Interpreter of Maladies

     Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri was a little weird, but I still liked it.  Something that really struck out to me was when Mr. Kapasi asks Mrs. Das " 'Is it really pain you feel, Mrs. Das, or is it guilt?' " (Lahiri, 164).  I thought that it was kind of ironic that something that was meant to start a conversation would end up ending all discussion that there was.  Both of them did not find what they were looking for when the started the conversation.  I think that this is just tragic because I feel like they both need someone to relate to and to help them but neither of them are that person.  They are too different and really just want different things.  I believe that this really shows who each of them are and what they desire.  I realize that since everything goes downhill after that question, they were both searching for something in each other that they did not have. It is just too bad because I can sense the loneliness in both of them.  Mr. Kapasi responded in a terrible way, and it just lead to more terrible events.

Everyday Use

    Everyday Use by Alice Walker really grabbed my attention.  I was surprised yet excited when the mother refused to let Dee have the quilts.  I feel like that action showed that the mother changed.  She realized that she was proud of where she came from and everything she had and she would not let Dee try to change her mind.  The mothers says that after Dee left without the quilts her and Maggie "sat there just enjoying, until it was time to go in the house and go to bed" (Walker, 181).  I think that this shows that the mom is content with her life and happy that she made the decision to refuse to let Dee have the quilts.  Dee did not love her heritage and tried to change who she was.  Maggie did not and the mother did not either.  I think that that event sparked something in the mother's mind, and now she will be forever grateful for who she is and where she came from. She is upset that Dee is not proud of her heritage and wants to be someone else.  I really do believe that from now on, the mother will display her love for her heritage.

A Princess?

     I really just enjoyed most of these poems.  Hazel Tells LaVerne by Katharyn Howd Machan was pretty funny but also sad.  I think that there was indirect characterization in this poem.  Through the speakers speech and grammar I could conclude that the speaker was probably from the south and not very educated which led me to think that the speaker was also a black American.  During that time period, the people that were usually not educated were the minorities and some others.  I also knew that the speaker was a black American because he/she said "im cleanin out my howard johnsons ladies room" (Machan).  This made me think that the speaker was a maid and worked for someone else.  All of this helped me to understand why the speaker was so upset when the toad said that she could be a princess. She knew that because of her race she would never be anything.  She had identity issues and I could see that through her words and actions.

Two Toads

   Toads by Philip Larkin made me really think about a couple things.  It took me a while to figure out what the second toad was in the poem, but I actually think that I know.  Obviously the first toad represents work.  I believe that the second toad symbolizes the speakers' morals.  I made that connection when I read that "it's hard to lose either, when you have both"(Larkin).  I just think that without morals, one would not want to work for what that person needs in life.  Also, without work one cannot have morals.  If a person is working it shows that that person is working for something in life and that person's morals make them do that.  I believe that these two toads that symbolize work and morals is very interesting and smart.  It allowed me to picture and understand the poem more clearly.  I liked not having what the second toad represented stated because then I was able to think about what I thought it symbolized. Leaving that out made me really have to think about what the poem was saying.

Dreams

     I really enjoyed reading and studying Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes.  After I read it the first time I thought about dreams in general.  However, when I learned that the author was a black American, my understanding of the poem changed.  I realized that the author must have went through a lot as a black person living in America.  I became more aware of Hughes' thoughts and dreams, and it became more apparent that he had to put his dreams to the side. I also thought that maybe it was just a way to respond to what was going on during the time period. He says that "maybe it just sags like a heavy load"(Hughes).  It must have been hard for Hughes to realize that maybe his dreams would never come true and that they would just always be on his mind.  My understanding of the poem deepened because I could in a way understand his struggles.  Realizing that he is a black American helped me to connect the words more to his life.  Through his use of similes I understood how hard it was for him not to follow his dreams and have to put them off. Although as a whole the poem is a little cliche, finding out that the author was a black American really changed my understanding of the poem.

Perrine Blog!

     I just want to start by saying I really enjoyed reading this article.  I was  really shocked and intrigued as I was reading it.  I definitely agree that for symbols, a reader can interpret the meanings of objects in different ways but overall the message of the poem should be the same.  Laurence Perrine states that "both symbols define an area of meaning and a viable interpretation must fall within that area". I caught myself nodding my head in agreement as I was reading that sentence.  I feel like people can think that the Rose means innocence or love and that the worm can represent infidelity or death.  However, they have to know that the Rose is something good and the worm is not.  As long as they are staying within the overall message, then their thoughts are not wrong.  When people start making assumptions, they start to veer in the wrong direction.
     I feel as if after reading this article, I will start to interpret poetry differently.  It has taught me to really think about the context of the words and similar ones that show up more than once.  I have learned not to make assumptions because that will end with me making the wrong interpretation.  I am excited to see what I think poems are about now that I have read this article.  Before, I feel like I just took the poems a little too literally.  Now, however, I think that I will find deeper meaning to them.  I like all of the different strategies and ideas that I can think about as I read poetry.  It is amazing to me how authors can write something with so much meaning.  I am always in awe when I realize what they are trying to say through their writing.  I cannot wait to see if I can interpret poetry differently and maybe even in the right way after reading this article.

Oh you know, just trying to find a comfy place to read...

And Just Like That It Is All Over

     Time for me to state my opinion! First, I loved The Great Gatsby.  I really enjoyed reading it a lot more than The House of Mirth.  I think having it written in first person point of view really helped me get emotionally involved with the novel.  F. Scott Fitzgerald is a great writer, and he made me feel as if I was there the whole time.  His descriptions were very vivid and graphic.  I really cannot put into words how much I loved this book.  I went through so many emotions during the time I spent reading it.  I would definitely recommend this novel to someone.  Actually, I would highly recommend it.  It is probably one of my favorites that I have had to read for school.  When I read the final line of the novel, "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past" I felt as if the author was speaking to me personally. Some type of advice or something to think about and question.  It was a great ending to the novel.  I LOVED IT.

NOOOOOOO! But Okay...

     I am so upset. Why did this have to happen?! I won't spoil it for anyone, but that is such a tragic ending to The Great Gatsby. Something that caught my attention was the way F. Scott Fitzgerald concluded the novel.  I feel like it was a good quote to end on.  Nick said that "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future. . .to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms father. . . .And one fine morning. . ." (Fitzgerald, 180).  I believe that he is talking about the past and the future at this point.  The green light symbolizes the future.  When we "run faster" and "stretch out our arms farther" we are using our energy to reach a goal or a dream that we have for our future. I believe that Nick is trying to explain how hard it was for Gatsby to reach his dreams.  He worked and put all of his energy towards them. This is a good way to conclude the novel because it gives the reader something to think about.  It made me think about what my dreams are and how much effort I am putting forth to achieve those dreams.

I am also confused as to what the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg symbolize?  They are brought up a couple times throughout the novel, and I do not really know what they mean.

I Love The Way You...Write

     I really enjoy the way F. Scott Fitzgerald writes in The Great Gatsby.  His diction and use of adjectives allows me to picture and feel what is happening.  Fitzgerald uses a lot of adjective noun combinations and this allows me to picture a vivid image in my head.  For example, when Gatsby was with Daisy five years ago, he says that "It was a cold fall day, with fire in the room and her cheeks flushed. . .he kissed her dark shining hair" (Fitzgerald, 150).  I am able to picture this moment because of the diction that is provided.  I am amazed at the way he writes because it seems like every event I can picture clearly. I definitely prefer this style of writing to The House of Mirth's.  I feel as if I can connect more with each and every moment.  It holds my attention more and makes me want to keep on reading. Fitzgerald's writing seems more easier for me to read through and is more smoother.  I am so close to finishing this novel but part of me does not want it to end.

So Sad

    The Great Gatsby is just too depressing.  I just want Gatsby to be happy because he deserves it.  However, his dream is gone, dead.  This is clearly shown when Gatsby says he will take full blame for the accident and Daisy shows little or no concern for him anymore.  Gatsby is literally sacrificing himself for her and she doesn't even care anymore.  Also, his lost dream is displayed when F. Scott Fitzgerald talks about Gatsby standing outside Daisy's house until he knows she is safe.  Nick asks Gatsby how long he is going to wait and Gatsby tells him " 'all night, if necessary' " (Fitzgerald, 144).  This shows how deep his love for Daisy is even though inside the house Daisy is comfortable and not even thinking about him.  When Nick leaves Gatsby he says that he leaves them there while he is "watching over nothing" (Fitzgerald, 145).  This proves to me that his dream is gone. I became upset when I learned about Gatsby's criminality but somehow I look past it all. When he is standing outside Daisy's house, I can feel his love for her.  Even though I am not sure if he will end up with Daisy anymore, I at least hope that he will be happy by the end of the novel.

This part in the novel reminded me of the song Sad by Maroon 5.  I feel like Gatsby could really relate to this song.

Confrontation

     As I continue reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald I get the feeling that there is a little tension in the room.  Tom has finally confronted Gatsby in front of everyone.  I feel as though these two characters are similar in some ways.  They both have bad things about them that become more apparent as the argument progresses. Gatsby's illegal work is revealed and Tom's hypocrisy is shown more clearly when he is angered by Daisy's infidelity. Both Tom and Gatsby love Daisy and are fighting to have her.  Although I like Gatsby much more than Tom, I begin to feel bad for Tom when Gatsby tries to get Daisy to tell him that she has never loved him.  No one wants to hear that from someone they love. Gatsby wants to know that Daisy has loved him and has been loyal to him for those five years that they have been apart.  However, Daisy tells him that " 'Even alone I can't say I never loved Tom. . .It wouldn't be true' " (Fitzgerald, 133).  I feel as though Gatsby is stuck in the past and doesn't want to think that Daisy has loved anyone but him.  I wonder what Daisy will decide to do.  I really hope that she chooses to be with Gatsby because I feel like he loves her more than Tom.  He has proved his love for her all throughout his life, and I think that he deserves to be with the woman he loves.

The Life.

     Money and social rank play a huge role in The Great Gatsby.  The more money someone has the more popular that person is.  Being wealthy seems to make people more attractive and more approachable.  Daisy is a beautiful young woman and Nick could never seem to figure out why every time she spoke he was amazed.  Then, Gatsby made him realize what it was.  " 'Her voice is full of money' " Gatsby told Nick (Fitzgerald, 120). Then Nick realized that that was her amazing charm that she had.  She captivated everyones attention when she spoke, partly because of her beauty but also because she was wealthy.  It was effortless for her, and that is what makes her so sweet and enchanting.  I believe that this shows how monumental wealth and class was during this time.  It could make or break a person.  F. Scott Fitzgerald does a great job of displaying the crucial role of status and makes it so I understand why money plays such a huge role.  It changes people and also allows them to live without a care in the world.

Dreams vs. Reality

     I feel like as I continue reading The Great Gatsby I learn more and more about Jay Gatsby.  I find out that this man Cody that he once met made him want to be wealthy and live a glamourous life.  Also, he thought if he was this rich man then one day he would be able to have Daisy to himself.  I believe that a lot of what he wants are dreams that in reality may not live up to his expectations.  Gatsby dreamed of being a rich wealthy man, which he made himself to be.  However, deep down that is not who he really is. He is not like every other wealthy person that takes it for granted. Also, he dreams of having Daisy, the Daisy that he knew five years ago.  However, she has changed with time and she might not live up to his expectations either. Gatsby created Jay Gatsby to achieve all of his dreams.  F. Scott Fitzgerald states that "he invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen-year-old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end" (Fitzgerald, 98).  I believe that this clearly shows that he still acts as this person that he dreamed of being.  His whole life has been him trying to live up to his own dreams and expectations.  I wonder if he will figure out who he really is deep down and what he really wants without having to be someone else.  I am eager to find out what happens with Gatsby and Daisy.

It's Love!

     I feel like chapter five is a pivotal chapter in The Great Gatsby because I am finally able to see Gatsby for who he really is.  He does not have to put up walls and try to be someone that he isn't.  I am finally able to see a more genuine side to him.  I come across the word "embarrassed" quite often during the meeting between Gatsby and Daisy.  When Gatsby freaks out and goes to talk to Nick, Nick just tells him that Daisy is embarrassed "just as much as you are" (Fitzgerald, 87).  This embarrassment that has come across Gatsby really helps me see another more softer side to him.  F. Scott Fitzgerald reveals his character the most at this time.  He is not hiding anymore or trying to live up to anyones expectations.  Daisy has brought back to light his old self.  I really hope that they end up together.  I like Gatsby a lot and wish him the best.  He has been searching for Daisy to come back into his life for so long, and I feel like it is time for him to finally be content and happy with his life and himself.

Awe How Cute (:

     I am really enjoying The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald!  This novel is just getting better and better.  I found out the reason for Gatsby's glamourous parties and house.  It is all for Daisy.  He loves her and moved right by her so that maybe one day he would see her again or she would walk into his house one night.  I could tell that he was in love with her when Jordan was telling Nick that Gatsby watched Daisy "in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at some time. . ." (Fitzgerald, 75).  This little love story reminds me of the movie The Notebook.  In the movie, a man does all he can to get a woman back after being apart for some time.  He builds a house that she once told him she dreamed of having.  When I was reading the part about Gatsby and Daisy that part of the movie came to mind.  I am so excited to see what happens between Gatsby and Daisy.  I really want them to be together!


By the way, I was just wondering why Gatsby calls people "old sport" all the time? Is there a reason behind it?

A Mysterious Character

   The Great Gatsby continues to hold my attention. This Gatsby fellow is still a mysterious character, and as I start to actually learn about his life there is still something secretive about him.  His past is questionable even though he holds some evidence.  As I begin to think that I have an understanding as to who Gatsby is, F. Scott Fitzgerald throws in something that makes me question it all.  For example,  when Nick is at lunch with Gatsby and Mr. Wolfshiem, I find out that Wolfshiem is one sketchy person.  This makes me wonder why Gatsby associates with him!  Also, when Nick goes to say hello to Tom he "turned toward Mr. Gatsby, but he was no longer there" (Fitzgerald, 74).  Why does he keep disappearing?! That makes him more mysterious.  So, I am curious as to find out more about Gatsby and to see if he holds any secrets.  Surely there is something huge that I will find out.  I definitely cannot wait to see what Nick, Gatsby, and Jordan have to talk about.

Balance

     By the end of chapter three of The Great Gatsby Nick tells himself that he is "one of the few honest people that I have ever known" (Fitzgerald, 59).  He talks about how Jordan Baker is a dishonest woman but that he forgets about it easily.  I believe that moving to New York has made him want to be more adventurous and outgoing.  This experience for him is new and intriguing.  However,  I think that he has to learn to balance his new New York life with his morals and standards of his old midwestern life.  I feel like this will cause him some trouble in his future with making the right choices.  F. Scott Fitzgerald does a great job of showing me that there is a lack of balance in his life at the moment.  There are good and bad qualities that New York possesses that will impact Nick as he continues living there.  He is so caught up in this fascinating life that he is forgetting what really matters.  I wonder what will happen with him and Jordan.  Will he overlook her dishonesty and continue to see her or will he realize that she is not what he wants? I hope he stays true to himself because I really like Nick.  Hopefully he will learn to take into consideration his morals but still enjoy his new life.

The 1920s

     It's time to party!  When I started reading chapter three of The Great Gatsby, I started to realize the glamour of Gatsby's parties.  F. Scott Fitzgerald brings into focus wealth and status when he starts to vividly describe the parties.  The East and West Eggs are brought together, and people are in awe when they attend because they are not use to this glamourous setting.  There is a mixture of all sorts of people from a variety of classes.  I believe that there is a certain American mood created and is more distinctly shown when Nick is "immediately struck by the number of young Englishmen dotted about. . ." (Fitzgerald, 42).  I could tell that they were the odd ones out searching for a way to get rich.  Fitzgerald does a great job in displaying the nobility status and mood of the 1920s.  I can tell that he is intrigued with this decade by the way he goes into intricate detail about Gatsby's party. Fitzgerald's knowledge and fascination of this time has allowed me to better picture and understand what is happening. I am interested to find out more about the 1920s as I continue reading.

I am curious as to why Gatsby throws these parties so often.  What made him start doing this? Hopefully I will find the answers as I begin to figure out who Gatsby really is.

Abusive Relationships

     The Great Gatsby is becoming more and more intriguing as I continue reading.  So much is happening, and I just want to keep turning the pages and find out more! I just want to say that I was shocked when Tom hit Mrs. Wilson.  That is uncalled for on so many levels.  When Mrs. Wilson is arguing with him "Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand" (Fitzgerald, 37).  This is so sickening to me because since he hit her once, nothing will stop him from doing it again.  Abusive relationships are so scary.  There are so many that go on today and many people do not even realize it.  They are unhealthy and can result in serious injuries or even death.  I hope that Tom learns his lesson some how and that Daisy and Mrs. Wilson realize that they need to stay away from him.  F. Scott Fitzgerald does a great job in displaying Tom's character.  I now know what he is like, and I have no respect for him.  I wonder what will become of Tom as the novel continues.  Does this act of violence foreshadow something in the future?  I am curious to find out.

That's Exactly What I Was Thinking

     Daisy, why stay with Tom?! He is seeing another woman! Strike one.  As I continue reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald I begin to really like Nick.  I feel like we agree on a lot.  After hearing that Tom has another woman and is becoming depressed, Nick does not understand why Daisy is still with him!  He says that "It seemed to me that the thing for Daisy to do was to rush out of the house, child in arms-but apparently there were no such intentions in her head" (Fitzgerald, 20).  That is exactly what I am saying! Why is Daisy staying with a man like that?  I am definitely curious as to where Daisy and Tom's relationship is headed.  I wonder if they will end up staying together or if she will leave him.  Also, I am excited to learn more about Nick and the others, and of course I cannot wait to meet this mysterious man named Gatsby.  

I am not going to lie, the end of chapter one was pretty creepy.  Gatsby vanishing?  It kind of reminded me of a scary movie.  

HERE WE GO...

     Let me just start off by saying that I was so excited to start reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Knowing that there is a movie coming out based on this novel has made me more eager to read it.  When I started reading I was amazed at Fitzgerald's use of adjectives and descriptions of the characters.  He really helps me to understand each character more deeply. The way that he described Tom Buchanan allowed me to visualize him and get a sense of what he is like. Fitzgerald states that "two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of leaning aggressively forward" (Fitzgerald, 7).  The diction that Fitzgerald uses is smart and makes me want to keep reading.  I really like the way that he writes.

So here is my first question.  Of course I am not really introduced to Gatsby yet, but he is obviously a monumental person in this novel. I was confused as to why Daisy asked " 'What Gatsby?' " (Fitzgerald, 11).  He is a person so I am not really sure as to why she said "what".  I am definitely interested to find out more about this fellow.