In Chapter Nine of 'The Great Gatsby', Gatsby is shot and killed by Wilson; who believes that Gatsby was Myrtle's lover under the quite idiotic notion that her lover was the one that ran her over. Wilson then tracks the car to Gatsby's home, and shoots Gatsby; who was thinking of Daisy, unable to simply leave her behind. Gatsby is killed, and then Wilson commits suicide after firing upon Gatsby.
Within this chapter, the notions of why Gatsby fell in love with Daisy in the first place are elaborated on. Gatsby directly states that he was attracted to her youthfulness and vitality, however goes on to list that he admired her social standing and wealth as well. This proves that Gatsby never loved Daisy herself at all, but he loved her wealth and social status; as marrying someone of her caliber would help Gatsby continue building his perceived personal image that he has been carrying with him for a lifetime. This led to, as Gatsby himself mentioned, lying to Daisy about his past, along with his wealth. Gatsby then pursued amassing large amounts of personal wealth through any means necessary in order to fulfill this lie to Daisy in order to convince her to fall for him; of course, forming part of the image he had created for himself prior through gaining personal wealth and forming relationships with people of high social standing. Furthermore, the aspect of loving something and giving it value is also touched upon in Nick, who was attempting to reflect on what may have been Gatsby's final thoughts. Nick comes to the conclusion that Gatsby must have realized 'what a grotesque thing a rose is.' Nick comes to the conclusion that nothing has any true value, until a person assigns value to that object. Daisy, for example, being simply a rich, amoral, and disloyal woman without the value that Gatsby gave her. Like Daisy, a rose also has no true value; being simply a flower without the masses associating the rose with strong emotional attachments and love. In Chapter Seven of 'The Great Gatsby', detrimental events occur within the Chapter. In this Chapter, Tom confronts Gatsby about his relationship with Daisy. Which is ironic and hypocritical of Tom to be angry and acting like the victim in an infidelity issue when he himself is an adulterer; bringing light onto Tom's selfish nature. Tom brings up Gatsby's past, as well as his own past with Daisy. Daisy ended up siding with Tom in the end, revealing that she never truly loved Gatsby; as Gatsby never truly loved her; their love being more so of a 'spring fling'. Gatsby loving Daisy to fulfill his own personal goals for establishing his identity, and Daisy being attracted to the extravagance of Gatsby's lifestyle . This results in Gatsby's dream for the future being shattered and ruined, preventing Gatsby from forming himself into the person he imagined himself to be for his entire life. Afterward, Tom orders Gatsby to take Daisy back to East Egg. Daisy, who was driving, ends up running over and killing Tom's mistress, Myrtle, by accident. Gatsby flees and hides in the bushes nearby the scene of the incident, while Tom and Daisy leave. Nick eventually speaks with Gatsby about what happened and told Nick that Gatsby would take the blame for the death of Myrtle. Gatsby decides to take the blame for Daisy's actions as a final profession of 'love' for Daisy, despite Daisy deciding to remain with Tom. This is also an opportunity for Gatsby to do so because, after his and Tom's argument; has a clear and present motive for doing so: revenge. Gatsby could fake taking revenge on Tom for taking Daisy away, by taking Tom's mistress away as well.
In Chapter VI, we are given Gatsby's full history. He indeed was raised as a farm boy, and he eventually became ambitious and ventured off until he was introduced to Dan Cody, a millionaire; who met Gatsby while he was searching for something to do with his life. Dan Cody caught notice of Gatsby's ambition and decided to take him under his wing. Eventually, when Cody died he left Gatsby quite the sum of money in inheritance; although the majority went to his wife. However, we are made unaware of Gatsby's current business and how he managed to build up his wealth. Although Gatsby did make mention of being in the drug store and oil businesses, but nothing solidified. It is also revealed that it was through Dan that he was able to be educated at Oxford University, being one of the things Dan was able to do for Gatsby. Dan's death as well as his inner turmoil pertaining to his past being why negative emotions arise when reminiscing about his time there.
Interestingly enough, this chapter made mention to Gatsby's self-absorption. When Gatsby, or James Gatz as he was known before he changed his name, never accepted his parents as his true parents. Gatz imagined bigger things than working on a farm, and in his ambition and 'imagination' went off to try and be bigger. However Gatz was so prideful, he went through many small time jobs because he believed that he could be bigger, better, and completely separate him from himself and his family background. Of course, it was soon after that he met Dan Cody, who took him in and offered him a job. It was then he took a name that I believe Gatz thought was much flashier and much more fitting for who he imagined himself to be: Jay Gatsby, which Nick comments that he possibly had been saving this name change for a long time. This could also be why he chose to take Daisy as his bride initially, as he wanted to have a woman of status to go along with his self-created identity of being a sophisticated, upper class man; and having Daisy marry Tom putting a large hole in his life, his self image being completely blown apart, his loneliness being a product of his inner conflict between his past and who he wants to be. This could also be why he is so happy to be reunited with Daisy and why he is quick to kiss her at the end of the chapter. By kissing Daisy and being involved in an affair, he casts aside his farm roots by defying a very strict rule in the Christianity, which is commonly practiced in rural areas, by being involved in this affair; Gatsby becomes like the wealthy swingers of the time and gets closer to establishing his image of himself in his mind into reality. In Chapter V, Gatsby's plan to finally reunite with Daisy is put into effect. And within the Chapter, Daisy and Gatsby's feelings for each other are fleshed out. When Gatsby pretends to come over suddenly, and he and Daisy talk; they are initially embarrassed and flustered. Much like a couple on their first date. Later, as the day progresses the encounter evolves into much like a date; with Nick eventually becoming the 'third wheel', as the couple are fully engrossed with each other, eventually ignoring Nick's presence altogether, leading to his departure at the end of the chapter.
In this chapter there is more evidence of Gatsby being a fraud, not being sophisticated at all. He refuses to reveal what business he practices. And it is revealed that he says old sport 'hollowly' as if there is no real meaning to this phrase, and it is as if he says it out of reluctance In this chapter, Nick and Gatsby are seen eating lunch together, as well as looking further into Gatsby's past. We further look into how Gatsby is a fraud; not a man of class. It is revealed that he only bought his home in order to live near Daisy, whom he remembered seeing while he was an officer and before he went to fight in The Great War; and supposedly loves her. However it is obvious that he does not want t be with her for love, but for the sake of being with her. When Gatsby is talking to Carraway in his car about his origin, in order to counter the many rumors spread about him, he reveals that he in fact indeed attended Oxford for a higher education. However, he said it in a way that possibly reveals some contempt and regret pertaining to his time at Oxford, perhaps due to the fact that he felt that he did not belong among the upper class and highly educated; and in turn the fact that he has lived in his facade of being a refined, sophisticated man.
We are also given some light into Daisy's past, thanks to Miss Baker. She reveals Daisy's multiple relationships, and the fact that she was once with Gatsby, even going to see him off before his deployment. Daisy then married Tom soon after, perhaps for the same reason Gatsby himself wants to be together with Daisy. Miss Baker also recalls Daisy's drunken sadness during her bachelorette party, crying saying that shes 'changed her mind' on the subject of marrying Tom. However, once she woke up she wed Tom and never went into a ramble again. This sheds some light on Daisy's true feelings about Tom; and possible feelings for Gatsby. This chapter also sheds some light on Carraway's continued sexual ambiguity. In this chapter, at Gatsby's request, talks with Baker in order to receive instructions in order to help Gatsby meet Daisy in person. And in doing so, Carraway does something very unexpected at the end: he engages in romantic behavior with Jordan Baker. This action has to say that Carraway is not completely homosexual; possibly ambiguous or bisexual. However, Carraway does state that he has 'no girl that whose disembodied face floated among the dark cornices and blinding signs'. So possibly, he is referring that he has no girl that he thinks about or loves in any way. Or possibly, it could mean that he has no woman being kept in the shadows, or keeps his affections secret. Hopefully, more will be revealed in Chapter V. In Chapter III of 'The Great Gatsby', we are brought directly to Gatsby's home. Gatsby hosted another one of his extravagant parties, inviting some and others simply coming. We are introduced to even more characters, including Jordan Baker. Jordan Baker acts as somewhat of a love interest for Nick Carraway, however he dismisses these feelings later on in the chapter under the pretense that it was simply 'tender curiosity'. Why would he be simply curious about being in love with a girl? Could it be possible that our speculations of Carraway being homosexual from our Chapter I discussion true? Especially since he never actively pursued women beforehand, and just all of a sudden in Chapter III he has a 'tender curiosity' instead of actual love. It also seems that other wealthy men have 'tender curiosities' as well, with other women, while they're married. It brings some light to the 'swinger' lifestyle that would eventually develop later in American society; openly having multiple lovers, much to the disdain of the housewives of course.
In Chapter III we are also introduced to Gatsby himself, whom Carraway hardly recognized; giving light to how little people actually know him. From what Chapter III tells us, Gatsby is extremely lonely. From his constant seclusion and ambiguity of his character, we finally have emphasis on his loneliness, as he tends to stay away from the crowds of the party and watch, relishing the fact that he has guests. Chapter III also sheds light on Gatsby's background. Carraway comments that Gatsby 'was picking his words with care', and that his initial character 'vanished - and I was looking at an elegant roughneck.' So we can only assume that Gatsby is originally from the country, and not used to the city life; both in dress and mannerisms he is unaccustomed, and he is carefully choosing what to say and how to say it, and what actions follow in an attempt to fit in. Perhaps this is a result of his loneliness, which could possibly be a result of him missing the country. In Chapter II of 'The Great Gatsby', we are introduced to new characters as well as receive new insight on characters already introduced; most prominently, Tom. In Chapter II, we are introduced to Tom's mistress in New York, who was mentioned in the previous chapter. It is revealed that Tom's mistress is also married, and that she regrets her choice of spouse. Mrs. Wilson, Tom's mistress, and her friends who are also introduced, are aware that Tom is also unhappy with his marriage; hence the affair. However, Mrs. Wilson and her associates also believe that Tom cannot escape his unhappy marriage due to his spouse, Daisy, being a Catholic, and such is a Catholic rule that you cannot be divorced. However, Nick Carraway is aware that Daisy is not a Catholic; revealing to us that Tom is lying. It is revealed at that moment, that Tom does not truly love Mrs. Wilson, and that she is simply Tom's 'girl on the side'; despite the characters being unaware of this. Gatsby is also mentioned again in Chapter II, but only through rumors about him; the one mentioned being that he is a relative to Kaiser Wilhelm.
In this Chapter, we are given insight into Tom's character, in that he us not only athletic and wealthy, but also manipulative. Gatsby's character is also touched upon, through rumors stated about him, we can tell that he is extremely wealthy; however he has to be new to the upper class, due to his lack of sociability with other wealthy figures around him, leading to rumors being spread due to no one knowing where Gatsby obtained his wealth. Within Chapter I of 'The Great Gatsby', we are introduced to Nick Carraway, his family, his wealthy associates, as well as the mysterious Gatsby. Within the first chapter, there are multiple pieces of evidence that Nick Carraway is a representation of the author's disdain of the wealthy.
Firstly, Carraway has a hatred for his family; supported by the fact that he describes his family's actions with slight scorn. He describes his father's actions as 'snobbishly', ie 'my father snobbishly suggested.' Carraway goes further to describe how his family claims to be descendants of royalty: The Dukes of Buccleuch, when in reality his family has more humble origins; they are descendants of a man who refused to fight in the Civil War and started a hardware store. Secondly, Carraway describes his neighbor, Gatsby, at the beginning of Chapter I. He sums up Gatsby in his point of view as 'represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn.' Carraway then goes on to describe Gatsby as gorgeous, sophisticated, and 'sensitive to the promises of life.' Generally, these qualities are associated with people of the upper class, and since Gatsby is a representation of everything Carraway dislikes, it further supports the possibility that Carraway could be the representation of the author's disdain for the wealthy. Lastly, Carraway tends to favor the more peaceful, simple things in life; instead of the expensive, sophisticated items. He lives on the West Egg, which is more run down and humble in comparison to the East Egg, where Nick's more prominent associates lives. In the East Egg, the environment is more developed, highly populated, and very nice looking. Nick described the East Egg's architecture as 'fashionable, white palaces'. Generally, the more prominent, wealthy people tend to live in large homes in highly populated areas. Whilst Carraway prefers more humble surroundings and his wanting to live in the country instead of the city. This clear contrast in wants between Nick and his associates further supports the possibility of Carraway being a representation of the author's disdain for wealth, and the wealthy. In 'How Soccer is Ruining America: A Jeremiad' by Stephen H. Webb, is an essay that was written in order to mock the demographic in America that believes soccer is ruining the country. The overall tone of the essay bleeds sarcasm. It is written as if he is taking the same stance as these 'naysayers' of soccer, and often makes fun of himself throughout the Jeremiad. This is apparent in his synthesis paragraph as he states that "Last year all three of my kids were on three different soccer teams at the same time." (Webb ). Then goes on to further state that "Nonetheless, I must say that my kids and I come home from a soccer game a very happy family." (Webb ) These two sentences contradict is entire essay, making the irony apparent throughout the entire essay. With this in mind, the rest of the pieces fall into place. In Webb's third point he states that "Sporting should be about breaking kids down before building them up", and states that soccer is part of our "therapeutic society" despite that fact that soccer in of itself takes extreme training and practice in order to master. One has to learn how to not use one's hands in order to play, which is a hard habit to break when humans are known for their use of hands. This, effectively, breaks a kid down before building them up in being skillful with the rest of their body.
Further going into word choice to express his mocking tone he inserts certain phrases that one would hear being spoken by the demographic he is mocking. Phrases such as "Conservative suburban families, the backbone of America." have an effect of humor when you think of the demographic in question. Webb goes further to open up his essay with play on words "Soccer is running America into the ground." (Webb) What is humorous is that soccer is primarily a game about running and kicking, and that soccer is somehow "running America into the ground." |
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