English 11R
Period 9
Mr. Honig
November 4, 2014
Great Gatsby Responses #19
Reading Assignment #1
The author of this novel is trying to portray to the reader a main significance when he describes Tom and Daisy as having “drifted here and there unrestfully.” The author is clearly trying to render to the reader that Tom and Daisy are experiencing loneliness. Tom and Daisy’s crowd may be “rich together,” but the author is depicting to the reader that they are both feeling isolated. The major characters that the reader meets are Nick Carraway, Gatsby, and Tom and
Daisy Buchanan. Nick states, “I felt that Tom would drift on forever, for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game” (6). Nick’s recognitions and perspectives,considering the circumstances, are vital to this novel. The beginning of this chapter confirms specific disagreements in Nick’s perception. Nick clearly respects Gatsby to an extremely high standard.
Nick describes Gatsby as, “A figure emerged from the shadow of my neighbor’s mansion and was standing with his hands in his pockets regarding the silver pepper of the stars” (20). Gatsby certainly presents an obstacle towards Nick’s traditional methods of pondering, and concerning the world around him. Nick’s difficulty to acknowledge that problem exposes every single thing in the Great Gatsby. The first chapter of the novel establishes the two significant places which are East Egg and West Egg. These two territories are completely contradictory in the benefits they uphold.
Reading Assignment #2
Throughout this chapter of the Great Gatsby, there were numerous times in the novel where symbolism had occurred. One example of symbolism is the Valley of Ashes which is
located between West Egg and New York City. Nick’s description about this desolate place is,
“Ashes takes the forms of houses and chimneys and of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air” (23). The Valley of Ashes represents something that is pessimistic and deceased. This is extremely significant to the novel because whenever anybody from West Egg wants to go out and have a good time in the city, they will have to pass the despair and destruction of the Valley of Ashes. Nick displays the scenery of this area as, “The passengers on the waiting trains can stare at the dismal scene for as long as half an hour” (24).
The Valley of Ashes symbolizes the breakdown of morality and the demonstration of social life decaying as well. In addition, the Valley of Ashes represents a dirty and deserted area due to the abandoned activity of the wealthy. The Valley of Ashes is clearly trying to render to the reader that the wealthy spoil themselves, and have no consideration for anything but their personal enjoyment. Additionally, the Valley of Ashes represents the extremity of the indigent. An example of this is George Wilson because he exists between the filthy ruins, and absorbs their energy as a consequence. Nick illustrates George Wilson’s repair shop as, “Unprosperous and bare. The only car visible was the dustcovered wreck of a Ford which crouched in a dim corner”
(25). The reality that Myrtle and George Wilson exist in the Valley of Ashes demonstrates to the reader that they are clearly not of the same standards as Daisy Buchanan and Tom Buchanan.
Since people have to move directly through the Valley of Ashes so they can end up in the city,
Nick and Tom must lower themselves in order to become part of this lower status, which George and Myrtle Wilson possess.
Reading Assignment #3
The party that Gatsby ends up throwing is extremely significant during this chapter for various reasons. One way that his party was critical was that it brought the 1920’s prosperity and
fascination into a whole perspective for the reader to see. Nick describes the bash as, “The orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music. Laughter is easier by the minute, spilled with