Gatsby Discussion

Today we had the Gatsby discussion and I thought it went really well. I will give some of my commentary tomorrow but I'll also post my notes here since I know I'll never get to say everything that I want to.
On a side note did anyone figure out the connection between Gatsby and Aladdin?
Upcoming: Awakening papers are due this week come see me if you need help. Homeroom would probably be best since there are meetings after school.

Gatsby Notes

Nick as narrator—how reliable is he? Nick as narrator—how reliable is he? He makes a big deal out of saying how honest and nonjudgmental he is but I think the narrator doth protest too much. He definitely makes judgments about Tom, Daisy, and Jordan. Speaking of Jordan why is she such a liar? Not to mention did anyone catch the Nick is a bit of a player?? (p. 59)
• p. 1
• p. 60

Description of Tom—very masculine, physical, cruel
• p. 7
• violence parallel (knuckle p. 12 Myrtle p. 37)
• racist

Jordan--very masculine as well but then George Wilson is very feminine--what's going on here?

Daisy's bizarre mothering skills. Why turn your head away and weep at the sight of a girl?
Baby girl p. 17 “beautiful little fool”

Description of Jordan—masculine p. 11

Don't be like the elitist and neglect the Valley of Ashes. There is a lot going on here some hints—desolate, biblical, industrial, lower class p. 24
Eyes of T.J. Eckelburg—very clearly God but what does that mean? What is God doing?

George and Myrtle interaction p. 25
• cramped apartment compared to airy house
• Myrtle’s shift in attitude (buys things, bossy, pride)

Jordan’s attitude—liar, careless p. 59

Watch for parallel scenes. Fitzy is a genius when it comes to this. We already talked about Tom's violence with both Daisy and Myrtle but there are others. Look at the different settings we have between ch. 1 and 2 along with Myrtle's treatment of Tom.

Gatsby’s bio
• Lies p. 65-66
• Connection to Daisy p. 99

Corruption of time—clock p. 87

Daisy/Myrtle parallel—power over husband p. 116

Fairly Tale—“voice full of money” “king’s daughter” p. 120

Son of God p. 99

George and Tom’s contrasting reactions to affairs p. 124

Weather
• Rain during first meeting
• Hot temp. during confrontation

Misc.
Is Myrtle the first time Tom’s cheated on Daisy?? Check out their honeymoon and the birth of their daughter.