The End

The final chapter of "The Great Gatsby" was a sad one, but it also tied up all of the loose ends. Gatsby is shot by George Wilson and dies. The sad part is, no one really cares. Nick relentlessly looks around for people that may have known Gatsby or are close to him so that Gatsby could have people at his funeral. Nick is unsuccessful and even Wolfsheim, one of Gatsby's closest friends wanted nothing to do with attending the funeral, "I saw that for some reason of his own he was determined not to come, so I stood up" (Fitzgerald, 133). This actually confused me in way, is it really that big of a deal for people just to show up to a dead man's funeral? This just shows how truly fake just about everyone in the book really is. Especially Daisy, she claimed to love him but she could not even go to his funeral, especially when his blood is on her hands because she is actually the one who killed Myrtle. I don't think it is fair for Gatsby to die for something that was not his fault. He honestly was a good guy and just wanted to be loved by Daisy and he, in the end, died because of his love. We also find out that Tom is not innocent in this situation either, he is the one who told Wilson who's car killed Myrtle. Just because these people have money they expect to do whatever they want no matter who it hurts or manipulates. I think I actually learned a lot from this book. I learned you cannot use people or trust a certain type of person. I also found that you cannot get yourself caught up in drama, like Nick. He got drug into a lot of things but he should have tried to stay out of it all because he ultimately got hurt too. I really enjoyed reading Gatsby it kept me interested throughout the book. I love the way Fitzgerald writes and watching the movie in class helps in creating images for scenes in the book. I also found that I liked blogging. It lead me to read and pay attention but to enjoy reading the book, rather than reading because I had to. 

The Aftermath

After such an eventful chapter things quiet down a little and start to wrap up. Nick wants Gatsby to go away for a little until things settle with the car accident. Gatsby will not have anything to do with that. He says: '"Go away now, old sport?'' (Fitzgerald, 113) I think Gatsby finally feels like he has Daisy and does not want to leave, even if that means putting himself in jeopardy. Although Gatsby might think he has Daisy now, I think she is honestly just bored and sick of Tom and that is the reason she is having an affair with Gatsby. In a way I believe Gatsby knows how shallow she is and knows that she will never really leave Tom. Daisy knows that Tom can take care of her and she can pretty much do whatever she pleases if she stays with Tom. This chapter confused me a little with the scheme of events that happened. Although I finally realized that these people are completely ridiculous. They have no problem with ruining other peoples lives as long as they are okay. While I was reading about how miserable Wilson is it made me realize how selfish Daisy, Tom, Gatsby, and Jordan all were. Even Nick, although he got thrown into all of this, he still hung out with them because it made him feel "on top" or important. Wilson actually turns out to be a good guy, and of course he is the one who ends up hurt and with nothing and that makes me upset. I hope Fitzgerald at least lets him get some revenge, and I think he will.

The Accident

Chapter 7 could probably be considered as the most drama filled chapter yet! One thing that really struck me though, was the way Tom reacted to Daisy being independent and having an affair with Gatsby. Like I said in my blog post before this, Tom was getting suspicious of Daisy's solo act at Gatsby's parties so he attended one with her. Tom finally finds out that Gatsby is in love with Daisy and that they have been together behind his back, and he, to say the least, is not thrilled. I don't think Tom's reaction is fair at all. He has been dating a lot of other women behind Daisy's back for awhile now. I think the only reason he is angry is because he does not have control over Daisy, she isn't his "safe zone" anymore. Tom knew that no matter what he did he could continue to live his double life because neither Myrtle, nor Daisy would question him. In a way I like that Tom found out about Gatsby and Daisy. Now he can get a taste of his own medicine. Although, this all also makes me sad and dumbfounded. All of these people, including Nick and Jordan, fully accept that cheating is okay, and that marriage does not matter about loving someone. Another huge part of the chapter is near the end. Daisy drives a yellow coupe home and hits Myrtle without stopping. I honestly did not see this coming at all and it made me feel terrible for Wilson. Gatsby, of course, tells Nick that he would take the blame for what happened to protect Daisy. '"Was Daisy driving?" "Yes," he said after a moment,"but of course I'll say I was"' (Fitzgerald, 110). I wonder if Tom would ever do that for her? Or maybe he would have for Myrtle? I guess we will never know now.

The Real Gatsby

In chapter 6 Gatsby's past is finally relieved truthfully! I don't understand why Gatsby lied about his past in the first place, especially to Nick who seems like Gatsby's only real friend. I also question if the story Nick told about how Gatsby got his money was completely true with all of the lies we have heard about Gatsby. I wonder how Gatsby got a picture at Oxford? There is still a mystery surrounding Gatsby and I want to get to the bottom of it! Another thing I have started to notice this chapter is how Daisy is not all that Gatsby wanted her to be. I think he built her up in his head so much that she is not living up to his expectation of her. I also think that Daisy has changed from who she used to be, but I also believe that Gatsby has changed too. They both have become more materialistic causing them to maybe not have as much chemistry as they used to. I don't think they will end up together just for that reason. Gatsby now expects too much of Daisy because of his idea of her and I don't think she will live up to his expectation instead of in the beginning when Gatsby never was enough for her. Now we see Gatsby trying to re-create time. He wants to go back to the past when things were better between them and when she wasn't different, "And she doesn't understand," he said. She used to be able to understand. We'd sit for hours-" (Fitzgerald,84) this quote shows that Gatsby is getting worried and sees how Daisy has changed. Another thing that fascinated me and interested me was seeing Tom get a little jealous. I think Tom is starting to see Daisy being more independent and going to Gatsby's parties alone and he does not like that. I think the only reason Tom doesn't like this is because he now doesn't have complete control over Daisy. He liked to have his affair and know that Daisy will still be there no matter what. But now I think he is getting a little nervous about Daisy's new found independence. He also starts to question Gatsby and you can tell he doesn't like him very much which I think is also foreshadowing into him finding out about Gatsby and Daisy's past.

The Reveal!

For awhile now their has been a big mystery around the Gatsby character and there has always been something a little strange and mysterious about him. I think because of the air of the unknown around Gatsby it has made me very interested in his character. In chapter 4 we finally figure out that Daisy and Gatsby had dated when they were younger, and were in love: "The officer looked at Daisy while she was speaking, in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at sometime, and because it seemed romantic to me I have remembered the incident ever since. His name was Jay Gatsby" (Fitzgerald, 56). Finding out about this really ties some loose ends about how in the first chapter Daisy acts weird when Gatsby is mentioned and also how Gatsby acts towards Tom in chapter 4, "They shook hands briefly, and a strained, unfamiliar look of embarrassment came over Gatsby's face" (Fitzgerald, 55). A lot happens in chapter 4 making it very significant, and my favorite chapter so far! Not only do you learn about Daisy and Gatsby, but you see a glimpse of Gatsby's personality and you find out that he can be genuine and actually is a good guy once you crack his surface. Gatsby actually reminds me a little bit of Hemingway's style of writing when he uses "The Iceberg Theory". I also think that Gatsby acts like he is older. Even though him and Nick are only a few years a part in age, I feel as if Gatsby is more mature in many different ways. I have also observed that everyone, no matter what age has a certain respect when talking to Gatsby like he has a certain type of authority over people. One thing I do still want to find out is the full story of what happened to Daisy and Gatsby. I think that they got split up because of the war and ultimately Daisy's parents or her being too superficial. Lastly, you start to see a budding romance between Jordan and Nick. I like them together, even though Jordan is a part of that fake society I think they are good for each other.

Chapter 1

Finishing the first chapter of The Great Gatsby has me wondering a lot of things and makes me want to read more! I actually think I am really going to enjoy this book which really excites me. I love the mysterious element that surrounds the "Gatsby" character. I also like how every main character is introduced in the book's first chapter. I do not like Tom Buchanan, he is very cocky and abrupt, and his wife some what rubs me the wrong way as well. I am very curious to see what will happen with Jordan and Nick, you do not see much of her personality in the first chapter but I am interested to find out more about her and learn her story. I think Nick has the perfect personality for a narrator. He is honest, and not judgmental which makes two great traits in someone describing such a petty, fake environment. It made me a little sad to learn about Tom cheating on Daisy. Even though she seems to be okay with it I know that there has to be something else going on with her. She may be fine with her role but I want to see her real personality and I think that the book will reveal her vulnerabilities eventually.