From chapters 1-4, select a passage that focuses on / reveals something about one of the novel's major characters (Nick, Gatsby, Tom, Daisy, Jordan or Myrtle). This passage can be narration, dialogue, whatever (but it must have something interesting to analyze / discuss).
Type and cite the passage, and then analyze the heck out of it with a focus on what it indicates / reveals about the character you've chosen. Look not only at the passage as a whole, but also at its details (phrasing / word choices).
Be sure to sign your name and not to repeat a passage that has already been analyzed.
"It'll show you how I've gotten to feel about – things. Well, she was less than an hour old and Tom was God knows where. I woke up out of the ether with an utterly abandoned feeling, and asked the nurse right away if it was a boy or a girl. She told me it was a girl, and so I turned my head away and wept. 'All right,' I said, 'I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool – that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.'"(16-17)
ReplyDeleteNick and Daisy are cousins, but have not seen eachother in a very long time. After spending a short amount of time together, Nick finds out that Daisy's husband is cheating on her, and she is well aware of it. Nick tries to distract his cousin from thinking about it by asking her about her daughter. Daisy uses this as a chance to reveal her feelings about Tom and her loneliness. She tells Nick that Tom was not even present for the birth of their child and she had an "utterly abandoned feeling" after, and seems to still have that feeling. When she finds out her child is a girl, she say she was glad and hoped she will be "a beautiful little fool". Daisy does not actually want her daughter to be foolish, but wants to keep her away from the feelings of loneliness and sadness that Daisy has felt herself from the treatment of her husband. She thinks being a fool is the only way to protect her from the bad in the world. Even though Nick and Daisy have not been close with each other, Daisy tells this all to him because he is the closest thing she has to family. Julia Hadden
"'You see,' cried Catherine triumphantly. She lowered her voice again. 'It's really his wife that's keeping them apart. She's a Catholic, and they don't believe in divorce.'
ReplyDeleteDaisy was not a Catholic, and I was a little shocked at the elaborateness of the lie." (33)
Catherine here has shown the deceitful nature of Tom. Tom holds a certain standard for his own morality and a different one for others. His moral standpoint has allowed him to further himself while seemingly limiting his wife, Daisy. He allows himself to cheat on his wife and commit terrible acts upon her, yet he believes that it is unacceptable for others to act in the same way that he acts. His capability to be deceitful and lie has made it possible for him to manipulate his own wife. Nick even points out that he is "shocked at the elaborateness of the lie" which proves Tom's deceit. As well, Tom's usage of lies and deceit makes it apparent that he believes to be self-important over others. This complex allows him to justify his actions and further his affairs and lies. Due to his actions, Tom is definitively deceitful.
Michael Schaefer
“It was 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, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey” (48).
ReplyDeleteThis passage focuses on Nick’s observations about Gatsby’s smile. Towards the start of the book, Nick says something about how the only person he didn’t put any blame on for the events that occurred was Gatsby. I think the reason for this may not be because Gatsby did nothing wrong, but because Nick sees Gatsby as redeemable because of his genuine nature. This is the first passage that I thought expressed anything significant about Gatsby. Before, he was simply a rich and mysterious man. Now, the reader sees him as a real person because he connects with Nick rather than looking down on everyone as he does at parties. Although I think the passage gives Gatsby a more human quality, it also idolizes him. Nick describes Gatsby as an almost god-like figure who can see into his soul and understand him. Gatsby possesses a quality that someone would be lucky to come across “four or five times in life”, clearly showing how intriguing and special his character is. Gatsby’s charm makes a person feel as though they have been completely seen as he concentrates “on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor”. Gatsby is able to reassure Nick that the believes in him and he is understood as he wants to be. This charm may be real, but part of me thinks that perhaps Nick is just so intrigued by Gatsby’s lifestyle, he imagines the deeper meaning behind his character and his smile.
-Lauren Mckie
“’I told that boy about the ice.” Myrtle raised her eyebrows in despair at the shiftlessness of the lower orders. “These people! You have to keep after them all the time.” She looked at me and laughed pointlessly. Then she flounced over to the dog, kissed it with ecstasy, and swept into the kitchen, implying that a dozen chefs awaited her orders there.” (32)
ReplyDeleteMyrtle represents a person who wants so badly to achieve the American dream and will go to any extent to achieve it. Once she is in the presence of Tom Buchanan, she takes on a haughty and privileged tone, in her attempt to escalate her societal status by acting the same way as those who are upper class. Myrtle wants so badly to step away from her life in the valley of ashes that she is willing to jeopardize her marriage in hopes that Tom will give her more opportunities. By talking down to servants, Myrtle imitates the façade of the rich. She tries to heighten herself with her actions, “she looked at me and laughed pointlessly.” Nick identifies Myrtle’s purposeful but fake way of interacting, where she laughs or says something just to seem a certain way. Although she herself is of the lowest class she refers to people of the same social standing as “These people!” and whines that “You have to keep after them all the time.” She is constantly trying to prove herself as someone higher, by putting up a front of haughtiness, and arrogance.
Kate Massucco
“Jordan Baker instinctively avoided clever, shrewd men, and now I saw that this was because she felt safer on a plane where any divergence from a code would be thought impossible. 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 and yet satisfy the demands of her hard, jaunty body”(57-58).
ReplyDeleteThis passage though about Jordan Baker shows a lot of insight into Nick. Jordan spends time with Nick so Either Nick doesn’t see himself as intelligent and astute, or he see’s himself as an exception. Based on his observations of other characters Nick isn’t a nit wit and his observations of Jordan in such a short amount of time shows that he makes good observations. This also shows Nicks passivity, directly after this quote he says “It made no difference to me. Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply for” (58) Nick is just completely fine with Jordan lying. Not only that earlier when Daisy was said to be catholic Nick just remains silent even though it was blatantly incorrect. He also just decides he will accompany Tom and Myrtle, he just decides to tag along with his cousins husband and his lover. Nick is to passive, its good that he doesn’t start drama but he also doesn’t stand up for anything. The question is why. I think its because Nick himself might have some skeletons in the closet and doesn’t feel in the position to judge when he himself should be.
Justin Stott
“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” (59)
ReplyDeleteThe page before Nick says this he is criticizing Jordan Baker for potentially cheating during a golf tournament. He was also talking about how she always lies, but it doesn't really bother him that much. He says you shouldn't lie and that he is an honest man, yet he has been writing letters back and forth to another woman when he is supposedly with Jordan. He also did not tell Daisy about Myrtle and if he was as honest as he claimed to be he would've told her. He completely contradicts himself and this shows that further on in the book he might also not be honest. He wants to tell himself he is but at this point in the story he definitely is not. Though he is basically just comparing himself to the people he associated with like Gatsby, Tom, and Daisy.
...he was content to be alone-he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward--and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far way, that might have been the end of a dock” (20-21).
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time Nick sees Gatsby. Though it is not clear, the green light that he sees is most likely at the end of Daisy's dock. We later find out that Gatsby has been in love with Daisy for a long time but when he went to war she became married to Tom. Fitzgerald purposefully has the first time Nick sees Gatsby take place in a mysterious setting by describing the water as dark and his arms as curious and trembling. He does this to represent Gatsby’s mysterious personality. As stated, he is content being alone. He is a quiet man and keeps to himself during all his parties. Although he is considerably wealthy, no one is sure exactly where his money came from. The green light that Nick sees represents Gatsby’s motivation and dreams for the future. His arms stretched out shows just how badly he is motivated for Daisy and the American dream. Yet, it is so far away that it’s unobtainable for him to reach.
-Katie Crowley
Her husband, among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven--a national figure in a way, one of those men who reach such an acute limited excellence at twenty-one that everything afterward savors of anti-climax. His family were enormously wealthy--even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach--but now he'd left Chicago and come east in a fashion that rather took your breath away: for instance he'd brought down a string of polo ponies from Lake Forest. It was hard to realize that a man in my own generation was wealthy enough to do that (6).
ReplyDeleteIt is clear from the original introduction to Tom Buchanan that he and Nick lead very different lifestyles. Tom was born into an enormous amount of wealth, which paved a very straight and smooth path for him. In college he was an athletic champion and one may assume he racked up quite the bill whenever he went out. He never had to worry about the price tag of his lifestyle only the popularity he could gain from it. He is not shy about flaunting his wealth, many material items or lifestyle. One who was modest would not have brought a string of polo ponies with him when he moved. The riches of Mr. Buchanan are absorbent; Nick, an affluent man himself, is in awe that anyone could afford the lifestyle the Buchanan’s lead. It is obvious that money will play a big role in the future character developement of Tom. Nick describes that Tom hit his peak at the age of twenty one, leaving him doomed to live an anti climatic life from then one. Although this may be true Tom continues to seek thrill and an new source of excellence through showing off his wealth and having an affair.
-Katie Kalinowski
"'Well, these books are all scientific,' insisted Tom, glancing at her impatiently. 'This fellow 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'" (13).
ReplyDeleteThis passage reveals Tom's racial views very early on in the story. He clearly sees the white man as dominant and in control, and he feels that he and all white people must actively seek to remain "in control," lest anyone else take over. Clearly Tom has extremely strong feelings toward racial inequality and the effects he feels they have on his life. However, this passage reveals more about Tom's character than is written in black and white. He is clearly susceptible to the opinions of others, especially if they agree with him. He identifies Goddard's opinions regarding "'The Rise of the Colored Empires'" as "scientific," even though they are just thoughts that one man is expressing. This ability to be swayed based on a lack of reliability is indicative of not only Tom, but Daisy as well, who, upon discussing whether or not Nick was engaged, says, ""'We heard it from three people, so it must be true'" (19). This naivety comments toward the filthy rich of New York and ties back to Tom, as he is the embodiment of an East Egg resident. Tom is revealed as not only racist, but unintelligent based on his susceptibility.
Ben Macchi
"His acquaintances resented the fact that he turned up in popular restaurants with her and, leaving her at a table, sauntered about, chatting with whomsoever he knew. Though I was curious to see her, I had no desire to meet her-but I did. I went up to New York with Tom on the train one afternoon and when we stopped by the ashheaps he jumped to his feet and, taking hold of my elbow, literally forced me from the car. 'We're getting off,' he insisted. 'I want you to meet my girl'" (24)
ReplyDeleteThis passage reveals Tom’s attitudes towards his mistress Myrtle. Not only is he excited for Nick to meet her, as he “literally forced me from the car,” but he isn’t shy about his relationship with her either. It seems as if he is proud that he is having an affair, and wants everyone to know it. Tom likely enjoys the attention he receives, and the gossip that spreads about him. Also, I found it interesting that Tom is even involved with Myrtle, because of her social status. For a man who seems so proud of his economic status and his residence in East Egg, I was surprised he associates himself with someone in the Valley of the Ashes. He is even bold enough to bring her to popular restaurants, where he is obviously aware people will see them together and realize what is happening. Based on this passage, Tom appears to be a pretentious, vain man who enjoys the attention he gets from his affair.
sophia Jessiman
“Mrs. Wilson had changed her costume some time before, and was now attired in some elaborate afternoon dress of cream-colored chiffon, which had gave out a continual rustle as she swept about the room. With the influence of the dress her personality had also undergone a change. The intense vitality that had been so remarkable in the garage was converted into impressive hauteur." (30)
ReplyDeleteThis quote shows the truth behind Myrtle. Although she originally seems to possess a sense of vitality, or strength and activeness, she develops into a character of many personalities. Something as minute as changing her outfit (for the third time) had the ability to mask her vitality and transform her into a snob. Myrtle is so shallow, that she assumes that all she has to do to seem as wealthy as Tom is change her clothes. She abandons her personality and desperately attempts to seem wealthy and superior. Changing her outfit into an elaborate dress, just to see her sister, shows how desperate she is to live like the upper class does. Even just the fact that her dress, “continually rustles” as she walks shows that attention always has to be on her. When Myrtle is first introduced, she is set up to be hated because readers are naturally intrigued by Daisy. However, her development as a character is just a desperate upper-class wannabe, so she manages to confirm these feelings for herself!
Megan Holmes
Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs.Wilson stood face to face. discussing in impassioned voices whether Mrs.Wilson had any right to mention Daisy's name.
ReplyDelete"Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!" shouted Mrs. Wilson. "I'll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dani---"
Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand (37)
This quote shows the spoiled rich boy Tom Buchanan has become. Despite having everything in life handed to him and facing no hardships in life he is still dissatisfied. He even seeks out a mistress since Daisy seems to be a bore to him, and doesn't put in too much of an effort to hide the fact that he is cheating. In reality Tom Buchanan doesn't have even one person he can truly call a friend or have a deep relationship with. Daisy was used for her social class and beauty while Myrtle is used when he's looking to party and have a fun time. Neither one of them have established a true relationship with him as shown in the novel they both seem to resent him. It is evident that Myrtle's sole purpose is to party with him for when she starts addressing the issue of his infidelity he slaps her with no hesitation. Myrtle wishes to be Tom's one and only but this will not happen anytime soon for Tom has trouble forming proper relationships due to his abundance of wealth. Overall this reminds me of F. Scott Fitzgerald's quote about the rich discussing how they differ from others. Mainly how they become cynical and how one cannot understand these differences unless they are rich themselves, which is why people may find it so uncanny that Tom is unfaithful with the perfect life he has.
-Anna D.
"'Take 'em down-stairs and give 'em back to whoever they belong to. Tell 'em all Daisy change' her mine. Say: Daisy change her mine'"(76)!
ReplyDeleteThis quote reveals many interesting details about Daisy. A day before her wedding, Daisy had gotten drunk (for the first time) and wept on her bed. She demanded the pearl necklace that Tom had given her to be returned to their owner and for Jordan to send the mysterious letter she held. It is obvious that Daisy was overwhelmed with the fear of marrying Tom, perhaps already aware of his unfaithful behavior. Asking for the necklace to be returned to someone downstairs infers that Daisy believed Tom was cheating with someone close to her. Interestingly, this is the last of her discouragement
and she marries Tom the next day. Jordan notes that Daisy appeared very attached and dependent on Tom once married, revealing her innocence and affectionate behavior. I personally believe the letter she had written was addressed to Gatsby, perhaps revealing that she never stopped loving him.
Max Michaud
" 'Oh, yes.' she looked up at me absently. 'Listen Nick; let me tell you what I said when she was born would you like to hear?'
ReplyDelete'very much'
'It'll show you how I've gotten to feel about-things. Well, she was less than an hour old and Tom was God knows where. I woke up out of the ether with an utterly abandoned feeling, and asked the nurse right away if it was a boy or a girl. She told me it was a girl, and so I turned my head away and wept. 'All right' I said, 'I'm glad its a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool-that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool' "
(17)
Daisy is talking to Nick on the porch after dinner. This quote reflects Daisy's feelings about her life at the moment with Tom. She shows a depth in herself that was not portrayed when first meeting Daisy's character. It shows her sorrow of her relationship and how she isn't happy with her life so far. She says that "Tom was God knows where" hinting to her knowledge of his affair. she also says that the best thing for a girl to be is a "fool" showing how depressed she has been and how she sees things in a darker light. clearly Daisy's character is sad and almost seeming as though she is missing something
Erin Chute
This is the same quote that Julia did for the very first post.
Delete"’Suppose you met somebody as careless as yourself."
ReplyDelete"I hope I never will," she answered. "I hate careless people. That's why I like you".
Her gray, sun-strained eyes stared straight ahead, but she had deliberately shifted our relations, and for a moment I thought I loved her. But I am slow-thinking and full of interior rules that act as brakes on my desires, and I knew that first I had to get myself definitely out of that tangle back home.” (58).
This quote reveals a lot about Jordan and Nick, and the relationship between them. Nick had previously spoken of Jordan’s deceitful nature, and now the reader gets a glimpse into her hypocrisy, as well. She “hates careless people”, yet she herself is one of the most careless characters in the novel. Jordan fascinates herself with the information of others, keeping everything seemingly casual. She doesn’t overly invest herself into personal affairs, and so far her relationship with Nick seems to be that of just a budding summer fling, fueled by mutual attraction and the tangled gossip of their friends.
Additionally, Nick’s reflection and observation of her gives insight into his character too; while the other characters in the novel (mainly Daisy, Tom, Jordan and Gatsby) are extravagant and grand in their behaviors, Nick seems a little more introverted, a bit more cautious. Nick is somewhat removed from the lives of his friends, constantly objectively comparing himself to them. Even though he feels something for Jordan, Nick has to stop himself, not allowing himself to truly experience the “carefree” desires that Jordan embodies yet detests. Amidst characters in a setting where the word “love” has such an arbitrary meaning, Nick certainly takes caution in defining it, thus not allowing himself (or maybe, purposefully preventing himself) from interacting in the same manner as the people surrounding him.
-Danny Fier
"[Tom] had changed since his New Haven years. Now he was a sturdy straw-haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner. Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward. Not even the effeminate swank of his riding clothes could hide the enormous power of that body - he seemed to fill those glistening boots until he strained the top lacing, and you could see a great pack of muscle shifting when his shoulder moved under his thin coat. It was a body capable of enormous leverage - a cruel body" (7).
ReplyDeleteThis passage obviously provides a very detailed description of Tom Buchanan's appearance. It explains how he is thirty years old, with several harsh facial features, and a large build. While this information helps the reader form a better mental image of Tom, the most important information in this passage is the adjectives and other words that F. Scott Fitzgerald uses to describe Tom's physical traits. For instance, Fitzgerald writes that Tom has a "rather hard mouth." Having a hard mouth is typically used to refer to someone who does not smile easily or has a hard look upon their face; either option infers that Tom Buchanan is a serious and slightly stern man. Fitzgerald also characterizes Tom by using words like supercilious, dominant, and aggressive. All these words help to project Tom as a very manly person who is possibly a threat to most people he meets, because of his manner and intimidating appearance.
Another main part of this particular passage is the description of Tom's muscular body. The passage says, "it was a body capable of enormous leverage - a cruel body." As the reader, we do not yet know what Fitzgerald is trying to imply with this description, but calling Tom's body cruel definitely sounds like foreshadowing, inferring that Tom will do something cruel, later in the story.
-Baelyn Duffy
Period 4
"Daisy took her face in her hands as if feeling its lovely shape, and her eyes moved gradually out into the velvet dusk. I saw that turbulent emotions possessed her..." (16)
ReplyDeleteThis quote takes place after the phone rings again at dinner, disrupting the joy of the meal. Daisy knows it is his mistress calling and it is like a knife in her heart. Fitzgerald manages to describe Daisy through her face beautifully. Daisy knows her own sadness is because of Tom, but she has no choice but to live with his choice. Although women were getting more rights at this time, they still were the lesser person in a relationship. Daisy shows her gentle and terribly sad emotions in her face.
-Colleen Kasprzak