also what i like to point out as well was that the american dream also means to dream as big as one would like to dream and that there shouldn't be any obstacles that is what also mad Jay Gatsby a real symbolic person for the real meaning of the american dream
Leitre Lowe Ms.Rushing Period 6 Going off of "The American Dream", as stated by others, it was that dream of becoming wealthy after starting as a janitor to pay for his education that drove Gatsby to becoming what he was. Even more so, being denied a fortune, he pushed toward wealth even more.As America was made great by its many achievements, the Great Gatsby was in fact great because of his ambition for success.He may have achieved this through unsavory means (bootlegging),however, he still worked hard to become what he became.
Please be sure to include your name, teacher name, and class period. Also, while this may be a weblog, conventions, such as spelling, capitalization, punctuation, still count.
What i think made Jay Gatsby so great was, he believed in the american dream and lived it out.He believed in true love and found her.He also learned that money can't buy happiness (or love). He had everything you would ever want.
I agree with you because you said Jay Gatsby believed in the American Dream and lived it out, but technically he didn't because if he believed in the American Dream he wouldn't have resulted to illegal activities(bootlegging alcohol) to achieve it. He would have gotten a job and strove to excel in his life so he could reach his goal (winning Daisy back) and becoming wealthy.
Mahasin, textual evidence would really help boost your score. You've made some excellent points, such as "if he believed in the American Dream, he wouldn't have resulted to illegal activities (bootlegging alcohol) to achieve it." This topic is definitely up for debate. After all, we do have a lot of people today who feel any means necessary justify the ends, and they would have supported Gatsby. For example, 50 Cent's "get rich or die trying" point of view would go hand in hand with Gatsby's goal, wouldn't it?
My textual evidence is from chapter 7. Tom said "He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That's one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn't far wrong." I used this text evidence because it shows how Jay Gatsby had to result to illegal ways to become wealthy.
- Reply to Mahasin Ahmad With or without Gatsby resorting to illegal activities, I believe that Gatsby would have found one way or another to achieve wealth. Whether it was an actual job or bootlegging like he did. He was willing to do whatever he had to do in order to have Daisy's love. So I don't think that how he gained wealth matters because even with the money he had he never tried to use it to be arrogant because in reality it wasn't the money that made Gatsby happy but instead the reaction of Daisy as said on page 91 of chapter 5, "He hadn't once ceased looking at Daisy, and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes." Anahi Quezada Ms. Tuttle 6th Period
In response to the discussion between Bella, Mahasin, and Anahi. I would have to say that Jay Gatsby did not fully accomplish the American dream since he did in fact get his money through bootlegging alcohol. Whether he could have came up with the wealth through an actual job or any other legal means is irrelevant due to the fact that this isn't the case. But let's not forget the part where he was ambitious of (his love life) when he went on to do any means necessary to capture Daisy's attention.
Jay Gatsby was "Great" because he lived the American Dream, a life of prosperity and success. But was Jay Gatsby truly "Great"? In my opinion there are two answers to this question. Morally Jay Gatsby was not "Great" because he achieved the American Dream through illegal activities in order to rise to the top. Although he was morally wrong he had the desire to win Daisy back, so he did whatever it took to win her back. Because of this Jay Gatsby was "Great" he achieved his goal in life, which was to win Daisy back(eventhough for only a short period of time). So because of this reason Jay Gatsby was "Great" since he worked hard to achieve his goal.
My textual evidence was found in Chapter 7. Tom said "Certainly not for a common swindler who'd have to steal the ring he put on her finger." This shows the relationship between Jay Gatsby's desire to win Daisy back and how he'd do anything to get her back.
He had a big house with a huge property.But sadly he didn’t achieve his money the good “American way”. He didn’t work honestly for his money. He was a bootlegger who sell liquor. His reason in making all this money was for his only love Daisy. On the outside, Gatsby was living the life and there was nothing more a man could want in life. On the inside he was lonely and the only thing he wanted, money couldn’t buy which was the love he had for daisy (and as Mahasin said, it was only for a short period of time)...In Chapter 5 pg: 92 "Luckily the clock took this moment to tilt dangerously at the pressure of his head,whereupon he turned and caught it with trembling fingers and set it back in place. 'I'm sorry about the clock,' he said. 'It's an old clock,' I told him idiotically." also in chapter 6 it says, "Can't repeat the past?" he cried incredulously. "Why of course you can!"(pg. 116)....all this shows all the trouble Gatsby went through to win daisy back,but couldn't and how the "clock" represents the past and how he wants to continue it with her,but even though he did all he can by being in the same "social class" as her (by getting rich) he still couldn't "buy" her love.even though he went through all that just for her...(just like Mahasin said, he was going to do whatever he can to win her back) That's why money couldn't buy Gatsby happiness because his happiness was his love for daisy, which he "basically" didnt have.that's why i used this quote.
I agree with your answer Mahasin, what made him so "great" was him becoming successfully wealthy, owning a big house, and servants who are easily replaceable. In his life for him to be successful he does illegal activities to earn his wealth and try to win Daisy over by his success in life. In that case he is achieving both things by getting his primary goal and also living the American Dream. In that I say that your answer is completely understandable and a good answer. I like how you put how he somewhat became successful in a wrong way but did it for a reason, which is to earn Daisy's love for him.
Jay Gatsby ecounters and reflections and how he was affected by them makes him so great. the fact that he joined to fight in a war and also resumed writting his romantic books. He began from the bottom as a poor man then his books became really famous, becoming rich and finally marrying the women of his dreams. though he accomplished his goals, he lived miserably from an unaffectionate wife, he still managed to right more books. years later he passes away with an unfinished book, but te Great Gatsby book up until today is the most interesting and bestselling book, this evedence proves what F. Scott Fitzgerald so great.
Jay Gatsby is the protagonist of "The Great Gatsby". You wrote about the author which was not the question asked. Although the author wrote Gatsby's life similar to his own they are not completely the same. Gatsby did not marry and he did not write a novel.
Sadis, perhaps you could pull some textual evidence to provide a parallel for Gatsby and Fitzgerald. What is Fitzgerald saying about fame and fortune, maybe from his own personal view, through his fictional characterization of Gatsby? I think you still have a lot of room for discussion here.
Gatsby is not great because nick makes it seem like he is the greatest of an wealthy yung man who has everything. Nick makes Gatsby great in chapter 1, explaining Gatsby's life. According to the first chapter, Nick demonstrates how Gatsby has everything, more like Gatsby's biggest fan which is Nick, as if he read a whole biography about Gatsby. Nicks admiration towards Gatsby is what makes him so great.
Gatsby is not great because nick makes it seem like he is the geates wealthy man alive who has everything. Nick makes Gatsby seem great by describing how Gatsby's life is and how successful he is. In chapter 1 Nick says, "Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction — Gatsby, who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn." Nick demonstrates how Gatsby has everything, more like Gastby's biggest fan which is certianly Nick according to the first chapter on his view on Gatsby and how he's inspired by him. Nick is more like Gatsby's biggest fan, as if he read a whole biography about Gatsby. Nicks admiration towards Gatsby is what makes him so great.
Jay Gatsby is "great" not simply for being the embodiment of the American Dream, but for his devotion to the love of his life. Gatsby is a conscious symbol of the pursuance of wealth, a prominent practice during the 1920s. More important than Gatsby's gaudy mansion is the path he took to obtain said estate - a true "rags to riches" story. Although Gatsby's actions to receive a majority of his money was unethical (assuming that Tom Buchanan's claim that Gatsby was a bootlegger is accurate), the fact that he transformed a dream into reality warrants the title of "great" Fitzgerald attributes to Gatsby. More significant still is Gatsby's commitment to Daisy Buchanan. He doesn't care for the ostentatious home he lives in or for the lavish items he possesses- he simply seeks to impress Daisy. Gatsby's devotion to Daisy is evident when he tells Daisy with an "automatic quality" that they last talked "Five years next November" (Fitzgerald 112). Gatsby's passion for Daisy can also be seen when he remembers a kiss they shared and Fitzgerald writes,"He knew when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God...Then he kissed her"(Fitzgerald 120). The exent to which he went to sustain a largely one-sided relationship makes Jay Gatsby deserving of the word "great", as his dedication to one woman was very considerable in the 1920s.
Excellent response, Savanna. I'm curious, though, do you think it is great to have one-sided relationships? I agree that during the 1920s it was not heard of for a man to be so devoted to a woman, since equal rights was obsolete. However, what do we think today of this "true love" motif? Did Gatsby love Daisy, or the idea of Daisy?
Savana Wheat Ms.Rushing 7th Period In response to the last question, Gatsby was more in love with the idea of Daisy. It is likely that Gatsby's infatuation with Daisy exaggerated her positive features during her absence. While Nick observes Gatsby he mentions that "There must have been moments...when Daisy tumbled short of [Gatsby's] dreams...because of the colossial vitality of his illusion" (Fitzgerald 115). The fond memories of Daisy that Jay Gatsby had from their Louisville days together probably obscured his sense of reality, causing him to place Daisy upon a pedestal and to envision her as the perfect woman.
Fantastic, Savannah. A well planned and thoughtful response. I've been bragging to my 7th period about you. I suppose they might be a bit jealous now. ;)
Very good, I like how you went specific on how Gatsby's commitment made him "great". In addition to your response, I feel as though, the illusion that Jimmy Gatz created, is what makes Gatsby "great".
I really like how you explain the kissing scene, and how it sort of stands out during the 1920s because of that era. Do you believe that Gatsby was really like how Gatz describes him? Esther Balogun Ms.Rushing Period 7rh
Great Gtsby was an individual who lived the American Dream and put his time and effort to achieving it. He did whatever he could to impress Daisy and win her back even though his actions and ways of getting such wealth came from crime and illegal activity like bootlegging alcohol. For the most part the American Dream came about being in high class with wealth, riches, freedom and happiness. Daisy seemed to be his main priority when it came to the happiness category and seemed to be the last puzzle piece missing in his life. In the book the character of Jordan explains to Fitzgerald about Gatsby's obsession over Daisy when he says "I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties, some night . . . but she never did." (chap. 4). The reason why Gatsby is so "Great", even if he lacked ethics, is because of his never ending persistence to getting Daisy. He managed to be so popular with such extravagant parties that he hoped to impress her but in the end it didn't so it made him try harder and through the process he became an example of The American Dream.
I like how you emphasized how Great Gatsby achieved living the American Dream and how "great" he is to be determine to impress Daisy. I believe the persistence of getting and impressing Daisy lead to a success of reasons of how Gatsby is so "great".
Gatsby is a men that pursue the american dream which he achieved. He married his love daysi and lived a good live in new york and in paris. This proves that he achieved more than just the amrican dream he fullfill his goal, he took his time and sacrifised his time to be the men he was and he also learned that happines is found in the heart and not in money. Geovany irineo 2nd period
Geo, please remember to use textual evidence and watch your conventions. Capitalization, spelling, and punctuation counts. I would appreciate you editing and rewriting this post with evidence.
Gatsby did not marry Daisy, they only kissed and loved each other...They could not be together due to Gatsby's "peasantry" in the past. Even thought it is true that Gatsby live was good, it was not fulfilled because he never got to marry Daisy which he strives so hard for in the book. To me Gatsby only completes Two-Third of the American Dream due to never getting Daisy, but he becomes fully committed to her thus gaining the title of "The Great Gatsby". -Ronny Ruch 6th Period
Well in my opinion he accomplished his goal (The American Dream) even though he did not marry Daisy. Getting marry is just signing a piece of paper, which to me doesn’t prove anything what really matters is how much you love that person and if you are willing to be with her/him and be faithful. So to me he did accomplish his goal. Geovany Irineo 2nd Ms.Tuttle
What makes Jay Gatsby so great? Jay Gatsby originally known as James Gatz is great due to his passion of the American Dream (Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness). Gatsby achieves his dream in the 1920s during the prohibition in where he takes up the business of selling alcohol illegally under "Drug-Stores". Gatsby seems to be missing the final piece of the American Dream which to him is Daisy, whom he lost years ago. With the appearance of Nick Carraway, Gatsby gets another chance at meeting Daisy and attempts to revive the past with her. He even buys the house so that it is right in front of Daisy's but separated by a body of water. But Gatsby attains his "Greatness" due to his never dying passion for Daisy whom seems to only like money. Despite all his effort to gain Daisy back, I believe Fitzgerald titles Gatsby "great" because he achieves the American Dream and continues to love Daisy as considered "great" in a Man of the 1920s.
The Pursuit of Happiness can be interpreted by many people in different ways, whether to chase the girl of your dreams (Gatsby to Daisy) and go to an extreme measure to win her back such as "Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay." (4.137-140) or "read a Chicago paper for years just on the chance of catching a glimpse of Daisy’s name." (4.152). But the definition of the Pursuit of Happiness is what you believe, And i believe that Gatsby's happiness resides in his obsession with Daisy. -Ronny Ruch 6th Period
I agree to Ms. Tuttle's comment because happiness can be found in obsession such as Gatsby love for Daisy. He was determine to win her back by hosting extravagant parties hoping to see Daisy one day again. "I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties. . . but she never did." (Fitzgerald, Chp 4) I also believe that he sold alcohol illegally to obtain a lot of money in order to buy a mansion in hopes of Daisy to fall back in love with him. -7th period -Tuttle
Cynthia Ruano Ms.Tuttle 2nd period I Slightly disagree with Kenny because I believe that it wasn't an obsession he had,instead it was a determination to get the love of his life back.He did sell alcohol illegally not to get Daisy's love back but,because he knew that during the Jazz Age it was impossible to marry someone that didn't belong to your social class.He tried to approach the standards that the society demanded during that time period to confort Daisy's needs.
Although Gatsby was following HIS* "American Dream" he did not completely achieve his goal which was to marry Daisy. Gatsby during the 1920's Prohibition, illegally sold alcohol and by doing this, he was one step closer to fulfilling HIS* "American Dream". Why was he a step closer? Because Daisy, the woman he loved, who did like him, loved money even more. Although Gatsby did not achieve his goal of marrying Daisy, F. Scott Fitzgerald titles the book “The Great Gatsby” because even though at some point Gatsby knew Daisy was only interested in money, he continued to love her unconditionally and this was very much admired. Fitzgerald shows his admiration for Gatsby in the book when the narrator, Nick, repeatedly defends Gatsby before he even meets him. In Chapter 3 (online) before Nick meets Gatsby at the party, Nick is having a conversation with Jordan Baker and Mr. Mumbles along with the two girls. Mr. Mumble then says “Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once…” ("he" referring to Gatsby). Later on when Nick finally meets Gatsby, he bumps into Jordan Baker and asks her about him. She goes on to explain that he says he went to Oxford but she does not believe it. In his mind, Nick felt curious about her tone, it was the same tone the other girl’s and Mr. Mumbles had used when they accused Gatsby as a killer. The curiosity Nick mentions causes the reader to believe that in some way Nick admires Gatsby and wishes to find out more about him and not the rumors of the guests. * The reason for the capitalization of the word HIS is because not everyone has the same dream.
Interesting, but I wonder: How is loving someone who does not reciprocate an admirable quality? Isn't it difficult to love a man who lacks self respect?
Careful with the capitalization. According to cyber ettiquette, capitalization equates to yelling.
*I would have preferred to makes *his* in italics but the blog doesn't allow it and in quotes it would only confuse the reader making him/her think it is a citation.
PS: Now that I have finished the book, I can add more citations to support my statement and answer your question.
(Continuation)
F. Scott Fitzgerald throughout the book shows Nick's appreciation for Gatsby's love towards Daisy. Fitzgerald exposed Nick's fear of love when Nick met with Jordan Baker after Gatsby had passed. Jordan was upset with him because he had hung up on her days before and he was upset because she was engaged. Nick then said to himself "Angry and half in love with her... I turned away."(Page 177) Before this comment, one believed Nick was completely in love with Jordan by his previous actions but here it distorts one's previous belief. Although Gatsby was not loved by Daisy, Nick admired him for being able to love someone unlike him. Nick also felt a connection between him and Gatsby although he knew what Gatsby had done to win Daisy. In chapter 9, when Nick had no one to turn to when Gatsby was dying, he said “…I began to have a feeling of defiance, of scornful solidarity between Gatsby and me against them all.”(Page 165) In chapter 3, Nick believed Gatsby was only seeking attention with all his enormous parties (pages 39-42), and here he realized that although Gatsby knew all these guests he would invite would not be there for him in the end, he only did it for Daisy because as Jordan Baker said to Nick “...he half expected her to wander into one of his parties...but she never did.” (Chapter 4, page 79)
Please excuse the weird citations, I have the novel on an e-reader and the formatting is different.
Jay Gatsby is introduced to the reader by Nick Carraway who describes Gatsby as possessing a "heightened sensitivity...an extraordinary gift for hope..." (Fitzgerald 59) but otherwise leaves the reader in the dark about who Jay Gatsby really is. Much like the reader, Nick, and many of Gatsby's party guests, knew very little about the man, and it is this trait that draws many to Gatsby. However, as Nick and the reader soon finds out, the greatness of Jay Gatsby stems from Gatsby's borderline destructive imagination and persistence. Gatsby's determination in obtaining his target is hinted at when Nick realizes that Gatsby "had waited five years and bought a mansion" (Fitzgerald 1047) for a chance to see Daisy. Had Gatsby's neighbor been anyone but Carraway, his plan would have been undone, yet it is with this fact that Gatsby wins a favor from Nick.
"The most grotesque and fantastic conceits" (Fitzgerald 1299) that haunts Gatsby tell of his dreams of grandeur and perfection, insomuch that even the love of his life, Daisy, "tumbled short of..." (Fitzgerald 1263). Reality does not settle well with Gatsby as he was born from "unsuccessful farm people" (Fitzgerald 1282) and hungers for possibly more than the world has to offer. However, it is this desire for something that drives Gatsby and his eagerness to work towards his goals that epitomizes the American Dream. Gatsby is no more a man fighting for his love than a symbol of moving on up through hard work, and that is why Jay Gatsby is great.
Very nice, Johnny. I particularly liked the "borderline destructive imagination" characterization. An apt description for Gatsby. Also, it is quite perceptive that you notice without Nick's help, Gatsby would never have become reacquainted with Daisy. I also appreciate the depth of your response to include other factors besides Gatsby's love for Daisy.
I agree that Gatsby's hope and determination is what makes him great because they are admirable qualities. When Daisy states, "We haven't met for many years", Gatsby responds, "Five years next November." (p.92) He is so infatuated with Daisy that he remembers the little details about their past. However, Gatsby should exercise caution because he is so blinded by love that he does not see the consequences that come with pursuing a married woman who has a child.
As Carolyn said, "Gatsby should excercise caution because he is so blinded by love that he does not see the consequences..." but not because Daisy is married or has a child, but because Daisy does not love him. Although the fact that she is married and has a child was a contributing factor, Fitzgerald demonstrates that Daisy only loved money since she didn't marry Gatsby when they were companions. In chapter 7, Gatsby clearly says "she only married you because I was poor..." (page 130) when he was arguing with Tom and this shows Daisy's lack of any real emotions although Gatsby does not see it.
Just because Gatsby was poor does not mean that Daisy did not love him. Daisy comes from old money and back in the 1920's it was very frowned upon to marry outside of their social class. Yes, she was attracted to money and would not have married Gatsby if he was poor but I believe she truly loved him.
Although at some point one may have believed Daisy did love Gatsby, one should consider the fact that she left him to die and not only that, but when George Wilson went to her house to hurt Tom for killing his wife Myrtle Wilson, she stood by Tom without any objection when he was accusing Gatsby of the accident,(chapter 9 online) even though she was the one that was driving (Chapter 8-online).One may also believe Daisy only stayed with Tom because she was afraid of him but ask yourself: Why wasn't she scared of him before? The only reason Daisy changed her mind about leaving Tom was because she found out how Gatsby made his money (chapter 7). Before Daisy found out how Gatsby had made his money she called Tom "revolting" (chapter 7) and when asked by Gatsby if she ever loved Tom, she said "I never loved him."(Chapter 7) Yet, moments later, Daisy said "I did love him once” (chapter 7- him referring to Tom).
Gatsby demonstrates his courageous nature by taking the blame for the death of Mrs. Wilson. He understands that if Daisy were to take the blame Tom would assume that Daisy knew about his affair. Little did she know that Gatsby would die as a result. Mr. Wilson never accused Tom of murdering Mrs. Wilson because he knew that Tom arrived in the blue coupe and not the yellow car. Daisy states, "I did love him once - but I loved you too." (p.140)It is not impossible to love two people, and it would be difficult to expect Daisy to remain unmarried and loyal to Gatsby while we went away for the war.
Carolyn,you make very good points and I can see why you believe Daisy truly loved Gatsby. However,I must disagree because we all have our own opinions on true love. I believe that Daisy loved Gatsby as a person. Up until, she chose social status over love. I then realized that this woman loved him, but could never imagine the idea of them together. Therefore,it's hard to determine wether or not Daisy truly loved him. She was clearly conflicted, and had been used to a life of "old money" as you said.
James Gatz, known as Jay Gatsby in the book, ‘The Great Gatsby,’ is a great man, who attempted to live The American Dream, but wasn’t successful enough to do so. As stated in www.wisegeek.com , “the American Dream is an idea which suggests that all people can succeed through hard work” where as Gatsby did succeed in being very wealthy but by choosing to take the short cuts, such as bootlegging of alcohol and other crimes which are forbidden by law, showed the immoral side of him. But the devotion towards Gatsby acquiring the happiness in the American Dream, the love of his life, Daisy, which he did all he could to impress her, to gain Daisy’s love back that he lost is what made him a great man that portrayed hopefulness and dedication, symbolizing him as living the American Dream.
Gatsby did, indeed, live the American Dream and succeed in becoming wealthy because the use illegal activity to become rich was still work he has to put in in order to create his clientele or whatever else he needed in order to see the money. But as you mentioned, he did portray hopefulness and dedication making him a great example of the American Dream because in order to live that dream you need wealth, status, happiness and of course freedom. It's like a latter, you start from the bottom with dreams then move your self up with motivation and dedication till you eventually see your hard work pay off. In the book when Gatsby finally sees Daisy in a long time he becomes nervous and Scott tells him "You're acting like a little boy" (chap 5.) revealing an intimate part of him that wasn't easily predicted from such a criminal. With such intimacy the reader now sees Gatsby from a new angle, not the bootlegger, but a man desperate for his lost love. His character and heart made him a great man not only his wealth and class status.
What seems to make Gatsby so great is that he's following the American Dream. A prime example would be his lavish home and the possessions in it, and the amount of money he has when he uses it for his parties. "By seven o'clock the orchestra has arrived... a whole pitful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos and low and high drums..." (Fitzgerald 40)
Gatsby also manages to attain both his personal dream and the American dream by building up his economic status. In the beginning he was poor so was his parents "... shiftless and unsuccessful farm people..." (Fitzgerald 98) Later on Gatsby met Dan Cody, "... when he turned up as James Gatz's destiny in Little Girl Bay..." (Fitzgerald 99) Cody's contribution towards Gatsby's dream was when "... he inherited money- a legacy of twenty-five thousand dollars..." (Fitzgerald 100)
Jay Gatsby is great because of he was a man who lived the American Dream. To people, the American Dream can be defined as being wealthy, happy, and successful. In Gatsby case, he was successful for many reasons, including illegal crimes such as bootlegging alcohol. Fitzgerald states, "You're one of that bunch that hangs around with Meyer Wolfsheim....I found out what your 'drug-stores' were...I picked him for bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn't far wrong." (Fitzgerald, Chapter 7). With this though, his main goal was to re-earn the heart of Daisy Buchanan; whatever it took, he fought for her. In conclusion, Gatsby was great not for the lavishing things and wealth, but for how hard he worked to achieve towards his dream and goals.
During the 1920s, Americans had dreams of becoming wealthy and being happy. This soon became known as the American Dream. Jay Gatsby found success in fulfilling the American Dream through crime and illegal actions, he soon became very rich. But what really makes Gatsby great is his diligent attempts to win Daisy, who he loves deary, back, even though she is married to Tom Buchanan. A wealthy and handsome men like Gatsby can easily get a pretty girl but he chooses to stay faithful to the girl whom he shared a kiss with five years ago. Gatsby buys one of the biggest houses in New York "so that Daisy would be just across the bay.” (Chapter 4) It's not his money or lavish lifestyle that make him great, his perseverance and hardworking mindset are the main factors that make up "The Great Gatsby".
I appreciate you offering a definition of the American Dream, but keep in mind, that dream is not the same for everyone. Not everyone equates wealth with happiness and success. Saying "to people" is a sweeping generalization.
Vy,
A well thought out response. Could you tell me, though, is Gatsby great, or just the only decent (and I say that loosely) character in the book?
Gatsby was a men that seek the american dream wich he achieved. He married his love daysi and lived in new york and in paris even though some people had negative toughts about him such as being a "bootleger"and "killing his own nephew". (Chapter 4). But he did not let this get on his way and because of that he achieved his goal and lived happy and also learned that money does not buy happines. Geovany irineo 2nd period Ms.tuttle
I believe you need to finish reading the book. You've made some inaccurate statements here. If you would like to repost upon completion, that would be fine.
Please watch the spelling, capitalization, and punctuation count.
Although Gatsby is portrayed as a stuck up rich individual, he is later proved to be a great person. Carraway states, "Gatsby turned out all right at the end" (8). Gatsby overall is a good person by heart, the only problem is he's too proud to accept that he worked as a janitor to make money. The author states that Gatsby is "He was a son of God" (95). Gatsby is geat because of his ego and" his incorruptible dream" (147). that he has set for himself.
First of all Gatsby is not a janitor and to me he doesn’t look like a stuck up rich guy that is probably how some rich people act toward others. How would you act if you were rich Erie wilson ? Geovany Irineo 2nd Ms.tuttle
I agree that Gatsby is portrayed as a rich individual however I disagree at the comment that Gatsby is a stuck up. What makes me say that? It's because he's known for having such gigantic parties at his place and is aware of the fact that even the uninvited people attend his parties, but it does not bother him because all he aspires is to see Daisy at one of his parties as Jordan Baker in Chapter 4 states, "I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties, some night." Now i wouldn't call him arrogant, it's more like he lacks social skills as shown in Chapter 6 when Mrs. Sloane invites Gatsby to dinner but doesn't really mean it and without observing Mr. Sloane's tone and behavior, Gatsby plans to leave with them.
the thing that makes Jay Gatsby great is that he really doesnt care what people say about him. Gatsby knows he has a good life, so he doesnt let the rumors affect him.
Please use conventions and textual evidence to explain your answer. Review the rubric once more. Your post must add depth to the discussion. I would also finish reading the book, since this post could be interpreted as inaccurate.
What makes Jay Gatsby so great is that Gatsby is determined and wants to accomplish things despite the consequences. In other words, Gatsby is determined to getting a task done. Gatsby states, "I'm going to fix everything just the way it was before"(110). Here Gatsby is distressed because his relationship with Daisy has not been the same. Despite the fact that Daisy is already married, it is obvious that Gatsby is dedicated to retain the relationship that he and Daisy once had. His tone seems very strong and forceful which shows his dedicated and persistent nature. Ultimately, his strong resolve and steadfast conviction are what makes him an admirable character.
Interesting commentary. Yet doesn't everyone have "strong resolve and steadfast conviction"? Jordan seems to reflect those characteristics in terms of winning at all costs, Tom in terms of dominating all his relationships, and Daisy in terms of fooling everyone that she is happy.
I believe that most successful people base their success on their past, accomplishing every goal they set them self to, because of what they failed to accomplish in their past. The Great Jay Gatsby, Had everything , from “beautiful shirts”(nick chapter 5), to “a marble swimming pool” (nick chapter 1), and he had accomplished this by who he was in his past. But one thing that he failed to fulfill his life with was having that one special person, Daisy. Gatsby’s confidence and ambition; not to possess any material thing but rather a heart that he failed to have, leads him to become The Great. Like I stated at the beginning of my paragraph, people base their success on their past, Daisy was in Gatsby’s past, but also in his present and he wanted her to be in his future. “You can’t repeat the past.”(Nick chapter 6) “Why of course you can!”(Gatsby chapter 6) “His life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he could once return to a certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he could find out what that thing was” (nick chapter 6) “I’m going to fix everything just the way it was before,” he said, nodding determinedly.”(Gatsby chapter 6) Gatsby was Great because his confidence, ambition and his past drew him to reach out his dream , of finding and having Daisy back; in which he accomplished. Casandra Garza Ms.Tuttle 6th Period
Considering the fact Nick is a romantic, Gatsby's goal to sweep Daisy not only intrigues Nick but influences his respect for him. Gatsby pursured anyting aquired to win Daisy, his plot was that he would need to be rich to maintain Daisy's comfortabliity in high maintenance. Therefore, he scored his own "business" that would give him luxury and studied elite etiquette that would be needed on how he should act. In additon, Gastsby had a romantic heart, his consistency and determined to accomplish his goal admired Nick. In the beginning of the book, Nick lost belief that any human could be moral excusing Gatsby. Although Gatsby committed illegal things, he stuck with his true emotions. What makes Gatsby so great is that he was able to disguise himself into a fondness identity shaping him into an interesting, unique character.
I agree with some of what you said and disagree with other parts and I'm surprised you didn't reference the Great Harry Houdini to tie it all together. I think his greatness relies more on his determination than his mastery of disguise though that skill certainly does make him an impressive person. His resilience and ability to hang onto a goal until it's achieved are his truly remarkable qualities and his shape-shifting served only as a means to complete his quest.
Hard work and persistence...these two elements intertwined with the drive and ambition of one who will stop at nothing to get ahead proves to be the rise and fall of Mr. Jay Gatsby. Born into poverty he accomplishes great wealth in his search for what he believes is true love. Jay Gatsby's motivation to achieve the American Dream stem from his superficial idea of social status and wealth being the foundation of love. Unknowingly his search for true love becomes the demise of the Great Gatsby because in the end - everyone knows that fame, glory, and power inevitably lose their luster in comparison to the true meaning of love in all its brilliance.
claudia pineda, mr.vegafria 7th The way i think that makes Jay Gatsby so great is how his wealth and success started back on the day. I believe that if it wasnt for that he wouldnt be so important and great with what he does.
I disagree because in chapter 4 he talks about his life and how he was in the Great War. The reason I'm bringing this up because Claudia said that without his wealth he wouldn't be successful. Although during the Great War Gatsby was promoted to be a major, and was given a decoration by every Allied government.
what makes gatsby a great person is the confidence he has in him self. He really doesnt care what others say nor think about him. Although Gatsby is portrayed as a stuck up, rich individual,i strongly disagree as well as Cassaway when stated "Gatsby turned out all right after all" (8) deep inside he has good heart. Although he doesnt like to admit that he worked as a janitor to make money.
I agree and disagree. Gatsby isn't portrayed as stuck up because in the book Nick explains to his audience that allot of people that weren't invited still went to his exquisite parties when he says "I went to Gatsby's house I was one of the few guests who had actually been invited". He is not conceited about his parties, did not brag about how good and luxuriant his parties are and he did not kick people out because they weren't on his invitation list. He just patiently waited for the day he finally came across his beloved one. Those characteristics are what isolates him from the other "rich" people and make him so great. I agree, he does have a good heart because one who didn't would had gave up their American Dream and settle for something faster and easier like another woman or even many with such wealth that he had but he didn't he stayed true to his love and himself.
Although Jay Gatsby attempted to pursue the American Dream, he is "great" due to his strive to win his lover, Daisy. Gatsby is often the talk amongst others during his luxurious parties. In chapter 4 (online), Gatsby is said to have moved to the West Egg, opposite of where Daisy resides, in order to have secret meetings in Nick's home. He often tries to impress Daisy when it comes to money and his appearance for she is old-money. "The flowers were unnecessary... Gatsby, in a white flannel suit, silver shirt, and gold-colored tie, hurried in." Chapter 5 (online) and ". “They’re such beautiful shirts,” she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. “It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such — such beautiful shirts before.' said Daisy. " '"I adore it, 'exclaimed Daisy. 'The pompadour! You never told me you had a pompadour — or a yacht.'" Gatsby worked hard for his money. The money meant to impress Daisy. "For over a year he had been beating his way... as a clam-digger and a salmon-fisher or in any other capacity that brought him food and bed." Chapter 6 also online. A hard-working man over all is what makes James Gatz great.
Jay Gatsby is a great person due to his wealth, success, and his positive intidamation to those he don't know. As shown in (Chapter 1), "We were in the same senior society, and while we were never intimate I always had the impression that he approved of me and wanted me to like him with some harsh, defiant wistfulness of his own." This shows that Jay is a great person by creating a positive moral of intimadtion to the author and those who were not intimate to him.
So you're (Eddie) saying that what makes someone great is the fact that their wealthy, successful and intimidating. So that implies that someone who is "poor, a failure, and has a negative intimidation", is not great. Therefore, worthless. Having money and popularity doesn't make Gatsby "great". The fact that he knew what he wanted and went for it(even though it was illegal) along with many other things, shows how great he was.If anything, Gatsby is intimidated by Daisy. "This is a terrible,mistake," he said, shacking his head from side to side, "a terrible, terrible mistake."(Chapter 5) When Gatsby is about to be left alone with Daisy, he quickly jumps up to "make conversation" with the other person in the room because he doesn't really know how to talk to the "love of his life." And you're last sentence is a little confusing to me.
Eddie,i think i'm going to have to disagree with you.Though i do like how Jennifer pointed out how someone who is "poor, or a failure" isn't great, just because someone doesn't have the wealth or the overwhelming looks doesn't mean they aren't great. The thing that makes one great is the confidence and determination that one has in order to succeed in accomplishing what they have their mind set to, which then brings me to my main point. What really made Gatsby "great" was his determination to bring someone from his past back into his life, which was Daisy. The fact that Gatsby went through a lot and did illegal things just to impress Daisy and try to win her over is what makes Gatsby "great".
Jay Gatsby was "Great" because was able to achieve the "American Dream". He had everything he wanted the women of his dreams, a beautiful house, and lived a life of luxury. Yes he did achieve this through alcoholic bootlegging, but in a since that was his job. So was it really wrong?
Yes it is really wrong. As I said in my reply before with Emmanuel, a man of his wealth shouldn’t resort to illegal actions. He’s promoting the drinking and selling of alcohol. Which in this time is doing the prohibition era and was banned. And is a complete jab at his country. So just because your rich you can brake the law?
Jay gatsby to me was a great character for being so Willingly to create a new jay to fulfill his own ambitions and live up to being a finer person. "So he invented just the sort of jay gatsby that a seventeen year old boy would be likely to invent, and to his conception he was faithful to the end " ( the great gatsby chapter 6.) Jay wanted to be a different man from the one Daisy had met back in the 1970's by throwing parties to be known in society and to let daisy know of his accomplishment. "Gatby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us - tomorow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther... and one morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." ( the great gatsby chapter 9.) Meaning jay since the beginning was still stuck in the past while living in the present. And due to his obsession to be someone greater from the start led to a lonely ending and a sad fate.
So because Gatsby was obsess with Daisy and did things to impress her make him Great? or is it his determination that makes him great? or is it that he threw his old self and became someone else just to impress a girl that makes him great? or is it a combination of all three?
^ I believe that it was his determination because without determination peoples achievements don’t fulfill. Gatsby throughout the book has a great determination to be with Daisy. :) Casandra Garza Tuttle 6th period
Gatsby is considered to be great because of his determination to live the American Dream, but also his dedication into his fight in bringing Daisy back home to him. Yes, Gatsby lied and participated in illegal activities, but he was trying to do what had to be done in order for him to reach his goal. Instead of wealth giving him happiness, he wanted to obtain what he lost in order for him to get the full sensation of living the American Dream. Although he did things to expose himself, he never lost hope, never stopped trying, and most importantly, he never stopped loving Daisy. "He wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy. His life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he could once return to a certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he could find out what that thing was." (Ch. 5) In this quote Fitzgerald is developing the motivation and realization of his need to complete his life as the American Dream. He realized that in his life, he made many decisions that weren't necessary, but it clicked to him to know that all he really needed was one thing to make him happy.
what made Gatsby so great was that from a young age he knew that he wanted to be wealthy and he would do anything to ascertain that wealth. Gatsby obtained his wealth by illegally selling alcohol in drug stores during prohibition. After he obtained his wealth he moved to West Egg to try and get Daisy back ( his supposed love of his life), he achieved his goal in getting Daisy back into his life. A self Determined man with ambition is what makes Jay Gatsby great.
Yes Emmanuel I do agree that he "obtained his wealth" .But I also see that as a fault. I mean is it really that important to stay wealthy that you have to forget morals and the law? You even said yourself that it was during the prohibition where alcohol was completely banned in the United States. Gatsby being apart of the wealthy community could have found a legal line of work figuring how known he was for his lavish parties. It states" On buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors-d’oeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys bewitched to a dark gold...."By seven o’clock the orchestra has arrived, no thin five-piece affair, but a whole pitful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos, and low and high drums...'(chapter 3) Seems to me a man of this live style could have easily found legal work. In chapter 4 Nick also lists all of the elite and wealthy people who attended Gatsbys party, plenty of resources there!
What makes Gatsby so great is his ideals, his dreams, and the way he interprets the American Dream. When Gatsby met Daisy "he found that he had committed himself to the following of a grail."(149) Although, Gatsby had no money he learn the customs the manners to fool Daisy into believing he was up to her standards Daisy came to represent everything that he wanted his life to be. Because Gatsby did anything and everything to get to Daisy his pursuit to her became his soul purpose. But what makes Gatsby great is how Nick sees him. Nick thinks Gatsby is great because he was able to create a new identity for himself when he needed to be someone else. In chapter 7 Gatsby stops all his partying because he no longer needs to impress Daisy this shows how Gatsby can go back and forward just for Daisy he can be the riches man in the world for awhile but as soon as she is gone he goes back to himself or is he himself do we really know who Gatsby is? Is not knowing who Gatsby really is what makes him so great?
In The Great Gatsby Nick believed that Jay Gatsby was a great man because he created a new identity for himself when he needed it. Gatsby looked the part and acted the part of a wealthy man and all for one goal to win Daisy back. His unwordly love for Daisy gives Nick the admiration towards Gatsby, and makes him great.
In The Great Gatsby Nick believed that Jay Gatsby was a great man because he created a new identity for himself when he needed it. Gatsby looked the part and acted the part of a wealthy man and all for one goal to win Daisy back. His unwordly love for Daisy gives Nick the admiration towards Gatsby, and makes him great. Although Daisy was married to Tom Gatsby still knew that he loved him. In chapter 7 he states, "Going on for five years...but both of us loved each other all that time..." (Fitzgerald 100).Fitzgerald gives this romantic side of Gatsby so that the audience can see his love for her and feel symphathetic for waiting so long, and it gives Nick the reason to idolize him.
Great is defined as "intensity considerably above the normal or average” (Google); Gatsby exhibits this characteristic throughout the novel through his intense love and desire for Daisy. Daisy is but an ordinary, mundane, and snobbish girl; in reality, she is only worth as much money as she possesses. However, the time and effort Gatsby has invested into reclaiming her love is the glory of her character, thus the glory of his. For example, her voice is not extraordinary, but to a love-struck Gatsby it was a “deathless song” (68) and “full of money” (85). The fact that this plain girl from Louisville could evoke such emotion by virtue of her voice seems unreal – and it is. It is simply Gatsby’s greatness; it rubs off on her – only on the surface – so much so that Gatsby perceives her to be the great one, not he. However, the reader sees through the false projection of greatness and traces it back to Gatsby, the source. The reader also notices Gatsby’s greatness through “Owl Eyes”. The fact that “Owl Eyes” cannot believe that Gatsby’s books are real elicits a response from the reader – that “Gatsby” could actually be a façade (34). He has props – his books, the setting – his house, scenes – the parties, and actors – his guests. All of these elements, all a part of a show, impress upon the reader that Gatsby’s life is an illusion, similar to a magic show.
Esther Balogun Ms.Rushing period 7th What makes Gatsby so great is his ability to love someone with all his heart,and never giving up for that love. Gatsby loved Daisy so much, that he would try to impress her with "get togethers" and use his riches hoping it would bring them closer together. "She didn't like it..she didn't have a good time." (109). He felt depressed because he hoped that Daisy would enjoy the little time that spent together, and that maybe she could see him for who he truely is. Gatsby loved Daisy enough to change his idenity just to get her to love him back.
Jennifer Osuagwu Ms.Rushing 7th Period Jay Gatsby was a great man not only because of the pursuit of his definition of the American Dream, but the belief that he could get Daisy, the love of his life back into his arms. The American Dream means different things for different people and for Jay his own "American Dream" was to be wealthy and to have Daisy for himself. Although his wealth came from illegal and criminal acts Gatsby does what HE feels is right, based on his past experiences and he never gives up! His persistence to win Daisy back is one of those examples. He builds a house across the bay from where Daisy stays so that she might by chance come over to his house when he throws one of his extravagant parties. When Daisy learns that Gatsby has built a HUGE house, she immediately becomes smitten with him. So does his plan succeed, even thought Daisy is in it for the wealth, or is it the total opposite? Daisy doesn't like Gatsby for who he is but for what he has."Certainly not for a common swindler who'd have to steal the ring he put on her finger." (Ch. 7) Gatsby will stop at nothing to win Daisy back, even if that means coming off as desperate or psychotic. Later, Gatsby learns that money can't by bliss or in this case his love to Daisy. On another note, when someone is fond of another person, they usually consider that person to be great. Mr. Wolfsheim states, "There's the kind of man (Gatsby) you'd like to take home and introduce to your mother and father." (Ch. 4) This shows that Gatsby is highly respected in Wolfsheims mind, and that he is of all people, so amazing that he could be brought home to meet his parents. Gatsby created his own definition of the "American Dream" and by him fulfilling his dreams he is considered great to me.
Jay Gatsby is so great because in The Great Gatsby, Jay is able to transform himself into a new person. He creates his own persona. "He was so hard up he had to keep on wearing his uniform because he couldn't buy some regular clothes." (chapter9) In the beginning of the book Jay was a poor man, but he managed to build his way up from scratch to live the lavish life. Jays driving force in the story was a lady named Daisy. Daisy was the love of Jays life which motivated him to achieve all that he had only to be loved back. The reader should be aware that Jay and Daisy met sometime long ago in Louisville during the time of war, but as a result of his status, they refrained from maintaining a relationship forcing Daisy to go on with her life. It's amusing because in the story no one knows who he is and where he came from they only assume with no actual facts.In the Great Gatsby Jay is known as a man who throws random parties, a bootlegger, a gambler, a man who has killed someone and many more, but all of the following are unknown. Gatsby actions could be justified whereas it's all meant for the love of Daisy. "I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties some night, but she never did"(chapter 4) could be proof as to why he always throws parties. Also, "Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay"(chapter 4) could be more evidence as to why that particular mansion was occupied by him. "He had deliberately given Daisy a sense of security; he let her believe that he was a person from much the same stratum as herself--that he was fully able to take care of her. As a matter of fact, he had no such facilities."(chapter 7). Even with nothing, Jay was able to make Daisy believe he was the perfect fit for her, he tried his best to win her over. Jay added a new look to the American dream. He was able to acquire more than enough wealth to have the chance of getting back with Daisy. "It took me three years to earn the money that bought it"(chapter 5). This quote refers to Jay's house and how he was capable of obtainig a mansion in only three years. All for what? Only to impress the love of his life. Jay's love for Daisy, even after so many years, is still strong. "He stretched his arm toward the dark water" shows how still deeply attached he is to her. Throughout his life, his main goal was to be with Daisy, even if it was through hell and back. He went through extreme measures and even decided to take the blame for the death of Myrtle! ("Was Daisy driving? "Yes, but of course I'll say I was", Chapter7) exemplifies the level of extremenity. Jays ability to become a greater man than who he originally was proves him great! "He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through the end." (Chepter 5).
I agree with you Ester because despite the hardships he was faced, he still had the motivation to become more than what he was. He proved to everyone that he had determination to carry his dreams all the way to the end! In the quote you used ("He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through the end.") was a great example of him getting so far with his wealth and success.
Adriana Carranza Ms.Rushing 7th period. What makes Jay Gatsby so great is that he acts like he loves his life, but hates it like everybody else. In chapter 8, the phrase,"He couldn't possibly leave Daisy until he knew what shewas going to do", demonstrates that he doesn't even trust his wife, which shows that his life isn't perfect as people may think.
Jay Gatsby was great because of his actions he had taken in life, from protecting, having money, and name changing is what make Gatsby great for the man he is. One point that made Gatsby great was the fact that he would have taken the blame for Daisy’s fault when she had killed Mrs. Wilson in the car crash, Fitzgerald writes “of course I’ll say I was” chapter7 pg. 143 meaning that if Daisy had got caught he would say that he was driving and it was his fault for killing Mrs. Wilson. And from this point, Gatsby is considered great because he would take the blame for her if she had been caught, of killing Mrs. Wilson. The second point that makes Gatsby great is that he had success at changing his name at a young age; in chapter 6 Fitzgerald writes “James Gatz- that was really, or at least legally his name, He had changed it at the age of seventeen” pg 98. The third point that makes Gatsby great was that he had felt love over this girl he liked and spent time with, which was Daisy, chapter 7 Fitzgerald writes “But both of us loved each other all the time” pg131. The fourth point that makes Gatsby great is that he was successful because of his actions toward having an illegal bootlegging alcohol business that lead him to have wealth and glory for his income and to succeed in life. Fitzgerald writes about Tom explaining what Gatsby does for his money, “ I found out what your drug stores were…he turned to us and spoke rapidly …bought up a lot of side-street drug stores here in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter” pg 133. From being successful at having a new name, making money illegally to loving and protecting Daisy is what makes Jay Gatsby so great.
I agree with Andrew when he states that “One point that made Gatsby great was the fact that he would have taken the blame for Daisy’s fault” because no man would do something of that degree unless he is willing to do anything for that woman he loves. Taking the blame for murder that he did not do is one of the great thing Jay Gatsby did to regain the love of Daisy.
Jay Gatsby,known as James Gatz, comes off as a man that's ashamed of the way his lifestyle is by working as a janitor. What makes Jay Gatsby so great is how he interprets his own American dream. Jay was a lonely man living poorly. "He was so hard up he had to keep on wearing his uniform because he couldn't buy some regular clothes." Later in life he meets a cute woman, Daisy Buchanan, they become lovers while Daisy is already married with a man named Tom Buchanan. Jay becomes rich by becoming a crime organizator in life. He works hard & makes a lot of money & becomes rich in life.
I have to agree and disagree with your opinion. Yes, Jay Gatsby had a hard life in the past and now he's a rich man living in a huge mansion, but did you ever thought of him as being great for his great determination and persistence on trying to win Daisy's heart. He was more than a guy who was rich and had amazing parties. He had those parties to impress Daisy. Jay Gatsby wasn't like every other rich guy he shows love and determination on what he wants even if that means he might not end up winning Daisy's heart. Basically Jay Gatsby was great for more than his wealth. -Elissa Pham Ms.Rushing / 6th period
Gatsby was a great man because whatever he strived for, he did it to achieve it. Before the wealth, he was living helplessly trying to make ends meet with his college tuition. After finding his wealth he knew he had to complete one more task; which was to get the love of his life, Daisy, back. Not only does his achievements show that he's successful but also the effort he puts into it. Although he was breaking the law (selling alcohol/drugs), Gatsby only did it inspite of allowing himself to become the person he dreamt of being. "So He invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen year old boy would most likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end." (Chp6) Gatsby showed determination and heart in his character.
Summer Roberson Ms. Tuttle 3rd period Response I agree with Jenny when she states that "Gatsby showed determination and heart in his character." Another way Gatsby shows his greatness is through his past. No one will ever know for sure what exactly Gatsby did to earn the riches he had - all of it is a mystery. Gatsby works hard to keep up the illusion - he is good at avoiding questions, and when he does have to answer them, he always seems to do so with a slyness. This front that he puts up is all to support the "Jay Gatsby" character, but if it fails, he will only be James Gatz. His greatness comes into play when the reader sees Gatsby is a delusion, but Gatsby is so great that the ready roots for him, not James Gatz. Despite all of his so-called criminal activity and misdirected motivation, the reader, and Nick still finds Gatsby the most appealing character of them all.
Although Jay gatsby participate in crimes, and distributing illegal alcohol ( chapter6&8), however he never give up and use his chances in life to make his hopes and dream come truth.Jay is a poor young boy that have no money and education, who would willing to accept jay and help him. Jay doesn't escape the past, but he live and grow through the past. jay attempt to go school to gain education in Oxford. Jay uses his ability to set the road for his future. jay love with daisy is so strong that he is willing to get her love back eventhough she is already married, "It took me three years to earn the money that bought it"(chapter 5).Jay work hard to achive what he want, even though his action of participate in crime is wrong, but he is willing to make the change and that is what make him great.
Tiesha Zeno Ms.Tuttle Period 6 I believe that Gatsby is great because although he was considered as a "bootlegger" in chapter 7 he didn't let that stop him from achieving the American dream, he didn't let his past, which he was ashamed of, stop him from going further and becoming a wealthy man. Also Gatsby is great because he knew what he wanted which was to love Daisy and he wasn't going to stop until it was possible.
I agree with you Tiesha on the fact that Gatsby is great because he was absolutely sure he wanted to love Daisy. Even Nick, Gatsby's neighbor, noticed Gatsby's fierce admiration for Daisy when Nick states "Daisy glanced up and held out her hand; Gatsby didn't know me now at all."(96) Here, Gatsby's so caught up with his love for Daisy that even being around her makes him into a different man, something which his neighbor is quick to notice.
In the Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby i beleive is a very dynamic character. Jay, at the beginning of the story, before we get to know him, seems like an enigmatic kind of character. "For he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone-he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and,- far as i was from him, i could have sworn he was trembling... when i looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and i was alone again in the un quiet darkness." when we see parts like these, explained by Nick, Jay comes off as mysterious and quite unsettling. we can infer that jay is probably suffering from a different kind of pain deep inside him. These are parts of how Jay seems dynamic, and in a way great, because he seems to be striggling and going through another kind of struggle unlike the other characters. Jay's greatness also seems to come from how he defends himself from all the negativities around him. "well im going to tell you something about my life...i dont want you to get a wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear." Jay defends himself to truly be a real person by reminding Nick that people's words mean nothing. Jay is an overwhelmingly great character, because not only does he portray an enigmatic character, he seems to struggle with real life situations, and rise up from them with unending courage and exuberance.
I agree on your statement of Gatsby being dynamic because throughout the story the author provides more and more details so that the reader can understand Gatsby and his past. So on the readers' point of view, Gatsby can be identified as dynamic. Although, I disagree on that simply making Gatsby great. As he changes from what the reader acknowledges of him, his desire and ambition of winning Daisy's heart stays the same. I believe it's what he did that made him great, not who he was.
On another note, a really dynamic character was Nick.
Although many of my fellow bloggers would argue to say that Jay Gatsby was so great because of the fact that he was the perfect example of "The American Dream," I would like to argue that Jay Gatsby was so great because of his perseverence, and willingness to achieve his goals, and reach the title of living "The American Dream."
In the preface of the Great Gatsby, Matthew J. Bruccoli states, "Gatsby is the American self-made-indeed, self-invented-man." Gatsby came from a family of farmers. Now, he lives an extravagent life of life of luxury.Gatsby's perseverence and willingness to achieve better than his parents is what makes him so great. The fact that Jay Gatsby is simply an example of the American dream does not make him so great, in fact, it is almost irrelavent. It's the steps he took to achieve his own personal American dream that qualifies gatsby as "great."
I agree with Marian when she talks about his perseverence one of the meanings of the "American Dream" is the freedom tho decide on who you want to be at the end of the day whether it is a entrepreneur or a factory worker. "Jay Gatsby of West Egg, long Island sprang from his Platonic conception of himself" (chp6). Gatsby chose to better his life even if he had to do illegal things to do it. -Jordan Blount -7th Tuttle
I slighlt agree and disagree. I believe that you are right about Gatsby's perseverence but it wasn't for that reason. Gatsby didn't fight for the "American Dream" because of hos family or himself he did it to win Daisy over.. “She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me.” (Fitzgerald online 7). Because he was poor Daisy wouldn't marry him he just used obtainig the American Dream to get her back not for personal nor family reason.
In the time of the Roaring 20's, a lot of Americans had dreams of becoming wealthy and being in the upper class, but not all of them dare to make their dreams come true. Jay Gatsby is not one of them. He started off as a janitor and worked his way to the top. "He owned some drug-stores, a lot of drug-stores. He built them up himself."(chapter6)Even though he earned his money through illegal actions but his determination and efforts in achieving his dreams are what make him great.
What makes Gatsby so great is the drive to win daisy’s love back. He goes to great lengths to restart what they had; he participated in criminal acts, and he deserted his family and day dream about what he and Daisy had. Also In my opinion what I think that makes him so great is that he grew up being a poor boy with a poor education, but he struggle to become the rich men and tried to be educated for the women he loves. And because of this he was able to create a new identity for himself when he needed to be someone else. Great Gatsby focused on a goal that was on winning Daisy and did whatever to gain it. He knew that in order for him to have daisy by his side was to be wealthy and give her the life style she was accustomed. And from my thinking I think that Gatsby is not in love with daisy, he is in love with her fame because ever since he was a little boy he dreams of becoming rich. Geovany Irineo 2nd Ms. Tuttle ms.tuttle can you please erase the other responces i made.
what made Gatsby so great is his social class, wealth, and superiority. People might say that he is a symbolic person only trying to pursue the American dream but i think that he is nothing more than a stingy individual who abuses power by throwing huge parties for publicity. Chapter 3 states, "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...came for the party with a simplicity of heart that was its own ticket of admission."
Katherine Tuttle Ms. Tuttle 3rd period Esther Aniche
I totally disagree with your response Huy. Gatsby cannot possibly be stingy because in chapter 3 it says, "When I was here last, I tore my gown on a chair, and he asked me my name and address-inside of a week I got a package from Croirier's with a new evening gown it" simply shows how Gatsby is far from stingy, and on top of that, the gown cost him nearly two hundred and sixty five dollars. Who do you know that would pay two hundred and sixty dollars for a stranger who tore their dress? Also, i don't see how he abuses any power because Gatsby has no power, and by him throwing parties every now and then still doesn't justify how he "abuses power". "I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties some night, but she never did"(chapter 4). The reasoning behind Gatsby throwing parties is for one day, Daisy to attend one so that he can be acquainted with his love once again. Lastly, I don't feel it was his social class, wealth, or superiority because anybody can attain wealth, be of a high social status and superior to all others..that doesn't necessarily make them great. It was the fact that he was able to make all of the following feasible in little amount of time only for the woman of his dreams. =) ..sorry
I agree with Esther because Gatsby is deeply in love with Daisy and he cares for her. For example, Gatsby said, "I want to wait here til Daisy goes to bed. Goodnight, old sport." (Page 145) This part is where Daisy got into an accident for crashing Ms. Myrtle (Wilson's Wife) and that Gatsby is scared for Daisy of how she feels after the crash. He is sacrificing his time in order to be sure of Daisy's safety, which tell us that he is not stingy or does he abuses his power. All he want is to be with Daisy and regain her back from Tom. Also if you have read the whole book, Gatsby had died at the end for Daisy's incident. (Sorry for spoiling) -Kenny Tran Do -Tuttle -7th period
I kind of disagree with you, Kenny. I believed that more than being in love with Daisy, Gatsby was obsessed with her. Yes, he is sacrificing his time to make sure Daisy is safe. But that doesn't mean he loved her. It could also mean that he was just making sure Daisy wouldn't leave him like she had done on the past. Because if she did he probably would had never been able to get over it, since he was sure he was the love of her life and he had dedicated his life to getting her back. "Daisy, that's all over now," he said earnestly. "It doesn't matter any more. Just tell him the- that you never loved him- and it's all wiped out forever." (Page 139) Tania Vazquez Tuttle 7th period
Have to disagree with you here Huy. Gatsby threw those lavish parties because of his love/obsession for Daisy and the need to try and impress her, not because he wanted to obtain any sort of publicity for the parties. As Nick points out that "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us."(189) Gatsby associates the green light with his dream of a future with Daisy. -Kevin Portillo -Tuttle -3rd Period
Jay Gatsby is considered a "great" man due to his success of living the American Dream. Although, his obsession of Daisy may be considered abnormal in some cases, however, by wanting to accomplish courting her is, actually, a great way of saying, "never give up." American Dream can mean many different ways to others, depending on their perspectives of their lives. For Jay Gatsby, wealth and Daisy is what his own definition of "American Dream." The emotional feelings for Daisy were so strong and intense, it conquered all the known moral values. He would, strictly, go out of his ways, doing criminal activities, to get Daisy to be with him. "He wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy." (Ch 5) The evidence gave consideration and inference of Gatsby's thoughts lead to Daisy's love. Gatsby learned American Dream is based on how he view his own way of accomplishing the future he sets out for himself. By having motivation and determination to achieve the one priority (Daisy), is considered a "great" man.
Jay Gatsby is considered "great" because of how he is portrayed through out the book by the narrator. The narrator being Nick Carraway, who admired Gatsbys ways throughout the book. Nick like most Americans secretly wants what Gatsby has. It states "Gatsby, who represented everything...”chptr1. Weather it be love, wealth (as many of my fellow bloggers stated), the way he carries himself, his ambition or Gatsbys overall ideas of life. In chapter one the reader begins to see how Nick admires Gatsby. It states "there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life"chp.1 I might even say Nick in some way finds him as a role model, because in Nicks eyes Gatsby was always following his "American Dream" by becoming wealthy and finding love at any means necessary.
Tiffany Nwadike Tuttle 1st Gatsby’s greatness isn’t limited to his luxurious possession, and the American Dream, but his personality. Throughout the novel Gatsby remained as the protagonist and somewhat of a hero. Through trials and tribulations he remained determine, mysterious, and heroic. These characteristics proudly emphasize and explain why Gatsby is so great. While other characters in the story focused on the “American dream”, Gatsby leaned to determination. The only reason he sought to obtain the American, was because he was determine to win his love, Daisy. “She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me.” (Fitzgerald online 7). He refused to allow any negativity to stop his drive. “Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!” “I’m going to fix everything just the way it was before,” he said, nodding determinedly. “She’ll see.” (Fitzgerald online 6).Even when told by Nick that he couldn’t do the impossible he was determined to make that impossible a possible situation. Gatsby also found favor in hope. He stated that he believed in the “green light”” I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock” (Fitzgerald online 7). The green light represented his hopes for the future with Daisy. And because he believed in hope so much it gave him confidence to be determine in reaching all of his goals. Gatsby is also great because of his mysterious demeanor. Almost every character ridiculed or made a false assumptions on Gatsby. “I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him” (Fitzgerald online 7). Although most of them have never seen him, they were still drawn to extravagant and mysterious parties. “People were not invited- they went there” (Fitzgerald online 3). People were so intrigued by his mysterious that the resumed to go to his party uninvited. At one point people even questioned if he was real or not. “They’re real?... The books?..... He nodded” (Fitzgerald online 3). The Owl eyed man suggested that now that he is aware that Gatsby’s books are real he can conclude that he is real. At first he was going under his assumption that because Gatsby’s parties were so over the top Gatsby and everything in his home must be fake. Gatsby is also great because his is symbolized as a heroic figure, somewhat like Jesus Christ. Nick gave this Biblical allusion when he stated “he was a son of God” (Fitzgerald online 7). Like I stated before Gatsby was the protagonist in the story and just like Jesus he was ridiculed and falsely judge. “He’s a bootlegger,” said the young ladies” (Fitz online 4). He even did Christ like actions like suffering for someone else’s sin.” It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson’s body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete.” (Fitzgerald online 8). Because never told anyone that Daisy committed the crime Wilson assumed Gatsby killed his wife because of Tom’s lies, thus Wilson killed Gatsby. In chapter 8 he talks about how he felt as if he took the burden of Daisy killing Myrtle.” but now he found that he had committed himself to the following of a grail” (Fitzgerald online 8) And he never mentioned to anyone Daisy’s secret even he she disowned him and went back with Tom. .” Mr. Gatsby’s dead………. Daisy hadn’t sent a message or a flower”. (Fitzgerald online 9). Jesus did the same when he took the burden of all of the Roman’s sins although they still crucified him on the cross.
What made Jay Gatsby so great was because of the fact that Gatsby was willing to do pretty much anything to obtain wealth and success. Although Gatsby resorted to bootlegging alcohol to achieve success and wealth, he is considered the Great Gatsby because he pursued his American dream of becoming wealthy by being persistent in everything he does. Jay Gatsby started off working as a janitor and living in the lower class, he rose to the wealthier class in society and ended up living in a mansion. In the novel, Fitzgerald states, "He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through the end." (Fitzgerald 111)In other words, Gatsby had a dream and implemented it, and as a result he came from living in the lower-class society, to the upper-class. By that being said, the reader can conclude that Gatsby has been persistent in pursuing his American dream of rising from rags to riches, of which in this case is done by bootlegging alcohol, which is illegal considering the Prohibition act. In conclusion, Jay Gatsby is considered great because he stepped out beyond his comfort zone in order to gain what he wanted, which would be success and wealth.
Jay Gatsby may be called "great" for the embodiment of the so called American dream that is perceived in the American society of the 1920's.But how can somebody be considered great within their society if what they have done in the past morally disfigures and disrupts the law insisted upon them at that certain point and time period.Prohibition was the 18th amendment of the u.s which prohibited the sale,transportation,and manufacture of alcohol(1920).Jay Gatsby, born a poor boy totally bypasses this amendment by becoming a rich wealthy bootlegger.Becoming rich by doing the not so great doesn't make Jay Gatsby "great", it just makes him wealthy,just like all other Americans who pursue "The American dream".
I agree with what Jalen said about Gatsby being great, but there is so much more to why Gatsby was Great. Yes, he was poor in the beginning and took part in organized crime to come across wealth, but in ones opinion he was ahead of his time. Gatsby was not just a rich man, Gatsby was a rich man with class and respect. Gatsby was a man of mystery and know how to evade others suspicion, only showing us the image he wanted us to see. Gatsby was an appealing character and his ambition he has to not only live out the American dream but to also strive for the woman of his life. The mysterious appeal about his character class and ambition makes Gatsby great!
Jay Gatsby was considered "great" because of his determination and ambition to achieve his goals.Even though Gatsby has a mysterious past it ultimately led him into the right direction by getting him to a higher social class.But what really proves that Gatsby's determination and ambition led him to be "great" was his love for Daisy.He did everything he could to try and get Daisy to love him.From throwing parties just to see her(chapter 3) to taking the blame for killing someone that she killed(chapter 7).That determination and ambition to win the love from Daisy makes him "great."
I agree with Roosevelt that Gatsby was a man of great personality and virtue. Maybe our definition of American dream is life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness but his meaning was to triumph in wealth and love. Chapter 1 states, "If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something...I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely i shall ever find again."
Fitzgerald makes Jay Gatsby great thru his will to rise from proverty to reach his ambitions of wealth and love. Gatsby knows if he want to win Daisy's heart he must be wealthy. Although one can say the "want" of being rich is a selfish want, Gatsby did try to reach it for himself but also for a womans love. Fitzgerald states “She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me.” (Fitzgerald 7). This statement shows the reader that Gatsby knew how Daisy felt about him, and why she married Tom. This also helps the reader understated that Daisy would not have married Gatsby as a poor man, did wait for him but felt as if she couldnt any longer, but rather marry someone else who is a East Egg. Gatsby was great because he was able to reach wealth and love one last time although both contributed to his death.
I agree with you vero:) that he reached for love but didn't he reach for wealth because of love? Gatsby said that he did does extravagant parties to see if Daisy would decide to join one day so they could meet again. So his parties and wealth were all for Daisy and he was really just after her love again.
What made Jay Gatsby so great was the fact that he never gave up on his dream, his dream to win the love of his heart, Daisy. He went from being a janitor to a wealthy man that lived in a mansion, by doing everything he could from being a criminal to being someone he is not. The author states “He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through the end…” (Fitzgerald Chap. 5), saying he did all he could to try to achieve his dream on having his loved on next to him at any cost. He changed his income, his education, way of living just to regain Daisy’s love that was once his. A man that is willing to do anything he can to achieve his dream is a great man in my opinion.
in my opinion jay gatsby was great because of his success in pursuing a life directed towards being categoriezed as the american dream. Although his actions in doing so was juvenile and felonious, obtaining such wealth insured him of a exceptional lifestyle. Also he is great because he was capable to create a new identity for himself when he was complelled to play a different role in society. Gatsbys determination and drive are key components in which he earned the title of being called great. Gatsby focused on a goal, that of winning daisy, keeping in mind that he would do whatever it takes to achieve it.
I do feel that he does show his greatness by proving that if you strive for something great it could all turn out in your favor. His determination towards winning Daisy back and becoming wealthy were the two most important facts in his goal to success.
Jay Gatsby is one of the perfect examples of living the American dream. By starting off in a poor childhood and making poor decisions to make money, he set out to make a better living for himself. On his way to fortune he fell in love with a women named Daisy Buchanan who was already wealthy and well assure of her life. He wanted to impress her so he didnt tell her about his past and lied to her about who she was. She ended up marrying Tom and Gatsby felt it was because the way he was."She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me"(Fitzgerald online 7). He was determined to win his love back and fix his past," I'm going to fix everything the way it was before"(online 6)thats one of the reasons he was considered great.
Sonia Besong Mrs. Rushing 4th period what made Jay Gatsby great was the fact that he worked for what he had.Jay Gatsby also known as "James Gatsby" was not born wealthy,he worked hard to get where he was at that point of his life even if it meant doing illegal activities to achieve his goals.
I believe Gatsby did worked hard to achieve all his goals but it was his determination to get Daisy that helped him to get what he had. The fact that Gatsby's ambition to gain wealth led him to illegal activities shows that his love for Daisy Buchanan was also a weakness. Gatsby took the blame for the killing of Myrtle even though it was Daisy just because of his love for her (Chapter 7). Although his love for Daisy helped him to acquire the wealth he has it also caused him to be blind and not see situations that were wrong clearly.
Danielle Haynes Ms.Rushing 4th period I disagree with you only for the simple fact that although he did work to get where he is at he was doing it in an illegal way and for all the wrong reasons. It wasnt the best way to do things, what would make him great would be being successful by earning what he has and not focused on pleasing others.
What makes Jay Gatsby great is not only that he has accomplished becoming rich after coming from a low class family of farmers,but also that he remained persistent to getting the girl he loves which is Daisy eventhough she has already married to Tom. His Gain of wealth and him getting with Daisy again are his "American Dream".Which he did achieve for a small amount of time "he sat with Daisy in his arms for a long, silent time"(Chap 8) .The fact that he did not give up on is what makes him great.
Charlotte Sturm Period 1 Ms.Tuttle His love and determination for Daisy is a very big part of what makes Gatsby great. Tho,Daisy is also a huge part of ,what i think,makes his all so weak.
Jay Gatsby is "great" because he isn't a character that redefines "The American Dream". Rather,he is a representation of what Fitzgerald felt "The American Dream" really consisted of. Gatsby's character gained wealth at any cost. Set aside the fact that he gained wealth and a high social status by practicing illegal activities. I believe Jay Gatsby is great because he truly stuck to his dreams and ambitions. Nick compared Gatsby to Jesus Christ by stating,"The truth was that Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his platonic conception of himself. He was a son of God—a phrase which, if it means anything, means just that—and he must be about His Father’s business... So he invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen year old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end." (Fitzgerald,Chpt.6) Fitzgerald made Gatsby's character so believable. Gatsby wasn't "great" because he loved with no boundaries and gained wealth. He made himself believe that if he could be the person he planned to be,he could ultimately get Daisy and be wealthy. No matter what happened to him he was determined to be with Daisy and be the "platonic conception of himself". Much like Jesus,Gatsby sticks to his story,ambitions and dreams until the very end. That's why he is "great" because, he demonstrates true determination and proves that great things can come from absolutely nothing.
I agree with why you think Gatsby is so great. Thank you for giving me an idea of what Nick's quote really means. I never though of Gatsby in that way really.
Jay Gatsby was a great man because he got to achieve “The American dream” the most desire dream of every American during the roaring 20s.The mystery personality of Gatsby helped him Obtain “The American dream” which for many it was the wealth and the respect from the people of the town. Mention by nick “I don’t like mysteries” (pg.105) explaining the easy capability of Gatsby to hide stuffs and not completely open up his feeling to other people, which creates rumors throughout the people of the town trying to find the “real” Gatsby. However his dream wasn’t fully complete without the love of his life, Daysi. With his consistence actions to achieve the love Gatsby did everything that he could to demonstrate that he had obtained a good position in society to Daysi. It said “Gatsby bought that house so that Daysi would be just across the bay” (pg 115) stating an example of perseverance by Gatsby not giving up on the course of obtaining Daysi back with him utilizing all types of resources that he had in his hands to feel complete. The most important resource that Gatsby had was his money that helped him gain Daysi attention. By not giving up Gatsby demonstrates to be a great man who is willing to do anything to reach his most valuable dream Daysi love.
Gatsby is presented being great for several aspect of his personality. Such as he keep firmly to achieve his purpose, American dream as well as the dream of his for Daisy. He dedicated his life to work which makes him becomes a “Great” Gatsby, but also his effort to impress Daisy. "In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars." [Chap 3] As the author describes, metaphorically to the Great Gatsby’s life of being wealthy, “moths” represent those who come to him for their own beneficial and “champagne and the stars” represent the mysterious force to his mansion. This self-made millionaire has always been peak on top of the American Dream, according to that, Gatsby could possibly have everyone’s attention, especially women whose willing to trade themselves in exchange of living in his colossal fortune. But he would still holding on his lover whom he admired five years ago. The enduringly attitude and his passion on whichever one he attempted, together, contribute to the greatness of the “Great Gatsby”.
(I still haven't goten to the end of the book yet, but i'll get there(: )
I agree in Gatsby being great,in the sense of him fighting through obstucles in his path, and putting effort in achieving his goal. Developing from a poor unknown guy, to a wealthy and respected man. Even though he was just known for his parties and activites that some people liked to gossip about. After all Gatsby was only pushing himself to impress Daisy, the women he said he loved. Since she was born with riches, and Gatsby was willing to do anything to be by her side and get her attention. Keeping in mind that during the 1920's parents had a say in who they wanted for their child, especially women, because women didn't have rights yet. Leaving Daisy no choice, but to marry Tom, who was up to her level. Also in that time the society wanted the American Dream, a life of happiness and material comfort. Leading Gatsby not only to break the wall of social class between Daisy and him, but also the need of him reaching the bar and fitting into the high class. Therefore Gatsby lied and pretended to be someone else, like when meeting Nick saying,"I am the son of some wealthy people...all dead now"(Chap.4). Covering up his reality of where he had came from, and creating a new version to his past. Killing to birds in one shot, which were gaining glammer and the ability of gaining Daisy love.
Jay Gatsby was great because went from the slumps to he eventually became wealthy and finally went for his dreams to be a wealthy man and go after daisy.Jay made bad decisions in his past but it was all to achieve his goals in life.Daisy was also shocked to see his success in life as they finally met their once lost love again in chapter 5.once she found out that he was now wealthy she then began to fall for him
I agree with what JaQuary said, because Gatsby was great for never giving up on his dream to regain Daisy's love. He made the impossible possible just to get her back. Although he did turn into a criminal to achieve his goal, he managed to grab it. He knew Daisy was interested in him once again when she started tearing once she saw his mansion. "That huge place there? she cried pointing." (Chapter 5) She was just blown away with what she saw.. a new man, with a better and higher standard of living.
What makes Gatsby so great was the fact that he never gave up his dreams and goals. As others have said he is a great example of the "American Dream" because he kept looking for his happiness (which he thought was going to be Daisy), liberty (he believed he was going to feel free once he had become a wealthy man) and life (which he also believed was Daisy). But the way he accomplished his dreams did not make him so great at all. While reading the book I realized that Gatsby was in love with the idea of Daisy, he was obsessed with her and wanted to get her back. That obsession, which he believed was love, was his inspiration and motivation to becoming important in society. He clearly believed that money could buy anything to be happy in life. "She never loved you, do you hear?" he cried. "She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone except me!"(Fitzgerald 137).
Jay Gatsby was great because of his success and reason in achieving The American Dream. Gatsby was in love with Daisy Buchanan and did what he could to attain a life with her even if that meant going to great lenghts to achieve riches. Gatsbys success was based on his desire to be with Daisy. Daisy is a careless woman who has a desire for love from anyone as long as they have the ability to financially take care of her. "I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes" (Online, Chapter 5). Gatsby invited Daisy to his home to show off his new fortune and hopefully impress her into becoming his love once again. Gatsbys success was symbolized through his home and all the extravagent decor that went all through it. The presence of Daisy finally gave Gatsby the chance to pursue everything he has been working hard for for years. Gatsbys motivation to be with daisy eventually led him to achieve the so-called American Dream that everyone wanted which proved to make him, in the end, great.
Charlotte Sturm Ms.Tuttle 1st period- Gatsby is "great" depending on how you look at him. One aspect of his greatness is how conniving Gatsby is. He sneeks around with Daisy all through out chapter 7. Gatsby even goes as far as getting rid of all his servents as he states “I wanted somebody who wouldn’t gossip. Daisy comes over quite often — in the afternoons.”ch.7. Gatsby goes to great,extreme,measures to be with and impress Ms.Daisy. To be able to have such an undercover relationship challanging. Gatsby is so great,because he can achieve his relationship with Daisy,and still have time to be an awesome rich person living among people in West egg. It tekes a great person to bo great things.
Maram Darwish Ms.tuttle 2nd period t what makes gatsby so great other han him following the american dream is the mystery behind him . He not only has what everybody wants he has that modest look about him. In chapter three it talks about the extravagant parties but none really knows who he is because he doesn't flaunt who he is just what he has.when nick realizes thathe doesn't drink and isn't really into the parties does nick that he is so called "cool". He's everything that nick wants to be and that's what leads to the slight obsession that Nick has over Gatsby.
In the Great Gatsby Nick sees Gatsby as great because he is able to accomplish things that no other would do in order to gain back the love of Daisy. Although Gatsby did have to lie about his past in order to achieve this new glamorous identity that people would admire as well as having to do illegal things such as bootlegging to achieve wealth, Nick oversees this because he is aware that the only reason for which Gatsby does this is Daisy. To Nick, the fact that Gatsby is willing to sacrifice his reputation and lifestyle in order to have at least one more chance to be with his one and only true love Daisy, makes Gatsby great. Fitzgerald writes “His heart beat faster and faster as Daisy’s white face came up to his own. He knew that when he kiss this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions for her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God” (Fitzgerald 110). This shows just how sincere Gatsby’s love was for Daisy making the idea of Gatsby being great true. Anahi Quezada Ms. Tuttle 6th period
What made Jay Gatsby so great was not only his wealth but his achievement during the Great War. The reason I’m talking about his achievement and not his wealth because there is nothing greater than a man serving his country. His service was so great that in chapter 4 he stated, “ I was promoted to be a major, and every Allied government gave me a decoration..” In other words, Jay Gatsby is the full definition of the word great.
What Makes Jay Gatsby So Great in My opinion was That He Was Determined in the Things He Wanted to do. Despite Him Being Ashamed Of His Lifestyle Working As a Janitor. Although He Was In Actions of Doing Felony Type Things, but By Him Obtaining Such Composure, anxiety and wealth led Him to A Well Lifestyle. But what was shown and led was How Gatsby Determination Was Great for How Much Love And caring He Had For "Daisy". From Doing Things to Show How Much He Loves Her as He Did When He threw the party For Her as Shown In (Chap 3). And Also With All Do Respect the One I Had the most Hard Time Believing Which Showed The Love He Had For Her Was How He Took The Blame For killing Someone That She Killed (Chap 7). So if All of What Gatsby Did for Daisy is not Showing One How Much a Person Loves Or Cares For them I Don’t Know What Is. The things he did to try to Show Daisy That he loves her And How Much he cares for her is what makes him great...
What makes Jay Gatsby so “great” is his ambition and strive to rekindle his relationship with Daisy and basically changing his whole lifestyle to impress her. He spends his whole life dreaming of being with Daisy again with the mindset of throwing luxurious parties and portraying a man of a high social class just to grasp her attention. For example “Can’t repeat the past?...Why of course you can!” (163-164). This allows the reader to conclude that he believed Daisy was his true loved and aimed to have her all to himself and if he had to put up a “front” about his lifestyle then that’s exactly what he did . Gatsby even goes as far as taking the blame when Daisy kills Myrtle. The reader can conclude that Gatsby will sacrifice his life just to please her. “It excited him, too, that many men had already loved Daisy—it increased her value in his eyes.”(220) What Gatsby fails to realize is that although he holds Daisy at such high standards she isn’t deserving of it all and doesn’t see him in the same way. what makes him so great is that he never gives up his dream of being with Daisy even losing his life because of her.
What makes Gatsby great is that he never gave up his dream of being beside of Daisy the women he loves and to become a better individual. At first, Gatsby was not a wealthy person comparing to Daisy and her sorroundings. But, the love that he had for daisy helped him never give up in life, especially for her love. He was not a wealthy individual and eventhough daisy love him as well, that did not changed daisy aspirations for better wealthy things. Eventhough, Gatsby did things that was not correct and were illegal , he still look forward to accomplish his goals. He had a huge mansion and plenty of parties that different people attended to. His guests dived "from the tower of his raft," or took "the sun on the hot sand of his beach while his two motor-boats slit the waters of the Sound."(chapter 2) Gatsby became a wealthy person and obtained many things that in the past, he did not had. He never quit in the love of daisy, his dream was to be with her."well, there I was, 'way off my ambitions, getting deeper in love every minute, and all of a sudden I didn't care."(chapter 8). His love for daisy was so big that he did things just to impress her. Eventhough, at the end he did had a huge mansion,but did not accomplish his dream of being with daisy, he is still consider a great person. His willingness to not give up his goals is what makes him great.
What makes Jay Gatsby so great is his strong dedication to both achieving riches from scrap as well as trying to win the girl he fell in love with known as Daisy Bunchanan. Before he lived the American Dream, he was a poor soldier that came from an unfortunate family, and due to his impeccable ambition, dedication, and persistence he became a very wealthy man with his giant mansion and properties. This dedication to becoming the ideal American was shown in chapter 6 where Nick explains that "At any rate Cody asked him a few questions (one of them elicited the brand new name) and found that he was quick and extravagantly ambitious."Even though, he never did end up winning Daisy's heart he never gave up. He makes this point clear in stating that he was "going to fix everything just the way it was before..., nodding determinedly." "She'll [Daisy] see" Chp 6. His dedication to a goal that may seem unreachable might come off to us as ridiculous, but to him a reasonable goal. Therefore, in my opinion Jay Gatsby is great because, he’s a great example of what it takes to pursue the American dream.
What makes Jay Gatsby, formally known as James Gatz, so great is his way of thinking and his admiration for achieving the American dream. Although he was called a bootlegger, as some young ladies the book said, "He's a bootlegger" (Chapter 4, online book). And he was said to be a killer, as one individual stated " One time he killed a man who had found out that he was nephew to Von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil." (Chapter 4, online book). Despite their thoughts about him because of his criminal past, he was still willing to do what made him happy. One of those things was achieving the American dream due to the fact that he was a janitor. Some saw this as a given because "He was a son of God" ( Chapter 6, online book). But truely it was his way of thinking that helped him reach the American dream (coming from being a poor individual to a wealthy one).
I believe what makes Jay Gatsby "so great" is his determination to live out the American Dream and reconnect with his past lover, Daisy, in doing so. Gatsby does this by using his wealth and his state of mind that nothing is impossible. He goes through the trouble of arranging parties that majority anyone is invited to, even if he or she did not know Gatsby personally, in hopes of soon seeing Daisy. "People were not invited-they went there. They got into automobiles which bore them out to Long Island, and somehow they ended up at Gatsby's door.(41)" This shows that Gatsby went through great lengths to meet a woman he had not seen or hear from in years. Even so, Gatsby is not discouraged. He risk what he haves in all to achieve true love or rather look for the missing element in his life, Daisy, in order to conquer the American Dream; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Kenndria Stamps Ms.Rushing Period:6 Gatsby was considered great because of his willingness and hard work. He had hard times earlier in his years where he was accused of being a ''bootlegger'' (Ch.7). He didn't care about what people said about about him or how they felt,he wanted wanted one thing and that's to live the''American Dream''. Another reason Gatsby was great is because he knew that daisy came from a rich family,he wanted her love so he went out and found a job that would give him the money to support her. Although Gatsby was ashamed of his past he did everything in his will to love and want love from Daisy. This why i think Gatsby was so great .
In the beginning Jay Gatsby comes off as an individual that isn't proud of the lifestyle he is living at all. Living through these type of lifestyle made him want things to be different, no matter the cost. Achieving The American Dream life he did some illegal things that could be regretful because those decisions were not only a minor setback with his life, but a setback with his relationship with Daisy. No matter what it was still obvious Daisy still loved him. "As he left the room again she got up and went over to Gatsby and pulled his face down, kissing him on the mouth. You know I love you." (Chapter 7) Although Jay Gatsby did these things he took accountability for his actions, then worked toward achieving his main goal which was to have Daisy. This makes Gatsby great because no matter how far of a hole he'd dug for himself, he realized this wasn't for him, stayed persistent, and eventually came out of it for the better.
What I believe made Jay Gatsby so great was the fact that his past struggles were not used as an excuse, but instead used to push him to be "great". Gatsby's yearn and eagerness to become more than what he came up from (a family of farmers) , and to actually achieve a goal many crave; a comfortable luxurious life owning things one could only dream of, made him a man of envy. Another contributing detail to the Gatsby's "greatness" is the fact that he lost his entire family, yet still finds ways to cope with the losses without totally losing touch with reality, and without giving up hope for true happiness with Daisy. The fact that he was still able to go about with his life, not leaving his dreams behind but instead pursuing a lost love and creating a better future for himself is what i believe truly makes Jay Gatsby a great man.
Jay Gatsby is a “great” man because his ambition and determination allowed him to achieve success in his life and prosper. Although he was breaking the law (by selling alcohol), he still in some ways lived the American Dream because of his past. He moved forward and gained wealth and respect. Most importantly, he got the one girl he’s been after, Daisy. In (chapt7) when Gatsby and Daisy are around tom and Jordan they can’t seem to hide their love for each other. Regardless of the fact that he has everything he wants, he doesn’t feel complete without her and will stop at nothing to have her even when it’s wrong.
From rags to riches, the American Dream, is what many set out to do but only a few succeed in doing so. Gatsby was one of the few individuals who accomplished such feast. Started out as a janitor but with goals and ambitions he was able to set himself apart from the rest and did what it takes to succeed during his time. Although the path he sailed through was a tough one involving illegal activities, his determination sets him straight of his goal of love and wealth. He is engraved with many characteristics such as being persistent, mysterious, filled with determination and is willing to set aside the rest for his goals to come to fruition and this is what makes him great. Chau Nguyen Vegafria 4th Period
what made him so great was the that he symbolized the true meaning of the american dream from going from a poor man to rich and yet a powerful male
ReplyDeleteWhat does being a powerful male have to do with the American Dream? Please find some textual evidence to support your commentary.
Deletealso what i like to point out as well was that the american dream also means to dream as big as one would like to dream and that there shouldn't be any obstacles that is what also mad Jay Gatsby a real symbolic person for the real meaning of the american dream
ReplyDeleteLeitre Lowe
DeleteMs.Rushing
Period 6
Going off of "The American Dream", as stated by others, it was that dream of becoming wealthy after starting as a janitor to pay for his education that drove Gatsby to becoming what he was. Even more so, being denied a fortune, he pushed toward wealth even more.As America was made great by its many achievements, the Great Gatsby was in fact great because of his ambition for success.He may have achieved this through unsavory means (bootlegging),however, he still worked hard to become what he became.
Please be sure to include your name, teacher name, and class period. Also, while this may be a weblog, conventions, such as spelling, capitalization, punctuation, still count.
ReplyDeleteBella Edoh
ReplyDeleteMrs.Tuttle, 6th
What i think made Jay Gatsby so great was, he believed in the american dream and lived it out.He believed in true love and found her.He also learned that money can't buy happiness (or love). He had everything you would ever want.
Mahasin Ahmad
DeleteMrs.Tuttle, 6th
I agree with you because you said Jay Gatsby believed in the American Dream and lived it out, but technically he didn't because if he believed in the American Dream he wouldn't have resulted to illegal activities(bootlegging alcohol) to achieve it. He would have gotten a job and strove to excel in his life so he could reach his goal (winning Daisy back) and becoming wealthy.
Great, Bella, now provide textual evidence to support your commentary, particularly about "money can't buy happiness."
DeleteMahasin, textual evidence would really help boost your score. You've made some excellent points, such as "if he believed in the American Dream, he wouldn't have resulted to illegal activities (bootlegging alcohol) to achieve it." This topic is definitely up for debate. After all, we do have a lot of people today who feel any means necessary justify the ends, and they would have supported Gatsby. For example, 50 Cent's "get rich or die trying" point of view would go hand in hand with Gatsby's goal, wouldn't it?
DeleteMahasin Ahmad
DeleteMrs.Tuttle, 6th
My textual evidence is from chapter 7. Tom said "He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That's one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn't far wrong." I used this text evidence because it shows how Jay Gatsby had to result to illegal ways to become wealthy.
- Reply to Mahasin Ahmad
DeleteWith or without Gatsby resorting to illegal activities, I believe that Gatsby would have found one way or another to achieve wealth. Whether it was an actual job or bootlegging like he did. He was willing to do whatever he had to do in order to have Daisy's love. So I don't think that how he gained wealth matters because even with the money he had he never tried to use it to be arrogant because in reality it wasn't the money that made Gatsby happy but instead the reaction of Daisy as said on page 91 of chapter 5, "He hadn't once ceased looking at Daisy, and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes."
Anahi Quezada
Ms. Tuttle
6th Period
Rita Trujillo
DeleteMs. Tuttle
Period 06
In response to the discussion between Bella, Mahasin, and Anahi. I would have to say that Jay Gatsby did not fully accomplish the American dream since he did in fact get his money through bootlegging alcohol. Whether he could have came up with the wealth through an actual job or any other legal means is irrelevant due to the fact that this isn't the case. But let's not forget the part where he was ambitious of (his love life) when he went on to do any means necessary to capture Daisy's attention.
Mahasin Ahmad
ReplyDeleteMrs.Tuttle, 6th
Jay Gatsby was "Great" because he lived the American Dream, a life of prosperity and success. But was Jay Gatsby truly "Great"? In my opinion there are two answers to this question. Morally Jay Gatsby was not "Great" because he achieved the American Dream through illegal activities in order to rise to the top. Although he was morally wrong he had the desire to win Daisy back, so he did whatever it took to win her back. Because of this Jay Gatsby was "Great" he achieved his goal in life, which was to win Daisy back(eventhough for only a short period of time). So because of this reason Jay Gatsby was "Great" since he worked hard to achieve his goal.
Excellent qualification, now provide textual evidence to boost your score.
DeleteMahasin Ahmad
DeleteMrs.Tuttle, 6th
My textual evidence was found in Chapter 7. Tom said "Certainly not for a common swindler who'd have to steal the ring he put on her finger." This shows the relationship between Jay Gatsby's desire to win Daisy back and how he'd do anything to get her back.
Great job, Mahasin.
DeleteThanks,
Ms. Tuttle
Bella Edoh
DeleteMrs.Tuttle, 6th
He had a big house with a huge property.But sadly he didn’t achieve his money the good “American way”. He didn’t work honestly for his money. He was a bootlegger who sell liquor. His reason in making all this money was for his only love Daisy. On the outside, Gatsby was living the life and there was nothing more a man could want in life. On the inside he was lonely and the only thing he wanted, money couldn’t buy which was the love he had for daisy (and as Mahasin said, it was only for a short period of time)...In Chapter 5 pg: 92 "Luckily the clock
took this moment to tilt dangerously at the pressure of his head,whereupon he turned and caught it with trembling fingers and set it back in place. 'I'm sorry about the clock,' he said. 'It's an old clock,' I told him idiotically." also in chapter 6 it says, "Can't repeat the past?" he cried incredulously.
"Why of course you can!"(pg. 116)....all this shows all the trouble Gatsby went through to win daisy back,but couldn't and how the "clock" represents the past and how he wants to continue it with her,but even though he did all he can by being in the same "social class" as her (by getting rich) he still couldn't "buy" her love.even though he went through all that just for her...(just like Mahasin said, he was going to do whatever he can to win her back) That's why money couldn't buy Gatsby happiness because his happiness was his love for daisy, which he "basically" didnt have.that's why i used this quote.
Jade Ming
DeleteTuttle
period 3
I agree with your answer Mahasin, what made him so "great" was him becoming successfully wealthy, owning a big house, and servants who are easily replaceable. In his life for him to be successful he does illegal activities to earn his wealth and try to win Daisy over by his success in life. In that case he is achieving both things by getting his primary goal and also living the American Dream. In that I say that your answer is completely understandable and a good answer. I like how you put how he somewhat became successful in a wrong way but did it for a reason, which is to earn Daisy's love for him.
Jay Gatsby ecounters and reflections and how he was affected by them makes him so great. the fact that he joined to fight in a war and also resumed writting his romantic books. He began from the bottom as a poor man then his books became really famous, becoming rich and finally marrying the women of his dreams. though he accomplished his goals, he lived miserably from an unaffectionate wife, he still managed to right more books. years later he passes away with an unfinished book, but te Great Gatsby book up until today is the most interesting and bestselling book, this evedence proves what F. Scott Fitzgerald so great.
ReplyDeleteRogelio Estrada
DeleteMrs. Tuttle, 2nd
Jay Gatsby is the protagonist of "The Great Gatsby". You wrote about the author which was not the question asked. Although the author wrote Gatsby's life similar to his own they are not completely the same. Gatsby did not marry and he did not write a novel.
Good observation, Rogelio.
DeleteSadis, perhaps you could pull some textual evidence to provide a parallel for Gatsby and Fitzgerald. What is Fitzgerald saying about fame and fortune, maybe from his own personal view, through his fictional characterization of Gatsby? I think you still have a lot of room for discussion here.
Gatsby is not great because nick makes it seem like he is the greatest of an wealthy yung man who has everything. Nick makes Gatsby great in chapter 1, explaining Gatsby's life. According to the first chapter, Nick demonstrates how Gatsby has everything, more like Gatsby's biggest fan which is Nick, as if he read a whole biography about Gatsby. Nicks admiration towards Gatsby is what makes him so great.
DeleteGatsby is not great because nick makes it seem like he is the geates wealthy man alive who has everything. Nick makes Gatsby seem great by describing how Gatsby's life is and how successful he is. In chapter 1 Nick says, "Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction — Gatsby, who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn." Nick demonstrates how Gatsby has everything, more like Gastby's biggest fan which is certianly Nick according to the first chapter on his view on Gatsby and how he's inspired by him. Nick is more like Gatsby's biggest fan, as if he read a whole biography about Gatsby. Nicks admiration towards Gatsby is what makes him so great.
DeleteAgreed.
DeleteSavanna Wheat
ReplyDeleteMs.Rushing
7th Period
Jay Gatsby is "great" not simply for being the embodiment of the American Dream, but for his devotion to the love of his life. Gatsby is a conscious symbol of the pursuance of wealth, a prominent practice during the 1920s. More important than Gatsby's gaudy mansion is the path he took to obtain said estate - a true "rags to riches" story. Although Gatsby's actions to receive a majority of his money was unethical (assuming that Tom Buchanan's claim that Gatsby was a bootlegger is accurate), the fact that he transformed a dream into reality warrants the title of "great" Fitzgerald attributes to Gatsby.
More significant still is Gatsby's commitment to Daisy Buchanan. He doesn't care for the ostentatious home he lives in or for the lavish items he possesses- he simply seeks to impress Daisy. Gatsby's devotion to Daisy is evident when he tells Daisy with an "automatic quality" that they last talked "Five years next November" (Fitzgerald 112). Gatsby's passion for Daisy can also be seen when he remembers a kiss they shared and Fitzgerald writes,"He knew when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God...Then he kissed her"(Fitzgerald 120). The exent to which he went to sustain a largely one-sided relationship makes Jay Gatsby deserving of the word "great", as his dedication to one woman was very considerable in the 1920s.
Excellent response, Savanna. I'm curious, though, do you think it is great to have one-sided relationships? I agree that during the 1920s it was not heard of for a man to be so devoted to a woman, since equal rights was obsolete. However, what do we think today of this "true love" motif? Did Gatsby love Daisy, or the idea of Daisy?
DeleteMs. Tuttle
Savana Wheat
DeleteMs.Rushing
7th Period
In response to the last question, Gatsby was more in love with the idea of Daisy. It is likely that Gatsby's infatuation with Daisy exaggerated her positive features during her absence. While Nick observes Gatsby he mentions that "There must have been moments...when Daisy tumbled short of [Gatsby's] dreams...because of the colossial vitality of his illusion" (Fitzgerald 115). The fond memories of Daisy that Jay Gatsby had from their Louisville days together probably obscured his sense of reality, causing him to place Daisy upon a pedestal and to envision her as the perfect woman.
Fantastic, Savannah. A well planned and thoughtful response. I've been bragging to my 7th period about you. I suppose they might be a bit jealous now. ;)
DeleteThanks,
Ms. Tuttle
Very good, I like how you went specific on how Gatsby's commitment made him "great". In addition to your response, I feel as though, the illusion that Jimmy Gatz created, is what makes Gatsby "great".
DeleteDerek Ngwu
Vegafria
6th
I really like how you explain the kissing scene, and how it sort of stands out during the 1920s because of that era. Do you believe that Gatsby was really like how Gatz describes him?
DeleteEsther Balogun
Ms.Rushing
Period 7rh
Great Gtsby was an individual who lived the American Dream and put his time and effort to achieving it. He did whatever he could to impress Daisy and win her back even though his actions and ways of getting such wealth came from crime and illegal activity like bootlegging alcohol. For the most part the American Dream came about being in high class with wealth, riches, freedom and happiness. Daisy seemed to be his main priority when it came to the happiness category and seemed to be the last puzzle piece missing in his life. In the book the character of Jordan explains to Fitzgerald about Gatsby's obsession over Daisy when he says "I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties, some night . . . but she never did." (chap. 4). The reason why Gatsby is so "Great", even if he lacked ethics, is because of his never ending persistence to getting Daisy. He managed to be so popular with such extravagant parties that he hoped to impress her but in the end it didn't so it made him try harder and through the process he became an example of The American Dream.
ReplyDelete-Flor Hernandez
7th period
Tuttle
Great explanation, Flor. Watch the spelling and punctuation!
DeleteThanks, Ms. Tuttle
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI like how you emphasized how Great Gatsby achieved living the American Dream and how "great" he is to be determine to impress Daisy. I believe the persistence of getting and impressing Daisy lead to a success of reasons of how Gatsby is so "great".
Delete-Helen Nguyen
6th period
Rushing
Gatsby is a men that pursue the american dream which he achieved. He married his love daysi and lived a good live in new york and in paris. This proves that he achieved more than just the amrican dream he fullfill his goal, he took his time and sacrifised his time to be the men he was and he also learned that happines is found in the heart and not in money.
ReplyDeleteGeovany irineo
2nd period
Geo, please remember to use textual evidence and watch your conventions. Capitalization, spelling, and punctuation counts. I would appreciate you editing and rewriting this post with evidence.
DeleteThanks, Ms. Tuttle
Gatsby did not marry Daisy, they only kissed and loved each other...They could not be together due to Gatsby's "peasantry" in the past. Even thought it is true that Gatsby live was good, it was not fulfilled because he never got to marry Daisy which he strives so hard for in the book. To me Gatsby only completes Two-Third of the American Dream due to never getting Daisy, but he becomes fully committed to her thus gaining the title of "The Great Gatsby".
Delete-Ronny Ruch
6th Period
^Life
DeleteWell in my opinion he accomplished his goal (The American Dream) even though he did not marry Daisy. Getting marry is just signing a piece of paper, which to me doesn’t prove anything what really matters is how much you love that person and if you are willing to be with her/him and be faithful. So to me he did accomplish his goal.
DeleteGeovany Irineo
2nd Ms.Tuttle
I can see how you feel that way, Geo. However, if love is not authentically reciprocated, how is is real?
DeleteThanks,
Ms. Tuttle
What makes Jay Gatsby so great? Jay Gatsby originally known as James Gatz is great due to his passion of the American Dream (Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness). Gatsby achieves his dream in the 1920s during the prohibition in where he takes up the business of selling alcohol illegally under "Drug-Stores". Gatsby seems to be missing the final piece of the American Dream which to him is Daisy, whom he lost years ago. With the appearance of Nick Carraway, Gatsby gets another chance at meeting Daisy and attempts to revive the past with her. He even buys the house so that it is right in front of Daisy's but separated by a body of water. But Gatsby attains his "Greatness" due to his never dying passion for Daisy whom seems to only like money. Despite all his effort to gain Daisy back, I believe Fitzgerald titles Gatsby "great" because he achieves the American Dream and continues to love Daisy as considered "great" in a Man of the 1920s.
ReplyDelete-Ronny Ruch
6th Period
Good discussion, Ronny. Where is "love" in the American Dream, though? Please use textual evidence to boost your score.
DeleteThe Pursuit of Happiness can be interpreted by many people in different ways, whether to chase the girl of your dreams (Gatsby to Daisy) and go to an extreme measure to win her back such as "Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay." (4.137-140) or "read a Chicago paper for years just on the chance of catching a glimpse of Daisy’s name." (4.152). But the definition of the Pursuit of Happiness is what you believe, And i believe that Gatsby's happiness resides in his obsession with Daisy.
Delete-Ronny Ruch
6th Period
Fantastic response. I appreciate the speedy reply!
DeleteInteresting how obsession, not necessarily a positive word, means happiness for Gatsby. Not my idea of a dream.
Thanks,
Ms. Tuttle
I agree to Ms. Tuttle's comment because happiness can be found in obsession such as Gatsby love for Daisy. He was determine to win her back by hosting extravagant parties hoping to see Daisy one day again. "I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties. . . but she never did." (Fitzgerald, Chp 4) I also believe that he sold alcohol illegally to obtain a lot of money in order to buy a mansion in hopes of Daisy to fall back in love with him.
Delete-7th period
-Tuttle
Cynthia Ruano
DeleteMs.Tuttle
2nd period
I Slightly disagree with Kenny because I believe that it wasn't an obsession he had,instead it was a determination to get the love of his life back.He did sell alcohol illegally not to get Daisy's love back but,because he knew that during the Jazz Age it was impossible to marry someone that didn't belong to your social class.He tried to approach the standards that the society demanded during that time period to confort Daisy's needs.
Although Gatsby was following HIS* "American Dream" he did not completely achieve his goal which was to marry Daisy. Gatsby during the 1920's Prohibition, illegally sold alcohol and by doing this, he was one step closer to fulfilling HIS* "American Dream". Why was he a step closer? Because Daisy, the woman he loved, who did like him, loved money even more. Although Gatsby did not achieve his goal of marrying Daisy, F. Scott Fitzgerald titles the book “The Great Gatsby” because even though at some point Gatsby knew Daisy was only interested in money, he continued to love her unconditionally and this was very much admired. Fitzgerald shows his admiration for Gatsby in the book when the narrator, Nick, repeatedly defends Gatsby before he even meets him. In Chapter 3 (online) before Nick meets Gatsby at the party, Nick is having a conversation with Jordan Baker and Mr. Mumbles along with the two girls. Mr. Mumble then says “Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once…” ("he" referring to Gatsby). Later on when Nick finally meets Gatsby, he bumps into Jordan Baker and asks her about him. She goes on to explain that he says he went to Oxford but she does not believe it. In his mind, Nick felt curious about her tone, it was the same tone the other girl’s and Mr. Mumbles had used when they accused Gatsby as a killer. The curiosity Nick mentions causes the reader to believe that in some way Nick admires Gatsby and wishes to find out more about him and not the rumors of the guests.
ReplyDelete* The reason for the capitalization of the word HIS is because not everyone has the same dream.
Interesting, but I wonder: How is loving someone who does not reciprocate an admirable quality? Isn't it difficult to love a man who lacks self respect?
DeleteCareful with the capitalization. According to cyber ettiquette, capitalization equates to yelling.
*I would have preferred to makes *his* in italics but the blog doesn't allow it and in quotes it would only confuse the reader making him/her think it is a citation.
DeletePS: Now that I have finished the book, I can add more citations to support my statement and answer your question.
(Continuation)
F. Scott Fitzgerald throughout the book shows Nick's appreciation for Gatsby's love towards Daisy. Fitzgerald exposed Nick's fear of love when Nick met with Jordan Baker after Gatsby had passed. Jordan was upset with him because he had hung up on her days before and he was upset because she was engaged. Nick then said to himself "Angry and half in love with her... I turned away."(Page 177) Before this comment, one believed Nick was completely in love with Jordan by his previous actions but here it distorts one's previous belief. Although Gatsby was not loved by Daisy, Nick admired him for being able to love someone unlike him. Nick also felt a connection between him and Gatsby although he knew what Gatsby had done to win Daisy. In chapter 9, when Nick had no one to turn to when Gatsby was dying, he said “…I began to have a feeling of defiance, of scornful solidarity between Gatsby and me against them all.”(Page 165) In chapter 3, Nick believed Gatsby was only seeking attention with all his enormous parties (pages 39-42), and here he realized that although Gatsby knew all these guests he would invite would not be there for him in the end, he only did it for Daisy because as Jordan Baker said to Nick “...he half expected her to wander into one of his parties...but she never did.” (Chapter 4, page 79)
Please excuse the weird citations, I have the novel on an e-reader and the formatting is different.
ReplyDeleteJay Gatsby is introduced to the reader by Nick Carraway who describes Gatsby as possessing a "heightened sensitivity...an extraordinary gift for hope..." (Fitzgerald 59) but otherwise leaves the reader in the dark about who Jay Gatsby really is. Much like the reader, Nick, and many of Gatsby's party guests, knew very little about the man, and it is this trait that draws many to Gatsby. However, as Nick and the reader soon finds out, the greatness of Jay Gatsby stems from Gatsby's borderline destructive imagination and persistence. Gatsby's determination in obtaining his target is hinted at when Nick realizes that Gatsby "had waited five years and bought a mansion" (Fitzgerald 1047) for a chance to see Daisy. Had Gatsby's neighbor been anyone but Carraway, his plan would have been undone, yet it is with this fact that Gatsby wins a favor from Nick.
"The most grotesque and fantastic conceits" (Fitzgerald 1299) that haunts Gatsby tell of his dreams of grandeur and perfection, insomuch that even the love of his life, Daisy, "tumbled short of..." (Fitzgerald 1263). Reality does not settle well with Gatsby as he was born from "unsuccessful farm people" (Fitzgerald 1282) and hungers for possibly more than the world has to offer. However, it is this desire for something that drives Gatsby and his eagerness to work towards his goals that epitomizes the American Dream. Gatsby is no more a man fighting for his love than a symbol of moving on up through hard work, and that is why Jay Gatsby is great.
Johnny Lu
Ms. Tuttle - 3rd Period
Very nice, Johnny. I particularly liked the "borderline destructive imagination" characterization. An apt description for Gatsby. Also, it is quite perceptive that you notice without Nick's help, Gatsby would never have become reacquainted with Daisy. I also appreciate the depth of your response to include other factors besides Gatsby's love for Daisy.
DeleteThanks, Ms. Tuttle
I agree that Gatsby's hope and determination is what makes him great because they are admirable qualities. When Daisy states, "We haven't met for many years", Gatsby responds, "Five years next November." (p.92) He is so infatuated with Daisy that he remembers the little details about their past. However, Gatsby should exercise caution because he is so blinded by love that he does not see the consequences that come with pursuing a married woman who has a child.
Delete*responding to Carolyn's statement*
DeleteAs Carolyn said, "Gatsby should excercise caution because he is so blinded by love that he does not see the consequences..." but not because Daisy is married or has a child, but because Daisy does not love him. Although the fact that she is married and has a child was a contributing factor, Fitzgerald demonstrates that Daisy only loved money since she didn't marry Gatsby when they were companions. In chapter 7, Gatsby clearly says "she only married you because I was poor..." (page 130) when he was arguing with Tom and this shows Daisy's lack of any real emotions although Gatsby does not see it.
Tuttle, 6th Pd.
Just because Gatsby was poor does not mean that Daisy did not love him. Daisy comes from old money and back in the 1920's it was very frowned upon to marry outside of their social class. Yes, she was attracted to money and would not have married Gatsby if he was poor but I believe she truly loved him.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Delete*To Carolyn's response*
DeleteAlthough at some point one may have believed Daisy did love Gatsby, one should consider the fact that she left him to die and not only that, but when George Wilson went to her house to hurt Tom for killing his wife Myrtle Wilson, she stood by Tom without any objection when he was accusing Gatsby of the accident,(chapter 9 online) even though she was the one that was driving (Chapter 8-online).One may also believe Daisy only stayed with Tom because she was afraid of him but ask yourself: Why wasn't she scared of him before? The only reason Daisy changed her mind about leaving Tom was because she found out how Gatsby made his money (chapter 7). Before Daisy found out how Gatsby had made his money she called Tom "revolting" (chapter 7) and when asked by Gatsby if she ever loved Tom, she said "I never loved him."(Chapter 7) Yet, moments later, Daisy said "I did love him once” (chapter 7- him referring to Tom).
Gatsby demonstrates his courageous nature by taking the blame for the death of Mrs. Wilson. He understands that if Daisy were to take the blame Tom would assume that Daisy knew about his affair. Little did she know that Gatsby would die as a result. Mr. Wilson never accused Tom of murdering Mrs. Wilson because he knew that Tom arrived in the blue coupe and not the yellow car. Daisy states, "I did love him once - but I loved you too." (p.140)It is not impossible to love two people, and it would be difficult to expect Daisy to remain unmarried and loyal to Gatsby while we went away for the war.
Delete*he went away to war
DeleteCarolyn,you make very good points and I can see why you believe Daisy truly loved Gatsby. However,I must disagree because we all have our own opinions on true love. I believe that Daisy loved Gatsby as a person. Up until, she chose social status over love. I then realized that this woman loved him, but could never imagine the idea of them together. Therefore,it's hard to determine wether or not Daisy truly loved him. She was clearly conflicted, and had been used to a life of "old money" as you said.
DeleteHira Jawaid
ReplyDeleteMs. Tuttle, 3rd
James Gatz, known as Jay Gatsby in the book, ‘The Great Gatsby,’ is a great man, who attempted to live The American Dream, but wasn’t successful enough to do so. As stated in www.wisegeek.com , “the American Dream is an idea which suggests that all people can succeed through hard work” where as Gatsby did succeed in being very wealthy but by choosing to take the short cuts, such as bootlegging of alcohol and other crimes which are forbidden by law, showed the immoral side of him. But the devotion towards Gatsby acquiring the happiness in the American Dream, the love of his life, Daisy, which he did all he could to impress her, to gain Daisy’s love back that he lost is what made him a great man that portrayed hopefulness and dedication, symbolizing him as living the American Dream.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteGatsby did, indeed, live the American Dream and succeed in becoming wealthy because the use illegal activity to become rich was still work he has to put in in order to create his clientele or whatever else he needed in order to see the money. But as you mentioned, he did portray hopefulness and dedication making him a great example of the American Dream because in order to live that dream you need wealth, status, happiness and of course freedom. It's like a latter, you start from the bottom with dreams then move your self up with motivation and dedication till you eventually see your hard work pay off. In the book when Gatsby finally sees Daisy in a long time he becomes nervous and Scott tells him "You're acting like a little boy" (chap 5.) revealing an intimate part of him that wasn't easily predicted from such a criminal. With such intimacy the reader now sees Gatsby from a new angle, not the bootlegger, but a man desperate for his lost love. His character and heart made him a great man not only his wealth and class status.
Delete-Flor Hernandez
7th period
Tuttle
Who is Scott?
DeleteThanks,
Ms. Tuttle
Scott must be Nick Carraway..but misspelled..
DeleteNick Carraway*
Deletesorry
Flor Hernandez
What seems to make Gatsby so great is that he's following the American Dream. A prime example would be his lavish home and the possessions in it, and the amount of money he has when he uses it for his parties. "By seven o'clock the orchestra has arrived... a whole pitful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos and low and high drums..." (Fitzgerald 40)
ReplyDeleteSo far I read up to Ch. 6...
Okay, please add commentary and finish reading the book. I would like to see more than this response.
DeleteThanks,
Ms. Tuttle
Gatsby also manages to attain both his personal dream and the American dream by building up his economic status. In the beginning he was poor so was his parents "... shiftless and unsuccessful farm people..." (Fitzgerald 98) Later on Gatsby met Dan Cody, "... when he turned up as James Gatz's destiny in Little Girl Bay..." (Fitzgerald 99) Cody's contribution towards Gatsby's dream was when "... he inherited money- a legacy of twenty-five thousand dollars..." (Fitzgerald 100)
DeleteDanny Do
ReplyDeleteMs. Tuttle - 7th period
Jay Gatsby is great because of he was a man who lived the American Dream. To people, the American Dream can be defined as being wealthy, happy, and successful. In Gatsby case, he was successful for many reasons, including illegal crimes such as bootlegging alcohol. Fitzgerald states, "You're one of that bunch that hangs around with Meyer Wolfsheim....I found out what your 'drug-stores' were...I picked him for bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn't far wrong." (Fitzgerald, Chapter 7). With this though, his main goal was to re-earn the heart of Daisy Buchanan; whatever it took, he fought for her. In conclusion, Gatsby was great not for the lavishing things and wealth, but for how hard he worked to achieve towards his dream and goals.
Vy Nguyen
DeleteMs.Tuttle - 6th period
During the 1920s, Americans had dreams of becoming wealthy and being happy. This soon became known as the American Dream. Jay Gatsby found success in fulfilling the American Dream through crime and illegal actions, he soon became very rich. But what really makes Gatsby great is his diligent attempts to win Daisy, who he loves deary, back, even though she is married to Tom Buchanan. A wealthy and handsome men like Gatsby can easily get a pretty girl but he chooses to stay faithful to the girl whom he shared a kiss with five years ago. Gatsby buys one of the biggest houses in New York "so that Daisy would be just across the bay.” (Chapter 4) It's not his money or lavish lifestyle that make him great, his perseverance and hardworking mindset are the main factors that make up "The Great Gatsby".
^ it's supposed to be a comment, not a reply to Danny's
DeleteVy Nguyen
Danny,
DeleteI appreciate you offering a definition of the American Dream, but keep in mind, that dream is not the same for everyone. Not everyone equates wealth with happiness and success. Saying "to people" is a sweeping generalization.
Vy,
A well thought out response. Could you tell me, though, is Gatsby great, or just the only decent (and I say that loosely) character in the book?
Thanks,
Ms. Tuttle
Gatsby was a men that seek the american dream wich he achieved. He married his love daysi and lived in new york and in paris even though some people had negative toughts about him such as being a "bootleger"and "killing his own nephew". (Chapter 4). But he did not let this get on his way and because of that he achieved his goal and lived happy and also learned that money does not buy happines.
ReplyDeleteGeovany irineo
2nd period
Ms.tuttle
Geo -
DeleteI believe you need to finish reading the book. You've made some inaccurate statements here. If you would like to repost upon completion, that would be fine.
Please watch the spelling, capitalization, and punctuation count.
Thanks,
Ms. Tuttle
Erie Wilson
ReplyDelete3rd period
Although Gatsby is portrayed as a stuck up rich individual, he is later proved to be a great person. Carraway states, "Gatsby turned out all right at the end" (8). Gatsby overall is a good person by heart, the only problem is he's too proud to accept that he worked as a janitor to make money.
The author states that Gatsby is "He was a son of God" (95). Gatsby is geat because of his ego and" his incorruptible dream" (147). that he has set for himself.
I am a bit confused. Gatsby doesn't make his money as a janitor...did you mean to write that? If it's an oversight, please correct.
DeleteAlso, how does Gatsby's ego make him a great man? Please explain.
Thanks,
Ms. Tuttle
First of all Gatsby is not a janitor and to me he doesn’t look like a stuck up rich guy that is probably how some rich people act toward others. How would you act if you were rich
DeleteErie wilson ?
Geovany Irineo
2nd Ms.tuttle
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI agree that Gatsby is portrayed as a rich individual however I disagree at the comment that Gatsby is a stuck up. What makes me say that? It's because he's known for having such gigantic parties at his place and is aware of the fact that even the uninvited people attend his parties, but it does not bother him because all he aspires is to see Daisy at one of his parties as Jordan Baker in Chapter 4 states, "I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties, some night." Now i wouldn't call him arrogant, it's more like he lacks social skills as shown in Chapter 6 when Mrs. Sloane invites Gatsby to dinner but doesn't really mean it and without observing Mr. Sloane's tone and behavior, Gatsby plans to leave with them.
DeleteHira Jawaid
Ms. Tuttle, 3rd
Good discussion, Hira. I think this is a great counterargument with excellent use of evidence.
DeleteThanks,
Ms. Tuttle
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteMs. Tuttle*
DeleteNo outside sources. Period.
DeleteThanks,
Ms. Tuttle
the thing that makes Jay Gatsby great is that he really doesnt care what people say about him. Gatsby knows he has a good life, so he doesnt let the rumors affect him.
ReplyDeleteJordan Zelaya
6th pd Ms. Rushing
Please use conventions and textual evidence to explain your answer. Review the rubric once more. Your post must add depth to the discussion. I would also finish reading the book, since this post could be interpreted as inaccurate.
DeleteThanks,
Ms. Tuttle
What makes Jay Gatsby so great is that Gatsby is determined and wants to accomplish things despite the consequences. In other words, Gatsby is determined to getting a task done. Gatsby states, "I'm going to fix everything just the way it was before"(110). Here Gatsby is distressed because his relationship with Daisy has not been the same. Despite the fact that Daisy is already married, it is obvious that Gatsby is dedicated to retain the relationship that he and Daisy once had. His tone seems very strong and forceful which shows his dedicated and persistent nature. Ultimately, his strong resolve and steadfast conviction are what makes him an admirable character.
ReplyDeleteMaheer Majid
1st period Ms.Tuttle
Interesting commentary. Yet doesn't everyone have "strong resolve and steadfast conviction"? Jordan seems to reflect those characteristics in terms of winning at all costs, Tom in terms of dominating all his relationships, and Daisy in terms of fooling everyone that she is happy.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Ms. Tuttle
I believe that most successful people base their success on their past, accomplishing every goal they set them self to, because of what they failed to accomplish in their past. The Great Jay Gatsby, Had everything , from “beautiful shirts”(nick chapter 5), to “a marble swimming pool” (nick chapter 1), and he had accomplished this by who he was in his past.
ReplyDeleteBut one thing that he failed to fulfill his life with was having that one special person, Daisy. Gatsby’s confidence and ambition; not to possess any material thing but rather a heart that he failed to have, leads him to become The Great. Like I stated at the beginning of my paragraph, people base their success on their past, Daisy was in Gatsby’s past, but also in his present and he wanted her to be in his future.
“You can’t repeat the past.”(Nick chapter 6)
“Why of course you can!”(Gatsby chapter 6)
“His life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he could once return to a certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he could find out what that thing was” (nick chapter 6)
“I’m going to fix everything just the way it was before,” he said, nodding determinedly.”(Gatsby chapter 6)
Gatsby was Great because his confidence, ambition and his past drew him to reach out his dream , of finding and having Daisy back; in which he accomplished.
Casandra Garza
Ms.Tuttle
6th Period
Considering the fact Nick is a romantic, Gatsby's goal to sweep Daisy not only intrigues Nick but influences his respect for him. Gatsby pursured anyting aquired to win Daisy, his plot was that he would need to be rich to maintain Daisy's comfortabliity in high maintenance. Therefore, he scored his own "business" that would give him luxury and studied elite etiquette that would be needed on how he should act. In additon, Gastsby had a romantic heart, his consistency and determined to accomplish his goal admired Nick. In the beginning of the book, Nick lost belief that any human could be moral excusing Gatsby. Although Gatsby committed illegal things, he stuck with his true emotions. What makes Gatsby so great is that he was able to disguise himself into a fondness identity shaping him into an interesting, unique character.
ReplyDeleteDerek Ngwu
Mr. Vegafria
6th Period
I agree with some of what you said and disagree with other parts and I'm surprised you didn't reference the Great Harry Houdini to tie it all together.
DeleteI think his greatness relies more on his determination than his mastery of disguise though that skill certainly does make him an impressive person. His resilience and ability to hang onto a goal until it's achieved are his truly remarkable qualities and his shape-shifting served only as a means to complete his quest.
Rogelio Estrada
ReplyDeleteMrs. Tuttle, 2nd
Hard work and persistence...these two elements intertwined with the drive and ambition of one who will stop at nothing to get ahead proves to be the rise and fall of Mr. Jay Gatsby. Born into poverty he accomplishes great wealth in his search for what he believes is true love. Jay Gatsby's motivation to achieve the American Dream stem from his superficial idea of social status and wealth being the foundation of love. Unknowingly his search for true love becomes the demise of the Great Gatsby because in the end - everyone knows that fame, glory, and power inevitably lose their luster in comparison to the true meaning of love in all its brilliance.
claudia pineda,
ReplyDeletemr.vegafria 7th
The way i think that makes Jay Gatsby so great is how his wealth and success started back on the day. I believe that if it wasnt for that he wouldnt be so important and great with what he does.
I disagree because in chapter 4 he talks about his life and how he was in the Great War. The reason I'm bringing this up because Claudia said that without his wealth he wouldn't be successful. Although during the Great War Gatsby was promoted to be a major, and was given a decoration by every Allied government.
DeleteHien Thai
Ms. Tuttle
Period: 7th
Kelsey Blanco
ReplyDeleteMs. Rushing
7th period
what makes gatsby a great person is the confidence he has in him self. He really doesnt care what others say nor think about him. Although Gatsby is portrayed as a stuck up, rich individual,i strongly disagree as well as Cassaway when stated "Gatsby turned out all right after all" (8) deep inside he has good heart. Although he doesnt like to admit that he worked as a janitor to make money.
I agree and disagree. Gatsby isn't portrayed as stuck up because in the book Nick explains to his audience that allot of people that weren't invited still went to his exquisite parties when he says "I went to Gatsby's house I was one of the few guests who had actually been invited". He is not conceited about his parties, did not brag about how good and luxuriant his parties are and he did not kick people out because they weren't on his invitation list. He just patiently waited for the day he finally came across his beloved one. Those characteristics are what isolates him from the other "rich" people and make him so great. I agree, he does have a good heart because one who didn't would had gave up their American Dream and settle for something faster and easier like another woman or even many with such wealth that he had but he didn't he stayed true to his love and himself.
Delete-Flor Hernandez
Delete7th period
Tuttle
(chap. 5)
DeleteAlthough Jay Gatsby attempted to pursue the American Dream, he is "great" due to his strive to win his lover, Daisy.
ReplyDeleteGatsby is often the talk amongst others during his luxurious parties. In chapter 4 (online), Gatsby is said to have moved to the West Egg, opposite of where Daisy resides, in order to have secret meetings in Nick's home.
He often tries to impress Daisy when it comes to money and his appearance for she is old-money. "The flowers were unnecessary... Gatsby, in a white flannel suit, silver shirt, and gold-colored tie, hurried in." Chapter 5 (online) and ". “They’re such beautiful shirts,” she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. “It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such — such beautiful shirts before.' said Daisy. " '"I adore it, 'exclaimed Daisy. 'The pompadour! You never told me you had a pompadour — or a yacht.'"
Gatsby worked hard for his money. The money meant to impress Daisy. "For over a year he had been beating his way... as a clam-digger and a salmon-fisher or in any other capacity that brought him food and bed." Chapter 6 also online.
A hard-working man over all is what makes James Gatz great.
Michelle Jimenez
Tuttle
Period 6
I agree Michelle,Gatsby goes to high lengths to impress Daisy and try to win over her affection.That strive is what makes him great indeed.
DeleteRoosevelt Broussard
Tuttle 7th period
Eddie Lam
ReplyDeleteMs.Rushing
Period 7
Jay Gatsby is a great person due to his wealth, success, and his positive intidamation to those he don't know. As shown in (Chapter 1), "We were in the same senior society, and while we were never intimate I always had the impression that he approved of me and wanted me to like him with some harsh, defiant wistfulness of his own." This shows that Jay is a great person by creating a positive moral of intimadtion to the author and those who were not intimate to him.
Jennifer Osuagwu
DeleteMs.Rushing
7th Period
So you're (Eddie) saying that what makes someone great is the fact that their wealthy, successful and intimidating. So that implies that someone who is "poor, a failure, and has a negative intimidation", is not great. Therefore, worthless. Having money and popularity doesn't make Gatsby "great". The fact that he knew what he wanted and went for it(even though it was illegal) along with many other things, shows how great he was.If anything, Gatsby is intimidated by Daisy. "This is a terrible,mistake," he said, shacking his head from side to side, "a terrible, terrible mistake."(Chapter 5) When Gatsby is about to be left alone with Daisy, he quickly jumps up to "make conversation" with the other person in the room because he doesn't really know how to talk to the "love of his life." And you're last sentence is a little confusing to me.
Erik Martinez
DeleteMr.Vegafria
5th Period
Eddie,i think i'm going to have to disagree with you.Though i do like how Jennifer pointed out how someone who is "poor, or a failure" isn't great, just because someone doesn't have the wealth or the overwhelming looks doesn't mean they aren't great. The thing that makes one great is the confidence and determination that one has in order to succeed in accomplishing what they have their mind set to, which then brings me to my main point. What really made Gatsby "great" was his determination to bring someone from his past back into his life, which was Daisy. The fact that Gatsby went through a lot and did illegal things just to impress Daisy and try to win her over is what makes Gatsby "great".
Glenda Blanche
ReplyDelete6th period
Mrs.Rushing
Jay Gatsby was "Great" because was able to achieve the "American Dream". He had everything he wanted the women of his dreams, a beautiful house, and lived a life of luxury. Yes he did achieve this through alcoholic bootlegging, but in a since that was his job. So was it really wrong?
Yes it is really wrong. As I said in my reply before with Emmanuel, a man of his wealth shouldn’t resort to illegal actions. He’s promoting the drinking and selling of alcohol. Which in this time is doing the prohibition era and was banned. And is a complete jab at his country. So just because your rich you can brake the law?
DeleteTia Mcgraw
6th prd
Ms.Tuttle
Jay gatsby to me was a great character for being so Willingly to create a new jay to fulfill his own ambitions and live up to being a finer person. "So he invented just the sort of jay gatsby that a seventeen year old boy would be likely to invent, and to his conception he was faithful to the end " ( the great gatsby chapter 6.) Jay wanted to be a different man from the one Daisy had met back in the 1970's by throwing parties to be known in society and to let daisy know of his accomplishment. "Gatby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us - tomorow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther... and one morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." ( the great gatsby chapter 9.) Meaning jay since the beginning was still stuck in the past while living in the present. And due to his obsession to be someone greater from the start led to a lonely ending and a sad fate.
ReplyDeletePaulina alfaro
mr. Vegafria
7 th period
So because Gatsby was obsess with Daisy and did things to impress her make him Great? or is it his determination that makes him great? or is it that he threw his old self and became someone else just to impress a girl that makes him great? or is it a combination of all three?
Delete^ I believe that it was his determination because without determination peoples achievements don’t fulfill. Gatsby throughout the book has a great determination to be with Daisy. :)
DeleteCasandra Garza
Tuttle
6th period
Teresa Truong
ReplyDeleteMr.Vegafria
Period 5
Gatsby is considered to be great because of his determination to live the American Dream, but also his dedication into his fight in bringing Daisy back home to him. Yes, Gatsby lied and participated in illegal activities, but he was trying to do what had to be done in order for him to reach his goal. Instead of wealth giving him happiness, he wanted to obtain what he lost in order for him to get the full sensation of living the American Dream. Although he did things to expose himself, he never lost hope, never stopped trying, and most importantly, he never stopped loving Daisy. "He wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy. His life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he could once return to a certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he could find out what that thing was." (Ch. 5) In this quote Fitzgerald is developing the motivation and realization of his need to complete his life as the American Dream. He realized that in his life, he made many decisions that weren't necessary, but it clicked to him to know that all he really needed was one thing to make him happy.
Emmanuel Alumanah
ReplyDeleteTuttle, 6th Period
what made Gatsby so great was that from a young age he knew that he wanted to be wealthy and he would do anything to ascertain that wealth. Gatsby obtained his wealth by illegally selling alcohol in drug stores during prohibition. After he obtained his wealth he moved to West Egg to try and get Daisy back ( his supposed love of his life), he achieved his goal in getting Daisy back into his life.
A self Determined man with ambition is what makes Jay Gatsby great.
Yes Emmanuel I do agree that he "obtained his wealth" .But I also see that as a fault. I mean is it really that important to stay wealthy that you have to forget morals and the law? You even said yourself that it was during the prohibition where alcohol was completely banned in the United States. Gatsby being apart of the wealthy community could have found a legal line of work figuring how known he was for his lavish parties. It states" On buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors-d’oeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys bewitched to a dark gold...."By seven o’clock the orchestra has arrived, no thin five-piece affair, but a whole pitful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos, and low and high drums...'(chapter 3) Seems to me a man of this live style could have easily found legal work. In chapter 4 Nick also lists all of the elite and wealthy people who attended Gatsbys party, plenty of resources there!
DeleteTia McGraw
6th prd
Ms.Tuttle
What makes Gatsby so great is his ideals, his dreams, and the way he interprets the American Dream. When Gatsby met Daisy "he found that he had committed himself to the following of a grail."(149) Although, Gatsby had no money he learn the customs the manners to fool Daisy into believing he was up to her standards Daisy came to represent everything that he wanted his life to be. Because Gatsby did anything and everything to get to Daisy his pursuit to her became his soul purpose. But what makes Gatsby great is how Nick sees him. Nick thinks Gatsby is great because he was able to create a new identity for himself when he needed to be someone else. In chapter 7 Gatsby stops all his partying because he no longer needs to impress Daisy this shows how Gatsby can go back and forward just for Daisy he can be the riches man in the world for awhile but as soon as she is gone he goes back to himself or is he himself do we really know who Gatsby is? Is not knowing who Gatsby really is what makes him so great?
ReplyDeleteYester Ayala
Mr. Vegafria
Period 7th
Daisy Ortega
ReplyDeleteMs.rushing-7th Period
In The Great Gatsby Nick believed that Jay Gatsby was a great man because he created a new
identity for himself when he needed it. Gatsby looked the part and acted the part of a wealthy man and all for one goal to win Daisy back.
His unwordly love for Daisy gives Nick the admiration towards Gatsby, and makes him great.
Daisy Ortega
DeleteMs.rushing-7th Period
In The Great Gatsby Nick believed that Jay Gatsby was a great man because he created a new
identity for himself when he needed it. Gatsby looked the part and acted the part of a wealthy man and all for one goal to win Daisy back.
His unwordly love for Daisy gives Nick the admiration towards Gatsby, and makes him great. Although Daisy was married to Tom Gatsby still knew that he loved him. In chapter 7 he states, "Going on for five years...but both of us loved each other all that time..." (Fitzgerald 100).Fitzgerald gives this romantic side of Gatsby so that the audience can see his love for her and feel symphathetic for waiting so long, and it gives Nick the reason to idolize him.
The second response is my new one ms.rushing.
Deletedaisy ortega 6th period
Great is defined as "intensity considerably above the normal or average” (Google); Gatsby exhibits this characteristic throughout the novel through his intense love and desire for Daisy. Daisy is but an ordinary, mundane, and snobbish girl; in reality, she is only worth as much money as she possesses. However, the time and effort Gatsby has invested into reclaiming her love is the glory of her character, thus the glory of his. For example, her voice is not extraordinary, but to a love-struck Gatsby it was a “deathless song” (68) and “full of money” (85). The fact that this plain girl from Louisville could evoke such emotion by virtue of her voice seems unreal – and it is. It is simply Gatsby’s greatness; it rubs off on her – only on the surface – so much so that Gatsby perceives her to be the great one, not he. However, the reader sees through the false projection of greatness and traces it back to Gatsby, the source.
ReplyDeleteThe reader also notices Gatsby’s greatness through “Owl Eyes”. The fact that “Owl Eyes” cannot believe that Gatsby’s books are real elicits a response from the reader – that “Gatsby” could actually be a façade (34). He has props – his books, the setting – his house, scenes – the parties, and actors – his guests. All of these elements, all a part of a show, impress upon the reader that Gatsby’s life is an illusion, similar to a magic show.
Summer Roberson
Ms. Tuttle
3rd Period
Esther Balogun
ReplyDeleteMs.Rushing
period 7th
What makes Gatsby so great is his ability to love someone with all his heart,and never giving up for that love. Gatsby loved Daisy so much, that he would try to impress her with "get togethers" and use his riches hoping it would bring them closer together. "She didn't like it..she didn't have a good time." (109). He felt depressed because he hoped that Daisy would enjoy the little time that spent together, and that maybe she could see him for who he truely is. Gatsby loved Daisy enough to change his idenity just to get her to love him back.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJennifer Osuagwu
ReplyDeleteMs.Rushing
7th Period
Jay Gatsby was a great man not only because of the pursuit of his definition of the American Dream, but the belief that he could get Daisy, the love of his life back into his arms. The American Dream means different things for different people and for Jay his own "American Dream" was to be wealthy and to have Daisy for himself. Although his wealth came from illegal and criminal acts Gatsby does what HE feels is right, based on his past experiences and he never gives up! His persistence to win Daisy back is one of those examples. He builds a house across the bay from where Daisy stays so that she might by chance come over to his house when he throws one of his extravagant parties. When Daisy learns that Gatsby has built a HUGE house, she immediately becomes smitten with him. So does his plan succeed, even thought Daisy is in it for the wealth, or is it the total opposite? Daisy doesn't like Gatsby for who he is but for what he has."Certainly not for a common swindler who'd have to steal the ring he put on her finger." (Ch. 7) Gatsby will stop at nothing to win Daisy back, even if that means coming off as desperate or psychotic. Later, Gatsby learns that money can't by bliss or in this case his love to Daisy. On another note, when someone is fond of another person, they usually consider that person to be great. Mr. Wolfsheim states, "There's the kind of man (Gatsby) you'd like to take home and introduce to your mother and father." (Ch. 4) This shows that Gatsby is highly respected in Wolfsheims mind, and that he is of all people, so amazing that he could be brought home to meet his parents. Gatsby created his own definition of the "American Dream" and by him fulfilling his dreams he is considered great to me.
Katherine Tuttle
ReplyDeleteMs. Tuttle 3rd period
Jay Gatsby is so great because in The Great Gatsby, Jay is able to transform himself into a new person. He creates his own persona. "He was so hard up he had to keep on wearing his uniform because he couldn't buy some regular clothes." (chapter9) In the beginning of the book Jay was a poor man, but he managed to build his way up from scratch to live the lavish life. Jays driving force in the story was a lady named Daisy. Daisy was the love of Jays life which motivated him to achieve all that he had only to be loved back. The reader should be aware that Jay and Daisy met sometime long ago in Louisville during the time of war, but as a result of his status, they refrained from maintaining a relationship forcing Daisy to go on with her life.
It's amusing because in the story no one knows who he is and where he came from they only assume with no actual facts.In the Great Gatsby Jay is known as a man who throws random parties, a bootlegger, a gambler, a man who has killed someone and many more, but all of the following are unknown. Gatsby actions could be justified whereas it's all meant for the love of Daisy. "I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties some night, but she never did"(chapter 4) could be proof as to why he always throws parties. Also, "Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay"(chapter 4) could be more evidence as to why that particular mansion was occupied by him.
"He had deliberately given Daisy a sense of security; he let her believe that he was a person from much the same stratum as herself--that he was fully able to take care of her. As a matter of fact, he had no such facilities."(chapter 7). Even with nothing, Jay was able to make Daisy believe he was the perfect fit for her, he tried his best to win her over. Jay added a new look to the American dream. He was able to acquire more than enough wealth to have the chance of getting back with Daisy. "It took me three years to earn the money that bought it"(chapter 5). This quote refers to Jay's house and how he was capable of obtainig a mansion in only three years. All for what? Only to impress the love of his life.
Jay's love for Daisy, even after so many years, is still strong. "He stretched his arm toward the dark water" shows how still deeply attached he is to her. Throughout his life, his main goal was to be with Daisy, even if it was through hell and back. He went through extreme measures and even decided to take the blame for the death of Myrtle! ("Was Daisy driving? "Yes, but of course I'll say I was", Chapter7) exemplifies the level of extremenity. Jays ability to become a greater man than who he originally was proves him great! "He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through the end." (Chepter 5).
Esther Aniche
Thuy Nguyen
DeleteMr.vegafria
5th period
Jay Gatsby ability to change is when he attempt to gain and education in Oxford. Jay live through his past instead of escaping them.
I agree with you Ester because despite the hardships he was faced, he still had the motivation to become more than what he was. He proved to everyone that he had determination to carry his dreams all the way to the end! In the quote you used ("He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through the end.") was a great example of him getting so far with his wealth and success.
DeleteJenny Nguyen
Adriana Carranza Ms.Rushing 7th period. What makes Jay Gatsby so great is that he acts like he loves his life, but hates it like everybody else. In chapter 8, the phrase,"He couldn't possibly leave Daisy until he knew what shewas going to do", demonstrates that he doesn't even trust his wife, which shows that his life isn't perfect as people may think.
ReplyDeleteJay Gatsby was great because of his actions he had taken in life, from protecting, having money, and name changing is what make Gatsby great for the man he is. One point that made Gatsby great was the fact that he would have taken the blame for Daisy’s fault when she had killed Mrs. Wilson in the car crash, Fitzgerald writes “of course I’ll say I was” chapter7 pg. 143 meaning that if Daisy had got caught he would say that he was driving and it was his fault for killing Mrs. Wilson. And from this point, Gatsby is considered great because he would take the blame for her if she had been caught, of killing Mrs. Wilson. The second point that makes Gatsby great is that he had success at changing his name at a young age; in chapter 6 Fitzgerald writes “James Gatz- that was really, or at least legally his name, He had changed it at the age of seventeen” pg 98. The third point that makes Gatsby great was that he had felt love over this girl he liked and spent time with, which was Daisy, chapter 7 Fitzgerald writes “But both of us loved each other all the time” pg131. The fourth point that makes Gatsby great is that he was successful because of his actions toward having an illegal bootlegging alcohol business that lead him to have wealth and glory for his income and to succeed in life. Fitzgerald writes about Tom explaining what Gatsby does for his money, “ I found out what your drug stores were…he turned to us and spoke rapidly …bought up a lot of side-street drug stores here in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter” pg 133. From being successful at having a new name, making money illegally to loving and protecting Daisy is what makes Jay Gatsby so great.
ReplyDeleteAndrew Lopez
Ms.Rushing 7th period
Dorys Mejia
DeleteMs. Rushing
4th Period
Responce
I agree with Andrew when he states that “One point that made Gatsby great was the fact that he would have taken the blame for Daisy’s fault” because no man would do something of that degree unless he is willing to do anything for that woman he loves. Taking the blame for murder that he did not do is one of the great thing Jay Gatsby did to regain the love of Daisy.
* things
DeleteJalen Lloyd
ReplyDeleteMs. Rushing
6th Period
Jay Gatsby,known as James Gatz, comes off as a man that's ashamed of the way his lifestyle is by working as a janitor. What makes Jay Gatsby so great is how he interprets his own American dream. Jay was a lonely man living poorly. "He was so hard up he had to keep on wearing his uniform because he couldn't buy some regular clothes." Later in life he meets a cute woman, Daisy Buchanan, they become lovers while Daisy is already married with a man named Tom Buchanan. Jay becomes rich by becoming a crime organizator in life. He works hard & makes a lot of money & becomes rich in life.
I have to agree and disagree with your opinion. Yes, Jay Gatsby had a hard life in the past and now he's a rich man living in a huge mansion, but did you ever thought of him as being great for his great determination and persistence on trying to win Daisy's heart. He was more than a guy who was rich and had amazing parties. He had those parties to impress Daisy. Jay Gatsby wasn't like every other rich guy he shows love and determination on what he wants even if that means he might not end up winning Daisy's heart. Basically Jay Gatsby was great for more than his wealth.
Delete-Elissa Pham
Ms.Rushing / 6th period
Gatsby was a great man because whatever he strived for, he did it to achieve it. Before the wealth, he was living helplessly trying to make ends meet with his college tuition. After finding his wealth he knew he had to complete one more task; which was to get the love of his life, Daisy, back. Not only does his achievements show that he's successful but also the effort he puts into it. Although he was breaking the law (selling alcohol/drugs), Gatsby only did it inspite of allowing himself to become the person he dreamt of being. "So He invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen year old boy would most likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end." (Chp6) Gatsby showed determination and heart in his character.
ReplyDeleteJenny Nguyen
Mr. Vegafria P4
Summer Roberson
DeleteMs. Tuttle
3rd period
Response
I agree with Jenny when she states that "Gatsby showed determination and heart in his character." Another way Gatsby shows his greatness is through his past. No one will ever know for sure what exactly Gatsby did to earn the riches he had - all of it is a mystery. Gatsby works hard to keep up the illusion - he is good at avoiding questions, and when he does have to answer them, he always seems to do so with a slyness. This front that he puts up is all to support the "Jay Gatsby" character, but if it fails, he will only be James Gatz. His greatness comes into play when the reader sees Gatsby is a delusion, but Gatsby is so great that the ready roots for him, not James Gatz. Despite all of his so-called criminal activity and misdirected motivation, the reader, and Nick still finds Gatsby the most appealing character of them all.
Thuy Nguyen
ReplyDeleteMr.vegafria
5th period
Although Jay gatsby participate in crimes, and distributing illegal alcohol ( chapter6&8), however he never give up and use his chances in life to make his hopes and dream come truth.Jay is a poor young boy that have no money and education, who would willing to accept jay and help him. Jay doesn't escape the past, but he live and grow through the past. jay attempt to go school to gain education in Oxford. Jay uses his ability to set the road for his future. jay love with daisy is so strong that he is willing to get her love back eventhough she is already married, "It took me three years to earn the money that bought it"(chapter 5).Jay work hard to achive what he want, even though his action of participate in crime is wrong, but he is willing to make the change and that is what make him great.
Tiesha Zeno
ReplyDeleteMs.Tuttle
Period 6
I believe that Gatsby is great because although he was considered as a "bootlegger" in chapter 7 he didn't let that stop him from achieving the American dream, he didn't let his past, which he was ashamed of, stop him from going further and becoming a wealthy man. Also Gatsby is great because he knew what he wanted which was to love Daisy and he wasn't going to stop until it was possible.
Emmanuel Alumanah
DeleteMs. Tuttle, 6th period
I agree with you tiesha, Gatsby didn't let anything stop him from achieving his "American Dream".
I agree with you Tiesha on the fact that Gatsby is great because he was absolutely sure he wanted to love Daisy. Even Nick, Gatsby's neighbor, noticed Gatsby's fierce admiration for Daisy when Nick states "Daisy glanced up and held out her hand; Gatsby didn't know me now at all."(96) Here, Gatsby's so caught up with his love for Daisy that even being around her makes him into a different man, something which his neighbor is quick to notice.
Delete^
DeleteMaheer Majid
Ms.Tuttle
1st period
Lucia Aremu
ReplyDeleteMs. Rushing
5th period
In the Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby i beleive is a very dynamic character. Jay, at the beginning of the story, before we get to know him, seems like an enigmatic kind of character. "For he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone-he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and,- far as i was from him, i could have sworn he was trembling... when i looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and i was alone again in the un quiet darkness." when we see parts like these, explained by Nick, Jay comes off as mysterious and quite unsettling. we can infer that jay is probably suffering from a different kind of pain deep inside him. These are parts of how Jay seems dynamic, and in a way great, because he seems to be striggling and going through another kind of struggle unlike the other characters. Jay's greatness also seems to come from how he defends himself from all the negativities around him. "well im going to tell you something about my life...i dont want you to get a wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear." Jay defends himself to truly be a real person by reminding Nick that people's words mean nothing. Jay is an overwhelmingly great character, because not only does he portray an enigmatic character, he seems to struggle with real life situations, and rise up from them with unending courage and exuberance.
What does enigmatic mean Lucia???
Delete-Ms. Rushing
I agree on your statement of Gatsby being dynamic because throughout the story the author provides more and more details so that the reader can understand Gatsby and his past. So on the readers' point of view, Gatsby can be identified as dynamic.
DeleteAlthough, I disagree on that simply making Gatsby great. As he changes from what the reader acknowledges of him, his desire and ambition of winning Daisy's heart stays the same. I believe it's what he did that made him great, not who he was.
On another note, a really dynamic character was Nick.
Quyen Duong
Rushing 5th pd
Marian Ebhamen
ReplyDeleteMs. Tuttle
Period 2
Although many of my fellow bloggers would argue to say that Jay Gatsby was so great because of the fact that he was the perfect example of "The American Dream," I would like to argue that Jay Gatsby was so great because of his perseverence, and willingness to achieve his goals, and reach the title of living "The American Dream."
In the preface of the Great Gatsby, Matthew J. Bruccoli states, "Gatsby is the American self-made-indeed, self-invented-man." Gatsby came from a family of farmers. Now, he lives an extravagent life of life of luxury.Gatsby's perseverence and willingness to achieve better than his parents is what makes him so great. The fact that Jay Gatsby is simply an example of the American dream does not make him so great, in fact, it is almost irrelavent. It's the steps he took to achieve his own personal American dream that qualifies gatsby as "great."
I agree with Marian when she talks about his perseverence one of the meanings of the "American Dream" is the freedom tho decide on who you want to be at the end of the day whether it is a entrepreneur or a factory worker. "Jay Gatsby of West Egg, long Island sprang from his Platonic conception of himself" (chp6). Gatsby chose to better his life even if he had to do illegal things to do it.
Delete-Jordan Blount
-7th Tuttle
I slighlt agree and disagree. I believe that you are right about Gatsby's perseverence but it wasn't for that reason. Gatsby didn't fight for the "American Dream" because of hos family or himself he did it to win Daisy over.. “She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me.” (Fitzgerald online 7). Because he was poor Daisy wouldn't marry him he just used obtainig the American Dream to get her back not for personal nor family reason.
Delete-Tiffany Nwadike
Tuttle
1st
Uyen Ngo
ReplyDeleteMs.Rushing
5th peiod
In the time of the Roaring 20's, a lot of Americans had dreams of becoming wealthy and being in the upper class, but not all of them dare to make their dreams come true. Jay Gatsby is not one of them. He started off as a janitor and worked his way to the top. "He owned some drug-stores, a lot of drug-stores. He built them up himself."(chapter6)Even though he earned his money through illegal actions but his determination and efforts in achieving his dreams are what make him great.
What makes Gatsby so great is the drive to win daisy’s love back. He goes to great lengths to restart what they had; he participated in criminal acts, and he deserted his family and day dream about what he and Daisy had. Also In my opinion what I think that makes him so great is that he grew up being a poor boy with a poor education, but he struggle to become the rich men and tried to be educated for the women he loves. And because of this he was able to create a new identity for himself when he needed to be someone else. Great Gatsby focused on a goal that was on winning Daisy and did whatever to gain it. He knew that in order for him to have daisy by his side was to be wealthy and give her the life style she was accustomed. And from my thinking I think that Gatsby is not in love with daisy, he is in love with her fame because ever since he was a little boy he dreams of becoming rich.
ReplyDeleteGeovany Irineo
2nd Ms. Tuttle
ms.tuttle can you please erase the other responces i made.
Huy pham
ReplyDelete7th period
what made Gatsby so great is his social class, wealth, and superiority. People might say that he is a symbolic person only trying to pursue the American dream but i think that he is nothing more than a stingy individual who abuses power by throwing huge parties for publicity. Chapter 3 states, "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...came for the party with a simplicity of heart that was its own ticket of admission."
Huy Pham
DeleteMs. Tuttle
7th period
Katherine Tuttle
DeleteMs. Tuttle
3rd period
Esther Aniche
I totally disagree with your response Huy. Gatsby cannot possibly be stingy because in chapter 3 it says, "When I was here last, I tore my gown on a chair, and he asked me my name and address-inside of a week I got a package from Croirier's with a new evening gown it" simply shows how Gatsby is far from stingy, and on top of that, the gown cost him nearly two hundred and sixty five dollars. Who do you know that would pay two hundred and sixty dollars for a stranger who tore their dress? Also, i don't see how he abuses any power because Gatsby has no power, and by him throwing parties every now and then still doesn't justify how he "abuses power".
"I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties some night, but she never did"(chapter 4). The reasoning behind Gatsby throwing parties is for one day, Daisy to attend one so that he can be acquainted with his love once again. Lastly, I don't feel it was his social class, wealth, or superiority because anybody can attain wealth, be of a high social status and superior to all others..that doesn't necessarily make them great. It was the fact that he was able to make all of the following feasible in little amount of time only for the woman of his dreams. =) ..sorry
Esther Aniche
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI agree with Esther because Gatsby is deeply in love with Daisy and he cares for her. For example, Gatsby said, "I want to wait here til Daisy goes to bed. Goodnight, old sport." (Page 145) This part is where Daisy got into an accident for crashing Ms. Myrtle (Wilson's Wife) and that Gatsby is scared for Daisy of how she feels after the crash. He is sacrificing his time in order to be sure of Daisy's safety, which tell us that he is not stingy or does he abuses his power. All he want is to be with Daisy and regain her back from Tom. Also if you have read the whole book, Gatsby had died at the end for Daisy's incident. (Sorry for spoiling)
Delete-Kenny Tran Do
-Tuttle
-7th period
I kind of disagree with you, Kenny. I believed that more than being in love with Daisy, Gatsby was obsessed with her. Yes, he is sacrificing his time to make sure Daisy is safe. But that doesn't mean he loved her. It could also mean that he was just making sure Daisy wouldn't leave him like she had done on the past. Because if she did he probably would had never been able to get over it, since he was sure he was the love of her life and he had dedicated his life to getting her back. "Daisy, that's all over now," he said earnestly. "It doesn't matter any more. Just tell him the- that you never loved him- and it's all wiped out forever." (Page 139)
DeleteTania Vazquez
Tuttle
7th period
Have to disagree with you here Huy. Gatsby threw those lavish parties because of his love/obsession for Daisy and the need to try and impress her, not because he wanted to obtain any sort of publicity for the parties. As Nick points out that "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us."(189) Gatsby associates the green light with his dream of a future with Daisy.
Delete-Kevin Portillo
-Tuttle
-3rd Period
Jay Gatsby is considered a "great" man due to his success of living the American Dream. Although, his obsession of Daisy may be considered abnormal in some cases, however, by wanting to accomplish courting her is, actually, a great way of saying, "never give up." American Dream can mean many different ways to others, depending on their perspectives of their lives. For Jay Gatsby, wealth and Daisy is what his own definition of "American Dream." The emotional feelings for Daisy were so strong and intense, it conquered all the known moral values. He would, strictly, go out of his ways, doing criminal activities, to get Daisy to be with him. "He wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy." (Ch 5) The evidence gave consideration and inference of Gatsby's thoughts lead to Daisy's love. Gatsby learned American Dream is based on how he view his own way of accomplishing the future he sets out for himself. By having motivation and determination to achieve the one priority (Daisy), is considered a "great" man.
ReplyDeleteHelen Nguyen
Ms. Rushing
6th pperiod
*period
DeleteJay Gatsby is considered "great" because of how he is portrayed through out the book by the narrator. The narrator being Nick Carraway, who admired Gatsbys ways throughout the book. Nick like most Americans secretly wants what Gatsby has. It states "Gatsby, who represented everything...”chptr1. Weather it be love, wealth (as many of my fellow bloggers stated), the way he carries himself, his ambition or Gatsbys overall ideas of life. In chapter one the reader begins to see how Nick admires Gatsby. It states "there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life"chp.1 I might even say Nick in some way finds him as a role model, because in Nicks eyes Gatsby was always following his "American Dream" by becoming wealthy and finding love at any means necessary.
ReplyDeleteTia McGraw
6th period
MS.Tuttle
Tiffany Nwadike
ReplyDeleteTuttle
1st
Gatsby’s greatness isn’t limited to his luxurious possession, and the American Dream, but his personality. Throughout the novel Gatsby remained as the protagonist and somewhat of a hero. Through trials and tribulations he remained determine, mysterious, and heroic. These characteristics proudly emphasize and explain why Gatsby is so great.
While other characters in the story focused on the “American dream”, Gatsby leaned to determination. The only reason he sought to obtain the American, was because he was determine to win his love, Daisy. “She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me.” (Fitzgerald online 7). He refused to allow any negativity to stop his drive. “Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!” “I’m going to fix everything just the way it was before,” he said, nodding determinedly. “She’ll see.” (Fitzgerald online 6).Even when told by Nick that he couldn’t do the impossible he was determined to make that impossible a possible situation. Gatsby also found favor in hope. He stated that he believed in the “green light”” I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock” (Fitzgerald online 7). The green light represented his hopes for the future with Daisy. And because he believed in hope so much it gave him confidence to be determine in reaching all of his goals.
Gatsby is also great because of his mysterious demeanor. Almost every character ridiculed or made a false assumptions on Gatsby. “I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him” (Fitzgerald online 7). Although most of them have never seen him, they were still drawn to extravagant and mysterious parties. “People were not invited- they went there” (Fitzgerald online 3). People were so intrigued by his mysterious that the resumed to go to his party uninvited. At one point people even questioned if he was real or not. “They’re real?... The books?..... He nodded” (Fitzgerald online 3). The Owl eyed man suggested that now that he is aware that Gatsby’s books are real he can conclude that he is real. At first he was going under his assumption that because Gatsby’s parties were so over the top Gatsby and everything in his home must be fake.
Gatsby is also great because his is symbolized as a heroic figure, somewhat like Jesus Christ. Nick gave this Biblical allusion when he stated “he was a son of God” (Fitzgerald online 7). Like I stated before Gatsby was the protagonist in the story and just like Jesus he was ridiculed and falsely judge. “He’s a bootlegger,” said the young ladies” (Fitz online 4). He even did Christ like actions like suffering for someone else’s sin.” It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson’s body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete.” (Fitzgerald online 8). Because never told anyone that Daisy committed the crime Wilson assumed Gatsby killed his wife because of Tom’s lies, thus Wilson killed Gatsby. In chapter 8 he talks about how he felt as if he took the burden of Daisy killing Myrtle.” but now he found that he had committed himself to the following of a grail” (Fitzgerald online 8) And he never mentioned to anyone Daisy’s secret even he she disowned him and went back with Tom. .” Mr. Gatsby’s dead………. Daisy hadn’t sent a message or a flower”. (Fitzgerald online 9). Jesus did the same when he took the burden of all of the Roman’s sins although they still crucified him on the cross.
trap ? O.o
DeleteSandy Phan
ReplyDeleteMs.Rushing
Period 6
What made Jay Gatsby so great was because of the fact that Gatsby was willing to do pretty much anything to obtain wealth and success. Although Gatsby resorted to bootlegging alcohol to achieve success and wealth, he is considered the Great Gatsby because he pursued his American dream of becoming wealthy by being persistent in everything he does. Jay Gatsby started off working as a janitor and living in the lower class, he rose to the wealthier class in society and ended up living in a mansion. In the novel, Fitzgerald states, "He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through the end." (Fitzgerald 111)In other words, Gatsby had a dream and implemented it, and as a result he came from living in the lower-class society, to the upper-class. By that being said, the reader can conclude that Gatsby has been persistent in pursuing his American dream of rising from rags to riches, of which in this case is done by bootlegging alcohol, which is illegal considering the Prohibition act. In conclusion, Jay Gatsby is considered great because he stepped out beyond his comfort zone in order to gain what he wanted, which would be success and wealth.
Uche Osigwe
Delete1st period
Tuttle
Jay Gatsby may be called "great" for the embodiment of the so called American dream that is perceived in the American society of the 1920's.But how can somebody be considered great within their society if what they have done in the past morally disfigures and disrupts the law insisted upon them at that certain point and time period.Prohibition was the 18th amendment of the u.s which prohibited the sale,transportation,and manufacture of alcohol(1920).Jay Gatsby, born a poor boy totally bypasses this amendment by becoming a rich wealthy bootlegger.Becoming rich by doing the not so great doesn't make Jay Gatsby "great", it just makes him wealthy,just like all other Americans who pursue "The American dream".
Joshua Taylor
ReplyDeleteMs.Tuttle
6th period
I agree with what Jalen said about Gatsby being great, but there is so much more to why Gatsby was Great. Yes, he was poor in the beginning and took part in organized crime to come across wealth, but in ones opinion he was ahead of his time. Gatsby was not just a rich man, Gatsby was a rich man with class and respect. Gatsby was a man of mystery and know how to evade others suspicion, only showing us the image he wanted us to see. Gatsby was an appealing character and his ambition he has to not only live out the American dream but to also strive for the woman of his life. The mysterious appeal about his character class and ambition makes Gatsby great!
Roosevelt Broussard
ReplyDeleteTuttle 7th Period
Jay Gatsby was considered "great" because of his determination and ambition to achieve his goals.Even though Gatsby has a mysterious past it ultimately led him into the right direction by getting him to a higher social class.But what really proves that Gatsby's determination and ambition led him to be "great" was his love for Daisy.He did everything he could to try and get Daisy to love him.From throwing parties just to see her(chapter 3) to taking the blame for killing someone that she killed(chapter 7).That determination and ambition to win the love from Daisy makes him "great."
I agree with Roosevelt that Gatsby was a man of great personality and virtue. Maybe our definition of American dream is life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness but his meaning was to triumph in wealth and love. Chapter 1 states, "If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something...I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely i shall ever find again."
DeleteHuy pham
Ms. tuttle
7th period
Veronica Garcia
ReplyDeleteMs. Tuttle
3rd period
Fitzgerald makes Jay Gatsby great thru his will to rise from proverty to reach his ambitions of wealth and love. Gatsby knows if he want to win Daisy's heart he must be wealthy. Although one can say the "want" of being rich is a selfish want, Gatsby did try to reach it for himself but also for a womans love. Fitzgerald states “She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me.” (Fitzgerald 7). This statement shows the reader that Gatsby knew how Daisy felt about him, and why she married Tom. This also helps the reader understated that Daisy would not have married Gatsby as a poor man, did wait for him but felt as if she couldnt any longer, but rather marry someone else who is a East Egg. Gatsby was great because he was able to reach wealth and love one last time although both contributed to his death.
I agree with you vero:) that he reached for love but didn't he reach for wealth because of love? Gatsby said that he did does extravagant parties to see if Daisy would decide to join one day so they could meet again. So his parties and wealth were all for Daisy and he was really just after her love again.
Deletedaisy ortega
rushing 6th period
Dorys Mejia
ReplyDeleteMrs. Rushing
4th Period
What made Jay Gatsby so great was the fact that he never gave up on his dream, his dream to win the love of his heart, Daisy. He went from being a janitor to a wealthy man that lived in a mansion, by doing everything he could from being a criminal to being someone he is not. The author states “He had been full of the idea so long, dreamed it right through the end…” (Fitzgerald Chap. 5), saying he did all he could to try to achieve his dream on having his loved on next to him at any cost. He changed his income, his education, way of living just to regain Daisy’s love that was once his. A man that is willing to do anything he can to achieve his dream is a great man in my opinion.
Ugo Anyakee
ReplyDelete5th period
Mr. Vegafria
in my opinion jay gatsby was great because of his success in pursuing a life directed towards being categoriezed as the american dream. Although his actions in doing so was juvenile and felonious, obtaining such wealth insured him of a exceptional lifestyle. Also he is great because he was capable to create a new identity for himself when he was complelled to play a different role in society. Gatsbys determination and drive are key components in which he earned the title of being called great. Gatsby focused on a goal, that of winning daisy, keeping in mind that he would do whatever it takes to achieve it.
Marquisha Randolph
DeleteMs.Tuttle
6th period
I do feel that he does show his greatness by proving that if you strive for something great it could all turn out in your favor. His determination towards winning Daisy back and becoming wealthy were the two most important facts in his goal to success.
Marquisha Randolph
ReplyDeleteMs.Tuttle
6th period.
Jay Gatsby is one of the perfect examples of living the American dream. By starting off in a poor childhood and making poor decisions to make money, he set out to make a better living for himself. On his way to fortune he fell in love with a women named Daisy Buchanan who was already wealthy and well assure of her life. He wanted to impress her so he didnt tell her about his past and lied to her about who she was. She ended up marrying Tom and Gatsby felt it was because the way he was."She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me"(Fitzgerald online 7). He was determined to win his love back and fix his past," I'm going to fix everything the way it was before"(online 6)thats one of the reasons he was considered great.
Marquisha Randolph
DeleteTypo:
and lied to her about who he was.
Sonia Besong
ReplyDeleteMrs. Rushing
4th period
what made Jay Gatsby great was the fact that he worked for what he had.Jay Gatsby also known as "James Gatsby" was not born wealthy,he worked hard to get where he was at that point of his life even if it meant doing illegal activities to achieve his goals.
Gerardo Carranza
DeleteMs.Tuttle
1st period
I agree And his motivation for all of his acts to become rich. was his love for Daisy and the fact that he wanted to be with her again
Olamide Ologundudu
DeleteTuttle
1st period
I believe Gatsby did worked hard to achieve all his goals but it was his determination to get Daisy that helped him to get what he had. The fact that Gatsby's ambition to gain wealth led him to illegal activities shows that his love for Daisy Buchanan was also a weakness. Gatsby took the blame for the killing of Myrtle even though it was Daisy just because of his love for her (Chapter 7). Although his love for Daisy helped him to acquire the wealth he has it also caused him to be blind and not see situations that were wrong clearly.
Danielle Haynes
DeleteMs.Rushing
4th period
I disagree with you only for the simple fact that although he did work to get where he is at he was doing it in an illegal way and for all the wrong reasons. It wasnt the best way to do things, what would make him great would be being successful by earning what he has and not focused on pleasing others.
Gerardo Carranza
ReplyDeleteMs.Tuttle
1st Period
What makes Jay Gatsby great is not only that he has accomplished becoming rich after coming from a low class family of farmers,but also that he remained persistent to getting the girl he loves which is Daisy eventhough she has already married to Tom. His Gain of wealth and him getting with Daisy again are his "American Dream".Which he did achieve for a small amount of time "he sat with Daisy in his arms for a long, silent time"(Chap 8) .The fact that he did not give up on is what makes him great.
Charlotte Sturm
DeletePeriod 1 Ms.Tuttle
His love and determination for Daisy is a very big part of what makes Gatsby great. Tho,Daisy is also a huge part of ,what i think,makes his all so weak.
Jay Gatsby is "great" because he isn't a character that redefines "The American Dream". Rather,he is a representation of what Fitzgerald felt "The American Dream" really consisted of. Gatsby's character gained wealth at any cost. Set aside the fact that he gained wealth and a high social status by practicing illegal activities. I believe Jay Gatsby is great because he truly stuck to his dreams and ambitions. Nick compared Gatsby to Jesus Christ by stating,"The truth was that Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his platonic conception of himself. He was a son of God—a phrase which, if it means anything, means just that—and he must be about His Father’s business... So he invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen year old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end." (Fitzgerald,Chpt.6) Fitzgerald made Gatsby's character so believable. Gatsby wasn't "great" because he loved with no boundaries and gained wealth. He made himself believe that if he could be the person he planned to be,he could ultimately get Daisy and be wealthy. No matter what happened to him he was determined to be with Daisy and be the "platonic conception of himself". Much like Jesus,Gatsby sticks to his story,ambitions and dreams until the very end. That's why he is "great" because, he demonstrates true determination and proves that great things can come from absolutely nothing.
ReplyDelete-Damaris Sanchez
Rushing,6th.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI agree with why you think Gatsby is so great. Thank you for giving me an idea of what Nick's quote really means. I never though of Gatsby in that way really.
Delete-Elissa Pham
Ms.Rushing / 6th period
Marlene loza
ReplyDeleteMs.Rushing
7th period
Jay Gatsby was a great man because he got to achieve “The American dream” the most desire dream of every American during the roaring 20s.The mystery personality of Gatsby helped him Obtain “The American dream” which for many it was the wealth and the respect from the people of the town. Mention by nick “I don’t like mysteries” (pg.105) explaining the easy capability of Gatsby to hide stuffs and not completely open up his feeling to other people, which creates rumors throughout the people of the town trying to find the “real” Gatsby. However his dream wasn’t fully complete without the love of his life, Daysi. With his consistence actions to achieve the love Gatsby did everything that he could to demonstrate that he had obtained a good position in society to Daysi. It said “Gatsby bought that house so that Daysi would be just across the bay” (pg 115) stating an example of perseverance by Gatsby not giving up on the course of obtaining Daysi back with him utilizing all types of resources that he had in his hands to feel complete. The most important resource that Gatsby had was his money that helped him gain Daysi attention. By not giving up Gatsby demonstrates to be a great man who is willing to do anything to reach his most valuable dream Daysi love.
Gatsby is presented being great for several aspect of his personality. Such as he keep firmly to achieve his purpose, American dream as well as the dream of his for Daisy. He dedicated his life to work which makes him becomes a “Great” Gatsby, but also his effort to impress Daisy. "In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars." [Chap 3] As the author describes, metaphorically to the Great Gatsby’s life of being wealthy, “moths” represent those who come to him for their own beneficial and “champagne and the stars” represent the mysterious force to his mansion. This self-made millionaire has always been peak on top of the American Dream, according to that, Gatsby could possibly have everyone’s attention, especially women whose willing to trade themselves in exchange of living in his colossal fortune. But he would still holding on his lover whom he admired five years ago. The enduringly attitude and his passion on whichever one he attempted, together, contribute to the greatness of the “Great Gatsby”.
ReplyDeleteNhu Nguyen
Ms.Rushing
5th period.
Irene Garcia
ReplyDeleteMs. Tuttle
6th period
(I still haven't goten to the end of the book yet, but i'll get there(: )
I agree in Gatsby being great,in the sense of him fighting through obstucles in his path, and putting effort in achieving his goal. Developing from a poor unknown guy, to a wealthy and respected man. Even though he was just known for his parties and activites that some people liked to gossip about. After all Gatsby was only pushing himself to impress Daisy, the women he said he loved. Since she was born with riches, and Gatsby was willing to do anything to be by her side and get her attention. Keeping in mind that during the 1920's parents had a say in who they wanted for their child, especially women, because women didn't have rights yet. Leaving Daisy no choice, but to marry Tom, who was up to her level. Also in that time the society wanted the American Dream, a life of happiness and material comfort. Leading Gatsby not only to break the wall of social class between Daisy and him, but also the need of him reaching the bar and fitting into the high class. Therefore Gatsby lied and pretended to be someone else, like when meeting Nick saying,"I am the son of some wealthy people...all dead now"(Chap.4). Covering up his reality of where he had came from, and creating a new version to his past. Killing to birds in one shot, which were gaining glammer and the ability of gaining Daisy love.
JaQuary Avery
ReplyDeleteMr.vegafria 4th period
Jay Gatsby was great because went from the slumps to he eventually became wealthy and finally went for his dreams to be a wealthy man and go after daisy.Jay made bad decisions in his past but it was all to achieve his goals in life.Daisy was also shocked to see his success in life as they finally met their once lost love again in chapter 5.once she found out that he was now wealthy she then began to fall for him
Alejandro Garcia
DeleteMrs. Tuttle
2nd period
I agree with what JaQuary said, because Gatsby was great for never giving up on his dream to regain Daisy's love. He made the impossible possible just to get her back. Although he did turn into a criminal to achieve his goal, he managed to grab it. He knew Daisy was interested in him once again when she started tearing once she saw his mansion. "That huge place there? she cried pointing." (Chapter 5) She was just blown away with what she saw.. a new man, with a better and higher standard of living.
What makes Gatsby so great was the fact that he never gave up his dreams and goals. As others have said he is a great example of the "American Dream" because he kept looking for his happiness (which he thought was going to be Daisy), liberty (he believed he was going to feel free once he had become a wealthy man) and life (which he also believed was Daisy). But the way he accomplished his dreams did not make him so great at all. While reading the book I realized that Gatsby was in love with the idea of Daisy, he was obsessed with her and wanted to get her back. That obsession, which he believed was love, was his inspiration and motivation to becoming important in society. He clearly believed that money could buy anything to be happy in life. "She never loved you, do you hear?" he cried. "She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone except me!"(Fitzgerald 137).
ReplyDeleteTania Vazquez
DeleteTuttle
7th Period
Olamide Ologundudu
ReplyDeleteTuttle
1st period
Jay Gatsby was great because of his success and reason in achieving The American Dream. Gatsby was in love with Daisy Buchanan and did what he could to attain a life with her even if that meant going to great lenghts to achieve riches. Gatsbys success was based on his desire to be with Daisy. Daisy is a careless woman who has a desire for love from anyone as long as they have the ability to financially take care of her. "I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes" (Online, Chapter 5). Gatsby invited Daisy to his home to show off his new fortune and hopefully impress her into becoming his love once again. Gatsbys success was symbolized through his home and all the extravagent decor that went all through it. The presence of Daisy finally gave Gatsby the chance to pursue everything he has been working hard for for years. Gatsbys motivation to be with daisy eventually led him to achieve the so-called American Dream that everyone wanted which proved to make him, in the end, great.
Charlotte Sturm Ms.Tuttle 1st period-
ReplyDeleteGatsby is "great" depending on how you look at him. One aspect of his greatness is how conniving Gatsby is. He sneeks around with Daisy all through out chapter 7. Gatsby even goes as far as getting rid of all his servents as he states “I wanted somebody who wouldn’t gossip. Daisy comes over quite often — in the afternoons.”ch.7. Gatsby goes to great,extreme,measures to be with and impress Ms.Daisy. To be able to have such an undercover relationship challanging. Gatsby is so great,because he can achieve his relationship with Daisy,and still have time to be an awesome rich person living among people in West egg. It tekes a great person to bo great things.
Maram Darwish
ReplyDeleteMs.tuttle
2nd period
t
what makes gatsby so great other han him following the american dream is the mystery behind him . He not only has what everybody wants he has that modest look about him. In chapter three it talks about the extravagant parties but none really knows who he is because he doesn't flaunt who he is just what he has.when nick realizes thathe doesn't drink and isn't really into the parties does nick that he is so called "cool". He's everything that nick wants to be and that's what leads to the slight obsession that Nick has over Gatsby.
In the Great Gatsby Nick sees Gatsby as great because he is able to accomplish things that no other would do in order to gain back the love of Daisy. Although Gatsby did have to lie about his past in order to achieve this new glamorous identity that people would admire as well as having to do illegal things such as bootlegging to achieve wealth, Nick oversees this because he is aware that the only reason for which Gatsby does this is Daisy. To Nick, the fact that Gatsby is willing to sacrifice his reputation and lifestyle in order to have at least one more chance to be with his one and only true love Daisy, makes Gatsby great. Fitzgerald writes “His heart beat faster and faster as Daisy’s white face came up to his own. He knew that when he kiss this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions for her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God” (Fitzgerald 110). This shows just how sincere Gatsby’s love was for Daisy making the idea of Gatsby being great true.
ReplyDeleteAnahi Quezada
Ms. Tuttle
6th period
Hien Thai
ReplyDeleteMs. Tuttle
Period: 7th
What made Jay Gatsby so great was not only his wealth but his achievement during the Great War. The reason I’m talking about his achievement and not his wealth because there is nothing greater than a man serving his country. His service was so great that in chapter 4 he stated, “ I was promoted to be a major, and every Allied government gave me a decoration..” In other words, Jay Gatsby is the full definition of the word great.
What Makes Jay Gatsby So Great in My opinion was That He Was Determined in the Things He Wanted to do. Despite Him Being Ashamed Of His Lifestyle Working As a Janitor. Although He Was In Actions of Doing Felony Type Things, but By Him Obtaining Such Composure, anxiety and wealth led Him to A Well Lifestyle. But what was shown and led was How Gatsby Determination Was Great for How Much Love And caring He Had For "Daisy". From Doing Things to Show How Much He Loves Her as He Did When He threw the party For Her as Shown In (Chap 3). And Also With All Do Respect the One I Had the most Hard Time Believing Which Showed The Love He Had For Her Was How He Took The Blame For killing Someone That She Killed (Chap 7). So if All of What Gatsby Did for Daisy is not Showing One How Much a Person Loves Or Cares For them I Don’t Know What Is. The things he did to try to Show Daisy That he loves her And How Much he cares for her is what makes him great...
ReplyDeleteDanielle Haynes
ReplyDeleteMs.Rushing
4th period
What makes Jay Gatsby so “great” is his ambition and strive to rekindle his relationship with Daisy and basically changing his whole lifestyle to impress her. He spends his whole life dreaming of being with Daisy again with the mindset of throwing luxurious parties and portraying a man of a high social class just to grasp her attention. For example “Can’t repeat the past?...Why of course you can!” (163-164). This allows the reader to conclude that he believed Daisy was his true loved and aimed to have her all to himself and if he had to put up a “front” about his lifestyle then that’s exactly what he did . Gatsby even goes as far as taking the blame when Daisy kills Myrtle. The reader can conclude that Gatsby will sacrifice his life just to please her. “It excited him, too, that many men had already loved Daisy—it increased her value in his eyes.”(220) What Gatsby fails to realize is that although he holds Daisy at such high standards she isn’t deserving of it all and doesn’t see him in the same way. what makes him so great is that he never gives up his dream of being with Daisy even losing his life because of her.
What makes Gatsby great is that he never gave up his dream of being beside of Daisy the women he loves and to become a better individual. At first, Gatsby was not a wealthy person comparing to Daisy and her sorroundings. But, the love that he had for daisy helped him never give up in life, especially for her love. He was not a wealthy individual and eventhough daisy love him as well, that did not changed daisy aspirations for better wealthy things. Eventhough, Gatsby did things that was not correct and were illegal , he still look forward to accomplish his goals. He had a huge mansion and plenty of parties that different people attended to. His guests dived "from the tower of his raft," or took "the sun on the hot sand of his beach while his two motor-boats slit the waters of the Sound."(chapter 2) Gatsby became a wealthy person and obtained many things that in the past, he did not had. He never quit in the love of daisy, his dream was to be with her."well, there I was, 'way off my ambitions, getting deeper in love every minute, and all of a sudden I didn't care."(chapter 8). His love for daisy was so big that he did things just to impress her. Eventhough, at the end he did had a huge mansion,but did not accomplish his dream of being with daisy, he is still consider a great person. His willingness to not give up his goals is what makes him great.
ReplyDeleteTiffany portillo
6th period
Ms. Tuttle
What makes Jay Gatsby so great is his strong dedication to both achieving riches from scrap as well as trying to win the girl he fell in love with known as Daisy Bunchanan. Before he lived the American Dream, he was a poor soldier that came from an unfortunate family, and due to his impeccable ambition, dedication, and persistence he became a very wealthy man with his giant mansion and properties. This dedication to becoming the ideal American was shown in chapter 6 where Nick explains that "At any rate Cody asked him a few questions (one of them elicited the brand new name) and found that he was quick and extravagantly ambitious."Even though, he never did end up winning Daisy's heart he never gave up. He makes this point clear in stating that he was "going to fix everything just the way it was before..., nodding determinedly." "She'll [Daisy] see" Chp 6. His dedication to a goal that may seem unreachable might come off to us as ridiculous, but to him a reasonable goal. Therefore, in my opinion Jay Gatsby is great because, he’s a great example of what it takes to pursue the American dream.
ReplyDelete-Elissa Pham
Ms.Rushing / 6th period
Trameshia Jackson
ReplyDeleteMs. Tuttle
Period 1
What makes Jay Gatsby, formally known as James Gatz, so great is his way of thinking and his admiration for achieving the American dream. Although he was called a bootlegger, as some young ladies the book said, "He's a bootlegger" (Chapter 4, online book). And he was said to be a killer, as one individual stated " One time he killed a man who had found out that he was nephew to Von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil." (Chapter 4, online book). Despite their thoughts about him because of his criminal past, he was still willing to do what made him happy. One of those things was achieving the American dream due to the fact that he was a janitor. Some saw this as a given because "He was a son of God" ( Chapter 6, online book). But truely it was his way of thinking that helped him reach the American dream (coming from being a poor individual to a wealthy one).
Brittney Thompson
ReplyDeleteMs. Tuttle
7th Period
I believe what makes Jay Gatsby "so great" is his determination to live out the American Dream and reconnect with his past lover, Daisy, in doing so. Gatsby does this by using his wealth and his state of mind that nothing is impossible. He goes through the trouble of arranging parties that majority anyone is invited to, even if he or she did not know Gatsby personally, in hopes of soon seeing Daisy. "People were not invited-they went there. They got into automobiles which bore them out to Long Island, and somehow they ended up at Gatsby's door.(41)" This shows that Gatsby went through great lengths to meet a woman he had not seen or hear from in years. Even so, Gatsby is not discouraged. He risk what he haves in all to achieve true love or rather look for the missing element in his life, Daisy, in order to conquer the American Dream; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Kenndria Stamps
ReplyDeleteMs.Rushing
Period:6
Gatsby was considered great because of his willingness and hard work. He had hard times earlier in his years where he was accused of being a ''bootlegger'' (Ch.7). He didn't care about what people said about about him or how they felt,he wanted wanted one thing and that's to live the''American Dream''. Another reason Gatsby was great is because he knew that daisy came from a rich family,he wanted her love so he went out and found a job that would give him the money to support her. Although Gatsby was ashamed of his past he did everything in his will to love and want love from Daisy. This why i think Gatsby was so great .
Desmond Blake
ReplyDeleteMs. Tuttle 3rd
In the beginning Jay Gatsby comes off as an individual that isn't proud of the lifestyle he is living at all. Living through these type of lifestyle made him want things to be different, no matter the cost. Achieving The American Dream life he did some illegal things that could be regretful because those decisions were not only a minor setback with his life, but a setback with his relationship with Daisy. No matter what it was still obvious Daisy still loved him. "As he left the room again she got up and went over to Gatsby and pulled his face down, kissing him on the mouth. You know I love you." (Chapter 7) Although Jay Gatsby did these things he took accountability for his actions, then worked toward achieving his main goal which was to have Daisy. This makes Gatsby great because no matter how far of a hole he'd dug for himself, he realized this wasn't for him, stayed persistent, and eventually came out of it for the better.
Aliyah Baker
ReplyDeleteMs.Rushing
5th period
What I believe made Jay Gatsby so great was the fact that his past struggles were not used as an excuse, but instead used to push him to be "great". Gatsby's yearn and eagerness to become more than what he came up from (a family of farmers) , and to actually achieve a goal many crave; a comfortable luxurious life owning things one could only dream of, made him a man of envy. Another contributing detail to the Gatsby's "greatness" is the fact that he lost his entire family, yet still finds ways to cope with the losses without totally losing touch with reality, and without giving up hope for true happiness with Daisy. The fact that he was still able to go about with his life, not leaving his dreams behind but instead pursuing a lost love and creating a better future for himself is what i believe truly makes Jay Gatsby a great man.
Selena Ramirez
ReplyDeleteMs.Rushing
4th period
Jay Gatsby is a “great” man because his ambition and determination allowed him to achieve success in his life and prosper. Although he was breaking the law (by selling alcohol), he still in some ways lived the American Dream because of his past. He moved forward and gained wealth and respect. Most importantly, he got the one girl he’s been after, Daisy. In (chapt7) when Gatsby and Daisy are around tom and Jordan they can’t seem to hide their love for each other. Regardless of the fact that he has everything he wants, he doesn’t feel complete without her and will stop at nothing to have her even when it’s wrong.
From rags to riches, the American Dream, is what many set out to do but only a few succeed in doing so. Gatsby was one of the few individuals who accomplished such feast. Started out as a janitor but with goals and ambitions he was able to set himself apart from the rest and did what it takes to succeed during his time. Although the path he sailed through was a tough one involving illegal activities, his determination sets him straight of his goal of love and wealth. He is engraved with many characteristics such as being persistent, mysterious, filled with determination and is willing to set aside the rest for his goals to come to fruition and this is what makes him great.
ReplyDeleteChau Nguyen
Vegafria
4th Period