Tuesday - 1.12.10

In class today we read Chapter 4 of The Great Gatsby. We also discussed and reviewed Chapters 3-4. We also talked about the color journal and what colors have permeated the past couple of events in the book. Red was mentioned from the scene when Nick went to dinner with Tom and Daisy, and shades of yellow from Gatsby's party. Here are the notes from Chapters 3-4:

Summary of Chapter 3
- Gatsby invites Nick to one of his famous parties. Jordan is also in attendance
- First look into Gatsby’s house and lifestyle (ex: mansion, Rolls Royce, pool, beach, food)
- Rumors still fly about Gatsby’s past- he is a German spy, a graduate of Oxford, and may have killed a man. He is also a people-pleaser
- Nick recognizes Gatsby. They served in the same division during the war.
- Jordan and Gatsby have a private meeting. He tells her something “extraordinary”
- Nick does not understand the lavish lifestyle, thinks there is more to life than parties and idleness
- Nick begins to date Jordan although she is deceitful and cheats at golf. He claims to be very honest person.

Analysis of Chapter 3 - Feminism
- Explore how different genders react in certain situations
- How would this story be different if Gatsby were a girl? (Think in terms of his ambiguous past and immense wealth. What if a girl hosted these types of parties?)
- How would the description of Gatsby’s life be different if it were narrated through a girl’s point of view?
- What if Daisy pursued Gatsby?
- What if Gatsby had a wife and child? Complications?
- Think about gender-Jordan cheats while playing golf. Is this behavior normally expected of a girl? How would the plot be different if it were a male cheating at golf?

Summary of Chapter 4
- Gatsby finally tells Nick about his life. He produces a medal and picture as evidence
- Gatsby gets out of a speeding ticket
- Meyer Wolfshiem introduced. He conducts underground business and is said to have fixed the 1919 World Series. Very “shady” man
- Jordan reveals to Nick that Gatsby has confessed his love for Daisy
- Daisy moved on from Gatsby to Tom, but received a letter from Gatsby the night before her wedding. The green light he reaches out for is on Daisy’s dock.
- Gatsby wants Nick to arrange a tea party at Nick’s house and invite only Daisy. Gatsby will show up later to surprise and reunite with Daisy.

Analysis of Chapter 4 - Marxism
- Explore how the “large” dominates the “small”
- Gatsby is able to get out of a speeding ticket (money vs. law)
- Meyer Wolfshiem and the World Series (money)
- Tom’s $350,000 pearl necklace for Daisy (male vs. female)