Chapter one of The Great Gatsby tells us so much and so little. Nick Carraway introduces himself and then gives us a little background. Reread and analyze the first ten paragraphs of the chapter and then, using quotes to support your ideas, comment on how Nick (or Fitzgerald) has set us up to meet Daisy, Tom and Jordan (Miss Baker).
Jen M
2/5/2014 04:36:23 am
The way in which Nick goes about introducing each character to the readers somewhat resembles personality traits of those characters that are later on revealed. We first come across Tom, for instance, "standing with his legs apart on the front porch" of his mansion (6). The image is rather abrupt, and very imposing. Tom is shortly after revealed to be a very firm character, a strong-willed retired football player who expresses his opinions rather assertively. Daisy and Jordan are represented in a much milder and more dainty fashion. They have a sort of airy presence when we first see them sitting in their white dresses and being blown around by the breeze. The scene reflects their dual femininity. And yet, their differences are also displayed, in how Jordan sits just a bit straighter than Daisy "at her end of the divan, completely motionless with her chin raised a little" (8). This almost suggests a sort of haught personality in Jordan, one that ties into the later revelation that she is, actually, quite the gossip. Small details such as these act as precursors to who the characters are.
Rachel VW
2/6/2014 11:28:04 am
I really like your comment about the girls having the sort of airy presence to them when Nick first meets them, I definitely agree with you there. However, to distinguish between the two of them, using the same instance when you see Jordan sitting a little straighter "at the end of the divan, completely motionless with her chin raised a little" (8) Maybe not at first, but definitely after learning more about the two characters, I contributed this as more of a reflection on Daisy and how her life isn't very fulfilling and she knows that. She may slouch in her chair a little because she knows that deep down, she may not be completely happy with herself or with her life whereas Jordan may be. I didn't quite pick up on this when I initially read chapter 1 so good find! And even though i do somewhat agree with how this perceived Jordan, I think it also gives a very strong insight on Daisy as well.
Angel A
2/5/2014 06:05:19 am
The way that Nick introduces the characters give us hints and clues about how the characters will be portrayed later on as the novel progresses and we learn more about the characters. Tom is seen, at first, as a national icon due to his physical features and accomplishments. however, later on during dinner we find out that Tom is arrogant and dishonest. The fact that he was pushing racist arguments on the dinner table, "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.” Also, he is carrying out public affairs with some woman from New York. Daisy is portrayed as the Beautiful second cousin of Nick. She is very talkative, but in a way, she is the representation of how society view woman. When she says, "I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool." at the time, woman were viewed as the less intelligent people and she Daisy accepts that opinion. Jordan at first seems very mannered and strict in a way the way she is described, "She was a slender, small-breasted girl, with an erect carriage, which she accentuated by throwing her body backward at the shoulders like a young cadet." but e later say that she likes to gossip and talk as well. These are all indications of how these characters will be.
Giancarlo G.
2/5/2014 06:40:40 am
Nick stands as the narrator of “The Great Gatsby,” and through his language sets the audience up to meet Daisy, Tom, and Miss Jordan Baker, who should be these grand and royal people, but seem to be the exact opposite. Nick and Daisy are cousins, but they “don’t know each other very well…(Fitzgerald 16). Nick describes Daisy as a typical woman in the time; she is a talkative and sophisticated woman who likes to share and tell secrets. Also, Nick explains expresses how Tom is an ideal guy, but then is shocked that he “[has] some woman in New York” (Fitzgerald 15). Fitzgerald implies that Tom is just the complete opposite of the ideal guy, since he is carrying out an affair. Lastly, Miss Jordan Baker seems to be a serious woman, but later it is discovered that she likes to share and exploit secrets as well, living up to the norm of woman for this time era. Through Fitzgerald’s writing, I find him setting up his characters not living up to the norm, or first thought one would have on these individuals.
Jen M
2/5/2014 10:28:44 am
I would have to disagree with you slightly Giancarlo. With how... mysteriously the characters are introduced by Nick, him "scarcely [knowing] them at all," I expect the characters to be a little less than normal. Nick's vague and questionable description of their background personally sets me on edge, and lets me know to look out for more interesting personalities going into meeting them. Though the specifics of their lives and character traits may come as a surprise, the unexpectedness of it all really isn't all that unexpected. Just a thought.
Emma S
2/6/2014 10:06:31 am
I have to disagree with some points you made, Jen. I did not expect to be less than normal because as I was reading, they all seemed normal. Like Giancarlo said, Daisy being a "typical" women who is sophisticated and talkative makes me believe that this is a normal like town. I agree with your point about looking more into their personalities. I am in order to break the normal status that they hold in this book; I want to find their one unique trait.
Giancarlo G.
2/6/2014 10:58:37 am
While I agree, about how significant Nick’s words are, what about Tom and Daisy? Obviously, Tom views himself to be superior to the others, since he was able to read “The Rise of the Colored Empires.” Tom seems to desire attention as he points out “…if we don’t look out the white race will be- will be utterly submerged” (Fitzgerald 13). Even Daisy seems to see how Tom struggles to show off as she explains, “He reads deep books with long words in them” (Fitzgerald 13). Also, how does Daisy act? She does not have that much to say if all she can talk about is the butler’s nose. Daisy must have said the story multiple times before, because “things went from bad to worse,” as Miss Baker just kindly jumps in to sum up the story (Fitzgerald 13). Both seem to live almost boring lives when compared to wealth stereotype, until we discuss Tom’s affair, that’s when it all becomes interesting, in my opinion.
Jordan Chenoweth
2/9/2014 01:37:49 pm
I agree very much with the fact that Daisy is portrayed as the common woman of the time. However, I didn't seem to find as much evidence about the character traits for the others as you have. Take Tom for example, and as Fitzgerald has explained his affair. I don't necessarily think the author is trying to tell us that Tom is the opposite of the ideal guy. I think maybe instead, he is hinting that Tom may have some insecurity issues. Otherwise, he has the most beautiful woman as his wife, so why would he need anything else? Most likely, this insert is to show he is filling a void. Tom isn't all bad, but from what we have seen, he definitely has some issues to work on. However this doesn't mean he has no hope in changing from what you say is the opposite of the ideal guy.
Lizzy K
2/5/2014 06:47:13 am
Nick Carraway sets us up to meet the Buchanans and Miss Baker through his description of the area. Nick introduces the place that he is living in, West Egg, and describes the adjacent island, East Egg. West Egg is considered “the less fashionable” of the two, as the people on the island are ones who have gained their money. Nick’s neighbor lives in a lavish mansion that resembles a hotel in Normandy (this stranger turning out to be the title character Gatsby). East Egg’s stylish “white palaces…glittered along the water” (Fitzgerald 6) establishing the type of people who live there. Since the houses are extravagant, it can be assumed that the owners are well-endowed. Tom’s family is “enormously wealthy-even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach” (Fitzgerald 6), telling the reader that the people who live in East Egg are ones who have inherited their wealth. By assuming this, the reader is able to picture Tom, Daisy and Jordan, and their wealth that is discovered further on.
Taylor D.
2/6/2014 12:22:58 pm
I completely agree with Lizzy that the physical description of the two Eggs sets up the entire novel. The idea of wealth and high social status is found in almost all of the characters in the Great Gatsby. Each of characters (Daisy, Tom, & Jordan) appear very shallow because of all the money they have. The places they live show where they are in life.
Joe S
2/5/2014 07:18:04 am
Nick Carraway describes Daisy, Tom, and Mrs. Baker in a very descriptive way. He elaborates that they are rich but portray themselves as something else through their actions, being the opposite of what they see themselves as. Nick introduces the flaws that both Daisy and Tom have in their lives. He emphasizes that "their house was even more elaborate than I expected, a cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion, overlooking the bay" (Fitzgerald 6). This description of the mansion can signify the symbol of them being rich and in a way cover up their flaws. Despite Daisy's beauty and charm she can be seen as selfish and harmful to others because she likes to spill secrets. In a way Tom can be seen as being racist and ignorant. He says "the idea is if we don't look out the white race will be utterly submerged" (Fitzgerald 13). The way in which Fitzgerald initiates these characters establishes them as characters not being who they see themselves as.
Brittany D
2/6/2014 12:18:31 pm
Hey Joe. I do disagree with a few of your points. One, when you a say "establishes them as characters not being who they see themselves as" I assume you mean that Fitzgerald establishes the characters as being different from who *they* think they are, which I do not agree with. I believe that the characters know exactly who they are and what their negative characteristics are. That is why they want to cover it up. For example, Tom absolutely knows that he is an idiot. That I why he spews all the nonsense about "the white race being submerged". Also, Daisy, I do not think she is exactly the shallow person she paints herself to be, because, for some reason, to not be shallow is a negative trait to her. At least in my opinion.
Joe S
2/8/2014 05:07:03 am
I see your side and agree in some way. I think in a way Fitzgerald does establish them in the way I said above. I do see what you mean and agree with both points of view.
Shelby D
2/5/2014 07:33:27 am
Fitzgerald begins The Great Gatsby by introducing Nick Carraway to us. Nick, being the narrator of the story, introduces himself and begins to discuss where he lives. He tells us that he had moved into “a small eyesore” (Fitzgerald 6), which was located at West Egg, the poorer of the two major cities. The other city is East Egg, which is described as “fashionable… [and] glittered along the water” (Fitzgerald 6). East Egg is where Daisy, his “second cousin once removed” (Fitzgerald 7), and her husband, Tom, reside. Nick then tells us that he will be joining Tom and Daisy in their “cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion” (Fitzgerald 7) for dinner. Here is where Nick is introduced to Miss Baker. Miss Baker, like Daisy, is a sophisticated woman. She is described as wearing a white dress that seems to be “rippling and fluttering as if [she] had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house” (Fitzgerald 9). Without Fitzgerald’s detailed introduction and descriptions there would not be a proper understanding of the wealth and sophistication of Tom, Daisy, and Miss Baker.
Conrad
2/5/2014 12:02:19 pm
Good start, but I would take a look at the first few pages again; there is so much more.
Kristen C.
2/5/2014 07:56:55 am
Fitzgerald set us up to meet the trio of Tom, Daisy and Ms. Baker by some foreshadowing in small details in the beginning of the chapter. As Nick Carraway describes his past, he states that his father told him, "'Whenever you feel like criticizing any one... just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had'"(Fitzgerald 1). After that he describes how he has used such advise, showing that some people can be more than just how they look. When we meet the Buchanans and Ms. Baker, they seem as though they are hiding something, giving us strange traits to show that there is more than meets the eye.
Rachel H.
2/5/2014 07:58:34 am
Throughout the first ten paragraphs, Fitzgerald has set it so that Nick Carraway is able to introduce us to himself, Daisy, Tom and Miss Baker. I found it significant how Carraway starts with something his dad had always said; "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Fitzgerald 1). This is the way he has it set up to meet the characters. They all come from different backgrounds, and though he gives little information, so much is revealed throughout this chapter about each one of the characters. For example, when at first he first leads up to meeting Daisy and Tom, he describes where he is, and where he wants to go; "[he] lived at West Egg..." (5). This is a wealthy community, and it is easily told of by the descriptions they received. He even describes Tom with "[t]wo shining arrogant eyes..." (7). Nick said that it had given him power. When he meets Miss Baker, he describes her mansion, and though this is already a wealthy community, he goes to the extent to describe it, and makes it sound even more extravagant.
Joe S
2/6/2014 10:56:47 am
I agree Rachel, especially with how so much is disclosed with not much information of each of the characters. I like the way in which you relate a sample of each character's information to Nick's perspective of description.
Megan J
2/6/2014 11:47:43 am
I agree with your points, Rachel. However, I also believe that the first quote you used (the one that Nick's dad told him) has a deeper meaning besides the advice it states. Nick states that the advice has been "turning over in my mind ever since" (1). This shows that Nick is a thoughtful narrator and it is stated a little later that people tend to confide in Nick. Fitzgerald uses these details to set readers up to meet Daisy, Tom, and Jordan because Nick is an ideal narrator. Since Nick is trustworthy and the characters will confide in him, the personalities of other characters, such as Daisy, Tom, and Jordan, will be portrayed to the reader accurately which will help the novel as a whole express its overall lesson to the readers.
Maddy.B
2/6/2014 10:14:00 pm
I agree with you Rachel! Nick Carraway helps the read each character and he makes you love him. In the book when he tries to make a joke about the butlers nose to daisy she didn't seem to know what he was talking about. This shows readers that she is a little bit of an air head considering it was a joke she must have repeated multiple times because mrs baker could Finish her sentences. He gives us important clues to understanding each Individual character .
Tyler K
2/5/2014 08:08:40 am
Nick Carraway, the narrator of The Great Gatsby, sets up the arrival of Tom, Daisy, and Jordan, by introducing himself as an honest and judgment free man. He states that, “I’m inclined to reserve all judgments” and that, “reserving judgment is a matter of hope”(Fitzgerald 5-6). While the first line on page 5 sets Nick Carraway as trusted narrator due to his lack of judgment but the ability to see things as they are, creating an accurate account of the story, it must also discredit Nick Carraway’s views on the events, because Nick’s account could be distorted if false hope is used. Nick’s potential use of hope in the story can lead to denial and a false image of the characters and the setting of the events. Nick’s view could become distorted and lead to a presentation of distorted facts. Nick later goes on to state that Tom displays, “arrogant eyes that had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning over” (Fitzgerald 11). This establishes the tone that Tom is a dark and cruel man through his appearance. Daisy represents the role of women in the 1920’s as a housewife who raises her 2- year old, but holds the belief that women can only survive in the 1920’s if they are fools. Jordan is represented as an athletic woman who plays golf and who Daisy and Tom want Nick to date and “look after her” (Fitzgerald 23). These details will set up the upcoming plot and how the plot will be told.
Jordan T.
2/5/2014 08:32:30 am
Nick Carraway the narrator sets us up to meet Tom, Daisy and Jordan by comparing the two eggs. There is the "west egg" were Nick lives which he says to be "the less fashionable of the two" (Fitzgerald 5) in other words I see it as more modest, or less royal. On the other hand Nick talks about the "east egg" as "white palaces" (Fitzgerald 5). Giving the idea that the east egg is of more money or royalty than the west. Since he is going to the "East Egg" to meet Tom, Daisy and Jordan their personalitys are going to be those of higher living or in Tom's sense egotistical because they have weath. I feel like this also sets us up to meet Gatsby too, and from it I think he will be modest like Nick or not as affected by his wealth through his personality.
Alexis B
2/6/2014 12:31:49 pm
I agree, I think your points are really strong and I never thought about it that way. His use of the East and West egg does set up for the reader to meet other characters. Taking it further and talking abut the royalty and wealth of the east egg is also a good point, and can potentially be used in the introduction of later to come events in the story.
Andrea C.
2/7/2014 12:43:53 am
I agree with your comment because Nick points out the differences of the West and East Egg and the kind of people that live there. He says Tom and Daisy differently than how he sees himself. The settings could have an effect on how Gatsby is portrayed, because Gatsby lives on "the less fashionable of the two" (5).
Monica E
2/5/2014 08:35:02 am
Nick Carraway has given indications of the characters to us based on their personalities, but as the chapter continues, they change. Tom is first shown as "a national figure in a way, one of those men who reach such an acute limited-excellence at twenty-one..."(Fitzgerald 6). However, later on Tom is shown almost shown as a big, rich man who is a little nervous at times. Daisy is portrayed first as a nice cousin who simply wants to make small talk. As the chapter progresses, she is seen as someone who is a bit selfish who is very sociable."I've been everywhere and seen everything and done everything."(Fitzgerald 17). Miss Baker, or Jordan, is first looked a t as someone who seems to be reserved, quiet and pretty. However, she is later seen as someone who gossips..."Tom's got some woman in New York."(Fitzgerald 15). Nick is showing that everything is not what it seems and as the novel progresses, personalities progress as well.
Jordan T.
2/6/2014 10:20:25 am
While I agree, what about how Tom acts toward Daisy and Nick. Obviously he has some type of issue where he try's to be so much better or smarter than he really is or try's to keep his status as a national figure almost. What about how this may affect how we look at Nick compared to Tom. They are both wealthier men, but do they share the same values?i feel like their location has a lot to do with how we are set up to meet them and I feel like this also may set us up to meet Gatsby. Do you agree?
Monica E
2/6/2014 10:48:34 am
I agree that because of their wealth it could set them up to meet Gatsby later. However, the way Tom behaves in public may not be his true personality. I feel that Nick sees through the surface and is not convinced that he is not the figure he is set up to be. I believe that Nick can see people for who they are, and he is not judgmental. Like Mr. Conrad said, we can trust Nick in the story. Therefore, there is a difference between Nick and Tom. However, I do agree that location might set them them up to meet Gatsby.
Jordan T.
2/6/2014 12:16:29 pm
I agree to that to because I can see how Tom would put on a front but yet Nick keeps his eyes open and could see through him not to mention of Tom and Daisy confide in him. I feel like Nick May break through the front Tom puts on later. But do you think Nick might step up and help Daisy realize what Toms doing, maybe she already knows. But also the quote in the beginning from Nicks father may play a role on how Nick approaches Daisy about it. I personally feel like she is settling for less than she deserves.
Ashlee P.
2/5/2014 08:49:48 am
The narrator Nick sets up the reader to meet the characters Daisy, Tom, and Jordan Baker by first contrasting the two sides of town, West Egg and East Egg. Fitzgerald makes a point to show the distinction of the two separate communities, and Nick describes West Egg as, "the less fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them," (Fitzgerald 5). After illuminating that East Egg was more fashionable than West Egg the descriptions of Daisy and Tom become less surprising and more superficial. This can make the reader more inclined to meet Gatsby then they already were because he is a character who lives in West Egg.
Vasudha P
2/6/2014 12:15:35 pm
Ashlee I couldn't agree with you more! I also believe that the eggs kind of hold the personality of the people. The west egg, being the place where Tom, Daisy and Jordan are all met seem to all be characters with no appreciation for life. Whereas in the East egg I feel the Nick and Gatsby both share that open-minded behavior.
Noelle S.
2/6/2014 12:17:27 pm
I agree with all of this Ashlee, however, I do not think that Gatsby living in West Egg will make readers more excited to meet Gatsby because it is just where he lives. Gatsby living in West Egg doesn't define who he is or how exciting he will be as a character. Also Nick's fathers' advice that "whenever you feel like criticizing any one...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Fitzgerald 1) sets readers' mindset up to not be judgmental.
Riley S.
2/5/2014 08:50:15 am
Nick, the narrator of Gatsby, comes from a wealthy background of a family. He moves to New York to make a name for himself, without his privileged background to do so. Nick's neighborhood is split by a bay, creating two sides. Nick's home resides at West Egg,"the less fashionable of the two" (Fitzgerald 5). Daisy and Tom live on the other side of the bay at East Egg. Daisy is Nick's "second cousin once removed" (3) and Nick knew Tom while in college. The couple is extremely wealthy. The couple can never stay in one place for long, Tom is forever searching for a new beginning, "This was a permanent move, said Daisy over the telephone, but I didn't believe it... Tom would drift one forever seeking, a little wistfully, for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game" (6). With these details Nick provided to the reader, it has prepared us to be able to expect a unhappy couple with an unhappy friend living a lie that money and luxury has forced them to live.
Rachel H.
2/6/2014 08:37:38 am
I agree with what you are saying. With this information, we are able to see the actual perceptions of the characters through the description that Nick gives us about Daisy and Tom. It is interesting that you bring up the unhappy couple part, because we do find that they are an unhappy couple throughout the text, but you also mentioned that there is "an unhappy friend living a lie that money and luxury has forced them to live." I think this will play a large role throughout the novel, and that a lot of key points will come back to money.
Caleb S
2/6/2014 12:36:40 pm
Riley I completely agree with you. When you said that "it has prepared us to be able to expect a unhappy couple with an unhappy friend living a lie that money and luxury has forced them to live" was awesome. Your prediction was correct about Tom and Daisy's unhappy life. With Tom cheating on his wife and Daisy being some what of a trophy wife and knowing that Tom is cheating but chooses to stay because of what they think the town will think of them if they divorce. Their extreme wealthiness has caused them to live a public life and we all know those who live there lives in the eyes of the public always have a down fall.
Bailey F
2/5/2014 08:58:24 am
Nick Carraway sets us up to meet Daisy, Tom, and Jordan by describing the different areas in which they all live. Nick, the narrator, lives at "west egg" which Fitzgerald describes to be "the less fashionable of the two" (Fitzgerald 5) Tom, Daisy, and Jordan live in the "white palaces" across the bay known as the "east egg." The west egg isn't as wealthy as the east egg. Nick decided he was going to drive over to the east egg to see his old friends. This part in the novel is where these three characters come into play. Nick also talks about the advice that his father gave him. It basically told him that not everyone has had the advantages that he has had. This means that all people come from different places with different experiences. After the wise words of his father sank into his head, he decided that he was not to judge anyone for what they do or how they live.
Julia C.
2/6/2014 07:11:45 am
I agree with these ideas. By Nick mentioning his fathers advice gives the readers a better understanding of what type of person he is. It portrays him as judge free and this makes it easier for people to confide in him. These qualities make him a very desirable character, and this will help us get a better understanding of the other characters throughout the novel.
Andrea B.
2/6/2014 11:13:49 am
I do agree. Also, the eggs aren't just differences in fashion sense. It is also about the wealth of the people. The West is for people who have recently became rich, while the east is for people who have lived wealthy their whole lives.
Carl A.
2/5/2014 09:03:40 am
Nick Carraway, the narrator, sets up the meeting between the trio: Tom Buchanan, Miss Baker, and Daisy Bucahanan nothing in common between them. Tom is believed to be a national hero and a great man. Although he seems to be regretful, "...Tom would drift on forever seeking, a little wistfully, for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game" (Fitzgerald 6). He is empty inside, rugged man, and seeks more, another reason for that woman in New York. The same way with Tom, Nick has no real connection to either Daisy or Jordan. He is cousins with Daisy, but don't know much about each other, and is later revealed Daisy seems to have her heart somewhere else. Jordan is a big gossip and according to her "Tom's got some woman in New York" (15). She likes to discuss other peoples affair. These characteristics may have an impact later on the novel.
Paulette D
2/5/2014 09:08:12 am
Nick Carraway describes Daisy, Tom and Miss Baker by their physical appearance and action. Nick explains how Tom, “among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven” (Fitzgerald 6). Carraway praises Tom at the beginning for being perfect but is soon disappointed when he discovers that Tom is having an affair with a women in New York. Daisy is portrayed as a typical woman of the roaring 20s, but later on Fitzgerald reveals the strange thoughts and how she doesn’t truly fit in the mold of a housewife. Whereas Miss Baker depicted as a well-manner lady, she barely communicates with Caraway at the beginning. Near the end of the chapter, he begins to understand who Miss Baker really is. I think Fitzgerald revealed the characters this way, because he wants readers to understand that people aren’t always as they seem.
Monica E
2/6/2014 10:52:14 am
I agree that Nick has seen Tom for what he truly is, but I believe that he has analyzed this himself. I do not believe Daisy is trying to be portrayed a bad housewife. Although she is a little sociable and conceded, she does care for her daughter a lot. I also agree that the characters are to be revealed as everything is not what it seems. Do you think that Gatsby might be portrayed this way as well?
Maddy B
2/5/2014 09:09:50 am
Nick Carraway sets his readers up buy basically introducing as the narrator of the Great Gatsby. He then talks about how he is going to go easy sooner at his cousin daisys house. He explains that he is from the "west egg" which is he says to be "the less fashionable of the two." (Fitzgerald 5) his cousin daisy is from the east egg which is just a bay away. This is his set up for his readers to meet daisy, mrs baker, and Tom
Matt R
2/6/2014 09:26:44 am
I think the fact that he lives in the West Egg is an extremely important thing to mention. The East Egg tends to be the nicer area, but Nick is surrounded by two extremely wealthy neighbors. I predict that Gatsby could be similar to Nick in his feelings about wealth, especially because of his quote about Gatsby's foul dust of wealth he has. This could be a contrast where Gatsby has the wealth of the people that Nick dislikes, but is generally a good person, which is why he is in the West Egg. I think the setting will be crucial to the plot and characterization.
Katelyn B
2/9/2014 02:51:21 am
You mention both the East and West Egg in which the characters reside, which play can play a significant role in the way these characters are first introduced. What do you think the description "the less fashionable of the two." (Fitzgerald 5) says about the type of people that live in the West Egg over the East Egg? I feel as if the East Egg is full of people who think they are higher up socially than the residents of West Egg, which is why it is rare they associate with those people. The descriptions of Daisy, Tom, and Jordan then become more expected as they blend in with their society and feel like they are better than those people in the West Egg.
Riley S.
2/9/2014 08:45:33 am
Nick's commentary on the two eggs is extremely important when being set up for the characters. It seems every comment contains the quote about West Egg being "the less fashionable of the two" (5). We have all seemed to overlook the comment Fitzgerald makes of the contrast. It does matter that the one side is less fashionable but there is more to this statement that everyone has cut off, "Though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and a not a little sinister contrast between them" (5). From this quote, the reader can infer that there is something sinister about the East Egg. something is wrong across the bay, not just a little but a lot. The sinister nature Nick expresses is the true way that has set up the readers for the arrival of Daisy, Tom and Jordan. Through the comment, one is prepared to find something dark in all of the East Eggers
Carissa C.
2/5/2014 09:24:37 am
Nick Carraway sets up the introductions of Tom, Daisy, and Jordan by thinking that he has the possibility of having a fresh start by stating, "I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer" (Fitzgerald 11). The way Carraway describes his surroundings makes it seem that he is being thrust into this higher class society. He then mentions the differences between the East Egg and the West Egg, which he considers to be "the less fashionable of the two" because it is less extravagant and is the place for the people who have only recently gotten their fortune. (Fitzgerald 12). He describes Tom and Daisy as rich and powerful people, and also details how Jordan is popular through golf. He makes the three of them seem like they are the highest rank in society. In reality, they are just putting on personas in order to fit in through societal standards, such a Daisy and Tom's marriage and their obvious difference in personality. Carraway is essentially exposing that society's higher class is not what it looks like.
James J
2/6/2014 11:58:57 am
I agree with you on the fact that Tom, Daisy, and Jordan are putting on personas in order to fit with the standards of higher society. I especially saw this in Tom. When pulling up to Tom's house and seeing him in the yard, Carraway notes that, "not even the effeminate swank of his riding clothes could hide the enormous power of that body"(Fitzgerald 7), which I saw as Tom trying to hide his body, that made him seem more brutish, and wear sophisticated clothes that made him seem more proper. I also related that quotation to his personality, because even though he acts proper and polite, Tom is really a jerk and a bigot; and he hides these characteristics beneath a false veil of politeness.
Taylor D.
2/5/2014 09:28:20 am
Nick sets up the whole start of the story in the beginning lines when he is talking about the idea of hope and change. It sets up the fact that he is going to have one of the most eventful summers of his life with new people in his life (Daisy, Tom and Jordan). Within the first couple of paragraphs, while Nick is describing how his life in a new place got started on the wrong foot, when the traveler walks past and asks for directions, he feels important. He says, "I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer," (Chapter 1 Fitzgerald).
Corey J.
2/5/2014 09:28:21 am
Nick Carraway is introduced as the narrator of the story in the very beggining. He finds a house just outside of New York on the West Egg, which is not as nice as the East Egg. Nick starts explaining that he lives between people of great wealth. After this he explains that he is going over to the East Egg dinner with Tom and Daisy, "[his] second cousin once removed, and [he'd] known Tom in college" (Fitzgerald 5). This sets up the story so that we can meet the two very soon. Also, it is known that people on the East Egg are well off, so it is possible that we can meet them through Gatsby, who is a millionaire that lives next to Nick.
Corey K.
2/5/2014 12:10:59 pm
I believe this is a great idea connecting Nick's mysteriously rich neighbor, Gatsby, with the people he knows on the East Egg. It will be interesting to find out if there is anything deeper between Tom, Daisy, Ms. Baker and Gatsby. On another note, don't you think there is more to setting up the characters than just where they live and the wealth they possess?
Tyler S
2/6/2014 12:38:48 pm
I agree with you Corey, there is more to just where the characters live and what they have. Sure this may show readers a bit about them and their social status, but it does not tell necessarily what the morals of the characters are or what they are like when no one is looking. What may tell us about their character and morals is what we read about in the upcoming chapters. The fact that Fitzgerald does bring up Gatsby but not introduce him to readers, leads me to believe that there is some type of connection between the four characters that is un known to readers at this point and possibly to Nick as well.
Matt R
2/5/2014 09:36:04 am
Fitzgerald prepares the reader for the introduction to the Buchanons by giving small details that foreshadow Nick Carraways involvement with the upper class. Nick foreshadows how Gatsby ends up alright, but a "foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in ... Short winded elations of men (2). Carraway reveals the lesson he learned over the issues that wealth brings. The reader realizes that Carraway will be involed with many wealthy people who are under this foul dust. The Buchanons fall into this niche and their presentation falls in line with the inferred characters that Carraway will meet.
Corey J
2/6/2014 10:07:20 am
I very much agree about the statement of the foreshadowing of Nick's invilvement with the upper class. He comes from a wealthy family, just not as wealthy as that of the Buchanans. It is very apparent that Nick is going to be involved with wealthy people, especially because of his neighbors.
Zak D
2/6/2014 12:14:45 pm
Nick's involvement with these wealthy people is key to understanding how the wealthy act and what their personalities are like. By interacting with them as much as Nick will do and already has, readers can interpret the personalities and qualities that the wealthy have
Kelsey J
2/5/2014 09:50:03 am
Fitzgerald first introduces Nick as a kind of scholarly person. He explains that Nick "was rather literary in college"(Fitzgerald 8). I believe Fitzgerald does so, so that the reader may be informed that Nick will be more likely to give facts, and can therefore be trustworthy as the story presents itself. The broad contrast from Nick's humble, yet scholarly, past to the next character introduced leaves readers a bit stunned. Tom is explained as "a sturdy straw-haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth" (Fitzgerald 10). The way the author presents these first couple of characters seems to hint that Nick will be our guide into this new world as he tells us about the realistic, yet outlandish, characters of this time period.
Amber H.
2/5/2014 09:59:04 am
Nick Carraway introduces the characters Daisy, Tom, and Jordan as a part of the upper crust, they live in the richer part of the egg, the West part. Tom is described as the "All -American" guy as a wealthy and athletic guy by being "one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven" (Fitzgerald 6). Daisy is perceived as almost a trophy wife. She is put together with her looks but that is far from the truth. When she talks to Nick privately the readers see a part of her that they may not expect from a put together woman, web she learns her child is a girl she says "and I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool"(Fitzgerald 17). This could be due to emotional scars that she has fun knowing that Tom cheats on her with that "woman in New York." So far Jordan is a bit of a gossiper telling much of Tom's affair but she also seems like a nice young lady in the story.
Carissa C.
2/6/2014 07:53:52 am
I agree with the comment made about Daisy and her personality. She does have emotional scars and is not so naïve about the realities of society and how the higher classes must conduct themselves. On the exterior, she seems to serve more of an ornamental function, just for show. Daisy is a more complex character than what is perceived on the outside. Nice job on the analysis!
Katelyn B
2/5/2014 10:00:30 am
Nick Carraway, the narrator, develops the onset of the novel by first introducing the assumed main setting of the novel, Long Island. Long Island consists of two eggs split by a bay; the West Egg (in which Nick resides) and the East Egg (where the Buchanan's and Jordan live). Nick points out that the eggs' “physical resemblance must be a source of perpetual confusion to the gulls that fly overhead” (Fitzgerald 5). Though the houses in both eggs may look indistinguishable, when they are compared, the people that inhabit the eggs are the point of separation. The West Egg consists of people who are newly rich and not as sociable, whereas the East Egg contains those who have always been rich and are more put together from having lived there for a while, also making them the gossip experts of Long Island. After determining that East Egg was more fashionable than West Egg, the descriptions of Daisy, Tom, and Jordan become more superficial and expected as they blend in with their society. Nick also mentions the advice that his father gave, telling him that not everyone has had the advantages that he has had in life, so there is no place for judgement. Mainly saying that all people come from different upbringings with different experiences, which helps readers understand why Nick does not have many reactions to the behavior of the other three characters.
Amanna V
2/6/2014 11:40:58 am
I agree that Nick does not have many reactions towards the three characters because he was brought up to believe that there are many different people in this world. He doesn't, in a sense, judge the characters so thoroughly since he is brought up to not judge people at first glance. However, I have to disagree on the fact that because Daisy, Jordan, and Tom live in East Egg doesn't necessarily mean that they are more superficial. Each character has more depth to them then it appears- for instance Jordan and her boredom regarding wealth. But overall, I agreed with many of the points you stated!
Megan J
2/5/2014 10:02:19 am
Both the geography of the area along with Nick's personal history sets readers up to meet Daisy, Tom, and Jordan. The novel takes place in 2 locations in New York known as the West Egg and East Egg. These two eggs are "separated only by a courtesy bay... but their physical resemblance must be a source of perpetual confusion to the gulls that fly overhead. To the wingless a more arresting phenomenon is their dissimilarity in every particular except shape and size" (Fitzgerald 5). The dissimilarity the quote is referring to is the residents of the two eggs. The West Egg houses people who have become rich recently while the East Egg contains people who have always been rich/ inherited their social position. Due to this separation, the readers may not have been set up to meet Daisy, Tom, and Jordan (East Egg) if it wasn't for Nick's (West Egg) personal history. Nick states that "Daisy was my second cousin once removed, and I'd known Tom in college. And just after the war I spent two days with them in Chicago" (6). This prompts Nick to pay a visit to Daisy's house in East Egg and sets readers up to meet Daisy, Tom, and Jordan, something that probably wouldn't have happened without the close proximity of the two eggs and Nick's social connections/ personal history.
Daisy O
2/6/2014 12:36:38 pm
I totally agree with you Megan! I think that Nick sets us up to meet Tom, Daisy, and Jordan by describing their social status. He does this so by explaining the East Egg and the West Egg. Otherwise readers would not be able to understand how they were all so shallow while Nick remained humble. The description of the two Eggs is said to be an “arresting phenomenon for its dissimilarity in every particular except shape and size” (9) by Nick Carraway in the first chapter. This is a nice set up to meet the following characters.
Dong L.
2/5/2014 10:29:02 am
As the narrator, Nick introduces Jordan, Tom, and Daisy by doing an introduction of West Egg and his personality as a smart, educated character since he graduated from Yale. Later, the setting transition to East Egg where Nick meets the other characters.This event was set up when, "[Nick] drove over there to have dinner with Tom Buchanans. Daisy was my second cousin once removed, and I'd known Tom in college. And just after the war I spent two days with them in Chicago" (Fitzgerald 5). By visiting them, Fitzgerald explain the relationship Nick have with these people and forshadow on what type of a person they can be.
Costa D.
2/6/2014 12:23:20 pm
I agree that Fitzgerald builds on the relationship between characters by visiting them. In addition, you also have to consider how Fitzgerald sets us up to meet the characters through what is being said in the conversation. Tom leaving us with the idea that he is fighting an inner conflict of power, foreshadows that there will be character development in him. Daisy giving us the notion she is bored and hollow also foreshadows her changes to come. To bring these ideas back to context, refer to the first quote of the book; Nick will refuse to judge these characters just yet. He will give them some time.
Jordan C.
2/5/2014 10:31:25 am
Chapter one of The Great Gatsby does tell so much and so little but, so does Nick Carraway. Nick is the main character as well as the narrator of the novel. Even though he is he leaves a lot of holes in his explanations and stories leading up to us meeting Tom, Daisy, and Jordan. In my opinion, Nick is setting up this meeting by showing how different him and the other three characters are before putting them within the story. He tells of how he comes to where he lived which was West Egg, one of the two eggs, to which he described it as, "the less fashionable of the two" (Fitzgerald 5). But then after mentioning Gatsby again goes straight into describing where the other three character come from which is East Egg, where "the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water" (Fitzgerald 5). To which leads us to Nick's visit to Daisy's.
Chandler S.
2/5/2014 10:41:09 am
Nick introduces himself to the readers as a high middle class man. He gives us information on what he does for a living and how he lives arpund millionaires. The way he introduces Daisy and Tom however is completely different than the way he introduces himself. The first thing he says about them is "[Tom], among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven- and a national figure in a way" (10). Tom and Daisy and Jordan Baker (a professional tennis player) are all very wealthy people that Nick has sorrounded himself upon. The readers first impression of the Tom, Daisy, and Jordan make he/she believe that Nick is only bound to do well, he has just not met the right people yet.
Conrad
2/5/2014 12:05:27 pm
There's much more there in the opening pages. I would Reread it.
Kelsey J.
2/9/2014 06:55:50 am
Even though I can see why you think that the text could suggest that Nick is bound for great things, I believe he is surrounded by the rich for a different reason. The rich around him have a 'standard' to upkeep. Meanwhile, Nick has a "weatherbeaten cardboard bungalow at eighty a month"( Fitzgerald 7). He doesn't have much more than a cent to his name and, therefore, can be thought of as much more humble, and trustworthy. The rich that live around him feel the need to lie in order to get what they want, and to influence others.
Ryan C.
2/5/2014 10:43:35 am
Nick Carraway is set up to meet Daisy, Tom and Jordan by his experiences prior to meeting them, and the neighborhood he chose to live in as a result of those. He decided that he wanted to go out east to school, and to work as a bondsman, which then resulted in him moving to New York from Minnesota. He compares his neighborhood, West Egg Village and the adjacent East Egg Village. Nick says that West Egg is "the less fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them" (Fitzgerald 5). Carraway later goes on to describe the people he knows in his neighborhood, who all fit the description he gives of West Egg Village. All of these people are important and well-off, but still play second fiddle, in terms of affluence, to those in East Egg Village. Fitzgerald uses the similarities between the characters to set readers up for meeting Tom, Jordan and Daisy
Carl A.
2/5/2014 11:22:43 am
I think you make valid points about the East and West egg. But I disagree that the people of the West Egg play second fiddle to the East Egg. Maybe in terms of monetary value sure, but their individual happiness is above and beyond of those in the East Egg. The people in the East Egg are empty on the inside and are living a life of one similar to Richard Cory. Th people of the East Egg have more lavish homes, "Their house was even more elaborate than I expected, a cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial Mansion, overlooking the bay" (Fitzgerald 6). They try to cover their inner emptiness with luxuries.
Ryan C.
2/6/2014 10:29:12 am
Carl, I see what you mean about the west egg villagers playing second fiddle to their counterparts from the east. I meant it from the standpoint of wealth and overall stature, because I hadn't thought about it from the happiness standpoint. I also think that the point about happiness is true... for example, take a look at Tom and Daisy, they are both insecure and unhappy and cover up their unhappiness with a need to be in the spotlight and have nice things.
Rachel V
2/5/2014 10:47:35 am
Nick Carraway is identified as the narrator in "The Great Gatsby" in the first sentence of the book. Throughout the first couple paragraphs he explains his background; he comes from not a poor family but also not the richest, he's not quick to judge other people and in no way puts himself higher than anyone else. He then proceeds to describe his new residence. His house is located on the West Egg, whereas the Buchanans live on the East Egg. He explains that these eggs are home to completely different was of life. The way he sets up the Buchanans and Jordan Baker is that he gives a description of where he lives, and let the reader imagine the exact opposite, almost to the extreme. He explains his egg as "the less fashionable of the two, though this is the most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them," (Fitzgerald 5) leading us to images of a very extravagant, over done life style that the Buchanans lead.
Ali D.
2/6/2014 11:16:25 am
I agree with you Rachel, the homes that surround him are very extreme and expensive while is is the opposite. But I do disagree when you says that Nick does not put himself higher than anyone else, I do believe Nick has a lot of confidence in himself especially when he says, "I was a guide, a pathfinder," (Fitzgerald 4). In class today, Mr. Conrad did also discus that Nick does have a lot of Moral confidence and will later prove that to be true.
Melissa S
2/5/2014 10:47:52 am
The narrator, later found to be Nick Carraway, explains the setting of his meeting with with Miss Baker, Daisy, and Tom. "Twenty miles from the city a pair of enormous eggs, identical in contour and separated only by a courtesy bay, jut out into the most domesticated body of salt water in the Western hemisphere, the great wet barnyard of Long Island Sound" (Fitzgerald 4-5). Nick lives in the West Egg, described as the "less fashionable of the two" (5), and the Buchanans live on the East Egg which is much nicer, or at least he describes the people there as being nicer. He has also stated that "Daisy was my second cousin once removed, and I'd known Tom in college" (5). At this point, the author has set up Nick's background with the people he is to visit and the difference between where they live.
Chris Q
2/5/2014 10:50:10 am
Nick sets us up to introduce the other characters by explaining the two Eggs (East and West). The West Egg is wear Nick lives and is the "less fashionable of the two" (Fitzgerald). Fitzgerald describes the place the others live as "Across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water." These descriptions create a contrast between the wealth of each Egg and the morality of the people. The "richer" characters, like Tom, are morally poor. This is known because he is cheating on his wife.
Richard W.
2/6/2014 07:44:05 am
I like the connection that you made between the wealth and morality of people who live on the West Egg of Long Island. However, I feel that the generalization of them being "morally poor" is not entirely correct or justified up to this point in the novel. Tom is great example of a character who is lacking morals but we have not been provided with enough information, as of yet, to place all of the wealthier characters in the same category as Tom.
TJ Ayodele
2/6/2014 11:24:10 am
I think is an important contrast that you have pointed out. This could also foreshadow a contrast between the characters of Gatsby and Tom as well since he is technically Nick's next door neighbor. The contrast could be inferred when Nick, when talking about his view on the uniforms of the world, makes an explicit exception for Gatsby.
Ryan D
2/6/2014 12:26:47 pm
I agree with what you are saying about the eggs. Each egg seems to have its own moral deficits. Although the West Egg's flaws have yet to be shown fully, the East Egg's characters are already showing signs of bad morals. Tom's comments on the superior race show how he is not necessarily morally rich, and cheating on his wife does not help his case either.
Imani B.
2/9/2014 10:28:30 am
I also like the connection made about the East and West Eggs and how they seem to have a connection to their way of living. However, I think since it is only the beginning of the novel, you can't really determine whether Tom is morally poor just for cheating on his wife, and you can't say that all people who are poorer in wealth are going to have good intentions throughout the novel.
Julia C.
2/5/2014 11:02:08 am
Nick starts the book by saying how he has been taught to never put anyone down. “I’m inclined to reserve all judgments” and that, “reserving judgment is a matter of hope”(Fitzgerald 5-6). He also introduces the characters of Tom, Daisy, and Jordan and the way that they interact with one another gives us an idea of what the future of the book may be. But by the way Nick introduced the other three characters he is showing the differences that they have in many areas.
Tyler K
2/5/2014 11:03:01 am
Nick begins the story by contradicting his own feelings towards himself. while he feels that he is nonjudgmental, he explains the west egg, the place of his residency as "the less fashionable of the two, though this is the most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them," (Fitzgerald 5). Here Nick shows that he looks down toward the people living in the west egg, even leaving the egg to go to the east egg and meet with Daisy, Tom, and Jordan, all people who are seen as upper class people in great health.
Chris Q.
2/6/2014 10:56:38 am
I do not believe that Nick is "looking down" on the people living on the West Egg. He is simply stating that West Egg is less wealthy than East Egg, using the word fashionable to represent wealth. At the same time he could also be using the word fashionable to show that the residents of the "more fashionable" East Egg are covering things up about themselves. This adds a layer of superficiality to the East Egg characters.
DM
2/6/2014 11:42:05 am
I would have to agree with Chris on this mainly because the people in west egg, like himself, had to work for there wealth. If anything however, I believe that he has a slight admiration for these residents of the west egg because they earned their wealth instead of inheriting it. Tom for example was a celebrity for a short while in college and now doesn't do much and is what we look to now as to be a morally wrong person. From what we know about nick so far is that he believes is hard work and making not only the smart decision, but the one that would seem to be morally right.
Eric F
2/5/2014 11:06:38 am
So the book starts off with the narrator Nick Carroway introducing himself and his family and what his life has been like up to this point. True to the spirit of the American dream, Nick moves out in order to start a new life in the city's expanse of possibility. He has dinner with his cousin Daisy, her husband Tom, and their friend and discusses life in urban America compared to where he comes from. Jay Gatsby is brought up and is apparently a man worth meeting. Nick also finds out about Tom's "other woman" and is shocked at how such an ideal lifestyle could have a moral flaw such is that, perhaps foreshadowing that the East Egg neighborhoods may be rich with money but not emotionally.
Noelle S.
2/5/2014 11:07:56 am
Nick Carraway, the narrator, sets up the setting of the first chapter by describing the two different areas of the city. "Twenty miles from the city a pair of enormous eggs, identical in contour and separated only by a courtesy bay, just out into the most domesticated body of salt water in the Western hemisphere, the great wet barnyard of Long Island Sound" (Fitzgerald 4-5). The West Egg consists of people who are rich, and not as sociable. The East Egg contains the people that have always been rich and have lived there for a while. This sets us up to meet and find out who Daisy, Jordan Baker, and Tom are by where they live. The novel starts off by Nick revealing to us something that his dad always says; "whenever you feel like criticizing any one...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Fitzgerald 1). This quote can be taken into account when we are introduced to the characters Daisy, Tom, and Miss Baker. They all come from different backgrounds and are not to be judged.
Conrad
2/5/2014 11:46:27 pm
Good point about Nick's quote, but remember that he also says that at some point people need to take responsibility for their actions. It may not be important now, but keep in in the back of your mind as the story continues.
Ali D.
2/5/2014 11:08:10 am
Nick is the narrator of The Great Gatsby and he has just moved East to a home in the West Egg. The home he has in the West Egg is not as fashionable as the other homes and is cheaper for him to live in. Nick's home is between two very nice homes, one owned by Mr. Gatsby. Gatsby's home is a mansion and makes Nicks home look so small and overlooked. Nick introduces the audience about Daisy and Tom by adding that he was driving, "over there to have dinner with the Tom Buchanans" (Fitzgerald 5). He introduces the two very nonchalantly and briefly.
Kyra J.
2/5/2014 11:11:19 am
Nick starts off the story by describing his life up until his movement to the West Egg. He sets the story up to meet Daisy by describing the differences in the sides that they live on, and by telling the reader of his experiences with his twice removed cousin. Nick says, "I lived at West Egg, the-well, the less fashionable of the two..." When Nick says this, he's letting the reader know more about Daisy and her wealth without actually describing her until he arrives at her house.
Miranda L
2/5/2014 11:23:12 am
Nick starts the book off by explaining the two divisions of a part of Long Island. They include West Egg and East Egg. Nick lives in West Egg and explains how the people who live there are rich, but have no connections outside of West Egg. Nick introduces himself as a man living in West Egg, but unlike the rest of his neighbors, he has connections in East Egg. He then goes on to introduce Daisy, Tom and Jordan. I think he introduces them in this way to show the separation of financial classes in the novel's society. Nick speaks very highly of Daisy's husband by stating, "--a national figure in a way, one of those men who reach such an acute excellence at twenty-one that everything afterward savors of anti-climax," (Fitzgerald 10). I believe through this quote, Nick shows the division between the successfulness of people in East Egg compared to those in West Egg.
Emily F.
2/6/2014 06:52:35 am
I agree that Nick sets up the audience to meet Daisy, Tom, and Jordan by explaining the different divisions of classes and the difference between the West Egg and the East Egg. I think that is is important that Nick says there is "not a little sinister contrast between them" (9) meaning that there is something very wrong with the East Egg. The description of the East Egg along with the description of Tom that you mentioned foreshadow that negative traits will be revealed by the characters. I also believe that the description Nick gives himself sets up the reader for meeting the characters (Tom, Daisy, and Jordan) because he will tell things how they are and try to judge the people at first, but he also says he has limits, which I think means these characters will reach Nick's limit by the end of the book.
Alyssa Z.
2/6/2014 07:47:32 am
I agree with your statement. Although i did think of the idea of the characters portraying the negative traits later on in the novel, I didn't think of the East Egg as a whole representing something sinister anf negative until after reading this. I will continue to look for this interpretation as I read
Stephanie B
2/5/2014 11:25:16 am
In the first chapter, Nick uses background, or elements of his past in order to set up the reader to meet Tom, Daisy and Jordan. In the first few paragraphs, Nick discusses his family. He says “my family have been prominent, well-to-do people in this Middle Western city for three generations” (3). Nick comes from a wealthy background, meaning he is knowledgeable about the lifestyle, regime and conduct of the upper class. His emphasis on being part of the upper class reflects the importance of a privileged upbringing in the novel. It is not until page 5 that Nick mentions Tom, that he “[had] known Tom in college.” Both Nick and Tom have going to a wealthy college (New Haven), which provides Nick and the reader with a basis for understanding Tom’s socioeconomic upbringing. Tom is privileged, and is even wealthier than Nick, making him supreme in Nick’s eyes. Nick is awed at Tom’s wealth; he even says, “[i]t was hard [for him] to realize” all the things Tom could do with his money, for “a man in [his same] generation” (6). Yet, while Tom may seem superior in Nick’s eyes, both of them are wealthy. Because of this, Nick has insight into the life of a wealthy upper class person; therefore, he is able to see beyond the façade of a lavish lifestyle. So when Nick goes to Tom’s house for dinner, he has prepared the readers to meet Tom, as well as Daisy and Jordan, who are all a part of the wealthy class.
Melissa S.
2/6/2014 11:42:34 am
You make many valid and interesting points, Stephanie, that make sense for the initial question. But I am afraid that i would have to disagree with your statement of Nick being wealthy. Nick himself states that "My house was...squeezed between two huge places that rented for twelve or fifteen thousand a season" (Fitzgerald 5). Nick's family is described as being rich earlier on in the novel, especially when Nick explains that he and Tom went to college together, but that does not mean that Nick still carries all the wealth that he had in the past.
Stephanie B
2/9/2014 01:53:37 am
You make a valid point, Melissa. However, I based my comment on the description earlier in the story that he was from a wealthy background. I did not mean to suggest he was of equal wealth compared to the other characters in the story, such as Tom. My goal was to show that Nick was more a part of the wealthier class rather than the lower class. But you are right in the aspect that he is not as rich as Tom and Gatsby.
Andrea B.
2/5/2014 11:37:27 am
Nick Carraway is the main character in the novel, The Great Gatsby. He comes from a hardworking family. He travels East, separating himself from his family and their business to pursue a new job. He helps a man find the West Egg Village. He explains how there are two "eggs" right off the coast of New York. There is the East egg, which is people who have always been wealthy, and the West egg, where people who had just become wealthy. Nick says "I lived at West Egg, the- well, the less fashionable of the two" (Fitzgerald 5). Nick's friends, the Buchanans, live in the East egg. They are a married couple, Daisy and Tom.The two eggs are separated by only a bay. Nick went to go visit them, and meets Miss Baker when he arrives.
Chandler S.
2/6/2014 11:05:39 am
Andrea, what do you think about how Nick feels towards going to Daisy and Tom? Tom is much more rich than Nick is and they even talk about how Tom had bought his own string of polo ponies and that it was "hard to believe that a man in (Nick's) own generation was wealthy enough to do that". Do you think Nick was a little overwhelmed by their wealth? Also do you think the visit was more for Daisy or Tom?
DM
2/5/2014 11:41:54 am
Being the narrator of the novel, Nick introduces us to the characters of Tom, Daisy, and Jordan from the point if view in which he sees them. Due to his participation in WWI he returns with the feeling of needing to be occupied with a work or another study for he "enjoyed the counter-raid so much that I came back restless."(Fitzgerald 3) The Buchanan's, being extremely wealthy, did not do much work and owned a "white palace" on the East Egg for a cost more than Nicks house. Fitzgerald uses the east and the west to demonstrate different styles of living, having those from the east starting off being wealthy and staying so and those of the west working for their wealth. When introduced to the characters, they are seemingly overly joyful and naïve to the extent where it leaves Nick "confused and a little disgusted" by the personalities of those who are born wealthy.
Mark M
2/5/2014 11:45:21 am
Nick Carraway uses the first 10 paragraphs to provide back story of his personal life. He says that his father taught him to reserve judgments of other people, or otherwise he would not understand them. I feel that he introduces Tom Buchanan as more of a wall, while Baker and Daisy are more of a free spirit. Fitzgerald writes that, "their dresses were rippling and fluttering... [until] there was a boom as Tom Buchanan shut the rear windows and the caught wind died out about the room,". From this I understood that Daisy and Baker act as the wind, while Tom acts as a sturdy grounding point for them both.
Shivam P.
2/6/2014 10:14:22 am
I agree with what Mark is saying about how Tom acts as sort of a brick wall, while Daisy, his wife, is more free. The first ten paragraphs also act as a way for Nick to set himself up for the rest of the novel. The lesson his father taught him about reserving judgment helps Nick learn the many secrets of the people h associates himself with. We already saw this when Daisy told him about the Butler's nose.
Stefan C.
2/6/2014 12:14:33 pm
On the other side of things, I don't really agree with the idea that Tom is trying so hard to be brick wall. Although I do believe that Tom is trying to be someone that he is not, just because of his wealth and the standards that have been set by society. For example when he talks to Nick about the book that he read, and numerous times he mentions how scientific it is, trying to seem more intelligent than he actually is. Just to have a smart remark come back at him from Daisy. Where as I also disagree with Mark in the fact that instead of Tom being a a place of foundation for Daisy he is holding her back more than anything.
Tyler S
2/5/2014 11:46:33 am
Fitzgerald sets readers up to meet Tom Daisy and Jordan by first introducing and talking about himself as well as Gatsby. By introducing us to Nick Caraway as well as Gatsby he tells readers that those may possibly be the two main characters and that Tom, Daisy and Jordan may not be the protagonists. He also begins with a quote from his father, he says, " whenever you fell like criticizing anyone... just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Fitzgerald 3). He begins with this quote for a reason. This is Fitzgerald telling readers not to judge characters and since we are introduced to Tom, Daisy and Jordan so quickly after this quote, Fitzgerald maybe does not want his readers to judge these characters. Since we are not introduced to Gatsby until later in the book, Fitzgerald may want us to judge him and predict what he as a character will be like.
Trevor K
2/6/2014 12:27:58 pm
I agree with your point that Fitzgerald does not want the reader to judge the characters right away. He backs this us as he says "Conduct may be founded on the hard rock or the wet marshes, but after a certain point I don’t care what it’s founded on." I think it's an interesting point about Gatsby because he is described as having a "gorgeous" personality. However, I feel Nick may not feel this way about Gatsby at first because he "represented everything for which [he had] an unaffected scorn." Fitzgerald does do a good job making the reader think about how almost legendary character will be introduced
James J
2/5/2014 12:01:09 pm
Carraway begins setting us up to meet Tom, Daisy, and Jordan in the first lines of the novel, when he reveals that he is, "inclined to reserve all judgment" against others (Fitzgerald 1), which foreshadows that many of the people Carraway will meet will be flawed, which is especially seen in his dinner companions (Tom's arrogance, Daisy's self-centeredness, and Jordan's aloofness and interest in gossip). Carraway then continues to prepare us for the introduction of the three characters by describing the East and West Eggs, saying that they have a, "dissimilarity in every particular except shape and size" (Fitzgerald 5). Carraway makes it known that the East Egg is the more fashionable of the two and even calling the houses on East Egg, "fashionable palaces" (Fitzgerald 5), which gives its inhabitants a sense of royalty, even though their flawed behavior shows them not to have any royal sense at all. The fact that the two islands are completely different combined with the observations of those who live on East Egg, leaves the reader to wonder why Fitzgerald placedt Gatsby on West Egg, and what makes him different from those who live on East Egg.
Dong L
2/6/2014 05:59:03 am
I agree with your ideas that Nick is not judgemental since, "Reserving judgements is a matter of infinite hope" (Fitzgerald 2). Nick does not jump to conclusion and is not judgemental. Also, I think the fact that he is different than the people he lives around with help make him stand out and also can foreshadow a change in his personality later in the story.
Amber H.
2/6/2014 07:03:52 am
James, I didn't think of this that way, and you are very right. Nick I'd going to reserve this judgements until he is able to get to know Tom, Daisy and Jordan. You are also right about the difference between the West and East Egg and what they symbolize. Reading over it, I didn't really think of it that way.
Rachel VB
2/5/2014 12:01:35 pm
Nick, the narrator of "The Great Gatsby", starts the story by describing the difference between the two sides of town. "Twenty miles from the city a pair of enormous eggs, identical in contour and separated only by a courtesy bay, just out into the most domesticated body of salt water in the Western Hemisphere, the great barnyard of Long Island Sound" (Fitzgerald 4-5). Nick lived at the West Egg described as, "the less fashionable of the two" (5). He then explains that although he lives in the West Egg, he still has connections with people on the other side of town. This is how he leads into introducing Daisy, Tom and Jordan. We already know that since they live in the East Egg, they are very wealthy and can predict that classes will play a large role in his society.
Becca K
2/6/2014 04:29:02 am
I agree with your ideas that Nick Carraway set us up by describing the differences between the West Egg and the East Egg. Along with that though, I believe it is also helpful to the reader to know a little background about the narrator. Nick appears to be a young man with big dreams who doesn't come from a great deal of money. You can tell because amidst all the mansions, he describes his own house as "an eyesore" (Fitzgerald 5). He is eager to learn and to become "the 'well-rounded man'" (Fitzgerald 4). I think if we take a deeper look into who Nick is, we will be more prepared to meet Daisy, Tom, and Miss Baker.
Corey K.
2/5/2014 12:05:22 pm
Fitzgerald, the author of "The Great Gatsby" uses the first ten chapters and his narrator (Nick Carraway) in order to set up multiple characters. Nick interacts with people through his father's words, "whenever you feel like criticizing any one, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Fitzgerald 1). As for Tom, Daisy and Ms. Baker and people in general Nick perceives them for who they really are. He sees people in a true, raw light and strives to accomplish his goal of becoming a "well-rounded man" while doing so.
Emylee F.
2/5/2014 12:07:17 pm
In the way Nick first introduces Daisy, Tom, and Jordan , he keeps it rather emotionless. He bluntly states who Daisy and Tom are to him, "Daisy was my second cousin once removed, and I'd know Tom in college." (5) However, although there is no direct emotion of how Nick feels about them, he states all them on how they are seen to himself and others. For example, when speaking about Tom, he describes how he looks, "Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward." (7). Nick's description can lead readers to a perceived idea of how these characters are and that's just how it is. Yet, though Nick is so blunt with his words, there is still a sense of mystery and unclear views on these characters.
Scott A.
2/5/2014 12:08:15 pm
Nick starts off the book by expressing significant advise his father once gave him. His father wisely stated, "whenever you feel like criticizing any one just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." Nick was encouraged to withhold all judgements. The book later goes on to express that Nick is stuck right in the middle of two wealthy neighbors. His house does not even compare to others, especially Gatsby's. Nick's house laid at the tip of the "less fashionable" West Egg island. Across the bay stood the fashionable East Egg island where Nick's cousin Daisy lived. Tom Buchanan, Daisy's husband was an ex football player with a wealthy family. The complete opposite of Nick. When the readers first meet Tom, he seems to be a strong flashy character. Tom takes pride in his house, assest, and in himself. When Nick walks inside Daisy and Ms. Baker are sitting on a couch with fancy white dresses on. They seem to be into fashion and dont even acknowlege Nick at first. Daisy turns out to be friendly and warm hearted but Ms. Baker seems reserved and almost stuck up. Nick described Daisy's and Tom's wealth ahead of everything by stating they lived in the East Egg, a more fashionable area. Nick set the reader up to meet a more prestigious class of people.
Emily F.
2/5/2014 12:08:40 pm
Nick Carraway forms the setting of the novel by describing the places where the characters live. Nick describes the West Egg and the East Egg as both being wealthy, but the West Egg is the “less fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them” (Fitzgerald). The East egg is more superficial that the West Egg. This reflects the characters, Tom, Dasiy, and Jordan, who are rich, shallow, and part of the upper class.
Bailey F
2/6/2014 12:19:21 am
I agree with you Emily. When Fitzgerald says that there is "not a little sinister conrast between them," he means that there is definitetly something different between the two eggs. Whether it is the difference in people living there or just the egg itself. Later is it described that the difference in the two eggs is the amount of wealth and fashion the people have. These characteristics of the different eggs reflect on the characters like you said.
Ryan D
2/5/2014 12:10:03 pm
Nick is first described as an educated young man, who was raised to respect everyone. He lives next to Gastby on the West Egg while his old friend and cousin live on the East Egg. Nick describes his side to be "the less fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them" (Fitzgerald). Each sides inhabitants had different ways of becoming rich, but with Nick using the word sinister to describe the East Egg, it could mean the East's residents could have gotten rich through corrupt ways.
Harshita K.
2/6/2014 05:30:42 am
I like how you compared the two Eggs I believe this is a great idea connecting Nick's mysteriously rich neighbor, Gatsby, with the people he knows on the East Egg. On another note, how does this relate to setting the reader up with the question? there is more to this than just living on the west side? I would re-read this chapter to get the best of it.
Rose A
2/5/2014 12:10:22 pm
Nick Carraway, the narrator, starts out the story by describing the two different parts of town. "Twenty miles from the city a pair of enormous eggs, identical in contour and separated only by a courtesy bay, jut out into the most domesticated body of salt water in the Western hemisphere, the great wet barnyard of Long Island Sound" (Fitzgerald 4-5). The west egg contains people who have became recently rich and the east egg is for people who inherited their wealth. Nick states that "Daisy was my second cousin once removed, and I'd known Tom in college. And just after the war I spent two days with them in Chicago" (6). This almost forces Nick to visit Daisy house (east egg), for the reader to be introduced to meet Daisy, Tom, and Jordan due to Nick's personal story on the separation of the town.
Hailey A.
2/6/2014 02:22:15 am
I liked your comparison of the two Eggs and what kinds of people live in the two sides of town. "The west egg contains people who have become recently rich and the east egg is for people who inherited their wealth." was a good way to describe that and I completely agree with you.
Hannah B
2/5/2014 12:11:46 pm
Fitzgerald begins by describing the reason for why Nick settles in West Egg, rather than East Egg. The East Egg has a sense of vintage glamour and wealth whereas the West is better suited for the middle class. Arriving at the mansion, Nick is greeted by Tom, dressed in riding clothes. He stands boldly, with "a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner [while] two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance," (Fitzgerald 7). Nick then notes how both Daisy and Jordan's dresses are "rippling and fluttering as if they had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house." (Fitzgerald 8). Fitzgerald emphasizes their inability to deal with reality; while the Buchanans are rich financially, the lavish lifestyle keeps Daisy from standing up for herself. The purpose of the introduction was to show the contrast between the separate lifestyles during the time and how wealth has the power to morally corrupt one.
Costa D.
2/5/2014 12:16:44 pm
" whenever you fell like criticizing anyone," he told me "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (3). Fitzgerald adds this line in the beginning to make a statement that the characters we are about to meet will not be our major characters and should not examine their character until the novel develops more. That is why we look at Gatsby first, their is much to study about his character and who he is as a person; however, a more accurate conclusion about him should not be made until further in the story. Fitzgerald introduces the other characters by branching off of Gatsby and discussing their role in the novel. These characters will more than likely be the antagonists because they were mentioned later. An example would be how Nick says "I spent two days with them in Chicago" after describing his connections with Tom and Daisy. Daisy was his second cousin and Tom was a friend.
Jennifer C,
2/6/2014 05:49:27 am
I have to disagree with you, Costa. I don't believe that the quote at the very beginning of the novel is some sort of statement that is directed especially towards the readers, instead I believe that Fitzgerald begins his novel with this line in order to describe the narrator Nick as a character with good morals and someone that gets along well with others because he is "inclined to reserve all judgments" (1). I also have to disagree when you say that Fitzgerald is branching off the other characters off of Gatsby. By reading the first 10 paragraphs, we get very little information on Gatsby and there is no connection to the other characters besides his next door neighbor Nick.
Costa D.
2/6/2014 12:32:06 pm
I see your point Jennifer on how the quote focuses to describe the narrator with good morals; however, this statement can in fact be directed towards the reader in the sense that the narrator wants us to understand it, so that we will not criticize the characters immediately and for us to know that Nick has these beliefs. Otherwise, it would not be mentioned
Kathryn P
2/6/2014 11:31:00 am
I agree with you that the characters mentioned are not going to be our main characters, but they will prominent. I also think that the quote does hint at this, but it is more broad than just the book. It also signifies that people shouldn't criticize others, because they themselves have been down a similar road of struggle before, too.
Daniella A
2/5/2014 12:19:59 pm
The narrator, Nick Carraway, just moved to the West Egg. He is introduced by giving a description of himself. Nick grew up in a middle class home and is not judgmental towards anyone. Nick lives in the West egg, which is the "less fashionable of the two though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them" (Fitzgerald 5). As he continues to explain the east and west eggs, we meet Daisy, Jordan Baker, and Tom. They become more superficial and blend in with the society surrounding them. The Buchanans live on the East Egg, which he describes as much nicer. From this first chapter, it is implied that the East Egg is more fashionable and higher class than the West Egg. Nick's father gave him the advice to not express judgement upon anyone because not everyone has had the same advantages as him in life. With this said it explains as to why Nick is not phased by the behavior of the other characters.
Rose A
2/6/2014 11:56:32 am
I completely agree with you Daniella. I like how you mentioned the advice Nicks's father gave him and how its the reason he is not phased by the behavior of the other characters. I will keep his advice, don't express judgement upon anyone because not everyone has the same advantages in life, while reading this book because it could lead to more developed reasons why this advice was to given to him.
Vasudha P
2/5/2014 12:20:10 pm
Nick introduces himself as a tolerant, open minded person with limits. Unlike Nick, Tom is introduced as an arrogant and dishonest, racist human that casually carries on relatively public love affairs. Daisy, on the other hand, is shallow; she hopes her baby daughter will turn out to be a fool, because “women live best as beautiful fools”. Jordan Baker is full of cynicism, boredom, and dishonesty. The flaws of all the characters are distinguished right at the beginning.
Paula R
2/5/2014 12:21:16 pm
Nick Carraway is written as the narrator of the book, he works as a bond business man living in the West Egg. The West Egg is described as "the less fashionable of the two [Eggs]" where the people are people's loose mouths turned Nick away (Fitzgerald 5). Nick lives in a modest home next to the lavish mansion resided by a man , Mr. Gatsby. Nick visits his cousin, Daisy and her husband, Tom and their friend, Jordan. The three live in the East Egg, the more luxurious of the two. Nick is a wealthy man who boasts about his stables of horses and asserts his opinion as correct because he considers himself to be "stronger and more of a man than [others]." Daisy, Nick's cousin, a mother of an infant daughter, changes the topic of conversations often and believes that a foolish woman is a great woman. Jordan, is a friend of Daisy's and Tom's who also resides in their home and was often disinterested by the state of their wealth exemplifying my belief of the East Egg as being the place of elder rich people.
Renick W.
2/5/2014 12:21:30 pm
The first thing that stood out to me was how Nick started the book. He states, "'Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,' he told me, 'just remember that all people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had'" (Fitzgerald, 1). I think that this opens the book because it lets the reader know that they can trust Nick, because he does not judge others. So with that said, Nick sets us up to meet the Buchanans and Miss Baker, by describing the different settings. The East Egg, where the Buchanans live, is the very rich side, people who have been rich for a long time live there. Compared to the West Egg, where it's newly rich people, and some not as rich people. That alone leads us, as the readers, to believe that tom and Daisy are very well off, and they know no life without an abundance of money. Also, with the quote from the beginning, we are to believe that he is telling it how it is, so when he stays that Tom peaked at 21, I believe it. During the dinner, it becomes apparent that Tom and Daisy are having marriage problems, Tom is cheating and Daisy is bored with him. It is Miss Baker who tells nick about the cheating, and those are basically her firsts words to him of the night. Both Miss Baker and Tom seem to be more outspoken, but Tom is in a way that is abrupt and annoying. Daisy is just a pretty woman that loves to gossip.
Lyssa L.
2/6/2014 12:50:21 pm
Oh my you said so many great and accurate things about the characters. I liked that it wasn't just surface ideas being put forth by you yet, you extracted the deeper meaning from chapter 1. One thing I would add though, is that Daisy is more than just a beautiful, gossipy woman. There's a lot revealed about Daisy in this chapter. When Daisy is discussing her daughter with Nick, she explains, "I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool-that's the best thing a girl can be in this world" (Fitzgerald 17). This is significant in displaying Daisy's character because it demonstrates how she feels towards her own life. She doesn't like it, she knows she being cheated on by her husband, and she knows her life is pathetic. Even with the extremely pointless story she shares with Nick about the butler allows the reader to infer she lives a boring, uninteresting life and by saying she wants her daughter to be a beautiful little fool, she is really talking about herself. So I believe there more to her story than just a chatty woman with good looks.
Josh S
2/6/2014 12:58:51 pm
Renick, I completely agree with you with being able to trust nick because of the fact that he serves as a very honest character that is not biased or judgmental. However, I disagree with the idea that Tom is outspoken in an annoying way and I believe that Daisy is much more that a gossiping pretty face. These characters are very intently formed through their dialogue. For example, when Daisy says "...that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” Daisy clearly has a good understanding of her situation and probably lives in a constant state of sorrow. So I believe that these characters are deeper than credited for at a first glance interpretation.
Mackenzie K.
2/5/2014 12:21:57 pm
Nick, the narrator of the story, starts by giving us some background information as to why he lives on the egg island and he continues to set up and introduce us to the characters Daisy, Tom, and Miss Baker. When he does this, he foreshadows how the characters are going to act throughout the story. When we first are introduced to Tom, Nick describes him as "a sturdy straw-haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner," (Fitzgerald 7). He is shown as uninviting. As the story continues, we see that he is not a very loving man by the way he acts towards Nick. For example, when dinner is called, Tom "wedges him tense are imperatively under [Nick's] and [compels Nick] from the room as though he were moving a checker to another square," (Fitzgerald 11). Tom acts as though he own everyone and everything. Although Tom is not a loving person, Daisy is. When we first meet Daisy she is very open to Nick. When they first meet face to face, Nick says that Daisy "[held his] hand for a moment...promising that there was no one in the world she so much wanted to see," (Fitzgerald 9). Daisy is shown as the go-with-the-flow character. Miss Baker is shown as the gossiper. She is the one that tells Nick about Tom's "other woman" and wants to know everything about everyone. These people are the wealthy and Nick explains how they live on the richer island and how he lives on the poorer island or the West Egg. Despite the fact that Nick is squished between two mansions he still lives on the poorer island. I believe that this social separation will have an affect on the personalities of the characters and the story.
Amannna V.
2/5/2014 12:23:12 pm
In the first ten paragraphs, the narrator Nick Carraway gives a bit of background information regarding his upbringing. He states that his father taught him to reserve judgment towards people, something he takes great pride in. He comes from a well-off family in the Mid-West, so he is not used to the likes of Tom, Daisy, or Jordan. They all live on the East Egg, a section where the very rich and lavish live. Nick, on the other hand, lives in the West Egg, a smaller and less fashionable settlement across the bay. When Nick encounters Tom he states, "...he was a sturdy straw-haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner." (Fitzgerald 7). Right away Nick notices how much Tom has changed from his New Haven days and hardened with his new collection of wealth and power. Daisy and Jordan are hinted as being classier and handling the wealth and power associated with it with more grace: "They were both white, and their dresses rippling and fluttering..." (Fitzgerald 8). Nick (being a very observant person since he was young) right away introduces the characters and their personalities just by the way they physically appear. To Nick, they appear completely odd and confusing , since he is not used to their lavish and exquisite taste/lifestyle.
Paula R.
2/6/2014 09:49:10 am
There are certain things that I agree and disagree with. I don't think that Nick thinks that they (Tom, Daisy and Jordan) are odd or confusing, to me he hasn't yet formed opinions about the three, rather he listened to everything they had to say and responds politely. I also don't think of Jordan and Daisy as being "classier" or "handling the wealth... with more grace". In my opinion, it seems that Jordan is bored of the wealthy life style, when Nick first walked into the room she was "completely motionless... with her chin raised a little... if she saw [Nick] out of the corner of her eyes she gave no hint of it" but if her wealth were to be taken away, I'm sure that she'd react negatively toward it. I do agree that Nick is observant and open minded, his observations can help the readers to further understand the intentions of the characters in the book.
Lizzy K
2/6/2014 10:00:13 am
Amanna, I do think Nick finds their behavior odd, and maybe even confusing, but I think he is more so stunned by their appearances and their intriguing behaviors. Daisy is Nick’s cousin and they have interacted before this encounter, so Nick’s fascination with her is coming from her endearing charm.
Haley M
2/5/2014 12:29:17 pm
Fitzgerald starts off the novel by introducing the narrator of the story, Nick Carraway. Nick comes off as a middle class man and has just moved to the outskirts of the city. "I lived at West Egg, the-well, less fashionable of the two" (Fitzgerald 5). Here nick is describing the two parts of the society. He then leads into how "across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water" (Fitzgerald 5). This introduces Tom, Daisy, and Miss Baker. They live in East Egg and because of this you can tell they are a very wealthy. Daisy and Tom have recently moved out of the city and daisy shows that she misses it. Even though she has a nice house there can be something missing in her life. The separation of towns shows that society will probably play a big role in the novel.
Rachel VB
2/6/2014 10:45:09 am
Good point Haley, but I think there is a lot missing in Daisy's life. Although it seems like Daisy has everything she will ever need, the only thing she actually has is a wealthy husband. A specific example where this is shown is when she tells the story about her butler. It is sad that this is the most exciting part of her life and the only story she can think of to tell her cousin.
Elainie K
2/5/2014 12:30:58 pm
Nick Carraway is established as the narrator of "The Great Gatsby" at the start of the novel. He begins by talking about the family he was raised in and his recent travels to New York to pursue his desired career in the bond business. He establishes the setting by describing the West and East eggs separated by a bay. Nick resides on the West egg, the "less fashionable of the two" (Fitzgerald 5), for the newly rich. The East egg is for those already comfortable in wealth, where Nick's friends, the Buchanan's nd Ms. Baker live. By comparing the two eggs in such a detailed fashion, Fitzgerald creates an evident connection to the comparison of characters. The characterizations of the eggs represent the contrast in the personalities and lifestyles of Nick and his acquaintances.
Haley M
2/6/2014 10:57:33 am
I like the point you made of how the egg connects to the personality and lifestyles of Nick and his acquaintances. I think it makes a good point of the two different societies and the separation of the people within the societies. It brings a connection to "The Garden", where the women was too good to talk to the poor or lesser people. This connection could show how some of the characters in the novel might act towards other characters.
Elainie K
2/6/2014 11:47:54 am
Haley, you make a very interesting point with your connection to the poem "the Garden." I agree that the character of the poem well represents those residing in the East egg. These characters portray arrogance and act as though they are above others surrounding them. This reference will be an interesting point to return to throughout reading the novel to dig deeper on both F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ezra Pound's intentions through characterization.
Zak D
2/5/2014 12:32:05 pm
The narrator, Nick Carraway, introduces us to Tom, Daisy, and Jordan by describing their personalities and backgrounds, as well as his own. Tom and Daisy live in a luxurious mansion in the East egg and Tom's personality reflects on his location in the separated city. When Nick sees Tom at his mansion he notices that he looks at Nick with "two shining arrogant eyes," and speaks with "a touch of paternal contempt." Tom is a harsh and powerful person, caring little for social equality l. He has the power and that's the way he wants to keep it. The two women, Daisy and Jordan, are describe as carefree and those who do not worry about life. They are aware of their wealth and they take advantage of it. As Nick talks with the three more and more, he realizes the differences in personality that they share. Nick is not a judgmental or superficial person like the "East eggers".
Elizabeth Z
2/6/2014 12:40:48 pm
I completely agree with you in that there is a huge contrast between Nick and Tom. Another thing that I have noticed is that they are morally very different as well. Nick talks about how he is "inclined to reserve all judgements" at the beginning. He is immediately portrayed as a decent person. But when we are introduce to Tom, we find out that he is cheating on his wife, just because he can. They are both
shockingly different from each other, and it is a very interesting
contrast that Fitzgrakd presents.
Alyssa Z.
2/5/2014 12:37:55 pm
It Is early recognized that the narrator of the story is not Gastby, but rather another male figure. The knowing of the narrator being Nick caraway is not mentioned until later in the first chapter, which makes the reader question why Fitzgerald chose to write the novel in Nicks perspective. Fitzgerald introduces Tom and Daisy as his old friend and second cousin, as well as Jordan being the friend that he encountered when visiting them in East Egg. Fitzgerald immediately introduces Tom as an arrogant man with "a cruel body" (Fitzgerald 7). Fitzgerald's word choice of describing Tom to be muscular as "cruel" helps the reader understand more about Nick as well and how Tom and Nick are rather different from one another. Later on in the chapter as Nick goes to visit them, it is obvious that Tom and Daisy are not very compatible as Tom objected his opinion about Daisy's word choices concerning him and how Jordan mentions to Nick that Tom has another women in New York. But the way Fitzgerald portrays Nick to describe Jordan is rather intimately different as he mentions, "For a moment the last sunshine fell with romantic affection upon her glowing face" (Fitzgerald 14). These observations picked up throughout the chapter provide the reader with prediction that the relationship with Tom and Daisy will cause later on problems in the novel, as well as wondering if an intimate relationship will be formed between Nick and Jordan.
Kevin H
2/6/2014 12:20:35 pm
I agree with you that Fitzgerald is trying to portray Tom as being arrogant, however I think that Fitzgerald has a good reason for doing so. I think that Fitzgerald is portraying him as arrogant, not to make Tom look bad, but to show how insecure he is and how uncomfortable he is with his situation. For example, when they are at dinner and Tom feels the need to discuss the books he has been reading, Daisy then makes a sarcastic remark which Tom abruptly cuts off. It went "'He (Tom) reads deep books with long words in them. What was that word we --'
'Well, these books are all scientific,' Insisted Tom" (Fitzgerald 12). This is an example of how Tom was being arrogant and trying to flex his brain and show off how smart he felt, but Daisy's comment shows that he is really only doing it to try and make up for his short comings.
Jimmy M
2/5/2014 12:38:27 pm
In the very opening paragraphs, Nick portrays himself to be an average man in almost every way imaginable. There is nothing very extraordinary about him. While the characters he will soon meet all live in East egg, which is very grand and luxurious, Nick lives in West Egg which is, "the less fashionable of the two," (Fitzgerald 5). Nick also starts with his father saying, "Just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had," (Fitzgerald 1). This goes to show that all people come from different walks of life. Everyone has their own story and their own reasons they are the person who they are. Although Nick lives very different lives from Daisy, Tom and Jordan, he has to refrain from making any snap judgements, so he looks at them as ordinary people.
Mark M
2/6/2014 12:27:51 pm
After having the discussion in class today we learned that, while Nick may not be extraordinary in a sense that he is wealthy, but he is able to listen to people. This causes most people to trust him, such as Tom telling him about his girlfriend even though he's married to his cousin. Prior to the discussion I would have agreed with you but because of the discussion we had in class I would have to disagree on the count that he is ordinary.
Renick W.
2/6/2014 01:28:50 pm
I agree with everything you are saying Mark, I'm just going to add on. Nick is a very grounded person, who does in fact have some family money, but not to the extent of the Buchanans and the others. But this money was never handed to him, he had to work for it. His father agreed to finance his stock trading for one year, which is a good amount of money. This all relates to what you quotes from page one, because the advantages that he has had, have kept him grounded and trustworthy. So while Nick is not extraordinary in comparison to the few other characters that we have met, he is definitely not ordinary in many senses.
Jake S
2/6/2014 01:30:10 pm
I agree with Mark here Jimmy. Extraordinary is a very broad term and can mean many different things depending on how you interpret it. Based on your response, I’d imagine that you meant it in a wealthy kind of way. However, after finding that characters such as Tom and Daisy are so trustworthy of him the reader might be able to infer that he is extraordinary in his ability to not make judgments too soon, which is shown by Tom and Daisy admitting things one wouldn’t expect him to be okay with. I say “too soon” because he did in the beginning of the novel say “Conduct may be founded on the hard rock or the wet marshes, but after a certain point I don’t care what it’s founded on.” (Fitzgerald 1) Despite this, he does show “extraordinary” characteristics and despite not being as wealthy as some of the characters he meets, he has proven to be morally superior to most of them despite their wealth.
J. Shea
2/5/2014 12:39:45 pm
Fitzgerald, in the first 10 paragraphs, has Nick describe a basic outline of his life up until that point and a few specific stories. Having the reader see how Nick lived and has generally acted throughout his life gives the reader a general understanding of Nick’s character without any real description given. These stories and statements, such as “Conduct may be founded on the hard rock or the wet marshes, but after a certain point I don’t care what it’s founded on.” (Fitzgerald 1), make Nick’s character much more believable and gives the reader a connection to him. Since he is the narrator, his initial meetings with Daisy, Tom and Jordan set up the initial meetings of each character.
Ambreen M
2/5/2014 12:45:57 pm
Nick Carraway who is the narrator, describes the setting of the first chapter by telling us about the two different areas of this specific city. "Twenty miles from the city a pair of enormous eggs, identical in contour and separated only by a courtesy bay, just out into the most domesticated body of salt water in the Western hemisphere, the great wet barnyard of Long Island Sound" (Fitzgerald 4-5). The West Egg pertains to people who are rich, and not very social, whereas the East Egg favors to those that have always been rich and have lived there for a long period of time. Nick moves to the West egg which is also considered the "less fashionable of the two" (Fitzgerald 5). Daisy and Tom are Nick's friends who are a married couple who live in the East egg. The two eggs are divided simply by a bay. Nick ends up meeting Miss Baker (Jordan) while visiting his friends.
Casey D
2/5/2014 12:46:10 pm
Fitzgerald sets up the introduction of Daisy, Tom, and Jordan by contrasting the high moral standards he expects from society with the inept morals seen later in his peers. He states that when he came back from the East he, "wanted the world to be in uniform and at a sort of moral attention forever..." (Fitzgerald 6). Fitzgerald's self described morality it evidently lacking in the West Egg, as Tom appears to have racist beliefs and cheats on his wife, Daisy is shallow and hopes that her daughter will be a "beautiful fool", and Jordan seems to be spiritually empty and bored with life.
Stefan C.
2/5/2014 12:49:59 pm
I believe that Nick begins to set us up to meet Daisy, Tom, and Miss Baker when he tells us about what his father used to say to him right in the opening lines of the book, "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages you have had". This quote makes it seem like Nick is from a very wealthy and gifted family but in reality he is from a family never really lived in big crowded cities and never have seen what wealth really looks like. When he first is introduced to this kind of wealth is when Gatsby is mentioned. Nick explains how he lives on the edge of the west egg and can see Gatsby's mansion on the east egg and describes it as "a factual imitation of some Hôtel de Ville in Normandy". Nick uses Gatsby to set up just what kind of wealth he is going to dealing with and almost competing with in society
Jake S
2/6/2014 01:19:19 pm
I do agree that Nick never lived in big cities or have a substaintial amount of wealth. However, when Nick says, “remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages you have had” he could be referring to a number of things because “advantages” are not limited to wealth. Advantages his father could have meant anything from a loving family to a better education, but, like you said, Nick does live on the west egg which means that he either never had that much wealth or lost it somehow.
Imani B.
2/5/2014 12:52:31 pm
At the beginning of the novel, Nick Carraway sees himself like any other man and thinks very highly of his father and has been thinking about a statement that his father made for a while. Nick talks about the new place where he lives called Egg and how it mainly consists of people who are wealthy. "Daisy was my second cousin once removed, and I'd known Tom in college. And just after the war I spent two days with them in Chicago." This was the statement that first introcuded Tom and Daisy into the story. It describes the two as wealthy people, Daisy who seems to enjoy sharing secrets, Tom who seems like a very average man, and later intoduced, Miss Baker, who is portrayed as woman with a serious personality.
Morganne J
2/6/2014 11:49:56 pm
I agree that Nick begins the novel this way, however I find that there is much more depth created with the characters that he introduces to us: Tom, Daisy, and Miss Baker. Yes, they are all rich people that live in an excess amount of wealth, but their personalities are more complex. Daisy tells secrets because she is insecure in her marriage and relationship with Tom. Tom, in my opinion, is no average man. First of all, he used to be pretty famous which is not something everyone is capable of experiencing. He also has never worked for anything he has, is quite unintelligent, and is also insecure in his relationship with Daisy. Personally, I find Tom to be an empty person, not an average man.
Shivam P
2/5/2014 12:52:33 pm
The novel starts off with the introduction of Nick Carraway. We learn that he becomes the narrator of the novel. Fitzgerald describes Nick as a very average man in pretty much all aspects. Fitzgerald also described the life of Nick up to the present. As we proceed further into the first chapter we are introduced to Tom and Daisy who live in the East egg. As for these characters we learn that Nick looks at them in the truest way possible. Fitzgerald uses the first ten paragraphs to set up the setting of the two eggs where Nick lives in the "less fashionable of the two."(fitzgerald 5).
Elizabeth Z
2/5/2014 12:54:38 pm
Fitzgerald begins the story with an very descriptive depiction of Nick's character. The reader is told even more than a friend of Nick's might know. Fitzgerald prepares the reader for the introductions of the other characters by saying things that prove to be at least slightly contradicory once Nick is reunited with his cousins. For example, at the beginning, Nick says, "I wanted no more riotous excursions with privileged glimpses into the human heart." Yet, when he is sitting outside with Daisy, he prompts her to talk about her life and its difficulties in then past year or so. Despite what he claimed he felt at the start of the chapter, he stills was curious and in tested in what she was feeling.
Trevor K
2/5/2014 12:54:50 pm
Nick Carraway is introduced in the novel as hardworking and very intelligent. The story begins with an important quote said by his father saying, "whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've have." This quote proves to be important as Nick is introduced to Daisy, Tom, and Miss Baker who seem to lack depth and value. They live on the East Egg which contains families who have been rich for a while. The west egg however is the "less fashionable of the two" and seems to be less superficial. Tom is described as having terrible morals and values as he has relations with another woman and is racist. The meeting of the characters is set up with Nick's explanation on how he has insight that these people do not have.
Jack M.
2/6/2014 10:43:50 am
I agree. It seems to me like Nick is almost opposite to his friend Tom and Cousin Daisy in some ways. For instance, Nick looks past surface things like race and wealth, but Tom, like you said, seems to be racist, and Daisy acts like she is better than others, asking questions like "I wonder what they do," referring to the non-wealthy. I think this is a really good observation/point.
Jelani P
2/5/2014 12:56:21 pm
Although Nick Carroway does not describe himself directly, from the background knowledge he gives, we can infer certain things about him and the relationships he may form with other characters. From his early interpretation of his childhood to his first meetings with Tom, Daisy and Miss Baker, it is evident that he is a sort of critical and analytical person. He appears to have a openly biased opinion on most things, "I live at West Egg, the--well, the less fashionable of the two," (Fitzgerald 5). He shares his opinions on others openly as well, which may lead to a one dimensional understanding of some characters, "...he seemed to say, 'just because I'm stronger and more of a man that you are.'" (Fitzgerald 7). He portrays Daisy and Tom as nearly opposites, Daisy being gentle and lovely while Tom is more of a gruff character. The difference in characters adds to the contrast and sheds light on their upbringings, as well as their possible future actions.
Jesse S.
2/5/2014 12:56:54 pm
The Buchanans live in a “Georgian Colonial mansion” which instantly places them amongst the elite and patrician. The irony of the description, “cheerful” is that despite the attempt of trying to create a perfect life and trying to ensure everyone is notified of how rich they were, Fitzgerald shows in chapter 1, that the reality of the Buchanans’ were nowhere near as “cheerful” as it initially seems. The colours used to describe Buchanan’s place are rich, “gold” giving the double implication of wealth and sunshine.However, Tom seems to be uncomfortable in his own surroundings, at one point his eyes begin “flashing about restlessly”, he is desperate to be perfect, desperate to be stronger and more of a man” than Nick is.
Brenda N.
2/5/2014 12:59:30 pm
Nick starts to introduce Daisy, Tom, and Jordan through their living standards. He begins splitting their lifestyles, making it clear that Nick did not live the luxury style the others lived and this gives readers a small sense of how their personalities can be. Since they live in a more fortunate part of town, they are expected to be snooty or more mannerly than others. Then as the novel goes on, Nick introduced the dinner table. Readers find how Daisy can be quite gossipy about the rich.
Paulette D
2/6/2014 03:25:21 am
I disagree with you, Brenda, Nick not living a luxurious life, because he does. The difference between East and West Egg is that the folks on the East inherited their wealth, while the West had to work in order to live there. Nick explains, "I lived at West Egg, the-well, the less fashionable of the two, though this is most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them" ( Fitzgerald 4). Nick never said he was less fortunate than the people on the East. During the dinner, readers learn how sad of a life Daisy has from the conversations. The events that occur at the dinner table, depict the characters true self. Which completely shattered the description of when we first meet Daisy, Miss Baker and Tom.
Brenda N
2/6/2014 11:40:07 am
I'm sorry, but I would have to disagree with you. Although it is true that Nick does not say he is less fortunate, he never said he lived the luxury life. In your quote, it says, "the less fashionable of the two." Therefore it is inferred that Nick does not have that same upper class lifestyle as those from the East Egg had. Are you saying that Nick and those who lived on the East Egg are of the same class because they both put in the same effort of work? If you are, I am also disagreeing with you because, again, in your quote, "a little sinister contrast between them" lets readers infer that citizens in the East Egg may use some under handed tricks to get where they were. But overall, I do agree with what you say at the dinner table. It is my mistake of misinterpreting Daisy.
Jesse S.
2/6/2014 12:36:49 pm
Unfortunetley I have to agree with Paulette. When Nick says "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one, just remember that not all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had. " If Nick were to be of lower class then we wouldn't feel so superficical towards those who he belives are beneath him.Perhaps the "empty" feelings of Daisy, Tom, and Jordan could be related to what they have committed in order to reach that luxury style of living.
Jesse S.
2/6/2014 12:51:53 pm
I have to agree with Paulette, although it is not directly stated within the text, it can reasonably be inferred in the details that foreshadow Nick involvement with the upper class. That was elaborated my Matts R.'s comment above. Fitzgerald utilizes this foreshadowing when distinguishing between West Egg and East Egg."The one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard...it was Gatsby's mansion. Implying that East egg contains some "baggage", while Gatsby's even though he stands for everthing Nick resents, is able to learn from whichever mistakes in the past that were committed. While it remains obvious Tom, Daisy, and Jordan have not.
Kevin H
2/5/2014 12:59:37 pm
I find it interesting that he set them up in such a contrasting way as far as social status goes. As Nick describes himself, he states "Reserving judgments is a matter of infinite hope. I am still a little afraid of missing something if i forget that... a sense of the fundamental decencies is parceled out unequally at birth." What I took away from this is that he is a very down to earth person, and while he has a very strong sense of who he is, he does not lose sight of the way other people view the world. He continues on to describe his situation, and I think that his housing situation is a representation of how he is compared to Daisy, Tom and Miss Baker. While he is living in this neighborhood filled with mansions and millionaires, he lives in a far less grand house, he states "My own house was an eyesore, but it was a small eyesore, and it had been overlooked, so I had a view of the water, a partial view of my neighbor''s lawn, and the consoling proximity of millionaires- all for eighty dollars a month" So what this is saying is that while he may not be from the same background as Daisy, Tom and Miss Baker, that because of the type of person he is that they overlook his difference in wealth from them.
Angel.A
2/6/2014 07:24:12 am
Kevin, I liked what you had to say. I agree that Nick is a very honest person, and that he truly knows who he is. Also, Nick understands other people and is able to see who they really are, he knows that Tom used to be a national icon and is trying to prove to everyone that he is more than a football player. Also, Daisy, she may seem unintelligent, the butler story for example, but I think that she will show hertrue self in later chapters
Casey D
2/6/2014 09:26:52 am
I disagree with your statement that Nick is a "down to earth person". Nick restates his father's message saying, "I snobbishly repeat, a sense of the fundamental decencies is parceled out unequally at birth" (6). Not only does Nick acknowledge that he is snobbish about his views regarding other people, he also believes that he was born with better values. Additionally, Tom would not over look someone based on their great personally and morals. Tom himself has horrible morals and only interacts with Nick to show off his wealth and intelligence.
Bakari C.
2/6/2014 11:19:53 am
Sorry Kevin! I have to disagree. But Casey, I agree with how you say that Nick is not a down to Earth person. I think Nick is simply a character who understands that people are different but everyone has to become their own person and will do that in different ways. I think he does believe that he is living life (when speaking of morals) in the "right lane", but I also believe that he is correct in thinking he is doing so. But I want to disagree with you, Casey, saying that Tom is only confiding in Nick to show off. I believe that Nick has made himself into someone who is a very attractive person to anyone he encounters. I believe that people feel comfortable with him because he somewhat "steps out of his own skin". As you will see as the novel progresses, Daisy, Tom, Jordan, as well as Gatsby confide in Nick in ways that are vastly different from someone who simply wishes to "show off".
Kevin H
2/6/2014 12:38:33 pm
I think that you may have interpreted what Nick was saying incorrectly. When he states that "my father snobbishly suggested, and I snobbishly repeat..." (Fitzgerald 6). I think that what he means is that stating how fundamental decencies are parceled out equally at birth from his position, a position of wealth (because at the time Nick was still with his family who "have been prominent, well-to-do people" (Fitzgerald 2)) makes his comment snobbish. I do not however think that he is stating himself to be a snobbish person, especially because his actions later on do not reflect that. I also disagree with your statement about Tom. I feel that there are two major reasons why Tom relates to Nick. In the very beginning, Nick says "in college I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men" (Fitzgerald 1). This shows that Nick is a person whom people tend to open up to, such as Tom does. Also, I think that Tom welcomes Nick because he is insecure and wants someone who he can feel comfortable with if he needs a person to confide with about his internal issues.
Casey D
2/6/2014 07:48:22 pm
In regards to your statement about Nick's upbringing you said in your first comment that Nick is not from the same wealthily background as Tom and Daisy, yet you said in your latest reply that Nick is snobbish because of his prominent, well to do background, thus you are contradicting yourself.
Josh S
2/5/2014 12:59:58 pm
Nick Carraway, as the narrator of the novel, sets up the characters in a descriptive way based on their physical appearance. He goes into describing the characters with a very open mind, and describes them all to be different which is evident in his father’s quote "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had," (Fitzgerald 1). He is not too judgemental and tells it how it is. For example he says, “among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven” (Fitzgerald 6).
Jelani P
2/6/2014 12:31:50 pm
I agree with you in the sense that Nick is mot judgmental, however, I think he is very analytical and the way the characters are described give away some of their possible future actions. For example, he describes Tom as having, "Two shining eyes [that] established dominance paver his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward." (Fitzgerald 7). This sets Tom up to be a possible source of physical danger or trouble in the future, and, for me, I view as a threat.
Caleb S
2/5/2014 01:00:09 pm
Nick Carraway is the narrator of The Great Gatsby. Nick begins to tell us about his life as a child and as he grew up and also about some of his family. He then gets into telling us were he lived. He says “I lived at West Egg, the - well less fashionable of the two” (Fitzgerald 5). Nick explains how where he lives is much cheaper and not as nice then the houses around his. He then comes to realize that one of the nicer houses close to his “Was Gatsby Mansion” (Fitzgerald 5). On the other side of the bay in East Egg lived Tom and Daisy Buchanans, Nick had known Tom from college and Daisy was his second cousin once removed. Nick like I said before gave us personal information about his life and his past to the point where it leads us to Tom and Daisy. He then show us how the characters will be portrayed as the novel progresses and as we begin to learn more about them by giving us information about their lives and what they have done.
Shelby D
2/6/2014 08:48:35 am
Caleb, I agree the diversity of locations has a lot to do with the introduction of Tom and Daisy. However, I think the portrayal of Nick’s personality is much more important. I believe his personality plays a major role in the interpretation of the characters to follow. For example, Nick begins by telling us that he is “inclined to reserve all judgment” (Fitzgerald 1). This tells us that Nick is a thoughtful person. After being initially introduced to Tom, his arrogance is portrayed in a way that is quite astonishing. At one point Tom gives his opinion to Nick. Tom then tells Nick not to put too much emphasis on his opinion “’just because I’m stronger and more of a man than you are’” (Fitzgerald 8). At this point the reader is involuntarily (or voluntarily) forming their own opinion of Tom. And because of readers forming their own opinion, I believe that Nick’s personality and values are a key factor for the introduction of other characters.
Kathryn Paul
2/5/2014 01:00:46 pm
I believe that Nick is intentionally set up to meet Daisy, because the first paragraphs suggest the timeline of how the two meet. Nick quotes his father about not criticizing others, because he has not always had wealth either. I feel that Daisy may be Nick's rock in helping to find and establish this moral throughout the story.
Conrad
2/5/2014 11:48:31 pm
Interesting. I'd like to revisit this later in the book!
Jordan C.
2/6/2014 12:06:51 pm
I agree with Kathryn that Nick and Daisy are intentionally set up to meet. There definitely is a sort of feel that both these characters have something connecting them together in another way than the fact she is his cousin and is married to one of Nick's best friend. I also agree that Daisy may be Nick's rock but I think you might have over looked the fact that maybe Daisy relies on Nick for protection from her unhappy life. Both character seem to need each other but so does Tom which makes me add that Nick is a character that can be trusted with secrets and won't criticize the mistakes made in one's life based on the moral or life lesson he learned from his father. So yes, I do agree with you that these first few paragraphs do help set up Nick to meet Daisy for those reasons.
Becca K.
2/5/2014 01:01:18 pm
Fitzgerald sets us up to meet Tom, Daisy, and Miss Baker by establishing Nick Carraway's personality as well as morals. By building Carraway's character, we have a basis to judge other characters that are introduced off of. From a young age Carraway was inclined "to reserve all judgements" (Fitzgerald 1), so the reader can tell he has strong moral upbringing. Upon inferring one can also tell that he does not possess the need for material and fashionable things. Carraway lives in a small house "squeezed between two huge places that rented for twelve or fifteen thousand a season" (Fitzgerald 5), while his was rented out for only eighty. He is not jealous of what he does not have, nor does he need fashionable and flashy possessions to feel fulfilled. Because of this introduction to Nick Carraway's morals and personality, the reader is encouraged to form an opinion on any new characters. Therefore, setting us up to be introduced to the vastly different Daisy, Tom and Miss Baker.
Joe S
2/6/2014 11:09:04 am
Becca, I totally agree with what you are saying. I like how you described that Nick does not seek the need for fashionable or modish items. The way in which you connect his morals to his beliefs and the difference between the other characters is great. In my opinion I like the way in which Nick is honest and the way he evaluates other characters. Do you think that in some way Nick seems astonished in how Daisy and Tom lead their lives?
Lyssa L.
2/5/2014 01:03:16 pm
Nick sets us up to meet Daisy, Tom, and Jordan by the places they live. Nick is said to live on the "west egg" which is describes to be the "less fashionable of the two" (Fitzgerald 5). The other three live on the east egg which is wealthier and nicer than the west egg. Nick goes over to visit his old friends and the characters are this introduced. It's important to note his dad's advice gave him about how not everyone is given the same opportunities and to not judge people that come from different places.
Harshita K.
2/6/2014 05:52:50 am
I sorta slightly disagree with you Lyssa because of all what is introduced about Nick in the fist few paragraghs it seems like as a narrator he is very trustworthy. Nck comes from the west wing who has connections with Daisy,Tom,Ms.Baker who live on the west side. The West side "gives its inhabitants a sense of royalty, even though their flawed behavior shows them not to have any royal sense at all". this explains that the people on the east side aren't as sincere as nick make them out to be. This personality is shown through tom who cheated on his girl which is not a good thing to do.
Skyler P.
2/5/2014 01:04:25 pm
The Great Gatsby's narrator, Nick Carraway, pushes his ideal of looking at the world in different perspectives to the audience throughout the entire first ten chapters. He initially is told by his father about judging others to "remember that all the people...haven't had the advantages that you've had" (1). He continued this belief as he felt "inclined to reserve all judgements, a habit that has opened up many curious natures" (1) thus he keeps judgements or criticisms to himself until all the facts are lying flat out in front of him. The ideal of perspective further changes when he decides to come back from the East where he saw only a uniform, straightforward world until he met Mr. Gatsby who has an indescribable beauty to Nick's own eyes. He explains that he is everything he dislikes or deviates from Nick's uniform world. This sets up the introduction of Daisy, Tom, and Miss Baker. Nick analyzes his house to Mr. Gatsby, however he actually embraces the brighter side of his house saying his "own house was an eyesore, but it was a small eyesore...[he] had a view of the water, a partial view of [his] own neighbor's lawn, and the consoling proximity of millionaires - all for eighty dollars a month" (5). He then compares the West Egg he lives on and the East Egg that Tom and Daisy live on. He compares the rich and glamorous lives the two live which provides the reader a change of perspective yet again on the wealthy. He explains how Tom brought down polo ponies and that "It was hard to realize that a man in [his] own generation was wealthy enough to do that" (6). To explain, he comes to the conclusion that he has a smaller view on this world he lives and too open his eyes further. Daisy and Tom are a key to Nick's personality of ever-changing perspective and this why Nick mentions all the background information on himself and his personality leading to Daisy and Tom's debut.
Richard W.
2/5/2014 01:23:11 pm
Fitzgerald sets us up to meet Daisy, Tom, and Jordan by allowing the narrator, Nick Carraway, to introduce himself from the beginning of the novel. Carraway specifically does this by describing where he recently moved into his house, "It was a matter of chance that I should have rented a house in one of the strangest communities in North America" (Fitzgerald 7). He lives on Long Island which is split into two different communities with egg shaped landmarks. Nick lives on the less affluent part of Long Island called "West Egg" while Daisy, Tom, and Jordan live on the wealthier side called "East Egg." Nick uses the dinner that he is invited to at the Buchanan household to formally introduce those three characters to the readers. The dinner is used as a from of foreshadowing to hint at Daisy, Tom, and Jordan's future roles in novel but to also reveal their personalities and character traits.
Scott A.
2/6/2014 09:05:36 am
Richard, I liked how you viewed the dinner as a way for Nick to introduce the characters. Dinners are seen as a way to share information and spend good qualility time with other people. Fitzgerald used the dinner to magnify the relationships of the characters in the book. At dinner the reader finds out about the affair that Tom is in and realizes that Daisty is not in a good marriage.
Jennifer C.
2/5/2014 01:30:10 pm
Nick Carraway describes himself as intelligent by mentioning the several books on banking that he describes as "red and gold like new money from the mint" (Fitzgerald 4). Along with a description of his family and his journey to the East to study bond business, readers are introduced to the narrator. The manner in which the other characters, Tom and Daisy Buchanans and Miss Baker, are slightly different. Readers do not get much background information other than Daisy is Nick's "second cousin once removed" (5). Instead, the narrator introduces them to readers by describing the East Egg. This infers that those living there are very wealthy and Nick later goes to describe them individually. Tom has "a body capable of enormous leverage---a cruel body" (7) and Daisy has this effect almost like "her heart was trying to come out to you concealed in one of those breathless, thrilling words" (14). There is little that is said about Ms. Baker but I could be inferred that she keeps to herself when Nick arrives to the house.
Harshita.k
2/6/2014 12:23:16 am
In the book, Nick Carraway labels himself as the narratoer of the love story behind Gatsby and daisy.In Chapter 1 Fitzgeald sets the reader up to meet Daisy,Tom and Jordan in detail by describing where each of these characters live and their physical apperances. There is a saying that there are no coincidences in the world and everything that happens was meant to happen, all the people that you meet and have made impacts have happend for reasons.That connects to this book because Nick Carrraway, our protagonist has moved to the west instead of the east and there are reasons that he met all these people. Nick introduced himself "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had," (Fitzgerald 1). He is not too judgemental and tells it how it is. For example he says, “among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven” (Fitzgerald 6). Among the rich maybe these people are those who have helped Nick establish his morals and ethics.
Hailey A.
2/6/2014 02:02:18 am
In The Great Gaspy, Nick Carraway labels himself as the narrator. In the first chapter, he introduces daisy, his ex-lover and her cheating husband Tom, who has a child named Jordan who is 3. We as readers do not get much background information other than Daisy is Nick's second cousin once removed. Fitzgeald writes that Nick is a very well set off man with a kind heart and good morals.
Kristen C.
2/6/2014 05:51:07 am
I would have to disagree with you on the information about Daisy, I don't recall any part of the chapter stating Daisy was Nick's ex lover. Also, I don't think they mentioned the name of their child? Even though Nick is said to be a good moralized person, is there an explanation as to how it sets us up to meet them?
Matt C.
2/6/2014 08:27:24 am
Fitzgerald uses the first ten paragraphs to give background information on the main character, Nick Carraway. He uses stories from Nick to really describe his character. Rather than coming right out and telling the reader who Nick really is, the reader can infer who he is based off of his stories. Nick lives in the West Egg, as he describes as the, "less fashionable of the two" (Fitzgerald 5). He attempts to introduce new characters in a nonjudgmental manner, but still criticizes some of the characters.
Yousuf A
2/6/2014 12:34:01 pm
I completely agree because in his opening paragraph he talks about he made the mistake of characterizing people in the past however he no longer will because they do not all have the same advantages that he was granted. However, he still judges the people that he goes out to dinner with, such as a Tom, Daisy, and Jordan. He seems to take a dislike for the three, as he associates many negative characteristics with them.
Morganne J
2/6/2014 10:00:12 am
The characters within "The Great Gatsby" are all crucial to the story's fulfillment and meaning. Nick Carraway, the protagonist and narrator of the story, is the most important character of them all though. He begins the book for us by sharing a little about who he is as a character and what his purpose is to the novel. Nick tells us straight out that he is one who is more relaxed and carefree when it comes to judging others and their ways. However, he also says that, "after boasting this way of my tolerance, I come to the admission that it has a limit" (Fitzgerald 2). In my opinion, this statement can be applied, after being introduced to each character, to everyone that Nick interacts with. Soon after he says this, he shares the first thought that he has towards Gatsby. He tells us that, "Gatsby, who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn. If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him.....it was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again" (Fitzgerald 2). This is the very first impression that we get of Gatsby and it is vital to hold on to for when he is actually introduced to us. Besides the introduction, Nick explains his plans after moving to the West Egg and that he will meet with his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom. Just within the first chapter, we receive a clear image of both Tom's and Daisy's personalities and conducts. Because Nick is the narrator and he leaves most of his true emotions out of the script, we the readers are able to think of the characters on our own and in our own way. Yes, we can make the same conclusions about certain characters, but the mystery that comes along with Nick's narration prepares us even more to meet Gatsby. I also believe that this novel was intended to be written like this so that it could be universally applied. The rich depth that Nick creates in the narration is perfect for the story and its meaning.
Emma S
2/6/2014 10:13:54 am
Fitzgerald does an amazing job setting up the lives of Jordan Baker, Daisy, and Tom. He gives us enough information to scratch the surface on who they are, but leaves the reader, or me at least, wondering more about them. As I read, I question why they act that way or why they feel the need too. For Tom, I learned that he comes off as someone who has confidence but if you look closer, he is a low self esteem which explains why he is cheating on Daisy. Tom is an approval seeker. Daisy, is an upset wife with a child who wants her daughter to follow in her footsteps. She wants her to marry rich, "that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful fool" (Fitzgerald 17). Her daughters looks will win over any rich man which will then lead to her having money. Jordan Baker seems to have a stand offish personality, and is quieter than the rest. With Daisy, they share meaningless gossip just to start problems.
Miranda L
2/6/2014 10:23:20 am
Emma, I agree with you in the sense that it's seems like Daisy and Jordan create meaningless gossip to start problems. I feel like Daisy is bored with her life so she makes up rumors to make things more interesting. We first get a sense of this when she tells Nick about her butler and how he used to polish the silver of rich people in the city.
Nadim K
2/6/2014 12:23:55 pm
I agree with you on the fact that Fitzgerald doesn't give a whole lot of information on Jordan Baker, Daisy, and Tom. Its good because it helps us wonder who these people are and how much of a significance do they play in the story.
Chris B
2/9/2014 10:25:35 am
I have to disagree with you Emma I believe that Daisy might actually be smarter then she lets on and when she says "that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful fool" (Fitzgerald 17) she wants her daughter to have the opposite of what she has she is smart enough to realized that she is being cheated on and that she doesn't want that for her daughter as long as she has a good life and is to dumb to realize that the guy she is with is probably going to be no good.
Jack M.
2/6/2014 10:36:39 am
The exposition to Gatsby is similar to a huge number of other stories, but it is significantly different, because it shows the narrator, Nick Carraway, as a completed character in a lot of ways. Not only does he allow equal opportunity for all others by being "inclined to reserve all judgements," which shows that even though he is a pseudo wealthy man, he still acts equal to all unlike his cousin, Daisy, or friend, Tom. Nick also says that "after boasting this way of my tolerance, I come to the admission that it has a limit. Conduct may be founded on the hard rock or the wet marshes, but after a certain point I don’t care what it’s founded on." Nick proves how developed he is a character, even within the first lines, because he shows that he looks past money and "material" things to see a real human. This is why I think that the first 10 paragraphs are not really for a small plot point with Daisy and Tom, but to show a grounded individual in the novel-Nick Carraway.
Bakari C.
2/6/2014 11:12:13 am
I believe that Fitzgerald portrays Carraway as a character who values observation. His observational skills will help a reader understand further how Tom, Daisy and Jordan will be introduced. I believe that Fitzgerald wants readers to truly believe that Nick is above judging others because of lessons learned in his past. But, I think that underneath that, we are readers, need to realize that Nick does have standards which he chooses not to vocalize. I think that Nick becomes a somewhat "smart" and "sly" character by simply knowing/guessing who Daisy, Tom, and Jordan honestly are (and possibly disagreeing with their true personalities) but never saying it. This can all be proven through Nick's thoughts, "I
wanted no more riotous excursions with privileged glimpses into the
human heart."
Alexis B
2/6/2014 12:24:19 pm
Nick Carraway opens up with a more than interesting quote. He says, "In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since"(Fitzgerald 5). This opener tells a lot about Nick's character and leads the way to the other characters. He establishes the plot by describing how he ended up back in the country after moving to New York, and then goes on to explain the characters.
Yousuf A
2/6/2014 12:26:57 pm
The story begins with Nick stating, "'Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,' he told me, 'just remember that all people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had'" (Fitzgerald, 1). This lets the reader know that they can trust Nick, because he does not judge others. I do not completely understand the context of this quote however, because he essentially judges and categorizes the other characters that we’re introduced to during dinner. When they go out to dinner, it becomes apparent that Tom and Daisy are having marriage problems and Tom is arrogant and dishonest, making racist arguments at dinner; Daisy is shallow, and she even says she hopes her baby daughter will turn out to be a fool, because women live best as beautiful fools.
Mary K
2/6/2014 12:36:40 pm
Nick is the narrator of The Great Gatsby, and gets the book going. Fitzgerald uses him as the character of mystery in a way. In the first chapter, he throws out bits and pieces of the puzzle he has, but we can't put them together. He leaves us wondering, always giving us hints of the answer, but not the answer itself. That's why we know so much, but in reality, we barely know anything at all. Nick introduces us to Tom, Daisy and Jordan by comparing the two eggs he mentions in the beginning of chapter two. How he mentions how he's the "the less fashionable of the two" (Fitzgerald 5) and the others are from the "east palace" because of the personalities they are given and statues.
Andrea C.
2/7/2014 12:41:06 am
In the first chapter of the novel, Fitzgerald spends a good amount of time describing the kind of life he has led, as well as introducing Tom and Daisy. He seems to know about them from a distance but, "[he] drove over to East Egg to see two old friends whom [he] scarcely knew at all" (6). He describes the difference between where he lives, the West Egg, and where the Buchannans live, the East Egg. He almost puts Tom and Daisy on a pedestal by describing their lifestyle. He does make it a point to differentiate between the two, and makes it clear that they are from two different worlds.
Chris B
2/9/2014 10:13:53 am
FItzgerald gives just enough information about Nick that if you dont look closer into the meaning of the text you just may see Nick as any other guy but when the Nicks father tells him "remember that all the people...haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Fitzgerald) we see that NIck will be a character that other characters will get along well with to show an unbiased opinion and a good narration of the story.
Bri D.
2/9/2014 10:18:11 am
Throughout the first ten paragraphs, Nick Carraway introduces us to himself, Daisy, Tom and Miss Baker. I found it important how Carraway starts with something his dad had always said; "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" (Fitzgerald 1). This is how we meet the characters. He is telling us not to judge one another and all of the main characters come from different backgrounds, and though he gives little information, so much is revealed throughout this chapter about each one of the characters.
Jordan Chenoweth
2/9/2014 11:45:01 am
Nick Carraway's little background of our cast of characters in this book is overshadowed by his own little inserts in the beginning of the book. The one thing to remember is that he is explaining to the reader the entire story after it has happened, and therefore, everything he says in the beginning is a reflection of the story he is about to reveal. For example, on page 1, he explains, "In consequence, I am inclined to reserve all judgements" (Fitzgerald 1). In other words, he doesn't judge people before he understands their story. However, he later explains that "After boasting this way of my tolerance, I come to the admission that it has a limit" (Fitzgerald 2). In summation, by describing his own limitations, it reveals the complications that the other characters are going to bring as they are further described in the story.
Caitlin C
2/9/2014 11:45:04 am
Nick introduces Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan by describing first their surroundings and lifestyles. We first meet these characters as Nick describes their lives. In short, Tom is a brute whose brain never developed passed high school, Daisy is a ditz that turns a blind eye to her husband’s adultery, and Jordan is young guest that is terribly curious about gossip. Although we have a deeper understanding of the characters that advances throughout the chapter, at the time being, Nick sets us up to meet the Buchanan’s and Ms. Baker by first describing where they live; East Egg. By giving us a description of the eggs, “To the wingless a more arresting phenomenon it their dissimilarity in every particular shape and size” (Fitzgerald 5) Nick clearly makes it known that the Buchanan’s, along with Ms. Jordan Baker live in the well-off neighborhood, setting up who their characters should act like, therefore preparing us to meet the Buchanan’s and their guest.
TJ Ayodele
2/9/2014 11:56:41 am
The story sets us up to meet the other characters with Nick by making Nick like them economically, but no alike in other aspects. This allows us to get a direct feed from the other characters from Nick as they see him as equals and will tell him what they wouldn't tell to someone of upper or lower class. Nick is also perfect for this job because of his character. Since he was given the advice,
"Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had"(Fitzgerald 1), Nick doesn't judge people, and is able to give the least bias POV possible.
Mahia P
2/24/2014 06:29:51 am
The first chapter of the book is very detailed and descriptive. Fitzgerald has a way of writing that allows us to really connect with Nick Carraway and his thoughts. Daisy, Tom, and Miss Baker are introduced to us through the observations that Nick makes about each of these characters. For example, Nick says that, "The other girl, Daisy, made an attempt to rise - she leaned slightly forward with a conscientious expression - then she laughed, an absurd, charming little laugh, and I laughed too and came forward into the room" (Fitzgerald 8). Nick's description of Daisy is very detailed, yet it is also filled with subtle nuances that help us understand what Daisy is like, as well as what Nick is like.
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