"The Great Gatsby"
by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Old vs. New Money





all pictures from google images

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

Thursday, May 27, 2010




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

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

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

Sunday, May 23, 2010

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

Thursday, May 20, 2010

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. :)

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

the 20"s womens fashion





women in the nineteen 20s began to let loose. They cut there hair, and their clothes short. They began to accept different rules of the house hold.
A big part of women s fashion was short hair. They kept their hair short so that they could move around and show off their well made up faces. They wore lots of makeup and eyeshadow. They were not afraid to show off their bodies, and most women were flappers.
In the novel great Gatsby, Jordan Baker is our head flapper. She is also my favorite character. She goes out and parties all night, makes guys, including nick, fall in love with her and doesn't think twice about it. She is my hero

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Unrequited Love




all pictures from google images.

There are many instances where someone has loved another but didn't like them back. For example, in the "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, the main character, Jimmy Cross, loved a girl named Martha. He went to the war in Vietnam and received letters from her. However, the things she gave were one sided and meant only what it contained. Nothing more. Love can be rough when the person you like doesn't feel the same way. Another example, is in the movie, book, and musical "the Phantom of the Opera". The phantom haunts the Opera Populare where he secretly loves Christine Daae, an opera dancer/singer. His love for her becomes known and turns obsessive when he whisks her away into his lair under the opera house.

In the case of "The Great Gatsby", Jay Gatsby's love for Daisy Buchanan is still unrequited. He can't bring enough confidence to tell her his feelings. He hides inside his enormous mansion throwing parties in the hopes of her to come. Yet, he thinks if he does something wrong, Daisy will not show her face to him, even from afar. Unrequited love is very hurtful but at the same time brings a hope inside that the person who holds it can still be happy.

sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unrequited_love
"The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien