Madison Stout's Gatsby Blog by madison stout https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li Junior English Semester 2 en-us 2021-03-31 21:59:23 UTC 2025-11-07 20:26:56 UTC hello@padlet.com April 11, 2021 Chapter 1 Blog: Tom Buchanan mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1376016011 Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s wealthy husband, is seen to be feared by many. He is a tall and arrogant person with an aggressive outlook on life that tends to rub others the wrong way. As stated, “Two shining arrogant eyes have established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward.” (page 7). Additionally, he is potentially seen as dangerous due to the fact that he hurt Daisy’s knuckle, and that he isn’t very secretive that he has a side chick over in New York. His behavior proves to be destructive both physically and emotionally. In addition, he is also very wealthy. He doesn’t need to worry about financial issues and can take care of himself financially with ease. According to the text, “His family were enormously wealthy--even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach” (page 6). While reading this chapter, the main color that I gathered was red. The color red can be interpreted many different ways. Some of the words and feelings that red is associated with is power, anger, love, passion, blood and violence. Relating to The Great Gatsby, by Tom being filled with anger and power over others. 

Just from the way that Nick started to describe Tom and the kind of person he was, I could already tell that he was going to be a very aggressive and arrogant person. I don't believe that Tom is going to be a very good person as the story progresses. 
]]> 2021-04-01 16:43:39 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1376016011 April 11, 2021 Chapter 1 Blog: Student choice mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1408275104
  • Temperament: a person's or animal's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior
She had a creative temperament.
  • Parcelled: make (something) into a parcel by wrapping it
He parcelled up the cookies and sent them to his neighbors.
  • Feigned: simulated or pretended; insincere
She slapped his face and he feigned a look of pain in his eyes.
  • Wan: (of a person's complexion or appearance) pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion
The look of wan on her face gave the impression that she was ill.
  • Imperatively: of vital importance; crucial
Water and food are imperative for survival. 
]]> 2021-04-12 16:36:05 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1408275104 April 18, 2021 Chapter 2 blog: Settings mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1430556930 The four main settings that have been introduced in the novel so far are the West Egg, the East Egg, New York City, and the Valley of Ashes. The West Egg is considered to house residents that have “new money”, and is filled with simple buildings and people who create their own fortune. Both Gatsby and Nick reside in the West Egg. The next setting is the East Egg which house wealthy people who have “old money”, and it is located on the East suburban area outside of Manhattan. This is where Tom and Daisy Buchanan live. The third setting is New York City which has lots of small, plain, and tall buildings on a waste land that aren't very intriguing to look at. Nick, Tom, and Myrtle live their part time while Myrtle’s sister lives there permanently. Last but not least, the fourth setting is the Valley of Ashes which is an industrial area next to train tracks that run from the West Egg over to Manhattan. George and Myrtle Wilson live here full time. I think that a character can have personality changes if they live/grow up in a certain place. The society they are surrounded by can affect how they act and what they think. 

]]> 2021-04-18 20:21:44 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1430556930 April 18, 2021 Chapter 2 Blog: Student Choice mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1430580894 While reading this chapter, I couldn’t help but feel bad for Daisy as Tom went with his mistress and was so open with Nick about it. I also kept questioning why neither Tom or his mistress decided to get a divorce from their spouse. If they feel the need to go and see other people, I don’t understand why they would stay in their marriages. It seems rude and hurtful to the other person. Tom’s mistress also talked about how unhappy she is in her marriage, so it doesn’t make sense as to why she would stay in it. ]]> 2021-04-18 20:39:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1430580894 April 22, 2021 Chapter 3 Blog: Theme mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1448397539 Jordan’s take on car accidents and careless people says that she is a self centered person who thinks that she is above everyone else. It also implies the same thing to her social class, being that they think that they are better and everyone around them will be cautious to them and their actions. The social class in the novel is different for everyone, based on where they grew up and their lifestyle they choose to live. Certain characters can pass in more than one social class, but I don’t think it would be easy. For example, Jordan’s mindset on how she is better than everyone else comes from where she grew up and how she was raised. Whereas others who were raised with a different mindset might have trouble transitioning into a world revolving around only them. I think it is possible, but difficult and troublesome for individuals with different morals. ]]> 2021-04-22 17:10:44 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1448397539 April 22, 2021 Chapter 3 Blog: Student Choice mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1448400966 When reading this chapter, I felt like Jordan was kind of self centered. She came off as expecting people to cater to her needs instead of her thinking about others. She had made a comment that if other people were careless then they would know to avoid her in hopes of not causing an accident. The kind of social class she is in, makes her think that she is above everyone else and that the world revolves around her in a way. That might get on people’s nerves when someone is always thinking about themselves. ]]> 2021-04-22 17:11:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1448400966 April 29, 2021 Chapter 4 Blog: Teacher mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1474856827 The new information that is implied about Gatsby through Mr. Wolfsheim is that he may be tied to the criminal world based on him arranging a “business” meeting between him and one of his associates. Based on Mr. Wolfsheim’s past of him being a big gambler, it can draw the conclusion about Gatsby and his ties to that world. This can also bring up the topic that Gatsby may have not gotten his wealth legally, or as he stated previously. It can help provide insight to Gatsby’s background. This contradicts the image that Gatsby is trying to display to others because it can make it seem like Gatsby is lying. Gatsby is trying to display one certain image of himself to others, but this new information and the theories along with it, can make it seem like Gatsby isn’t who he really says he is and it also makes us wonder who is telling the truth and is lying. 

]]> 2021-04-29 17:02:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1474856827 April 29, 2021 Chapter 4 Blog: Student Choice mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1474860210 While reading this chapter and hearing about how Gatsby and Daisy knew each other, I couldn’t help but wonder what’s gonna happen when Daisy and Gatsby finally see each other again after all these years. It seems like Gatsby still has feelings for Daisy, so I wonder if seeing Gatsby again will rekindle old feelings that Daisy used to have for him. Along that topic, it triggers the question if Daisy would divorce Tom if something happened between her and Gatsby. Overall, I’m interested to keep on reading to find out what happens. ]]> 2021-04-29 17:02:44 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1474860210 May 6, 2021: Chapter 5 Blog: Green mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1499205041 I think that the green light represents Daisy to Gatsby. It kind of represents a past love that has been lost that he had been looking for. The past love that he was reminiscing for, he had now found again with Daisy. It also represented hope for a happy new life with Daisy, and possibly a chance at a new beginning. The color green in our culture can symbolize many things. When I think of the color green, the things associated with it that come to mind are wealth, new beginning/life, a healthy and happy lifestyle, but also things like envy/jealousy, and the downfall of others. Going along the lines of envy and jealousy, I also associate green with Disney villains like Maleficent (and her green lightning) and the green witch in the Wizard of Oz who is greedy for her ruby slippers back. These villains become greedy and prey on the downfall of others so they can get their way, normally because they are jealous of them or of something they have. Going along the lines of wealth and a happy new beginning, I think of things like money, four leaf clovers, and nature. This can symbolize luck, a happy new beginning, and kind of a fresh start along the right path. ]]> 2021-05-06 17:06:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1499205041 May 6, 2021 Chapter 5 Blog: Student Choice mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1499208003 While reading this chapter, I felt that although it was sweet for Gatsby to try and impress Daisy, I feel that it was a little overboard. He kept showing off his fancy things and I just feel like it was an unnecessary move on his part, especially because of his and Daisy’s past. I feel that you shouldn't need to try and impress people with materialistic things for them to love you. In some cases, that can just attract the attention of the wrong type of people who would only use you for your money. ]]> 2021-05-06 17:07:03 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1499208003 May 13, 2021 Chapter 6 Blog: Characterization mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1521703046 Gatsby’s real family is different from the one he describes to Nick because he originally tells Nick that he is rich, with no siblings, and he says that his entire family went to Oxford. While in reality, his family was part of the working class and wasn’t rich. They were farmers, but they weren’t very successful with their business. He also tells Nick that he is originally from the Midwest, but then changes and says he is from San Francisco so Nick was already weary of this detail. Originally, Gatsby is from a small farm in North Dakota. Gatsby’s actions/choices as a young man, reveal that he is ambitious, and also cares about what people think of him. Even though he comes from a middle class family who worked on a farm in North Dakota, he is determined for people to believe that he is wealthy and very successful. He is also very untrustworthy and it is hard to know when he is telling the truth or if he is lying. ]]> 2021-05-13 16:23:36 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1521703046 May 13, 2021 Chapter 6 Blog: Student Choice mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1521708341
  • Notoriety: the state of being famous or well known for some bad quality or deed.
    • Gatsby achieved instant Notoriety when he told everyone that he was rich and very successful. 
    • Steward: a person who looks after the passengers on a ship, aircraft, or train and brings them meals.
    Dan Cody is known as a steward. 
    • Ingratiate: bring oneself into favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them.
    Gatsby was trying to ingratiate himself with Daisy.
    • Pervading: (of an influence, feeling, or quality) be present and apparent throughout.
    There is a pervading sense that Gatsby still has feelings for Daisy when he wants Nick to trick her into coming to his house for tea when Gatsby is there. 
    • Sauntered: walk in a slow, relaxed manner, without hurry or effort.
    Gatsby sauntered around to people during his party. 
    ]]>     2021-05-13 16:24:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1521708341     May 20, 2021 Chapter 7 Blog: Love mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1545761594 I think that Gatsby loves Daisy, but he mostly loves the idea of the person she used to be. He keeps recalling her to be the same Daisy she was many years before, and I think that he has built up this image of her in his head that he wants her to be. I think that Daisy loves both Tom and Gatsby. She obviously loves Tom because she married him and she can get what she wants in life, and as for Gatsby, I think she loves him mainly because of the history they have together and the idea of what they could have been if she never married Tom. I think that Nick may love himself, but also he may be interested in Jordan Baker and he might find her attractive. I think that Fitzgerald is saying through this novel that love isn’t always easy and that there is unhealthy and healthy love. He is saying that love isn’t always what it seems and that it can bring you pain and that you need to figure out who is worth staying with through the ups and downs of the relationship. ]]> 2021-05-20 22:04:11 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1545761594 May 20, 2021 Chapter 7 Blog: Student Choice mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1545762273 The thing that I don’t get about this chapter is that when Daisy supposedly hits Myrtle with a car, she pauses for a brief moment, but then decides to drive away anyways. I didn’t think that that was something Daisy would do, just leave someone especially someone she knows regardless of the situation with her and Tom having an affair, it still isn’t right to just hit someone with your car and drive away. I am also curious what is going to end up happening with the whole Daisy, Tom, and Gatsby situation because it seems that Daisy can’t make up her mind and keeps changing sides on who she truly loves and wants to be with. ]]> 2021-05-20 22:04:34 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1545762273 May 30, 2021 Chapter 8 Blog: Book Cover mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1572020482 The image on the cover conveys key aspects of the story by symbolizing key parts. The fire in the eyes on the cover could represent the hope that Gatsby has for him and Daisy to get back together. There is also what looks like tears coming down from the eyes on the cover and I think that it could represent the hardships of love and the hardships that is talked about throughout the book. The city at the bottom of the cover might represent wealthy and having money. ]]> 2021-05-30 20:51:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1572020482 May 30, 2021 Chapter 8 Blog: Student Choice mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1572020765
  • Incessantly: without interruption; constantly
    • Daisy had changed her mind without incessantly.
    • Dejection: a sad and depressed state; low spirits.
    With painful dejection, Gatsby awaited Daisy’s answer on who she wanted to be with. 
    • Fortuitously: by a lucky chance; fortunately
    Gatsby hoped fortuitously that he would get a second chance with Daisy. 
    • Indiscernible: impossible to see or clearly distinguish.
    Gatsby stared at Daisy after she hit Myrtle with the car, but she had an indiscernible look on her face as she stared into the distance. 
    • Unscrupulously: having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair.
    Tom is seen to be unscrupulous and self-centered when people first meet him.
    ]]>     2021-05-30 20:51:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1572020765     June 6, 2021 Chapter 9 Blog: American Dream mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1588964014 I think that this novel is trying to say that the American Dream, or at least your version of it, may not always lead to happiness. Even though you can achieve your American Dream, it might actually lead to different problems that can cause you to be unhappy. You can see throughout the novel, for example Gatsby, that he achieves part of his American Dream by becoming rich and owning nice things, but in return loses a lot of people and even Daisy. The novel states, “He stretched out his arms toward the dark water. . . . I . . . distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far way. . . . When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished. . . .” (page 20-21). This green light possibly represents Gatsby’s hope to be with Daisy, along with his American Dream that he is hoping to accomplish. ]]> 2021-06-07 04:27:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1588964014 June 6, 2021 Chapter 9 Blog: Student Choice mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1588968055 While reading this chapter, I was shocked that very few people showed up to Gatsby’s funeral. One of the people that I was shocked that didn't attend was Daisy. Despite everything that has happened, considering their past together I would’ve thought that Daisy would attend due to their history and how long they have known each other. I was also surprised to learn that Jordan was engaged to another man but Nick was the one to break off their relationship. I also kind of agree with Nick when he realizes that Daisy and Tom can be uncaring people, and their money helps them avoid any real consequences for their actions. ]]> 2021-06-07 04:30:08 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1588968055 June 14, 2021: Text-to-self mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1605562564 One idea in The Great Gatsby that relates to me is when Daisy is unable to leave her past with Gatsby behind. She is reminded of her past and all of the wonderful things about it, that it is easy to not move on and realize your future ahead of you. When she sees Gatsby, it is easy for her to go back to what she knows is familiar and consider leaving what she has now in her life with Tom. I think that I also have trouble letting go of what is in the past with certain things and trying to move on and forget about it, and realizing what is in the past is in the past and you can’t do anything about it. I tend to think about the good times that have happened and convince myself that it will be just like that, even if the circumstances have changed. It is difficult to come to those conclusions because you have built up a vision of the situation in your head, and it is hard to come back to reality and see that sometimes it is different and not going to be how it used to be. 

    Word Count: 200


    ]]>     2021-06-14 16:45:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1605562564     June 14, 2021: Text-to-text mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1605563682 One movie that the novel The Great Gatsby reminds me of, is the movie called The Notebook. In The Notebook, it is a love story between two people who have lots of history but never seem to get together at the right time. Throughout the movie, one of the messages that I got was love wasn't as simple as it seems and it can come with a lot of complications even though on paper it might seem perfect. It makes the argument that just because love might seem easy and perfect on paper, it can have certain complications. There are two types of love from what I have seen, healthy and toxic. Healthy love is when you are supported and cared for by your partner, feeling happy and loved all the time. While toxic love is the complete opposite. You can be controlled and you can feel stuck in a relationship because of a certain factor, like Daisy felt with Tom. Daisy felt stuck with Tom because of her daughter and she was able to get whatever she wanted. I feel like The Great Gatsby and The Notebook can teach you many life lessons, one of them being about love.

    Word Count: 200
    ]]>     2021-06-14 16:45:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1605563682     June 14, 2021: Text-to-world mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1605564736 The ideas in The Great Gatsby relate to today's society by exploring universal themes throughout the book and teaching life lessons through novel format. While reading the novel, you can make the connection between the series of events and the past. Gatsby continues to hold on to his past with Daisy, despite the fact that she's with Tom. When seeing Gatsby after all of those years, her previous feelings had come rushing back to her. One lesson that you can learn, is that you can't always recreate the past and you shouldn't always hold on to what might've been. Just because it was great back then, doesn’t mean that it will be the same. It is kind of like reading the same book and expecting a different ending. You can also learn that money can't buy you love, friends, or happiness. Just because you might have fancy things, doesn't mean that you are happy and troubles won't come your way. Although Sometimes the wealthy can avoid real consequences for their actions, you should not rely on that. When considering the future, you can learn through this novel that your American Dream is pretty much unattainable and to always have hope.

    Word Count: 200
    ]]>     2021-06-14 16:45:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1605564736     June 16, 2021: Link to docs review of the movie mstout20221_1 https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1610396610 https://docs.google.com/document/d/12QFgXIjn48dmWP720V775HlbhSKhtc9gD-3wXV86g3o/edit]]> 2021-06-16 16:40:07 UTC https://padlet.com/mstout20221_1/9po1v4nnbgf2q6li/wish/1610396610