In the last two chapters of "The Great Gatsby", readers see the end of Gatsby. In chapter 8, Gatsby and Nick meet at Gatsby's mansion. Gatsby talks about his love for Daisy from a young age, and that he loved her for her"youth and vitality", while idolizing her social position, wealth, and popularity. Daisy promised to wait for Gatsby, but broke her promise by marrying Tom. So, it seems like Gatsby loved Daisy more than Daisy loved Gatsby in a way, because she wouldn't have married Tom if she really loved Gatsby. In chapter 9, Wilson tries to find out who killed Myrtle with their car. He knows for sure it isn't Tom because he came after the accident, so Wilson goes to Gatsby's mansion where Gatsby is relaxing in his pool, thinking about his life and how empty it is. Wilson immediately shoots Gatsby with a gun, and then proceeds to shoot himself. Nick is devastated, and thinks the Buchanan's are cheaters who deceives people, and gets away with it because of their wealth.
This is the most important chapter throughout the book. The plot escalates dramatically throughout the entirety of this chapter. The reader can observe in chapter 7, that the tension between Gatsby and Tom escalates. Many occurrences throughout the scene have a sort of awkward tension between the two. Tom is suspicious of Gatsby's and Daisy's rekindled love for each other, but his suspicions become accurate when Gatsby meets Daisy's baby. Daisy seems somewhat uninterested in her child, almost as if the baby reminds her of regretful love with Tom. However, Gatsby's face lights up in admiration for the baby, completely different from Daisy's attitude towards her own child. Daisy admits her love for Gatsby, and Gatsby is has a passionate look on his face when they decide to go out to the city together. Gatsby and Tom continuously argue and degrade each other. Tom claiming that "Gatsby never went to Oxford", and Gatsby claiming that "Daisy never loved Tom". Towards the end of the chapter, a report of an accident is mentioned. Apparently, Myrtle was hit by a car in the Valley of Ashes. Daisy was driving the vehicle, but Gatsby claimed the responsibility instead. One can infer that Tom purposefully sent out that car so that Myrtle can be hit, so this way he wouldn't feel as guilty for cheating on Daisy with Myrtle. Because hey, the way to get rid of your problems is to get rid of the person "causing" it right? Tom's aggressiveness and cruelty is shown with his actions in this scene, along with his superiority.
In Chapter 5 of "The Great Gatsby", Carraway returns from lunch with Jordan. He observes that Gatsby's mansion is bright, but there is no loud music or crowds partying at his house. He notices Gatsby and Gatsby turn around and starts talking to Nick. Gatsby invites Daisy and Nick over for some tea, but Nick says that they will have it at his house. Gatsby is a man who is known to please others and show his extravagant lifestyle, so therefore he offers Nick help with cutting the grass and making it presentable enough for Daisy's liking. He wants the best for Daisy, so he offers an incentive and tries to please and reward Nick for agreeing to have tea with him. When Daisy and Gatsby finally meet, it is a bit awkward between the two. Later, as the time proceeds Gatsby and Daisy rekindle their love for each other, and talk with each other for what seems to be a long time. They do not notice the presence of Nick and Nick feels invisible, as if he isn't in the room.
In Chapter 6, we learn more about Nick's and Gatsby's character. We learn that Gatsby had a completely different past, and his actual birth name was James Gatz. He dreamed of living an extravagant lifestyle at a young age, refusing to believe that he came from a family of poverty. We conclude that Gatsby got acquired all of his wealth by traveling the world from a well-off man named Dan Cody. We also learn that Nick is not the honest man he claims he is in the very beginning of the book. He is essentially helping his own cousin cheat on her husband with a man who even lied about his own past. Would an honest man really keep a secret from his brother-in-law and assist with a forbidden affair? We can infer from this chapter that sometimes, people who seem so happy and well-off on the outside is actually very empty on the inside. They do not have it all put together, and they are also not as "good" as they may come off as to the world. Rich people might often live a life of deception and lies in order to get their way, because they do not feel content with what they have. Gatsby's hatred for Tom stirs in this chapter, but we can see that Tom does have a sense of superiority to Gatsby, even though some might claim Gatsby is wealthier. My question is, does Gatsby really love Daisy? Or just the "idea" of having her? Chapter three is where the readers can finally be introduced to Jay Gatsby. His life and character both is revealed in this chapter. Before, he was a mystery and people would only talk about him. During his stay at East Egg, Nick is invited to Gatsby's famous parties that he is known for. Nobody gets a legit invitation, except for Nick, which makes Nick feel special. Nick attends the party, and describes it as lavish and expensive, thus referring to the lavish lifestyle of Gatsby. The parties he throws are extravagant in style. His main goal for throwing these parties is because he hopes that Daisy will hear about these extravagant parties he throws, and attends it. According to Chapter three, Daisy and Gatsby were once lovers. They were very dedicated to each other, until Gatsby went to fight in the war. He hadn't returned in a long period of time, so Daisy got a marriage offer from the wealthiest man in town: Tom Buchanan. Nobody who attends the parties actually know who the host is. Nick is finally introduced to Gatsby, and he learned who Jay Gatsby.
In Chapter Two of "The Great Gatsby", Nick goes on a Trip to New York with Tom and his mistress Daisy. He goes to New York, also called the "Valley of Ashes". There is a billboard of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, with eyes looking over the city. Some may infer that these eyes are Gods eyes, almost like a spiritual force. The eyes, may suggest the lack godliness in all of the characters lives. Tom goes to New York with his mistress, when his wife Daisy is at home. Accompanied by them is Nick, who is Daisy's cousin, but he seems to not care that Tom is cheating on Nick's own cousin. Although everyone is sinning, it seems to symbolize that God is watching them do these immoral acts, such as adultery. Tom is also seen bossing Nick around in New York (such as when he gets off the train), this implicating representations on his arrogant and demanding character, and also representing Nicks character as someone who is reserved and obedient, complying to orders and rules. Nick doesn't seem to refute Tom's demands, implying that he looks up to wealthy people such as Tom and Gatsby.
Nick Carraway begins to narrate "The Great Gatsby" in a detailed manner. He precisely describes major details in his life, and the setting of where he lives. Nick introduces himself, and talks about where he's from. He constantly mentions that he went to Yale or "New Haven"as he calls it. This is because he feels as if though calling it "Yale" is too mainstream. Carraway comes from a wealthy line of family, and is pretty well-of and rich. Carraway can be seen as a judgemental person, who makes snarky remarks and judges those around him. He has a pessimistic view on life, constantly replying to people sarcastically. He can be described as aloof, giving one word answers to people often. Nick listens more than he speaks, thus being observant and making quick judgements about others. As we read through the pages, we can see that Nick gives highly accurate representation of Tom and Daisy at the dinner table. Making conclusions on Tom that he is "arrogant and cocky".
Nick Carraway is introduced in the story as a man who attended Yale University, and came from a pretty situated family. He moved from Minnesota to New York, after being educated in Yale and fighting in World War I, in hopes to learn the bond business. Carraway is pretty wealthy, but not as wealthy as the other characters in the book; setting him apart from the rest of the characters in the story. Nick Carraway is seen as aloof throughout the first chapter of "Great Gatsby"; a very reserved yet observant character. In the first page of the book, Nick Carraway remembers what his father told him in the past "whenever you feel like criticizing anyone . . . just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." It is very funny that he mentioned this quote in the first page of the book, because throughout the book (especially during the dinner scene), Nick Carraway sits and observes everybody around him. He makes quick judgement about those around him (including his cousin and his brother-in-law). Carraway constantly mentions that he went to Yale for college; bringing it up in random conversations throughout the chapter. He seems very proud of the idea that he went to an ivy-league school, but doesn't call "Yale" by its name, but rather "New Haven", not wanting to seem too mainstream.We can infer from his use of large words in conversations instead of using simpler terms that he might think he is more educated than others because he went to an impressive college, which many people look highly upon and admire.
1. Hawthorne begins the short story with a tone created, of course, by his selection of diction. Explain the how the tone shifts from the first paragraph to the remaining story. Be sure to focus on connotation and association of specific words. - Hawthorne uses diction to create a tone thus creating a mood which accurately describes the transition of mood of the story as a whole beginning with the first paragraph and then later on to the rest of the paragraph. In the first paragraph, the tone is very bright, positive, and upbeat. The words that Hawthorne uses gives off a happy vibe with sentences like "Children, with their bright faces, tripped merrily beside their parents, or mimicked a graver gait, in the conscious dignity of their sunday clothes." Later on although, as the story progresses, the tone gets gravely and moody. The mood is very mysterious and dark thu creating suspension and tension while Hawthorne uses descriptive imagery to give off this mood. Hawthorne says "that mysterious emblem was never once withdrawn. It shook with his measured breath, as he gave out the psalm; it threw its obscurity between him and the holy page, as he read the scriptures; and while he prayed, the veil lay heavily on his uplifted countenance". Hawthorne does so by using words that go from positive connotation to negative connotation.
2. Discuss Hawthorne's use of light/dark imagery. What stands out the most about the imagery? Be sure to explain your answer. - Hawthorne uses light and dark imagery to contrast the difference between the first paragraph and the rest of the story. In the first paragraph, he uses light imagery to describe "the sabbath sunshine that made them prettier on the weekdays" to describe the women. This radiates a feeling of love and optimism. Later on though, Hawthorne begins to use dark imagery where he uses dark words that give off mystery when he describes the darkness of the Minister. 3. Hawthorne builds anticipation and suspense into the story by the very syntax of the many of his sentences. Find at least one sentence in which the natural subject-verb-direct object order is inverted and discuss how and why Hawthorne does this. - Hawthorne uses anticipation and suspense by using carefully articulated syntax throughout many of his sentences in order to prevail to the audience. In doing so, the readers will be awed. He uses the emotions and reactions of the church members and the details of the black veil to get his point across. 4. Mr. Hooper has something to hide. That much is for sure. Explain the significance of the incident when Mr. Hooper leans over the casket of the dead young girl. Be very attentive to weird stuff right here. If you think there's something to this, you're probably right. - Mr. Hooper does have something to hide, indeed. Mr. Hooper "stepped into the room where the corpse was laid, and bent over the coffin, to take a last farewell of his deceased parishioner. As he stooped, the veil hung straight down from his forehead, so that, if her eyelids had not been closed for ever, the dead maiden may have seen his face. Could Mr. Hooper be fearful of her glance, that he so hastily caught back the black veil?". This scene specifically symbolizes the sins of the people, and even the sins of Mr. Hooper and Hathorne himself. To me, I think the purpose of this scene is to have the black veil represent the sins of those around him and how Hawthorne's belief that your sins do not automatically disappear. 5. Discuss the significance of the juxtaposition of a wedding of two young people on the very same day as a funeral of a young maiden. What, if anything, does Hawthorne imply with this juxtaposition?- The significance of the juxtaposition of a wedding and funeral shows two of life's greatest moment, that mostly everyone experiences. The symbol of the black veil shows that even in life's best moments and dark moments, your sin will always be with you, which is represented by the black veil that never disapears. Although the people of the church did not wear a black veil such as the one Mr. Hooper wore, it still goes to show that they are all sinner. They all wear a metaphorically black veil that covers their sins, but their sins do not just go away even with the effort they put into it in order to hide their sins. 6. Build an argument that explains how certain a reader may be that Hawthorne knew of and understood the power of rhetoric. Choose specific passages from the text to support your claims. (This one is all about rhetorical analysis. You're welcome!)- The darkness and mysteriousness of the veil represents the sins of the average human. With even the Minister wearing a black veil, it shows that everyone has their own dark sin, but they are all just good at hiding it. Thus, opposing the principle beliefs of Transcendentalism (Integrity of the individual and Inner-light). 7. Hawthorne was not a small critic of Transcendentalism, with its constant proddings for people to tap into the inner-light, and avoid conformity as individuals tap into Nature and the oversoul. How does Hawthorne seem to criticise the basic tenants of Transcendentalism with "The Minister's Black Veil"? What argument does Hawthorne seem to be most critical? Be sure to use specific peices from the text to support your claims. - Hawthorne opposes the values of Transcendentalism, which was popular among many during his time. He uses the black veil in doing so. He shows that everyone has sins of their own, even the Minister (the holiest of them all). Hawthorne is attempting to bash the principles of Inner-light and how everyone has a good soul, and the integrity of the human being. 8.) Finally: Hawthorne carefully avoids ever mentioning what Hooper has hidden. That said, from what you can tell, what is the most likely sin that the Reverend Hooper has committed? Explain the basis for your claim with solid argumentation. (Syllogism, enthymeme, logical reasoning).- The black veil is used to symbolize the sin that all human uses to cover up their sins, even the Minister. Most likely, the sin that the Minister committed was one of adultery with the dead girl. As he leaned over her corpse, a woman describes that she saw the corpse "shudder". "How Soccer is Ruining America" link: "How Soccer is Ruining America: A Jeremiad", by Stephen H. Webb, is a jeremiad about how a sport as simple as soccer is a destructive force to the American society as a whole. Webb is a professor of religion and philosophy, so one would believe that his claim is credible. Webb uses an ironic tone in this satire to take a comical approach to this widespread idea that several individuals amid society believe. Throughout his essay, Webb uses key arguments which highlights the reasons why he supposedly stands for the idea that soccer is destroying America, when clearly in the last few paragraphs, it can be realized that Webb actually takes the position of the one against his own arguments used throughout the essay.
If a reader began to read this essay, he/she would be angered by how hypocritical Webb is, as seen throughout the essay, one can see how he mentioned that he played baseball as a young child, and Webb accurately describes his opinion and memories on the sport. Webb mentions that "when I was a kid, baseball was the most popular sport precisely because it was so demanding... even its language was intimidating" (268). Yet, at the bottom of the page, Webb remarks that "girls are too smart to waste an entire day playing baseball" (268) when he played it as a young child and perceived it to be intimidating, and demanding. Webb is purposely contradicting himself to take a comical approach to this essay, to make the reader angry about the excessive hypocrisy used by Webb. Additionally, Webb pokes fun at various different groups of people in society, such as "girls", "Conservative suburban families", and even "American parents". Webb mocks girls and how "soccer is a game for girls" (page 268) because "soccer mimics the paradigmatic feminine experience of childbirth more than the masculine business of destroying your opponent with insurmountable power" (269). In this articulation, he is insisting that "soccer is a game for the weak, and girls are weak" in order to further support his assertion. Webb then ridicules "Conservative, suburban families" by stating that " Conservative suburban families, the backbone of America, have turned to soccer in droves" (269). He insists that this is because "baseball is too intimidating, football too brutal, and basketball takes too much time" (269). Webb chooses to assert this in order to support his argument that soccer's "promotion and implementation are thoroughly domestic, and a self-inflicted wound" (269). Webb uses the idiom "droves" to make a comical joke that the readers would understand because he understands just who his audience is: fellow soccer enthusiasts. Webb mentions God and crucial events in the Bible several times (as he is a philosopher and a professor of religion, which helps develops ethos). In his argumentation that "feet are dirty, and that is why we use them to play soccer", Webb states "Did Jesus wash his disciples' hands at the Last Supper? No, hands are divine, while feet are in need of redemption" (268). At the end of Webb's essay , the reader can see that indeed Webb is actually for the game of soccer, he even has all three of his kids play the game. Webb is against the belief that "soccer is ruining America", and his support to his inference is when he says "last year, all three of my Kids were on three different soccer teams at the same time... I read books on the sidelines during the game, and this embarrasses my daughter to no end... that is one way of protesting the rise of this pitiful sport... nonetheless, I must say that my kids and I come home from a soccer game a very happy family" (page 269). This entire sentence is an irony, just like the laugh-out loud essay written by a very good-humored man. "How Soccer is Ruining America" link: http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2009/03/how-soccer-is-ruining-america |
Sneha GeorgeHeritage High School Archives
May 2015
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