The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg

The first time we see Doctor T.J. Eckleburg's eyes is in chapter 2; they are a pair of eyes painted on a billboard in the valley of ashes. Because these eyes are mentioned in several significant moments of the novel, it is clear that they symbolize something. However, because nothing is explicitly said about the eyes what they symbolize is unclear. The author suggests that symbols only have meaning because people place them meaning. A great example is a rose. Most people say that a rose symbolizes love but actually there is nothing said explicitly on the rose indicating it does so. In the end, it is just a rose. It is seen as a symbol of love because people place that meaning into the rose. Due to this reason the author avoids giving a clear meaning to the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg. It is an 'empty' symbol waiting to be filled by people. It will become a symbol when people start placing meanings into it.  

Post-reading reflection

The Great Gatsby was a very deep novel which affected me greatly. The plot of the story started out slowly with mysteries and then speeded up suddenly. I found the language Fitzgerald uses very complex and at some points, difficult to understand. Though once I got used to it I was able to appreciate the beauty of his words.

I can't say that I really liked reading The Great Gatsby because of its melancholic tone. I thought the story was very depressing, especially after chapter 6. Though I can't say I hated the novel either because it was beautifully written with great themes and symbols in every chapter of the book. Over-all, I am glad to have read such an important and successful novel which portrays beautifully the 1920s America within a very complex love story.

Daisy- Chapter 9

I was devastated when I heard about Gatsby's death but I tried my best to hide it. If Tom knew how I felt, he probably would have slapped me. Because of that reason I choose to supress my feelings. We decided together it would be best to move far away. It's easier to forget things that you don't see so often, I figured in the past few years. Tom and I remained silent about the issue. When I heard the news about Gatsby I didn't even have to mention his name. Tom understood and gave an indifferent response.

Time is what dominates our life the most. With time I was able to forget my love and concentrate more on my responsibilities. My daughter grew; now she can listen to me and talk to me. Tom is the same but I'm used to him. I don't know if he has another girl but I don't care either. In the end, I'm the one he truly cares about. Sometimes you just need to let go of your past, and hold on to your future.

Looking Back

After 2 years, Nick describes the events that happened after Gatsby's death. Unfortunately, rumours about him increased immensely and only a few people attended his funeral. People who Nick thaught were Gatsby's friends simply didn't care which showed that Gatsby didn't have any friends. His only passion in life was related to Daisy therefore he didn't put much effort into obtaining friends. And Daisy chose to disappear with Tom, leaving no signs behind.

Nick decides to move back to the Midwest after these unfortunate events he witnesses. One day in New York, he sees Tom and unwillingly talks to him. He is not pleased with what he hears and decides that neither Tom nor Daisy were worthy enough for Gatsby.

Nick comes to a realization that everyone around the world has similar dreams and similar motives. Everybody has a dream related to the future but is held back by the past.

Daisy- Chapter 8

Life has almost returned to normal. I am very close to forgetting Gatsby and the accident. I think Tom is too, though I am not sure. He prefers to stay silent about the issue, which doesn't bother me at all. Everybody has different methods of solving problems. Sometimes I feel like bringing the topic up, but I can't even try to say her name out loud or his. Some things are better unspoken and sometimes you just have to let time decide what's going to happen next. You can't alter time but time can definitely alter you.

The End of The Great Gatsby

Gatsby sees Daisy as a symbol of everything he values. He has idolized her so much that the love he feels is not actually for Daisy but the Daisy that he has in his mind. Even though it is clear that Daisy has chosen Tom over Gatsby, Gatsby does not want to admit this. He keeps on waiting and fantasasing though all of his dreams are related to the past. Gatsby still cannot accept the existance of time. He wants to stop time and rewind it because he is now obsessed with Daisy. The way Gatsby sees Daisy makes Nick realize that all of the dreams people have are created by their mind. Daisy is a normal woman with nothing unique about her that distinguishes her from the others. However, the Daisy in Gatsby's mind is completly different.

Another motif which comes up in this chapter is the weather. The weather is related to the plot of the novel. In extreme cases of weather, such as the hottest day in summer or unexpected weather, such as the rain, something significant in the plot happens. The weather is also related to time; in every season there is a different weather pattern. When Gatsby tries to swim in the pool he is again trying to control time. Summer has past therefore it is too late to swim but he doesn't want to understand this. He is too determined to hold on to his dream to try to rationally think and his passion leads him to death.

Daisy- Chapter 7

I knew it would end up like this, end unhappily. He wasn't good for me, and he couldn't be because it was just too late. After I had that accident I realized how thoughtless I was acting. I loved Gatsby, more than I did anyone else. But things changed, years passed. I am married now and I have a daughter. I have responsibilities that I can't just forget. I can't leave Tom no matter how hard life is with him. Yes, we have some problems but they are not things we can't talk about. He is the father of my child and the person I spent many years with. I can't run after a dream, not now. I am too old, too mature, and too wise. I can't take those risks and lose what I have now. I have a dependable life, which is what everybody hopes to have one day. Love is just an illusion, just a game and I am too old to play.

"Watching over nothing"

Chapter 7 is the longest chapter in the book and it includes so many incidents that it is hard to understand them at once. The dominating event is that Tom and Gatsby's conflict come to surface. Gatsby's love for Daisy increases each day, so much that now it is more of an obsession. Tom, now, is fully aware of what is going on between Daisy and Gatsby. He even confronts Gatsby and challenges him, saying that Daisy will chose him over Gatsby. When they go to New York, we learn that Wilson is now aware of the fact that his wife in being unfaithful to him and it is ironic because Tom and Wilson are now at the same situation. With this chapter we see more of Tom's hypocrisy and with great disappointment we see that Daisy chooses Tom over Gatsby. The obstacle of time prevents Daisy and Gatsby to reconcile. While one of them has moved on compared to the other, the other is still in the past.


When Gatsby takes on the blame for Daisy, we can clearly see that his love is very passionate and is not over. Unfortunately, Daisy's love is not as powerful and while Gatsby waits for Daisy, alone, she has already forgotten him and is with Tom. At the end of the chapter, the reader feels great sympathy for Gatsby. He is just like the way he was at the end of chapter one, with some slight differences. Instead of looking at the green light, arms wide open, with hope he is looking at an emptiness "watching over nothing" because his dream is over.

Daisy- Chapter 6

Days pass by easier now because I am no longer alone. With everything I do, I feel Gatsby next to me. It's hard to explain what I am feeling now. I should feel happy but I can't. Tom has changed. He doesn't know but I can tell he knows that something is different. I feel guilty because I know what I am doing is no good and that it doesn't have hope. I'm married, I shouldn't be doing this. But I can't help it. Sometimes your brain dominates your body and sometimes your soul. Unfortunately I can't get my soul to listen to my brain.


We were invited to Gatsby's party and to be polite, we went. Tom, me and Gatsby, all in the same place; it wasn't a pleasant scene. I had a very bad time and I felt horrible. We argued with Tom and he knew exactly the right words to say to make me feel bad. I'm angry at him but mostly at life. If only...If only, this could have happened earlier. It's too late now. Too late...

Gatsby's True Life

In this chapter we learn almost everything we need to know about Gatsby. We learn about his past up till the point where he gets rich, though, the source of his money is still unknown. Tension between the characters start to rise in this chapter. Tom, who is unaware of Gatsby and Daisy, starts to get suspicious. When Daisy and Tom come to one of Gatsby's parties, things get out of control. The atmosphere gets very tense and the characters of the love triangle have a very bad time. Tom and Daisy argue about Gatsby. Even though Tom is unfaithful to Daisy, the idea of her being unfaithful to him makes him mad. This might be related to Tom's character. He has a very big ego and probably cannot accept the fact that another guy, especially a guy like Gatsby, can take away his girl.


Gatsby is again living in a dream. He wants to alter time so badly that he can't see how impossible what he wants is. He wants life to be the way it used to be and he wants to erase the past. He is so madly in love that he can't think realistically. There is only one thing he can hold on to in his life, Daisy, and because of this he can't even imagine the possibility of losing her.

Daisy - Chapter 5

You never know what life can bring because it is full of surprises. Every day is another mystery, full of unexpected incidents. Today when I was going to Nick's house for tea I never would have guessed that I would see him after so many years. It was raining when I came to Nick's house and then suddenly I saw him. Gatsby, after so many years, still as handsome and still a gentleman. At first I was so shocked I didn't know what to do. He was also nervous; he knocked over a clock. But afterwards both of us became more calm. We remembered the old days when everything was so simple. We started talking as if none of those years had passed and as if I didn't marry Tom. I remembered the letter he wrote to me, the day of my wedding and all of those painful memories. I was strong at first but after one point I couldn't stand it; the shirts were the last I could handle. I digged up deep and cried for everything. It was a sad cry but also a happy cry. I was relieved to let go of what I had been holding for years. I was relieved to see him, to smell him again, to touch him again... I was happy to live my dream.  

The Reunion

This chapter is one of the most important chapters in the book because Gatsby and Daisy, after many years, meet and their love which was only mentioned in theory is know seen in concrete. Their meeting is first awkward and this is even hinted by the weather because it is raining. Gatsby gets so nervous that he knocks over a clock. This is also symbolic because when meeting with Daisy Gatsby is trying to make up for the past and bring what was left in the past to the future. In other words, Gatsby is changing the balances in time. So when he knocks over the clock he is also altering the balances of time.

Just as Nick did before with Myrtle and Tom, he chooses to not comment on the reunion between Gatsby and Daisy. Even though Gatsby and Daisy love each other, what they are doing is immoral because Daisy is married. Nick doesn't like the immoral behavior he sees around him but also acts immoral himself because by reconciling Daisy and Gatsby he is sabotaging Daisy's marriage. This brings up a big question in the novel. What are the qualifications for being immoral? Is what Nick is doing moral or immoral?

Daisy- Chapter 4

Days are passing by without me realizing. I am so swept away by the housework that sometimes I don't know what day it is. It doesn't matter as long as everything is getting done. It feels like my daughter is growing every day and with her help I am stronger every day. I wonder sometimes about how her future will be. I dream about her being very happy but I don't try to define the happiness. My only dream is for her to be happy and it doesn't matter in which way she does get happy. As long as she is not alone and has a true partner I'm okay with anything else that comes with it.

The Love Between Gatsby and Daisy

The mystery behind Gatsby is finally solved but in a very unexpected way. Out of all of the possibilities which Gatsby's secret can be about the least probable one comes up - love. And not just love but moreover, love for Daisy, Nick's cousin. After learning this secret many questions about Gatsby's behaviors are solved such as what he was doing at night in the first chapter. The green light, which he was looking at, is the light at the end of Daisy's dock. We also learn that this love had started many years ago and Daisy had chosen to set aside her love and marry Tom. We learn that she has never been unfaithful to Tom and this makes us feel even more sympathetic to Daisy. She can sacrifice her love for Tom but he doesn't deserve any of it. Tom is most likely not in love with Mrytle though he still chooses to have an affair with her. Even though Daisy is madly in love with Gatsby she chooses not to speak to him so that she can be faithful to her husband.


There are still some questions about Gatsby that are not answered, like the source of his money. Gatsby at the beginning of the chapter tells his past to Nick but Nick is not convinced. After he sees the picture and the medal he isn't as skeptical but he still feels unsatisfied with the story he hears. Especially after the lunch he has with Meyer Wolfshiem, Nick thinks that Gatsby's money might be coming from illegal sources. One of the recurring motifs in the book is that "looks can be deceiving". Gatsby is a profound person, or more accurately, he looks like a guy who wouldn't be involved in such businesses. Hopefully in the next chapters we will learn the truth about Gatsby's source of money.

Daisy- Chapter 3

I was pleased to hear that Nick was listening to my advice. He started seeing Jordan and from what I can see, they seem like they are getting along. Of course looks can be deceiving. Everybody would say that Tom and I get along, they might even say we are faithful to each other. Unfortunately they would be wrong because what we look like is nothing like what we are in reality. Anyway, I shouldn't relate everything to myself. Nick is a good and loyal person. He is also honest. If he wasn't attracted to Jordan I don't think he would have started something like this in the first place. I made the best effort I can by introducing them to each other. The rest, they have to figure out on their own.

Finally!

Finally! After a long period of anticipation, we meet with The Great Gatsby in this chapter! Gatsby throws one of his famous parties and also invites Nick. Even though at the beginning of the party they can't meet later on they do and Nick gets fascinated by Gatsby. Gatsby is the host of the party but at the same time the outsider. He is rather aloof and he chooses to silently watch his guests instead of joining them. Even though we learn information about him the mystery behind his character remains. The party Gatsby throws proves that he is rich and also portrays the 1920s glamour. However the source of his money is still a mystery, even to his guests! The gossip about him continues at his own party and nobody knows Gatsby close enough to tell the true story. One of Gatsby's features especially drags Nick's attention, his smile. This shows that Nick's attitude toward Gatsby is very optimistic and hopeful.

In this chapter we are also introduced to another mystery which is related to Gatsby. Gatsby has a talk with Jordan and when the talk is over Jordan says she knows something remarkable about Gatsby. The incident is not emphasized however it is understood that this talk is significant. In order to reveal the mystery behind Gatsby, Nick must learn what the talk between Gatsby and Jordan was about.

Daisy- Chapter 2

Today I woke up as usual and made breakfast. Tom ate rather quickly and was silent as usual. He wasn't completely silent but when he spoke his words were just a formality, not really carrying any meaning. "Could you pass me the tea?" or "I'm going to read the newspaper" were just about it. After he was finished he went up to the room. He spent half an hour getting ready and when he returned he smelled like that perfume- the one he only used for special occasions. I had understood from that point but said nothing. He murmured a few words and then left. I didn't even think about asking where. Why ask a question to which you know the answer? He didn't come until late in the night. I pretended I was sleeping to avoid any meaningless lies.

West Egg, The Valley of Ashes and New York

Chapter 2 starts with the description of "The Valley of Ashes"- a valley about halfway between West Egg and New York. Unlike the other settings in the book, this valley lacks glamour and can be even considered 'ugly'. The valley can actually be a symbol of the immorality of the eggs. Even though they look beautiful, deep down they are just as ugly as the valley. After the description of the valley, the chapter continues with a long portrayal of the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg. The phrases used to describe his eyes, such as "brood on over the solemn dumping ground", make the reader uncomfortable. These descriptions change the tone of book and give a tense atmosphere. However the descriptions are not continued and are cut off without a conclusion, implying that we will probably see these eyes again.


In this chapter we are introduced to "Tom Buchanan's mistress". She lives in the valley of ashes with her husband and Tom is not ashamed of introducing her to Nick. "I want you to meet my girl" he says to Nick, her wife's cousin, as if he was doing nothing wrong. And for some reason, throughout the whole chapter Nick acts with the same indifference. He doesn't feel obligated to say anything about the affair Tom is having and is even comfortable with leaving him and his mistress alone, even though he is Daisy's cousin. Because of Myrtle's husband, they go to New York, where Tom and Mrytle feel free from their boundaries and responsibilities. This again shows that geography is an important motif because it limits certain actions.

In this chapter we see the true ugly side of Tom. Not only is he having an affair with another woman, he is having an affair with a married woman and he doesn't hesitate to treat that woman's husband, Wilson, as disrespectfully as possible. This is clearly seen when he says, "Wilson? He thinks she goes to see her sister in New York. He's so dumb he doesn't know he's alive". He chooses to be unfaithful to his wife but at the same time he doesn't allow Myrtle to say his wife' name, trying to show he still cares for Daisy. He reacts like an animal to Mrytle by hitting her and breaking her nose. And after doing all of these unacceptable things, he doesn't even feel slightly guilty. He gains nothing but antipathy from the readers.

The Great Gatsby still remains as a mystery in this chapter. There are rumors about him but nobody truly knows anything about him.

Daisy- Chapter 1

I was glad to see Nick after a long time. We are cousins but it's like we never see each other. He hasn't changed over the years; I guess that's a good thing. I think he would be a great match with Miss Baker. It's time for him to get married. He can't spend all of his life alone because everybody needs a life partner, so did my mother say. She was so happy when I got married, she was almost crying! She used to tease me saying I could never find anyone if I kept the way I was. Now that I look back, I wonder if I would really be that unhappy and alone if I didn't get married. Because even though I am with a life partner it feels like I am left alone in a cold, barren room... I speak to the walls expecting for an answer, kidding myself like a fool.

"I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."

This quote struck me as I read the first chapter and I couldn't stop thinking about the meaning behind it. When reading the chapter, I was confused about Daisy's character. Most of the time I couldn't understand her actions, or more accurately, I couldn't give a meaning to her actions. Though, after reading this quote I was able to see the 'deeper' character within Daisy. Also I was able to understand the perception of women in those times.
Daisy says these words when talking about her hopes for her infant daughter. Instead of wishing her daughter to be intelligent she wishes her to be a fool and says that's the only way a girl can be happy in this world. This quote portrays how the social environment in which they are in wants to see women. The social environment doesn't value intelligence in women; to the contrary, they value a woman's looks and 'simplicity', as if the woman was an object.

Before Daisy speaks she describes her actions after her daughter's birth: "She [the nurse] told me it was a girl, and so I turned my head away and wept". These lines show that Daisy feels sorry that she is bringing a female to this world because she knows her daughter will face obstacles in her life, just like the way she did, and will have to endure them even though it will be painful. Due to this reason she wishes her daughter to be a fool so that she can have a painless, simple life. This explains Daisy's actions throughout this chapter. Daisy is not a fool, which can be clearly seen from this quote. However, most of the time she imitates being one, in order to fit in and 'be accepted' by the society. Probably because of this reason she chooses to continue her marriage and neglect that her husband does not love her and is cheating on her. Even though her marriage is falling apart, she puts on her best acting skills to prove that it is not.

This chapter mainly introduced the important characters in the novel and also one of the motifs; geography. I am curious to learn more about Mr. Gatsby and the "green light" because for now they are mysteries.

Preflection

I will start reading "The Great Gatsby" today. I read some of the supplemental documents, mostly from the website "The Jazz Age: The American 1920s" and I was able to get an overview of the time period in which the book was written. I think I will enjoy the book because the issues which the book deals with are in my interests too. This will be the first novel I will read from the author F. Scott Fitzgerald and I am looking forward to it!