Synopsis
This section of the novel gives us the first true glimpse into Gatsby's character. More importantly, it demonstrates to us the distance between Gatsby and the individuals who swarm around him like so many flies. Nick attends an evening soiree at Jay Gatsby's estate, and, aside from his feelings of discomfort and awkwardness, he notes that the guests surrounded him in "swirls and eddies" looking "hungry". He seems certain that they all were "selling something", and had their eyes on "easy money"(43). In a sense, Gatsby has surrounded himself with a sea of opportunistic sharks.
The only individual Nick seems familiar with is Jordan Baker, who seems aloof at best. The only highlights of Nick's interactions with Jordan revolve around a dress Gatsby purchased for one of Jordan's friends, and further suspicions regarding Gatsby's function as a "German spy"(45) and whether or not he killed a man. Finally, Jordan questions Gatsby's claim at being an "Oxford man" (50), a strange statement when one considers the unlikely rumours regarding Gatsby she seems willing to support.
Jordan reveals her vapid mindset when she states that she feels most comfortable during large "intimate" (50) parties, and that ironically, smaller get togethers lack "privacy". This helps us understand the nature of Gatsby's bashes. They seem to be less of a puddle of friends gathering in companionship, than a sea of strangers seeking to lose themselves in anonymity.
Finally, Nick comes face to face with his host. Shockingly, Nick discovers that Gatsby is not the "florid and corpulent"(50) individual he had expected. Much to his dismay there is nothing "sinister" about Gatsby at all. Thus begins a strange relationship between Nick and Jay. Jay seems eager to establish a true friendship, while Nick, fresh from his eye-opening experiences with the Buchannans, steps carefully into Gatsby's world in an effort to understand why such a "rare" (49) individual would step into the secret world of men and women like Tom and Daisy.
Tasks for You..
1. Examine the following quotations, explain the circumstances surrounding the quote, and describe how this line could be significant to the novel thus far.
- "There's something funny about a fellow that'll do a thing like that" (45)
- "It's a bona-fide piece of printed matter. It fooled me... What realism... They're real. They're..." (47)
- "It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced-or seemed to face- the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with irresistable prejudice in your favour" (49)
2. Thematic Evaluation
- Jordan claims that large parties are more "intimate". What does she mean by this claim? In your experience are large parties more intimate than small gatherings? Explain your response.
- Florid and corpulent... what do these words imply, and how does this help us understand what Nick expected to discover in Gatsby's character? What previous characters might accurately be described by these terms?
6 comments:
Mr. is what your username and Patrick
What Jordan is implying about “intimacy” she is saying that a big party she feels more comfortable because she would be able to gossip more about the people to party and as more people to visit. To mean small parties would be more intimate because I barely have more private conversations with people that I know. To me large parties would be less intimate because more people would be there and you would have less in common with them to talk about.
What the words florid and corpulent imply that Gatsby would be just like that but in fact he is not like what nick was expecting because he thought he a lot like Tom. But in fact Gatsby was the opposite of what Tom is like. If you were to use these words to describe someone it would accurately describe Tom.
Marc & Byron ;
1. Examine the following quotations, explain the circumstances surrounding the quote, and describe how this line could be significant to the novel thus far.
•"There's something funny about a fellow that'll do a thing like that" (45)
This quotation is spoken by one of the sisters when they were conversing with Jordan Baker and Nick. They were speaking about Gatsby who gave one of the sisters a new dress. This is significant because when she tore the dress Gatsby bought her a new dress even when it was not his duty to do so and it was not his fault that she ripped her dress.
•"It's a bona-fide piece of printed matter. It fooled me... What realism... They're real. They're..." (47)
This is very important because the books in Gatsby library are real, unlike Tom’s who would likely have fake cardboard ones because he wants to appear educated. Mr. Gatsby however has most likely have read all his reading material. Nick and Jordan were looking for Mr. Gatsby when they strutted into the library they came across a drunk man who was amazed by the real books “It fooled me”. The drunk man was use to seeing fake books that are for display but was astonished when he came across “bona-fide piece of printed matter”.
•"It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced-or seemed to face- the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with irresistable prejudice in your favour" (49)
Nick and Ms. Baker have just met Gatsby. He invited Nick to accompany him on his new hydroplane. Nick was admiring Gatsby’s smile because it did not seem sinister nor did he seem stuck up. Nick was intrigued by his smile because he you do not come across a smile like this very often.
2. Thematic Evaluation
•Jordan claims that large parties are more "intimate". What does she mean by this claim? In your experience are large parties more intimate than small gatherings? Explain your response.
Jordan claims that large parties are more “intimate” because she can find out more about people and make gossip. She can spread the gossip and rumors around more easily than at a smaller one. She can float around with ease with out having to be drawn into a conversation, were as in a small shindig she would be forced to converse with others. Small parties are more intimate because they are more relaxed, you generally know your host or guests.
• Florid and corpulent... what do these words imply, and how does this help us understand what Nick expected to discover in Gatsby's character? What previous characters might accurately be described by these terms?
These words imply that Gatsby would be very full of himself and he would think that he is the best and everyone should pay attention to him. He should be the center of attention and make a big entrance. This is how Tom is described at the beginning of the book.
~Caitlin & Pierre~
Act 1: Quotes
"There's something funny about a fellow that'll do a thing like that" (45)
There is irony here in this quote, because Gatsby is a true Gentleman, however in this society Gentlemen are jerks like Tom. Lucille says that it is “something funny” when Gatsby bought her a new dress after she “tore my [her] gown on a chair”. It seems that gallantry is foreign in the “Secret Society”.
"It's a bona-fide piece of printed matter. It fooled me... What realism... They're real. They're..." (47)
Here the guest is surprised to see that Gatsby has not just laid books out for people to see and make resolve that he is an intelligent man. In this society there is a sense that nothing is “real” and that no one is who they are, however, like the books Jay Gatsby is “Real” and is not just “cardboard” (47).
"It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced-or seemed to face- the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with irresistible prejudice in your favour" (49)
Nick’s describing Gatsby’s smile. From the way people had described him as a “German Spy” (45) as well as the comments Jordan Baker implied about Jay not being an “Oxford man” (50), the notion of this incredulous man seemed to be that he would reflect a supercilious nature. Nevertheless, Nick’s first contact with his wealthy neighbour proved against his reputation. It is noticed that Nick sees him in a new light, that “I could see nothing sinister about him”. If this is the case, then Jay does not fit in with these aristocrats, and there may be something more to him then that said of him.
Act 2: Themes and Such
Jordan claims that large parties are more "intimate". What does she mean by this claim? In your experience are large parties more intimate than small gatherings? Explain your response.
In a large group there is a greater chance of keeping things private, then to be in a truly intimate situation that calls for privacy to be unveiled. Here, Jordan Baker feels comfortable in that fact that the party consists of “swirls and eddies”.
Florid and corpulent... what do these words imply, and how does this help us understand what Nick expected to discover in Gatsby's character? What previous characters might accurately be described by these terms?
Florid and corpulent are words that symbolize someone who is fat and extravagant. Nick must have expected to see a shout, flamboyant aristocrat when he was to meet Jay, and what a shock to learn that Gatsby is not in least “florid or corpulent”. This title might be received in a better light, if given to Tom. Gatsby and the husband juxtapose each other here, and present a potential “real” person for Nick to associate with.
Mikaela...
1. "There's something funny about a fellow that'll do a thing like that" (45)
-- This quote is said when a group of people are talking about Gatsby buying a woman a new dress because she tore it on a chair at his house. This quote is significant because it shows us how Gatsby is different from the other people. This quote shows us that Gatsby will go out of his way for other people and he is not selfish and fake like the other people that surround him.
"It's a bona-fide piece of printed matter. It fooled me... What realism... They're real. They're..." (47)
--This quotation is said by the drunken man in the library when he is surprised by the fact that the books in Gatsby’s library are real and not cardboard. This quote is significant because it shows us that Gatsby is real and he is trying to impress everyone but he is not doing it by being fake like everyone else. This quotation makes us think that maybe the rumor of Gatsby being an “Oxford man” is maybe more realistic then we think.
"It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced-or seemed to face- the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with irresistible prejudice in your favor" (49)-- This quote is significant becuase it shows us that Gatsby isnot the person that Nick thought he would be.
2. Thematic evaluation
-- When Jordan states that large parties are more intimate she is saying that she believes that a larger party is more private to her. Jordan is interested in gossip and she is fake and trying to hide herself. Jordan is able to be fake and keep her secrets because the party is big and know one can see her up close and get to know her. For her the party is intimate because she can be fake and she does not have to show who she is. In my experience smaller parties are more intimate. I believe this because when there are less people you can get to know people better and you can see who people are as apposed to having so many people that you can’t even get to know someone and people can easily be fake.
-- The words corpulent and florid mean big, bright and noticble. By these words we can tell that Nick thought that Gatsby would be having a big physic and be wearing something elaborate so that he will be noticed. These words show us that Nick expects Gatsby to be like Tom and everyone else and to be looking for attention. But infact Gatsby is the exact opposite to this. Previous characters that can be described using the words above would be Tom and Myrtle. Myrtle wears lots of loud jewelry and big dresses so that people notice her.
Sam Coutu
• "There's something funny about a fellow that'll do a thing like that" (45)
• The quote above is explaining to the reader that Gatsby is very different because he bought a woman that he did not even know a very expensive dress. This tells us that he is either just very generous or he is very unintelligent with his money.
• "It's a bona-fide piece of printed matter. It fooled me... What realism... They're real. They're..." (47)
•
This is important because it shows to us that Gatsby is actually high class and educated unlike Tom. Nick and Jordan were looking for Mr. Gatsby and they found themselves in the library and they came across a drunk man. The drunk man was use to seeing fake books that are for display but was astonished when he came across “bona-fide piece of printed matter”.
•" "It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced-or seemed to face- the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with irresistable prejudice in your favour" (49)
• Nick and Ms. Baker just met Gatsby. He invited Nick to accompany him on his new hydroplane. Nick was admiring Gatsby’s smile because it did not seem “sinister” nor did he seem stuck up. Nick was intrigued by his smile because “you do not come across a smile like this very often.” This is significant because it shows us that gatsby is a caring person.
2)
a)What Jordan is implying with the word, “intimacy,” she is explaining that at little parties she feels less comfortable because she is forced to share more personal issues and at a big party she feels more comfortable because she can drift around and be less personal. She can also hear more rumors about different people. To me a big party can be less personal because you do not have to talk with one person for any amount of time.
b) The words florid and corpulent can describe a person that is very self confident and cocky. If this type of person was to hold a party he would be the center of attention and would make himself look entertaining. This is the opposite of what Gatsby is. Even though he has big parties, he is always shy and lonely. A good example of a person who could be described by these words is Tom.
1) “It’s bona-fide piece of printed matter. It fooled me… What realism… They’re real. They’re…” (47)
The circumstance surrounding this quote is said during Mr. Gatsby’s party in his library by a man examining the book. This shows us that Mr. Gatsby is a real person not someone who goes and buys cheap fakes but the real thing. From learning this it shows that Mr. Gatsby is a man of integrity shown from “bona-fide piece of printed matter” this shows that the books in the library are real not fakes which is was everybody expected. This also contradicts the rumors of Gatsby that are going around about him like he killed a man or he is a German spy during the war which are not people of integrity.
2) "There's something funny about a fellow that'll do a thing like that" (45)
The circumstances regarding this statement are when Nick and Jordan are talking with two girls in the yellow dresses that met Jordan a month earlier, with 3 “Mr. Mumbles”, talking about Jay Gatsby. One of the girls mentions that last time she was at the party, she ripped her dress, and Mr. Gatsby sent her a new $265 dress. This is very odd for the guests, because they suspect that “Gatsby once murdered a man”, or “Gatsby is a German spy”, and in order to seem unsuspicious, he will do anything he can to have “no trouble from anyone”. A normal host probably would not have been so earnest to fix the problem of the girls dress. They believe that Gatsby is a “funny fellow” because he is so kind and generous, whereas everyone else in this society seems treacherous and deceiving. It is very odd to find a true, honest person who is not trying to backstab and take advantage of the people around them.
3) "It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced-or seemed to face- the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with irresistible prejudice in your favor" (49)
This was said in the garden while Jay, Gatsby and Nick were introducing themselves to each other. Nick is describing Jay Gatsby as a happy, innocent person who always gave you the benefit of the doubt and reassured you that he only meant the best. This quotation is significant to the character description and the true identity of Jay Gatsby because this quotation shows how he is an eccentric man who wishes not to have unneeded attention and wishes no harm to others. On top of this, it conveys to us that his identity defies the rumors that other’s have of him such as, “Somebody told me that they though he had killed a man once.” This sinister rumor was based on other’s who do not know Gatsby and are to cowardly to introduce themselves to him and find out the real truth.
Thematic questions
4) When Jordan claims that the parties are more “intimate”, she is relating to the fact that when you are at small parties, it is futile to attempt to hide your true self. Spreading rumors in small parties can be harmful to your self being, because eventually the host will hear you, and destroy your image. In Gatsby’s large parties, Jordan is able to float along spreading rumors and lies about others and never be forced to reveal her vulnerable self. Participating in huge parties would force others to find things to talk about other then themselves. This allows you to easily talk about other people who are not currently participating in the conversation, who are unable to hear. In a small party, however, everyone would be in close proximity to each other, placing restrictions on your ability to talk about people whenever you felt like it. Demonstrating how hard it is to talk about people at small gatherings, you can examine the quote “Daisy! Daisy! Daisy! I’ll say Daisy whenever I feel like it!” said by Myrtle. She is trying to talk about Daisy at a small gathering where everyone relies on Gossip, and Tom will not let this happen. In order to keep himself safe, Tom ends up beating Myrtle, leaving her in a bloody mess. When you look at the quote “I heard he killed a man once”, you can realize how easy it is to talk about people behind their back at large parties, and gossip safely once again. Mr. Gatsby was attending this party, and people were spreading rumours about him at his own house, but he would not know since they were silenced by all the noise around them.
5) Florid and corpulent imply someone who is standing out and being the eye candy. This helps us understand what Nick expected to discover; someone who thinks only for themselves and no one else. Gatsby is always getting a lot of attention, and hosts many parties, so it seemed logical for him to be the center of attention all the time. Some characters, like Tom, who happens to be supercilious and always thinking for his own amusement and gain could accurately be described as florid and corpulent as shown by the line “the supercilious assumption was that on Sunday afternoon I had nothing better to do”. He makes sure he is always in the center of attention, and cares only for himself, putting others in second.
Colin, Jack, Woo
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