Literature Analysis #2

1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses (exposition, inciting incident, etc.).  Explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).

Nick Carroway, the protagonist moved from Midwest to get his career and life going in New York. He lives in West Egg across Tom and Daisy. They are gossipers that party and are very wealthy. Tom and Daisy are married and have a daughter. Tom is actually cheating on Daisy with Myrtle. Everyone knows except Daisy and Myrtle's husband.

Nick Carroway actually lives right next door to the famous Gatsby. Although he's very famous and well known for his legendary parties no one knows anything about him. Gatsby throws this huge party and invites Nick and he started to hang out with him and Nick later found out that Daisy and Gatsby were engaged. Later on Daisy and Gatsby start to have an affair.

Tom had some what of an idea that the affair is going on. Daisy wants to leave Tom but the she later found out that Gatsby wasn't rich for being a pharmacist. He's a bootlegger. Daisy then  realizes she doesn't want to leave Tom  for him. So Daisy forces Gatsby to take her home. She drove home with Gatsby and while on the way she coincidentally hit Myrtle.

Myrtle's husband, Mr. Wilson discovered who's bright yellow car was the one that hit Myrtle. He thought it was Gatsby driving since it was his vehicle. The day after Wilson goes to Gatsby's house and shoots Gatsby and himself. Gatsby dies alone and only Nick and his father attended. Tom and Daisy skipped town and Nick never saw them again.

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.

2) To me this novel had a lot of shallow people who were in the upper class. They believed in whatever they hear. It was full of flashy and materialistic things. Gatsby did everything for Daisy and that's what caused his death. He did whatever he can to get her attention and it only ended terribly. He lacks communication skills. He didn't tell her up front on how he felt. I believe a lot of the characters were like that. For instance Tom didn't seem very happy with Daisy and he kept quiet about it and it lead to broken hearts.

3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).

3) The novel's tone is very ambivalent and full of many contradictions. It is also full of nostalgia and formal.

4) "A fantastic farm where the ashes grow like wheat." Page 23
Creates an image in the readers mind. A deserted piece of land. Simile

"While his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains." Page 39
Gatsby's trying to welcome and greet his guests. Simile.

"I've got my hands full." Page 83.
Nick's hands aren't full. He's just really busy. Idiom

"And only let me leave it in the soap dish when she saw that it was coming to pieces like snow." Page 76
Daisy was holding onto the letter until there wasn't anything left. Simile

"Listening for a moment longer to the tuning fork that had been stuck upon a star." Page 111
Creates the scenery for Gatsby and Daisy's first kiss. The forks symbolize the connection between the lovebirds. Allusion.

"The next day as broiling." Page 114
It was a very hot day. But, it wasn't broiling hot. Personification. 

"As it did that night when we hunted through the great rooms for cigarettes." Page 147
Emphasizes the fact that they were searching for a couple smokes. Hyberbole

"And as the moon rose higher the inessential houses began to melt away until gradually." Page 180
The moon is shining bright over the town while Nick is in deep thought. Personification.

Characterization

1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization.  Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character?  How?  Example(s)?
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic?  Flat or round?  Explain.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?  Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.