journal 20

Read the novel’s last passage (beginning with, “Gatsby’s house was still empty when I left”) and discuss the use of imagery and symbolism that is being employed by Fitzgerald. In your response, specifically address what Nick is saying about the green light and the connection that he is making between Gatsby and the Dutch sailors who “discovered” Long Island.

 As Nick is getting ready to move away from New York, he takes a second to  say goodbye to his old lifestyle. His mind flashes back to the Saturday nights he spent in New York, especially at Gatsby's parties. Nick uses imagery to describe the lavish house Gatsby lived in and the lavish parties he threw. Through the use of imagery, one is almost able to imagine themselves standing in Gatsby's beautiful yard, surrounded by several people laughing and dancing to music. Nick is also able to use imagery to describe his moments before getting on the train and heading off to a new life. He describes what life was after Gatsby's death. The taxi driver that was rumored to take Daisy and Tom away, the last of the guests that attended this summers' parties, the failure of a house, the beach that is now isolated, the empty town: Nick is able to use these things to help one imagine how dead the East Egg became once Gatsby was killed. Nick also connects Gatsby and the Dutch sailors through symbolism. He describes how the Dutch sailors discovered Long Island and what a huge accomplishment for them. The sailors built themselves up from nothing and became prosperous from the land they came upon. This story is symbolic of Gatsby because, in some sense, he did the same. He built himself up from nothing and was able to come close to his dreams through the house he built.

Journal 21

The two movies are very similar. The main characters of both, Sugar and Daisy, and alike in that they are both very materialistic. They both view men as something beneficial to themselves. Gatsby and Joe are alike because they both try extremely hard to impress girls. Gatsby is actually rich, and lives a lavish lifestyle, and he throws parties in order to impress Daisy. Both stories, however, focus on romance. However, Joe tries to act rich, and pretends he owns a yacht. They both use their social status and wealth, rather it be concrete or not, to impress women. The main conflicts are both very different, however. Some Like It Hot involves escaping from mobsters, while The Great Gatsby just focuses on romance.The first conflict in Some Like It Hot is much more serious then the conflict in The Great Gatsby. Social class is much more important in The Great Gatsby then in Some Like It Hot. Some Like It Hot has characters that have goals to be rich, but do not have money to begin with. They do not revolve their lives around money. It focuses more on crime and morality.

Journal 19

Nick Carraway: Tolerant

Nick's appearance is not explained, because he is the narrator. He is tolerant because he is often involved in everyone else's problems and is very forbearing.

Tom Buchanan: Arrogant

Tom was very full of himself. He thought he was superior over Daisy. He could be very violent with her. He only won Daisy over because he was wealthy. His physical appearance can be described as large and frightening. 

Daisy Buchanan: Superficial

Daisy was always concerned about her appearance. She was always more concerned about money then love. She only wanted to do something if it benefitted her. 

Jordan Baker: Mysterious

Nick often described Jordan as a beautiful young lady. She was not very involved in the book other than Nick referring to her. 

Jay Gatsby: Wealthy

Gatsby is known for his lavish lifestyle and parties. His name was popular around New York, but only a few people really knew Gatsby's personality. His physical appearance can be described as young and handsome.