Group 5 -Question 5.

“What has Gatsby been doing in the time between the close of Chapter 7 and the opening of Chapter 8?”


At the ending of Chapter 7, Gatsby is left “just standing [in the front of Daisy’s home]” (p. 142) situated “between two bushes” (p. 142) gazing in through the open windows of Daisy’s home. Gatsby is allegedly attempting to ensure that Tom does not “[try] to bother her about that unpleasantness [that occurred that] afternoon,” (p. 144) and is waiting for a signal from Daisy if Tom “tries any brutality.” (p. 144) 

Gatsby is clinging on to any last hope that his dream can be achieved. He is desperately waiting for Daisy to come out of her house, offering to conjoin their lives once again, leaving Tom behind. During this period of time, Gatsby spends hours waiting. He claims it is purely so that Tom does not cause any harm to Daisy due to the conflict which had occurred earlier in the day. If Tom were to assault Daisy, Gatsby would immediately rush to her rescue, instantly willing to scoop up what Tom does not desire and take her for his own means. Gatsby is waiting for this opportunity to arise. Gatsby “[doesn’t] trust [Tom],” (p. 144) Gatsby doesn’t want to trust that Tom really wishes to passionately hold on to Daisy. Gatsby wants to hold on to every miniscule hope which proclaims the possibility of his desire being fulfilled- that he will achieve his dream of obtaining the Daisy whom he placed his ideals upon. 

Gatsby is waiting for a sign from Daisy. He is waiting for this certain sign that will announce that his presence is desired once again. Gatsby claims that if Tom is going to attempt to harm Daisy, then “she’s going to turn the light out and on again.” (p. 144) Gatsby is awaiting the moment when he witnesses the light flicker off, only to turn back on again, symbolizing the regeneration of the relationship. When Daisy turns the light out, with the intention of turning it on again, it symbolizes that Daisy would no longer desire to continue her relationship with Tom, as she would be exposing a relationship flaw, waiting for an intervening subject. The moment she turns it on again, is the moment when she declares that she is ready for Gatsby to intrude on the relationship and release her from a harmful environment. This would be Gatsby’s cue. It would be Gatsby’s cue to march into the house, and declare his possession over Daisy. This is all Gatsby has ever desired for five years: to have the ideal of Daisy. It would be of a great delight to Gatsby to have Daisy running towards him, begging for his company. Gatsby sits there in the darkness waiting for this signal to arise. Gatsby is waiting for Tom to hurt Daisy. If Tom hurts Daisy, Gatsby would have his dream in the palm of his hand. 

- Vanessa 

Tags:
Gatsby, Daisy, Tom

Group 4 - Question 1

Question: Nick Carraway says, "Reserving judgements is a matter of infinite hope (2)." What does he mean? What does this reveal about his character and how might this be significant to the novel?

Reserving judgement means holding back one's opinion on a subject— refraining from judging a person or an object at first glance. "Reserving judgments is a matter of infinite hope" could mean that keeping your thoughts to yourself comes with the hope that everything would come together in the end. We think what Nick is basically saying is to do nothing and hope for the best. 

This quote reveals a significant part of Nick's character. In the novel, Nick is roped into multiple situations that give him the chance to do something, or, at least, speak out but he chooses to execute neither action. This proves that Nick is the type to stand back and watch a scene in silence. He is someone who keeps his thoughts to himself and would rather not get too involved with anything. An example would be Gatsby and the rumors circulating around the man. Nicks remains quiet even as hears negative things about his neighbour and, most importantly, doesn't judge the other male before they get the chance to meet. Another example is when Nick finds out about Tom's mistress. As expected, he doesn't say anything, letting the others deal with their own problems instead. 

This quote is important as we later find out that reserving judgement and hoping for the best is not the best way to deal with the happenings in the novel. 

Labels:
Gatsby, Nick, Tom

Group 3 - Question 2

Question: #2 How are the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg described? What do they symbolize?



The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are described as, " blue and gigantic- their retinas one yard high. They look out no face, rather, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a non existent nose." The eyes are actually a billboard in which an oculist set up in order to fatten his business, before he had left. (Pg. 24)

Symbolically, Doctor Eckleburgs' eyes are commonly conceptualized as an allusion of "God" and the Eye of Providence (all seeing eye). This symbolic view of the eye's is stated amongst many scholars as being watchful of "the corrupt materialism and infedelity,"* in which the characters begin to display. The connection between the eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburg and "God" is that "God" watches over all the reprehensible proceedings in the world, just as the eyes of Doctor Eckleburg were said to persistently watch over Tom and Nick, whilst on their way to visit Myrtle- Tom's mistress. (pg. 24) Amongst the allusion of the symbolism behind the eyes, the inference that the realization of the transition away from proper moral values and into illicit actions is expressed through the idea of the eyes watching over the wrong-doings and corruption pertaining to the Valley of Ashes. Tom and Myrtle's affair further expresses this transition into illicit conduct. Nick's statement about the eyes of Doctor Eckleburg persistently staring, connects the eyes to the idea of "God's" perpetual heed for the unscrupulous and nefarious conduct of humanity. 

Tags:
Myrtle
Tom
Nick
Valley of Ashes

*sourced from http:// www.enotes.com/great-gatsby/discuss/eyes-dr-t-j-Eckleburg-3385

Group 2 - Question 3

Question: Tom Buchanan shows up at Gatsby’s mansion with two other men.
Note the way in which the three men treat Gatsby and comment on the
significance of this scene. How might this be read with a critical lens?

       The scene in question took place in chapter 6 of the novel and involved the characters of Tom Buchanan, a man named Sloan, and a female of unknown name. They arrived at Gatsby's mansion on a Sunday afternoon and behaved quite indecently towards their host, not bothering to display any signs of common courtesy or state the nature of their visit. They left soon after in a very humiliating way from Gatsby's prospective as he was under the impression he would accompany them, however they left without him simply allowing Nick to explain they could not wait.

      In regards to the novel, this scene serves to convey Tom's dislike of Gatsby and belief that he belongs to a lower social class than himself. This information is crucial to readers as it carries on throughout the rest of the novel and can be seen as one of Gatsby's ultimate goals - to gain entrance into this "secret society" to which he does not belong.

      This scene in the book can easily be read through a Marxist lens by focusing on the apparent social disconnect between Tom and Gatsby. Tom and his friends belong to a society of the wealthy and the rich, their names carry great weight and have an established lineage. This is in contrast to Gatsby, who is wealthy but has no family history or established roots and is referred to as "newly rich", therefore he is viewed as bellow them and is treated as such. In this context, Gatsby represents the oppressed lower class while Tom, Sloan and their female accomplice embody the oppressive upper class. When they arrive, Gatsby is visibly anxious and tense and begins to quickly offer up any sort of item to appease them, the narrator making a point to state, "that was all they really came for.". When all his offers were refused, Gatsby attempted to make conversation, however his guest replied with minimal engagement and made an effort to cut him off mid sentence.  A great example of this is when Gatsby attempts to start a conversation about automobiles, "I suppose the automobiles-", but before he could finish, Mr. Sloan flatly replies with, "Yeah.".  This sort of behavior serves to embarrass and humiliate Gatsby and cement the three's authority over him.

      In conclusion, the scene in chapter 6, where Tom Buchanan, Sloan, and an unnamed female visit Gatsby's mansion, can be viewed through a Marxist lens where their Gatsby is the socially oppressed and his guests are the oppressors.

Group 1 – Question 6

Question: Time is an important motif in the novel. Describe the use of time and the effect in these closing chapters.

Time passes very slowly throughout the majority of “The Great Gatsby”. The whole affair passes over several months. This is accentuated with the heat of the day of the Luncheon at Daisy’s house. Daisy speaks about how she doesn’t know what she’ll do today or tomorrow or for the next thirty years. This demonstrates clearly just how long time seems to stretch out. They have all the time in the world and all the money they need. The heat creates an atmosphere of almost creeping anxiety. And then, soon after this time seems to move faster and faster until everything is coalescing at once. Soon they’re fighting in New York; Daisy and Gatsby’s relationship falls apart. Myrtle is struck down very quickly, and then Wilson in horror shoots Gatsby and then himself. This all seems to occur very quickly in the span of one day and night. It is only after the deaths of Gatsby and Myrtle that time seems to stretch on again, the lethargy of death. Time feels empty, like a dream sleep. Daisy and Tom are missing, Jordan is almost a passing thought, and Nick is drifting through the motions of funeral arrangements with no idea what to do.

Gatsby’s father shows Nick his time table. This shows that Gatsby’s time’s run out. He spent all his life planning and worrying, organizing everything to his perfect ideal, from his work, to Daisy. He moved across the Bay simply to be closer to Daisy. He planned for five years his meeting with her and fretted over it intensely when the day actually arrived. He plans his parties to rise in social status to know people, to become this mystery. He bides his time. Yet when he stops planning, when he reacts and he feels that is when everything falls apart. And it is once he gives up on the ideal of once was, when he finally relaxes and enjoys his money not for the ideal, not to fit the plan, but for himself he is murdered.

As well, age is used to show the passing of time. The day that the corruption of all the characters really begins to blow up in their faces, (the affairs, the excess of money and liquor) that is the day that Nick turns 30. The connotation behind the age of 20 is very free. It is the careless youth, a lifestyle to party and do as you wish. Yet 30 is the end of that. Suddenly, one is really an adult. The expectation is to raise a family, work a good job and have a solid built future. Not the careless youth that once was. This is entirely parallel with what is happening in the story. When Nick turns 30 he is at the last Party that will ever happen again between these characters. After he realizes this things turn to the worse. Myrtle is hit by Daisy in Gatsby’s car and killed, Gatsby is shot by Wilson, and then Wilson kills himself. Tom and Daisy simply disappear with no trace. Nick is left alone. The reckless vapidity of the youth degraded with the passage of time, and the turning of ages.

Jennifer