Great Gatsby Reading Blog #2 (ch. 4-6)

1. Meyer Wolfsheim helps develop Gatsby's character as whole because he attracts attention to Gatsby's flaws. Until his meeting with Meyer, Nick describes Gatsby as a very kind person without any noticeable flaws, however, afterwards he feels shocked that Gatsby would associate with that type of individual. So as a result Gatsby can be seen as a human being with flaws and not as angel held on a pedestal.

2. After finding out about Gatsby and Daisy's history together, Gatsby's weird actions now seem to make sense. For example, when he looks off toward the green light at Daisy's dock at night after his parties, the back story now connects the dots and changes Gatsby's appearance to Nick and the audience. Fitzgerald intentionally portrays Gatsby as odd, but the audience's perception changes as the plot unfolds, which is his eventual intention.

3. As I initially suspected, Gatsby is a very lonely man as a result of his glorious, but forlorn past. The extravagant parties are an outlet for his loneliness because he believes that others around him should be happy and not suffer like he must. Unfortunately, his generosity is abused by many individuals and I constantly sympathize with Gatsby as a result.

4. Though at the end of chapter three I was a bit skeptical about Gatsby's role in the story, I am now thoroughly convinced that Gatsby is an antihero, which is role that I can appreciate more than an actual hero because of an antihero's ability to be human and flawed. Gatsby has grown as a character and his true morals of love and generosity are introduced and reiterated respectively, which have grown on me, so now I truely respect Gatsby as a character and human being.

Jelly Roll Morton "Black Bottom Stomp"

• This piece would play a crucial role in the creation of the playful atmosphere for which Gatsby parties are known because of its upbeat rhythm.
• The mood is joyful as indicated by the song's upbeat rhythm and pleasant melody.
• It can be assumed that the song would be used for dancing.

Great Gatsby Reading Blog #1 (ch.1-3)

After reading the first three chapters of the book, it is fairly clear that the main characters are Nick, Tom, Myrtle, Daisy, and Gatsby. These central characters can be roughly divided into three categories: villain (Tom and Myrtle), antihero (Daisy), and hero (Nick). As you may have noticed, Gatsby is not included in any of the categories because it is my belief that his character is not yet well developed, so it would be more advantageous to wait and see Gatsby's true nature.
As a result of Fitzgerald's plot line, it is apparent that  Nick is a good person, someone who stands out among the corruption and greed that surrounds him. He is the sole character that understands the individuals around him and all that represent: greed and power. In addition, Daisy remarks," I love to see you at my table, Nick"(14), which would imply that he is a kind person.
Tom, Nick's "friend" and Daisy's husband, is an abusive and cruel individual. From his racist remarks to his abuse of "friends,"Tom can be classified as a villain because of his treatment of others. His girlfriend, Myrtle, can also be placed in this category because of her obnoxious and ostentatious attitude that she exhibits when she is with Nick. Their selfish behavior does not only occur around others, but between each other as well. During the lavish party in New York City, Nick notes their horrible treatment of the other, "Making a short,deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand"(37).
Though Daisy's role is minor so far, her character will grow to be an antihero because of her forced values as a result of her husband, Tom's, treatment. The quote, "I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool"(17)," really defines Daisy's character because she remarks that women are so suppressed by men like Tom that she wants nothing more for her daughter, which in different sense defines her values as well as her husband's. Daisy's aspirations for more wealth and power make her an antihero because her values do not represent the good of all, though she is a naturally good person.

An Artist's Style

• The artist used dark colors with organic shapes along with a few geometric shapes to contrast.
• His main themes are focused on everyday, African-American life in working class neighborhoods.
• Individuals in the paintings do not look realistic and resemble cartoons.