The Great Gatsby [Chapter One]

Notes from chapter one...

•  The mid-west is a very quiet place. Often people in the mid-west are known for living in a sleepy town.
• The story will show how they are outsiders when coming to New York

 BEGINNING SPEECH.

• The narrator of the novel (Nick) says how he is 'inclined to reserve all judgement'
• Nick was also in WW1.
• At unease when going from the Mid-West to the big city New York.
• Nick seems to be around 29 going on 30 however he speaks with wisdom like and old man who has a very experienced life.
• Daisy is his 2nd cousin.
• In the 1920's everyone lost a lot of money.
• He moved to New York in 1992.
• Supposedly rented a shabby place next to Gatsby himself.
• Narrative device of juxtaposition is used.
•  Foreshadowing that Gatsby will be around later in the story.
•  The imagery that is used can be associated to wealth and power.
•  Physiognomy of Tom
•  Depth to show the setting where they live.
•  Tom is called by his full name. Whereas Daisy is just spoken about as 'Daisy'.
•  Question why is Daisy sad?
•  Tom and Daisy's relationship stands out with the way they interact with eachother.
• Showing the power that he has over Daisy.
• The atmosphere is low. (maybe why Daisy is sad?) (Whats causing this?
• Why has Nick remembered that when Gatsby was walking towards him that he resembled a cat?
• Also, why is Nick so sure when making the assumption that it is even Gatsby walking? He hasn't met Gatsby to no who he is?
• Cars and mechanical objects appear a lot and are a significance in the story.
• Sound is used along with light: 'Bright night, with wings beating in the tree's'.
• The first time we meet Gatsby in the Novel and he has a strong and secure appearence.
• Question why is Gatsby trembling after seeming to sure of himself when walking over.
• When Nick is left in the 'unquiet darkness'. This is unusual wording, which makes you wonder about when your alone and that you dont always feel alone after time, you feel presence among the sounds around you.

Much Ado About Nothing -Reading Journal

Some questions i asked myself...

• How is the romance developed?
• To what extent do the characters have authority in the play?
• Why is Don John such a 'bastard' bastard?
• What is going to happen next?
• Will the characters change?
• Why do the characters have a cover/mask? What are they hiding?
• Why is it called 'Much Ado About Nothing'?
• Why is Don Pedro so concerned about them getting together?
• Why is Don John such an appealing character?

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Personally during the play i found that Beatrice was a character that reached out to me. She seemed important to me when understanding the play and in my opinion was a very important character. Beatrice is Leonato's niece, Hero's cousin, and the sworn enemy however true love of Benedick. In my opinion she seemed to always steal the show, with her wit attitude combined with her vulnerability. This arguably makes her the most fleshed out character.

When first reading the play i was confused at to what role Beatrice was trying to typecast herself into,however is became very clear that she is the jester in the play. Beatrice is very wise, this is shown throughout the play because she often sees the absurdity in life and often chooses to laugh at it. On the other hand, when her serious nature is needed she seems to be the first to deliver passion for example during Hero's wedding day. When Beatrice's attitude changed throughout the play from her playful Jester to a serious and angry women, i wasn't shocked. Because as the reader, i know that she feels deeply, is very smart and will always be able to transfer her feeling into their appropriate scene whether good humor or anger.

One of the male characters who influenced my interest was Don John. His character was always influencing the actions of the play. Even though he has very few speaking lines for a main character. Don John operates as a plot-device more then a fully fleshed out character, like Beatrice. He is extremely interesting how he never gives you a 'bad man' speech or describes loving how he is labelled as being the bad character. Don John intrigues me because we never find out his motives or even his reaction to all of the chaos he has caused.In the end all we know is that he has run off, he has run off before he can be punished. He has run off before he is able to maybe have a change-of-heart scene. Shakespeare has made Don John a very compelling and complex villain.
Overall, Don John is a reminder to me the reader that the play isn't supposed to be a tragedy, and really isn't supposed to analyze evil at all.