Reflection #1: Chapters 1-2 The author, Nick Carraway, states that he has very high moral standards and he has reserved all judgements so he does not misunderstand people and what they have gone through. The reader is introduced to Tom and Daisy Buchanan. The reader suggests Tom is a very successful man and has everything in life he could image, while Daisy is a very charming and pleasant young lady. Many people do not like Tom because he is arrogant and a cocky racist, and Daisy describes him as “a brute of a man, a great, big, hulking specimen.
The reader is first introduced to Gatsby, and the author describes his as “gorgeous” and connects him to the American Dream and new money. Nick rents a house in West Egg across the bay from East Egg and the reader suggests that the two have a rivalry: “old money” versus “new money. ” Gatsby’s mansion represents “new money,” while the clothes Tom wears presents “old money” because they are riding clothes. While leaving dinner, Nick sees Gatsby standing on the lawn for the first time and the reader suggests he is a hopeful dreamer.
While on the lawn, Gatsby is reaching out for something across the water and sees a green light, representing dreams. Nick states the West Egg and New York City dumping of ashes is called a “waste land” because the ashes cover everything, even those who live there. The ‘Valley of Ashes” represents the people who were left behind in the roaring twenties and is being watched by Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. While making a stop in the Valley of Ashes, Nick discovers Tom is having an affair on his wife with Mrs. Wilson.
The reader suggest Myrtle is having an affair on her husband because she wants to be something in life nd wants to be known, but her husband is poor so the only way she will be able to fulfill her dream is with Tom. While at the apartment where the affair takes place, Tom, Myrtle, Nick, and some friends get drunk and the reader suggests that getting drunk means “having fun” during the roaring twenties. While Myrtle begins to drink more and more, she starts talking about Daisy and Tom getting mad and hits her in the nose, breaking in. Tom’s actions show that he is ill tempered. Rumors begin to occur about Gatsby, and Catherine, Myrtle’s sister, thinks Gatsby is in a shady business.
Reflection #2: Chapters 3-4 The reader suggests that Gatsby puts a lot of effort into his parties, but most of his “new money” guest have never actually met him. Gatsby is a man who doesn’t seem to exist. Nick gets invited to one of the party and feels so out of place. The luxury of the party represents the happiness of the American Dream. Most of the people who attend the parties are not actually invited, they just show up. It is very suspicious because Gatsby never shows himself at his parties. While sitting outside watching the party, Nick and Gatsby recognize each other as being in the army together.
Gatsby smiles at Nick representing a mask, like the roaring twenties and the “fun” that went on during the time covering up what really went on. While talking with Gatsby, Nick realizes that Gatsby has other plans in life than having fun and making money. The reader suggests that everyone who attends Gatsby’s parties are just using him for his hospitality. While driving to the city for lunch, Gatsby tells Nick a story that doesn’t seem to all be true, and that Gatsby didn’t grow up the way he states, but instead gave himself a new identity. It is like Gatsby had to forget the past to be able to succeed in life and become rich.
Gatsby is a man who has higher authority over the law and police, for example, while driving down the road, Gatsby got pulled over for speeding but shows the police a card and he lets him go; Gatsby represents celebrity. Nick begins to believe Gatsby is involved in a great crime after meeting with Gatsby’s business partner, Wolfsheim. Gatsby and Wolfsheim’s connect represents the downfall of the American Dream and the Roaring Twenties. While Gatsby was stationed in Louisville, he met Daisy and fell in love with her, but her parents didn’t allow them the get married.
A year later, Tom and Daisy got married, but a day before Daisy married Tom, she got drunk and cried while holding a letter. The reader suggests that the letter was for Gatsby. Gatsby has never fallen out of love with Daisy, but Daisy chose money over love. Gatsby made himself rich to try and get Daisy back. The mansion Gatsby bought was to impress Daisy in order to try and win her back. The author then states that when Gatsby goes to the bay, he stares of the green like because it is the end of Daisy’s dock. Gatsby house represents “new money,” while Daisy’s house across the bay represents “old money.
Reflection #3: Chapters 5-6 Gatsby invites Nick to swim, but really just wants to use him to set up a meeting with Daisy. The reader suggest that Gatsby is trying to pursue Nick to set up the meeting with money. Gatsby believes that with money, he will be able to achieve his dream and win Daisy back. Nick is offended by Gatsby’s offer of money, but goes along with it anyways. The reader suggests Gatsby doesn’t care about his friendship with Nick and just pays him off with money, he only cares about getting Daisy back.
On the day of the meeting, Gatsby knocks down a clock while Daisy is on her way inside representing the time he tries to regain with Daisy from the past. While on the tour of Gatsby’s mansion, Daisy has a breakdown showing she realizes Gatsby can give her the life she wants or that she is more in love with money, but she misses Gatsby after he tells her his love for her. The reader suggests that Gatsby is too caught up on the past to realize how much Daisy has changed. Once Gatsby has achieved his dream, he forgets about Nick, representing the “new money” values.
