Great Gatsby Chapters 8-9 (Brown)

 SO! These are the last two chapters of The Great Gatsby. A lot went down. At first, Nick doesn't know how to feel about Gatsby and his being okay with the death of Myrtle Wilson. The weather once again mirrors what's happening. Chapter 8 opens with the sound of a foghorn in the distance. Nick is feeling confused and foggy too. Then, we get some nice backstory on the whole Daisy/Gatsby past love. It says that Gatsby loved Daisy because of her popularity with other men. He liked the challenge. Nick says, "It excited him, too, that many men had already loved Daisy- it increased her value in his eyes"(149). I think this is an important quote because it emphasizes that Gatsby's love might not be a real and pure as we originally thought. She is more like a cherry on top or a piece of a puzzle. It reveals to me that Gatsby is more self-absorbed than we might've thought. This is further shown in a later quote saying, "He had intended, probably, to take what he could go- but now he found that he had committed himself to the following of a grail"(149). This is relating Daisy to a trophy. So, yeah, do we like Gatsby? 

Flash forward and we find Mr. Wilson sitting with his friend Michaelis. He is slowly figuring out that Myrtle had been cheating on him and figured her lover must have been Gatsby! Woah plot twist! Okay, so now we have this grief-ridden guy running around with his angsty anger and then he shoots Gatsby! WHAT! Then he shoots himself. Wow, that was crazy. Oh, and did y'all notice the whole God allusion to the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg? That was interesting...

Now we find Nick in the wake of Gatsby's murder and the house is finally silent. This entire book, this house has been filled with people admiring Gatsby and his opulence. Nobody even showed up for his funeral. Daisy and Tom are gone. Okay... so his closest friends wouldn't even come, but Owl Eyes shows up? That's kinda weird too. Nick also has now decided that he does like Gatsby?

Something I thought Fitzgerald might've done intentionally showed the good and bad in all of his characters. The idea that I cannot decide if I like Gatsby or not is something that intrigued me. I think Fitzgerald is saying that we all have bad and good inside us and it just depends on our circumstances or our actions. 

Great Gatsby Chpts. 6-7

 The beginning of chapter 6 opens with a reporter visiting Gatsby to question him, specifically to know who he truly is-just like everyone else around New York. Nick begins to explain Gatsby's past, starting with his former name James Gatz of North Dakota whose family owned a farm. Gatsby was a poor college student at St. Olaf's in Minnesota and worked as a janitor to pay for it, but dropped out after only two weeks, unsurprisingly, unfulfilled by his life and searching for more. He changed his name when he met a drunk yachter named Dan Cody, who brought him along as his "steward, mate, skipper, secretary, and even jailor". I thought it was interesting Nick included an abrupt look into Gatsby's life, an "honest" take on a man who literally invented the person he is today just from the conception of what he thought he should be. Gatsby did not attain his wealth of $25,000 after Cody's death due to a mistress, but let that moment drive him to be successful and wealthy. 

 

We continue in this chapter to a scene with Tom Buchanan being invited to Gatsby's for a drink, with Nick and Mr. and Mrs. Sloan. To add to an already awkward situation, Gatsby begins to conversate with Tom, saying how they had met before and how he knows his wife. There is also a very odd interaction with Mrs. Sloan, who invites them to dinner, but then leaves Gatsby behind. Tom also decides to insert a quite hypocritical statement regarding Daisy visiting Gatsby alone and without accompaniment. Next, we see Tom accompanying Daisy to Gatsby's next big party, which gave the evening its "peculiar quality of oppressiveness" and unpleasantness, as Nick states. It seems that Gatsby has done everything to impress Daisy, he even dances with her, however, both she and Nick appear to not be having a good time. Annoyed by the behavior of Gatsby, Tom assumes that his wealth comes from bootlegging and wants to search more into who he is. Daisy defends Gatsby, saying his wealth comes from owning drug stores and pretends to have had a good time, as to not give Tom any satisfaction. We end the chapter with Gatsby saying he wishes he could make Daisy understand. Nick explains Gatsby's want for a life with Daisy as he has envisioned it is unrealistic. One where Daisy says to Tom: "I never loved you.", runs to Louisville and marries Gatsby "just as if it were five years ago." Nick explains to Gatsby that "you can't repeat the past," but is given denial, with Gatsby searching for the idea of himself that was with Daisy before. Nick also details Gatsby and Daisy's first kiss and we see how she became a part of who he was, and without her, he could not find the "thing" that makes him, him.  

In chapter 7, the tea is "spilt", as some would say. We start with a description of Gatsby's disheveled house, no party's happening, and a sudden change in staff. Nick is invited to have lunch at Daisy's house and Gatsby is too, during one of the hottest days of the summer. We learn that heat causes people to act very differently, learn things, and let feelings out. In the house, Tom is sent to prepare drinks and Daisy kisses Gatsby on the lips after saying "You know I love you," in front of Nick and Jordan. Daisy's child runs in, someone I forgot even existed, and causes Gatsby to remember the little person as well. Obvious awkward tension fills the room, with Tom trying his very best to showcase his talents and superiority to Gatsby, who stays silent and observant at this time. In a moment, Daisy comments on Gatsby's ability to remain cool while staring at each other in unspoken conversation, which reveals to Tom their secret love. Gatsby also describes Daisy's voice as "full of money", which causes Nick to have an "a-ha!" moment and realize the distinctiveness as well. Now knowing of the romance, Tom insists on heading into New York and for some reason switches cars with Gatsby-a yellow "circus wagon" for a blue coupe. Needing to stop for gas, Tom ends up at the Wilson's, seeing Mr. Wilson sickly and grave as he describes how he and his wife are moving West after Tom gives him the car to sell. In a window, we see Mrs. Wilson, locked in a room, staring into the yellow car and seeing her lover and a woman, who she presumes to be his wife. Tom is not pleased by Wilson's information and realizes that his wife and his mistress are "slipping through his fingers" and are no longer in his "secure and inviolate" control. 

Continuing on to the hotel scene, where the five of them end up as a way to get out of the heat. Tom continues his questioning of Gatsby, there's a conversation of a Mr. Biloxi who was at their wedding, and there is even a wedding happening just down the stairs. Ironic that a marriage is joining below while a marriage is dying above. Then the getting gets good with Tom's final question to Gatsby, "What kind of a row are you trying to cause in my house anyhow?" This causes an uproar, with a verbal battle between Tom and Gatsby over whether or not Daisy truly loved Tom, and Gatsby revealing how he became a rich man that she could love. This part specifically reminded me of the quote at the beginning of the book: a man willing to do anything to get the girl to love him back. Daisy is forced into the conversation, revealing how she never loved Tom, but she did, but actually only says anything to satisfy Gatsby. I feel in this scene Daisy's true character is shown as well. Tom, in order to get back at Gatsby for stealing his wife, reveals the crooked life that is Gatsby, his dealings with Wolfshiem, the reality of his drug store business, and other sketchiness that leaves Gatsby looking as if "he had killed a man". Gatsby and Daisy inevitably leave, leaving Nick to remember that it is his 30th birthday. 

Finally, leaving to return home to Long Island, Tom, Nick, and Jordan pass by a crowded scene at the Wilsons, where it is learned that Myrtle Wilson had been killed in a car crash, by a yellow car that refused to stop. Knowing that he could be a culprit for the crime, Tom instantly steps in to explain how he did not kill her and on the car ride home, is seen sobbing at the loss of his mistress. Arriving home, Nick refuses to go inside, understandably, with the drama from earlier, and walks past a hidden Gatsby in the bushes. The reader learns that it was Daisy driving the car that killed Myrtle, who, believing it to be Tom, stepped towards the car, while Daisy intentionally (I think) turned the wheel back towards her. Nick no longer trust Gatsby and disliked him so much at this point. Gatsby is waiting to protect Daisy if anything were to happen inside and Nick goes to look into the window to see a surprising scene. Tom and Daisy, neither happy nor unhappy, share an intimate moment of conversation. Nick does not tell Gatsby this, leaving Gatsby to believe that his love is waiting for him, and the fantasy to continue. 

The Great Gatsby Ch. 1-2 (Beatty)

 Chapters 1-2 of The Great Gatsby

The beginning of chapter one begins with the narrator, Nick Carraway, describing himself and his relationship with his father. He states that his father taught him to not judge other people. This is funny to me because he quickly contradicts his own morals and talks about how privileged he is and how he has almost better morals than most people. He then mentions Gatsby and describes him as he says Gatsby "represented everything for which I have unaffected scorn" (2). But he refutes this statement by letting the reader know that Gatsby is actually exempt from his usual judgements. Just as he did on the first page, Nick is a hypocrite in saying that he does not judge people. Then, Nick switches topics to discuss his move to New York and he mentions his job in the bond business. He then talks about his home which is located in West Egg. West Egg is known for being home to people with new money and poor taste. While Nick's home is modest, his neighbor, Gatsby, owns a massive mansion. I think this contrast between Nick and Gatsby is going to come up a lot in this book. One night, Nick drives to East Egg to have dinner with his cousin, Daisy, her husband, Tom Buchanan, and Daisy's friend, Jordan Baker. Tom tells them about a book he is reading called, "The Rise of the Colored Empires" in order to amuse them. After a while, the dinner ends and Nick goes back to his home in West Egg. When he gets there he sees Gatsby standing in the yard with his arms open towards the water. Nick follows his gaze but only sees a green light in the distance. I think this final scene in chapter one provides a very clear image of Gatsby and how Nick views him. Nick doesn't really know anything about Gatsby and this scene captures it perfectly. Nick doesn't know where Gatsby's wealth came from and when he sees Gatsby looking at the light, he becomes even more mysterious to Nick. This is another clear contrast that shows a difference between Nick and Gatsby which I discussed earlier in the post. 

The second chapter begins with a description of the valley that separates East and West Egg. This valley is where New York's ashes are disposed of. Hovering above the valley, an old sign made by an eye doctor depicts a large pair of eyes. This valley is a major contrast to East and West Egg. It is gray, desolate, and clearly displays poverty in between two wealthy communities. Nick and Tom take a train ride that connects East and West Egg. Tom makes Nick get out of the train with him at one of the stops in the ash valley. Tom leads them to Wilson's garage. It is revealed that Myrtle, Wilson's wife, is Tom's lover. Tom orders Myrtle to follow them to the train and he takes them into the city. They go to Tom's apartment and throw a last-minute party with Myrtle's sister, Catherine, and another couple. Catherine tells Nick that Gatsby is a relative of Kaiser Wilhelm who was the ruler of Germany at the time of  WWI. Nick gets annoyed by the conversation of the guests at the party and wants to leave but at the same time, he finds the group incredibly fascinating. Myrtle is gifted a puppy by Tom and she begins chanting Daisy's name. Tom responds by breaking her nose. What a silly decision! The party ends and Nick takes a late train ride home. This party is another example of major contrast. Nick wants to leave but he stays because he is thoroughly fascinated by the people and environment. Contrast is definitely a repetitive occurrence in The Great Gatsby and I think it will continue to be. 

 Act five begins with gravediggers talking about how they suspect Ophelia committed suicide and question her burial in a Christian graveyard. This relates to what we discussed last class, where some of us suspected that Gertrude described Ophelia’s death as an accident so she would be spared the typical burial of someone who committed suicide during this time. Hamlet arrives in the graveyard with Horatio and picks up a skull. This once again causes Hamlet to ponder what happens after death. He is appalled at the thought of Yorrick, the jester he once knew, as only a skull. He begins to think about how even powerful men, including Alexander the great, are reduced to dust after death. He says, “Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth to dust, the dust is earth, of earth we make loam, and why of that loam whereto he was converted might they not stop a beer barrel?” (5.1.177-189). A lot happened as Ophelia was brought out to be buried, and after Hamlet and Laertes fight, Hamlet declares his love for Ophelia. I don’t think Hamlet has taken full responsibility for Polonius’s death yet, which can be seen through his lack of guilt relating to Ophelia’s death. 

In Scene Two, I thought it was interesting how Hamlet could see that Laertes was the mirror image of his own desires for revenge, leading him to seek Laertes’s forgiveness. We have discussed how Laertes is a FOIL to Hamlet because they both are seeking revenge for their fathers, but Laertes is quick to act, while Hamlet is indecisive and reluctant to take action. Although these characters contrast each other, they died the same death, both poisoned by the same blade after forgiving each other. I believe that by the time Hamlet is waiting for the duel, he has reconciled with death and is at peace with it. The idea of death and the question of whether or not there is an afterlife, is something Hamlet has pondered throughout the entire play, and I believe he has finally come to terms with death itself by the end. It seems like every character was consumed with either seeking revenge or involved in the plan to kill, leading to the typical Shakesperan tragedy ending of everyone dying.

Hamlet: Act III Scenes II-III

 A play inside of a play, what a classic theather moment. Hamlet's play that he planned is being set up at the beginning of Act 3 Scene 2. Hamlet is instructing his actors for the play on what he wants for the acting style. He instructs quite specifically in saying "Speak the speech I pray as I pronounced it to you" (3.2.1). Meaning he wants the actors to say it exactly how he spoke it to them so that it is accurate and will get a reaction from Claudius. Also before the play starts, Hamlet instructs Horatio to keep an eye on Claudius for him. To see if there will be a reaction which will be Hamlet's answer on the true death of his father. Hamlet is quite rude and blunt to Ophelia, Gertrude, and Claudius. He mocks Claudius, comments on Gertrude's appearance in a harsh manner saying that there is "metal more attractive" (3.2.97), and also makes jokes and innuendos towards Ophelia (basically taunting and teasing her to make her feel embarassed/guilty). 

The play begins with a scene between the King and Queen. Talking about their 30 years of marriage and how great it has been. The queen promises that she will never marry again if the king passes but he responds saying that promises are broken. But the queen insists on he promise that she will never remarry when he dies. Then the reenactment of the kings death begins, as Hamlet makes commentary urging his mother and uncle to feel guilty because he knows they know what the play is resembling. When the king in the play is murdered with the poison in the ear, Claudius abruptly stops the play and Hamlet knows officially that his uncle murdered his father. Hamlet knows he must seek revenge for his father. Claudius fears that Hamlet is becoming dangerous and too violent, so he tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to take Hamlet to England. Hamlet furious about seeking revenge, decides to go and threaten his mother. Polonious decides to spy on them for Claudius. 

Claudius decides to pray after the play when he is left alone. He begs for divine mercy for killing his brother. He begs that God should, "forgive me my foul murder"(3.3.53) and that his "fault is past" (3.3.52). Hamlet enters seeing Claudius so vulenerable, begging and praying for forgiveness. He questions whether or not he should murder Claudius right then and there. But as he nears Claudius to avenge his father, he stops. 

Hamlet, Act II

I wonder how many spies actually lived in Denmark during the late middle ages. Because from Act II, it seems like everyone either was a spy, had a spy, or was being spied on! The act opens with Polonius giving Reynaldo money to spy on Laertes. After Reynaldo is sent off, Ophelia, frightened, tells her father about Hamlet’s strange behavior and appearance. Polonius mistakenly comes to the conclusion that Hamlet’s insanity was caused by Ophelia breaking up with him. He concludes that Hamlet must have truly loved Ophelia and decides to tell Claudius. Polonius remarks, “This is the very ecstasy of love, Whose violent property fordoes itself, And leads to desperate undertakings” (2.1.101-102). While it may seem that old Polonius just read the room wrong, this statement actually foreshadows much of the tragedy to come. The violent property of love will later be reflected in Ophelia’s death and Hamlet’s acts to avenge his father. Also, this quote reminded me of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet which similarly states, “These violent delights have violent ends”. I guess Shakespeare must have had a really crazy love life!

Once Polonius unites with Claudius and Gertrude, he begins a long and rambling explanation of Hamlet’s madness. He explains that his orders for Ophelia to reject Hamlet’s love has caused his insanity. Polonius formulates a plan to spy on a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia with Claudius who agrees. At this point, I had to put my book down and sigh because how many more spies could we possibly have. It seems Hamlet himself has grown tired of all the spies when his casual and humorous conversation with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern turns suspicious as he suspects they have been sent to spy on him (2.2.254-292).

Hamlet begins plotting his revenge play, staged around the Murder of Gonzago, in an attempt to reveal his uncle’s guilt. When he is alone, Hamlet begins a soliloquy full of self-loathing as he wallows in despair. He reprimands his cowardice and inability to act on his revenge. Hamlet questions, “Am I a coward?”. This simple phrase summarizes the self-hatred and conflicting emotions that he is experiencing from his father’s death and the arrival of his apparition. The added pressures of vengeance and murder now weigh heavy on his conscience.   

Hamlet, Act I Scenes 3-5 (Gabby Welhoelter)

 In these scenes all I could think about was contrast. The contrast between Ophelia and her brother and how their father talked to both of them was extremely telling. Ophelia got lectures from both her brother and her father about her loyalty and love for Hamlet. Laertes first scolds her and tells her she is too young to know Hamlet's intentions and even suggests that his intentions are wrapped up in the plans of the state (" for on his choice depends/The sanctity and health of his whole state..." (Hamlet 1.3.20-21)). My favorite lines from this scene are in Opelias retort to her brother when she says "But good my brother,/Do not as some ungracious pastors do,/ Show me steep and thorny way to heaven,/ Whiles like a puffed and reckless libertine/ Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,/ and recks not his own rede" (1.3.46-51). A sister telling her brother to listen to his own advice has never sounded so elegant, and it reminds me quite a bit of Mister Dimmesdale. Afterward, their father comes in. The way he speaks to Laertes sounds just like you expect it would, a dramatic speech about following your own path and being a kind gentleman to all. (Kind of like the speeches we hear from parents about us going away to college). But the speech he gives Ophelia is completely different. He's looking out for both of his kids but he thinks Laertes can have good judgment while Ophelia can't. Laertes is allowed to follow his own path while Ophelia is forbidden to see her boyfriend because Polonius can't believe the judgment she has made of his character. Next, the juxtaposition of this speech with scene four is so funny to me. Scene four is just Hamlet ranting about how corrupt humanity is and is extremely philosophical about the state of man, which is pretty much the opposite of what Polonius has described him as (young and idealistic, unfaithful, etc). I especially think that when Hamlet says "I'll make a ghost of him that lets me" (1.4.85) that it shows his ability to set his mind to something and to do it. He will kill someone if that means talking to his father again (sounds a little like foreshadowing, no?). His conversation with his father that closes out our reading is a direct foil to the conversation between Laertes and Polonius. Hamlet is being told about the world and given advice on what to do, like Laertes but with a darker undertone. It is revealed that Claudius killed Hamlet's father through poison being poured into his ear. The reason he is a ghost is that he is stuck in Purgatory since he was killed before he could confess his sins, complete penance, and be absolved of them. Hamlet then makes his friends swear to never repeat what they saw or heard that night to anyone after the ghost has gone. This section, specifically scene 5, is filled with themes of trust and betrayal. It truly feels as if no one can be trusted. In the context of which this play was written, it makes perfect sense. Losing a child makes you feel hopeless, alone, and everything else we said hamlet was feeling about his father's death. Shakespeare is showing he feels as if no one can be trusted or talked to through these scenes.