Hi! Blog about the evolving characterization, themes (inlcuidng the American Dream), the Fitgerald's use of color and any symbols you notice during the reading. Use a quote to support your claim. Comment on another's post to start our conversation. Can't wait!
Jordan's character further evolves as she is described by Nick as "incurably dishonest"(pg 63). Jordan is the exact opposite of Nick who decries himself as being "one of the few honest people that I [Nick] have ever known" (pg 64). Nick is very attracted to Jordan despite the fact that he views himself as her opposite. The theme of the American Dream presents itself in the form of Daisy's American Dream at the end of chapter four. Daisy's dream when she was younger was to have the "fairytale" ending by marrying Gatsby but instead she married Tom when Gatsby went off to war. Fitzgerald also uses color symbolically throughout the reading. The color gold is often used to describe Jordan. Nick describes Jordan's "slender golden arm resting in mine [Nick's]" (pg 47) and also describes putting his arm "around Jordan's golden shoulder" (pg 84). I believe that the gold represents something of value and Jordan's emotionally valuable to Nick at the moment. The usage of gold in correlation with Jordan also might hint at how physically Jordan represents the American Dream with her beauty and strength but inwardly she is the opposite of the American Dream: a liar and cheater.
ReplyDeletePaige
Very good symbol, not one I would have thought of. May I add- two "climber" girls at Gatsby's party were wearing yellow dresses, similar to, yet much cheaper than gold. It's as if he's showing that they're not as good as Jordan.
DeleteJosh
i thought your use of symbols to describe Fitzgerald's style was very fitting well done!
DeleteTroy
Connection: The gold that the high-end Americans relied on so much for their pleasure during the Jazz Age ultimately betrayed them during the following Great Depression, when the gold standard failed. Indeed, Jordan truly deserves to be attributed with gold.
DeleteIn reading The Great Gatsby, I have noticed that clothing, particularly mens' suits, plays an important role. In chapter two, Myrtle shows the difference between her husband, who got married in a borrowed suit, and Tom, who was wearing a flashy, expensive suit when they met. The suits show the difference between having money and being poor. Nick shows up to Gatsby's party in a white suit, and later states that he is the most honest person he knows. Here, white, as it often does, symbolizes honesty. Another theme I've noticed is how lavish and needlessly extravagant Gatsby's party is. The party is full of climbers, such as Englishmen looking for ways to make money. These people are very morally loose.
ReplyDeleteJosh
This is a really good point Josh! I actually never made that connection between Nick's white suit and the fact that he called himself honest while reading. Also, Lucille (one of the "climbers") receives an evening gown that was 'gas blue' from Gatsby that she was going to wear at the party -but she didn't because it didn't fit. Gatsby's choice of sending a blue dress (representing sadness) might also correlate with the fact that he wasn't associating with any of the guests at the party --- maybe he's depressed?
Delete-Gayatri
I think thats very interesting how you noticed that i would have never even thought to pay attention to the suits! The white and the honesty make sense but i could not make a connection between the girls in yellow. Maybe you have some insight?
Deletesam needels
As a character, Gatsby advances as the reader learns more information about him. It is learned that he is wealthy when he throws a huge party for people he hardly even knows, and that his source of wealth is unknown. During the party, "the moon had risen higher, and floating in the sound was a triangle of silver scales" (48). The silver represents wealth and possible corruption. The suspicions of corruption arise when none of Gatsby’s guests know how Gatsby attained his wealth. Sometime later, Gatsby takes Nick out, and gives him a ride in his car that "was bright with nickel, swollen here and there in its monstrous length" (64). Gatsby's car is described as being swollen with silver, as if to say that it was done in a bad way. The corruption represented by the color silver is indirectly proven when Gatsby introduces Nick to Wolfsheim. Nick perceives him as a secretive person, and Wolfsheim gives him the impression that he should not know about how Gatsby got his riches, and that it is possible that Gatsby is tied up with crime that Wolfsheim is also involved in. The theme of the American dream is represented in Gatsby’s riches; most Americans work to purchase luxury items and showcase them, but they’d prefer to do less work -- and that is what Gatsby seems to represent: less work more riches.
ReplyDelete-Gayatri
I thought that was interesting, too. Silver is usually regarded as cheaper than gold, and gold is used often to describe Jordan. Maybe Gatsby is not as good of a person as Jordan is, even though she is dishonest?
DeleteIn chapters 3 and 4 of the novel, the reader begins to learn more about Nick and his stance on life and the other characters. On one hand, Nick explains how people's lack of consideration and the validity of people's wealth are damaging to life, yet as we learn from these chapters, Nick is attracted to Jordan, who shows considerable dishonesty in her lifestyle. Chapter 4 also shows the two sides to Gatsbys previously shrouded persona. The "soldier" Gatsby is authentic and hopeful, while the lavish businessman is representative of greed and corruption . I believe in the following chapters, that Nick and Gatsbys relationship, along with their inner conflicts will be further developed.
ReplyDelete-Trey Tag
Yeeeeah I agree on everything you said and the last part I was thinking throughout, that the inner conflicts will be better represented as the story and plot develops, seeing as how Nick and Gatsbys relationship is bound to expand throughout the book.
DeleteGood points
I love the work everyone is doing with the colors! The rumors about Gatsby are also worth mentioning. Anyone want to weigh in on these? Where are all of you?
ReplyDeleteMrs. Stein
IM COMING DONT WORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Delete- dave
What I found interesting was when the character Nick calls "Owl Eyes" is vehemently telling Nick and Jordan that the books in Gatsby's library are ""Absolutely real—have pages and everything... It's a bona-fide piece of printed matter. It fooled me. This fella's a regular Belasco. It's a triumph. What thoroughness! What realism! Knew when to stop too—didn't cut the pages"" (45). The people who live in East Egg and West Egg use expensive and fancy objects to mask their shortcomings, but Gatsby takes it a step further. Perhaps he has committed some awful crime?
ReplyDeleteUm how exactly does he take it a step further and just because someone has books that are "real" does not mean they are rich
DeleteWell, when I was reading this story liked the part about Mr. Gatsby's characterization. At first the way Nick was describing him made him sound like this very aloof and mysterious character. “I would have accepted without question the information that Gatsby sprang from the swamps of Louisiana or from the lower East Side of New York. That was comprehensible. But young men didn’t-at least in my provincial inexperience I believed they didn’t-drift coolly out of nowhere and buy a palace on Long Island Sound” (54). All of Gatsby’s guests know next to nothing about him and spread all sorts of rumors of who he is and what he has done (like that woman that said he killed a guy). I was kind of disappointed when I found out about his back story from Ms. Baker and learning he was just some love sick guy fawning over a woman he lost years ago when he went of to war. Well who knows maybe he will become more interesting that Wolfsheim character he hangs around with seems pretty sketchy maybe something will happen with those two.
ReplyDeleteUm yeah Wolfsheim is the proffesional gambler who rigged the 1919 world series hello its called U.S. history.
DeleteI agree they seem very shady
DeleteGood point! I think there is more to the "love story" than Jordan tells Nick, something seems off about Gatsby. Nick describes him as mysterious and sinister a multitude of times. I agree that the wealth of the characters contrast with the depravity of their nature and personality.
ReplyDeletePaige
I feel as though in chapters 3 & 4 we see Nicks character develop greatly, as Fitzgerald allows us to delve into his inner desires and thoughts, rather than just his first glances at situations. When he encounters Jordan and is told by Tom that he would go great with her, he attempts to engage with her but is soon disheartened with her dishonesty. We also see the development of Nicks relationship with Gatsby, as Gatsby opens up and reveals tidbits about his past, letting an almost stranger into his life. We also see the development of the character of Gatsby, unknown to him Nick slowly learned through Jordan's secret conversation that Gatsby is in love with Ms. Daisy. When Nick remembers the first time he saw Gatsby looking out across the bay he said, "Then it had not been merely the starts to which he had aspired the June night," remembering the green light that Gatsby was reaching, now aware that he was reaching for Daisy and her star-crossed love. Now that I look back on the scene with knowledge of Daisy and Gatsby's prior relations, I think that the green light was not only green due to the sky, but the author chose green to represent the envy that Gatsby has towards Tom and Daisy's relationship, reaching for what could have been his all along, thinking that Daisy could be in his arms rather than Tom's.
ReplyDeleteyah dat happened ^^^^
DAVE! I liked how you connected all of the characters to each other. Wow, you have a great memory of remembering who everyone is!!! I agree with you on the "green with envy" part as well
DeleteMaRisSa HoM
The green light was the light at the end of Daisy's dock, and I would have never thought that it was a resemblance of envy! I'm having difficulty picking up on the representation of colors in the novel, maybe you could help me out in class? Yellow and purple/violet seem to be prevalent and perhaps you could help me reveal their meanings?!
DeleteThx.... Crystal
I thought the light was more of a symbol of Gatsby's hope (Gatsby's version of the American Dream?) of being with Daisy rather than a symbol of him being envious (which has a pretty negative connotation) of Tom, but who knows maybe it is.
Delete(Mitchell Klokman)
Um definately not envy the light is at the end of Daisy's dock it is definately hope of getting with her he is just being creepy and watching it because she is there duh.
DeleteIn chapters 3 and 4 of Gatsby the reader really gets to see Nick in a whole new dimension, but the person you learn most about is Jay Gatsby. Nick is finally invited to go to his house for a party, and had no idea what to expect. When Nick finally meets Gatsby he realizes he had also fought in the war. Nick goes into great depth about Gatsby's appearance, "He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced, or seemed to face, the whole external world for an instant and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself"(39) Fitzgerald portrays Gatsby as a kind-faced man who understood a person without even knowing who they were. It was as if he knew Nick without ever meeting him and that made Nick like him straight away.
ReplyDeleteTroy t
This quote you selected makes Nick look like a little puppy looking for affection...maybe he really is looking to fit in. Do you think he has a crush?
DeleteMrs. Stein
I agree with Mrs. Stein.. I assumed he may have a crush, but then further into the reading he speaks of his affair with a woman he worked with, the strange imaginative incidents he thinks up of him following girls back to their apartments, and his unsure "love" for Jordan. He may just be very affectionate... who knows!
DeleteCrystal M
Nick's character evolves in chapters 3 and 4 as he tells us more about his emotions, such as how he felt a "haunting loneliness sometimes, and felt it in others" (56). He also gets more in depth about his personal relations with people, such as his affair with the girl from Jersey City or his not so assured "love" for Jordan Baker. At the end of chapter 3, Nick states that he is one of the few honest people he has ever known. His character has evolved because at the beginning of the text he focused more on the descriptions and judgement he had on others, rather than focusing on himself. He becomes more expressive while at the beginning of the book he is perceived by the reader as exclusive and quiet. Gatsby also evolves as a character as he is introduced as a handsome, tan man around Nick's age with exceptional manners and hosting skills. As we get into chapter 4, however, it is hinted that Jay Gatsby may actually lie about his successes in the military or with the inheritance of his parents wealth. Instead, he is assumed to possibly be associated with organized crime and an illegal source of income. It is also revealed through Jordan that Gatsby is in love with Daisy and is befriending Nick to pursue this love of his; altering his character from a mysterious, "kept to himself" kind of man, to a person possessing an emotional desperate personality. The "American dream" seems to be that of wealth, as Gatsby's big mansion symbolizes the results of a large income, and is admired by all characters as his house is a place of happiness and enjoyment. Characters are described as at their happiest, "dancing gayely" and laughing excessively at Gatsby's house (therefor his house may symbolize the happiness that comes from wealth. The color yellow is also very prevalent in this chuck of text, as the two twin sisters are clothed in identical yellow dresses and everybody at Gatsby's party dances to "yellow cocktail music" (40).
ReplyDeleteCrystal M
chunk* i said chuck..silly me!
DeleteWhat about LOVE?
DeleteThat too, of course! It seems like love becomes very evident in these 2 chapters and is expressed as socially acceptable to yearn for.
Delete-Crystal M
i just rly thnk u rok
Delete~dave
Crystal Meth
DeleteI think that Gatsby is a phony. He is so mysterious and everyone thinks that he had murdered someone and no one really knows who he is or what he does. On page 50 it says, "my eyes fell on Gatsby, standing alone on the marble steps and looking from one group to another with approving eyes...I wondered if the fact that he was not drinking helped to set him off from his guests". Gatsby throws such lavish parties that are very big and the majority of the guests aren't even invited. I feel like the characterization of Gatsby is showing the more dark and secretive lives of American lives.
ReplyDeleteMarissa Hom
It is interesting that he does host these parties and provides a lot of booze and dosn't partake, and then all the while he watches approvingly. This makes him seem a bit creepy.
Delete^^ taking advantage of the ladies!!! (took Jordan into the room alone)
DeleteCrystal M
I agree with marissa because Gatsby is a phony. he acts like he is so above everyone else because he has money but then he does not participate in the parties. He lets people into his home to show it off but he doesnt have fun because the one thing that he wants in life is intangible at this moment. He is creepy how he just watches everyone while they are in his house eating his food and drinking his alcohol.
DeleteAmy Barton
As I read more in the narrative voice of Nick Carraway, I begin to think of him as a hypocrite. He tends to think he better than most of the people around him, yet actually he inhibits many of the same behaviors. Before he said almost proudly he only got drunk once, now he is getting drunk all of the time. Also he scoffed at the women in the yellow dresses when they said that they doubted that the Gatsby went to Oxford, and later he too had his own speculations. He also seemed to disapprove of the guests who did not know Gatsby who arrived at his party yet he himself had an awkward encounter with Gatsby by not realizing who he was. He also claims he is not judgmental, yet very easily claims that Miss Baker is a liar, “She was incurably dishonest. She wasn’t able to endure being at a disadvantage and, given this unwillingness, I suppose she had begun dealing in subterfuges when she was very young in order to keep that cool, insolent smile turned to the world yet satisfy the demands of her hand, jaunty hands” (58). While Nick acts like he is better than all of these flawed people, he is similar in many ways.
ReplyDeletesam needels
So, he might be unreliable? How does this affect the story? It is interesting to consider.
DeleteI love your blog, it is very bold. You have made great connections and it really made me think. I agree with you on him being a hypocrate.
DeleteI think the only person that Nick does not pass judgement on is himself. He claims that he is one of the few honest people he knows, but that is because he doesn't stop to realize all of the contradictions that he makes.
DeleteGatsby appears to be much more of a socialite than Carrawary, and unlike Carrawary, who is mostly new to the society, is almost like a leader of sorts in society, drawing attention and wonder towards himself using charisma. In my opinion, though, Carrawary and Gatsby are rather similiar. Carrawary and Gatsby both possess a calmness of sorts that sets them apart from the rest of the bourgeoisie, bacchanalian society that they are in. And as we find out, unlike the people they are around (who seem to go through, life in aimless monotony), Carrawary and Gatsby both have a purpose to be in this society. Carrawary seems to be seeking a place in the Egg society where he can belong; his self-proclaimed tolerance, which seems to be mainly propelled by curiosity, often overpowers his sense of morality, which is why he seems to hypocritically indulge in the same things others do. And as we find out near the end of chapter four, Gatsby is infatuated with Daisy, which seems his main reason for participating in such a society. Carrawary and Gatsby are like foils of each other; despite appearing to be opposites in terms of personality and social recognition, they are both searching for things in the midst of the hustle-bustle, confusing city.
ReplyDeleteI think the dynamics of the parties that people attended in this time are quite interesting. One of Jordan Baker's friends admits "I never care what I do, so I always have a good time"(43). Her relatively low expectations for her evening are kind of disappointing, but at least she is always assured that she will be happy. In this lifestyle, people do not seem to get to hung up on stuff. For example, when the man crashed the car, he didn't really seem too concerned- granted he was possibly too drunk to understand what was going on. When Jordan Baker lies, she lies in order to remove any disadvantage she may have had. Gatsby lives for these parties in a way. Maybe he likes to observe people? It seems as though he likes to give them what they want at least. Gatsby does not partake. "Just as it began my eyes fell on Gatsby, standing alone on the marble steps and looking from one group to another with approving eyes" (50). Gatsby does not go to these parties without a care as to what happens. He must get something out of it or he would not have them, but he does not have the same enjoyment as his guests do. He is relatively alone.
ReplyDeleteChloe Lee
In chapters 3 and 4 we see the evolution of Nicks character. He becomes more emotional and revealing. He also has many contradicting feelings in these chapters, for he does not fully believe Gatsby's stories but he also feels for him. Gatsby is portrayed as lovesick and innocent. The author depicts Gatsby as a very likable character in this sense, whereas the old gatsby was an immoral bussiness man
ReplyDelete-Adam
i agree adam, nick does seem to have contradicting feelings on whether or not to believe Gatsby's stories and what to think of him. whether he is a creep or just a normal guy. also you are right about Gatsby being portrayed as lovesick i agree with that.
DeleteIn these chapters we see the evolution of Gatsby more than anyone else. First off we finally meet Gatsby in chapter three and Nick views him as sort of creepy in his participation in his own parties, or lack there of. He finds it odd that Gatsby does not partake in the activities during his parties and becomes intrigued and wants to know more about the man. We then move on to chapter four and Gatsby gives us a little insight on his personal life. He is evolving to become more personalized and open to Nick and by the end of the chapter, he tries to meet back up with Daisy through Nick. He has put more trust into Nick and they have started to develope a small friendship as of now. "'He wants to know,' continued Jordan, 'if you'll invite Daisy to your house some afternoon and then let him come over,'" (78). Gatsby gets kind of personal with Nick.
ReplyDeleteIn these chapters Nick gets the insight of Gatsby's life. he learns about his love for daisy and how they were in love but then he went to war and she got married to someone else. Also a vivid description of Gatsby's parties and how elegant they are and how the people who attend them are very high class. This shows that the American dream has so many parts that it cannot always be grasped fully. You would assume that Gatsby was living the American dream because he has so much money and how he seems to have so many friends. But Gatsby does not have the one thing in the world that he wants and that makes him depressed. The colors that are used throughout the chapters to me just give a deeper meaning to the characters and what is happening in their lives.
ReplyDeleteAmy Barton
In chapters three and four, we learn more about Jay Gatsby and the mystery behind him. When Nick goes to Gatsby's party with Jordan, he is surprised at how extravegant his parties are. Every guest drooled over all the things Gatsby owned, from his swimming pool to his Rolls Royce. When Nick finally meets Gatsby, he is suprised at how humble he is and how he does not drink at his own parties. Gatsby tells Nick about his past life, and how he still longs for Daisy. He wants Nick to set up a tea date and invite Daisy to it so she will have no clue Gatsby will be there. Overall, chapters three and four reveal that Gatsby is the kind of character that will do whatever it takes to get what he wants, without being too selfish and greedy.
ReplyDelete-Kate Sears