CHAPTER 1 The instant here voice broke off, ceasing to compel my attention, my belief, I felt the basic insincerity

of what she had said. It made me uneasy, as though the whole evening had been a trick of some sort to exact a contributory emotion from me. I waited, and sure enough, in a moment she looked at me with an absolute smirk on her lovely face as if she had asserted her membership in a rather distinguished secret society to which she and Tom belonged (Fitzgerald, 22). Daisy seems to represent the typical upper class female in the early 20th century. Interestingly enough, despite her good economical fortune and social status, she is extremely uneasy and makes awkwardly imposing remarks to others, in particular the narrator. As a part of this upper class, she has an ego that needs to be nourished quite frequently, and she thirsts for recognition of her social ranking. She throws herself out there, flirting frivolously and begging others to acknowledge her marital achievements and her economic status. This recognition fuels her to continue her charade despite her inner contempt. Daisy also tries to appeal to everyone and please people with her comments. Her remarks are meant to produce approving gestures from others rather than convey anything that she actually feels. In addition, she constantly asks people if they want to hear what she is about to say, presumably so that she has confirmation of their interest. Once again, this confirmation feeds her conscience, making her feel important and recognized. Her character appears to be a criticism of the time period. The early 1900s, sometimes called the Gilded Age, was a time filled with ostentatious displays of wealth. However, the character of Daisy shows us the tension and reality underneath the grand parties and ballrooms. Fitzgerald is also showing us that economic gains are achieved at much emotional cost, for here is a woman with everything imaginable who is tainted with cynicism and sorrow. Finally, Daisy believes that she and Tom are part of a special secret society. This might explain why she still remains powerless in her marriage. It seems as though she is still in love with him, as she was when her marriage began. This becomes evident because despite her husband having an affair right in front of her eyes, she has done little to resolve what makes her uncomfortable. True love for Tom seems to be a viable reason, and perhaps she feels that speaking her mind would only anger him and thus hurt her even more. As the book progresses, we will definitely have to pay attention to how her role in her marriage evolves, and considering her inner turmoil, this change seems inevitable. CHAPTER 2 We backed up to a gray old man who bore an absurd resemblance to John D. Rockefeller. In a basket swung from his neck cowered a dozen very recent puppies of an indeterminate breed. What kind are they? asked Mrs. Wilson eagerly, as he came to the taxi-window. All kinds. What kind do you want, lady? Id like to get one of those police dogs; I dont suppose you got that kind? The man peered doubtfully into the basket, plunged in his hand and drew one up, wriggling, by the back of the neck. Thats no police dog, said Tom. No, its not exactly a police dog, said the man with disappointment in his voice. Its more of an Airedale. He passed his hand over the brown wash-rag of a back. Look at that coat. Some coat. Thats a dog thatll never bother you with catching cold. I think its cute, said Mrs. Wilson enthusiastically. How much is it? That dog? He looked at it admiringly. That dog will cost you ten dollars. The Airedaleundoubtedly there was an Airedale concerned in it somewhere, though its feet were startlingly white changed hands and settled down into Mrs. Wilsons lap, where she fondled the weather-proof coat with rapture. Is it a boy or a girl? she asked delicately. That dog? That dogs a boy.

Its a bitch, said Tom decisively. Heres your money. Go and buy ten more dogs with it (Fitzgerald, 31). This passage is important because it gives insight on Tom, the way people acted during the Roaring 20s and it contains a reference that I am still attempting to fully decipher. Tom only speaks twice during this passage, and what he says is abrupt, rude, and belittling. His first line does not convey much about his character, besides the fact that Tim is not the friendliest man. The second time he speaks he abruptly says,Its a bitchHeres your money. Go and buy ten more dogs with it. Firstly, this shows Toms excessive splurging, and disregard for money, because he merely hands the man more than enough money and does not seem to care about the extra money he gave away. This wasteful spending was seen among many during the early 20th century, and a term that became popular regarding the upper-classs spending was conspicuous consumption. This conspicuous consumption could be seen as the wealthy bought large homes, threw large parties, and drove nice cars. What makes this passage special is that it shows conspicuous consumption on a lower scale that we can all relate to: an interaction with a small salesman. Fitzgerald captured the behavior of so many during that time in such a down-to-earth example which gives the reader even better insight on the time period. Secondly, this shows Toms constant tendencies to make himself more dominant than those around him. In this example he does so through the use of money, but he has also attempted to remain dominant amongst those around him by cheating on his wife, spending large amounts of money, hitting women, and racial superiority. All these factors contribute to Toms zeal for greatness, yet he never seems to achieve what he once did during his years as a football star at Yale. The fact that he never feels this dominance again make(s) him nibble at the edge of stale ideas as if his sturdy physical egotism no longer nourished his peremptory heart. Tom has become weaker as he tries to become stronger than those around him. By giving the man more money than needed and saying a condescending comment is an instance where Tom tries to make himself feel dominant. Further, this interaction between Tom and the man selling the dogs reveals a great deal about Tom, and gives insight on how the wealthy sometimes acted. The allusion that I am still in bewilderment over is the John D. Rockefeller reference. Rockefeller was considered a Robber Baron during his day, which meant he gained wealth by sometimes dishonest means. The man seems to resemble this slightly as he tries to sell a dog that they do not actually want, and succeeds in doing so, while making great profit. Mrs. Wilson had changed her costume some time before and was now attired in an elaborate afternoon dress of cream colored chiffon which gave out a continual rustle as she swept about the room. With the influence of the dress her personality had also undergone a change. The intense vitality that had been so remarkable in the garage was converted into impressive hauteur. Her laughter, her gestures, her assertions became more violently affected moment by moment and as she expanded the room grew smaller around her until she seemed to be revolving on a noisy, creaking pivot through the smoky air (Fitzgerald, 35). This passage gives us a glimpse into the lives of the poor. Myrtle reflects the eagerness of women to be associated with money and wealth. In this particular instance, the dress is a sign of wealth for Myrtle and gives her the confidence to act as if she is part of the upper class. Nick also points out that she changed her costume. While a costume can simply mean an outfit, it also is defined as a set of clothes worn by an actor or performer. Myrtle uses the dress to appear and act as if she is important and wealthy, while underneath she is simply the wife of a gas station owner. In reality she is poor, subservient, and nave, but the transformation of the dress changes her to rich, controlling, and arrogantly informed. In addition, Nick portrays to us the effects of her gestures upon others. She is literally imposing herself, using motion as a method of assertion. This also touches upon the theme of self-absorption. Myrtle has become so absorbed in herself that everything else appears smaller and insignificant. In fact, she tries to occupy the entire room between her size and aggressive movements to make herself feel more important. As a poor woman just begging to be swept away by a rich man, she needs to be the center of attention and craves acknowledgment by those who are sophisticated. The hand motions and noisy, creaking pivot also represent her class. She is making a lot of noise and foisting herself upon others because she wants to feel important. The creaking is her essentially screeching for attention. She is begging to be pulled into the upper class by Tom, and we will have to see whether her seemingly helpless efforts actually accomplish anything. The apartment was on the top floora small living-room, a small dining-room, a small bedroom, and a bath. The livingroom was crowded to the doors with a set of tapestried furniture entirely too large for it, so that to move about was to stumble continually over scenes of ladies swinging in the gardens of Versailles. The only picture was an over-enlarged photograph, apparently a hen sitting on a blurred rock. Looked at from a distance, however, the hen re-solved itself into a

bonnet, and the countenance of a stout old lady beamed down into the room. Several old copies of Town Tattle lay on the table together with a copy of Simon Called Peter , and some of the small scandal magazines of Broadway. (23) The tasteless incongruities of this anonymous little apartment again serve accurately to describe its oddly coupled inhabitants. The furniture suggests Myrtle's aspiration to taste and culture in the form of objects vaguely French and acquired with no attention to proper contexttawdry symbols of "culture" acquired ignorantly and housed inappropriately. Herein, as in many other particulars, Myrtle emerges as Gatsby's comic counterpart. The over enlarged photograph, too, suggests an entire lack of proportion. In the process of enlargement the picture has lost its clarity, sense, and significance, which can be recaptured only with effort by a discerning eye. Once Nick does distinguish the figure in the picture, it turns out to be a "stout old lady," and the reader cannot help noticing the similarities between the picture and Myrtle herself, large and loose and blurry, with her dull intellect and expanded form. The old lady of the picture and the ladies of the tapestries swinging in the gardens of Versailles dominate the room with exaggerated and over stylized forms of femininity, making the room coarsely seductive, as the femininity of the atmosphere Daisy evoked in her own living room awakens something subtler and more spiritualized. The reading material reiterates the impression of lowbrow vulgarity. Along with scandal sheets of the sort that pander to prurient and sensationalistic taste, the popular period piece, Simon Called Peter , suggests sentimental piety that makes cheap romance of religion. I have been drunk just twice in my life and the second time was that afternoon, so everything that happened has a dim hazy cast over it although until after eight oclock the apartment was full of cheerful sun. (33) The quote above gives insight on Nicks character. Nicks actions show that he is a responsible man and conducts himself in a wisely manor. Nick tells us that hes only been drunk just two times in his life so far. The reader can infer that Nick does not like to drink excessively. When people drink too much alcohol, their judgement becomes hazy. Meaning that people would not know the difference from right or wrong. For example, When Tom punched Mrs. Wilson in the face, the reader knows that Tom had too much alcohol. Tom did not even apologize to his mistress for his actions showing that people act unmorally when they are under the influence of alcohol. The quote ties into philosophical criticism because it also shows Nicks values. He values conducting himself in a gentlemen manner. The reader can infer that Nick has very strong values, and sticks to them. "I told that boy about the ice." Myrtle raised her ... eyebrows in despair at the shiftlessness of the lower orders. "These people! You have to keep after them all the time." She looked at me and laughed pointlessly... (2.69-70) Thought: Myrtle tries to fake being a part of upper class by dissing on the lower classes. Clearly thats what she thinks that all rich people do. Its ironic, since she herself is technically in the lower class. There was music from my neighbours house through the summer ... nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and he champagne and the stars. At high tide in the afternoon I watched his guests diving from the tower of his raft, or taking the sun on the hot sand of his beach while his motor-boats slid the waters of the Sound, drawing aquaplanes over cataracts of foam. On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city between nine in the morning and long past midnight, while his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains. And on Mondays eight servants, including an extra gardener, toiled all day with mops and scrubbingbrushes and hammers and garden-shears, repairing the ravages of the night before. (3.1) click to expand click to collapse Thought: This is just a little glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of Mr. Jay Gatsby. Pretty crazy, huh? I had been actually invited. A chauffeur in a uniform ... of robins-egg blue crossed my lawn early that Saturday morning with a surprisingly formal note from his employer: the honor would be entirely Gatsbys, it said, if I would attend his "little party" that night. He had seen me several times, and had intended to call me long before, but a peculiar combination of circumstances had prevented itsigned Jay Gatsby, in a majestic hand. (3.8) Thought: We learn here that most of Gatsbys guests are just random people taking advantage of his immense wealth and open door. The invitation he sends to Nick is slightly over the top a bit like Myrtles imitation of upper-class women in the previous chapter. Its our first big hint that Gatsby might be somewhat new to his wealthy lifestyle. "'Really? I was down there at a party about a month ago. At a man named Gatsby's. Do you know him?' 'I live next door to him.' 'Well, they say he's a nephew or a cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm's. That's where all his money comes from.

'Really?' She nodded. 'I'm scared of him. I'd hate to have him get anythin on me.'"pg. 36 Prior to his actual appearance in the story, I think Gatsby still plays a very important part in the story. The mere rumors about his lavish lifestyle and mysterious personality are vital to his development as a character. The way he is portrayed to Nick by those who have met with him inspires the curiosity and awe that nick establishes for him. Whenever Nick is asked about Gatsby, or whenever someone asks him, he is often met with comments on the man's wonder and air of prestige and power. This not only affects Nick's perception of Gatsby but also the reader's perception of Gatsby. It makes the reader as curious about this man as Nick is. The way that people describe him without fully explaining what they mean creates an air of mystery about him that makes the reader want to know more about this seemingly extraordinary man. While many of the events up until the point where Gatsby is finally physically brought into the picture seem trivial, the occasional comment made about this man keeps the reader interested and wanting to move forward in the story. It provides an unknown aspect in the mostly relaxed and exposed lifestyles of these rich and showy individual. The way that the F. Scott Fitzgerald talks about Gatsby is very limited and gives him a mysterious aurora. So far in the book I have no idea whether this man is a good man. Maybe he is a tyrant character who loves power. These guesses are going off of the quotes given in the book about Gatsby. There are many different possibilities for what kind of man he is, the possibilities are endless. I wanted to get out and walk eastward toward the park through the soft twilight but each time I tried to go I became entangled in some wild strident argument which pulled me back, as if with ropes, into my chair. Yet high over the city our line of yellow windows must have contributed their share of human secrecy to the casual watcher in the darkening streets, and I was him too, looking up and wondering. I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life. In Nicks unavailing attempts to become disengaged in the prattle of his intoxicated company, Fitzgerald uses imagery of the internal struggle of Nick ultimately to manifest the underlying endeavour that the American society was dealing with. Fitzgerald describes Nicks failure to become unattached from the group as a result of ropes, tying him down to his chair. In reality, Nick himself is the only ropes that are holding him down to the group. Unlike the rest of the town, Nick has the ability to look through the glamour of the aristocracy and understand that although these people had almost all the luxuries of life, they were rather nave and impoverished in the riches of the ideals and values that should have existed in a town filled with such sophisticated people. Yet, Nick longs for acceptance from the aristocratic and wealthy groups of society even though he realizes that the wealthy were only wasting away in their greed and self-absorption. Rather than elude this tainted society, Nick attempts to satisfy and gain popularity from those in it. Nick describes himself as a bystander in the streets lurking in darkness casually watching those above him while also being in the group of these people that was being curiously watched by the bystander below. Fitzgerald portrays this struggle of Nick in a high-class society to express his own views and opinions of the society he lived in. While Fitzgerald lived in the 1920s, a time of an American dream of discovery and the pursuit of happiness, he destroys the concept of the American dream in the end of the novel. Rather than boost the moral of the American dream, Fitzgerald seems to mock this concept of individualism entering the Jazz Age. Nick was both enchanted and repelled by this materialistic lifestyle in which many people were greedy social climbers that were scrambling for more wealth and popularity in society. The passage is an oxymoron in that for each illustration that Fitzgerald begins to describe, he expresses Nick to be on both sides of the world. This reflects Fitzgeralds purpose to portray his view of America, a fruitless and corrupted society whose value had decayed as a result of a newfound materialism.