Communism: a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party. Everybody is equal. There is no segregation, no poor, and no rich. Ricard Wright is so fascinated with communism because he himself is black. His people were oppressed day and night. Blacks were socially contained to be lesser than whites, and in other words, if one was black then one's life was meaningless. Because of this inequality, Wright became attached to the idea of communism. A country without rich or poor. Everybody shared everything, meaning blacks would be on the same social standing as whites. If blacks were on the same social standing as whites, then there wouldn't be any segregation or oppression.
Bigger is actually more of a communist than he realizes. He actually does not understand what communism is, but only knows it is bad because other people say so. On page 115, it says, "He felt that one way to end fear and shame was to make all those black people act together. rule them, tell them what to do, and make them do it." That sounds a lot like communism, yet Bigger claims that communism is bad. Totalitarianism also appeals to him because he is fascinated with how Mussolini invaded Spain and how Hitler was killing the Jews. "He was not concerned with whether these acts were right or wrong; they simply appealed to him as possible avenues of escape" (Wright 115). Bigger only cares about how much power those dictators have in their hands, and he wants to have just as much power as they do, which essentially means he supports communism.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Native Son, Day 4&5 (pgs 97-156)
"Blackness". Blackness prevents one from freedom. Blackness forces one to submit to the white man. Blackness means one's life is meaningless and already set. Can't climb up the social latter, can't talk back to the white man, can't become whatever one wants to be. Blackness is a curse, a curse that is not removable, a curse that is obtained at birth. The only way to avoid the curse is to not be born black. But Bigger sees this "blackness" as a blessing, a blessing that opens up a road to freedom, power, and influence. Still, the power dynamics has not changed. Blacks are inferior to whites, and it is because of that that Bigger obtains the power of manipulation and "weapons that were invisible" (Wright 130).
Because of the social differences between whites and blacks, nobody would ever conceive of the idea of a black man lying to a white man, even less killing or touching a white woman. Blacks are scared of whites, so blacks will never go against whites, thus Bigger is automatically not guilty of anything done to them. Social disparity also means that white people have a good amount of pride, so they would not ask Bigger any questions that cross the social line and make whites rely on blacks. This pride glaringly shows when Mrs. and Mr. Dalton goes to Bigger's room to ask him what happened. Mrs. Dalton wants to ask more questions, but her pride prevents her. Bigger even explains, "She would be ashamed to let him think that something was so wrong in her family that she had to ask him, a black servant, about it" (Wright 128). Mrs. Dalton does not want to rely on a black man or else that would tarnish her pride as the superior rich white person and also as a hirer.
Other people are blind to the fact that a black man would attempt to rise up and hamper the social latter. White people do not expect Bigger, a black man, to have killed or done anything to Mary. Even though they are blind, Bigger used to be blind himself in Jan's perspective. When Bigger saw Buddy again, "Buddy was soft and vague; his eyes were defenseless and their glance went only to the surface of things" (Wright 108). Bigger saw his previous self in Buddy, a lonely and meaningless life. Bigger finally understood that this was how Jan viewed blacks.
Because of the social differences between whites and blacks, nobody would ever conceive of the idea of a black man lying to a white man, even less killing or touching a white woman. Blacks are scared of whites, so blacks will never go against whites, thus Bigger is automatically not guilty of anything done to them. Social disparity also means that white people have a good amount of pride, so they would not ask Bigger any questions that cross the social line and make whites rely on blacks. This pride glaringly shows when Mrs. and Mr. Dalton goes to Bigger's room to ask him what happened. Mrs. Dalton wants to ask more questions, but her pride prevents her. Bigger even explains, "She would be ashamed to let him think that something was so wrong in her family that she had to ask him, a black servant, about it" (Wright 128). Mrs. Dalton does not want to rely on a black man or else that would tarnish her pride as the superior rich white person and also as a hirer.
Other people are blind to the fact that a black man would attempt to rise up and hamper the social latter. White people do not expect Bigger, a black man, to have killed or done anything to Mary. Even though they are blind, Bigger used to be blind himself in Jan's perspective. When Bigger saw Buddy again, "Buddy was soft and vague; his eyes were defenseless and their glance went only to the surface of things" (Wright 108). Bigger saw his previous self in Buddy, a lonely and meaningless life. Bigger finally understood that this was how Jan viewed blacks.
Native Son, Day 3 (pgs 62-93)
Black people are trash. They cannot do anything. They will always submit to the white man. The white man does not care about what the blacks do as long as they do not approach the whites. That is the view of the time in the Native Son. Bigger, even though accidentally, manages to violate this relationship in every single form. He attempts to take sexual advantage over a white woman, kills her, burns her body, takes her money, and then tries to get out of the predicament.
On a social level, Bigger has trespassed his boundaries too far. To take advantage of a drunk white woman is already a ticket to getting killed. Sexual relations between whites and blacks are frowned upon, and in this case, the white person did not even agree to have sex, which in other words, is rape. Even before the rape, Bigger acts friendly with two white people. Blacks should always be inferior to whites, but Bigger shatters this concept and talks to Jan and Mary without honorifics.
On a more universal level, a person has killed another person, and that by itself is intolerable. But in this case, a black man has killed a white woman. A black man, a man who is inferior to whites, has killed a white woman. This shatters every rule the white man has set forth to contain the black man. Earlier in the novel, Bigger even states that white men don't care what happens between black men, but once that shifts to black committing a crime against whites, they start caring.
I do think Bigger realizes what he has done. "She was dead; she was white; she was a woman; he had killed her; he was black; he might be caught; he did not want to be caught; if he were they would kill him." (Wright 89) The quote explains that Bigger knows the consequences and the social barriers that he has violated. If not, he would not be able to say "They can't say I did it. If they do, they can't prove it" at the end of Book One because he would not know the social barriers that could help him.
On a social level, Bigger has trespassed his boundaries too far. To take advantage of a drunk white woman is already a ticket to getting killed. Sexual relations between whites and blacks are frowned upon, and in this case, the white person did not even agree to have sex, which in other words, is rape. Even before the rape, Bigger acts friendly with two white people. Blacks should always be inferior to whites, but Bigger shatters this concept and talks to Jan and Mary without honorifics.
On a more universal level, a person has killed another person, and that by itself is intolerable. But in this case, a black man has killed a white woman. A black man, a man who is inferior to whites, has killed a white woman. This shatters every rule the white man has set forth to contain the black man. Earlier in the novel, Bigger even states that white men don't care what happens between black men, but once that shifts to black committing a crime against whites, they start caring.
I do think Bigger realizes what he has done. "She was dead; she was white; she was a woman; he had killed her; he was black; he might be caught; he did not want to be caught; if he were they would kill him." (Wright 89) The quote explains that Bigger knows the consequences and the social barriers that he has violated. If not, he would not be able to say "They can't say I did it. If they do, they can't prove it" at the end of Book One because he would not know the social barriers that could help him.
Native Son, Day 2 (pgs 34- 62)
Alone in a room all to himself, Bigger begins to feel that the job is not so bad. He could drink in peace. He has a soft comfortable bed all to himself. Bigger believes that his new job will be extremely easy. On page 59, he even says "Oh boy! This would be an easy life!" Bigger is getting sold out by the material possessions that the Dalton's give him. He is not the type who would simply make peace in the world which he is confined in. Throughout the stay at the Dalton's, he always kept talking trash about Mary Dalton in his mind. He says, "The only thing bad so far was that crazy girl." He also felt awkward each time he came near a person in the household. If he really had made his peace, he would not feel awkward and just accept the way things are. If Bigger was being subversive, then he would act like he always does. Instead, he does not even want to go into the kitchen with Mrs. Dalton because of fear, so he is not surrendering at all.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Faulkner's Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech
In his Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech, William Faulkner clearly states what a writer should write about to make a good story; courage, honor, hope, pride, compassion, pity, and sacrifice. A good story is drenched in the agony and sweat of the human spirit, which is exemplified in his short story, "That Evening Sun."
Nancy, a tall black woman working for the white aristocratic family of the Compson's, portrays the agony of the human spirit Faulkner so fervently advocates. Faulkner displays pity and honor through her. The narrator tells the readers a story of how Nancy faces Mr. Stovall, a white man and a deacon in a Baptist church. He uses Nancy as a sexual object but never pays her so she shouts out, "When you gonna pay me, white man?" (Faulkner 168) Because of the racial differences during this time period in the south, it is unthinkable for a black person to be condemning a white person, so Nancy must have had a good amount of honor to actually accuse him. Even though she shows honor, she also portrays pity and sacrifice. She keeps repeating to herself, "I ain't nothing but a nigger." (Faulkner 168) She is the person of pity in the short story and thus represents the agony of the human spirit.
The Compson's represent a more positive heart by displaying compassion, sacrifice, and hope. Because Nancy is scared to death, Mr. Compson decides to accompany Nancy back to her house by saying, "I'm going to walk down the lane with Nancy." (Faulkner 169) Immediately after saying that, Mrs. Compson asks, "You'll leave me alone, to take Nancy home? Is her safety more precious to you than mine?" (Faulkner 169) Mr. Compson, even though leaving his children and wife unattended, brings Nancy back home, sacrificing himself and his family for the needs of others. Mr. Compson also shows hope to Nancy. When Nancy says that Jesus, her husband, is out in the open and waiting to kill her, Mr. Compson says, "Well, he's gone now. There's nothing for you to be afraid of now." (Faulkner 169) Mr. Compson tries to comfort Nancy through the sweat of the human spirit.
Nancy, a tall black woman working for the white aristocratic family of the Compson's, portrays the agony of the human spirit Faulkner so fervently advocates. Faulkner displays pity and honor through her. The narrator tells the readers a story of how Nancy faces Mr. Stovall, a white man and a deacon in a Baptist church. He uses Nancy as a sexual object but never pays her so she shouts out, "When you gonna pay me, white man?" (Faulkner 168) Because of the racial differences during this time period in the south, it is unthinkable for a black person to be condemning a white person, so Nancy must have had a good amount of honor to actually accuse him. Even though she shows honor, she also portrays pity and sacrifice. She keeps repeating to herself, "I ain't nothing but a nigger." (Faulkner 168) She is the person of pity in the short story and thus represents the agony of the human spirit.
The Compson's represent a more positive heart by displaying compassion, sacrifice, and hope. Because Nancy is scared to death, Mr. Compson decides to accompany Nancy back to her house by saying, "I'm going to walk down the lane with Nancy." (Faulkner 169) Immediately after saying that, Mrs. Compson asks, "You'll leave me alone, to take Nancy home? Is her safety more precious to you than mine?" (Faulkner 169) Mr. Compson, even though leaving his children and wife unattended, brings Nancy back home, sacrificing himself and his family for the needs of others. Mr. Compson also shows hope to Nancy. When Nancy says that Jesus, her husband, is out in the open and waiting to kill her, Mr. Compson says, "Well, he's gone now. There's nothing for you to be afraid of now." (Faulkner 169) Mr. Compson tries to comfort Nancy through the sweat of the human spirit.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
A Clean, Well-lighted Place
The form of the film for the most part does fit the content, but the very last scene did not fit very well. In the short story, it clearly stated that the waiter has insomnia, but in the film adaptation, it simply shows him walking back home in the stroke of dawn. Also, the British accents did not match up to the story. I thought the story was based in Cuba, as Hemingway always stayed there and also because there was Spanish in the text.
Even though the film has a few minor differences, I still think it is true to Hemingway's intent for the story. The old man represents a darker side of life, and Hemingway's existential-nihilistic ideas are shown through the old man's attempt at suicide and the repetition of "nada", which means nothing in Spanish. Hemingway believed that there was nothing beyond death, and the repetition of "nada" implies the idea. Even though in the film it said "nothing" instead of "nada", I thought it still put the same point across.
As I said before, the key element that has been altered is the ending and the accents. The ending in the film still worked, but that was because the bar scene and the actor's ability in portraying somebody who is wide awake. I personally did not like the film ending. If I did not read the short-story beforehand, I would have been confused. The film should have had the waiter lay on his bed, wide awake, staring into nothingness just like the short-story.
I thought the filmmakers did an excellent job in adapting the bar scene. I actually thought it was a lot stronger than on the page. I needed visual representation for the scene, and the film showed me a good number of people in the bar, referring back to the need of a well-lighted place. Hemingway's message comes of just as strongly in the film as in the short story, but only because of the strong bar scene.
If I had made the video, I would have first of all gotten a new set of actors that don't have British accents. I could not understand a good amount of dialog until I got used to it. The filming itself was very poor. The filming angles put me to sleep. I wanted to see the actors' faces more. That is one of the reasons why the bar scene stuck out for me. The waiter's face just screamed out that he was not tired, which was the point.
I do not think the majority of the actors casted were fitting to play the key characters in the novel. I portrayed the young man to be more irritated. He seemed irritated but not irritated as in the short story. I also portrayed the old man to be more drunk and imposing. He didn't even look drunk. He just kept saying "another brandy", but never used his body language to make it imposing. The only actor that did his job correctly was the old waiter, who showed his apparent insomnia well.
Even though the film has a few minor differences, I still think it is true to Hemingway's intent for the story. The old man represents a darker side of life, and Hemingway's existential-nihilistic ideas are shown through the old man's attempt at suicide and the repetition of "nada", which means nothing in Spanish. Hemingway believed that there was nothing beyond death, and the repetition of "nada" implies the idea. Even though in the film it said "nothing" instead of "nada", I thought it still put the same point across.
As I said before, the key element that has been altered is the ending and the accents. The ending in the film still worked, but that was because the bar scene and the actor's ability in portraying somebody who is wide awake. I personally did not like the film ending. If I did not read the short-story beforehand, I would have been confused. The film should have had the waiter lay on his bed, wide awake, staring into nothingness just like the short-story.
I thought the filmmakers did an excellent job in adapting the bar scene. I actually thought it was a lot stronger than on the page. I needed visual representation for the scene, and the film showed me a good number of people in the bar, referring back to the need of a well-lighted place. Hemingway's message comes of just as strongly in the film as in the short story, but only because of the strong bar scene.
If I had made the video, I would have first of all gotten a new set of actors that don't have British accents. I could not understand a good amount of dialog until I got used to it. The filming itself was very poor. The filming angles put me to sleep. I wanted to see the actors' faces more. That is one of the reasons why the bar scene stuck out for me. The waiter's face just screamed out that he was not tired, which was the point.
I do not think the majority of the actors casted were fitting to play the key characters in the novel. I portrayed the young man to be more irritated. He seemed irritated but not irritated as in the short story. I also portrayed the old man to be more drunk and imposing. He didn't even look drunk. He just kept saying "another brandy", but never used his body language to make it imposing. The only actor that did his job correctly was the old waiter, who showed his apparent insomnia well.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The Tip of the Iceberg
The clapper struck the bell. High school students dashed up the hill. Cell phones rang, kids laughed, couples held hands, teachers screamed. I detest it. I detest it all. I can't join them. I can't join them laughing, talking, yelling, running, yet I'm only 16. Only 16 years old, yet I can only watch from my windowsill.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Great Gatsby: Ch. 9, pages 163-180
Two years later, Nick recalls the events that happened during and after Gatsby's funeral. Nick attempts to hold a large funeral for Gatsby, but nobody shows up besides a few former servants, Gatsby's father named Henry Gatz, Owl Eyes, and Nick. Nick tries to get Wolfshiem to come but he claims he is busy and cannot come. Before Nick left for the Midwest, he sees Tom and concludes that Tom and Daisy are too careless and only bring misfortune to people who know them, which completely contradicts his statement in the beginning of the novel that said he doesn't judge people. At the end of the novel, Nick compares the green light on the other side of the dock to the American dream.
Character: Nick
" They were careless people, Tom and Daisyーthey smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their cast carelessness, or whatever it was that kepy them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made..."
Nick is trustworthy yet not-trustworthy. In the beginning of the novel, he never was on any side and also never judged people. Because he was also the narrator and everything he finds out the readers find out, he becomes trustworthy. As the novel progressed, he began to view everybody besides Gatsby in more contempt and all his previous claims about reserving judgement were contradicted. As seen in the quote above, he judges Tom and Daisy.
Nick's active role in the novel in not only to narrate, but also to connect Daisy and Gatsby. If Nick wasn't in the story, Gatsby and Daisy would have never met. Throughout the novel, Nick is the one connecting Gatsby and Daisy together. At one point, Nick says, "I tried to go then, but they wouldn't hear of it; perhaps my presence made them feel more satisfactory alone." (Fitzgerald 94) The start of their relationship was all thanks to Nick.
Quote:
"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. it eluded us then, but that's no matterーto-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther....And one fine morningー So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
The quote is not only important to the chapter, but to the whole novel. Gatsby represents everybody pursuing the American dream in Fitzgerald's time. The green light is the American dream, which Gatsby never reaches. I think Fitzgerald is trying to say that the American dream is somewhat out of reach because people in his time look back at the past too much, which is exemplified as Gatsby tries to make the present with Daisy just like the past. Fitzgerald first published the novel a few years after the Great War. Disillusioned, people wanted to return to the past but at the same time also going forward.
Character: Nick
" They were careless people, Tom and Daisyーthey smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their cast carelessness, or whatever it was that kepy them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made..."
Nick is trustworthy yet not-trustworthy. In the beginning of the novel, he never was on any side and also never judged people. Because he was also the narrator and everything he finds out the readers find out, he becomes trustworthy. As the novel progressed, he began to view everybody besides Gatsby in more contempt and all his previous claims about reserving judgement were contradicted. As seen in the quote above, he judges Tom and Daisy.
Nick's active role in the novel in not only to narrate, but also to connect Daisy and Gatsby. If Nick wasn't in the story, Gatsby and Daisy would have never met. Throughout the novel, Nick is the one connecting Gatsby and Daisy together. At one point, Nick says, "I tried to go then, but they wouldn't hear of it; perhaps my presence made them feel more satisfactory alone." (Fitzgerald 94) The start of their relationship was all thanks to Nick.
Quote:
"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. it eluded us then, but that's no matterーto-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther....And one fine morningー So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
The quote is not only important to the chapter, but to the whole novel. Gatsby represents everybody pursuing the American dream in Fitzgerald's time. The green light is the American dream, which Gatsby never reaches. I think Fitzgerald is trying to say that the American dream is somewhat out of reach because people in his time look back at the past too much, which is exemplified as Gatsby tries to make the present with Daisy just like the past. Fitzgerald first published the novel a few years after the Great War. Disillusioned, people wanted to return to the past but at the same time also going forward.
The Great Gatsby: Ch. 8, pages 147-162
In the beginning of the chapter, Nick wakes up worried about Gatsby and visits him at his mansion. Nick tries to convince Gatsby to leave West Egg and go far away, but Gatsby reluctantly refuses, saying that he would wait for Daisy. Gatsby then tells Nick everything about his background; from Dan Cody all the way to Daisy's letters. The scene shifts to George Wilson and Michaelis, and George disappears from his garage on the motive to kill the man who had an affair with Myrtle. While Gatsby is in his pool, George Wilson comes up to him and shoots Gatsby and then shoots himself.
Character: Gatsby
"If that was true he must have felt that he has lost the old warm world, paid a high price for living too long with a single dream." (Fitzgerald 161)
Gatsby is a devious and narrow-minded man; nevertheless, he is the only character in the novel that sticks to his /her core values. In the past five years, Gatsby has only thought about Daisy. He carefully planned parties only with the aspirations that Daisy would come to one. His narrow-mindedness made him only concentrate on Daisy, and once he lost his holy grail, which was Daisy, his hole world fell apart. Every single character besides Gatsby were corrupted by society by the end of the novel, but Gatsby was the only one who didn't change. After his dream of getting Daisy was clearly over, he still waited for her call, which ultimately decided his death.
Gatsby's role is essentially the whole plot. The plot revolves around him and his actions. He is the one who instigated Daisy's adulterous behavior. Before hearing about Gatsby, Daisy was an innocent and tolerant girl that did not seem to care about Tom's cheating, which is not the case by the end of the novel. Gatsby also brought the narrator to sympathize with him, making readers also sympathize with Gatsby because Nick is a trustworthy narrator.
Quote:
"His house had never seemed so enormous to me as it did that night when we hunted through the great rooms for cigarettes... " (Fitzgerald 147)
The quote stood out to me because it described Gatsby. His house mirrors Gatsby's self. In the beginning of the novel, people filled his house. The description by Gatsby to Daisy made readers stare in disbelief at the lustrous image of Gatsby's house, but the quote above says otherwise. The quote describes Gatsby's house as enormous, dusty, and empty, just like Gatsby. Once his sole goal disappeared, he turned into another Dan Cody, a man with money but no purpose.
Character: Gatsby
"If that was true he must have felt that he has lost the old warm world, paid a high price for living too long with a single dream." (Fitzgerald 161)
Gatsby is a devious and narrow-minded man; nevertheless, he is the only character in the novel that sticks to his /her core values. In the past five years, Gatsby has only thought about Daisy. He carefully planned parties only with the aspirations that Daisy would come to one. His narrow-mindedness made him only concentrate on Daisy, and once he lost his holy grail, which was Daisy, his hole world fell apart. Every single character besides Gatsby were corrupted by society by the end of the novel, but Gatsby was the only one who didn't change. After his dream of getting Daisy was clearly over, he still waited for her call, which ultimately decided his death.
Gatsby's role is essentially the whole plot. The plot revolves around him and his actions. He is the one who instigated Daisy's adulterous behavior. Before hearing about Gatsby, Daisy was an innocent and tolerant girl that did not seem to care about Tom's cheating, which is not the case by the end of the novel. Gatsby also brought the narrator to sympathize with him, making readers also sympathize with Gatsby because Nick is a trustworthy narrator.
Quote:
"His house had never seemed so enormous to me as it did that night when we hunted through the great rooms for cigarettes... " (Fitzgerald 147)
The quote stood out to me because it described Gatsby. His house mirrors Gatsby's self. In the beginning of the novel, people filled his house. The description by Gatsby to Daisy made readers stare in disbelief at the lustrous image of Gatsby's house, but the quote above says otherwise. The quote describes Gatsby's house as enormous, dusty, and empty, just like Gatsby. Once his sole goal disappeared, he turned into another Dan Cody, a man with money but no purpose.
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Great Gatsby: Ch. 7, pages 113-145
In the beginning, we find out that Gatsby replaced all his servants with dangerous people connected to Wolfshiem through Nick being greeted rudely by on of Gatsby's new servants. Nick drives to the Buchanan's house to have lunch with Tom and Daisy, and also find Jordan and Gatsby also there. While in the house, Daisy openly expresses her love for Gatsby, and Tom begins to suspect something and suggests they all go to town together. During the drive to town, they stop at the Wilson's and discover that Mr. Wilson has discovered that Myrtle has been secretly seeing somebody. In the hotel, Gatsby and Tom get into a heated verbal fight about Daisy, and on the drive back home, Daisy hits Myrtle on the road and kills her.
Character: George Wilson
"Wilson had never seemed faintly capable of such a statement. Generally he was one of these worn-out men: when he wasn't working, he sat on a chair in the doorway and stared at the people and the cars that passed along the road. When any one spoke to him he was invariably laughed in an agreeable, colorless way. He was his wife's man and not his own." (Fitzgerald 136)
George Wilson is a trustworthy, yet submissive man who kisses up to higher society to get the money he wants. From the quote above, it is clear that he usually trusts Myrtle and lets her do what she desires, but he locks her up when he finds out that she was cheating on him so he can be dominant too. Mr. Wilson also is a kiss-up. Each time Tom comes, Mr. Wilson asks Tom with utmost politeness if he can sell his cars to Mr. Wilson himself so Mr. Wilson can make a lot of money.
George Wilson's role in the novel is to represent a normal man in society that wants to climb up the social latter by trying to do business with Tom. He also represent's Tom's poorer counterpart because both have discovered his wife's infidelity.
Quote:
"They weren't happy, and neither of them had touched the chicken or the ale, and yet they weren't unhappy either. There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture, and anybody would have said that they were conspiring together. " (Fitzgerald 145)
The quote stood out to me because I felt it foreshadowed a downfall to Gatsby in the coming chapters. It says that Daisy still dearly loved Tom, so in the future, I think Daisy will tell Gatsby straight out to stop bothering her. She was already mad enough when Gatsby told her to tell Tom that she never loved Tom, that the five years she spent with him was only a filler for Gatsby.
Character: George Wilson
"Wilson had never seemed faintly capable of such a statement. Generally he was one of these worn-out men: when he wasn't working, he sat on a chair in the doorway and stared at the people and the cars that passed along the road. When any one spoke to him he was invariably laughed in an agreeable, colorless way. He was his wife's man and not his own." (Fitzgerald 136)
George Wilson is a trustworthy, yet submissive man who kisses up to higher society to get the money he wants. From the quote above, it is clear that he usually trusts Myrtle and lets her do what she desires, but he locks her up when he finds out that she was cheating on him so he can be dominant too. Mr. Wilson also is a kiss-up. Each time Tom comes, Mr. Wilson asks Tom with utmost politeness if he can sell his cars to Mr. Wilson himself so Mr. Wilson can make a lot of money.
George Wilson's role in the novel is to represent a normal man in society that wants to climb up the social latter by trying to do business with Tom. He also represent's Tom's poorer counterpart because both have discovered his wife's infidelity.
Quote:
"They weren't happy, and neither of them had touched the chicken or the ale, and yet they weren't unhappy either. There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture, and anybody would have said that they were conspiring together. " (Fitzgerald 145)
The quote stood out to me because I felt it foreshadowed a downfall to Gatsby in the coming chapters. It says that Daisy still dearly loved Tom, so in the future, I think Daisy will tell Gatsby straight out to stop bothering her. She was already mad enough when Gatsby told her to tell Tom that she never loved Tom, that the five years she spent with him was only a filler for Gatsby.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Great Gatsby: Ch. 6, pages 97-111
The chapter begins as Nick has a flashback about Gatsby's early life. James Gatz, or Jay Gatsby, lived in North Dakota an attended St. Olaf's College in Minnesota, only to drop out two weeks later due to his despairing work as a janitor to pay his own tuition. As James Gatz worked on Lake Superior, he warned Dan Cody of a storm and Cody employed Gatz as his personal assistant and named him Jay Gatsby. Later, Cody died and left his inheritance to Gatsby, but Cody's cunning mistress prevented the transaction to happen and got the thousands instead of Gatsby. The scene changes and Tom and Daisy are in Gatsby's party, Gatsby showing off his wealth to Tom with every chance he gets.
Character: Dan Cody
"A few days later he took him to Duluth and bought him a blue coat, six pairs of white duck trousers, and a yachting cap."
Dan Cody is wealthy, charitable, and grateful. His wealth is shown through his transactions of Montana copper. His gratefulness is exemplified though taking in Gatz, a mere child of farmers. To show even more charitableness, he buys Gatsby a good amount of clothing.
Dan Cody's role in the novel is to pose as Gatsby's rich friend to the eyes of others and also to remind Gatsby of who he originally was. Gatsby is self-conscious of how others look at him, so he would want people to think that his old friend is an extremely rich person. So far in the novel, the picture of Gatsby on "his" yacht is the only proof of his secret past.
Quote:
"He wanted nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: 'I never loved you.' "
The quote signifies how obsessed Gatsby is about Daisy. According to novel, there has never been anything mentioned between Daisy and Gatsby about switching loyalties from Tom to Gatsby so far. There is no reason why Daisy should go up to Tom and tell him the truth at the moment, yet Gatsby desires her to. Even though Gatsby has waited for five years, the quote also tells how desperate and impatient he is now.
Character: Dan Cody
"A few days later he took him to Duluth and bought him a blue coat, six pairs of white duck trousers, and a yachting cap."
Dan Cody is wealthy, charitable, and grateful. His wealth is shown through his transactions of Montana copper. His gratefulness is exemplified though taking in Gatz, a mere child of farmers. To show even more charitableness, he buys Gatsby a good amount of clothing.
Dan Cody's role in the novel is to pose as Gatsby's rich friend to the eyes of others and also to remind Gatsby of who he originally was. Gatsby is self-conscious of how others look at him, so he would want people to think that his old friend is an extremely rich person. So far in the novel, the picture of Gatsby on "his" yacht is the only proof of his secret past.
Quote:
"He wanted nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: 'I never loved you.' "
The quote signifies how obsessed Gatsby is about Daisy. According to novel, there has never been anything mentioned between Daisy and Gatsby about switching loyalties from Tom to Gatsby so far. There is no reason why Daisy should go up to Tom and tell him the truth at the moment, yet Gatsby desires her to. Even though Gatsby has waited for five years, the quote also tells how desperate and impatient he is now.
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Great Gatsby: Ch. 5, pages 81-96
In the beginning of the chapter, Nick comes back home from a date with Jordan Baker and sees Gatsby walking towards him. At first, Gatsby desperately tries to make Nick happy with offers such as inviting him to go to his pool, but then Nick easily finds out Gatsby's real motive is to get him to arrange a meeting with Daisy, which he does. When Daisy arrives, both Gatsby and Daisy are completely nervous and can't speak well, but after Nick leaves them for a little while, both of them begin to talk like old friends. Gatsby, filled with confidence, invites Nick and Daisy over to his house, showing off his wealth to Daisy. At some point, Gatsby and Daisy completely forget that Nick is also with them, so Nick quietly sneaks out and leaves.
Character: Daisy
"'I adore it,' exclaimed Daisy. 'The pompadour! You never told me you had a pompadour--or a yacht.'" (Fitzgerald 93)
Daisy is an innocent woman who seems to follow men around easily. In the previous chapters, when Tom cheats in front of her, Daisy pretends nothing happened. Tom has full control of her and she just follows everything he wants. This is similar in Gatsby's case. Daisy also follows Gatsby around. In this chapter, each time Gatsby shows her something, she praises the object like it was gold.
Daisy's role in the novel is to cause chaos in an indirect way. She is the missing piece that ties the whole story together. Gatsby has his life centered for her, and inevitably, Tom and Gatsby are going to clash at any moment. Gatsby and Daisy love each other, and at the moment, Tom does not know that. Tom treats all his "possessions" like objects, and Daisy is also one of those objects. For such an egoistical man, it is horrid if another person took Daisy from his possessions, so there will be tension between Tom and Gatsby.
Quote:
" 'I did, old sport,' he said automatically, 'but I lost most of it in the big panic - the panic of the war.' " (Fitzgerald 90)
The quote again brings up if Gatsby is making everything up about his background. It seems that he already has an answer prepared for every loophole, or else he would not answer "automatically". Gatsby always quickens his answers when talking about his own past, which means that he could be lying. His past is still a mystery to the readers, and what he says is not a reliable source of information.
Character: Daisy
"'I adore it,' exclaimed Daisy. 'The pompadour! You never told me you had a pompadour--or a yacht.'" (Fitzgerald 93)
Daisy is an innocent woman who seems to follow men around easily. In the previous chapters, when Tom cheats in front of her, Daisy pretends nothing happened. Tom has full control of her and she just follows everything he wants. This is similar in Gatsby's case. Daisy also follows Gatsby around. In this chapter, each time Gatsby shows her something, she praises the object like it was gold.
Daisy's role in the novel is to cause chaos in an indirect way. She is the missing piece that ties the whole story together. Gatsby has his life centered for her, and inevitably, Tom and Gatsby are going to clash at any moment. Gatsby and Daisy love each other, and at the moment, Tom does not know that. Tom treats all his "possessions" like objects, and Daisy is also one of those objects. For such an egoistical man, it is horrid if another person took Daisy from his possessions, so there will be tension between Tom and Gatsby.
Quote:
" 'I did, old sport,' he said automatically, 'but I lost most of it in the big panic - the panic of the war.' " (Fitzgerald 90)
The quote again brings up if Gatsby is making everything up about his background. It seems that he already has an answer prepared for every loophole, or else he would not answer "automatically". Gatsby always quickens his answers when talking about his own past, which means that he could be lying. His past is still a mystery to the readers, and what he says is not a reliable source of information.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Great Gatsby: Ch. 4, pages 61-80
The chapter begins by Nick talking about how many different type of people visited Gatsby's house over the summer. One morning, Gatsby called Nick to drive around together before lunch. During the drive, Gatsby finally reveals true facts about himself, but due to Gatsby's submissive or quiet nature, Nick is reluctant to believe the facts until Gatsby personally shows him proof in form of a badge and a picture. Later on in the chapter, Jordan Baker tells of the past to Nick, revealing that Daisy has met Gatsby a long time ago. After she finished telling the story, she reveals that everything from throwing grand parties every week to buying his house directly across from East Egg was all for Daisy.
Character: Gatsby
"The very phrases were worn so threadbare that they evoked no image except that of a turbaned 'character' leaking sawdust at every pore as he pursued a tiger through the Bois de Boulgno." (Fitzgerald 66)
From the beginning of the book, Gatsby was portrayed as a mysterious person. Weird and unthinkable stories surrounded him and tightly bound him, but Chapter 4 finally fully reveals Gatsby's true self, which is very quiet, submissive, and dedicated person. His introversion is shown through not wanting to talk a lot in the drive with Nick. His submissiveness is exposed in Ch. 3 when he isn't even noticed by anybody at his own party. Finally, he is a dedicated person because he tries is hardest to be close to Daisy.
Gatsby's role in the novel is to be the counterpart of Tom and also the revenge of Daisy. Gatsby is essential Tom's opposite. Tom boasts about his wealth and also doesn't care about anybody than himself. He also cheats in front of everybody and has no shame. Gatsby, on the other hand, is extremely submissive and nice. Because Tom cheats on Daisy, Fitzgerald makes things more interesting by making Daisy also cheat.
Quote: "So my first impression, that he was a person of some undefined consequence, had gradually faded and he had become simply the proprietor of an elaborate road-house next door." (Fitzgerald 64)
The quote is essential to explain Gatsby's true self. This is the first time Nick describes Gatsby in disappointment, meaning that Gatsby's radiance was probably faked in order to accomplish his life goal: get Daisy. As Gatsby got more familiar with Nick, his radiance began to slowly disappear because he had already got Nick's attention.
Character: Gatsby
"The very phrases were worn so threadbare that they evoked no image except that of a turbaned 'character' leaking sawdust at every pore as he pursued a tiger through the Bois de Boulgno." (Fitzgerald 66)
From the beginning of the book, Gatsby was portrayed as a mysterious person. Weird and unthinkable stories surrounded him and tightly bound him, but Chapter 4 finally fully reveals Gatsby's true self, which is very quiet, submissive, and dedicated person. His introversion is shown through not wanting to talk a lot in the drive with Nick. His submissiveness is exposed in Ch. 3 when he isn't even noticed by anybody at his own party. Finally, he is a dedicated person because he tries is hardest to be close to Daisy.
Gatsby's role in the novel is to be the counterpart of Tom and also the revenge of Daisy. Gatsby is essential Tom's opposite. Tom boasts about his wealth and also doesn't care about anybody than himself. He also cheats in front of everybody and has no shame. Gatsby, on the other hand, is extremely submissive and nice. Because Tom cheats on Daisy, Fitzgerald makes things more interesting by making Daisy also cheat.
Quote: "So my first impression, that he was a person of some undefined consequence, had gradually faded and he had become simply the proprietor of an elaborate road-house next door." (Fitzgerald 64)
The quote is essential to explain Gatsby's true self. This is the first time Nick describes Gatsby in disappointment, meaning that Gatsby's radiance was probably faked in order to accomplish his life goal: get Daisy. As Gatsby got more familiar with Nick, his radiance began to slowly disappear because he had already got Nick's attention.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Great Gatsby: Ch. 3, pages 39-59
The beginning of the chapter describes the extravagance of Gatsby's party; the orchestra, mouth-watering food, bars, and liquor. This is the first time Nick has been invited to Gatsby's house, and meets Jordan Baker at the party. Together, they both hear rumors about Gatsby's past life such as being a German spy and killing a man. In the middle of the party, Nick finally speaks to the middle-aged man, Gatsby, who does not stand out at all, but when he speaks to him, the man emits a rare understanding smile. At the end, the setting changes and the narrator is not at the party anymore, and also finds out that Jordan Baker's true dirty self.
Character: Jordan Baker
"She was incurably dishonest." (Fitzgerald 58)
Jordan is a strong, independent, and modern woman. She appears with a strong disposition and everybody around her respects her. In Chapter three, two women even approach her as if she were a man that is wealthy. But this chapter also reveals a nasty part to her; a nasty part of her that includes acute dishonesty. Nick clearly explains how much she lies by telling the story of how she cheated in the gold tournament and also how she lies about how the convertible got wet.
Jordan Baker's role in the novel is to be the person that Nick loves. If somebody ever discovered Jordan's deceiving actions, he/she would naturally feel disgusted, but Nick does not. Instead, he simply says dishonesty made no difference to him, and then forgot the topic. Even though he denies that he loves her and instead is curious in her, it is clear that he is starting to feel attracted to Jordan Baker, or else he would have naturally minded about her lies.
Quote:
"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)
The quote stuck out to me because I felt it incredibly self-conceited, which is not supposed to be Nick's character. To say that one is the most honest person one has ever known is horribly wrong. People always know themselves the best, and that is why people know their faults the best, which is why people always have doubts. If Fitzgerald was trying to show that Nick had brimming confidence, it did not work for me that way. The brimming confidence of knowing himself turned into conceit when I read that quote.
Character: Jordan Baker
"She was incurably dishonest." (Fitzgerald 58)
Jordan is a strong, independent, and modern woman. She appears with a strong disposition and everybody around her respects her. In Chapter three, two women even approach her as if she were a man that is wealthy. But this chapter also reveals a nasty part to her; a nasty part of her that includes acute dishonesty. Nick clearly explains how much she lies by telling the story of how she cheated in the gold tournament and also how she lies about how the convertible got wet.
Jordan Baker's role in the novel is to be the person that Nick loves. If somebody ever discovered Jordan's deceiving actions, he/she would naturally feel disgusted, but Nick does not. Instead, he simply says dishonesty made no difference to him, and then forgot the topic. Even though he denies that he loves her and instead is curious in her, it is clear that he is starting to feel attracted to Jordan Baker, or else he would have naturally minded about her lies.
Quote:
"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)
The quote stuck out to me because I felt it incredibly self-conceited, which is not supposed to be Nick's character. To say that one is the most honest person one has ever known is horribly wrong. People always know themselves the best, and that is why people know their faults the best, which is why people always have doubts. If Fitzgerald was trying to show that Nick had brimming confidence, it did not work for me that way. The brimming confidence of knowing himself turned into conceit when I read that quote.
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Great Gatsby: Ch. 2, pages 23-38
In the beginning of the chapter, Tom drags Nick off the train so Tom can induce his girl to Nick. Tom's girl, Myrtle Wilson, and Mr. George Wilson are married and live and work at a run down garage in the valley of ashes, which is in the middle of West Egg and New York City. After speaking in the garage, Tom, Nick, and Myrtle go to Catherine's place; Catherine is Myrtle's sister. Each time Nick wanted to leave, he was brought back by arguments. Later that evening, Myrtle and Tom argue whether Myrtle has the right to say Daisy's name, which leads to Tom punching and breaking Myrtle's nose. At the end, Nick promises to eat lunch with Mr. McKee another day.
Character: Myrtle Wilson
"I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoe." (Fitzgerald 34)
Myrtle, a woman in her thirties, is unfaithful, egocentric, and arrogant. Her unfaithfulness is shown as she scoots near Tom when her husband takes a leave to get something. Her arrogance and egocentric self is exemplified when she says the quote above.She thinks she is better than everybody.
Myrtle Wilson's role in this novel is to be an object of Tom. Myrtle is able to chose from two men: one who is faithful, loving, and hardworking but poor, or another who is rich. But even though Myrtle cheats with Tom, Tom only treats her like a toy for his amusement, punching her when she gets annoying and useless.
Significant Quote: "All I kept thinking about, over and over, was 'You can't live forever; you can't live forever." (Fitzgerald 36)
The quote stuck out to me not because this is how Myrtle justified her cheating, but because it is true. One cannot live forever. It is important to live out one's life to the fullest. Myrtle, even though she had a corrupt motive, wanted to live her life to the fullest and be set free of her burden of not being satisfied with her current life. I personally do not want to waste my life away and want to do the things I want to do so I do not end up regretting later on. There is only one lifetime, and it doesn't last forever, so I have to make full use of it.
Character: Myrtle Wilson
"I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoe." (Fitzgerald 34)
Myrtle, a woman in her thirties, is unfaithful, egocentric, and arrogant. Her unfaithfulness is shown as she scoots near Tom when her husband takes a leave to get something. Her arrogance and egocentric self is exemplified when she says the quote above.She thinks she is better than everybody.
Myrtle Wilson's role in this novel is to be an object of Tom. Myrtle is able to chose from two men: one who is faithful, loving, and hardworking but poor, or another who is rich. But even though Myrtle cheats with Tom, Tom only treats her like a toy for his amusement, punching her when she gets annoying and useless.
Significant Quote: "All I kept thinking about, over and over, was 'You can't live forever; you can't live forever." (Fitzgerald 36)
The quote stuck out to me not because this is how Myrtle justified her cheating, but because it is true. One cannot live forever. It is important to live out one's life to the fullest. Myrtle, even though she had a corrupt motive, wanted to live her life to the fullest and be set free of her burden of not being satisfied with her current life. I personally do not want to waste my life away and want to do the things I want to do so I do not end up regretting later on. There is only one lifetime, and it doesn't last forever, so I have to make full use of it.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Great Gatsby: Ch. 1, pages 1-21
In the beginning of the chapter, the narrator, Nick Carraway, tells that he moved to West Egg Long Island, which is the less fashionable side compared to East Egg. Even though he recently just moved there, when a newer resident asked for directions, Nick felt like an original settler. Later on, Nick goes to have dinner at Tom and Daisy Buchanans's house, the former his friend and the latter his cousin. During their conversation, Tom brings up the novel "The Rise of the Colored Empires'" by Goddard and discusses white supremacy. At the end of the chapter, Nick sees Gatsby on the lawn, but decides not to bother him because Nick felt that Gatsby wanted to be alone.
Character: Tom Buchanans
"This fellow has worked out the whole thing. It's up to us, who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things." (Fitzgerald 21)
Tom seems like a snobbish, rich, unfaithful, and racist person. Tom's racism is shown through the quote above. He believes in white supremacy and believes white people are the chosen race. His unfaithfulness is portrayed through his affair with another woman in New York while being married to Daisy. Furthermore, his wealth is described through him living in East Egg.
Tom's role in the novel is to be the arrogant and snobbish character who only cares about himself. When he speaks to Daisy, he speaks in a demanding way. While Nick and Daisy were in the middle of a conversation, Tom interrupts and demands Daisy what Nick and she were talking about. Additionally, he tells Nick to not believe anything she says.
Quote: "I told him. And as I walked on I was lonely no longer. I was a guide, a pathfinder, and original settler."
The quote stood out to me because this summed up what we learned about last semester about immigration. Not only was this excuse used a long time ago, but it is still used today in the immigration problems of Arizona. "I have been here in America longer than you have. You have no right to take away our jobs, etc." People always use that excuse even though at one time, they too at one time were shunned the same way.
Character: Tom Buchanans
"This fellow has worked out the whole thing. It's up to us, who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things." (Fitzgerald 21)
Tom seems like a snobbish, rich, unfaithful, and racist person. Tom's racism is shown through the quote above. He believes in white supremacy and believes white people are the chosen race. His unfaithfulness is portrayed through his affair with another woman in New York while being married to Daisy. Furthermore, his wealth is described through him living in East Egg.
Tom's role in the novel is to be the arrogant and snobbish character who only cares about himself. When he speaks to Daisy, he speaks in a demanding way. While Nick and Daisy were in the middle of a conversation, Tom interrupts and demands Daisy what Nick and she were talking about. Additionally, he tells Nick to not believe anything she says.
Quote: "I told him. And as I walked on I was lonely no longer. I was a guide, a pathfinder, and original settler."
The quote stood out to me because this summed up what we learned about last semester about immigration. Not only was this excuse used a long time ago, but it is still used today in the immigration problems of Arizona. "I have been here in America longer than you have. You have no right to take away our jobs, etc." People always use that excuse even though at one time, they too at one time were shunned the same way.
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