May’s Gatsby Blog by Fatimah Al Khafaji https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l en-us 2021-04-12 16:34:34 UTC 2024-06-28 11:42:15 UTC hello@padlet.com Who is Gatsby? falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1413838728 When reading “The Great Gatsby”, readers can’t help but think, who is Gatsby? We are slightly introduced to him and his mystery in chapter one of this novel. Nearing the end of the chapter, it states “Something in his leisurely movements and his secure position of his feet upon the lawn suggested that it was Mr. Gatsby himself, come out to determine what share was his of our local heavens” (Fitzgerald Chapter 1). I can’t help but be curious by what the narrator means when he is referring to “our local heavens”? At the moment, my guess is that it is referring to money or people’s riches that he owns part of. ]]> 2021-04-13 20:08:46 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1413838728 Why stay? falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1413859736 Within Chapter One, we are introduced to the Buchanan’s. There is Daisy Buchanan and her husband, Tom Buchanan. Daisy has a child with Tom and they are committed to their marriage in that aspect. However, Tom has another mistress in New York. Daisy knows about this women yet she still chooses to stay married to Tom. I’m wondering why she wouldn’t just file for divorce or something. Is she staying with him because he has money? Or because he is the father of her child? I want  the book to go into more detail about this because I’m assuming their relationship together is a bit one-sided. ]]> 2021-04-13 20:15:19 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1413859736 Chapter 2 falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1439918758 There are 4 main settings within the Novel:
East Egg, which is a more fancier town that is known for residents who hove “old money”, also known as inherited wealth from family.
West Egg, which can be considered just as fancy but with residents that have new money. Gatsby and Nick are people with new money who live in West Egg. 
Valley of the Ashes, a sad industrial area that’s mostly filled with smoke.
New York City, where Myrtle and Tom have a small apartment they meet at. 
West and East Egg are really similar but most would agree that people who are residents in East Egg are slightly more pretentious. 
Characters like Tom are seen changing depending on the setting they are in. For example, Tom is seen as a loving husband in East Egg. Whereas when he’s in New York, he’s seen with Myrtle in their small apartment. 

]]> 2021-04-20 20:33:38 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1439918758 Chapter 2 falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1439932019 Tom punches Myrtle in Chapter 2, I’m wondering if he is this abusive behind closed doors with Daisy. This just adds to the list of reasons why Daisy should leave Tom. Tom is literally insane and in my opinion, he is the walking definition of toxic masculinity.  ]]> 2021-04-20 20:37:56 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1439932019 Chapter 3 Teacher (Theme) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1466289836 Jordan’s take on car accidents and careless people shows us that she is very care free and reckless. It implies that she has a very high social class because she doesn’t care if driving recklessly will mess up her car, she could easily afford a new one. When it comes to setting, social class is represented with each city, West Egg being filled with people who have “new” money, and East Egg being filled with people who have money that has come from inheritance. I think that certain characters are able to “pass” in more than one social class. For example, at Gatsby’s party, belonging to a higher social class can be faked with fancy things like outfits and jewelry. ]]> 2021-04-27 20:07:11 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1466289836 Chapter 3 (Student Choice) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1466320267 I wonder if Nick is actually falling for Jordan? He seems to like her but also recognize the fact that they are different because honesty is really significant to Nick and Jordan is known for her dishonesty. Nick is a great narrator but I find that he doesn’t really talk much about himself, he mostly talks about the events he attends. I’m curious if Nick will be pursuing a relationship with Jordan. I also really want to know more about Nick’s family. ]]> 2021-04-27 20:16:12 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1466320267 Chapter 4 Teacher (characterization) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1476822219 Based on Gatsby’s association with Mr. Wolfsheim, we can inquire that there might be illegal things going on behind the scenes. I think this because Gatsby is good friends with Mr. Wolfsheim and Mr.Wolfsheim is a famous gambler and is responsible for fixing the 1919 World Series. There isn’t much that is undoubtedly confirmed about Gatsby, but because he is so secretive we can assume he may not be up to good. Gatsby is trying to make it seem like he earned his money through tragedy when his family died. However, this all might just be a cover up for some kind of gambling scheme. Most view Gatsby as honest and hardworking but that’s getting hard to believe because of his strong association with Mr.Wolfsheim. ]]> 2021-04-30 03:52:58 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1476822219 Chapter 4 (Student) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1476840323 Gatsby’s love for Daisy is quite strong despite not knowing her too well. Im also picking up that Gatsby is a bit obsessive? I understand he has a ton of money to spend but buying a mansion so he could plan on bumping into Daisy is a bit strange. I also think Gatsby is putting a lot of trust on Nick. Nick could easily spill everything to Daisy and let her know that Gatsby is a bit shady based on his interactions with him so far. Now that we know Gatsby bought a mansion just in hopes of Daisy wandering by, we can assume that Gatsby would go to great lengths to get what he wants.  ]]> 2021-04-30 04:04:10 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1476840323 Chapter 5 (Teacher Topic) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1512065100 In this Chapter, Fitzgerald returns to the green light that was first seen with Gatsby himself. This was at the end of chapter one so it  could have been a representation of multiple things such as money, or even jealousy. However nearing the end of Chapter 5, it’s clear that the green light could have represented  Gatsby’s hope for Daisy. This green light kind of diminishes by the end of the chapter once Gatsby had Daisy wrapped under his finger. After meeting with Daisy, the novel states, “the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever... now it was again a green light on a dock”. I think that this could mean Gatsby has gotten what he wanted and is already trying to move onto his next goal to obsess over. Rich people tend to get bored once they get what they want, maybe this is why the green light holds little to no significance to Gatsby by the end of chapter five. Within our culture, the color green is very versatile. So much so that it can go from representing envy to representing nature, good luck, and even tranquility. ]]> 2021-05-11 04:29:13 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1512065100 Chapter 5 (Student Topic) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1512083995 I wonder if Gatsby will actually try to pursue Daisy. Now knowing that the green light holds no more significance, I have a feeling that Gatsby has already gotten bored. However if that’s the case, it’s really odd that he would spend five years obsessively planning how he would get his “inherited” wealth and how he would bump into her again. I have a feeling that Daisy is overwhelmed with emotions knowing that she could have stayed with Gatsby and wouldn’t be married to her cheating husband, Tom. Regardless, I’m excited to see where this novel is going next. ]]> 2021-05-11 04:40:51 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1512083995 Chapter 6 (Teacher Topic) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1534111100 Gatsby’s family and upbringing differs from what he originally told Nick. Gatsby tells Nick that he was raised in a very wealthy household and once his parents passed from a tragic death, he inherited their wealth. Gatsby’s actions as a young man reveal that he is always determined and motivated to change his life to how he wants it to be. Gatsby kind of rejected them as his parents and made it a life goal to not end up like them. When viewing his situation, it is prominent that he might have made it a goal to attain wealth out of some kind of spite for his parents, along with his other goal to become a rich man that Daisy would be interested in. Gatsby has a great mindset when it comes to actually accomplishing things and he’s a bit admirable because of that matter. He made sure that his circumstances and upbringing did not stop him from dreaming beyond it.   ]]> 2021-05-18 04:22:40 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1534111100 Chapter 6 (Student Topic) Gatsby’s Career falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1534126941 I want to know more about how exactly (step by step), Gatsby attained his wealth. Illegal or not, it’s interesting to learn about. There are rumors of him being a bootlegger but it is not actually ever confirmed by Gatsby himself. I want Gatsby to be put in an uncomfortable situation where he has to confess how he got so wealthy. Him being a bootlegger is the most common rumor passed around, you would think that law enforcement would have investigated him sooner. Considering how Gatsby has plenty of connections with a wide variety of people, it is also not so surprising that he has been able to get away with it for so long. ]]> 2021-05-18 04:30:34 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1534126941 Chapter 7 (Teacher Topic) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1570899862 Gatsby thinks that he loves Daisy but it’s evident that he loves the idea he has made for them in his head. He doesn’t truly love her or even considers the fact that she has a child. Gatsby is more focused on recreating the past. I don’t think Daisy loves Gatsby at all, she only loves his money and riches. I think there are still feelings lingering when it comes to Tom and Daisy. Daisy used to love Tom and Tom thinks that he still loves Daisy despite doing stupid things like cheating on her with his mistress. It doesn’t seem like Nick is romantically interested in anyone. However, Nick does love and care for his friends. The concept of love that is shown within this novel is that it is messy and complicated. It’s almost as if Fitzgerald is trying to convey that everyone loves in their own way wether that would be obsessive, platonic, or just downright unhealthy. ]]> 2021-05-29 22:23:46 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1570899862 Chapter 7 (Student Topic) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1570902949 I have a strong feeling that Tom and Daisy are going to stay together. I think this because if Daisy can knowingly accept the fact that Tom is cheating on her and still not leave him, then there is almost nothing that can split them, not even accidental murder. I think that Daisy and Tom will both stick to their unhappy, unsatisfying marriage. ]]> 2021-05-29 22:29:07 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1570902949 Chapter 8 (Teacher Topic) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1570942235 The cover of the novel “The Great Gatsby” holds a lot of symbolism. Firstly, the eyes represent J.T. Eckleburg’s eyes and George saw and advertisement with his eyes in chapter 8 in the Valley of the Ashes. We can also see a green tear which can represent the green light that is mentioned throughout the novel. The lights and signs in the background represent Gatsby’s parties and the roaring 20’s which is when the novel takes place. Lastly there are two nude women shown in the eyes of the face on the cover. I think that thIs could represent Gatsby’s objectification of Daisy. ]]> 2021-05-29 23:42:58 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1570942235 Chapter 8 (Student Topic) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1570944080 If Tom and Daisy were to falsely blame Gatsby for the murder of Myrtle, there would be no way to prove it to be false. Gatsby is already dead and arguably, all the evidence they need would be his bright yellow car that ran Myrtle over. I am wondering what Tom said to George exactly. I am already assuming that Tom is the one that lead George to Gatsby. I am also wondering how Nick is feeling when all of this is going down because it seems like Gatsby and him were beginning to be more like close friends. ]]> 2021-05-29 23:46:50 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1570944080 Chapter 9 (Teacher Theme) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1587345202 This novel, the narrator especially, points out the superficial flaws of the American Dream. The American Dream can be viewed as pearls, diamonds, and all other kinds of riches. Gatsby attained the American Dream with all his luxury goods and parties. Gatsby ended up being murdered, and not one of those people who attended his massive parties and get togethers showed up to his funeral. Referring to Gatsby and his dreams, Nick states “He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther...And one fine morning- So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past” (Fitzgerald 193). The American Dream is essentially this big chase where you are always stuck wanting more and nothing is ever good enough for you to finally feel content. ]]> 2021-06-05 22:49:14 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1587345202 Chapter 9 (Student Topic) falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1587348399 This whole novel was one big surprise. It was my first time reading it and I found that I was continuously wanting to read on because of the amount of suspense that builds up after each chapter. I also really enjoyed it because of the small things the author would do to tie the book altogether. For example, Nick tells Jordan to not be a reckless driver and nearing the end of the book they both reminisce on how Daisy was the one that ended up not being safe on the road and ended up killing Myrtle. It’s also interesting to think about how most people are searching for this superficial American Dream not realizing that the chase in itself is the American Dream. It’s nice to have a narrator like Nick guiding us through all the events that took place because he is not afraid to be critical of people and their priorities. ]]> 2021-06-05 22:55:51 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1587348399 Text-to-Self falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1608602316 There are many times that I’ve related to the text when reading The Great Gatsby. One of these many moments is when Gatsby is revealing how he reAlized that he can differentiate himself from his parents and pick his own path to follow. I relate to this because I find myself not wanting to be like the parental figures in my life. Another instance where I have strongly related to the text is when Gatsby is trying to recreate the past with Daisy and Nick tells him that that isn’t what his main strive should be. I relate to this because I mindlessly find myself trying to recreate positive past experiences and feelings because of the sense of comfort it brings along.]]> 2021-06-15 22:42:19 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1608602316 Text-to-Text falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1608603683 I was listening to this song by Lana Del Rey and I couldn’t help but envision The Great Gatsby. The song is called “bartender”. Within the song, Lana sings, “ All the ladies of the canyon
Wearing black to the house parties
Crosby, Stills and Nash is playing
Wine is flowing with Bacardi
But sometimes girls just want to have fun
The poetry inside of me is warm like a gun
I bought me a truck in the middle of the night
It'll buy me a year if I play my cards right
Photo free exits from baby's bedside
'Cause they don't yet know what car I drive“
the house parties can be a reference to Gatsby’s parties. Of course there is plentiful amounts of alcohol  in these parties but the singer talks about staying sober which can also be a reference to Gatsby’s sobriety. Lastly “ they dong know what car I drive” can be interpreted as changing cars so you don’t get caught for murdering Myrtle. This might be a stretch but I couldn’t help but imagine the connections from this song to Gatsby. 
]]> 2021-06-15 22:43:43 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1608603683 Text-to-World falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1608604837 Ideas in the text, The Great Gatsby relates to our larger world in the past, present, and future because it teaches us that while we may achieve a higher social class and pursue all our dreams, we are always stuck wanting more. For Gatsby especially, he was stuck yearning for the past and tried to rekindle his past love with Daisy. I think in our modern day we are fighting time, some of us never want to move on and get stuck in the past because that is what is seemingly most comforting to a majority of people. But this yearning for the past can stunt your growth as a person, time moves on and so should we. ]]> 2021-06-15 22:44:52 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1608604837 falkhafaji20222_1 https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1608794000 2021-06-16 00:55:00 UTC https://padlet.com/falkhafaji20222_1/q3v7radqyqsil67l/wish/1608794000