to be cheating with. Second, he vividly saw Gatsby in the car and thinks that he is cheating with her. He also says that God is always watching. He says 'God knows what you've been doing, everything you've been doing. You may fool me but you can't fool God!'
So at the end of the chapter, we find that Gatsby is going to his pool. His chauffer hears the shots, but thinks nothing of it. Nick comes over and they make the connection. The four of them go to the back and find that Gatsby has been killed. He leaves him floating on a mattress with a circle of bloody water surrounding him. The chauffer sees Wilson in the distance in the grass, and his job has been complete.

November 27, 2007

Chapter 6 starts with a reporter going to Gatsbys house and questioning and hoping to get in interview out of him. Nick finds out some of what went on in Gatsby's past and questions weather he is really telling the truth or not. We learn that Jay Gatsby's name was really James Gatz and he is really from North Dakota...it took me a while to figure it out though. It was a bit confusing!! He also worked with a man by the name of Dan Cody, who was a wealthy man. I think Gatsby envied him because of his weathly lifestyle and is trying to replicate that in his lifestyle he now leads. He wants him name to be known, not just because he can, but I think it is because it boosts his self image. It's kind of like he is living in a "fantasy."
Also, what is up with Daisy telling Nick it would be OK for him to tell her if he wanted to kiss her? I thought they were related! I could be wrong, but i thought it was a bit odd.
When Tom, Mr. Sloane, and Nick are at Gatsby's house, i found it a bit ironic that Tom doesn't like the fact that Daisy has been going out on her own lately and that he thinks she is cheating on him. Well HELLO! Look in the mirror. I don't blame her. I think something bad is going to happen between Gatsby and Tom, and I don't think it is going to be good. I am almost certain that Daisy will leave Tom for Gatsby.

November 20, 2007

In chapter five, Nick is on his way home from a date with Jordan and sees a very bright light and thinks his house may be on fire, but as he wlaks up to his house, he realizes that every light at the Gatsby property is on. Except there is not a party going on, there is not even anyone at his house. Gatsby starts walking over to Nick and wants him to go to Coney Island with him, but refuses because it is so late. He then, fairly obviously too, brings up if he asked Daisy to meet him for tea. Nick agrees to set it up and Gatsby offers to go for a swim, but quickly declines. He also offers him a great chance to make some great money to do along side what he already does. Mainly to pay him for his deed.
The next day, Gatsby sends over his gardener to mow Nicks lawn and bring flowers over. It is raining and Gatsby is getting uneasy. Now, Gatsby and Daisy finally meet. There is a very uneasy atmosphere in the beginning. He tells Nick it has been a mistake to meet Daisy, but Nick convinces him to give it a chance. Jay continues to talk to Daisy for another half hour and go back to Gatsby's house where he gives them a tour. He even shows her a collection of shirts that a friend sends to him. Daisy begins to cry because they are so beautiful. In the end, Gatsby and Daisy really hit it off and Nick leaves them alone.

November 13, 2007

In the beginning of Chapter 4, Nick starts to make a list of all the people who have been at Gatsby's house that summer. After completing his list, he explains his trip with Gatsby to the city, where he has lunch with him. He pulls up to his house in his fancy car, which Nick admires. He gets in and they start their trip into the city. Gatsby starts to tell Nick about some of his past experiences, such as he is from San Fransisco, his entire family died and he inherited the fortune which they had, he claims to have went to Oxford, he supposedly collected jewelry in Europe, and hunted big game. Nick is already skeptical, but increases when he says that he has earned medals in Montenegro. Nick begins to doubt him and gets a little angry. Gatsby backs up his information by showing medals from Montenegro and showing him a picture of him holding and cricket bat. As they speed along, a cop pulls them over. Gatsby shows him a white card and the officer quickly dismisses him. I think this shows how significant Gatsby really is. They finally get to where they will eat their dinner. We now meet Mr. Wolfsheim, who claims to have rigged the 1919 World Series. He says that he 'Seized an opportunity.'
After lunch, Nick meets up with Jordan and they discuss the meeting the she had Gatsby. She tells how Gatsby loved Daisy, but when he went to war, she married Tom instead. Daisy has remained faithful to Tom, but Tom has not been faithful to his wife. And now, Gatsby wants Nick to invite Daisy for tea so he can see her again.

November 7, 2007

At the beginning of chapter 2, we find oursleves with Tom and Nick on their way to Tom's other "mistress" who lives in New York City. They come to her house. She lives with her husband above a car garage. The building contained 3 shops, one of wich was a restaurant. Every thing was covered with ashes. Inside, we meet George Wilson who sells and buys cars. His wife Myrtle is the one who Tom is having an affair with. The ashes could symbolize somthing later to come, but I am not totally sure at this point. Later on, we meet the McKees, who Nick describes him as a feminine man. I think he kind of "seals the deal" by saying that Myrtle's dress is adorable, which she does no like much at all.
Chapter 3 starts off with Nick describing what it is like to live next to Gatsby. He describes his blue gardens with men and women coming and going like moths, and on the weekends his Rolls-Royce became very active. This weekend though, a chauffeur extends an invite for Nick to attend one of his little parties. At the party, Nick feels alone until he meets up with Jordan, who we learn has cheated in her first golf tournament, but Nick is still attracted to her. During the party, he unknowingly meets up with Gatsby. He recognizes him from fighting in the Seventh Infatry WW1. They depart and talks to Jordan for an hour. As Nick leaves the party, he sees Owl Eyes stuck in a ditch.

October 30, 2007

We start off The Great Gatsby by hearing a piece of advice from the narrators father. It is, "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." This even provoked thought for me...I am quick to criticize other people. In the beginning we meet the narrator, Nick Carraway. Nick now lives in the New York area. He lives on an egg shaped land form. He lived on the West Egg, which he described as the less fashionable of the two of them. His house was only fifty yards from the Long Island Sound. His house was between two mansions, on the right was the Gatsby mansion, somewhat an imitation of a hotel in Normandy. He described his house as eye-sore, but was proud of his overlooked place. Nick now introduces Tom Buchanans. Tom was a football player for New Haven and now lives on the East Egg. He drove over there to see him. He seems to be very into himself. He even compliments himself about his property. Tom is married to Nicks second cousin Daisy, once removed. Nick follows Tom into the house and meets up with Daisy and Miss Baker. It also appears that Nick likes to look at Miss Baker and describes her features very well. As Miss Baker and Daisy continue to talk, they tell Nick about Tom's other woman in New York.
Nick is now departing from the Buchanans' place, but before he goes, they ask him if he really is engaged like they had heard. He says no and leaves. When Nick arrives home, he see's Mr. Gatsby in the front lawn of his house. He was going to call him, but doesn't. He points out to the ocean an a point. Nick looks and looks back to where Gatsby was standing, and is gone. This shows that Gatsby is going to be a mysterious figure in this story.