Journal 20

Journal 20 – The Great Gatsby Conclusion

Read the novel’s last passage (beginning with, “Gatsby’s house was still empty when I left”) and discuss the use of imagery and symbolism that is being employed by Fitzgerald.  In your response, specifically address what Nick is saying about the green light and the connection that he is making between Gatsby and the Dutch sailors who “discovered” Long Island. 

            In the last passage of The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald uses strong imagery and symbolism to close out the novel. Strolling down to the water Nick is called to remember the way Gatsby's house used to be, filled with people and lavish parties. He considers Gatsby's wonder at picking out Daisy's dock in the darkness, how far Gatsby had traveled in his life, and how he always had hope in the future. Nick links society to the boats eternally moving against the current on the Sound. Gatsby’s house is used as an image of Gatsby as a powerful presence who lives on despite the destruction of the dream and the decay of the estate and Gatsby is like the sailors who discovered the island. They are forgotten but their legacy lives on. 

Journal 21

                                                                                              

Journal 21 - Some Like It Hot and The Great Gatsby Comparison/Contrast

Although Some Like It Hot is a comedy and The Great Gatsby is a tragedy, both works use popular culture to portray life in 1920s America.  Focusing on the following elements (characterization, conflict, and theme), discuss how the two works are similar and different and what each is saying about American life.

Some Like it Hot and The Great Gatsby both focus on America during the roaring 20s and American culture at the time. There are many similar characters, themes and ideas. For example each character in Gatsby can be matched to similar characters in Some Like it Hot. Joe and his three personas are similar to Gatsby and how Gatsby would do extreme things in order to get his girl. Sugar is similar to Daisy in her innocence and personality. They are both looking for men with money and success and are easily impressed by it. Osgood is kind of like Tom where he relies on his success and money in order to get girls. Finally the character of Spatz is similar to Wolfstein in Gatsby, they both represent the influence of crime in America.

The two stories have very similar themes and conflicts as well. In both stories the characters have very skewed moral values. They are attracted to people due to money and often are unfaithful to their marriages, they will even use trickery in order to attract others. A lot of both stories involve chasing after a “dream girl” and doing ridiculous things in order to achieve success. All in all both stories portray the decadence and skewed morality that could be found in 1920s America along with the beauty and success of the time. 

Journal 19

Journal 19 - Characterization in Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby

Write a description for each of the following characters based on his/her first appearance in Chapter 1.  Your description should include:

-the character’s physical appearance;

-the character’s actions/words;

-an adjective that best describes the character based on his/her initial    

 appearance

Nick Carraway        Adjective _________objective_____________________

Nick himself says that he never judges people and this leads lots of people to confide in him and he always listens. He does not describe himself at all in chapter 1.

Tom Buchanan        Adjective ___________physical___________________

A physical man who’s body and aggressiveness is the key them to his character. He is strong and expects things to go his way from what we learn of him in the first chapter. He was a football player in college too.

Daisy Buchanan     Adjective ___________musical___________________

Supposed to have a voice that draws people in due to its musical qualities and this is a theme to her character. She made many men who “cared for her” fall in love with her because of this.

Jordan Baker           Adjective ___________independant___________________

 More independent and stronger than Daisy but still beautiful according to Nick. We learn she is a professional golfer.

Jay Gatsby               Adjective ____________mysterious__________________

Nick does not meet Gatsby in the first chapter but he sees him on the pier staring at the green light near Daisy’s dock. Longing for something.