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Post by matthewsegarra on Mar 2, 2014 16:33:47 GMT -5
Get to know the narrator
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Post by johnmarano on Mar 2, 2014 17:05:59 GMT -5
John Marano
Mr. Thomas
English 11
March 2 2014
C. I did have some questions for the introduction of the book. In chapter 1, we learn about the characters. I was just confused on why Daisy still sticks with her husband after he is obviously abusive and he cheats on her? Is it because of money? Also, why is Nick so interested by Mr. Gatsby? He is just a regular neighbor yet Nick stares at him as he lies in front of his mansion. Also, why would Nick imagine that Mr. Gatsby is debating on whether or not buying another blue flamingo? Out of all the possible things Nick thinks this? Strange. What also shocks me is why Nick doesn’t say anything to Tom for what he is doing to his cousin.
D. A quote that I really enjoyed was said at the dinner table by Daisy. “I hope she’ll be a fool, that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world.” I found this quote so amusing because Daisy says this when she reveals that she will be having a daughter. I thought this was interesting because I feel like Daisy is just another beautiful fool as well. I feel like she knows what her husband does yet she is so blinded by love or money or whatever keeps her involved with him. Daisy wants her daughter to be a fool just like she is.
E. I grew a hatred for Tom Buchanan already. I had some indifferent reactions to his actions at the dinner table. He treated his wife terribly and even goes as far as abusing her. Women that he is fooling around with even call his home and pretty much don’t hide anything from the wife. He basically acts like he doesn’t mind his wide knowing he cheats on her.
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Post by georgebaroudos on Mar 2, 2014 18:51:06 GMT -5
George Baroudos
Mr. Thomas
English 11
1 March 2014
A – When Nick sees Gatsby he essentially sees his idol. Nick’s eyes widen and he becomes very anxious. Everybody who is the presence of their idol goes through similar phases. We enter a phase of shock and we react. That reaction varies from person to person. When I first met Derek Jeter I was in shock. I had no idea what to say when we were talking. Sooner or later you find a level of comfort. But in the beginning we become very scared. We forget that they are people just like us.
D – “Just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had” (1). In my opinion this is a great way to start a book. Right off the bat the reader is forced to think. This quote is calling us to be grateful for all that we have. We have to maintain gratitude for all of the opportunities God has given us. Everybody is given a unique talent and everyone has a journey that God assigned us. Through it all we must maintain gratitude for all of the opportunities and all of the learning experiences. Without these we would never be able to grow as a person.
I – The opening chapter has made me think that this book was written with a realist twist. Many times society believes that rich societies are perfect societies. Rich societies may have more money, but that does not mean their problems disappear. In many ways they deal with the same thing that lower class people deal with. I feel as if this chapter foreshadows the fact that a rich society does not mean a perfect society. Many times there are hidden secrets within these societies that are difficult to deal with. Everybody deals with their own problems, rich or poor, but at the end of the day we have to be grateful for what we have.
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Post by 1adams12 on Mar 2, 2014 19:29:08 GMT -5
Michael Adams
Mr. Thomas
3/2/14
C. There were many things that were confusing about Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby, but the most confusing thing was the fact was that the narrator came "over tonight" to hear "about the butler's nose" (Pages 16-17). The one thing that I was confused about was that the narrator did not come over because he wanted to see his cousin but instead he just wanted to come over to hear about the butler's nose. What was so special about his nose, that was more important than seeing his cousin? What was important about hearing about the butler's nose in person than hearing about it on the phone?
A. As I came to the point where I read about the listening in on the phone call, I remembered about a book that I read. The book was Harry Potter and the character that Miss Baker reminded me of was Aunt Petunia. The quote that reminds me of Aunt Petunia from Harry Potter was "a subdued impassioned murmur was audible in the room beyond and Miss Baker leaned forward, unashamed, trying to hear" (Page 18). This is exactly something that Aunt Petunia would do.
D. What I really liked while I was reading was the fact that it was very descriptive when it came to talk about houses. The line that I am talking about is "their house was even more elaborate than I expected, a cheerful red and white Georgian Colonial mansion overlooking the bay. The lawn started at the beach and ran toward the front door for a quarter of a mile, jumping over sun-dials and brick walks and burning gardens-finally when it reached the house drifting up the side in bright vines as though from the momentum of its run" (Page 9). What I really liked about this was that I can picture a huge mansion that had a huge lawn. Since I live overlooking the Hudson River, I can picture the house overlooking the bay.
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Post by emmanuelluna on Mar 2, 2014 20:20:08 GMT -5
Emmanuel Luna
Mr. Thomas
English 11
2/28/14
E. I found the quote near the beginning of the book to be interesting and possibly important to the rest of the book and its theme/message. “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” We learn that Carraway is a wealthy man who obviously comes from a wealthy background. He went to Yale and lives in a rich neighborhood in Long Island called West Egg. This quote shows us that he was taught to be non-judgmental and therefore might not be as stuck up as his wealthy neighbors. This might make him an outcast and could possibly juxtapose with the way Gatsby is.
D. I really liked Daisy as a character, but I cannot say the same about her husband Tom Buchanan. Tom was Nick’s friend in college and is clearly an aggressive, arrogant person. I get the feeling that Daisy is a nice person from when she talks with Nick. She at one point mentions a bruise that Tom “accidently” gave her. I can’t help but feel bad for her because since Tom is so aggressive and arrogant I think that he might have actually given her that bruise purposefully.
C. When Nick gets home and sees Gatsby, why is he staring over the water at a green light? Also why does he stretch his arms out while looking at the green light? What could the green light symbolize and why is it seemingly important to Gatsby?
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Post by fotia15 on Mar 2, 2014 21:20:09 GMT -5
c. I dont understand the purpose of this first chapter to be honest. All thats talked about is character over views, from the narrators point of view. It makes me wonder about how the narrators views will be in the future, will they be byas or open?
E. Daisy... Daisy daisy daisy. She gets beat up on the reg by her husband and stays with him... it doesnt makes sense ud think someone would wanna get away from pain and confrontation like that. On the topic of Daisy, She was the first one to drop Gatsby's name. It seems like she was surprised by the fact that he never heard of him. When he met him the scene was quite weird. The sudden disappearance of Gatsby.. and the i drawn to the ocean. let me with some crazy feelings.
a. in my option kind of a slow start to the book, but i look forward to see whats going to grow out of these characters. I do like the scene with gatsby, i cant wait to see how his character will develop.
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Post by eointunney on Mar 2, 2014 21:39:11 GMT -5
Eoin Tunney
Mr. Thomas
English 11
2 March 2014
D. In the beginning of chapter one there was a very interesting and meaningful quote. Nick, the narrator shares with us a memory of his dad teaching him a very valuable lesson. The quote on page 1 says, “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” I really liked this quote because I feel like it relates to almost everyone in this world. You never truly know what someone has gone through, so it isn’t fair to judge them. It isn’t fair to say someone has had an easy life because they are rich or a bad life if they are poor. Everyone has gone through difficult times in their lives and we don’t have the right to judge them for that.
E. While reading this chapter, I noticed that the character Tom Buchanan. He seems like a really strange guy, who is extremely full of himself. He also seems to be like a person who has no respect for people that have less money than him. I also noticed that his wife Daisy seems to be the complete opposite of Tom. She seems to be extremely loving and caring.
A. On page 4 there was a very interesting scene that I thought could easily relate to anyone that has moved to a new neighborhood before. In this scene Nick gives someone directions. After he gives the directions he says that he feels like an original settler in the town and no longer feels like a stranger to the town. I feel like this can relate to someone who has moved because something so little like this can make you feel more welcome or comfortable in your new environment.
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Post by Sgarlato on Mar 2, 2014 21:56:37 GMT -5
Stephen Sgarlato
Mr. Thomas
English 11
3/3/14
A. The beginning of the book is kind of funny to me. The narrator represents himself as the author, the narrator and keeps talking about himself. He seems extremely arrogant being that he calls himself highly moral and highly tolerant. He introduces Gatsby but only for a quick second. I mean Gatsby is the main character obviously, I don’t know why he isn’t presented better.
I. To answer Foti’s question, I would say that the narrators opinion would be biased because he seems like he doesn’t like Gatsby so anything he does will be rejected by the author/narrator. It seems as if the author/narrator has a strong critical attribute which is unfair for a narrator to portray. He should have an open opinion and tell the story without interruption or comment.
C. What I don’t understand is why the Eggs are called the way they are. Like, what is an Egg, besides the food. What does this egg title mean. They are referred to as west egg and east egg. It is pretty funny but I doesn’t really make any sense.
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Post by frankclarke on Mar 2, 2014 22:29:15 GMT -5
Francis Paul Clarke Junior
Mr. Sean Thomas
English 11
2 March 2014
E. I couldn’t pass up one of the greatest pieces of advice in a book that I’ve ever read… “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all of the people in the world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” This quote is oh so significant because everyone in Xavier high school and beyond (including me) can take note of this quote. It’s something that’s been lost in this generation (my generation), which is sincerity. I can already tell I like this narrator.
D. I like the way this book is presented, not through Gatsby but through Nick Carraway. Gatsby and Nick’s views are the polar opposite, but Nick still praises him, in a sense. He sparks Nick’s curiosity. However, we see the relationship between Carraway (his wife is Daisy whom we learn Gatsby fancies quite a bit) and Gatsby and why they’re brought up. I’ve already seen the movie so it’s hard for me not to get carried away!
C. Stephen has a pretty good point, why the heck are these places referred to as “East Egg” or “West Egg”. Maybe it presents some sort of wealth aspect. Speaking of which, where Nick is living is West Egg, which is notoriously a rich neighborhood, but Nick is not rich. The introduction of Gatsby is bloody awesome “I hope she’ll be a fool- that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” That you are, Mr. Gatsby….
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Post by bourdonm15 on Mar 2, 2014 23:20:07 GMT -5
Matthew Bourdon
Mr. Thomas
English 11
3/2/14
C. The Great Gatsby starts with an interesting quote. “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.” (Page 1) What makes this quote interesting is that it is one of the first lines of the story definitely signifying that it will come into play later in the book. Is this quote going to have any type of significance going later into the book? What was the point of the narrator including this within the first couple of lines in the book? It seems as if this quote will mean something if anything moving forward.
B. We see some insight into Daisy’s character throughout the first chapter. “She told me it was a girl, and so I turned my head away and wept. “All right”, I said, “I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” (Page 17) This quote directly shows us the type of character Daisy is with this comment. She is very sarcastic within the second part of the quote, while this shows how women are valued around this time period. What makes everything more interesting is she says it in a way in which she disagrees with the perception but shows inability to combat it.
I. I agree with Emmanuel’s comment on Tom. He just seems like an abusive husband to Daisy especially taking a phone call in the middle of dinner from his lover in New York. That is the upmost disrespect.
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Post by michaelannunziata on Mar 4, 2014 11:13:16 GMT -5
Michael Annunziata
Mr. Thomas
English 11
3,4,14
A. One thing that I can relate to after reading this part or the Great Gatsby is when nick sees Gatsby and sees him as his idol. This reminds me of so many people in my life that I have met and that I hope to grow up to be like. One person is my cousins fiancé Danny. Danny went to Regis highschool played basketball and football graduated NYU and now works for a business firm as a broker, and is a hansom man. Danny is my idol because he demonstrates what it means to be successful, and he can relate to just about anything I’m going through and that’s why he is my idol.
C. One thing that confused me throughout the reading was the whole “ egg” thing. I don’t understand why they gave it a title as an egg, because the only egg I know is the food egg. As you can see me writing this is even confusing because I have no idea what the meaning of this is and I don’t know what this symbolizes. That is what confused me the most throughout this reading although there were many other things as well.
D. One thing that I liked about this reading was that although it was confusing this book did catch my eye and show me that it does have potential to be great just like, how all my friends said then they saw the movie although I didn’t see it.
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Post by johnrice on Mar 4, 2014 20:50:52 GMT -5
John Rice
Mr. Thomas
English 11
March 4th 2014
Discussion Board
E. As we began the book the Great Gatsby I was extremely interested in the mysteriousness of the characters that were being introduced. We see the character and the narrator of Nick Carreway who comes from a rich family with a ivy league degree. It seems like he is a judgmental person in the opening pages of this book. I dont remember the exact quote but he says something along the lines of "I wasnt judgemental in college, but for some reason I always attracted the most boring people." THis was a very contradicting sentence in itself. I believe Nick is going to be an important character throughout the book.
H. I know this is a pretty rare letter to choose, but Im going to take a crack at it. If I was a set designer for a movie (very original) this would be a relatively easy thing to do, barring money contraints. We are in wealthy long island in the early 1900's where people loved to drink, dance, and flaunt around their money. With this being said I would make all the costumes as lavish as can be. Over the top. Flaunting their money as expected.
D. I really agree with the the quote that John Marano chose from the begining of the book. Daisy said at dinner "I hope she’ll be a fool, that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world." This relates to the Hollow Men poem that we read a few weeks ago. Daisy hopes that the girl that is cheating with Tom with be oblivious. SHe wants to be oblivious as well to help hide the pain she is going through. THey dont want to have a voice, and they just want to go through the motions of life, especially when it comes to Tom who will just beat her.
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