In the Comments section below, please post a response of at least one full paragraph (min. 5 sentences). Your assignment is twofold: 1) you are to demonstrate a clear understanding of the text by attempting to summarize the text's argument as precisely as possible, and 2) you are to use your comment to ask the text (or ask your peers) at least one thoughtful question.
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The beginning of this chapter is dedicated to Gatsby's true personal history, not as he claims it to have been, nor how general public's rumors claim it to have been. So what we learn about Gatsby is rather astounding. He was born James Gatz, son of some not-so-wealthy farmers, and drifted around for a while, doing whatever job would give him food and a bed. Then, one day, he rowed out to inform a man who was rather wealthy, if the size of his yacht indicated anything, and gave him some advice. This wealthy man took James Gatz under his arm, and from there Gatsby went on to fill out an imaginary character he had made for himself: Jay Gatz. My question is, why did he lie about his past? Does he feel that his mystery past, which intrigues so many people, is absolutely necessary?
ReplyDeleteMike, I think Gatsby lied about his past to put up a wall between his true self and the people around him. He hid all of his secrets and less glamorous details about his past deep inside until he couldn't take lying about it anymore. It seems as though by meeting with Daisy he had finally decided to let his walls come down so that it would strengthen their relationship. I think Gatsby was having a hard time discerning which of his many friends he could trust with his secrets, which is why keeping a sort of mystery about himself was somewhat necessary.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, I kind of like what Holly said here. Gatsby obviously is not stupid, as he has become so wealthy on his own, so he must know that people use him constantly. He doesn't seem to really care, but at the same time, it is almost tragic that he does not bother to connect with anyone. By connecting, it is human nature that some type of vulnerability is exposed, allowing them to hurt you. If people actually knew his story, maybe the fact that people would use him would hurt a little more, since they would be closer to friends and less of acquaintances. After all, its much more insulting to be stabbed in the back by a best friend, rather than a stranger, right? He left his family in search of money and literally has no one else. Maybe this is the turn in the book where Fitzgerald says, money means nothing when you don't have people to share it with.
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter of the Great Gatsby we learn of Jay Gatsby's real name, James Gatz. We also learn of Gatsby's true past including the fact that he is a self made man and that he did not inherit his wealth as was previously thought. I think it is interesting that Gatsby is such a mysterious character that has kept his past all to himself and has exposed very little to those around him. I think Gatsby himself, is a representation of the American dream. Someone who comes from a poor family who has made a name and living for himself by his own means. However, I think the critique of the American dream comes when we learn that Gatsby has no real friends that actually know of his past or really know him for who he is, and that despite all the money he has he is not content. Gatsby needs Daisy to complete his life, while ironically, Daisy only needs his wealth and materialistic possesions. I think this is a critique of how greed can ruin people and cause them to take advantage of others in Capitalsim which happens in America. My question is why does James Gatz feel the need to change his name?
ReplyDeleteMike from what iunderstood- which could very likely be wrong- gatsby lied about his past because he didnt want daisy to find out who he really was. From previous chapters it seems as though daisy can be somewhat shallow and care alot about the size and expenses of objects before anything else. So maybe Gatsby didnt want her to find out that really, he was a poor man who one day got lucky by meeting a rich guy through luck. But again, that could be wrong. On another note i think this chapter might be symbolisng the idea of the american dream of strating fresh and working from the bottom up. I think thats why he changed his name, so that he could start fresh and become the man he had predetermined he would one day become.
ReplyDelete-zach
ReplyDeleteI think that Gatsby reinventing himself is his way of achieving the American Dream. By reinventing himself he goes from rags to riches. Becoming wealthy is a key part to the American Dream, especially during the roaring twenties. Although this seems like all that Gatsby wanted, it's not. Gatsby's real purpose for becoming wealthy was for his dream of being with Daisy. His dream was to be in love with Daisy and that is why he got rich and got the house by hers. Gatsby could not marry Daisy when he was poor, so he tries to love her when he has all the wealth. This shows the divisions in the American Dream and what it really was for the people.
ReplyDeleteIn this chapter, rumors of Gatsby's life before he moved to West Egg have been circulating, therefore a reporter went to his house to interview him. Nick jumps in and tells the reporter the real truth, not Gatsby's truth. He tells the reporter about Gatsby's early life and his chance at fortune with his old boss Dan Cody. Later on, Tom, the Sloane's, and Gatsby have dinner and Tom's suspicions of what Gatsby and Daisy are doing together rises. At the end of the chapter, Gatsby has another party which goes horrbily and no one seems to have a good time, even Daisy. Nick and Gatsby talk and he tells Gatsby that Daisy will never be able to live up to the thoughts he has of her from Louisville, but Gatsby says that he can win her over with money. My question is: why does Nick have to tell Gatsby's life story and why does Gatsby not wish to tell the truth about it in the firstplace?
ReplyDeleteThe chapter starts with a brief history of Gatsby's childhood, which had been mysterious up to this point. It explains alot of things, and its hard to understand why it isnt talked about until this chapter. Nick and Daisy attend one of Gatsby's parties, and both seem to have a bad time. One of the most important quotes in the book is in this chapter when Nick tells Gatsby that you cant change the past- "You can't repeat the past" and Gatsby answers "Cant repeat the past? Why of course you can!" Why does Gatsby dwell so much on particular elements of his past and completely ignore others? He can't move past Daisy, yet he wont recognize his former self. Its like the only part of him that exists anymore is the "platonic conception of himself".
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