alexm22’s Blog

After hearing a brief plot summary, chapters 3,4, and 5 are similar to what I pictured them to be. Janie seemed to be curious and emotional, and it was likely that she would go along with the planned marriage. I thought it was interesting how Nanny’s views of marriage and the correct partner differ from Janie’s views. Since Nanny has had an extremely difficult and tragic life, she feels marriage should be something that betters ones self in order to avoid adversity. She also feels that most important quality of the partner is that he is able to support you financially,  which is understandable given what she has been through. Janie feels that a marriage should be a mutual agreement in which there is a connection or love.

“It troubled him to get used to the world one way and then suddenly have it turn different. He wasn’t ready to think of colored people in post offices yet,”(36.)

Hicks, one of the few town members of Eatonville, is so used to a certain style of living that its hard to just change gears. Im not sure, but I think this quote is pointing out the inexperience black people had with wealth and power. Jody has not always had his relatively large amount of money and as a result spends it foolishly. This enforces certain ideas that the white community had of blacks during the time period. I am sure that Jody despises slave owners and master, but in a way he has become one.

 The beginning of this book sets the mood of the mid 1850s, and informs the reader of problems that black women faced. I have a feeling that majority of the book will be a reflection of Janie’s life. Also I think that the language used and dialogue will be a major part of the story and the message the author is trying to get across. I have not read enough to know what that message is, but it probably relates to how African Americans were uneducated, which can be seen in the language spoken. The opening scene with the women gossiping about Janie made the women look mean spirited, which I guess is supposed draws a parallel to the white community and how people act the same regardless of education. 

“She had been spending every minute that she could steal from her chores under that tree for the last three days. That was to say, ever since the first tiny bloom had opened. It had called her to come and gaze on a mystery. From barren brown stems to glistening leaf-buds; from the leaf-buds to snowy virginity of bloom”(10.)

When Janie was in her teenage years she would sit under a pear tree and relate herself to it. The fresh blossoms and blooming tree are what draw Janie to it, because she enjoys her adolescent years. Later the narrator mentions the relationship between bees and blossoming trees. I guess the most obvious way of looking at it is that Janie is the pear tree, or wants to be the tree, and boys and the bees. From what I have read so far the bee and tree metaphor has a lot to do with the relationship between men and women.

The author has interesting style of writing, between the 17th century Southern Black dialect and the sophisticated metaphors. Both are difficult to interpret, and they almost give two interpretations of the same situation. 

This last chapter slowly concludes the lessons that have developed throughout the book. Nick focuses a lot on the geographical locations of America. He believes certain regions pertain values that contrast one another. At first sight the Midwest seems dull and lifeless, but the people from that area have strong and deep beliefs. It is easy to get caught up in the glamour of the North East, but beneath the surface it is quite empty. The main group of characters all grew up in the Midwest, and it seems that the time spent in the East has drastically changed them.

“Even when the East excited me most, even when I was most keenly aware of its superiority to the bored, sprawling, swollen towns beyond the Ohio, with their interminable inquisitions which spared only the children and the very old– even then it had always for me a quality of distortion”(176.)

This quality of distortion is what has led the main group to the East, and after several years they realize the reality of their decision. Eventually they all go their separate ways and most of them move back to the Midwest. For the most part, these people were trying to hide something and they thought changing themselves would disown their past. This ending made me think of the American dream and what it really is. That you can come from any background and become as successful as you choose to be. The death of Gatsby’s death and failure suggests that it might be impossible to overcome the influence of your past. Fitzgerlad questions the American dream and the message that one can accomplish anything if they try. This relates back to Moby Dick and how Ahab was trying to accomplish the impossible. 

Chapter 8 really sums up all of the emotions we have seen in Gatsby. We discover that the desire for wealth and Daisy are connected. Gatsby’s love for Daisy leads him to focus on wealth, and by doing so he blocks out his hope.

“He must have looked up at an unfamiliar sky through frightening leaves and shivered as he found what a grotesque thing a rose is and how raw the sunlight was upon the scarcely created grass”(161.)

Nick describes what he believes to be Gatsby’s thoughts right before he was killed. Nick explains the power of the mind and that no single object or person has any particular value, these symbols or values must be created by the mind. Nick goes against the conventional belief that roses symbolize beauty and love, and calls them grotesque. The rose in the quotation could be referring to Daisy, and how this object of desire is seemingly beautiful but is really just an illusion. Daisy Buchanan is a typical, wealthy, attractive, and bored woman in the 1920s. It is what Gatsby makes Daisy out to be that makes her so significant.

Jay Gatsby continuously serves to function as a symbol of America in the 1920s. Fitzgerald implies throughout the novel’s focus on wealth, that Gatsby becomes empty as a result of him losing his childhood beliefs to the greedy pursuit of money. Just as the American dream, or the pursuit of happiness, has become a quest for wealth, Gatsby’s powerful dream of happiness with Daisy acts as the motivation for elitist behavior and criminal acts.

This is probably the most involved chapter we have read so far. The characters that we thought we knew act in completely unexpected ways. Fitzgerald is really able to capture the tension between the group and has developed a few very deep characters. The quarrel over Daisy’s love is fully exposed, and a lot is shown about the character of Gatsby and Tom. The something that caught my eye, was when Gatsby was describing Daisy’s voice.

“Her voice is full of money.” he said suddenly. That was it. I’d never understood before. It was full of money–that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals’ song of it..”(120)

Not only is this very well put, but it also suggests that Gatsby was always attracted to what Daisy represented not Daisy herself. Gatsby can have any woman he wants, but he fights to win this one girl over to do what was unachievable. In the past Gatsby blamed his problems on lack of money, and he never really thought that the problem might be him. Now that he is wealthy and accustomed to this lifestyle he believes nothing can stop him.

A large message that is emphasized in this book, is that humans are unwilling to cope with change. When I say change, I do not mean something positive I mean something different. Jay Gatsby is obsessed with his relationship with Daisy being the same as it was a few years ago. This fantasy compels Gatsby to tell Daisy to say that she never loved Tom. Whether or not you like a person, to say that to their wife in their presence is a pretty extreme and desperate thing to do. Im not justifying Tom’s actions, but I am saying that Gatsby’s actions should not go undermined.  

The chapter looks even further into Gatsby’s motivation and how social class influences him. When a curious reporter visits Gatsby’s door, Nick explains the true story of Gatsby’s upbringing. His real last name was Gatz, and he was born into low-income family. He refused to accept that his parents were actually his, and he attended St. Olaf’s for a short period of time. He was humiliated by paying off his tuition fee with janitorial work, so Gatsby dropped out. While working on the shores of Lake Superior he encounters Dan Cody.

“Too young Gatz, resting on his oars and looking up at the railed deck, that yacht represented all the beauty and glamour in the world. I suppose he smiled Cody– he had probably discovered that people like him when he smiled”(100.)

 Most people aspire to be successful and live a comfortable life, but Dan Cody inspired Gatsby to be one of the elite. After spending time with Cody, Gatsby spent all of time and effort trying to rid himself of his lower-class identity. The fact that Gatsby lied about his education and background, suggests that he is insecure about once being less fortunate. It is interesting how Gatsby says at the end of the chapter that he can win Daisy over with his money. I have a feeling that Gatsby always felt that Daisy was too good for him and the only thing to shorten this gap was money. Im not sure whether Gatsby’s motivation is based solely winning over Daisy or if it’s envy for those who have amassed great amounts money. So far this book has shown the large amount of fake and dishonest behavior present in upper class societies, and that the aristocratic grace that East Eggers posses is their only two separate the rich from the rich.

 In this chapter we learn a lot about Gatsby’s character, but his source of income and lifestyle is still shady. When Nick arrives back in Long Island from his late night with Ms. Baker, Gatsby startles Nick at his house and almost desperately asks Nick to join him at Connie Island or for a swim. These offers made by Gatsby were probably attempts to make Nick agree to his plan. Nick tells Gatsby that he will agree to his plan, and Gatsby acts as if it is not a major concern. The meeting with Gatsby, Nick, and Daisy is unexpected. Gatsby is embarrassed and clumsily knocks over Nick’s clock. Daisy is not too much different, she says very little and does not know how to react. 

“But there was a change in Gatsby that was simply confounding. He literally glowed glowed; without a word or gesture of exultation a  new well-being radiated from him and filled the little room”(89.)

Gatsby usual behavior is stripped away, and he acts genuinely. Also Daisy loses her sarcastic humor and expresses her emotions. When the two meet they both act differently than they commonly do. I perceived it as them acting as themselves.

By assisting Gatsby in his attempt to impress Daisy, Nick is trying hurt the marriage of Tom and Daisy. Yes their marriage is already ruined, but provoking something like an affair is no different than Tom’s behavior. From Nick’s point of view, it is easy to see how many failed and fake marriages there were during in this time period. Many times the wealthy who flaunted their money were hiding something, some insecurity. Fitzgerald shows that flaunting and common behaviors are often barriers or attempts to make up for something that an individual lack.

 After Nick listed the names of the guests that attend Gatsby’s parties, Gatsby invites Nick to lunch in New York City. During the car ride Gatsby tells Nick about his past, and has physical proof that his stories are true. The fact that Gatsby carries around items that make his past sound reasonable true means that people often do not believe him. Gatsby seems to be telling the truth about his upbringing, because if he was making the story up he probably would of described a more believable low key life. This chapter makes me believe that Gatsby has been involved with or is associated with some kind of organized crime.

“‘ Right you are,’ agreed the policeman, tipping his cap. ‘Know you next time, Mr. Gatby. Excuse me!’”(68)

 By flashing his white card Jay Gatsby is pardoned of a speeding ticket and is above the law. Of course I do not why Gatsby has this special privilege, but involvement in crime and pay-offs seem like a reasonable answer. Also Mr. Gatsby’s shady friend, Mr. Wolfshiem, was said to have fixed the 1919 World Series. It is unusual for an educated man of great wealth to be associated with a character like Meyer Wolfshiem, for the exception of alcohol. Gatsby, in a lot of ways, is a reflection of the time period. He has an enormous amount of wealth, but at the same time has ties to the world of bootleg alcohol. Gatsby is not that much different than the rest of people inhabiting East and West Egg, he’s rich and wants something that cannot be purchased. 

 In this chapter we finally meet Mr. Gatsby. Nick briefly introduces himself to Gatsby and they have a small conversation. After experiencing one of Mr. Gatsby’s extravagant parties, Nick still knows very little about him. Throughout the evening rumors circulate about the host, it is difficult to tell which ones are true. Gatsby’s parties bring the focus of the novel on to the glamour and extreme wealth of the 1920s. These parties consist of both West and East Eggers, it seems that Fitzgerald is focusing on the social status of the time period. Even though Gatsby’s mansion is on West Egg, the East Eggers still attend his party probably because of the elegance of his house. It obvious that Gatsby is man of enormous wealth, but he is different than the others who live in West or East Egg. It seems he is not concerned as much with social status, but with the interaction of people and their behavior. I thought the scene with “Owl Eyes” and the book shelf was interesting.

” Absolutely real–have pages and everything. I thought they’d be a nice durable cardboard. Matter of fact, they’re absolutely real. Pages and–Here! Lemme show you”(45.)

This drunk man in the library was probably not invited and came to this party because of its large reputation. The fact that he assumes the books are fake suggests that citizens of East and West Egg have tendency to cover up their moral corruption with seemingly enormous wealth. This says a lot about the American character during this time period, the library is impressive on the surface but there is no content or real value. Wealth is often envied, but wealth can satisfy few people.

 Nick’s mention of “the valley of ashes” shows what lies between two prosperous areas, New York and Long Island. Although the commute between the two areas is only 45 minutes, the scenery and living conditions change drastically. This is probably supposed to symbolize how the extremely wealthy and the poor are the negatives of capitalism. Also the fact that the two places are so close to each other makes the reader ask the question, are these two places so different? On the surface West and East Egg seem happy and satisfied, but beneath the people are suffering just as much as those who live in “the valley of ashes.” In context it sounds like the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are part of a giant billboard.

“They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a non-existent nose… But his eyes, dimmed a little by many paintless days under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground.” 

This billboard was intended to start a man’s oculist profession, but now it overlooks the land as the only hope in the desolate landscape. There are probably many interpretations to what the billboard symbolizes, but whatever it is the figure or idea is slowly fading and the people are losing faith in it. The quote about the conditions of the area wearing down the eyes, suggests that moral decay is affecting the billboard. 

The rest of chapter consists of Tom’s erratic behavior and the numerous unsuccessful marriages of people who are supposed to have everything. When Nick is at the party with Tom, Mrs. Wilson, the Mckees, and Catherine, he is reserved and wants to leave but at the same time is interested in the their behavior. Nick keeps to himself until he hears Catherine mention Mr. Gatsby. Catherine says that Gatsby is related to Kaiser Wilhelm, which is probably not true but shows that rumors have circulated about this mysterious man. Fitzgerald is defiantly building up this character and is allowing the reader to develop an image of Gatsby before we meet him.