Gatsby ch. 4 (Part II)

So Gatsby does have a shady side. He can just flashes a white card and everything is okay with the police? Oh, plus he has frequent meetings with the man who fixed the 1919 World Series and wears human teeth as cuff buttons! Gatsby is a very influential man, but there is nothing to hint that this is in a bad way, so far. Also, who is Gatsby always leaving to call on the telephone? Something is going on here.

Now we can finally learn what Gatsby and Jordan talked about. Gatsby just wants to impress Daisy. Gatsby just wants to show off all his current wealth to Daisy as Fitzgerald wrote, "'Gatsby bought that house so that daisy would be just across the bay (78).'" I see how this is going to get to be an interesting story. This is going to get messy. It also appears that Nick and Jordan are becoming more romantically involved. Good for them, but they are bound to get caught up in the drama that will unfold.

Gatsby ch. 4 (Part I)

Chapter Four of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby begins with a listing of the people who attended Gatsby's parties during the Summer. Honestly, I did not care for any of these details because I already understood that his parties were a big deal, but I thought some details were interesting like the man who killed himself by jumping in front of a subway train. Gatsby's trip into New York with Nick started off fairly interesting. Despite Gatsby's appearance as a socialite, Nick reveals, "I had talked to him perhaps six times in the past month and found, to my disappointment, that he had little to say (64)."  So this guy can rest easy knowing that his title of the most interesting man in the world is safe.

We finally figure out the truth about Gatsby, depending on whether Gatsby was telling the truth which I think he was. I found it a little ironic that Gatsby said he was from the Middle West which apparently includes San Francisco. I noticed a slight part of Nick's character was revealed in this scene because he had to hold back laughter when Gatsby said his family's death was a sad event. Clearly, Nick only saw this situation as a way that Gatsby came across a great deal of money and not that he lost his family. Now,  we're left in suspense about what Jordan will tell Nick at lunch that day. I hope it is some dirty secret about Gatsby. This guy seems too blessed with his medals and all that.

Gatsby ch. 3 (Part II)

In the closing of the party, I noticed some insight given into the character of The Great Gatsby. Gatsby appears the be detached from everyone at his parties. For example, Fitzgerald wrote, "...but no one swooned backward on Gatsby, and no French bob touched Gatsby's shoulder, and no singing quartets were formed with Gatsby's head for one link (50)." I think Fitzgerald creates Gatsby as a character detached from every other character because Gatsby does not enjoy parties like everyone else that attends his parties. It is almost like he throws them to study his guests behavior.

I am intrigued to find out what Gatsby and Jordan discussed. At least, the night ended with success for Nick when Jordan asked him to visit her. Clearly, there is a fling of some sort going on between Nick and Jordan right now. I do not think this will last because Nick already pointed out Jordan's flaw or being dishonest. Nick chooses to ignore this problem, but I do not blame him if he enjoys her company. I get the feeling things will work out between them.

Gatsby ch. 3 (Part I)

Finally, we get a look at the title character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. With the description of Gatsby's estate, it is pretty obvious that Gatsby has no worries of money due to the extravagance and frequency of his parties. One thing I found strange was Nick's invitation: "He had seen me several times, and had intended to callon me long before, but a peculiar combination of circumstances had prevented it--signed Jay Gatsby, in a majestic hand (41)." What were these circumstances? Give me answers Fitzgerald!

For some reason, I thought the party was amusing to read about. I chuckled a little when I read, "I was on my way to getting roaring drunk from sheer embarassment...(42)." Then the drunk man in a library amused me as well. These little details of Gatsby build up his extremely affluent appearance, not to mention all the rumors of his being a German spy and such. I found it shocking that a man as enigmatic as Gatsby could come out and have such a personal introduction with Nick where they could talk like old friends.

Gatsby Ch.2 (Part II)

Now things start to get interesting in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The end of Nick's time with Tom and company ends poorly as everybody's flaws are exposed. More specifically, Tom is really shown as a man of poor character. This is first shown during Nick's discussion with Catherine who says the reason that  Tom and Daisy are not divorced is because Daisy is Catholic. Nick reveals, "Daisy was not a Catholic, and I was a little shocked at the elaborateness of the lie (33)." I believe the true reason Tom and Daisy are not divorced is because Tom still loves Daisy but he feels like Myrtle is more fun.

Tom even defends Daisy in a sort of strange manner when he tells Myrtle that she should not bring up Daisy. Of course, this ends with Tom breaking Myrtle's nose. This violent turn of events shows that Tom is very susceptible to giving into his emotions which would explain why he keeps a mistress as well. Nick makes the smart choice and follows the only sane person out of the room who is Mr. McKee. Mckee appears to ignore the whole situation with his suggestion of Nick joining them for lunch some time. I think this suggests that events like this are a common occurrence between Tom and Myrtle.

Gatsby Ch. 2 (Part I)

Apparently, Tom and Nick have become sort of acquaintances or friends now because they have gone into New York together in The Great Gatsby. What surprised me most so far in this story was Tom's eagerness to show Nick his mistress. It appears like Tom is not ashamed of showing her off to his wife's cousin but that he is almost proud. While reading Tom's conversation with Wilson, I am pretty sure that the whole situation of Tom's selling a car to Wilson is just a farce. Supporting my notion is Wilson's response: "'Works pretty slow, don't he (25)?'" I think Tom is just saying this so that he has an excuse to come into Wilson's shop and speak to Myrtle.

The progression of the day leads them to what I assume to be Tom and Myrtle's love nest. When the party arrives, another mention of Gatsby is made. The suggestion that he is a relative of Kaiser Wilhelm seems a little far-fetched, but I believe this adds to the legend of Gatsby. I get the feeling that as the story progresses the grandeur of Gatsby will eventually come down and the simple form of Gatsby will be revealed.

The Great Gatsby: Let's Begin! Ch. 1

The hardest part is the beginning. That's what I always tell myself when I start reading a book, but I found the beginning of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby to be a little more intriguing than expected. I liked what Nick Carraway's father told him as a child: "'Whenever you feel like criticizing any one just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had (1).'" I found it a little ironic that this is in the opening sentences of the novel because Nick shortly after talks about how Gatsby stood for everything he had an unaffected scorn.

The conflicts that will develop throughout the novel become pretty evident in the first chapter. Tom and Daisy will have marriage problems due to Tom's affair with some female in New York, Nick and Jordan will become romantically involved (most likely), Nick will unravel the mystery that is Gatsby, and Nick will have trouble living down rumors of his failed engagement. However, I am sure this story is far less predictable than that. I am fairly interested in continuing the story to discover what happens next.