The Great Gatsby: Symbolism in Chapters 1-4

The Valley of Ashes displays several important concepts and symbols. The ash that is scattered across the ground is generated from New York. It symbolizes the deterioration of the morality of the society and the poor and unfortunate. Another symbol that i thought was significant in this area was the billboard of the eye doctor. The doctor looks down on Tom and Nick at all times as they are in the Valley. I think that the doctor might symbolize god looking down on the people of the 1920's. The doctor watches the morality of the ever growing city diminish. The white fence that they pass by on the way to the gas station symbolizes the edge of the purity of West Egg. As they pass by it they enter the Valley of Ashes.

The Great Gatsby: Characters in Chapter 1

I like this book and i enjoy Fitzgerald's writing style. I almost feel as if i am Nick when we read the book. I am enjoying the Great Gatsby much more than any of the other books we have read this year so far. I like the fact that this books is written in the first person. This gives me a sense of mystery because i only know what Nick knows. I can relate to Nick because i'm not wealthy like Tom is and i would be in the same situation he's in while at the party. The color that i saw most in this first chapter was white. It seems to represent purity and wealth. Another color is used once at the end of the chapter, green. I don't know what it means right now but i feel as though it will be important later in the book. At the end of the chapter Gatsby is staring at a green light across the water. Nick is watching him and almost calls out to him to meet him however he does not because Gatsby seems to be very content with watching the light alone.

In this chapter we meet four major characters in the book, Nick, Daisy, Tom and Jordan. Jordan seems to be a nice girl. Tom and Daisy both speak nicely of her. She seems to be some what like Nick in the sense that they both came from out of town. Nick asks “Is she from New York?” and Daisy responds “From Louisville. Our white girlhood was passed together there. Daisy Toms wife seems to be nice and charming but i have the impression that Nick does not like her that much. Nick thinks to himself, "I’ve heard it said that Daisy’s murmur was only to make people lean toward her; an irrelevant criticism that made it no less charming." So far i don't like Tom's character. He has shown to be immoral and even racist. Tom talks about the books he reads. He says they are acurate because their scientific and stuff, “Well, these books are all scientific,” insisted Tom, glancing at her impatiently. “This fellow has worked out the whole thing. It’s up to us, who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things.” I'm unsure if Nick has the same views as Tom. He may only be friends with him because they have known each other for a long time. I like Nick's character and i like how as he meets the other characters i am as well. "I decided to call to him. Miss Baker had mentioned him at dinner, and that would do for an introduction. But I didn’t call to him, for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone." I think Nick is excited to be in the city but he is unsure of what it will be like.

Anticipating The Great Gatsby

I'm looking forward to reading this book. it seems more interesting to me than the other books we've read so far this year. i believe i will like this book because it takes place in the 20th century and will be more relevant to my life. This book is a mystery and it seems as though there is more action in this book than other books we've read as well. The 1920's were the beginning of a new age of entertainment and excitement that i'm interested in learning more about.

After doing some research I've leaned some interesting things about the "Roaring Twenties." Prohibition was favored by many Americans however it was a outrage to others. i have a feeling that one of the themes of The Great Gatsby is going to be the morality of drinking and the distribution of alcohol illegally. i leaned that the author of the book, F. Scott Fitzgerald coined the name of "The Jazz Age" and that his greatest classic is the Great Gatsby.i also leaned that this period of time took place after WW1 and before the great depression. this is interesting to me because we are at war and we just went through a recession. these are topics that i will definitely cover in my questions.