Thursday - 1.14.10

We are started off the period today by discussing Chapters 5-6, which we read yesterday.

Chapter 5 Summary:
- Nick tells Gatsby that he will help him with the tea party plan. Gatsby wants to make sure the “stage is set” perfectly
- Gatsby offers Nick a business offer on the side- not associated with Meyer Wolfshiem
- Daisy comes over for the tea party and is reunited with Gatsby. Things are awkward at first but the connection between them is obvious.
- Gatsby takes Nick and Daisy over to his mansion for a tour. Daisy begins to cry. Gatsby tells Daisy how much he misses her.
- Nick fears Daisy can not live up to Gatsby’s unrealistic expectations
- Daisy and Gatsby are only focused on one another, and Nick leaves them alone

Chapter 5 Analysis - Formalist:
- Ignore historical context, and explore the novel as an organic whole
- Nick is the only narrator- says he is very honest. Are we limited though?
- Tea Party Organization
- Think of all the connections between the characters. How do their relationships with one another advance the plot? How is each individual crucial to the plot?

Chapter 6 Summary:
- Gatsby’s true past revealed- Born James Gatz in North Dakota, dropped out of college, worked as a janitor and fisherman, befriended Dan Cody who left him money, but Gatsby could not claim it. Determined to be successful
- Tom has drinks with Gatsby, but he dislikes him. Thinks his money came from bootlegging.
- Tom and Daisy attended a party at Gatsby’s house- mood very somber
- Gatsby wants Daisy to fall in love with him again, but she did not have fun at the party
- Now that Gatsby finally has Daisy, the chase is over

Chapter 6 Analysis - Feminism:
- Explore how different genders react in certain situations
- Again, what if Gatsby were a female?
- Competition between Tom and
Gatsby
- Social expectations at parties- drinking and talking

After the discussion of Chapters 5 & 6, we read Chapter 7, which took the remainder of the period.