I wanted to re write the scene starting on page 84 and going through 86. this is the scene where Daisy is coming over to Nick's house for tea unaware that Gatsby would be there.
An hour later the front door opened nervously, and dressed in a white flannel suit, silver shirt, and gold-colored tie I hurried in. :
" Is everything all right?" I asked wanting not a single thing to be wrong.
" The grass looks fine, if that's what you mean." Nick replied
" What grass?" I inquired blankly. " Oh, the grass in the yard." I looked out the window but didn't really look at it.
"Looks very good," I said vaguely. "One of the papers said they thought the rain would stop about four. I think it was The Journal. Have you got everything you need in the shape of -- of tea?". I needed everything to be taken care of so I wouldn't have to worry about anything. Nick took me into the pantry, where I looked a litte reproachfully at the Finn. Together we scrutinized the twelve lemon cakes from the delicatessen shop.
"Will they do?" he asked.
"Of course, of course! They're fine!" Not trying to worry too much about the cake and I added hollowly, " old sport."
At about half-past three the rain died down into a damp mist. I looked through a copy of Clay's Economics with no intention on really understanding the material trying to find a way to past the time. Finally without certainty I got up and informed Nick that I was going home.
" Why's that?" he asked
I didn't think she was coming. " I can't wait all day"
" Don't be silly; it's just two minutes to four."
I sat down in a miserable state and simultaneously there was the sound of a motor turning into the lane. We both jumped up and Nick went into the yard.
The car door opened anand I knew that Daisy had arrived for tea. I left the living room and exited through the back door. I wanted to come over to Nick's house as in my original plan not already be there. I reappeared at Nick's front door with a light dignified knock anxiously awaiting to see her. When he opened the door I turned pale as death, my hands in my coat pocket, I was extremely nervous. I had waited for this day so long and it was finally here. I turned sharply into the hall and disappeared into the living room where Daisy was politely seated with such beautiful appearance that my words cannot express.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
The American Dream
I don't know if this counts but i found a nice little article in a newspaper by Judy Loy from Pennsylvania state college. She gets her information from from the New York Times, the Economist, and CNN as well as the Los Angeles Times and many other census and polls. When I read her article I liked it a lot because of the way she interprets " the American Dream" and how she defines what the American Dream is.
In her article she talks about what the american dream is. The American Dream defined by the Economist is the dream of economic opportunity and upward mobility in a 2006 article. But she defines it as if you work hard, you'll get ahead. In the Los angeles Times it is described as the ongoing belief that the next generation will be better off than the one before. In the same Los Angeles Times article there is a poll that shows only about half of Americans still believe in the American Dream, adding to her question and the title of her article " Is The American Dream Dead or just taking a Nap".
So this question of whether the American Dream is no longer a reality is something we face today. Due to the Census Bureau we learn that over the last decade the median household income has dropped 7%. Meaning that there is the same number of households that make more than the median as those who make less. Although the main issue affecting the mindset is inequality of income.
A 2011 study by The Pew Charitable Trusts reveals that 1/3 of americans raised in middle class ( defined by income) fall out of middle class as adults primarily due to marital status, education, and drug use. She believes and concludes that in order for americans to acheive the American Dream and the next generation to succeed and or at least maintain middle class we have to set our children up to succeed. They can only succeed if we provide the next generation with a good educational foundation and opportunities for higher education, we have to teach them the dangers of drugs, and set up positive relationships. And to her this is the only way to save and maintain the American Dream. She believes that the dream isn't dead its just damaged.
I wrote about her article because I agreed with a lot of it. Specifically when she explains what needs to be done to keep the dream alive starting with the youth. I believe that because of our economic despairity we have lost hope in this idea of the American Dream, but I also believe that much like she said, if we prepare generations to come the American Dream can survive.
Relating it to Gatsby is the hard part. I think that the American Dream as described in this article relates to Gatby indirectly because although the book was set in a time period much different than today there was still this idea of what the american dream was. Which primarily was built of off money, because from money comes good education, and better opportunities. Gatsby because he inherited money but said that he lost it all and that it took him three years to be able to buy his amazing house. Through hard work he got ahead and is able to live a lavious, happy lifestyle according to this article. That's how this idea of what the American Dream is relates to Gatsby but I don't think that may be Gatsby's idea of the American Dream.
In her article she talks about what the american dream is. The American Dream defined by the Economist is the dream of economic opportunity and upward mobility in a 2006 article. But she defines it as if you work hard, you'll get ahead. In the Los angeles Times it is described as the ongoing belief that the next generation will be better off than the one before. In the same Los Angeles Times article there is a poll that shows only about half of Americans still believe in the American Dream, adding to her question and the title of her article " Is The American Dream Dead or just taking a Nap".
So this question of whether the American Dream is no longer a reality is something we face today. Due to the Census Bureau we learn that over the last decade the median household income has dropped 7%. Meaning that there is the same number of households that make more than the median as those who make less. Although the main issue affecting the mindset is inequality of income.
A 2011 study by The Pew Charitable Trusts reveals that 1/3 of americans raised in middle class ( defined by income) fall out of middle class as adults primarily due to marital status, education, and drug use. She believes and concludes that in order for americans to acheive the American Dream and the next generation to succeed and or at least maintain middle class we have to set our children up to succeed. They can only succeed if we provide the next generation with a good educational foundation and opportunities for higher education, we have to teach them the dangers of drugs, and set up positive relationships. And to her this is the only way to save and maintain the American Dream. She believes that the dream isn't dead its just damaged.
I wrote about her article because I agreed with a lot of it. Specifically when she explains what needs to be done to keep the dream alive starting with the youth. I believe that because of our economic despairity we have lost hope in this idea of the American Dream, but I also believe that much like she said, if we prepare generations to come the American Dream can survive.
Relating it to Gatsby is the hard part. I think that the American Dream as described in this article relates to Gatby indirectly because although the book was set in a time period much different than today there was still this idea of what the american dream was. Which primarily was built of off money, because from money comes good education, and better opportunities. Gatsby because he inherited money but said that he lost it all and that it took him three years to be able to buy his amazing house. Through hard work he got ahead and is able to live a lavious, happy lifestyle according to this article. That's how this idea of what the American Dream is relates to Gatsby but I don't think that may be Gatsby's idea of the American Dream.
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