The Great Gatsby: Irony

There are a few cases of dramatic irony in this book, of course there's going to be with all of the secret affairs going on, but one comes to mind for me. Dramatic irony is irony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play. So basically, the reader knows what is going on, but the character has no idea. This is apparent when George Wilson and Tom think that Gatsby drove over George's wife in his car. However, we as readers know that Daisy was the one driving and Gatsby took the blame because he loved her so much and didn't want her to get in trouble. pg.151: "Was Daisy driving?" "Yes, but of course I'll say I was."

The Great Gatsby: Resolution of the Story

"After Gatsby's death the East haunted me like that... I decided to come back home." (pg.176)

This book, with all of the affairs and back stories that characters find out throughout the story, has a lot of conflict and rising action. However, with how long it takes to build this all up, it abruptly comes to a halt when Gatsby is shot by George Wilson. Daisy and Gatsby's affar is obviously over, Daisy runs back to Tom, and all of their problems are magically solved. Also, with everyone thinking Myrtle's murderer is dead, all of that drama is gone now too. This story seemed to revolve around Nick and his observations of Gatsby, and with him gone, Nick moves back home.

The Great Gatsby: Billboard

Out of the many symbols in this book, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are vey important. Although this doctor is never introudced into the story as a character, the eyes seem to be watching at key points in the novel. "Standing behind him Michaelis saw with a shock that he was looking at the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg which had just emerged pale and enormous from the dissolving night." (pg. 167). This billboard was over the valley of ashes that Nick mentions in the story. This to me seems like the eyes of God looking down on the morally barren society of America. Everyone has a dream, but will do whatever it takes to get that dream. Gatsby got his money by questionable ways, and Tom has affairs with a woman in New York City. There are plenty of dreams to be had in America, but also many temptations.

The Great Gatsby: Dying

This ending kind of really surprised me. I did not expect the store owner's wife, Myrtle, to be hit by a car and killed. It is understanding that Gatsby took the blame for it because of how in love he is with Daisy. (pg.151 "Was Daisy driving?" "Yes, but of course I'll say I was.") And after George Wilson comes to kill Gatsby, Daisy just disappears and her and Tom even move. THEN they don't even go to Gatsby's funeral. The only thing I can gather from this is that Daisy only enjoys money, and since Gatsby was dead and couldn't give her anymore, she just left him in the past and stayed with Tom.

The Great Gatsby: American Theme

This book symbolizes the idea of the America Dream. This dream has made immigrants flock to our shores for centuries, hoping to capture the perfect life that they want. People believe that having money will solve all of our problems. However, Gatsby had money galore and never truly achieved happiness. He spent his life chasing Daisy, from before the war, to trying to win her back from Tom later on. He lived in West Egg, the place of lavish houses and elegant parties, but never truly seemed to fit in, in my opinion. He threw parties for people to come drink but never drank himself, never danced with the guests, but watched them from above. I think Gatsby wanted others to be happy, and the only way he would have ever been happy was if Daisy loved him back. Even earlier on in his life, he changed him name from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby to pursue a new life. When Nick talked to Mr. Gatz, Jay's father, he said this: "He come out to see me two years ago and bought me the house I live in now... He knew he had a big future in front of him. And ever since he made a success he was very generous with me." pg.181. This just is another example of how when he didn't even have a lot of money, he still bought his dad a house so that his dad would be happy.

The Great Gatsby: Symbols

"I glanced seaward- and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock."

Now granted I had to look up a more detailed meaning than what I gathered from reading, there are many symbols placed in this book. One important symbol is the green light. This certain green light stands at the end of Daisy's dock in East Egg. "He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way." (pg.25) In my opinion, this green light symbolized Gatsby's hope that one day he will be reunited with Daisy. Nick sees him stretching his arms out towards the far away dock, hoping that he can reach Daisy soon enough. He hopes that his dreams of their love will one day become reality again, and we find out that he solely moved to West Egg to be near her.

The Great Gatsby: My Opinion

Going into this book I wasn't sure of how much I would like it. I tend to prefer books set in the modern time, and usually even the future. However, I really enjoy this book so far (and that's saying a lot for a book we had to read!). I particularly like the way Fitzgerald presents characters. Like I said in my other post, he doesn't beat around the bush and describes them directly. Another thing I have enjoyed is the stlye of writing. He puts the book in the point of view of Nick, and not Gatsby. This presents the events in a different way and we see the love affair of Gatsby from a different view. This book is set in the rich part of Long Island, where everyone, besides Nick, has a giant home, throws elegant parties, and can afford almost anything they desire. This is a unique look into the 1920's and so far I have really enjoyed this book.