As you know, The Great Gatsby (and especially chapter 7) is full of drama!
We also, of course, only see Nick's perspective of what happens.
Choose a section (or scene) from chapters 5 through 7 to re-tell through another character's perspective. (ex. through Daisy, Tom, Jordan, George or Jordan's eyes...or even someone else's...)
This retelling should be true to what happened in the text, but reveal some thing new through the new narrator's thoughts.
Sign your name!
(**I'm going to post an example that a student did a few years ago)
Daisy, pull over. Daisy, pull over. Daisy you are in no condition to drive. Please, please pull over.
ReplyDeleteThrough the rearview mirror, I could see only his furrowed brow, glistening in the August heat, as he slumped lower and lower in his seat. He never said these things to me, but I could tell he was thinking them. I could almost hear him shouting as I sped up through the fading twilight. The truth was, I knew perfectly well I was in no condition to drive. I also knew perfectly well that whatever I asked for, Gatsby would provide. The last few weeks had proved that. Stepping foot inside Gatsby's mansion was like leaving reality for a spell and entering into a hazy, glittering dream, almost like the distant sight of the city through the translucent shield of the Valley of Ashes. Although at first I had reveled in and even relished the reflection the glory cast upon me by Gatsby's imagination, the novelty of living outside the realm of realism soon began to fade. I began to question, and still question, whether or not Gatsby really loved me or if he was simply infatuated with me.
Daisy, please stop all this, he pleaded silently.
I drove on. I haven't been able to shake the growing dread that Gatsby was using me as a way to revisit the past for a couple of hours a day. That maybe he bends to my every whim not out of love, but because of something more selfish.
Daisy, this isn't safe!
I'm no angel. I wish he would call my faults and poor decisions as he saw them, like Tom does. Instead, he had allowed me to place both of us in danger simply because he didn't wish to offend me. That, I thought, is simply ridiculous...
I was shaken from my reveries by a loud thump, a scream, and Gatsby, finally pressed to action, forcefully steering the car out of my grip and away from the inevitable wreckage we had left in our path.
(a past-post to this prompt by Lia M. from 2012)
Scene: Gatsby arrives at Daisy’s house, kisses her in front of Nick and Jordan, and meets Daisy’s daughter. Page 116-117
ReplyDeleteI will only tease Daisy, of course, as it would not be proper to shame her. After all, humor is the panacea for awkward situations. When she boldly kisses that slick Gatsby on the mouth, I wisely imply that I am the only lady in the room and do not wish to witness such vulgarity, and I jokingly call her a “low” girl. If she only knew that I fiercely meant every word.
How atrocious she is for kissing Gatsby, when her own husband is only one room away! I would be terrified to move so close to another man, especially knowing how possessive Tom can be. And how could she commit such a crime, when she knows what it is like to have an unfaithful partner? Perhaps she feels entitled to cheat after all the affairs that Tom has had, but in my opinion, she is stooping to Tom’s disgraceful level.
Then Daisy’s lovely little girl frolics into the room and my stomach turns. This child, a symbol of the union between herself and Tom and her past decisions, is cheerfully introduced to Daisy’s partner in crime. The child should not be exposed to this man. It is indecent. I sit on the couch and watch through my excellent poker face, amazed by her ability to pretend that the reality of the situation does not exist.
I search Gatsby’s face for any sign of anxiety or guilt. There is none. Does he not think about the possibility of love in Daisy’s marriage? Does he ever see himself as a wedge between a gay couple? Then I turn my gaze to Nick, who is wearing the expression that I should have found on Gatsby’s face. He is watching Daisy and Gatsby, standing motionless, his features weighed down by horror and guilt. The poor guy must feel that he is responsible for this new connection. In a way, though, he didn’t really have a choice. I know how pushy Daisy and other rich people can be. One moment you’re great friends with them, the next moment you’re framed for a crime you didn’t even know you committed.
Victoria Lagasse
Interesting choice of scene & perspective. I'm surprised, knowing Jordan's dubious morals, that she expresses such disapproval! I like how you have her interior be so vastly different from the face she shows the world.
Delete“Daisy, that’s all over now,” he said earnestly. “It doesn’t matter any more. Just tell him the truth – that you never loved him – and it’s all wiped out forever.”
ReplyDeleteOf course I never loved Tom. Right? Yes. No. I don’t know. How could he ask me for so much? I looked at Jay blindly for guidance. “Why – how could I love him – possibly?” I said.
“You never loved him.”
Until now it had just been Jay and I, the world didn’t matter. But when Jay said those harsh words an alarm clock sounded waking me from my pleasant dream and transporting me to a nightmare. That’s when my eyes fell upon nick and Jordan, how calm they looked under the circumstances.
“I never loved him,” I said reluctantly.
Tom suddenly demanded “Not a Kapiolani?”
“No,” my mind was blank.
“Not that day I carried you down from the Punch Bowl to keep your shoes dry?” It was as if the Tom I fell in love had suddenly surfaced. “Daisy?”
How could I have ever loved such a cruel manipulative man! But as I remembered Kapiolani how could I ever say I never loved him at all? As much as I wish I didn’t, I did once love Tom and it pained me to say the opposite. If only Tom would stop pestering and questioning this would all be so much easier. My mind was racing and suddenly I slipped.
“Please don’t,” I said audibly. My voice was cold, just as my emotions. Jay asks too much of me. I just want to go home and pretend this never happened.
Bits Sangiorig from page 132
Great scene & perspective choice. It's interesting to see her wavering and I especially like the reference to the alarm clock--a fitting symbol.
DeleteScene: Myrtle is hit by Gatsby's car and Tom, Nick, and Jordan arrive at the scene to find Myrtle's body wrapped in a blanket.
ReplyDeleteI peered under the blanket cautiously and saw what I had dreaded. Myrtle lay lifelessly with a bloody gash across her chest. Her eyes staring blankly at me, still left open. I could feel the tears welling in my eyes but I concealed it. No one could know we were involved.
"What happened?", I muttered to a police officer
"Auto hit her. Instantly killed."
"Instantly killed," I repeated thinking carefully.
Had I loved Myrtle? She was so foolish and stupid for running into the road. But I suppose I had loved her even if she was foolish. And now she was gone. Gatsby had hit her and now he would try to run away with the other woman in my life. I would not allow it! He won't win! I discreetly glanced at Wilson from the other side of the room. He was sobbing like a child and could not be consoled. I knew what I had to do to make Gatsby go away. I adjusted my suit and began to stride towards Wilson. I would use George to punish Gatsby for trying to take away both of my women.
Pg. 139
-Shelby Leland
Great choices- show even more of his rage! I like how he questions his own feelings.
DeleteI watched as Jay scrambled to open two burly patent cabinets. Within was an expanse of expensive clothing. Suits and gowns and ties of the highest quality rested next to his shirts. He began to pull shirts, piled high like a stack of bricks, out as he explained.
ReplyDelete"I've got a man in England who buys me clothes. He sends over a selection of things at the beginning of each season, spring and fall."
I looked upon the strewn about clothes. I marveled at Jay's expression. His slightly flushed face glinted in the room's glow. Oh how flustered he was... I missed him. This I began to realize as Nick and I marveled at Jay's collection.
Why the last time I saw Jay, he was... wait... he had nothing... he made all this... climbed his way here.... did all this... waited all this time... to get to me? Oh my! Jay Gatsby! You wonderful, crazy, beautiful man! ... I love you! I always have... I still do!
I remembered, a jolt from my own mind... Tom.
And I began to cry, "They're such beautiful shirts."
I muffled my face in their expensive folds. I tried to blot out the wrenching sadness that leaked from my eyes. Then I explained my actions to the other occupants of the room, "It makes me sad because I've never seen such--such beautiful shirts before." It was the truth... I really hadn't... I did not want to let them go.
James Junker, page 92
Ah! This is such an odd little moment & outburst of emotion. You've revealed her reasoning for crying in an interesting & realistic way.
DeleteI went in---after making every possible noise in the kitchen, short of pushing over the stove---but I don’t believe they heard a sound. They were sitting at either end of the couch, looking at each other as if some question had been asked, or was in the air, and every vestige of embarrassment was gone. Daisy’s face was smeared with tears, and when I came in she jumped up and began wiping at it with her handkerchief before a mirror. But there was a change in Gatsby that was simply confounding. He literally glowed; without a word or a gesture of exultation a new well-being radiated from him and filled the little room. (89)
ReplyDeleteI stared back at Gatsby through my teary eyes. Five years of loving a man whom I believed I would never see again. Five years and yet here we are. His piercing eyes stared back at me, allowing for my heart to skip several beats. Could it be that this meeting was the start to a new life with one another? Or could this meeting be an ending to an over written chapter in our lives.
As I sat there, I failed to acknowledge the rambunctious noises coming from the kitchen. I knew this was Nick’s way of symbolizing his reentering into the house; yet, I didn't want to believe it was true. I had waited five years for this moment, and to think it could be gone within the blink of an eye led tears to stream down my face. The glow coming off of Gatsby was intoxicating. I wanted to take it all in and never allow it to escape my body. I knew, in my heart, that this wasn't an ending to a chapter, but the start to a new story.
Great choice of moment & perspective. I would love to hear what they were saying before Nick entered the room. What did they talk about that transformed them from awkward to glowing with happiness?
Delete“I hadn’t been there two minutes when somebody brought Tom Buchanan in for a drink. I was startled, naturally, but the really surprising thing was that it hadn’t happened before. They were a party of three on horseback-Tom and a man named Sloane and a pretty woman in a brown riding-habit, who had been there previously. “I am delighted to see you,” said Gatsby, standing on his porch. “I am delighted that you dropped in.” As though they cared! “Sit right down. Have a cigarette or a cigar.” He walked around the room quickly, ringing the bells. “I’ll have something to drink for you in just a minute.” He was profoundly affected by the fact that Tom was there. But he would be uneasy anyhow until he had given them something, realizing in a vague way that was all they came for” (101).
ReplyDeleteAs I was enjoying Nick’s company, I saw three people approach the house on horses. A wave of panic hit me as soon as I saw one of the riders was Tom Buchanan. Why is he here? Does he know? Did Nick say something about Daisy coming over the other day? Why would he do that to me?! I have had thousands of different types of people enter into my home at my parties and I have never felt this uncomfortable before.
“I am delighted to see you,” I decide to say, which is a stark contrast to how I am really feeling in this moment.
Tom Buchanan the one that stole my Daisy’s heart and moved her away from me, he drained her of happiness, and I have to treat him with respect and host him, pretend that I know nothing. My poor Daisy. I want to know what about him makes her stay...
But should I feel guilty? I am madly in love with his wife and I have been for years and this poor old sport has no idea.
“Sit right down. Have a cigarette or a cigar.” He walked around the room quickly, ringing the bells. “I’ll have something to drink for you in just a minute.”
I look at Nick discreetly, he nods at me. It doesn't sit well with me that Tom Buchanan just happened to show up to my house today. It makes me feel paranoid.
-Shannon Furgal
This is an interesting choice and in the real scene Gatsby does show hints of awkwardness which you've emphasized & built upon well. I especially like all the questions at the beginning. No need to tell us he feels paranoid at the end- we can tell through his thoughts/questions.
Delete“She turned her head as there was a light dignified knocking at the front door. I went out and opened it. Gatsby, pale as death, with his hands plunged like weights in his coat pockets, was standing in a puddle of water glaring tragically into my eyes.” (pg 85-86) scene when Daisy comes over for tea at Nick’s house and Gatsby is there.
ReplyDeleteI don’t know if I can do this. Maybe I should just leave or maybe I should come to the front so it doesn’t look like I was waiting for her or anything. Yes, that sounds like a good idea, I’ll walk around the house and enter through the front just after her, as if a coincidence. I haven’t seen her in ages, will she even remember me? Does she still love me? Will she ever love me again? Oh look Daisy just went into the house; I can go up and knock on it now. As I knocked on the door, Nick opened it.
“Hi Nick, Hi Daisy!” I tried to say but nothing came out. “Hi Nick, Hi Daisy!” still nothing!
“Whatever!” I said in my head as I walked past them and into the living room. Daisy looked so beautiful, here she comes now. I have no idea what to say; it looks like she doesn’t either. That means she remembers me! Or maybe she doesn’t!
“I certainly am awfully glad to see you again.” Daisy said.
Daisy’s glad to see me! What should I say? I have no idea what to say, what should I say? Say something, “We've met before.” Why did I say that? Of course she knows we've met before, what am I thinking?
-Dakota Picard
Great job capturing his awkwardness & self-doubt. You've made it funny, which I like, because the humor really suits the moment and reveals that Gatsby, who always seems so cool, is completely NOT cool when it comes to Daisy.
DeleteScene: The night of Nick's First time at on of Gatsby's Parties Page 51-57
ReplyDeleteChauffer, please bring over an invitation to nick for my next party I will be hosting this weekend, thank you old sport.
“He says he can attend Mr. Gatsby”.
Fabulous thank, you again.
Later that night as the guests flowed through the opulent doors of my household I pondered an old memory and a concurrent dream, Daisy. Daisy, the girl I love. Daisy, the reason I invited Nick to my party. Daisy, who is the sole purpose of my entire existence on this earth. My pondering was interrupted by one of my servants asking where to put the crate of oranges I head just ordered for the occasion. I told him anywhere was fine and off he went making the final preparations for the multitude of guests that were just now arriving. As I got a quick glance of a man looking rather uncomfortable walking around on the lawn, I got a sudden feeling of hope. Even though I only saw his silhouette briefly, I could sense this was Nick, the man who I invited earlier for a very specific reason. He disappeared into the extravagant house in an awkward and haphazardly fashion. Some often wonder why I host these parties so frequently especially with the cost and all the trouble it is but the truth is that I do it for Daisy. I host my parties for the sole purpose that among these thousands of people maybe one day my Daisy will stroll through my doors and we will be finally reunited. I know Nick has a connection with Daisy so I assumed if I invited him to one of my parties and talked to the old sport a little bit than maybe he could help me meet Daisy somehow. When I finally met Nick we had a grand conversation and it turns out we actually served in the same division during the war. He was very personable and easy to get along with but at the same time if he wanted to say something, he spoke his mind and didn’t think twice about what people thought. I also learned Nick just entered the business world and I reasoned that if I helped him land a job or something of that nature Nick would have to return the favor for me involving Daisy, maybe tea perhaps. I liked that Mr. Nick Carraway and could tell he was interested in me as well. When all was said and done and all my guests had left I sat on my marble steps in a sanguine manner and realized Nick was the bridge to my beloved Daisy.
-Ian Kosovsky
Nice job revealing/developing his Daisy obsession. This scene isn't from chapters 5-7 though.
DeleteScene: Gatsby has tea with Daisy after five years of not seeing each other. pgs 84-86
ReplyDeleteThere was the sound of a motor turning down the lane approaching Nick's house as I sat nervously just waiting to see her beautiful face again. I can't do this its been too long since the last time I've seen her, it was foolish of me to even think I could sit down and have tea with her. As I ran outside into the rain because of the fear of seeing her once more, it occurred to me that this may be the only time we meet again. I slowly walked back inside drenched from the pouring rain reflecting how I felt, wanting to break down in tears just thinking how ridiculous I looked now. I was able to talk to her only slightly because I was so amazed that her beauty and personality hadn't changed at all. When Nick began to leave, the thought of having to be with Daisy alone frightened me incredibly. But Nick was right, I was being rude by leaving her I had to go back no matter how nervous I was. She must feel as nervous as I am, we haven't seen each other for so long and now we're here together talking. As we struck up a fine conversation it reminded me of the olden days when Daisy and I were so close. She was glowing and it made me more and more joyful by the second I felt wonderful. As Nick walked in and told us that the rain had stopped and the sun was out I didn't even notice the sunshine gleaming in through the windows because I could only focus on Daisy's beauty. All I could think about was how the day started off dreary and disgustingly gloomy, but as soon as she and I began to talk and catch up the horrible weather and feelings all went away and the sun began to shine just like my heart because Daisy was back in my life even if it was only for one day. I couldn't get enough of her I knew I must invite her over to my house maybe that will impress her and make her want to come see me again.
-Tim Lellman
Good choice of scene/perspective & you've revealed some fine aspects of Gatsby's interior workings, but you need to bring the scene to life more- include dialogue...what do he and Daisy talk about? What moment causes the awkwardness to go away?
Deletepage 91 Gatsby showing Daisy his house
ReplyDeleteI hope she likes it. Oh God what if she doesn't? I thought. If she doesn't like it, then I'll just change it and she’ll have to like it then. Oh wow just look at how gorgeous she is going up those stairs with the sun gleaming through the window, her dress rustling slightly against her ankles. Daisy if only you could hear my thou― oof well that was close one. Stupid stair. I glared at it like it was my worst enemy. Finally my bedroom. Miss Daisy better like it. While sitting on the bed and shading my eyes, I watched as Daisy took the brush from my dresser and start to use it. “It’s the funniest thing, old sport,” I started to say to Nick, “I can’t―when I try to――” For some reason, I’m not sure what, but I just couldn't collect my thoughts into words.
Gabby Adams
Nice little moment. Good details with the dialogue & tripping up the stairs. What does he think when she puts that brush to her hair? Does he feel as if he's in a dream?
Deletepg. 144-145 scene. Gatsby watches Tom and Daisy's reconciliation as Nick leaves.
ReplyDeleteIt broke my heart to see those two together on this night. Oh how I envy the very image of Tom right now. He knows I can never rekindle my relationship with Daisy unless she has his undivided attention all the time. The tragic death of Myrtle may come as a cause for this subtle, yet unmistakable change in behavior. But who am I to know? Is it my fault? Am I the reason for this unfortunate turn of events? After all, I was partly responsible for the death of Myrtle even though I was not the operator. Did my contribution in such occurrence unintentionally drive them together? I must make it a priority to know. I have a right to know. I love her worlds more than Tom does and she knows it. She is afraid to tell him the truth because of what she thinks will happen to her on a physical, and mental, standpoint.
I need her. She is the one and only piece that will complete the puzzle of my life. I would rather live the rest of life with her and without my fortune than live without her and with my fortune. I hope she knows that. I hope she knows that I would sacrifice anything to be with her. Her ungrateful husband has no idea of the treasure he has in the grasp of his hands. This issue will be dealt with, no matter the cost. I can no longer live with this regret of losing her anymore. It is time to take action. I will pry my dear love Daisy from the crippling hands of Tom and drown him in the pool of karma. She will soon be mine.
-Danny Gagne
Pg. 108-109: Scene when Daisy and Tom attend Gatsby’s party, and are leaving (Gatsby’s P.O.V).
ReplyDelete“Good night, Nick,” I heard Daisy whisper from across my living room.
As she drifted out of the front doors of my house, her steps in sync with the rhythm of a familiar waltz playing softly throughout the halls, I could tell she did not want to leave. She kept turning back, getting final glimpses of my home, over and over again. Something was pulling her back, or pushing her away from her own life across the bay. There could be so many things drawing her back to the house, so many reasons why she wanted to stay, perhaps a little while longer.
And then, she was gone, just like that. Five years of waiting, and it still felt as if I hadn’t seen her yet.
As I waited for the final guests to part, however, I decided it was I who wanted her to want to stay. I wanted her to want me, and my presence. I desired spending unlimited time with her, with no interruptions. I walked towards Nick, who remained roaming along the gardens waiting for me to be free of company.
“She didn’t like it,” I said instantly.
“Of course she did,” Nick replied.
“She didn’t like it,” I insisted. “She didn’t have a good time.”
I thought about how much I missed her, how much I craved her attention and hearing the soft words that roll off her tongue, surrounding my ears delicately.
“I feel far away from her,” I said. “Its hard to make her understand.”
All I wanted was for Daisy to admit to Tom that she didn’t love him; she hadn’t loved him. Then we would move off somewhere and spend the rest of eternity together, happily. There wasn’t anything in the world I wanted more.
-Rachel White (1)
Gatsby showing Daisy his house. Pg 90
ReplyDeleteI walked out of Nick's cottage and toward the boys who were on the lawn. I looked over at the marvelous house that loomed over the area around it. As I stared I couldn't help notice how the light caught the front of the house.
"That huge place there?" I cried pointing at the house.
"Do you like it?" Jay had a look of anticipation, waiting for my reply.
"I love it, but I don't see how you could live there all alone." Though my house was also large, it was full of people. Tom, Jordan and Pammy always keep me company but I could never imagine being in the house always alone. I understand that Jay enjoys his time alone but to be living your entire life alone is different. Jay smiled at me.
"I keep it always full of interesting people, night and day. People who do interesting things. Celebrated people." I could tell that he was trying to impress me with his connections to the city. He said he wasn't lonely but behind his eyes I could tell he was lying.
-Rachel English
There are several things I hate about life, the first being these parties. Every night I throw one, hoping she would show up, and every night a crap-ton of people I don't even know show up. The first few times, I tried to enjoy them. Sip some bubbly, chat with the flappers, even toss in a dance or two when I was more or less hammered. As time went on, I guess some part of me knew that she would never show up, that she wouldn't stop by to even say hello, that she wouldn't even telephone to inquire about my health which, at this point, would probably be very poor if I stayed sober enough to take it into account. I didn't go downstairs in my own damn house anymore because it frankly made me sick. Occasionally I'd sit on the patio and sip some concoction that would certainly drown out the background nose, praying no one would notice me, or at least that she would. I though the moment to spring was ripe when I learned who moved into the old cottage next door. Actually it was barely next door, barely worthy of the title. It was in between. Yes, that's it, a minor pimple on this egg. Nick knows her, has visited her several times, hell, he's related to her. He never came to my parties despite the fact that they went on practically on his doorstep. I figured how long is have to wait for this damn kid to take the hint when I decided to throw caution to the wind and invite him. I knew he wouldn't bring her the first time because undoubtedly they hadn't been that close, but he would come, and I'd persuade him to bring her. Yea, I'll persuade him.
ReplyDelete- Lauryn Nosevich
Tom driving back to East Egg from the accident that killed Myrtle and thinking about the last hour or so. (141)
ReplyDeleteI will not cry. Not in front of these two. That would mean that I am weak. That I am coward like Gatsby. Gatsby. That man. He is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. First he takes my Daisy. MY DAISY. My wife. The woman I love. The woman I have loved since the day I met her. I swear. I am going to kill him. He walks around like he owns the place. But he made all this money from bootlegging. Just like I said. MY DAISY. And now. Myrtle. The one thing that distracted me from all the crazy going on. My Myrtle. He can’t just have one of my women, but has to take them both. Oh God. The way she was just so beat up. Her body. Smashed. No, Tom. Stop. You can’t cry. She was just so… No, Tom. Stop. And Wilson. He is just as bad off as I am. And it is all Gatsby’s fault. He did this to me. To us. To me and my Daisy and my Myrtle. STOP IT TOM. Do not cry. Her body. Oh God. Why. “The God damned coward!” Tom keep quiet, you are better than this. Stop this sobbing. “He didn’t even stop his car.” He killed her. He… he… killed her…
Gilly Moore
Scene: Myrtles fight with Mr. Wilson before she gets hit by the car.
ReplyDeleteHe never takes charge.
One image is in my mind. The image of that sickening Jordan Baker. I know that must be his wife because why else would a woman be with him? Of all the women in this world that would be Tom's wife! Why would he even like a girl like that? Doesn't he know that she cheated in that golf match! The entire world saw it! If she cheats in a silly game then she surely must be cheating on him in their relationship as well. Is that why he cheats on her? Could he just be using me to be even with his wife? No, it can't be. He loves me and I love him. We just decided to marry the wrong people is all. Speaking of marrying the wrong person, what is my husband doing?
He never takes charge.
Why does he have me locked away upstairs? It's as if he is afraid that I'll run away. Where does he think I'll go? Whatever. As long as I don’t have to talk to him. He's such a dull person and the things he talks about are of no interest to me whatsoever. He can't buy me anything like Tom does. He can't boss me around like Tom does. If I really wanted to I bet I could break that pathetic lock on the door. He can try to contain me all he wants but he will never have power over me like Tom does.
He never takes charge.
Suddenly, I hear voices downstairs. I can make out the voice of Michaelis, the man that runs the coffee shop next door. What does he want? He's probably asking a favor of Wilson. Wilson will agree because he can't stick up for himself.
He never takes charge.
I stare at the clock on the wall. The idea of breaking the lock on the door becomes more and more appealing. I'm hungry and I can hear my stomach growling. I could just go downstairs and make myself a sandwich. Then I could just go right back upstairs and he wouldn't even notice. Heck I bet I could lock myself in better than he locked me in.
He never takes charge.
As I get up to act out my plan, I hear footsteps heading upstairs. Wilson walks in. I scowl at him and tell him I'm hungry. He looks sick and pale. Come downstairs and I'll make you a sandwich he says. Most other women would love to have Wilson as their husband but I can't stand him. He's too kind. He's too good-natured.
He never takes charge.
I couldn't take it anymore. Why can't he just yell at me? Why can't he beat me and tell me that I'm and awful person for cheating on him? I can't stand being with a man that's so oblivious that he doesn't even know that he practically gives his wife away to the man she's cheating on him with. And then the thought of Tom and his wife Jordan. That makes everything worse. He probably likes her better than I. I can't win in this world. I need to get away. I'd rather die than stay here.
He never takes charge.
"Beat me! Throw me down and beat me, you dirty little coward!" I scream. I continue screaming into the night running as fast as possible without a care in the w—
-Evan Nelson
Gatsby before seeing Daisy and having tea after not seeing each other in years p. 85
ReplyDeleteI was drenched from head to toe from the rain, but I hardly even noticed. Nothing else in the world right now mattered to me more than seeing Daisy face to face, I might as well have been lit on fire instead, but my anticipation upon seeing her would stop me from even feeling it. Five years I have been waiting for this very moment, foreshadowing it in my mind like I was re-reading one of my favorite books. Five years without Daisy was like five years without sunlight, like five years without a heart. Five years. All spent with that ungrateful, cheating bastard, Tom. My Daisy, stolen from me for five years. I wonder if she will still have that glow when she walks, that musical voice that I would pay to hear everyday if I had to, that gift of a soul to bless my presence yet again. My hearts beating faster than my car, oh I hope she will like my car. Who can't? She will love it, I know it. We will be the Royal Family of West Egg, Daisy and I. Everything will be perfect, just as I planned. It will all be perfect.
Colton King
Gotta find Nick, where is he? I asked him to stay around for a while, where could the old sport be? Too many rooms, too much space. Where is he? I must find him, so much to discuss.
ReplyDeleteFinally! I stumbled down the stairs and stepped towards him, "She didn't like it."
Nearly too optimistically he responded, "Of course she did."
I was having any of it. "She didn't like it. She didn't have a good time." I paused, Nick seem flabbergasted at my opinion. "I feel far away from her. It's hard to make her understand."
"You mean about the dance," he questioned.
"The dance?" I laughed and snapped my fingers, "Old sport, the dance is unimportant." I only wanted Daisy to walk up to Tom to say: "I never loved you." Once she forgot those past four years, we could have decided upon a superb measures. The best, after her freedom was restored, was to return to Louisville and married at her house--like it was five years ago... "And she doesn't understand. She used to be able to understand. We'd sit for hours---"
I stopped, walked past the desolated fruit rinds, crushing flowers as I passed.
Nick stepped in, "I wouldn't ask too much of her. You can't repeat the past."
"Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!" I pleaded desperately. I searched, knowing the past was almost in my reach, "I'm going to fix everything just the way it was before." I nodded knowing I could do it, "She'll she."
-Trent Jones
Gatsby and Daisy's encounter after not seeing each other for years (pg 86).
ReplyDeleteAfter what seemed like an endless car ride, I finally arrive at my cousins house only to step outside in the disgusting weather. I still do not understand why Nick has been acting so weird, demanding thaat I come alone. Well, maybe it is a good idea. Some quality one on one time with my oh so beloved cousin has the potential to be a very nice afternoon. I step inside his dry, cozy, yet awfully banal house when all the sudden, OH MY, I blink to make sure I am not seeing things. No. This can not be. I freeze, unable to move or say a single thing. It is him. It really is him. An overflow of emotions rush through my head all at once, and although I do not know how long I have been staring at him unsure of what to say, all I can think of at this moment is that it really is him. Maybe it was a coincidence that he met Nick, or maybe this is fate bringing us back together, but either way I can not help to think that maybe, just maybe, this is our second chance. A chance to go back in time. A chance to throw away the biggest mistake I have ever made. A chance to be with the love of my life. He too looks nervous and mumbles something about meeting one another before. Oh please Jay, of course we have met before! Yet instead of embracing him in my arms, explaining how wrong I was and how much I miss him, or even telling him how unbelievably magical it was to see him again, I tried to act as nonchalant as possible and acknowledge that we had not met in many years. And immediately after that stupid, stupid response he scurried out of the living room behind Nick, and I feared that I might have just ruined our chance once again. All that is left for me to do is pray. Pray that he will come back out for me. Pray that he too wants to rekindle our love. I am certainly not ready to let him go again.
Dana Lidsky
Tom when he learns of Myrtle’s death. Pages 140-141
ReplyDeleteGatsby. It had to have been him. I knew that unctuous coward would try underhanded ways to hurt me, but I never would've thought he’d do something so drastic. I’ll mourn later; right now, I need to settle this situation and get out of here.
“What’s all that?” asked the policeman
“I’m a friend of his,” I replied, still keeping a hand on a nerve wracked Wilson. “He says he knows that car that did is….It was a yellow car.”
“And what color’s your car?”
“It’s a blue car, a coupe.” Thankfully, Nick and some other bystanders backed me up. Then the policeman started rambling on again. Ugh, I really didn’t want to deal with that right now. I proceeded to carry the still-stunned Wilson into his office and plop him down on his chair. “If somebody’ll come here and sit with him,” I demanded, and quickly strode out of the room, shutting the door behind me. I continued to the car, whispering a quick “Let’s get out” to Nick without breaking my stride.
Once in the car with Nick, I noticed that my hands were shaking when I tried thrice to plug the key into the ignition. How could Gatsby have been so heartless? Myrtle was innocent. Instead of taking matters up with me face to face like a man, how dare he try to hurt me by hurting people I care about!? Once we were out of sight, or as best as I could tell with my tear-blurred vision, I floored the gas and raced down the road. “That God damned coward!” I muttered. “He didn't even top his car.”
-Henry Liu
Scene : Mrytle is wrapped in a blanket after being struck by Gatsbys car. Tom, Jordan and nick find her this way and I am writing from Tom's perspective.
ReplyDeleteI never thought the day would come where I would lose my Myrtle.
I sighed in dispare as I cautiously lifted the blanket and discovered the gruesome gash which had taken over her chest.
As her eyes remained open and staring at me, I couldn't even fathom the fact that she was gone, it couldn't be real. I fought back the tears that seemed to invade my eyes.
I was told by the police officer that Myrtle had died upon impact. How can that happen? Impact.
Thought among thought raced throughout my head as I continuously analyzed the situation.
I couldn't believe Gatsby had just killed my wife and was about to run off like nothing had ever happened nor that he did anything wrong . Something was tremendously wrong with this man, I thought to myself, as I saw Mr. EWilson sobbing from across the room.
Gatsby must be given justice.
-Michael
Scene: First time Gatsby and Daisy met after many years in Daisy's opinion I was so excited to see Gatsby after so long. I didn't want to seem too excited so I got there at a reasonable time. It was so great to be so close to him again. It did start off very weirdly though. He came to the door soaking wet but that didn't deter me from wanting to speak with him. It was just so very awkward to be in the same room with him after marrying Tom and having Nick there did not help at all. I could see Gatsby was very nervous too. It wasn't until Nick left that I finally was able to relax. I smiled and began to talk to Gatsby about everything that happened after we were split apart. I talked about how I was set up with Tom and about my daughter and he just sat there and listened. It was just like old times. When I finally stopped talking, he began to talk about what happened and I couldn't believe what he went through. I then brought up what could have been and he seemed very sad about that but I continued to say that maybe we could try again...
ReplyDeleteJennifer Warren