Share a memorable part of the novel with your classmates.
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Admirable Hooks
A not-so-great hook. Visit https://thisibelieve.org/youth/ and look at the various hooks (e.g., first sentences or paragraphs) of the...
A not-so-great hook. Visit https://thisibelieve.org/youth/ and look at the various hooks (e.g., first sentences or paragraphs) of the...
I was pretty naive to what the great gatbsy was about before reading it. I had figured it was about the 1920s just from some references in the past but had no idea what the actual story was about. At some points in the novel, I was hoping that Gatsby and Daisy would get together, but I realize that really wouldn't have given the same powerful ending. I really enjoyed reading this!
ReplyDeleteI think the moment that stood out most to me is when Fitzgerald reveals that despite the huge parties and perspective of the outside community, Gatsby is actually quite lonely. He devoted his life to building up his wealth and surrounding himself with popular figures in order to impress Daisy, but in the end he had very few meaningful relationships and unfortunately didn’t even win Daisy back. The only people that were there for him when he needed them most was his father and Nick, not his party guests, not Daisy and not Wolfsheim or Klipspringer. It just shows the reader that it’s better to have a few people who will be by your side through anything, than hundreds of acquaintances that don’t truly know or care for you. Looks can be deceiving, you need to know the whole situation to know the person.
ReplyDeleteI felt the exact same way. I found the way that Fitzgerald structured the novel to be really powerful. First presenting Gatsby as this mysterious figure who is famous for his parties and extravagant mansion, then later on revealing the truth about Gatsby's life and his broken relationships with those around him. Fitzgerald's use of appearance vs. reality is very effective and well thought out.
DeleteI liked that too
DeleteThe most memorable part of the novel was definitely the ending. It was upsetting to see the lack of attention and concern over Gatsby’s death from those who he considered to be friends. Like what the others mentioned earlier, Gatsby was masked as an extravagant and charming man, but was actually very lonely.
ReplyDeleteI also picked this as the most memorable moment in the book. The rumors and reality of Gatsby’s life are so different. Everyone saw him as being a mysterious, charismatic gentleman and everyone wanted to know him and go to his parties. But then in his death he had only 8 people at his funeral because no one he knew wanted to or cared enough to say goodbye to him.
DeleteMy favorite part of the story is Gatsby and Daisy’s reunion in chapter 5 because Gatsby is truly happy as his “dream” ignites. I love how at first Gatsby is nervous, awkward and knocks over the clock, but he eventually warms up to Daisy like old times. The scene of Daisy crying over Gatsby’s shirts especially stood out through the author’s descriptive language and imagery. I noticed the end of the chapter foreshadows his unfortunate fate and connects to the siren poem as,“… that voice was a deathless song”(103). Overall, I feel bad for Gatsby and wish the story had an alternate ending that has Daisy and Gatsby run away together after the Myrtle incident.
ReplyDeleteI too wish that the story had an alternate ending. I really thought and hoped that Gatsby and Daisy would end up together, and that Gatsby would finally live out the one thing he had dreamed and waited for. However, I appreciated the fact that even though Gatsby had money, a mansion, and the typical success that is associated with the American Dream, he wasn't fully satisfied and happy. I loved how Gatsby's life really showed that success and happiness isn't just about money, and the importance of having true relationships and friendships.
DeleteMy favorite part was also when Gatsby and Daisy met for the first time after five years. I really hoped for a happy ending but guess tragedy makes a novel classic. I felt really sad for him. He seemed to have no flaw whatsoever in the novel and I feel like he deserved so much better. Daisy’s matearialislistic choice made me dislike her as a character but I don’t hate her since because of her Gatsby became the new money. Overall the one thing that stood out to me is how he was so optimistic about achieving his dream and love.
DeleteMy favorite part was when Nick finally had a really good time in his life when he at that little get together with Tom Buchanan and a couple of the other friends Tom had. It was my favorite because I felt like Nick never really lightened up and was always “following the rules”. It was nice to read about him having a good time.
ReplyDeleteThe most memorable part of The Great Gatsby for me, was in chapter nine when Nick began to discover a new meaning to the American Dream. Before Gatsby's death, the American dream meant the belief that anyone could achieve success in society. Throughout the novel Gatsby desires to win over Daisy, who represents traditional wealth. But in the end, after Gatsby's death, Daisy escapes with the comfort of her wealth and leaves Gatsby in her past. Ultimately demonstrating, the American dream is no seems to stress the importance of money over all else.
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ReplyDeleteI liked seeing gatsbys extraordinary gift for hope. Nick tells us and draws us in, then we see how gatsby used his dreams and built himself. I thought it was very interesting that nobody comes to gatsbys funeral. Seemingly the most popular guy and nobody cared, I guess that’s part of the downfall of being so mysterious, nobody cares enough to come. Everybody is too trapped in their own their own worlds and own dream to care about someone else’s. I liked the scene where nick describes himself going home during Christmas vacation, he says that everyone is aware of their identity within the country for 1 strange hour. I’m not sure I know why it happens but I definitely felt this before. I believe that in that moment, we are not in our own worlds anymore. Part of the American Dream is that everyone has it, it’s not exclusive and everyone is chasing fame and wealth and glory. In the moment on the train people forget their own American Dream briefly and so they have empathy, i believe in that moment everyone would go to gatsbys funeral. I will remember the thought that we are always chasing our past, fighting against the current. I will remember the tragedy. I didn’t think that it was the same story as On The Waterfront but just as good in a different way. I liked it.
ReplyDeleteDam I was just chasing my past in that post, I was comparing the novel to an old movie I saw because I was looking for that movie within the novel. That’s crazy
DeleteThe part of the novel that really stood out to me was Gatspy’s funeral. I think it is interesting to contrast the first time we see Gatspy with the last. The first time we saw Gatspy, there were many people gathered at his house for a party. Despite this, it was surprising at first to find out that Gatspy was very lonely at the party and no one knew him. The last time we see Gatspy, at his funeral, it is a very different situation. Unlike the introduction, only a few people show up to his funeral. The people Gatspy thought were his friends, such as Daisy, didn’t show up.
ReplyDeleteThe part that I enjoyed the most was the first time nick went to one of Gatsby's parties. enjoyed the mystery of Gatsby, as well as all of the lavish details that surrounded his life.
ReplyDeleteI think the best part of the novel is Nick's internal thoughts about how people believe roses to be beautiful not because they are particularly the best looking flower, but because human thought has infused the idea of rose with the meaning of beauty. I think this is the best way to describe how many people in the novel and in real life assume meanings in things for their own convenience. Gatsby never knew the real Daisy, a woman who is vain and not particularly loyal, and instead infused her with an ideal that was out of tune with reality for his own selfish sake of keeping his dream alive. It is most likely a cautionary message against the idea many have about the United States being "special". Whether it be the belief of Manifest Destiny or Wilson's 14 points, many in America have always invested special meanings in the country when there is very little about America that makes it inherently special or great.
ReplyDelete- Seiyoung Jang
I feel like Gatsby's death was very memorable, particularly because it was told like it was not something big. After somewhat realizing that he had no chance with Daisy, he decides to go relax in his pool, something he has never done before (used his pool), I feel like it was someking of symbol that he was maybe finally letting go, and just then, he gets killed. - Zoe Rigoulot
ReplyDeleteI found one of the most memorable parts of the novel to be the scene where Daisy's daughter appears for her to show off to her friends. It was the only time the daughter showed up (besides the very first chapter), and was a striking reminder of how Daisy really treats people. She was basically paying someone to raise her daughter for her, spending almost no time with her own child. It was memorable to me as a moment when I realized that she would never act selflessly for the sake of someone else.
ReplyDeleteI thought that one of the more interesting parts of the novel was Nick's refusal to discard the idea of the American Dream. In the very beginning of the novel, Nick describes how "Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction...[he had] an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person..."(6). Despite seeing Gatsby's failure to build a meaningful life, Nick holds him in high regard. He thoroughly believes in the American Dream even though he's seen firsthand the damage it can cause.
ReplyDeleteI thought one the most memorable scenes in the novel was Gatsby and Daisy’s encounter at tea. Gatsby is so incredibly love-struck that he lets his guard down, forgetting to play the role of an educated socialite, revealing to the readers, a glimpse of what hides behind his extravagant lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteA memorable part of the novel for me was Gatsby’s funeral. It stood out to me because Gatsby was seen as the great mysterious man whom everyone was fascinated with during the entire novel. But when it came to actually remembering him and his legacy, nobody came to remember him. I think that is because nobody actually really knew him aside form Nick and Daisy.
ReplyDeleteSomething that stood out to me throughout the novel was the relationship between Nick and Gatsby. It seemed to be one of the only authentic relationships that Gatsby had (as exemplified by his funeral). Nick didn't believe all the rumors he had heard about Gatsby and instead chose to get to know Gatsby himself. He expressed dissatisfaction and disappointment in Gatsby multiple times in the novel, yet these feelings seemed only surface deep. Despite their differing opinions and ideas surrounding life, their bond is never broken.
ReplyDeleteI remember when Gatsby was trying to get Nick to invite Daisy to his house so he could meet her. Gatsby was still quite mysterious and I had a lot of questions about him. He had to ask Nick this favor through Jordan and it was things like that that made the reader and even Nick question his intentions.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that stood out to me the most was the ending of the novel, with Nick imagining New York as a colony that was being colonized, with new hope and discovery. I think this is an important reflection for him after all that has occured in the novel.
ReplyDeleteA part of the novel that stood out to me was Gatsby's funeral, or more specifically Daisy not being present at his funeral. Gatsby would have done anything for her, everything he did was for her. Despite this, Daisy didn't even come to his funeral to say goodbye one last time.
ReplyDeleteThe most memorable part for me was Myrtle's death because it set off a chain of events that eventually led to Gatsby’s and Mr. Wilson’s deaths. Myrtle sees the yellow car who she believes is Tom’s and runs in front of it thinking the car would stop for her. Daisy who is driving the car kills Myrtle which sends Mr. Wilson into fits of grief. He believes that Gatsby killed Myrtle after Tom tells him it was Gatsby driving the car. Mr. Wilson then goes to Gatsby’s house and ends up killing Gatsby. I think it’s ironic because the person that Gatsby loved played a big role in his death.
ReplyDeleteA memorable scene in the novel was the day before Daisy’s wedding. It stood out to me because Daisy is usually so composed and here she kind of unhinged. You can even see it in how the way she speaks, which is usually an “exhilarating ripple”, here is a slurred mutter. But in thirty minutes, she’s composed and following through with the wedding.
ReplyDeleteI think learning about Gatby's childhood and his relationship over the years with Daisy was one of my favorite parts of the story, because it was something so different to learn about and go down their timeline.
ReplyDeleteGatsby's meeting with Daisy was a very memorable scene because it was the first time Gatsby had seemed vulnerable and lacked confidence. Gatsby had built himself up to this point in order to get back with Daisy and once he met her at Nick's he didn't know how to proceed.
ReplyDelete-Evan Bak
DeleteI think Gatsby’s meeting with Daisy was a really memorable part but the whole book but I really wanted to know more about what Daisy was thinking and how she felt about her reunion with Gatsby.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scene was the scene where we learned all about Gatsby's past. I think it was super interesting and added lots of depth to his character when we saw how his story unraveled.
ReplyDeleteThe part where Daisy hits and kills Myrtle with Gatsby's car is the most memorable for me because I think that is the climax of the story.
ReplyDeleteThe part in Chapter 3 where Nick realizes he's talking to Gatsby is the most memorable scene for me. Including the description of how awestruck Nick is with Gatsby right at the beginning added so much intrigue to their relationship because it leaves you with the lingering feeling of infatuation that Nick is dealing with despite how much he outwardly detests how Gatsby conducts himself. It's the thread tying the whole book together. It explains why Nick willingly gets wrapped up with this group of people even though he hates them, it explains why he keeps going to visit Gatsby even though he doesn't approve of him, it explains why he lets himself get so fixated on Gatsby's life even though it's so rife with crime and lies. Nick is in love with Gatsby despite his best interests and I will take no criticism on this opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe stark contrast between the number of people at Gatsby's first party and his funeral stood out to me. It left the message of how a few lies can quickly influence reality and showing the blurred line between fiction and reality.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the end of Chapter 7 where Gatsby was standing alone in the moonlight was the most memorable for me. It felt like his dreams which were slowly crumbling had finally come crashing down which left Gatsby defeated and apathetic.
ReplyDeleteThe most memorable scene of the entire book was the funeral. I thought it was memorable because it allows us to understand that Gastby really did not have many friends and that the people who were close to him either knew him from the underground or from attending his luxurious parties. The scene also shows that Daisy and Tom don't feel any remorse as Tom says that Gastby even deserved to die. Daisy and Tom are privileged people who care little about the people around them.
ReplyDelete-Raphael Thesmar
For me, the most memorable part of the novel was the grandeur of Gatsby's parties and the detailed way they were described. Through these parties, the reader was able to gain many insights on the American Dream and its ever-present nature.
ReplyDeleteThe most memorable part of the novel was Gatsby lamenting about his lost hope after realizing that he cannot get back Daisy, since it is the lowest point of Gatsby's life and is shows the strongest that even if a person is rich they can live a miserable life because they had a dream that was frankly quite extreme and unhealthy (and they failed to achieve it).
ReplyDeleteI feel like the way different people described Gatsby really hit me. To some, like his father, he's a character that's always imporving and who is a good kid, to someone like Tom, he's an impostor that became rich unfairly, to Jordan, he's just a man named Gatsby, others just went to his party and speculated about who he was. Even Nick didn't have a full picture of Gatsby. Gatsby was very lonely. i think it kinda speaks to the way people who do become stand out and are seen as greater, do isolate themselves. Kinda interesting the way Gatsby's prosperity is what made him so sad.
ReplyDeleteI think Gatsby himself is the most memorable thing in this novel. He starts of as this mysterious figure and you only hear about who he is through other characters. However, as the novel goes on, we start to see that to an extent he's everything he's cracked up to be and at the same time he's none of it.
ReplyDeleteThis scene is probably not that important but I think it's memorable nonetheless. It comes in chapter 6 when Fitzgerald writes "'They’re such beautiful shirts’, she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. ‘It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such – such beautiful shirts before'"(99). Gatsby and Daisy are reunited and Gatsby gives her a tour of his mansion and shows her all of his nice things, like his shirts, which she cries over. Is she really crying over the shirts because of their aesthetic beauty? Obviously not. She's probably crying because she realizes she could have been rich AND happy if she had married Gatsby. Maybe she even feels guilty for caring about money and status so much.
ReplyDelete- Jona Lehmann
DeleteGatsby’s acquaintance’s responses to his death were especially shocking for me. While I knew that the “new money” lived superficial lives and were rather materialistic, I was still very much taken aback at their level of shallowness—even when someone close to them passed away, they didn’t feel a desire to attend their funeral. This example helped me get a better understanding of how the relationships within the “new money” were more for show and business, rather than forming real connections with others on a personal/emotional level.
ReplyDelete(On a side note, I am reposting this comment because I can’t seem to find the comment I posted earlier, so there might be duplicates—sorry for that!)
The most memorable aspect of The Great Gatsby, what struck me the most when reading it the first time, and again now, is the overshadowing lack of compassion Fitzgerald writes his novel with. All of his characters are riddled with cynicism and a disdain for human life and decency. Descriptions of people or places are melancholy or half-hearted, as if the viewing lens had given up long ago and was simply resigned to its job of showing the novel's contents to the reader. Everyone in this novel is so inherently awful and unlikable, even moments of romance are devoid of passion, as though generated by a machine. None of this is to say that the novel is bad. On the contrary, I think Fitzgerald's choices give the novel the flatness and sinister, creeping tone that it so desperately needs to succeed in its message. I love this novel, and Fitzgerald's writing is timeless.
ReplyDeleteA memorable part from the novel for me was the fact that Nick moves back to Minnesota in the end. This novel is very similar to my own experiences moving from Minnesota to the East coast and I've found it very relatable. I think the commentary on honesty and Nick's strict preservation and protection of his own honesty was a very powerful message. He was the only character that managed to redeem himself and evolve. He ultimately is able to reject a lifestyle that is idolized by everyone around him and stays true to himself.
ReplyDeleteI felt almost as though the book wasn't completed. In my 321 Journal i asked if there was a sequel because it almost felt like the story never got its wrap up, but I think that also makes for a good ending as its realistic and shows just the truth of the situation
ReplyDeleteA memorable scene for me that really shed perspective on everything else in the novel was when George killed Gatsby. I think that event is what really tied together the characters and romances in the novel: Gatsby was killed because of Tom's arrogance (keeping a mistress and blaming Gatsby when she was killed) and Daisy's jealousy of Tom. I think that's what tipped me off the most to most of the characters being unlikable to Nick: Gatsby because of his obsession with the past and desperate attempts to get with Daisy, and Tom with his arrogance and jealousy.
ReplyDelete-Oliver