The Great Gatsby Films

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For every amazing book comes the movie adaption of it. The Great Gatsby has been adapted into two versions. One was released in 1974 with lead characters Robert Redford (Gatsby), Mia Farrow (Daisy), Bruce Dern (Tom), Sam Waterston (Nick), Karen Black (Myrtle), Scott Wilson (George), and Lois Chiles (Jordan). This version of the famous novel stayed true to how the book was written. Most of the scenes were acted with verbatim from the book. When I watched it, I remembered some of the lines from the reading. Though, the 1974 film didn't stray from the original publishing, the scenes didn't seem to flow together. The transitions weren't fluid and added a black cut screen every so often which made the movie somewhat boring at times. Nevertheless, it was still a great film to the end and should be cherished by millions who love the novel.

The other version, which is the most current one, was released in 2000. This version had leads Toby Stephens (Gatsby), Paul Rudd (Nick), Mira Sorvino (Daisy), Martin Donovan (Tom Buchanan), Heather Goldenhersh (Myrtle), William Camp (George), and Francie Swift (Jordan). This "Great Gatsby" film didn't go in order of the novel and had scenes from the end at the beginning and rearranged many of the scenes altogether. This adaption was a more fresher version and some of the attire people were wearing was a more modern look. This "Great Gatsby" was a good version, but lacks order and one who has only watched it will not get it the first time. In conclusion, the Gatsby films are good adaptions that retell this fabulous American tale of the 1920s.

sources:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0210719/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby_(1974_film)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby_(2000_film)

Selfish People

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Many selfish acts happen in the Great Gatsby. Like when Gatsby wanted Nick to invite Daisy over to his house, Myrtle being with wealthy Tom Buchanan, Daisy goes of with Gatsby while still being married to Tom, and George Wilson kills Gatsby, who didn't really kill Myrtle. With wealth comes selfish pleasures and consequences. Two of the most selfish people in the novel are Tom and Myrtle. Tom is dissatisfied with Daisy and confides in Myrtle Wilson's love. He gives her everything and she takes it without a second thought. As for Myrtle, she uses Tom Buchanan's money to get what pleases her. For example, getting lavish dresses and a dog in the middle of the street while Tom was driving. It seems this couple is one of the most selfish people in the book.

Also, the main character, Gatsby, is to obsessed and selfish to realize Daisy's feelings have moved on. Though they might have known each other in the past, their lives our different and things in between happened that they can't erase. Gatsby wants so much to fix everything. To make things his way and have Daisy in his life instead of Tom. Also, Mr. Wilson kills Gatsby just because he assumed her killed Myrtle with his car which in fact he was not driving. In conclusion, selfish people shape the world of the Great Gatsby.

sources:
"The Great Gatsby" - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Old vs. New Money

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Much like East vs. West Egg, Old and New Money play sides in the Great Gatsby. When someone refers to a class of people having "Old Money", they have had generations of fortune from their families. In short, people who are descendants of money who lounge around spending without a care in the world. For example, Tom and Daisy Buchanan represent old money because they live on East Egg, where all the "Old Money" people reside. “Old Money" people tend to be more vulnerable and don't like people with "New Money". A quote that exhibits this is: “ Self control, I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife.." Old money was also described as high society which separates them from lower ranking classes who aren't around a wealthy family background.

In contrast, "New Money" people had to, in some way, earn their money because their families weren't lavishly wealthy. Jay Gatsby, who is labeled "New Money", earns his money through illegal means by bootlegging, or smuggling alcohol, and getting involved with mobs. During the 1920s, prohibition was happening and no one could sell, drink, or manufacture alcohol. However, Gatsby and many others secretly distributed alcohol at parties and underground clubs. Also, West Egg is home to those who are labeled "New Money. "The two classes were so different that marrying someone of a lower class was unacceptable. In the past, Gatsby and Daisy hit a rough patch where he confessed his love for Daisy and she rejected him because she said rich girls can't marry poor boys. In conclusion, old money vs. new money keeps separate social classes, attitudes, and ways of earning or receiving money.

sources:
http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=7079
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/LesleyTodoric/007344.html
http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2004/5/15/141559/670

Dan Cody plays an important role in Gatsby's life. He gives him his wealth and stuff. Gatsby first met Dan when he pulled up to shore on his big ol' yacht. Gatsby and Cody's friendship symbolizes the good ways Gatsby made his money. Like taking care of Mr. Dan Cody Cody was 'an old man' and Gatsby took care of him. This shows that Gatsby does care about other people.
Dan Cody and Gatsby's relationship back then was a soprt of common place. But now, in the 21st century, Gatsby would seem like a sort of gold-digger who prayed on people he figured were about to die soon, and to whom he could poach some money off of. Gatsby has a picture of Mr. Dan Cody in his house, which must show that that he meant something to Gatsby, because the only other persaon Gatsby seems to have pictures of in his house is Daisy.
Although F. Scott Fitzgerald never really divulges in to who exactly Dan Cody was, we do know several things about him. He made a good impression on Gatsby. He may have given Gatsby some money. Gatsby idolizes him.
All thoughts are property of Nicki D. McElroy
thanks =0

East vs. West Eggs

sources from google images :)

The sides of East Egg and West Egg are an important factor in the Great Gatsby. These two places symbolize the wealthy class and the middle class. East Egg, Long Island is mainly made up of the higher-paying class and West Egg, Long Island is mainly made up of the middle class. Jay Gatsby, though the very definition of rich, lives in West Egg right next to Nick Carraway. During this time period, social standing meant everything from what you wore, what you drove, which people were your friends, and finally what you were drinking.

The East and West Eggs also symbolized the separation as well as the desires of Gatsby and Daisy. Gatsby's love for Daisy has been long overdue and Daisy has "moved on." How the bay separates the two Eggs and the use of the green light show how close Gatsby's desires are to him. However, for many years he couldn't show his feelings because he was afraid of her rejection and didn't know how to approach her properly. He sought Nick's help when he heard Nick knew Daisy and invited her to his house where Gatsby waited for her arrival. All in all, the two Eggs symbolized separation, social class, and wanting.

sources:
http://www.enotes.com/great-gatsby/q-and-a/what-do-east-egg-and-west-egg-represent-and-why-1597
http://www.homework-online.com/tgg/symbolEggs.html

the green light.

In the novel Great Gatsby, Jay gatsby saw a green light at the love of his life, daisy's house. To jay Gatsby that light was a sign that said she was waiting for him.
He had based all of his hope on the fact that she left that light on.
There are many other meanings for the greenlight in life. One such meaning is that its time to go. whether that means taking chances and trying something new, or leaving everything you know in the pursuit of a better life. And in the case of Daisy, her green light was marrying Tom even though she was still in love with Gatsby.
Another character, Jordan Baker, takes every green light that comes her way. She is a flapper, and would lie, cheat, and steal to get to the top. However, she shows a soft spot when she falls in love with Nick.
all of this i decided for myself. that is my source

Gatsby Males

Tom Buchanan is Daisy's husband. They married, but didn't really love each other. Tom is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson, George Wilson's wife who is a station attendent, and dismisses Daisy everytime they talk. He is very impulsive and has punched Myrtle for talking about Daisy.
Jay Gatsby is the main character who is mysterious, loyal, hardworking, misguided, and he has a hard time reviling his feelings to Daisy Buchanan. He had to get Nick to help him by inviting her to his house. He owns a mansion in West Egg right next to Nick Carraway and hosts lavish parties on the weekends. His parties are the envy of many guests that go there.

Nick Carraway is the other main character. For most of the novel, he is the narrator and witnesses all the incidents of the various characters. He is distantly related to Daisy Buchanan and call each other cousins. Nick is infatuated with Daisy's friend, Jordan Baker, who is a flapper. At first, he doesn't understand why he has to be Gatsby's "wingman" when he meets with Daisy, but realizes that they have a deep connection instantly.

all images from google. :)