"I want to get one of those dogs," she said earnestly, "I want to get one for the apartment. They're so nice to have - a dog." pg 27
Myrtle Wilson, Tom's mistress, is a spoiled little brat. She doesn't love her husband because he is a "nobody" mechanic. Of course she "loves" Tom Buchanan because of his wealthy and high up social status! The passage above illustrates her begging him to buy her a dog for their apartment, and of course she gets what she wants. Their relationship, besides the sketchy fact that they are both married, is a classic example of a gold digger. Myrtle wants to be with wealthy Tom, but I still cannot fathom why Tom would rather be with her than with his genuine, loving wife Daisy. These people in this time period have got it alllll wrong.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Great Gatsby - Tone
"A sudden emptiness seemed to flow now from the windows and the great doors, endowing with complete isolation the figure of the host, who stood on the porch, his hand up in a formal gesture of farewell." (pg 55) AND "..when the dark lanes of the forties were five deep with throbbing taxicabs, bound for the theatre district, I felt a sinking in my heart...Imagining that I, too, was hurrying toward gayety and sharing their intimate excitement, I wished them well." (pg 57)
These two excerpts, one about Nick and one about Gatsby, both show a tone of lonliness or isolation. The first is a time when one of Gatsby's parties is coming to an end and all his guests are leaving. It is easy to think that Mr. Jay Gatsby has it all, wealthiest man in East Egg with extravagant parties that are constantly a huge hit. But, this is clearly not the case. This is a classic example of the lonely rich man with no one by his side all the time. Family, nor a mistress or wife, is ever mentioned in his context. F. Scott Fitzgerald is illustrating Gatsby's lonliness and isolation in this excerpt. The second passage is of the same theme, but about Nick. Nick is watching all the young couples doing "coupley" things together in the city. Nick is simply longing for a companion, similar to Gatsby's loneliess as well.
These two excerpts, one about Nick and one about Gatsby, both show a tone of lonliness or isolation. The first is a time when one of Gatsby's parties is coming to an end and all his guests are leaving. It is easy to think that Mr. Jay Gatsby has it all, wealthiest man in East Egg with extravagant parties that are constantly a huge hit. But, this is clearly not the case. This is a classic example of the lonely rich man with no one by his side all the time. Family, nor a mistress or wife, is ever mentioned in his context. F. Scott Fitzgerald is illustrating Gatsby's lonliness and isolation in this excerpt. The second passage is of the same theme, but about Nick. Nick is watching all the young couples doing "coupley" things together in the city. Nick is simply longing for a companion, similar to Gatsby's loneliess as well.
Gatsby vs. Tom Buchanan?
"They shook hands breifly, and a strained, unfamiliar look of embarassment came over Gatsby's face...I turned to Mr. Gatsby, but he was no longer there." pg 74
The above excerpt describes the event in which Nick sees Tom Buchanan at the same resturant that him and Gatsby are dining at. It really struck me when the "Great" Gatsby, so genuine and level-headed, gets nervous around Tom. At first I wondered if Gatsby was simply jealous of his demeanor or if they had a past run across with each other. Then, I remembered the point in the story where Meyer Wolfsheim tells Nick of Gatsby's "very careful" attitude about women, and that "he would never so much as look at his friend's wife." Considering the reoccurring theme of mistress' and strianed relationships, I believe Gatsby has some sort of history with Daisy Buchanan. If not history, then he lusts or longs for her. Why else would he be nervous around Tom Buchanan? In my opinion, this situation is foreshawdowing an event to come later in the novel between Daisy and Gatsby.
The above excerpt describes the event in which Nick sees Tom Buchanan at the same resturant that him and Gatsby are dining at. It really struck me when the "Great" Gatsby, so genuine and level-headed, gets nervous around Tom. At first I wondered if Gatsby was simply jealous of his demeanor or if they had a past run across with each other. Then, I remembered the point in the story where Meyer Wolfsheim tells Nick of Gatsby's "very careful" attitude about women, and that "he would never so much as look at his friend's wife." Considering the reoccurring theme of mistress' and strianed relationships, I believe Gatsby has some sort of history with Daisy Buchanan. If not history, then he lusts or longs for her. Why else would he be nervous around Tom Buchanan? In my opinion, this situation is foreshawdowing an event to come later in the novel between Daisy and Gatsby.
Tom and Gatsby - Foil Characters
"Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face.. His speaking voice, a gruff husky tenor, added to the impression of fractiousness he conveyed." (pg 7) AND "His acqauintances 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." (pg 24)
Both of these passages describe Tom's mannerisms. In the first, he is being compared to most wealthy men who arrogantly believe they dominate everyone. The second, Tom out and about with his mistress, shows his disloyalness to his wife. It also suggests that he does nothing at all to hide his "cheating" and shows his mistress off for everyone to see as if he can get away with anything he wants due to his high social status.
"He smiled understandingly - much more than understandingly. 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." (pg 48)
This passage, as well as the one on my first blog post about Gatsby's genuine loyalness to his friends, show Gatsby's character as complete opposite of Tom's. Although just as wealthy as Tom, Gatsby does not flaunt his money as a means for social acceptance or gratitude. Also unlike Tom, he is down to earth and has his head on straight. Gatsby's genuine attitude toward everyone makes him so well loved and prominent, not his money or parties.
Both of these passages describe Tom's mannerisms. In the first, he is being compared to most wealthy men who arrogantly believe they dominate everyone. The second, Tom out and about with his mistress, shows his disloyalness to his wife. It also suggests that he does nothing at all to hide his "cheating" and shows his mistress off for everyone to see as if he can get away with anything he wants due to his high social status.
"He smiled understandingly - much more than understandingly. 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." (pg 48)
This passage, as well as the one on my first blog post about Gatsby's genuine loyalness to his friends, show Gatsby's character as complete opposite of Tom's. Although just as wealthy as Tom, Gatsby does not flaunt his money as a means for social acceptance or gratitude. Also unlike Tom, he is down to earth and has his head on straight. Gatsby's genuine attitude toward everyone makes him so well loved and prominent, not his money or parties.
The Great Gatsby - Theme
"She had a fight with a man who says he's her husband," explained a girl at my elbow. I looked around. Most of the remaining women were now having fights with men said to be their husband." pg 51
In the beginning of the novel, we see the conflict between Daisy and her husband, Tom, because of his mistress. Although in our world today it's greatly looked down upon, the people in this day in age seem to care less. The passage above occurs during one of Gatsby's great parties, where all the men and women are quarreling with one another. It is the second occurance where conflict between husband and wife arises. These two specific events in the novel illustrate the strain on relationships during these times, but also shows that there is more social acceptance of this occurring then.
"Yeah." He flipped up his sleeves under his coat. "Gatsby's very careful about women. He would never so much as look at a friend's wife." pg 72
This excerpt from Meyer Wolfsheim also contributes to the constant theme of relationships and mistress' in this time period. Gatsby's outlook on the matter is more similar to the social acceptance today than back then. It may foreshadow an event to come between Gatsby and another's wife.
In the beginning of the novel, we see the conflict between Daisy and her husband, Tom, because of his mistress. Although in our world today it's greatly looked down upon, the people in this day in age seem to care less. The passage above occurs during one of Gatsby's great parties, where all the men and women are quarreling with one another. It is the second occurance where conflict between husband and wife arises. These two specific events in the novel illustrate the strain on relationships during these times, but also shows that there is more social acceptance of this occurring then.
"Yeah." He flipped up his sleeves under his coat. "Gatsby's very careful about women. He would never so much as look at a friend's wife." pg 72
This excerpt from Meyer Wolfsheim also contributes to the constant theme of relationships and mistress' in this time period. Gatsby's outlook on the matter is more similar to the social acceptance today than back then. It may foreshadow an event to come between Gatsby and another's wife.
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