I believe a reoccuring theme for this novel is the battle of social classes. It is constantly comparing which "egg" is better. Plus, I believe it has something to do with how Daisy and Gatsby were in love back during the war and she wouldn't really be with him because he was from a lower social class. I hate it when people judge someone because of their social class. I mean honestly the best way to describe this is to just think you were dirt poor, would you want someone to blow you off just because you didn't have the money they were born into. I try to stay as farrrrr away from these types of people as I can.
I believe I am going to write my literary analysis over this book and have the topic be about social classes and the damages it can do.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 4 & 5
Summarize-
Chapter 4 & 5:
In this chapter, it reviewed all the individuals that lived on West Egg and East Egg. West Egg was more of the "new money" and contained cultures such as the German, Jewish, Italian, Irish and British. The East Egg was inherited money or "old money" and that contained the "blue blood" or royalty. Then Gatsby arrived at Nick's house and asked him to lunch. They went to lunch, all the way across the Queensboro Bridge. They met Gatsby's friend Mr. Wolfshiem and Mr. Woldshiem was talking about eating across the street and told a tramatizing story of how a friend of their's had been shot across the street. After awhile, Mr. Wolfshiem left and Gatsby brought up that Nick would be having tea with Miss Jordan Baker that afternoon. Later, Nick had tea with Jordan and she told him of how Gatsby and Daisy use to be in love and then he left and she wasn't able to say goodbye. Then she met mean Tom and married him instead. The day before their wedding Daisy received a letter from Gatsby and a never break down before the rehearsal and pulled herself together and married Tom anyways.
Needless to say, Nick accepted and invited Daisy over for tea and also instructed her not to bring Tom. When she arrived Nick and Gatsby were there, but Gatsby became nervous and hid around the corner. Gatsby finally appeared and they were reunited. Gatsby wanted to show Daisy his house, so they went over to his house and she was amazed how big the house was and how nice it was. Daisy and Gatsby slowly, but surely, became close again. I do believe she was even holding Gatsby's arm at the end of the chapter.
Reponse:
FINALLY THE STORY BECOMES INTERESTING! I really enjoyed these chapters. The beginning of Chapter 4 dragged a little because I honestly didn't care if they went to lunch but when they finally got down to why Gatsby invited him it all made since. I am glad Nick invited her over and I am darn glad that she didn't bring Tom. I am really enjoying this love story already. I didn't think it would turn out to be a good book but so far it really is!!!
Chapter 4 & 5:
In this chapter, it reviewed all the individuals that lived on West Egg and East Egg. West Egg was more of the "new money" and contained cultures such as the German, Jewish, Italian, Irish and British. The East Egg was inherited money or "old money" and that contained the "blue blood" or royalty. Then Gatsby arrived at Nick's house and asked him to lunch. They went to lunch, all the way across the Queensboro Bridge. They met Gatsby's friend Mr. Wolfshiem and Mr. Woldshiem was talking about eating across the street and told a tramatizing story of how a friend of their's had been shot across the street. After awhile, Mr. Wolfshiem left and Gatsby brought up that Nick would be having tea with Miss Jordan Baker that afternoon. Later, Nick had tea with Jordan and she told him of how Gatsby and Daisy use to be in love and then he left and she wasn't able to say goodbye. Then she met mean Tom and married him instead. The day before their wedding Daisy received a letter from Gatsby and a never break down before the rehearsal and pulled herself together and married Tom anyways.
Needless to say, Nick accepted and invited Daisy over for tea and also instructed her not to bring Tom. When she arrived Nick and Gatsby were there, but Gatsby became nervous and hid around the corner. Gatsby finally appeared and they were reunited. Gatsby wanted to show Daisy his house, so they went over to his house and she was amazed how big the house was and how nice it was. Daisy and Gatsby slowly, but surely, became close again. I do believe she was even holding Gatsby's arm at the end of the chapter.
Reponse:
FINALLY THE STORY BECOMES INTERESTING! I really enjoyed these chapters. The beginning of Chapter 4 dragged a little because I honestly didn't care if they went to lunch but when they finally got down to why Gatsby invited him it all made since. I am glad Nick invited her over and I am darn glad that she didn't bring Tom. I am really enjoying this love story already. I didn't think it would turn out to be a good book but so far it really is!!!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 2 & 3
Analzying:
The protaginst is Nick. He is a trustworthy and good man.... so far. He seems to just "go with the flow". His cousin Daisy is a confidant. He seems to be able to vent to her and she vents to him also. Tom is the antagonist in my eyes because he isn't a good person at all. He cheats on his wife with Mrytle and even hit Mrytle. He even had his wife's husband (Nick) go to New York and then when they were pulling up at the station he said "I want you to meet my girl". I mean how big of a dirt bag do you have to be to introduce your mistress to your wife's cousin. Jordan Baker is an interesting character. From the sounds of it, she doesn't seem like a very trustworthy person because of all the shady things she has done (example: her golf ball being moved during a tournament). Mrytle is extremely two faced. Infront of her husband she is quiet and is kind to him, when she is with Tom she is flabouent and showy. She likes to pretend she has money. Tom just inables her to act this way because all she has to do is say that she wants something and he instantly gives it to her (example: the dog).
Relating it to my life:
In everybody's life, there is a two-faced person. I have had several of these "wonderful" people grace my life and I can say that they are no longer a part of my life anymore. Tom is the typical "studly" man. He thinks that nobody can do anything to him; he thinks he is indestructable. I am really hoping later in the story this comes back to bite him in the butt. Daisy is one character that I can relate to. I knew I was being cheated on but I just put a front on like nothing was wrong. I faked a smile and I should not have. Daisy and I are different because if the mistress would be calling while a family function, I would not be as "calm and collected" as she was. Plus I wouldn't stay with the cheater much longer. It is hard though to leave someone that you care about even though they are doing that to you. Tom does seem to care about Daisy still because when Mrytle was saying something about Daisy, Tom became mad and said not to say her name and Mrytle antagonized him and he ended up breaking Myrtle's nose over it. I do not agree with a man hitting a woman in the least bit, but he obviously did it becasue he cares about Daisy or maybe because he was feeling quilty for doing this to her.
The protaginst is Nick. He is a trustworthy and good man.... so far. He seems to just "go with the flow". His cousin Daisy is a confidant. He seems to be able to vent to her and she vents to him also. Tom is the antagonist in my eyes because he isn't a good person at all. He cheats on his wife with Mrytle and even hit Mrytle. He even had his wife's husband (Nick) go to New York and then when they were pulling up at the station he said "I want you to meet my girl". I mean how big of a dirt bag do you have to be to introduce your mistress to your wife's cousin. Jordan Baker is an interesting character. From the sounds of it, she doesn't seem like a very trustworthy person because of all the shady things she has done (example: her golf ball being moved during a tournament). Mrytle is extremely two faced. Infront of her husband she is quiet and is kind to him, when she is with Tom she is flabouent and showy. She likes to pretend she has money. Tom just inables her to act this way because all she has to do is say that she wants something and he instantly gives it to her (example: the dog).
Relating it to my life:
In everybody's life, there is a two-faced person. I have had several of these "wonderful" people grace my life and I can say that they are no longer a part of my life anymore. Tom is the typical "studly" man. He thinks that nobody can do anything to him; he thinks he is indestructable. I am really hoping later in the story this comes back to bite him in the butt. Daisy is one character that I can relate to. I knew I was being cheated on but I just put a front on like nothing was wrong. I faked a smile and I should not have. Daisy and I are different because if the mistress would be calling while a family function, I would not be as "calm and collected" as she was. Plus I wouldn't stay with the cheater much longer. It is hard though to leave someone that you care about even though they are doing that to you. Tom does seem to care about Daisy still because when Mrytle was saying something about Daisy, Tom became mad and said not to say her name and Mrytle antagonized him and he ended up breaking Myrtle's nose over it. I do not agree with a man hitting a woman in the least bit, but he obviously did it becasue he cares about Daisy or maybe because he was feeling quilty for doing this to her.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Great Gatsby - Chapter 1
Setting and Characters:
The setting is primarly at the West Egg. It is an island off of New York. I interpreted it as Long Island, maybe. The characters are Nick, Tom, Daisy, Miss Baker and talks of Mr. Gatsby. Nick seems to be a strangler, he floats from place to place. He ended up at West Egg because him and a friend were going to buy a house and then rent it out and his friend ended up backing out, so he decided to move in by himself. From the description his house is very nice, almost mansion like. He went to visit Tom and Daisy. Tom seems very stuck up and almost snobs Nick when he arrived. Tom also seems very secretive because he has a lady elsewhere that is not Dasiy. Daisy seems more relaxed but still seems to be very stuckup because she has to be because of her husband Tom. She also seems to know that Tom is having an affair but did not appreciate that Tom accepted a phone from her in the middle of dinner. Miss Baker is a friend of Tom and Daisy. Miss Baker seems sweet and easily excited. I have a feeling that Nick and Miss Baker will start a relationship. Mr. Gatsby seems like a powerful man. Just from the way Tom, Daisy, and Nick speak of him, he doesn't seem like a person you would want to gross.
My Reaction:
I enjoyed this chapter, but it started off to slow. At parts, it seemed to drag. I want to learn more about Mr. Gatsby. I have the feeling he is being protrayed as such a powerful man and then he is going to end up being a lonely man with no friends. I do not care for Tom, he seems like he has his own agenda in his life. He doesn't seem to care about Daisy or her needs. I feel bad for Daisy because she seems to have a good heart and she wants to be happy but probably feels down on herself when Tom accepts phone calls from his mistress in the middle of dinner AND infront of her cousin (Nick). I do not really know what to think about Nick yet. It seems like an individual with a good story behind them.
The setting is primarly at the West Egg. It is an island off of New York. I interpreted it as Long Island, maybe. The characters are Nick, Tom, Daisy, Miss Baker and talks of Mr. Gatsby. Nick seems to be a strangler, he floats from place to place. He ended up at West Egg because him and a friend were going to buy a house and then rent it out and his friend ended up backing out, so he decided to move in by himself. From the description his house is very nice, almost mansion like. He went to visit Tom and Daisy. Tom seems very stuck up and almost snobs Nick when he arrived. Tom also seems very secretive because he has a lady elsewhere that is not Dasiy. Daisy seems more relaxed but still seems to be very stuckup because she has to be because of her husband Tom. She also seems to know that Tom is having an affair but did not appreciate that Tom accepted a phone from her in the middle of dinner. Miss Baker is a friend of Tom and Daisy. Miss Baker seems sweet and easily excited. I have a feeling that Nick and Miss Baker will start a relationship. Mr. Gatsby seems like a powerful man. Just from the way Tom, Daisy, and Nick speak of him, he doesn't seem like a person you would want to gross.
My Reaction:
I enjoyed this chapter, but it started off to slow. At parts, it seemed to drag. I want to learn more about Mr. Gatsby. I have the feeling he is being protrayed as such a powerful man and then he is going to end up being a lonely man with no friends. I do not care for Tom, he seems like he has his own agenda in his life. He doesn't seem to care about Daisy or her needs. I feel bad for Daisy because she seems to have a good heart and she wants to be happy but probably feels down on herself when Tom accepts phone calls from his mistress in the middle of dinner AND infront of her cousin (Nick). I do not really know what to think about Nick yet. It seems like an individual with a good story behind them.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
-The Glass Menagerie-
Analysis-
The mother, Amanda, is an over bearing mother. My guess is that she would be the antagonist in this story because she seems to be the individual causing the majorities of the problem. I'm stuck for the protagonist, it could be Tom because he is the main character and at the beginning was the narrator of the story, or it could be Laura the crippled sister who can't get a gentlemen's call. The son/brother Tom, is a overworked soul who's only outlet is going to the movies and smoking. The daughter/sister is a quiet, private person. She becomes extremely nervous while around people, as even puked while attending a class. The exposition is the opening when Tom tells about everyone and then it goes into the story. The rising action occurs when Tom says that he has found a gentleman caller for Laura and that he is coming over for dinner. The climax is when Jim kisses Laura and then informs here that he is to be married in June to an Irish girl named Betty. The falling action is when Amanda yells at Tom for setting his sister up for heart ache. The resolution is when Tom admits that he cannot go on without thinking about Laura.
My Response-
I liked this story. I really enjoyed that it was easy to read for me. I often times have difficulties reading plays because I get lost in all the technical elements that are side noted. I didn't care very much for Amanda, she is to controlling and overbearing. She thinks that she has to worry so much for her daughter and son just because their dad left them. Yes it was difficult for them but someone can not live their lives saying that they have to act a certain way just because of something that happened to them when they were being raised. That would be like me saying it was okay for me to not try in school because my mom and dad were divorced when I was nine years old. I really enjoyed this story. I did not like the Jim character because he seemed like every typical man, the cheating type.
The mother, Amanda, is an over bearing mother. My guess is that she would be the antagonist in this story because she seems to be the individual causing the majorities of the problem. I'm stuck for the protagonist, it could be Tom because he is the main character and at the beginning was the narrator of the story, or it could be Laura the crippled sister who can't get a gentlemen's call. The son/brother Tom, is a overworked soul who's only outlet is going to the movies and smoking. The daughter/sister is a quiet, private person. She becomes extremely nervous while around people, as even puked while attending a class. The exposition is the opening when Tom tells about everyone and then it goes into the story. The rising action occurs when Tom says that he has found a gentleman caller for Laura and that he is coming over for dinner. The climax is when Jim kisses Laura and then informs here that he is to be married in June to an Irish girl named Betty. The falling action is when Amanda yells at Tom for setting his sister up for heart ache. The resolution is when Tom admits that he cannot go on without thinking about Laura.
My Response-
I liked this story. I really enjoyed that it was easy to read for me. I often times have difficulties reading plays because I get lost in all the technical elements that are side noted. I didn't care very much for Amanda, she is to controlling and overbearing. She thinks that she has to worry so much for her daughter and son just because their dad left them. Yes it was difficult for them but someone can not live their lives saying that they have to act a certain way just because of something that happened to them when they were being raised. That would be like me saying it was okay for me to not try in school because my mom and dad were divorced when I was nine years old. I really enjoyed this story. I did not like the Jim character because he seemed like every typical man, the cheating type.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Death of a Salesman - Act Two -
Analysis-
Willy's character seems to be a developing character due to the fact that he keeps working towards a "bigger dream". After going to Howard for a different position, he turned down and fired. He then feels like a bigger failure because he has to go to Charley for extra money. Willy is a very traditional and proud man. As a consequence, when he gets fired and has to ask his neighbor for extra money it seemed to hit him twice as hard. Biff seems to become more quilty about the way he has treated his father in the past, but he had good reason to (him catching his failure cheating). Happy, on the other hand, is stuck in his ways. Linda is still seeing the good in her husband. She loves him no matter how bad things become. The exposition shows all the problems that are inside this family. The rising action is when his children find him wandering outside and their monther watching helplessly. Then the boys being turned down for the loan and Willy becoming fired. The climax is when Willy has this scheme that he is going to make sure that he's family has the life insurance policy. Then he decided to commit suicide by having an "car accident". The falling action is when Linda keeps thinking "his only on another trip". The resolution is when Linda tells Willy how she finished paying the bills. Like as telling him, everythings okay now.
My Repsonse-
Willy is the ultimate father and husband. He gave everything, even his life, for his family. I was happy to see Biff finally changing for the good, but Happy has no hope. It finally makes since to why Biff hated his father so much. They respected their mother very much and to see his father dishonoring her the way he did was the ultimate pain. He never did tell his mother, probably because he didn't want to hurt her the way he had been hurt. It also explains what happen to him with never wanting to be like his father. I was sad that not very many people showed up to his funeral. He had worked his whole life to be that popular salesman that everyone would like. I should have guessed that he was going to commit suicide by having a car accident. I thought it was bitter sweet when Linda told him the final house payment had been paid because that was like one of the issues that really bothered Willy (not being able to pay the bills).
Willy's character seems to be a developing character due to the fact that he keeps working towards a "bigger dream". After going to Howard for a different position, he turned down and fired. He then feels like a bigger failure because he has to go to Charley for extra money. Willy is a very traditional and proud man. As a consequence, when he gets fired and has to ask his neighbor for extra money it seemed to hit him twice as hard. Biff seems to become more quilty about the way he has treated his father in the past, but he had good reason to (him catching his failure cheating). Happy, on the other hand, is stuck in his ways. Linda is still seeing the good in her husband. She loves him no matter how bad things become. The exposition shows all the problems that are inside this family. The rising action is when his children find him wandering outside and their monther watching helplessly. Then the boys being turned down for the loan and Willy becoming fired. The climax is when Willy has this scheme that he is going to make sure that he's family has the life insurance policy. Then he decided to commit suicide by having an "car accident". The falling action is when Linda keeps thinking "his only on another trip". The resolution is when Linda tells Willy how she finished paying the bills. Like as telling him, everythings okay now.
My Repsonse-
Willy is the ultimate father and husband. He gave everything, even his life, for his family. I was happy to see Biff finally changing for the good, but Happy has no hope. It finally makes since to why Biff hated his father so much. They respected their mother very much and to see his father dishonoring her the way he did was the ultimate pain. He never did tell his mother, probably because he didn't want to hurt her the way he had been hurt. It also explains what happen to him with never wanting to be like his father. I was sad that not very many people showed up to his funeral. He had worked his whole life to be that popular salesman that everyone would like. I should have guessed that he was going to commit suicide by having a car accident. I thought it was bitter sweet when Linda told him the final house payment had been paid because that was like one of the issues that really bothered Willy (not being able to pay the bills).
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Death of a Salesman - Act One -
Analysis-
The protagonist in this story is Willy. He has two songs Happy and Biff, also a wife named Linda. Happy and Biff are your typical boys. They idolized their father when they were younger but now they are barely ever around, especially Biff. Linda is the over concerned mother and wife. She is worried about Willy, but can't really say anything because she is the woman and isn't suppose to. Willy is slowly losing his mind it seems and it is evident when he is talking to himself. The exposition shows some of Willy's problems, such as not being able to focus enough to drive. Also, Willy was believing the issues with his focusing was because of work. Him and Linda were arguing back and forth about whether he should to be moved to New York so that he wouldn't have to drive as far. The rising is when the boys are in their room talking about their father, the climax is when Biff and Happy come outside and their mother is outside watching their father wonder around and talk to himself. This is also when the mother confides in them and tells them that their father has tried to kill himself multiple times. The falling action in this act is when Biff finally decides that he's going to live back at home and try to help his family. The resolution is when Willy finally decided to ask his employer if he could work in New York. He also was finally getting along with Biff because Biff was finally going to live back at home and help the family.
My Response-
I like this story because I really feel for Willy. He is sixty-three and still trying to earn his money. I hate how he's sons were so proud of him when they were younger but now that they don't need his income they don't care. I believe Linda said it best when she made the comment, "You never asked, my dear! Now that you get your spending money someplace else you don't trouble your mind with him" (40). It made me think about my family and if I've ever done that to my parents. My guess is that everyone one has done that at some point in their lives. I can't wait to read Act Two and find out if Biff gets the money or not. Also to find out if Willy's boss will let him switch.
The protagonist in this story is Willy. He has two songs Happy and Biff, also a wife named Linda. Happy and Biff are your typical boys. They idolized their father when they were younger but now they are barely ever around, especially Biff. Linda is the over concerned mother and wife. She is worried about Willy, but can't really say anything because she is the woman and isn't suppose to. Willy is slowly losing his mind it seems and it is evident when he is talking to himself. The exposition shows some of Willy's problems, such as not being able to focus enough to drive. Also, Willy was believing the issues with his focusing was because of work. Him and Linda were arguing back and forth about whether he should to be moved to New York so that he wouldn't have to drive as far. The rising is when the boys are in their room talking about their father, the climax is when Biff and Happy come outside and their mother is outside watching their father wonder around and talk to himself. This is also when the mother confides in them and tells them that their father has tried to kill himself multiple times. The falling action in this act is when Biff finally decides that he's going to live back at home and try to help his family. The resolution is when Willy finally decided to ask his employer if he could work in New York. He also was finally getting along with Biff because Biff was finally going to live back at home and help the family.
My Response-
I like this story because I really feel for Willy. He is sixty-three and still trying to earn his money. I hate how he's sons were so proud of him when they were younger but now that they don't need his income they don't care. I believe Linda said it best when she made the comment, "You never asked, my dear! Now that you get your spending money someplace else you don't trouble your mind with him" (40). It made me think about my family and if I've ever done that to my parents. My guess is that everyone one has done that at some point in their lives. I can't wait to read Act Two and find out if Biff gets the money or not. Also to find out if Willy's boss will let him switch.
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