"They were sitting at either end of the couch, looking at each other as if some question had been asked, or was in the air, and every vestige of embarrassment was gone." (pg. 90)
Well, I saw it coming. Romance is introduced with the relationship between Daisy and Gatsby. They are reintroduced to each other after close to five years, and although it was awkward at first, everything seems to be going great now. They were in a relationship before Gatsby went off to war, but Daisy married before he came back. I don't understand why Daisy would do this if they were truly in love. Maybe she was lonely. I think that this relationship will be a major part of the plot. I haven't read past chapter five, but I have a feeling that the rest of the book might be focused on Daisy and Gatsby's relationship.
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Great Gatsby - Setting
"There was music from my neighbor's house throughout the summer nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars." (pg. 39)
Setting and location play a huge role in this book. Nick is next door to Jay Gatsby, the character whose name is in the title. By being Gatsby's neighbor, Nick is allowed the opportunity to become his friend as he starts going to the parties at his house. If they were not next door neighbors, they may have never met, and there would be no story. Also, the novel's background contributes to the theme. The novel was written in 1925 in the U.S. This would have been the time of prohibition and somewhat a time of peace. I'm not sure whether this had any impact on the book whatsoever, but we will see.
Setting and location play a huge role in this book. Nick is next door to Jay Gatsby, the character whose name is in the title. By being Gatsby's neighbor, Nick is allowed the opportunity to become his friend as he starts going to the parties at his house. If they were not next door neighbors, they may have never met, and there would be no story. Also, the novel's background contributes to the theme. The novel was written in 1925 in the U.S. This would have been the time of prohibition and somewhat a time of peace. I'm not sure whether this had any impact on the book whatsoever, but we will see.
The Great Gatsby - Characterization
"The sister, Catherine, was a slender, worldly girl of about thirty, with a solid, sticky bob of red hair, and a complexion powdered milky white." (pg. 30)
This quote is an example of direct characterization. The author designed the characterization of this character, as well as several others in chapter two, to be directly told to the reader. Direct characterization d the reader from making assumptions because the author plainly tells the reader what the character is like. Personally, I like direct characterization more than indirect characterization because the reader knows it is a fact rather than playing off of other characters' thoughts. Specifically in this quote, Catherine's looks are described. I imagine her being a skinny ginger around the age of thirty. I wish some of her personal qualities were described though. In this chapter, Mr. McKee and Myrtle Wilson were also described with direct characterization.
This quote is an example of direct characterization. The author designed the characterization of this character, as well as several others in chapter two, to be directly told to the reader. Direct characterization d the reader from making assumptions because the author plainly tells the reader what the character is like. Personally, I like direct characterization more than indirect characterization because the reader knows it is a fact rather than playing off of other characters' thoughts. Specifically in this quote, Catherine's looks are described. I imagine her being a skinny ginger around the age of thirty. I wish some of her personal qualities were described though. In this chapter, Mr. McKee and Myrtle Wilson were also described with direct characterization.
The Great Gatsby - Point of View
"I believe that on the first night I went to Gatsby's house I was one of the few guests who had actually been invited." (pg. 41)
From this quote, the reader can definitely tell that the point of view is first person. The narrator and main character is called Nick. In this novel, it seems as though he is telling a story. I don't know who he is telling it to or the reason for telling this story, but maybe it will be revealed later. I think this point of view is used as a way for the reader to get an understanding of characters and what Nick thinks of them. I also think that this point of view puts a more personal feel on the book and allows the audience to relate to Nick. The title of the book also stuck out as strange to me. The character of Gatsby is not even mentioned until chapter three. Nick is the character who lives right next to Gatsby and initially knows nothing about him. They are starting to become better neighbors and friends so maybe the book is called what it is to show how Gatsby is a role model for Nick.
From this quote, the reader can definitely tell that the point of view is first person. The narrator and main character is called Nick. In this novel, it seems as though he is telling a story. I don't know who he is telling it to or the reason for telling this story, but maybe it will be revealed later. I think this point of view is used as a way for the reader to get an understanding of characters and what Nick thinks of them. I also think that this point of view puts a more personal feel on the book and allows the audience to relate to Nick. The title of the book also stuck out as strange to me. The character of Gatsby is not even mentioned until chapter three. Nick is the character who lives right next to Gatsby and initially knows nothing about him. They are starting to become better neighbors and friends so maybe the book is called what it is to show how Gatsby is a role model for Nick.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Frankenstein - Overall Thoughts
"All that I should express would be inadequate and feeble. My tears flow; my mind is overshadowed by a cloud of disappointment." (pg. 162)
Overall, I thought the book was decent. I liked the book, especially towards the end, kept me interested. I definitely thought that Victor was going to kill Frankenstein, and the book would end. Obviously, Victor dies before he could kill him, but the creature is actually disappointed and depressed. One aspect of the book that I grew to not like was the frame stories. I thought I enjoyed them, but as the story went on, I just got confused. If it was only told from one point of view, then much information would be missing. If it were narrated by Victor, the important scene after his death would be missing. A narrator could have been used, but it would have taken away from the meaning because no character's input would be there.
Overall, I thought the book was decent. I liked the book, especially towards the end, kept me interested. I definitely thought that Victor was going to kill Frankenstein, and the book would end. Obviously, Victor dies before he could kill him, but the creature is actually disappointed and depressed. One aspect of the book that I grew to not like was the frame stories. I thought I enjoyed them, but as the story went on, I just got confused. If it was only told from one point of view, then much information would be missing. If it were narrated by Victor, the important scene after his death would be missing. A narrator could have been used, but it would have taken away from the meaning because no character's input would be there.
Frankenstein - Creature Returns!
"What does it avail that I now ask thee to pardon me? I, who irretrievably destroyed thee by destroying all thou lovedst." (pg. 163)
Now is when the monster chooses to feel bad. After his creator finally dies, the creature wants forgiveness. He starts to feel bad because he thinks that he cause Victor's death by killing all of his loved ones. Like I said in the last blog, the creature had an impulse of which he could not disobey. He didn't want to kill Elizabeth or William, but the evilness caused him to do so. The creature begs for forgiveness, but Victor is unable to reply because he is dead. Walton blames the monster for Victor's death and told him that if they would have made up sooner, Victor would not be dead. Since the creature no longer has to run from Frankenstein, he decides that he will go to the North Pole and burn himself. He no longer will have to suffer agony and will be relieved from his misery.
Now is when the monster chooses to feel bad. After his creator finally dies, the creature wants forgiveness. He starts to feel bad because he thinks that he cause Victor's death by killing all of his loved ones. Like I said in the last blog, the creature had an impulse of which he could not disobey. He didn't want to kill Elizabeth or William, but the evilness caused him to do so. The creature begs for forgiveness, but Victor is unable to reply because he is dead. Walton blames the monster for Victor's death and told him that if they would have made up sooner, Victor would not be dead. Since the creature no longer has to run from Frankenstein, he decides that he will go to the North Pole and burn himself. He no longer will have to suffer agony and will be relieved from his misery.
Frankenstein - Creature's Explanation
"I was the slave, not the master, of an impulse, which I detested, yet could not disobey." (pg. 164)
At this point, the creature is being questioned as to why he did such horrible things. The creature basically says that it's his nature. It's not his fault that the devil or some evil force was persuading him to act a certain way. He felt as though he had no other choice than evil. This is similar to the temptations that humans face everyday. They can either choose to do good and what pleases God or do bad things and follow the devil. He also said that he really just wanted sympathy. The monster was never given sympathy except when he was explaining himself to others.
At this point, the creature is being questioned as to why he did such horrible things. The creature basically says that it's his nature. It's not his fault that the devil or some evil force was persuading him to act a certain way. He felt as though he had no other choice than evil. This is similar to the temptations that humans face everyday. They can either choose to do good and what pleases God or do bad things and follow the devil. He also said that he really just wanted sympathy. The monster was never given sympathy except when he was explaining himself to others.
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