We see all of our themes in this chapter. The American Dream and the relationships between most of the characters falls apart. "I have an idea that Gatsby himself didn't believe it would come (Daisy's phone call) and perhaps he no longer cared. If that was true he must have felt that he had lost the old warm world, paid a price for living too long with a single dream" (page 169) "We talked like that for a while and then abruptly we weren't talking any longer. I don't know which of us hung up with a sharp click but I know I didn't care." (page 163) Nick and Jordan, Gatsby and Daisy, and of course George and Myrtle's American Dreams had completely ended.
We also see appearance vs. reality in this chapter. First of all in the begining of the story, Nick tells us " In consequencce I'm inclined to reserve all judgements..." (page 5) However he after telling Gatsby "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together." He says "It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I dissaproved of him from beginning to end." (page 162) He tells us he never judges people but contradicts himself by saying this. Also it appears to George that whoever drove the yellow car that killed Myrtle was the one who had the affair with her. Because this is how it appears George goes out and shoots Gatsby then himself.
4 comments:
Yea, that sounds good. Its interesting how the appearance vs reality this works out. Another example you could have put (although it isn't in this chapter) is when we find out that none of the books in his library have been opened and it is all for show. Gatsby is trying to make himself look scholarly when he is not at all.
Her are some quotes and things to think about in relation to American Dream and Corruption of the 1920s:
Page 149 says Gatsby was "a penniless young man without a past" and then reveals more about how Daisy became Gatsby's dream, and by extension, the American Dream. She is wealthy, secure, coveted, and high-class - everything James Gatz was not meant to have. Page 150 says Gastby knew "of the youth and mystery that wealth imprisons and preserves, of the freshness of many clothes, and of Daisy... safe and proud above the hot struggles of the poor."
ALSO, page 154 - Nick recalls Gatsby's lavish parties: "The lawn and drive had been covered with the faces of those who guessed at his corruption - and he had stood on those steps, concealing his incorruptible dream as he waved them good-by." This highlights that, at least according to Nick, while Gatsby's ways of gaining wealth were corrupt, 1920s style, his dream was not.
I liked appearance vs. reality as a theme, but I think that Nick's only compliment to Gatsby shows how much more character Gatsby has in reality, despite our inclined judgment based on his bootlegging or however he got his money.
Nick is really a hypocrit and it really gets me user because he was I charge of Gatsby's funeral at the end how can you never compliment a man and the only time you do you barley even mean it. But, I like the comparison between appearance and reality. Also how all the relationships beig to crumble during this chapter. I noticed it but I didn't fully notice it until you said that.
Nick contradicts himself a lot but I still believe he ultimately looks at Gatsby as an example. I have to agree with the "appearance vs. reality thing too (not only for this chapter) but for all throughout the book!! (Good job for bringing that up) Things may appear to be one way but in actuality they aren't. For example, Gatsby being a "gentlemen." The American Dream being "alive." etc
Post a Comment