How do you make words, which are just sounds or written symbols, somehow reflect real people and events in the world? This is a complex question which every writer has to answer for themselves, but in F. Scott Fitzgerald's case, it's all about "evocative" writing - that is, trying to "evoke" a scene in the reader's head. That's why we focused on the attention to detail in setting as a way into Fitzgerald's dense writing throughout chapters 1 and 2 - it helped us see how his writing isn't meant to just tell a story, but bring to life a whole WORLD with language. This is especially well-done in Chapters 3 and 4, which finally introduce Gatsby in twin scenes that evoke almost opposite images of him. In Chapter 3, he appears as a perfect gentleman, whereas in Chapter 4 he at least briefly becomes, in Nick's words, "sinister." Which is it? Is it both? The duality or contradiction between appearances and reality that defines Gatsby will begin to make more sense in Chapters 5 and 6, where it will become our focus.
For now, by paying close attention to DICTION (word choice, especially adjectives/adverbs) and SYNTAX (sentence structure, especially way way Fitzgerald links patterns of images together), we'll unpack the many layers of thematic meaning in Fitzgerald's evocative prose. You will post a comment here at the conclusion of chapter 4 analyzing one passage's descriptive use of a MOTIF (recurring image or symbol) and its thematic significance, worth 25 points (including a response to a classmate's post).
23 Comments
Suubi Mondesir
2/29/2016 08:33:31 am
A recurring image or symbol in one passage was Montenegro or the metal that Gatsby received for becoming a war hero, on page 66 of chapter four. Gatsby seems to reminisce as if he experienced good times there. However his tone changes from happiness to pity, but more sympathetic. The text states "Little Montenegro! He lifted up the words and nodded--with a smile. The smile comprehended Montenegro's troubled history and sympathized with the brave struggles of the Montenegrin people". This shows the progressive change in Gatsby's tone throughout the text and how quickly Gatsby’s emotions can change. Its thematic significance relates to, if Gatsby is capable of telling the truth and how he wants Nick to interpret him the right way, not based on the rumors he’s heard. Gatsby wants Nick to know, he is a good man. But why? What does Gatsby of all people need to prove to a man like Nick who’s not rich or prestige, like himself? On the previous page Gatsby also stated, “Look here, old sport, he broke out surprisingly. What’s your opinion of me, anyhow?” and “Well, I’m going to tell you something about my life, he interrupted. I don’t want you to get a wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear”. Again the text shows how Gatsby seems to want and almost need Nicks approval. Overall, the recurring image or symbol was Montenegro or the metal Gatsby got for being a war hero and how it connects with a significant recurring theme of, is Gatsby able to tell truth and or, why does he want Nicks approval, and care so much about how he’s perceived.
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Seamus Cochrane
2/29/2016 03:05:51 pm
Suubi I really like your point about Gatsby seeking Nick's approval. In chapter 4 Gatsby goes so far into his life story that it really seems like a fabrication. How could all of that possibly be true? It almost makes it look like Gatsby is trying to impress Nick so much that Nick forgets about the rumors. But why is Gatsby trying so hard? What is he trying to hide?
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Biggs
2/29/2016 03:51:11 pm
A lot of people compare Gatsby to the Wizard of Oz. He hides inside his "curtain" of fancy clothes and Oxford manners, but behind all that there is ... nothing. You could say this is true of all of us, as did the sociologist Erving Goffman, whom you might remember from this video we watched with The Crucible.
Seamus Cochrane
2/29/2016 03:02:34 pm
One of the recurring images that Fitzgerald adds in his writing to help us visualize the scene is his description of the sounds at the first party of Gatsby's as an orchestra. On page 40 Fitzgerald writes "...and the opera of voices pitches a key higher." By giving the sounds of the party a common theme, music, Fitzgerald illustrates to us how the party has a musical and refined feel to it while at the same time being bombastic and intense. Furthermore, this description helps to paint the party in a positive light despite it obviously being somewhat chaotic, as shown by the car crash at the end of the night on page 53. When the sounds are given an cadence, like a musical piece from an orchestra, we can envision the festivities as fun, but a little subdued. Without this vision, the party would only be seen as a mess of yelling, drinking, dancing, and jazz. Lastly, by giving the sounds the appearance of music Fitzgerald once more gives us a false image. Parties are not musical. They are heart-pounding chaotic masses of people coming together to make merry (get drunk). There is nothing musical about it. But by giving us this false image of music, Fitzgerald depicts the party as something else entirely; some musical and delightful.
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Biggs
2/29/2016 03:55:07 pm
There's an opposition between music, harmony, orchestrated unity (the facade) and the chaotic, disharmonious, underlying disorder (the reality). What you describe is especially powerful in the scenes at the end of the party, where the music is over and there are sounds of out-of-tune piano, arguments, and the crash you mention. Good points!
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Brad Chavero
2/29/2016 08:48:11 pm
I have to agree that with the timing of the details on the orchestra, the party has certain feelings associated with it. The early elegance to the orchestra's presence disguises the fact that the party is just a party but at the same time I feel it one-ups the party Tom and Nick went to. I feel Fitzgerald stressed the sounds to make the party feel better early on but also to feel worse in the end making it on the level of that other party. However, I think this stressing was just exaggeration as in the movie, the party did feel better with the upbeat orchestra but it also wasn't so bad when the guests were leaving as some were still filled with that upbeat energy, especially Jordan after talking with Gatsby. I guess my point here is that although the sounds help give the party different feelings, it's kind of all in our heads how much of an impact the noises really made on the outcome when the actual reality was probably minimally affected by them as shown in the movie.
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Jackie Izzo
2/29/2016 04:51:05 pm
Reccurring symbol within the words of the novel is his life story. In the novel the author shows how important his story line is to show the importance of his first impression towards Nick. The symbolic impressions are shown when Nick describes his opinion of Gatsby stating “that he was a person of some undefined consequence that gradually faded” (64). After Nick thinks about it he finally changes his viewpoint on him when Gatsby begins to discuss his past on page 65. He rambles on about his life and gives Nick proof as well. Also with Mr. Wolfsheim repeating his story, Gatsby’s goal is to ultimately have a good impression of him so that Nick would invite Daisy to tea. He wants to impress Nick to show that Gatsby is a good man. First impressions are a very recurring theme in the Great Gatsby.
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Matthew Vaderveer
2/29/2016 05:29:52 pm
Very nice Jackie Itzzo! Its interesting that you would bring up Gatsby's first impression because it seems he has had many first impressions on many different people. This is how all of the stories formed, the base of these stories was the differing first impressions between people.
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Rachel Kline
2/29/2016 06:09:30 pm
NICE JAYQUELLINE! I think your ideas are very interesting. Do you think Nick had a couple different "first impressions"? For example, seeing Gatsby's house for the first time gave him a completely different impression that actually having a real conversation with gatsby did.
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Matthew Vaderveer
2/29/2016 05:39:12 pm
Another recurring symbol is the bringing up of where people went to college. We as readers are constantly reminded of which characters went to college and where they went. This could be meant to portray their intelligence and their wealth. The main character Nick, Gatsby and Tom are both explained as men who went to college. Gatsby and Tom are rich both rich people. The author didn't mention whether or where the poorer characters went to college. Also from a feminist lens you can see that there aren't as many girls explained as having received a college education.
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Rachel Kline
2/29/2016 06:06:04 pm
A motif used specifically in chapter 4 is Gatsby's car. Nick brings it up multiple times throughout the chapter. Nick talks about the car like it is an amazing and one of a kind thing and that nothing else could be as extraordinary as it. As Nick and Gatsby pass a funeral procession, Nick even goes as far as saying "I was glad that the sight of Gatsby's splendid car was included in their somber holiday" He admires the car so much that not even a death could take his mind off of it. The car represents Gatsby's lifestyle and how fascinated Nick is by the whole ordeal. Without using the car as a repeated example, the reader still would have gotten the message that Gatsby lives an ostentatious lifestyle, but they would not have gotten the sense of how obsessed with it Nick is.
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Brad Chavero
2/29/2016 08:37:48 pm
One of the motifs recurring throughout chapters three and four is the idea of Gatsby’s background. In chapter 3, things remain mysterious with speculations from party guests that he “killed a man once,” or “was a German spy during the war,” or that he was “in the American army during the war” all according to page 44. However in chapter 4, Gatsby reveals that he indeed was in the war as he was “promoted to be a major” and was “educated at Oxford” according to pages 65 and 66. Once we are introduced to Mr. Wolfsheim, he then butters up Gatsby even more by describing him as a “fine fellow” and “Handsome to look at” according to page 71 and also mentions his status at Oxford again on page 72. The significance of this background is to make us question if we can really trust Gatsby. By the end of chapter 4, it is revealed that Gatsby loves Daisy and wants to have tea with her. Although their love story is very dramatic and touching and Tom is far from the best husband, this plan is extremely wrong without any consent from Daisy. Gatsby is attempting to meet up and hopefully hook up with a married woman! The fact that his background might be true does make the situation seem less intense but, it could also be a huge elaborate lie just so Gatsby gets his way. Obviously, Gatsby has the money to do almost anything, so would a few fake medals and photos and friends really be that hard to buy? Nick picks up very early on in the car ride that Gatsby is very bad at lying and difficult to be taken seriously, so why should he believed? Nick easily abandons his doubt with just a few reassuring glances showing Gatsby can be manipulative. The initial stories of Gatsby from chapter 3 also show us that the man is known by very few since so many stories are out to try to figure him out. Could Nick and Jordan really be two of those people that Gatsby actually tells the truth to? It would make sense since he is very interested in Daisy but again, what if that’s his only goal; to get Daisy by any means necessary, whatever lie he has to make. This motif’s thematic significance is that not everyone can be trusted. Nick knows that which is why at first he questioned every one of Gatsby’s moves and statements. However, now he seems more inclined in Jordan than Gatsby’s personal matters so it remains to be seen how Nick will assist if he does. And if he does help Gatsby, it will be interesting to see how Gatsby presents himself to the love of his life, Daisy.
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Akin Gaddis
3/1/2016 05:40:48 am
A recurring symbol that i seemed to see was Gatsby's constant display of how powerful he was and how much influence he had in the city. He shows Nick all of the things that hes done, medals that hes won etc. He blatantly speeds through the city and when stopped by the police he simply shows them a card and they apologize and let him go on his way. After all of this display you get a certain impression of Gatsby, the impression of him being powerful but this is shattered when his connection to Daisy is revealed. His motives are shown and this completely changes his character. This also ties into the theme that there are always things that are hidden from our view.
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Kaitlyn Viola
3/1/2016 04:57:05 pm
Great post, Akin! The point you made that stood out to me was when you mentioned what happened when he was stopped by the police man, and at the flash of a card, got off the hook. This is a perfect representation of the amount of power he had, and how his power got him things that those with less power are not given.
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Kay Franzese
3/2/2016 06:47:47 pm
I liked your point about how his power is shattered when his connection to Daisy is revealed. He had enough power that he could do anything in the world he desired, but instead he uses his power to try and woo back Daisy. Gatsby might seem powerful and act powerful on the outside, but on the inside he is weak for Daisy.
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Kaitlyn Viola
3/1/2016 04:43:00 pm
One recurring and contributive symbol to the theme of not only chapter 3, but the novel overall is Gatsby's car. Nick shows consistent fascination and amazement towards this possession of Gatsby's. This fascination represents the main reason Gatsby is viewed so highly by most. He gains popularity through materialistic things like his extremely large and attractive house, his extravagant parties, and his fancy car. In chapter 4, however, this very car was the same location in which Nick began to doubt Gatsby about his stories, such as his Oxford claim. Additionally, whether this claim is true or not, Gatsby claims to have been educated at Oxford due to family tradition, and simply born into wealth. We begin to uncover things about Gatsby that are much less than extraordinary. The idea Gatsby's magnificence begins to dull.
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Courtney Fenty
3/2/2016 06:08:55 pm
I like what you said about people being drawn to Gatsby's possessions, but in his possessions he was doubted. He is always being doubted at his parties because no one really knows him.
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Tyhler Harty
3/1/2016 06:15:19 pm
A reoccurring symbol that appears in chapter 4 is Gatsby's sadness that he carries with him everywhere he goes. This can be seen when Gatsby begins to tell Nick about how he is the last of his entire family on page 65,""My family all died and I came into a good deal of money."His voice was solemn, as if the memory of that sudden extinction of a clan still haunted him.". In addition to this is that Gatsby(after inheriting the money) begins to live like a prince which I see as Gatsby trying to fill an empty hole in his life. Then on the very next page Gatsby's sadness comes back again when he says that when the Great War came around HE TRIED TO DIE but as hard as he tried to die, fate wouldn't let him. Then for trying to get himself killed in the war he was awarded the medal of honor by all the allied countries for "acts of valor" that he exhibited. He also shows the medal of honor from Montenegro to Nick and says"...every Allied government gave me a decoration-even Montenegro, little Montenegro down on the Adriatic Sea!". Which can be seen as Gatsby making fun of his sadness by showing how even a small country gave him the medal of honor. Also on page 74 Gatsby meets Tom Buchanan and then after meeting he disappears. The reason why Gatsby disappears is because Tom married the love of his life Daisy which probably reminds him of the one thing that can stop his sadness and make him feel whole.
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Courtney Fenty
3/2/2016 06:06:48 pm
"It was dark now and as we dipped under a little bridge I put my arm around Jordan's golden shoulder and drew her toward me and asked her to dinner." This is another reference to light and dark. It was dark outside yet Jordan was golden and Nick was drawn toward her just like a moth to the light.
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Kay Franzese
3/2/2016 06:37:58 pm
In the words of the novel, a reassuring symbol was the way Gatsby and other people talked about Gatsby's life. Gatsby on page 65 was telling Nick about his life and how he inherited a lot of money from his dead relatives. Nick had also heard many rumors about how many amazing or daring things Gatsby had done or had been involved in. Gatsby, being a very mysterious man, was pouring out his background to Nick. "Well, I'm going to tell you something about my life. I don't want you to get the wrong idea of me from all there stories you hear." page 65. It seemed Gatsby wanted to make a good impression on Nick so he could get something in return, Daisy.
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Kathleen Patterson
3/23/2016 06:50:22 am
I was thinking of this too! Also, on page 66, when Gatsby was starting to get into his was story, he stated that "it was a great relief and [he] tried very hard to die, but [he] seemed to bear an enchanted life". This made me think of a metaphor for his old self, that still exists within him.
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Kathleen Patterson
3/23/2016 06:46:44 am
One motif used by Fitzgerald in chapter four was the use of the colors of America. Specifically, when Gatsby was speeding through the streets, he removed “a white card from his wallet, [and ] waved it before the [police]man’s eyes”(Fitzgerald 68). This implies that the corrupt justice in the U.S. allows for specific people to get away with things if they have the status for it. Also, Jordan commented on when the wind blows, “the red, white, and blue banners in front of all the houses stretched out stiff and said tut-tut-tut-tut, in a disapproving way” (Fitzgerald 74). This suggests that the very symbol of America does not like what was happening to the system and the people within it. Something as free as the wind is not approving of the level of freedom in The States.
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Makenzie Lowrey
4/4/2016 04:16:34 pm
One of the recurring motifs was alcohol. In the beginning of Chapter 3, alcohol is thrown in as if a side note, and continues to be existent but very lowkey throughout the next chapters. Alcohol is what made Owl Eyes crash his car. In the beginning of the fourth chapter, one of the ladies says, "He's a bootlegger.", which turns out to be true. Alcohol is just always there.
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