Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
I chose to blog about a certain question after the reading on this short story also.
3. How does Mr. Kapasi's job as an "interpreter of maladies" relate to the action in this story? Does he have the occasion to use his diagnostic ability in his interactions with the Das family?
The central theme to this short story could be communication and the role it plays in the relationships between the family and also with Mr. Kapasi. An interpreter of maladies is someone who determines what is wrong with a person when they come in to a hospital with a list of symptoms, but still not being sure of what actually is wrong with them. This is Mr. Kapasi's job along with being a tour guide. People talk to him about personal situations all the time and I think this gives Mrs. Das a feeling of comfort that she can confide in him about her secret. I feel like when she told Mr. Kapasi that Bobby was not actually Mr. Das' son, Mrs. Das had a little bit of relief. She had told no one for eight whole years and it felt better that someone actually did know now. She says that she told him "...because of your talents" (Lahiri 163). He cannot help, however, because he deals with physical ailments, not lies and deceit. He thinks about saying something to her, but goes against the idea. He sees the Das family as objectively as possible. He has no prior knowledge about them and the only prejudice he does have is that he is attracted to Mrs. Das and thinks she would be a better partner to him than his current wife is. He has plenty of opportunity to use his diagnostic abilities in his interactions with the Das family. I believe he uses them a little bit, but just by force of habit. I don't think, however that he outright expresses his thoughts about the family though.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Unit One Blog Post 4
Everyday Use by Alice Walker
For this short story, I chose to focus on one of the questions from the included after the reading.
3. As evidence of current social movements and as innovations that the mother responds to, what do the following have in common: (a) Dee's new name and costume; (b)Hakim's behavior and attitudes; (c) the "beef-cattle peoples down the road"; (d) Dee's concern for her "heritage"?
I think the overall theme in this short story is the idea of someone's natural heritage. Dee chooses a new name, Wangeroo. I believe it is an interesting choice and actually preferred Dee. Upon being asked what happened to her old name by Mama, Wangaroo says, "She's dead...I couldn't bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me" (Walker 177). Dee believes that because she is black she must change her name to something more stereotypical in order to save her heritage. She chooses a more "African" costume also because I believe she is trying to outright display her heritage. Hakim seems awkward to me. The way he greets Maggie is awkward and pushes her away and makes her shy. He seems like he feels more educated and he is better than them because he can display his heritage and where he came from better. I don't quite understand the "beef-cattle people from down the road". Although I think Mama compares Hakim to them. He just seems weird. He says, "I accept some of their doctrines, but farming and raising cattle is not my style" (Walker 178). I don't know if he knows that Mama is kind of making fun of him. She also obviously does not approve of their being together and I think she hopes they aren't married. I think that, although the theme of this short story is heritage, Wangaroo does not really understand her own heritage. She seems to think she does, but she really doesn't. In trying to stand out and display where she is from, she has actually lost her own roots in where she came from.
For this short story, I chose to focus on one of the questions from the included after the reading.
3. As evidence of current social movements and as innovations that the mother responds to, what do the following have in common: (a) Dee's new name and costume; (b)Hakim's behavior and attitudes; (c) the "beef-cattle peoples down the road"; (d) Dee's concern for her "heritage"?
I think the overall theme in this short story is the idea of someone's natural heritage. Dee chooses a new name, Wangeroo. I believe it is an interesting choice and actually preferred Dee. Upon being asked what happened to her old name by Mama, Wangaroo says, "She's dead...I couldn't bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me" (Walker 177). Dee believes that because she is black she must change her name to something more stereotypical in order to save her heritage. She chooses a more "African" costume also because I believe she is trying to outright display her heritage. Hakim seems awkward to me. The way he greets Maggie is awkward and pushes her away and makes her shy. He seems like he feels more educated and he is better than them because he can display his heritage and where he came from better. I don't quite understand the "beef-cattle people from down the road". Although I think Mama compares Hakim to them. He just seems weird. He says, "I accept some of their doctrines, but farming and raising cattle is not my style" (Walker 178). I don't know if he knows that Mama is kind of making fun of him. She also obviously does not approve of their being together and I think she hopes they aren't married. I think that, although the theme of this short story is heritage, Wangaroo does not really understand her own heritage. She seems to think she does, but she really doesn't. In trying to stand out and display where she is from, she has actually lost her own roots in where she came from.
Unit One Blog Post 3
Toads by Phillip Larkin
external conflict: conflicts existing between two people, between a person and nature or machine, or between a person and a whole society
internal conflict: conflicts existing within a person's mind or heart
This was one of the more difficult poems to understand, but when we talked about it in class it really helped me out. I learned there are two types of conflict in this poem. The first one is directly stated and even italicized in the work. It is actually the first line of the poem. The first conflict is an external conflict of work. The author is talking about work and why he should let it "squat on my life" (Larkin). Everyone has to work in some way in order to get what they want. Not very many people, if given the choice, would choose to work their whole lives instead of not do anything and get everything they wish to have. So the first conflict, or toad, is that one must work.
The second toad is a little less blunt in stating what he actually is. The cone of meaning, as Mr. Costello would say, is a lot wider when it comest to the second conflict. This conflict is internal too. It says that this toad "Will never allow me to blarney my way to getting the fame and the girl and the money all at one sitting" (Larkin). This toad is something that someone has (morals, pride) that keeps them from flattering or lying to get what they ultimately want. Also, it says, "I don't say, one bodies the other One's spiritual truth; But I do say its hard to lose either, When you have both" (Larkin), meaning, you can't get rid of one (work) with the other toad (the thing granting you the easy way) still in you.
external conflict: conflicts existing between two people, between a person and nature or machine, or between a person and a whole society
internal conflict: conflicts existing within a person's mind or heart
This was one of the more difficult poems to understand, but when we talked about it in class it really helped me out. I learned there are two types of conflict in this poem. The first one is directly stated and even italicized in the work. It is actually the first line of the poem. The first conflict is an external conflict of work. The author is talking about work and why he should let it "squat on my life" (Larkin). Everyone has to work in some way in order to get what they want. Not very many people, if given the choice, would choose to work their whole lives instead of not do anything and get everything they wish to have. So the first conflict, or toad, is that one must work.
The second toad is a little less blunt in stating what he actually is. The cone of meaning, as Mr. Costello would say, is a lot wider when it comest to the second conflict. This conflict is internal too. It says that this toad "Will never allow me to blarney my way to getting the fame and the girl and the money all at one sitting" (Larkin). This toad is something that someone has (morals, pride) that keeps them from flattering or lying to get what they ultimately want. Also, it says, "I don't say, one bodies the other One's spiritual truth; But I do say its hard to lose either, When you have both" (Larkin), meaning, you can't get rid of one (work) with the other toad (the thing granting you the easy way) still in you.
Unit One Blog Post 2
Hazel Tells LaVerne by Katharynn Howd Machan
farce: a type of comedy in which ridiculous and often-stereotyped characters are involved in silly farfetched situations.
This was probably my favorite work out of all the works in unit one. I could find the humor in it and really understand it. One of the aspects I found that related to farce was definitely the use of humor to ridicule the traditional fairytale of the frog princess. I found humor in the dialect and the whole situation itself. Hazel tells LaVerne, "well i screams ya little pervert an i hitsm with my mop" (Machan). I can imagine this "Hazel" reenacting the story and telling all about this situation that happened. Another farce aspect is the stereotypical part. Although the dialect is funny, I still get a sense that she is a stereotypical uneducated black woman. It's totally how I perceive a person like that to react though. She's also poor because she is "cleaning out my howard john sons ladies rooms" (Machan). It is stereotypical that she would freak out and call the frog a pervert and hit it with a broom and then go and tell her girlfriend all about what happened. It is also farfetched. The original fairytale is a little out there, but this "fairytale" definitely brings a little modern day twist. I think it gives a little more of a realistic feel to the original.
farce: a type of comedy in which ridiculous and often-stereotyped characters are involved in silly farfetched situations.
This was probably my favorite work out of all the works in unit one. I could find the humor in it and really understand it. One of the aspects I found that related to farce was definitely the use of humor to ridicule the traditional fairytale of the frog princess. I found humor in the dialect and the whole situation itself. Hazel tells LaVerne, "well i screams ya little pervert an i hitsm with my mop" (Machan). I can imagine this "Hazel" reenacting the story and telling all about this situation that happened. Another farce aspect is the stereotypical part. Although the dialect is funny, I still get a sense that she is a stereotypical uneducated black woman. It's totally how I perceive a person like that to react though. She's also poor because she is "cleaning out my howard john sons ladies rooms" (Machan). It is stereotypical that she would freak out and call the frog a pervert and hit it with a broom and then go and tell her girlfriend all about what happened. It is also farfetched. The original fairytale is a little out there, but this "fairytale" definitely brings a little modern day twist. I think it gives a little more of a realistic feel to the original.
Unit One Blog Post 1
Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes
rhetorical question: a question asked for an effect, and not actually requiring/expecting and answer.
All of the similes and metaphors in this poem are rhetorical questions. They don't need a direct answer, they just simply are asked to get our minds to think more. And boy did my mind think. I think this poem is trying to get one to think about the success of a dream. What happens when you defer a dream? and then it goes on and on about what could possibly happen. What struck me though was the very last line, "or does it explode?" (Hughes). I almost wish there was an ellipsis. I feel like that is how I said it in my head when I was reading it. The fact that it is all by itself, has no other negating second line, and is italicized tells me that this rhetorical question is different from all the rest. The rhetorical questions allow the reader to add their own interpretations into the actually question, I think, of what happens when a dream is deferred.
rhetorical question: a question asked for an effect, and not actually requiring/expecting and answer.
All of the similes and metaphors in this poem are rhetorical questions. They don't need a direct answer, they just simply are asked to get our minds to think more. And boy did my mind think. I think this poem is trying to get one to think about the success of a dream. What happens when you defer a dream? and then it goes on and on about what could possibly happen. What struck me though was the very last line, "or does it explode?" (Hughes). I almost wish there was an ellipsis. I feel like that is how I said it in my head when I was reading it. The fact that it is all by itself, has no other negating second line, and is italicized tells me that this rhetorical question is different from all the rest. The rhetorical questions allow the reader to add their own interpretations into the actually question, I think, of what happens when a dream is deferred.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Perrine Poetry Blog Entry
This article gave me a headache. I had a difficult time reading it and understanding what Perrine was saying. From the first read I got that you asked us to interpret the meaning of a poem where almost all of us were incorrect because the "garden" theme didn't account for all of the details in the poem (the Wharf). Also, no one was even close to understanding the war poems where one was actually about the stars. And finally, where we were asked to interpret the meaning of a rose and a worm that were actually meant to really be a rose and a worm. It seems we were incorrect in all aspects of our poem interpreting, according to Perrine. I understand where he is coming from in showing proof of his interpretations. They had good evidence behind them and I just had no idea that those poems could mean anything else than what we had, as a class, written on the board.
I do agree with Perrine in the fact that there should be a right and wrong meaning to poems. I mean, they can't absolutely mean anything someone wants it to me. The poem would be useless if this were the case. There would basically be no meaning for poems if the author of them never even had an idea in mind as he was writing. If the author was just putting words on a paper then they did a pretty good job, but I doubt that's what any poem writer does. I believe there is some real meaning behind what they're writing and there is some interpretation or message they wish for the reader to get out of reading it. He did provide ample proof for his two criteria of the interpretation accounting for every detail in the poem (Wharf) and the interpretation which relies on the fewest assumptions not grounded in the poem itself (Melville's stars). And, after reading this article I can definitely see where he is coming from and when re-reading the poems completely understand these interpretations.
I do agree with Perrine in the fact that there should be a right and wrong meaning to poems. I mean, they can't absolutely mean anything someone wants it to me. The poem would be useless if this were the case. There would basically be no meaning for poems if the author of them never even had an idea in mind as he was writing. If the author was just putting words on a paper then they did a pretty good job, but I doubt that's what any poem writer does. I believe there is some real meaning behind what they're writing and there is some interpretation or message they wish for the reader to get out of reading it. He did provide ample proof for his two criteria of the interpretation accounting for every detail in the poem (Wharf) and the interpretation which relies on the fewest assumptions not grounded in the poem itself (Melville's stars). And, after reading this article I can definitely see where he is coming from and when re-reading the poems completely understand these interpretations.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Great Gatsby 15
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
It is now all over. The Great Gatsby is no more. No more extravagant parties or anything. I was right when I predicted that Tom and Daisy would leave together. As Jay was dying, he said to Nick, "Look here, old sport, you've got to get somebody for me. You've got to try hard. I can't go through this alone" (Fitzgerald 165). I think that Nick was that person for him. He was the one who stayed at his house and kept everything in order and talked to the newspapers. Nick made all the funeral arrangements when no one else was around to help.
I feel bad for Gatsby. He threw all these parties and welcomed everyone into his home and still no one even came to his funeral except his father and the drunk guy from the library. People thought that he got what he deserved and someone even wanted a pair of shoes back from his house. It makes me depressed and I'm kind of glad he was already dead so he didn't know that everyone was so mean after he did die.
Jordan's engaged to someone else and I found out that Tom is the one who told Wilson that it was Jay Gatsby who killed his wife. He did it to get rid of Gatsby without getting his hands dirty. He knew that Wilson was crazy enough to kill another man without even thinking about it. I feel like Gatsby is a great inspiration for bettering oneself. He had little and made himself go out and become a better person. He made money and friends, but also enemies. Everyone, including himself felt like he had a great future ahead of him and went out and made it happen. I think there are a lot of people at Roncalli with these same ambitions who I know for a fact can make them come true.
It is now all over. The Great Gatsby is no more. No more extravagant parties or anything. I was right when I predicted that Tom and Daisy would leave together. As Jay was dying, he said to Nick, "Look here, old sport, you've got to get somebody for me. You've got to try hard. I can't go through this alone" (Fitzgerald 165). I think that Nick was that person for him. He was the one who stayed at his house and kept everything in order and talked to the newspapers. Nick made all the funeral arrangements when no one else was around to help.
I feel bad for Gatsby. He threw all these parties and welcomed everyone into his home and still no one even came to his funeral except his father and the drunk guy from the library. People thought that he got what he deserved and someone even wanted a pair of shoes back from his house. It makes me depressed and I'm kind of glad he was already dead so he didn't know that everyone was so mean after he did die.
Jordan's engaged to someone else and I found out that Tom is the one who told Wilson that it was Jay Gatsby who killed his wife. He did it to get rid of Gatsby without getting his hands dirty. He knew that Wilson was crazy enough to kill another man without even thinking about it. I feel like Gatsby is a great inspiration for bettering oneself. He had little and made himself go out and become a better person. He made money and friends, but also enemies. Everyone, including himself felt like he had a great future ahead of him and went out and made it happen. I think there are a lot of people at Roncalli with these same ambitions who I know for a fact can make them come true.
Great Gatsby 14
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I had a feeling this would happen. Wilson was too mad and too crazy to not want to get revenge. There is just too much suspense leading up to it that it couldn't not happen. My prediction is way off though. Now that everyone is dead, there's no one to be in love anymore.
Also, we get the background on Daisy and Jay. How he didn't think he could fall in love with her and when he did he was so surprised but the war kept them apart. Finally, she wanted her life to start and couldn't wait any longer, so she married Tom Buchanan. Jay found out about it in a letter. I can only imagine how sad he was. It's the classic tale, though, of a love story torn apart by war and distance.
I am not sure what is going on between Jordan and Nick, but I hope they get happier and stop hanging up on each other. I want everyone to be happy, but there's no way now considering half of them are dead. I thought that maybe it was just Gatsby who was shot, but then I read that "It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson's body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete" (Fitzgerald 162). I don't know for sure though if Gatsby really is dead. It's confusing to me. I am hoping he is not though. Also, I sort of saw it coming that Wilson would take his own life too.
I had a feeling this would happen. Wilson was too mad and too crazy to not want to get revenge. There is just too much suspense leading up to it that it couldn't not happen. My prediction is way off though. Now that everyone is dead, there's no one to be in love anymore.
Also, we get the background on Daisy and Jay. How he didn't think he could fall in love with her and when he did he was so surprised but the war kept them apart. Finally, she wanted her life to start and couldn't wait any longer, so she married Tom Buchanan. Jay found out about it in a letter. I can only imagine how sad he was. It's the classic tale, though, of a love story torn apart by war and distance.
I am not sure what is going on between Jordan and Nick, but I hope they get happier and stop hanging up on each other. I want everyone to be happy, but there's no way now considering half of them are dead. I thought that maybe it was just Gatsby who was shot, but then I read that "It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson's body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete" (Fitzgerald 162). I don't know for sure though if Gatsby really is dead. It's confusing to me. I am hoping he is not though. Also, I sort of saw it coming that Wilson would take his own life too.
Great Gatsby 13
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Oh my goodness! something happened alright! A mysterious car wreck has happened at Wilson's shop. His wife is now murdered. George Wilson and Myrtle get into a fight and she runs from the garage yelling and screaming and then it was all over. The "death car" had taken her life and then sped off and left her mangled body lying there. It sounds disgusting.
I think it is so ironic that, as Tom, Jordan and Nick are driving by the garage, Tom says, "Wreck!..That's good. Wilson'll have a little business at last" (Fitzgerald 137). And when they stop he says excitedly that "There's some bad trouble here" (Fitzgerald 138). Little does he know that the girl he had been cheating on his wife with was brutally murdered in a hit and run accident. And then there is quite the twist that occurs. Turns out a witness says that the car that hit her was a big yellow car. My first thought was "uhoh Gatsby has a yellow car. Did he do it?" Turns out I was right. Like always. BUT Daisy was the one driving, not Gatsby. It was only his car. He says he will take the blame for it though. Which I don't know how someone can take all the blame for a murder. It takes a lot of love to do that.
My prediction is that Tom and Daisy will stay together so that Daisy doesn't get the blame for the death and Gatsby will take the blame out of love for Daisy. And then Gatsby will become and outcast and his fabulous life will be over.
Oh my goodness! something happened alright! A mysterious car wreck has happened at Wilson's shop. His wife is now murdered. George Wilson and Myrtle get into a fight and she runs from the garage yelling and screaming and then it was all over. The "death car" had taken her life and then sped off and left her mangled body lying there. It sounds disgusting.
I think it is so ironic that, as Tom, Jordan and Nick are driving by the garage, Tom says, "Wreck!..That's good. Wilson'll have a little business at last" (Fitzgerald 137). And when they stop he says excitedly that "There's some bad trouble here" (Fitzgerald 138). Little does he know that the girl he had been cheating on his wife with was brutally murdered in a hit and run accident. And then there is quite the twist that occurs. Turns out a witness says that the car that hit her was a big yellow car. My first thought was "uhoh Gatsby has a yellow car. Did he do it?" Turns out I was right. Like always. BUT Daisy was the one driving, not Gatsby. It was only his car. He says he will take the blame for it though. Which I don't know how someone can take all the blame for a murder. It takes a lot of love to do that.
My prediction is that Tom and Daisy will stay together so that Daisy doesn't get the blame for the death and Gatsby will take the blame out of love for Daisy. And then Gatsby will become and outcast and his fabulous life will be over.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Great Gatsby 12
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I feel like Tom is the first wheel here. It's like Jay and Daisy and Nick and Jordan. Tom's just tagging along almost and I think it's really funny. And I get the feeling that no one likes and all he does is make incredulous and insulting remarks.
And then finally, it all comes out. Tom snaps and says, "Self-control!...I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife" (Fitzgerald130). And then, Gatsby comes out completely blunt and says that she never loved him and she has always loved Gatsby. Everything just comes out. Jay and Tom go back in forth for a while and I felt like at some point Daisy should have stepped in and said something. It's also pretty ironic that Tom is getting mad considering he had a whole other life with another woman. He thinks it's okay to make these decisions as long as it's only him doing the wrong. It's not okay. For a second I felt like no one was going to stay together. But I get the feeling Tom is only mad because his other girl is being forced to leave so he will have no one else to be with. But everyone leaves and Daisy and Jay go home together. I have a feeling this can't be the end of the story though. Something else has to happen.
And then finally, it all comes out. Tom snaps and says, "Self-control!...I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife" (Fitzgerald130). And then, Gatsby comes out completely blunt and says that she never loved him and she has always loved Gatsby. Everything just comes out. Jay and Tom go back in forth for a while and I felt like at some point Daisy should have stepped in and said something. It's also pretty ironic that Tom is getting mad considering he had a whole other life with another woman. He thinks it's okay to make these decisions as long as it's only him doing the wrong. It's not okay. For a second I felt like no one was going to stay together. But I get the feeling Tom is only mad because his other girl is being forced to leave so he will have no one else to be with. But everyone leaves and Daisy and Jay go home together. I have a feeling this can't be the end of the story though. Something else has to happen.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Great Gatsby 11
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Now Wilson knows about his wife and Tom! He found out about her and now he is making her move West. He says, "I just wised up to something funny the last two days" (Fitzgerald 124). Now he knows. I don't know if he knows that its Tom who she cheats with. Also, she thinks that Jordan is Daisy and I think something bad is going to happen to Daisy because Myrtle thinks she is Daisy and doesn't like Daisy because she is Tom's wife. Wilson is physically sick now.
I like how Fitzgerald said that Tom had made a parallel discovery about his wife use a few hours before Wilson made one about his wife. I think it's a good way of saying they both found out their wives were cheating on them. All these people do is bicker. It's annoying. But I like how Daisy sticks up for Jay and he does the same for her. I can't wait to find out who is going to explode!
Now Wilson knows about his wife and Tom! He found out about her and now he is making her move West. He says, "I just wised up to something funny the last two days" (Fitzgerald 124). Now he knows. I don't know if he knows that its Tom who she cheats with. Also, she thinks that Jordan is Daisy and I think something bad is going to happen to Daisy because Myrtle thinks she is Daisy and doesn't like Daisy because she is Tom's wife. Wilson is physically sick now.
I like how Fitzgerald said that Tom had made a parallel discovery about his wife use a few hours before Wilson made one about his wife. I think it's a good way of saying they both found out their wives were cheating on them. All these people do is bicker. It's annoying. But I like how Daisy sticks up for Jay and he does the same for her. I can't wait to find out who is going to explode!
Great Gatsby 10
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Now Gatsby is acting pretty weird. He fired his staff because he has Daisy over all the time and didn't want anyone to gossip. Also, he never comes out of his house. I could tell something was going to happen with the way Nick said, "Something was up. And yet I couldn't believe that they would choose this occasion for a scene--especially the rather harrowing scene that Gatsby had outlined in the garden" (Fitzgerald 114). It's a bit of foreshadowing that I kind of hope comes true. I want there to be a scene where everything comes out at once.
The heat seems to be getting to everyone, especially Tom and Jay. Tom keeps sending rude remarks Jay's way. They are just constantly bickering. I can tell that there are a lot of things just building up. Little digs here and there are adding up. Also, Tom saw Daisy tell Gatsby she loved him. Right in front of him at the table! And then they decide to go into town and Daisy suggests her and Gatsby ride together! I think it is all just so awesome because Tom is such a jerk I want him to be sad so badly. That sounds mean but I am getting into this book
Now Gatsby is acting pretty weird. He fired his staff because he has Daisy over all the time and didn't want anyone to gossip. Also, he never comes out of his house. I could tell something was going to happen with the way Nick said, "Something was up. And yet I couldn't believe that they would choose this occasion for a scene--especially the rather harrowing scene that Gatsby had outlined in the garden" (Fitzgerald 114). It's a bit of foreshadowing that I kind of hope comes true. I want there to be a scene where everything comes out at once.
The heat seems to be getting to everyone, especially Tom and Jay. Tom keeps sending rude remarks Jay's way. They are just constantly bickering. I can tell that there are a lot of things just building up. Little digs here and there are adding up. Also, Tom saw Daisy tell Gatsby she loved him. Right in front of him at the table! And then they decide to go into town and Daisy suggests her and Gatsby ride together! I think it is all just so awesome because Tom is such a jerk I want him to be sad so badly. That sounds mean but I am getting into this book
Monday, August 6, 2012
Great Gatsby 9
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Tom came for drinks?! This is weird. Why? He is in love with Daisy and invited her husband to hangout with him. I do not understand people sometimes. And Nick is surprised it didn't happen earlier? I am not sure who Mr. Sloane and the lady he is talking to are. They appear to be bickering about Jay going to dinner with them. I'm assuming they're married.
Then Tom and Daisy go to Gatsby's party. I think something bad is going to happen. I just got the feeling when I read, "...unpleasantness in the air, a pervading harshness that hadn't been there before" (Fitzgerald 104). Also, nothing good could have come from these three people being in the same place at the same time. Nothing really crazy did happen though, which surprised me. Except for I learned that Daisy hated it all. She was appalled by West Egg and all the people in it. This is Gatsby's life, though. I am predicting that Gatsby will have to choose between her or this life and persona he has built up around himself. I also think he will choose Daisy because of his love for her. I am hoping he chooses Daisy. But this is only a prediction of what might happen.
Tom came for drinks?! This is weird. Why? He is in love with Daisy and invited her husband to hangout with him. I do not understand people sometimes. And Nick is surprised it didn't happen earlier? I am not sure who Mr. Sloane and the lady he is talking to are. They appear to be bickering about Jay going to dinner with them. I'm assuming they're married.
Then Tom and Daisy go to Gatsby's party. I think something bad is going to happen. I just got the feeling when I read, "...unpleasantness in the air, a pervading harshness that hadn't been there before" (Fitzgerald 104). Also, nothing good could have come from these three people being in the same place at the same time. Nothing really crazy did happen though, which surprised me. Except for I learned that Daisy hated it all. She was appalled by West Egg and all the people in it. This is Gatsby's life, though. I am predicting that Gatsby will have to choose between her or this life and persona he has built up around himself. I also think he will choose Daisy because of his love for her. I am hoping he chooses Daisy. But this is only a prediction of what might happen.
Great Gatsby 8
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Again I am thrown back in time to learn more on the background of Gatsby. I know for a fact the rumors of him could not be true, but I didn't know everything else about him. He is actually James Gatz from North Dakota. I didn't know the deciding event in his life would be "when he saw Dan Cody's yacht drop anchor over the moist insidious flat on Lake Superior" (Fitzgerald 98). It's such an odd event, but a life changing one I suppose. Also, the fact that he came up with this alternative persona at the age of seventeen seems weird to me. I know he didn't like the lives of his farmer parents, but seventeen seems young to make the decision to change who you completely are as a person. I guess its what he wanted though.
Dan Cody took Jay under his wing, sort of how Jay has done for Nick in a way. Dan became a sort of father figure to Jay. Even though he may not have been the best model to follow. He is also the reason that Jay doesn't drink that much now. Also, Gatsby inherited his money from Dan--$25,000. And this is where the life of the Great Gatsby officially began I suppose. This is why he is the way he is today.
Again I am thrown back in time to learn more on the background of Gatsby. I know for a fact the rumors of him could not be true, but I didn't know everything else about him. He is actually James Gatz from North Dakota. I didn't know the deciding event in his life would be "when he saw Dan Cody's yacht drop anchor over the moist insidious flat on Lake Superior" (Fitzgerald 98). It's such an odd event, but a life changing one I suppose. Also, the fact that he came up with this alternative persona at the age of seventeen seems weird to me. I know he didn't like the lives of his farmer parents, but seventeen seems young to make the decision to change who you completely are as a person. I guess its what he wanted though.
Dan Cody took Jay under his wing, sort of how Jay has done for Nick in a way. Dan became a sort of father figure to Jay. Even though he may not have been the best model to follow. He is also the reason that Jay doesn't drink that much now. Also, Gatsby inherited his money from Dan--$25,000. And this is where the life of the Great Gatsby officially began I suppose. This is why he is the way he is today.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Great Gatsby 7
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Gatsby is so nervous around Daisy! The day finally came when he could see her again and he is just so nervous. Personally, I find it adorable. For them to have been so in love and then have waited five years to have even seen one another. It is true love I think. His apparently calm and cool demeanor is totally blown away when she is around. The word "trembling" is used often in reference to his hands. Also, he tries to leave and can't even wait around because he thinks she isn't going to come.
He comes back to the house as soon as she's in it. Nick answers the door with "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" (Fitzgerald 86). This reminds me of like a little lost puppy. He just seems so adorable and it all seems so adorable to me. Then, he gets to show off his house to her and she is in awe at it all. He totally loved that, I'm sure. Finally, they lose themselves in each other and Nick leaves them alone. I just love it.
Gatsby is so nervous around Daisy! The day finally came when he could see her again and he is just so nervous. Personally, I find it adorable. For them to have been so in love and then have waited five years to have even seen one another. It is true love I think. His apparently calm and cool demeanor is totally blown away when she is around. The word "trembling" is used often in reference to his hands. Also, he tries to leave and can't even wait around because he thinks she isn't going to come.
He comes back to the house as soon as she's in it. Nick answers the door with "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" (Fitzgerald 86). This reminds me of like a little lost puppy. He just seems so adorable and it all seems so adorable to me. Then, he gets to show off his house to her and she is in awe at it all. He totally loved that, I'm sure. Finally, they lose themselves in each other and Nick leaves them alone. I just love it.
Great Gatsby 6
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I get the sense of a softer side of Jay Gatsby now. He's showing his vulnerability in his love for Daisy, who is also now Tom Buchanan's wife. I was irritated for a while because Gatsby wouldn't just tell Nick what was going on. He kept mentioning a favor and that something very sad had happened to him and that Jordan Baker would tell him about it. I thought it had to do with Nick stealing his girl, Jordan, but it turns out it was quite the opposite. Jordan was to tell him what happened to Jay and what he was supposed to do to help him out. When out to lunch, Nick sees Tom and goes to talk to him, but Jay leaves because it's Daisy's husband. I could tell everything was leading up to this. I was suspended, but I could kind of see the twist coming. Otherwise, why would we learn about who Tom and Daisy are in the first place?
I see the soft side of Jay Gatsby because I read, "The officer looked at Daisy while she was speaking, in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at some time..." (Fitzgerald 75). This is so adorable to me! and so true. I feel like every girl wants this to happen. They were in love, but war and family tore them apart. Daisy never even got to say goodbye and on her wedding day had a breakdown, but in the end went on with her life. Now, they have a chance and Nick is the way they will get back together. I predict that Daisy and Jay will get together and she'll leave her horrible husband and Jordan and Nick will stay in love also.
I get the sense of a softer side of Jay Gatsby now. He's showing his vulnerability in his love for Daisy, who is also now Tom Buchanan's wife. I was irritated for a while because Gatsby wouldn't just tell Nick what was going on. He kept mentioning a favor and that something very sad had happened to him and that Jordan Baker would tell him about it. I thought it had to do with Nick stealing his girl, Jordan, but it turns out it was quite the opposite. Jordan was to tell him what happened to Jay and what he was supposed to do to help him out. When out to lunch, Nick sees Tom and goes to talk to him, but Jay leaves because it's Daisy's husband. I could tell everything was leading up to this. I was suspended, but I could kind of see the twist coming. Otherwise, why would we learn about who Tom and Daisy are in the first place?
I see the soft side of Jay Gatsby because I read, "The officer looked at Daisy while she was speaking, in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at some time..." (Fitzgerald 75). This is so adorable to me! and so true. I feel like every girl wants this to happen. They were in love, but war and family tore them apart. Daisy never even got to say goodbye and on her wedding day had a breakdown, but in the end went on with her life. Now, they have a chance and Nick is the way they will get back together. I predict that Daisy and Jay will get together and she'll leave her horrible husband and Jordan and Nick will stay in love also.
Great Gatsby 5
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Now, I get to see a little bit into the life of Nick Carraway. There is a break in the story of Gatsby to tell a little about Carraway himself. He moved to New York and is all alone. He lives alone, walks alone, eats alone. I can infer this because I read, "I took dinner usually at the Yale Club--for some reason it was the gloomiest event of my day..." (Fitzgerald 56). This is so sad to me. I hope I am never alone when I'm older. Also, I hate seeing really old people eating all alone in restaurants. I always think they are so sad.
Nick finds love, though. He finds it in Jordan Baker, the tennis star. But, we all have flaws and Jordan's is that she lies and is "incurably dishonest". She is also a horrible driver and doesn't care. She thinks everyone else is good and they'll stay out of her way. I too am a horrible driver sometimes, but i still hope I don't hurt anyone and certainly do try my best. There is a catch though. I think Nick is still involved in something back home because when he starts to think he loves Jordan, he says he is "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" (Fitzgerald 58). He had been writing letters signed "Love, Nick" which makes me believe they may be love letters and he has a girl back home who he needs to let go before he can fully fall for Jordan. I admire this quality about him, this quality of honesty. I wish everyone were like Nick Carraway in this aspect.
Now, I get to see a little bit into the life of Nick Carraway. There is a break in the story of Gatsby to tell a little about Carraway himself. He moved to New York and is all alone. He lives alone, walks alone, eats alone. I can infer this because I read, "I took dinner usually at the Yale Club--for some reason it was the gloomiest event of my day..." (Fitzgerald 56). This is so sad to me. I hope I am never alone when I'm older. Also, I hate seeing really old people eating all alone in restaurants. I always think they are so sad.
Nick finds love, though. He finds it in Jordan Baker, the tennis star. But, we all have flaws and Jordan's is that she lies and is "incurably dishonest". She is also a horrible driver and doesn't care. She thinks everyone else is good and they'll stay out of her way. I too am a horrible driver sometimes, but i still hope I don't hurt anyone and certainly do try my best. There is a catch though. I think Nick is still involved in something back home because when he starts to think he loves Jordan, he says he is "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" (Fitzgerald 58). He had been writing letters signed "Love, Nick" which makes me believe they may be love letters and he has a girl back home who he needs to let go before he can fully fall for Jordan. I admire this quality about him, this quality of honesty. I wish everyone were like Nick Carraway in this aspect.
Great Gatsby 4
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Now, I am learning more and more about this Gatsby character; I am growing more and more curious as I dive into the life of him. For some reason he juices oranges and lemons? So, he is a filthy rich juicer who throws fabulous parties for strangers every single night. He is so weird.
The first time Nick got invited to Gatsby's house he received a note, hand-delivered, which read, "The honor would be entirely Gatsby's...if I would attend his little party that night. He had seen me several times and had attempted to call on me long before, but a peculiar combination of circumstances had prevented it" (Fitzgerald 41). It was signed in a "majestic hand" by Jay Gatsby. That name sounds made up if you ask me.
Something else that seems weird to me, is the fact that when Nick asked where Gatsby was at the party people just stared at him and vehemently denied where he was. why? It's strange. Also, there are whispers of him having killed someone, which I don't believe. I was reaffirmed when Nick finally met him and he seems so nice! I want them to become best friend neighbors. He wasn't mean or crazy or a murderer at all. They actually had served in the war together. It's crazy how they served in a war together and then ended up being neighbors. It just reminds me how small the world really is.
Now, I am learning more and more about this Gatsby character; I am growing more and more curious as I dive into the life of him. For some reason he juices oranges and lemons? So, he is a filthy rich juicer who throws fabulous parties for strangers every single night. He is so weird.
The first time Nick got invited to Gatsby's house he received a note, hand-delivered, which read, "The honor would be entirely Gatsby's...if I would attend his little party that night. He had seen me several times and had attempted to call on me long before, but a peculiar combination of circumstances had prevented it" (Fitzgerald 41). It was signed in a "majestic hand" by Jay Gatsby. That name sounds made up if you ask me.
Something else that seems weird to me, is the fact that when Nick asked where Gatsby was at the party people just stared at him and vehemently denied where he was. why? It's strange. Also, there are whispers of him having killed someone, which I don't believe. I was reaffirmed when Nick finally met him and he seems so nice! I want them to become best friend neighbors. He wasn't mean or crazy or a murderer at all. They actually had served in the war together. It's crazy how they served in a war together and then ended up being neighbors. It just reminds me how small the world really is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)