An incontrovertible reduction of Gatsby's omnipotent fiefdom (why Gatsby is insecure) (Julian)

--This is a late post about Chapter 5. Since I have read to the end of the book, I am using some of my knowledge to analyze the content found earlier on--

Throughout the novel, Gatsby is portrayed as a real life actor. He uses his wealth and status as a means to engage Daisy. He is often quiet and reserved at his parties, rarely speaking with his guests, instead letting his money do the talking. It is important to note, then, how his self-created character and status seem to falter during his initial encounter with Daisy in chapter five. For example, he seems to completely forget the status of his grass on page 84, something which was of concern to him only a day beforehand. Furthermore, on page 84, Gatsby makes a remark on when the papers predicted the rain would stop. As others have pointed out, the weather is often in symbolic in nature. This is no exception. I will leave the exact meaning of the weather for another time, as it is not directly relevant to my point. That being said, Gatsby's remark is one of only a few in the novel showing a state of complete submittance (he has no control over the weather). In conclusion, Fitzgerald illustrates Gatsby's unsureness by temporarily removing his illusion of wealth and control.

The Green Light (Julian)

--This is a late post about Chapter 1 and 4. Since I have read to the end of the book, I am using some of my knowledge to analyze the content found earlier on--

In the end of chapter one, Nick sees the mysterious Gatsby for the first time, and witnesses him extending his arms towards a green light across the water. Like many symbols in this book, the meaning of the green light can be interpreted in a variety of ways. The most obvious of these is soon revealed when Nick discovers Gatsby's love for Daisy (the light is coming from her house). But as Gatsby is delicately revealed throughout the novel, we find him a man of many struggles. Although Daisy is a love of his life, he also had an irresistible urge to acquire wealth, and live the American dream. In this sense, Daisy can be seen as the living embodiment of Gatsby's multiple desires. Furthermore, the green light can be seen as the American Dream itself. The idealistic notion of America was that you could achieve anything if you tried hard enough. But the closed-off aristocratic class, as represented by Tom and Daisy, prevent this from realistically happening. So what does the green light ultimately represent? It represents Gatsby's love for Daisy. It represents Gatsby's desire for wealth. It represents his futile attempt to achieve the American dream. This is just another demonstration of how incredible of a writer Fitzgerald is, as he can give something as trivial as a light a complex and deep meaning.

The Valley of the Ashes (Julian)

--This is a late post about Chapter 2. Since I have read to the end of the book, I am using some of my knowledge to analyze the content found earlier on--

Introduced in Chapter 2, the Valley of the Ashes is the only setting of poverty in the novel. Unlike social commentaries such as "Hard Times" or "The Jungle," "The Great Gatsby" is not constrained to one social message. Instead, Fitzgerald shares his views on multiple topics. The Valley of the Ashes is a clear example of this: although the novel tends to discuss issues pertaining to the wealthy and benefited, Fitzgerald seems to take a momentary "break" to remind the reader of the side-effects of capitalism. Fitzgerald does not spend too much time in The Valley of the Ashes, however is message is still clear. It's geographic location (between the Eggs and New York City) symbolizes it's unfortunate necessity in order to produce luxurious lifestyles. Furthermore, it's proximity to an area bulging with wealth indicates Fitzgerald's feelings that the moral decay found in industrial working areas is just as present, although less obvious, in that of the homes of the elites. Although concise and simple, the Valley of the Ashes yet another great message in a social commentary filled with ideas and opinions.

The Very Last Sentence

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." What does Fitzgerald truly mean here? Is he simply stating the life goes on despite the tragedies which may befall us? Or is it something deeper? Why such an intricate choice of words? And what could that very last six word phrase mean?

"...borne back ceaselessly into the past." What does this insinuate? Does it say that Nick has made no progress in his life over the past many events? Or, perhaps, Nick has made progress, but now he's back where he started. He's lost Gatsby, Jordan has moved on, Daisy and Tom are distant, all the people associated with Gatsby didn't even see Nick at the funeral. Through everything that has happened to Nick, is all that he is left with in actuality a sad memory and a list full of what ifs?

In Closing... (Eliot)

I’d say that Fitzgerald ends neither on a positive nor negative note. He instead ends the book with a hopeful reflection to the future (yes, I know this doesn’t quite make sense). The over all effect is a more sullen conclusion however this does not make it a sad ending. Just before the book ends it states: “It eluded us the, but that’s no matter—to-morrow we will run faster, stretch our arms farther… And one fine morning----“ While the writing has always been in a style reflecting nicks thoughts it has always been reflecting his thoughts at that point in time or about the past. This is the first time he really takes a look at the future. The way he talks now shows a man looking towards a future that is attainable through progress. I argue that the final words show a hopeful/progressive ending to the book.

Gatsby's Death

Nobody actually realizes Gatsby is dead. Nick, being the person solely in charge of setting up Gatsby's funeral, on several occasions has conversations or thoughts involving Gatsby as though he were alive. (Pg 146) "I wanted to go into the room wehre he lay and reassure him:"I'll get somebody for you, Gatsby. Don't worry. Just trust me and I'll get somebody for you---"" This is not an interaction that is normal to be having with a dead person. When Nick goes to meet Wolfsheim, Wolfsheim says that he would normally stick by his friends till the very end but for some unexplained reason he cannot attend Gatsby's funeral. There is even one person who was away during the murder, and came over to Gatsby's thinking there would be a party as usual. (Pg. 179) "One night I did hear a material car there, and saw its lights stop at his front steps. But I didn't investigate. Probably it was some final guest who had been away at the ends of the earth and didn't know that the party was over." Every main character leaves after this, could Gatsby be metaphorically holding a party that is their lives in the Eggs? When he dies, does everyone simply go home after the party?

Past, Present and Future

In chapter nine, Fitzgerald writes with both positive and negative diction. When he refers to the past, he uses happier and more hopeful words, like "flowered", "enchanted", "fresh" "green", "dream" and "wonder." The past is told like an optimistic person would talk about the future, "the old island here that flowered once for the Dutch sailors' eyes-- a fresh, green breast of the new world." There is also the recurring reference to money whenever something is described as "green." "the green light at the end of Daisy's dock." The past is portrayed as positive and hopeful like, "Gatsby's wonder."
In contrast, the way the present and future is depicted is negative, dreary and bitter. There are negative words such as, "brooding", "beat", "failure", "incoherent", and "obscene." When he writes about the present, it seems boring and uneventful, "I went over and looked at that huge incoherent failure of a house once more." He also writes the future as if there is no foreseeable future to look forward to, "to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... and one fine morning--- So we beat on, boats against current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." This is written as though we are all just moving into the future chasing the past. How is the reader supossed to feel at the end of this chapter and book? How do you understand Nick's attitude toward the past and the future?