1.) The purpose of Meyer Wolfsheim is to make us wonder some more about the already mysterious Gatsby. How exactly did he get his money? Was it through seedy business deals with Wolfsheim? This affects the way we see Gatsby in that he seems less like a respectable, well-to-do man and more of a shady character. After all, why would such a rich, well-known guy like Gatsby hang out with a man like Wolfsheim, who rigged the World Series?
2.) The backstory about Jay and Daisy's past shows that Gatsby is definitely not the type to get over a girl easily. When he falls in love, he falls hard. This shows that he is a very dedicated man (seeing as how he has feelings only for Daisy) and that in that same vein he is very narrow-minded when it comes to love - the only girl he wants is her.
3.) Detailing the rest of Gatsby's past shows that he lived a very dynamic life - not only did he go to Oxford, he also fought in World War I. It changes our impression of him in that it makes us think of him as a very well-rounded man. Not only did he go to a very prestigious school, he was also given a medal in a very important war. So, he is a scholar and a war hero, which is a very positive thing in our society.
4.) I personally like Gatsby more. He's led a very interesting life and continues to do so, given his lavish parties. This is pretty cheesy, but I also like the fact that he's so completely dedicated to Daisy and absolutely head-over-heels in love with her. It's not too often that you see a man completely enamored to the point of mortification like with Gatsby - usually it's the woman who's tripping over herself when she's madly in love with a guy. This adds an emotional depth to Gatsby that we don't really see otherwise. Comparing the way he acts around Daisy to the way he acts the rest of the time, he seems like a cardboard cutout of a rich man going through the motions. His affections for Daisy make him more real and therefore likable.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Jelly Roll Morton "Black Bottom Stomp"
It would be the kind of song his band/orchestra would play. He would play music like this to get people to dance and to show that he's 'hip with the times', so to speak. This is the 1920's equivalent of pop you might hear at a nightclub today.
The mood is very jovial and upbeat. It uses a fast-tempo and cheerful sounding instruments like trumpets to help give off a happy vibe. It's in a major key, which adds to the joyous feel.
This is definitely a dancing song. People would grab a partner and start partying.
The mood is very jovial and upbeat. It uses a fast-tempo and cheerful sounding instruments like trumpets to help give off a happy vibe. It's in a major key, which adds to the joyous feel.
This is definitely a dancing song. People would grab a partner and start partying.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Great Gatsby Reading Blog #1
Hero - Nick Carraway
Antihero - Jay Gatsby
Villain - Tom Buchanan
Nick is the hero of the story because his values reflect those that society finds acceptable. Shown by the quote on page 1, he describes himself as being "inclined to reserve all judgments". Being nonjudgmental is seen as a positive quality in society. He is also shown to be a generally nice guy, such as when he is talking with Daisy on page 16. ""Oh, yes." She looked at me absently. "Listen, Nick; let me tell you what I said when she was born. Would you like to hear?" "Very much."" This shows that despite his overall discomfort with the situation (since his cousin is obviously distressed), he still manages to display interest in what she has to say, showing he has a good heart. By having these characteristics of kindness and a lack of judgment against people, Nick is painted as being a man that society would approve of.
Jay Gatsby would be the antihero. While he also has qualities society approves of like Nick does (he is also polite and kind), he is also somewhat morally reprehensible in that he throws raucous, overindulgent parties practically every week. The description from page 39 to page 41 proves this. It goes into detail about all the lavish items and events going on at Gatsby's place, such as his aquaplanes, Rolls-Royce, numerous servants, and extravagant fruit purchases (solely for the purpose of juicing them with a fancy machine), just to name a few. While having lots of money is approved of by our society, the sheer amount of it that Gatsby spends and the indulgence he takes part it is seen as negative by society. This makes him an antihero, because his values (concerning extravagant parties and spending tons of money) conflict with what society finds acceptable.
Lastly, I think Tom Buchanan is the villain. This is obvious in the scene on page 37 where "[m]aking a short deft movement, [he] broke [Myrtle's] nose with his open hand". This outward display of violence and aggression is obviously a bad thing in our society. This isn't the only scene where Tom displays a cruel nature. When talking about the lower class Wilson on page 26, he states that "[h]e's so dumb he doesn't know he's alive." This shows that he has a disdain towards those without money. More evidence of his dislike towards lower class people is shown on page 25, where he threatens Wilson by saying "... if you feel that way about it, maybe I'd better sell it somewhere else after all." His cruel and violent tendencies make him the villain, because society disapproves of mean and aggressive people.
Antihero - Jay Gatsby
Villain - Tom Buchanan
Nick is the hero of the story because his values reflect those that society finds acceptable. Shown by the quote on page 1, he describes himself as being "inclined to reserve all judgments". Being nonjudgmental is seen as a positive quality in society. He is also shown to be a generally nice guy, such as when he is talking with Daisy on page 16. ""Oh, yes." She looked at me absently. "Listen, Nick; let me tell you what I said when she was born. Would you like to hear?" "Very much."" This shows that despite his overall discomfort with the situation (since his cousin is obviously distressed), he still manages to display interest in what she has to say, showing he has a good heart. By having these characteristics of kindness and a lack of judgment against people, Nick is painted as being a man that society would approve of.
Jay Gatsby would be the antihero. While he also has qualities society approves of like Nick does (he is also polite and kind), he is also somewhat morally reprehensible in that he throws raucous, overindulgent parties practically every week. The description from page 39 to page 41 proves this. It goes into detail about all the lavish items and events going on at Gatsby's place, such as his aquaplanes, Rolls-Royce, numerous servants, and extravagant fruit purchases (solely for the purpose of juicing them with a fancy machine), just to name a few. While having lots of money is approved of by our society, the sheer amount of it that Gatsby spends and the indulgence he takes part it is seen as negative by society. This makes him an antihero, because his values (concerning extravagant parties and spending tons of money) conflict with what society finds acceptable.
Lastly, I think Tom Buchanan is the villain. This is obvious in the scene on page 37 where "[m]aking a short deft movement, [he] broke [Myrtle's] nose with his open hand". This outward display of violence and aggression is obviously a bad thing in our society. This isn't the only scene where Tom displays a cruel nature. When talking about the lower class Wilson on page 26, he states that "[h]e's so dumb he doesn't know he's alive." This shows that he has a disdain towards those without money. More evidence of his dislike towards lower class people is shown on page 25, where he threatens Wilson by saying "... if you feel that way about it, maybe I'd better sell it somewhere else after all." His cruel and violent tendencies make him the villain, because society disapproves of mean and aggressive people.
Justin Bua
His style is very slick, his subjects look smooth and oily and as though they could move like water. Everything is stylized and exaggerated, such as the fingers on the piano player or the size of the bass as compared to the bass player. Everything's a bit cloudy and indistinct sometimes. He uses neutrals and dark colors for the most part.
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