Book Review: "The Great Gatsby"

The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
London: Penguin, 2006
184pp, $10.99
0-14102-343-0

There are many books that capture the attention of many readers, but why do they do that? In The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald uses Psychoanalytical Criticism, the prominent technique of imagery and the overall design of the book to capture his reader's attention. Although many authors try to do this, Fitzgerald may not have been successful when he first started off, but now: "Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, typically sells 500,000 copies [of The Great Gatsby] each year..." (Bosman "Judging ‘Gatsby’ by Its Cover(s)").

F. Scott Fitzgerald used his own personal experiences show through when he was writing this novel. As I wrote in an assignment we had earlier this year: "Nick Carraway, the narrator of the story, has been seen to be a representation of Fitzgerald. Nick represents the views of Fitzgerald as he is a lot like him; Nick is like Fitzgerald in the means that he is not a very wealthy man hanging around with the quite wealthy. Nick also made a grand move, as did Fitzgerald, from Minnesota to New York (West Egg). They were also both in the war, although Fitzgerald was never deployed because the war ended." You can see a lot of these character traits have been given to Nick by Fitzgerald by his own personal experiences. This has the largest effect on those who research the author before they read their work. This gives the reader a sense into the life of Fitzgerald (and obviously Nick). Fitzgerald's use of Psychoanalytical Criticism gives to the sense of reality in the novel, ultimately boosting the reader experience. 

In addition to Psychoanalytical Criticism Fitzgerald also used the prominent technique of vivid imagery to his advantage in capturing the reader's attention. Fitzgerald was able to describe things clearly and precisely allowing the reader to understand what the text was talking about. The use of imagery captivated me, and allowed me to picture what was happening in the story. This can be clearly seen when Nick goes to visit Tom and Daisy at their house:

 "Their house was even more elaborate than I expected, a cheerful red and white Georgian Colonial mansion overlooking the bay. The lawn started at the beach and ran toward the front door for a quarter of a mile, jumping over sun-dials and brick walks and burning gardens—finally when it reached the house drifting up the side in bright vines as though from the momentum of its run. The front was broken by a line of French windows, glowing now with reflected gold, and wide open to the warm windy afternoon, and Tom Buchanan in riding clothes was standing with his legs apart on the front porch." (Fitzgerald, 9)

  This allowed Fitzgerald to set the scene; and it also allowed me to feel like I knew what it was like to be their with Nick. The use of imagery captured my attention and made me feel like I was in the story too.

Finally, the overall design of the book is something that captures many peoples attentions. When talking about the overall design of the book we are not only talking about the cover, but what impression was the book designer trying to create? I bought a copy published by Penguin (this can be seen in the upper left hand corner of the screen). I automatically fell in love and wanted to read the book. The cover is gorgeous! I really enjoy the font used, I think it looks very elegant and sophisticated. I also enjoy the woman, I think it's supposed to be a representation of Daisy, she looks like someone out of the 1920s, and even if you have no idea what the novel is about (I like to go into novels knowing nothing) you can get the feeling that it is set in the 20s. There are other covers though, such as the one by Scribner, has the picture of the woman's face looking over the city. I believe this is supposed to be the billboard of the eyes of Doctor T J. Eckleburg overlooking the valley of ashes. I think that both cover designers were looking to enhance, or bring out, some major themes in the book. The Penguin cover emphasizing the sophistication and dreaminess of the 1920s, while the Scribner cover brought forward a major symbol in the novel itself. Both covers are equally gorgeous and captivating. Although we are told at a young age not to judge a book by it's cover, this can be an exception as both covers captivates their audience and gives people the motivation to read the novel.

Overall, Fitzgerald was able to captivate our attention through a series of simple things, whether it be his Psychoanalytic Criticism through the narrator Nick, his use of vivid imagery throughout the entire story or the cover design to bring people in. The Great Gatsby is one of the most captivating and best novels I have ever read. I give it 5/5 stars.

Facing Reality in "The Great Gatsby"

Write a special journal entry devoted to a theme you can see developing in the novel. You do not need to be finished reading the novel to begin assessing themes. Identify key quotes and events that you believe contribute to the development of your chosen theme...Remember that these are merely titles that point to a theme; you will need to describe the novel's development of that theme to determine what it is truly trying to say about it.

Throughout The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby himself, has trouble facing reality. He does not often tells stories of his past, but when he considers working with Nick to win back the girl of his dreams, he feels obliged to tell him some of his life story: "'Well, I’m going to tell you something about my life,’ he interrupted. ‘I don’t want you to get a  wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear.’" (Fitzgerald, 65). He tells Nick of how he is the son of wealthy people in the Middle West who are all dead now, educated at Oxford, came into money when his family died, how he traveled, and joined the military. 

One could tell Nick was a bit off with Gatsby's story as he stated: 

"He looked at me sideways - and I knew why Jordan Baker had believed he was lying. He hurried phrased 'educated at Oxford, or swallowed it, or choked on it, as it had bothered him before. And with this doubt, his whole statement fell to pieces, and I wondered if there wasn't something a little sinister about him, after all." (Fitzgerald, 65)

As his story is unstable, and flawed. Making others believe that he is not telling the truth. Ultimately not facing reality as by lying about his past.

You can also see the theme of Gatsby's inability to face reality when Nick tells him to not: " '... ask to much of her'" and that he " ...'can't repeat the past.'" (Fitzgerald, 111) This is when Gatsby tells Nick at his party, that he wants Daisy to tell Tom she is leaving him, but Nick does not think this is a good idea, because before Gatsby came back Tom and Daisy were happily married (aside from Tom's affair).

The theme is also present when Gatsby is being interrogated by Tom in the hotel room in chapter 8. Gatsby is telling Tom that Daisy never loved him, when Daisy objects, because that is a lie, she did love Tom at one point. Gatsby seems not to grasp the reality that Daisy has the ability to love other people, while he only mourns over her love.

In the end, this theme strongly progressed over the entire novel, and seemed to end when Gatsby died, because none of the other character's seemed to have the challenge of facing the reality of the subject.

I believe that what the novel is truly saying is that if you want to get the things you want in life you have to face reality and go get them. You can't let the little things hold you back. This is present when Gatsby tries to get Daisy to love him again, but because he isn't facing the reality of "what happens in the past, stays in the past" he does not fully gain her love or her heart; she end's up staying with Tom, and probably would have stayed with Tom even if Gatsby had not of died.

Active Reading Journal: "The Great Gatsby" Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Summary

In the final chapter of The Great Gatsby, Nick tries to get a hold of Daisy to tell her the tragic news, but he learns that she and Tom have left town with no way to contact them. Nick tries to hold a large funeral for Gatsby, but many refuse to/don't come. Nick meets Gatsby's dad, Henry Gatz at the funeral (one of the few who came), who tells Nick that he admired his son and was very proud of him. Nick moves back to Minnesota. But before he leaves, he ends his relationship with Jordan, and encounters Tom on a street corner, he reluctantly tells Nick that it was he who told Mr.Wilson that Gatsby killed Myrtle. Nick realizes how much better Minnesota is than New York and seems happy to leave. The last day Nick is in West Egg he goes to Gatsby's house and lays out on the beach and imagines about the American Dream.

Active Reading Journal: "The Great Gatsby" Chapters 7&8

Chapter 7 Summary

In chapter 7 Nick goes to Tom and Daisy's house, where he is also greeted with the surprise of Jordan and Gatsby's accompany as well. During tea it becomes obvious that Gatsby and Daisy love each other, and Daisy suggests going out into town because she is bored. Two cars are taken: Gatsby and Daisy in Tom's car, and Tom, Nick and Jordan in Gatsby's car. Tom, Nick and Jordan stop at the Wilson's garage to get gas where they learn that Mr. Wilson has figured out the Mrs. Wilson does not love him anymore and that he plans to move away. All five of them end up at a hotel where they were supposed to have drinks but it ends in Tom trying to interrogate Gatsby and ends up sending Daisy and Gatsby back to the island. On Tom, Jordan and Nick's way home they see that someone (Mrs. Wilson) has been hit and killed by a car. Tom assumes it was Gatsby and Daisy with Gatsby driving. Back on the island, Nick finds Gatsby in the bushes and he tells him what happened. Nick leaves, but Gatsby stays behind making sure that Daisy goes to bed.

Chapter 8 Summary

In chapter 8 Nick goes over to Gatsby's mansion and suggest that Gatsby leave the island, and forget about Daisy. Gatsby then, again, refuses to. His gardener then tells him that he would like to drain the pool and Gatsby asks for him to do it another time as he would like to go for a swim and asks if Nick would like to join him. Nick declines and Gatsby goes for a swim and Nick goes home. While at home Nick cannot focus as all he can think about is the night before. In another scene Nick is their while someone is comforting Mr. Wilson and Mr. Wilson starts to put the pieces of the puzzle together, and Tom comes out by ultimately telling him that it was Gatsby who killed his wife. Mr. Wilson goes to Gatsby's house and shoots him in the pool and then kills himself. At the end of the chapter Nick finds Gatsby's dead body floating in the pool.

Active Reading Journal: "The Great Gatsby" Chapters 5&6

1. In your active reading journal, list the things you’ve learned about Nick Carraway in the first two chapters of the novel. How might his background colour the way he tells this story? How trustworthy is Nick? How might the perspective of Chapter 1 change if F. Scott Fitzgerald had chosen to narrate the story in the first person from Daisy’s “sophisticated” point of view?

2. Read Chapters 5 and 6. At the end of Chapter 5, Nick says, “It was the hour of a profound human change, and excitement was generating on the air” (p. 95). What happens in Chapter 6 to fulfill Nick’s prediction?  Add your response to your journal.

In the first two chapters of the novel we learn that Nick is a lot like the author (Fitzgerald). Nick represents the views of Fitzgerald as he is a lot like him; Nick is like Fitzgerald in the means that he is not a very wealthy man hanging around with the quite wealty. Nick also made a grand move, as did Fitzgerald, from Chicago to New York (West Egg). They were also both in the war, although Fitzgerald was never deployed because the war ended. (This is taken from my discussion post on "Applying Critical Theory to Nick and his Perspective").

Nick's background might colour the way he tells the story, because when he was younger his father asked him to not to be judge-mental, but Nick is anyway. You can tell this because it is obvious that Nick disapproves on Tom's affair with Mrs. Wilson. So this may colour the way he tells the story because he is not completely unbiased in his opinions.

I think that if F. Scott Fitzgerald had chosen to narrate the story from Daisy's "sophisticated" point of view that we would not get as much detail as we do with Nick narrating the story. Daisy seems oblivious to the fact that her husband is having an affair, and doesn't have the same connections that Nick seems to have. I think that a more "sophisticated" point of view would lead to a boring and uninteresting story.

Chapter 5: Summary

In chapter 5 it begins with Nick coming home from tea with Jordan. He notices Gatsby's mansion, which is brightly lit. Gatsby approaches Nick offering him to do things with him, and so forth, so that Nick will agree with his plan. Nick agrees, and calls Daisy up asking her to come over for tea. When it is the day for Daisy to come to tea, it rains a lot, Gatsby arrives at Nick's house in doubt that she will arrive. Just before Gatsby is about to leave Daisy arrives, and Gatsby hides outside. A few moments (minutes?) later Gatsby is at the door and Nick invites him in. Daisy and Gatsby reunite and it seems quite awkward for a while before Nick excuses himself. Nick goes outside to provide Daisy and Gatsby with some privacy. When Nick returns both Daisy and Gatsby are very happy, and Gatsby invites them both over to his mansion. Much goes on, and tears are shed (Daisy is overwhelmed by the brilliant and luxurious lifestyle Gatsby lives). Gatsby mentions the green light across the the water, and how he dreams about her. Later Nick realizes that Daisy and Gatsby don't really recognize his presence so he leaves.

At the end of this chapter Nick says: "“It was the hour of a profound human change, and excitement was generating on the air” (Fitzgerald, 95) To fulfill this prediction in the next chapter Tom and Daisy attend one of Gatsby's lavish parties.

Chapter 6: Summary

In chapter 6 we learn a lot about Gatsby's life, such as he was born as Jay Gatz, did a lot of fishing and digging for clams, was invited to be a personal assistant of Dan Cody (who is dead now) who had a serious alcohol problem and this is why Gatsby watches what he drinks.  Gatsby made his life goal to become successful and wealthy. Then Nick doesn't hear anything from Daisy or Gatsby for weeks, and then sees Tom at Gatsby's house. Tom is dining with some other people and Gatsby invites them to stay for dinner but they decline his offer. Daisy and Tom come to Gatsby's next party, and Tom has an unpleasant time. Gatsby thinks that Daisy also had an unpleasant time and is upset by this. Gatsby reveals that he would like Daisy to tell Tom that she is leaving him. And Nick tries to bring him back to the future by saying: " 'I wouldn't ask to much of her' ... "You can't repeat the past.'" (Fitzgerald, 111) But Gatsby refuses to believe this.

Active Reading Journal: "The Great Gatsby" Chapters 3&4

Keeping in mind the historical and cultural contexts of the novel, why might Fitzgerald create such a distinction between the upper and lower class? Why might Fitzgerald want to underscore an important theme, such as the pursuit of wealth, so early in the story? What do we learn about Nick from his description? Discuss some of the other potent symbols in the story. How are these interpretive keys to the novel’s meaning? How might the “two young women … buoyed up as though upon an anchored balloon” (p. 8) symbolize the women of this generation?

I think that Fitzgerald would create such a distinction between the upper and lower class is because when it was actually the 1920s, there was definite distinctions. Those who are wealthier dress better, have more stuff, etc. While those who a poorer have hand-me-downs and  can afford very little. Another reason I think that Fitzgerald created the distinction is so that you could understand characteristics from each class. As a fellow classmate said: "... I mostly noticed how poorly the wealthy men treated their women..." I agree with what they said because it is apparent to me that the wealthy men do treat their women/wives with less respect then Nick (who is not wealthy) does. The wealthier men feel like they can get away with more, than those who are not wealthy could.

I think that Fitzgerald might want to underscore an important theme, such as the pursuit of wealth, early on because it happens to be a big economic and social problem. Those who are wealthier feel like they can get whatever they want, while those who are not have to face the wrath of those richer than them.

In the introduction we met Nick's father, who told him not to be judge-mental, but throughout the novel we learn that Nick is judge-mental (this can be shown through his distaste of Tom's affair) and did not live up to his fathers expectations. We also learned that Nick was in the war and moved from Chicago to West Egg (NY). He also is not a very wealthy man but he hangs out with the wealthy.

Another potent symbol in the novel may include the green light that is mentioned in chapter 1: "...fifty feet away a figure emerged from the shadow of my neighbour's mansion and was standing with his hands in his pockets regarding the silver pepper of the stars. Something in his leisurely movements and the secure position of his feet upon the lawn suggested that it was Mr. Gatsby himself, come out to determine what share was his of our local heavens.I decided to call to him. Miss Baker had mentioned him at dinner, and that would do for an introduction. But I didn’t call to him for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone—he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward—and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness." (Fitzgerald, 21-22) possibly representing Gatsby's hope for him and Daisy.

"Two young women...buoyed up as though as upon an anchored balloon" (Fitzgerald, 8) symbolizes women of the 1920s because the '20s was a time of partying and having fun. Women were very rebellious during the 1920s. They cut their long hair into short bobs, they wore flapper (short) dresses, and they partied. Although prohibition was occurring during this time this didn't stop people from obtaining alcohol. This time period was all about having fun, hence the fact that they were "...buoyed up as though upon an anchored balloon" (Fitzgerald, 8)

Chapter 3: Summary

In chapter 3 Gatsby sends his butler over with a message inviting him to one of his lavish parties that night. At the party Nick is with Jordan (Ms. Baker) and they have fun together. At one point in the chapter they go into the library where they find a drunk man (Owl Eyes) trying to sober up. They pretty much just listen to Owl Eyes babble on about the books, and then they leave. A little while later they actually meet Jay Gatsby (Nick not realizing who it was). Later that night Gatsby sends a butler to ask Jordan to meet him inside. When they decide to leave Nick begins to walk home, only to find that Owl Eyes is having car trouble, as the man who was driving him, had lost a tire. At the end of the chapter Nick is describing his life and says that he knows Jordan is a dishonest person and he is: "...one of the few honest people that [he] has ever known." (Fitzgerald, 60)

Chapter 4: Summary

In chapter 4 Gatsby invites Nick to lunch to ask him a favour. On the car ride over Gatsby begins to tell Nick about his life, but Nick has some doubts about if Gatsby is telling the truth or not: 

 "He looked at me sideways _ and I knew why Jordan Baker had believed he was lying. He hurried the phrased 'educated at Oxford, or swallowed it, or choked on it, as it had bothered him before. And with this doubt, his whole statement fell to pieces, and I wondered if there wasn't something a little sinister about him, after all." (Fitzgerald, 65)

At lunch Nick gets to me Wolfshiem who is no importance to him at this part of the novel. Wolfshiem leaves lunch. Gatsby asks Nick for the favour but asks him to ask Jordan about it. Nick excuses himself for a moment because he notices Tom. When Nick is talking to Tom he notices that Gatsby has vanished. After lunch, Nick has tea with Jordan, who tells him what he wants/needs to know. She tells him that Jay Gatsby and Daisy used to be in love before he went off to war, she got married and has been faithful to her husband, but her husband has not been faithful to her. The whole point of this conversation is that Gatsby wants Nick to invite Daisy over so that he can see her again.

Active Reading Jounal: "The Great Gatsby" Chapters 1&2

The Great Gatsby
By: F. Scott Fitzgerald

 Before reading the first chapter of The Great Gatsby we were asked to listen to The Big Read Audio Guide  (until 14:32) and take notes about what we learned about F. Scott Fitzgerald (with some book facts):

• Height of the roaring 20s.
• "Jitteriness" of characters emphasizes the hype of the 20s.
• Nick has an outsider perspective. 
• Nick is a minor character, but he narrates the book.
• Same values and background (Fitzgerald and Nick).
• "Father was a failure."
• Obsessed withwanting to belong from the culture himself (subset, coming from the south).
• First to write seriously about money and how it works. Affects of money on character.
• Fitzgerald never really recovered from it's "commercial failure".
•  Daisy's and Gatsby's kiss is the "Most famous kiss in all of American literature"?
• Characters meant to be un-rounded (Daisy).

Next, we were asked to  Read the attached short essays, “F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1896–1940”, “Fitzgerald and the Jazz Age”, and “Fitzgerald and His Other Works” and add notes to your journal predicting important influences on Fitzgerald. Short Essays

"F. Scott Fizgerald, 1986-1940"

• The paradox of Fitzgerald's father going bankrupt and him still playing with the rich kids.
• His military placement in Montgomery, Alabama.
• Zelda Sayre.
• Move to France.

"Fitzgerald and the Jazz Age"

• New laws that caused change. Like bootlegging.

"Fitzgerald and His Other Works"

• His publication of This Side of Paradise.
• The money earned from his publications (increase in profit).

Chapter 1: Reading Questions

1. Why is Nick telling this story?

I believe Nick is telling this story because:

"When I came back from the East last autumn I felt that I wanted the world to be in uniform and at a sort of moral attention forever; I wanted no more riotous excursions with privileged glimpses into the human heart. Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction—Gatsby who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn. If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life, as if he were related to one of those intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away. This responsiveness had nothing to do with that flabby impressionability which is dignified under the name of the ‘creative temperament’— it was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall ever find again. No—Gatsby turned out all right at the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men" (Fitzgerald, 2)

Gatsby was able to have great impact on Nick's life he is unlike anyone else he has met. He wanted to share the story.

2. Why is Nick “confused and a little disgusted” at the end of the chapter? Answer these in your reading journal.

Nick was "confused and a little  disgusted" (Fitzgerald, 21) because: 

"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. As for Tom, the fact that he ‘had some woman in New York’ was really less surprising than that he had been depressed by a book. Something was making him nibble at the edge of stale ideas as if his sturdy physical egotism no longer nourished his peremptory heart" (Fitzgerald, 21)

I think that Nick did not like the fact that Daisy could say things, or act in certain ways but did not intend on it. I also believe that Nick does not like the fact that Tom had a new woman (like having an affair, I assume). He seems to want to figure out what that is all about.

There are a number of things you could consider putting into your journal:
 
Key quotes that you found significant.

The two quotes I have listed above are the most significant to me. They are significant because they somewhat describe what Nick is like (personality wise) while being discrete.

Predictions you have about where the novel may be headed.

I predict that Nick will again meet with Tom, Daisy and Ms. Baker. I also believe that Nick will get to meet or get to know Gatsby.

Significant plot developments and your interpretations of their significance (not plot summary).

I think meeting Daisy, Ms. Baker and Tom was a very significant plot development. It allowed us to see into the characters, which I believe will appear again in the story. (I've heard bits about Daisy already).

    Questions that you have while reading. (you may follow up on these if they involve references you don't recognize – ex. “I didn't know what supercilious meant, but now that I've looked it up, I get the feeling that Tom's character will be …” – or you may not if you feel it is something the story will explain later – ex. “Who is this Gatsby guy anyway? It seems he was significant in Nick's life, but I don't know much about him yet.”)

Some questions that I had while reading include:

"What does extemporizing  mean?" It means: "compose, perform, or produce something such as music or a speech without preparation; improvise." (Memidex)

"Who is Gatsby, and what is his purpose?" Unanswered at the moment.

Listen to The Big Read Audio Guide, ... 14:32 to the end. Maureen Corrigan explains that in this novel, “you can’t get at the truth.” Answer the following question in your journal: From what you heard on the Audio Guide, what do you think Corrigan means? Is there any indication, in the first chapter, that we will not “get at the truth”?

First off, I know this has nothing to do with this question, but I did not like listening to this audio guide because it has ruined somethings for me. I was excited to read this novel, but listening to this made me angry, I do not like knowing what a novel is about before reading it and to hear people discuss it before I have read it just peeves me.

Anyway, onto the question. I don't really know what she means by her quote, but I believe that Corrigan might mean that the book does not blatantly tell you what things are meant to mean, or be. But by interpretation. Things are mysterious, and sometimes we cannot change that. There is an indication in the first chapter showing that we will not "get the truth". It can be shown on page 2 (of my copy) when Nick says that Gatsby was the only man that was able to change his opinion on righteous parties, and extravagant life styles. How was he able to do that? I do not know if we will get an answer being this, but I hope we do.

Chapter 1: Summary:

In Chapter 1 we meet Nick, a bond man, who lives in East Eggs beside the notorious Gatsby. We don't learn much about Gatsby in this chapter, only that he was able to change Nick's life somehow.
Nick goes and visits his second cousin once removed, Daisy, and he husband Tom. He's over for a while and meets Ms. Baker, and then he returns home. Not much important all happens, but we do find out that Tom has 'got himself a woman' in New York.

Chapter 2: Reading Questions:

3. What does Nick learn about Tom at the end of Chapter 2?

That he is not happy in his marriage (he is having an affair with Mrs. Wilson), and has made up a lie about Daisy. He also can be very violent and temper-mental over little things (shown when he hit Mrs. Wilson).

4. How does Tom’s treatment of Mrs. Wilson affect Nick?

Tom's treatment of Mrs. Wilson affects Nick because he gets to see a different side of  Tom, but it allows him to make plans to meet with Mr. McKee for lunch.

5.  Choose one of the literary criticism styles (lenses) and apply it to what you have head so far. In addition to your journal, please send me a page which tells me what lense and generally what you are noticing.  This can be done briefly and in point form.

For this I chose "Reader Response Criticism. I find it the easiest one to relate to while reading, because it is all about my opinions.

• I believe that the author intended to make Nick kind of mysterious, like someone in The Big Read Audio Guide mentioned, Nick seems to be a secondary character. He focuses more on everything around him rather then himself.
• I like this novel so far because it includes a lot of detailed descriptions, imagery.
• The writing style allows me to understand what is happening.
• So far, I feel as if I cannot yet relate to the text because it is to early in, and I don't know what I would relate to. I guess I can relate to the fact that I have hung out with people (not in the same way) that Nick does in Chapter 2.
• I feel like I have invested time into trying to understand Nick's character. How he talks, acts, what he's like overall.
• I feel like the overall significant meaning of the book still needs to be explained.

•  Fitzgerald was able to help us make connections in the first 2 chapters of the book towards the characters because he was able to use Nick as a "minor" (but not minor) character. Nick is used to help tell the story. Everything Nick sees and does, we see and do too. Fitzgerald has already used Nick in the thought that he helps us get to know the other characters. Without Nick we would not know more about the affair going on between Tom and Myrtle. We also would not know that Mr. Gatsby somehow changed Nicks life.
• Most readers would feel that Gatsby seems to be extravagant and Nick feels like an outsider. It this shown when Nick seems not to know a lot about Gatsby, and when Miss Baker mentions
• The author was able to use imagery such as:
  
   "Their house was even more elaborate than I expected, a cheerful red and white Georgian Colonial mansion overlooking the bay. The lawn started at the beach and ran toward the front door for a quarter of a mile, jumping over sun-dials and brick walks and burning gardens—finally when it reached the house drifting up the side in bright vines as though from the momentum of its run. The front was broken by a line of French windows, glowing now with reflected gold, and wide open to the warm windy afternoon, and Tom Buchanan in riding clothes was standing with his legs apart on the front porch." (Fitzgerald, 9)
  To set the scene. This allowed me to feel like I knew what it was like, almost like I was there with Nick. 
 

This is what I wrote for our "Applying Critical Theory to Nick and his Perspective":

While reading The Great Gatsby I chose to look through the Reader Response Criticism. Since reading Chapters I and II of the novel, the book has evolved quite a bit. We now know more about the characters that we are looking into the lives of, and we feel more connection towards them. Nick represents the views of Fitzgerald as he is a lot like him; Nick is like Fitzgerald in the means that he is not a very wealthy man hanging around with the quite wealthy. Nick also made a grand move, as did Fitzgerald, from Chicago to New York (West Egg). They were also both in the war, although Fitzgerald was never deployed because the war ended.

Reader Response Criticism would say that Nick seems to be a minor, yet important character in the story. Nick allows us to understand and connect with the characters and plot more deeply. He uses a lot of imagery while he narrates to allow us to vividly see what he is describing. Nick is also very good at making observations as he says on the way to lunch with Gatsby:

 "He looked at me sideways - and I knew why Jordan Baker had believed he was lying. He hurried the phrased 'educated at Oxford, or swallowed it, or choked on it, as it had bothered him before. And with this doubt, his whole statement fell to pieces, and I wondered if there wasn't something a little sinister about him, after all." (Fitzgerald, 65)

Nick was observing the way Gatsby spoke, questioning the story he was telling him. Nick allows us to see into his world, it's entirely not even his world, it is the world of the wealthy. Nick allows us to see what it is like to hangout and be rich, although he himself is not rich.

Most readers would feel as if Nick is more of a background character, telling the story of an extravagant man who is a mystery to others, and I agree. Nick is a very minor character, and his only purpose seems to be is to narrate the story, and help Gatsby meet with Daisy. Most would also say that the text can be told from a Marxist view very easily as one can make a lot of socioeconomic and class related references and points.

Overall, Nick seems allows us to understand the story better by helping us understand characters (and the plot) more deeply. He describes what is going on with a good use of imagery, and observes things very well to help do this. Without him, there would be no story.

Chapter 2: Summary:

In chapter 2 we go with Nick and Tom to meet Tom's "woman". She is Mrs. Wilson, the wife of a mechanic (I believe). They go to Mrs Wilson's apartment, along the way purchase a dog, and Nick gets to meet Mrs. Wilson's sister, Catherine. We learn that Tom and Mrs. Wilson (Myrtle) both are not happy in their marriages. We also get to see a different side of Tom when Myrtle mentions Daisy and he "broke her nose with his open hand" (Fitzgerald, 27). In the end of the chapter Nick leaves, but makes plans to have lunch with Mr. McKee.

Big Questions in "Hamlet"

How to interpret the character of Hamlet?

There are many ways to interpret Hamlet. You can see through his mention of incest, that he disapproves of his mother marrying his uncle. But you can also see his love for his father, by the way he takes on the challenge of getting revenge. Hamlet is a complex character. After he figures out

What is Shakespeare saying about enacting revenge?

I feel like Shakespeare is saying "What goes around, comes around." This can be seen throughout the whole play. Claudius killed King Hamlet. Hamlet killed Laertes. And all in the same scene: Laertes ultimately killed Hamlet and himself, but before Hamlet died he killed Polonius (and Gertrude killed herself basically, by drinking poisoned wine). Therefore, the deaths seemed to go by who you killed. Because: Laertes killed the man who murdered his father, as did Hamlet.

What is the role of women in relation to power and politics? How do power and politics impact women?
    
The only women in Hamlet are Gertrude (the queen) and Ophelia. Gertrude seems to not have a very big say on any of the power or politics once she marries Claudius. She has no idea that
Claudius had sent a letter to England asking for the murder of her son. She seems just to be walked all over, and Claudius uses her for the crown/power. This shows misognyny as Gertrude seems to be dismissed from any knowledge with power/politics.

I think this is another reason Hamlet blamed his mother. Claudius used incestuous ways to gain the power and take over being head of the country. 

In the face of an absurd and chaotic world, who are we and how are we supposed to act?

In the face of an absurd and chaotic world, we are supposed to act in a calm, mature way, and we are supposed to be the ones who turn it around.This is much like in Hamlet. Hamlet's world has just turned upside down. With the recent death of his father, and remarrying of his mother, Hamlet has no hope left. Then Hamlet finds out it was his uncle that had killed his father, Hamlet goes and seeks revenge. Hamlet tries to act calm in the beginning, but soon after he goes a bit murder-crazy and pumps himself up to kill Claudius (this can be seen in one of his soliloquies). This involves the motifs  of incest (the marriage of Claudius and Gertrude) and philosophical/spiritual afterlife as Hamlet is seeking revenge for his dead father.

Can we be saved from our own weaknesses?  And if so by what?


I think we can be saved from our own weaknesses, but the only way we can be saved is if we change ourselves for the better. This did not happen in Hamlet as Hamlet had the tragic flaw (weakness) of having the inability to act. It was obvious that something was up, and many people such as Polonius and Gertrude & Claudius could see this. This almost resulted in the murder of Hamlet on his way to England.

Why does Hamlet delay?

Hamlet delays Claudius' murder when he is praying because he does not want Claudius to go to heaven. This shows philosophical/spiritual afterlife because Hamlet is taking in what would happen to Claudius, and himself eventually, if he killed Claudius at that point.
 
What happens to Ophelia and how does that relate to her relationships with Hamlet, Polonius and Laertes? 

Ophelia eventually ends up committing suicide by drowning herself. It relates to her relationship with Hamlet, because she loved him a lot, and when he killed Polonius she couldn't handle loosing almost all the men in her life so she went crazy. It relates to her relationship with Laertes, as he was her brother, and he loved her. All he wanted to do was protect her from the men out in the world.

Dramatic Irony in "Hamlet"

We were asked to brainstorm three examples of dramatic irony in Hamlet.

What is the definition of dramatic irony, anyway? Dramatic Irony is: "irony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the characters in the play." (Google definition)

1. There is dramatic irony when the ghost tells Hamlet that he was poisoned by Claudius. No one else in the play knows this has happened, so the audience is the only one(s) who understand why Hamlet is going to act crazy.

 2.. There is the presence of dramatic irony where Hamlet tells Horatio and Marcellus  that he is going to pretend to act mad. This is an example of dramatic irony because the only people who know that Hamlet is "acting" is Horatio, Marcellus and the audience.

3. Another example of dramatic irony in Hamlet is when Hamlet rejects (dumps, ends his relationship)  Ophelia. Hamlet does not realize how madly in love Ophelia is with him. The audience is the only one who knows, as it can be shown when Ophelia begins to act crazy. Hamlet thinks nothing of it, but the audience understands why Ophelia is acting this way. Therefore being dramatic irony as Hamlet does not know that the girl he rejected is madly in love with him.

An Overall Look at Hamlet's Soliloquy's

We were asked to comment on what developments and/or states of mind each of Hamlet’s soliloquies reveal?
 
In Hamlet's first soliloquy he is contemplating suicide, as his father has died and his mother has married his brother (King Hamlet's brother, Prince Hamlet's uncle). He is showing weakness and is thinking about giving up on life.

In the next soliloquy Hamlet has found out that Claudius was the one who murdered his father. He plans on uncovering his conscious in hope to have better evidence than the ghost. This shows develop already as Hamlet has put away the idea of suicide, and now is determined on figuring out the truth/getting revenge.

In the third soliloquy Hamlet goes back to talking about death. Is life or death better? He has almost reverted back to himself before he found out the truth. But, this time he is not talking about killing himself, but is just talking about it in general.

The fourth soliloquy is not performed by Hamlet.

The fifth soliloquy Hamlet has the opportunity to kill Claudius, but re-thinks his actions as he does not want Claudius to go to heaven. This shows development, because it shows that he now thinks about his actions instead of being impulsive. It also shows that he is determined to follow his father's wish.

In the last soliloquy Hamlet is trying to pump himself up, he realizes that he has to be quicker with his actions, and must be more violent. This is a jump from his previous soliloquies as it shows a more impulsive, more violent side of Hamlet. Opposed to his first soliloquy, where he was ready to give up on his life.

Overall, in each soliloquy you can see that Hamlet has grown as a character. He went from being weak and wanting to commit suicide, to someone who would do anything for his father, even if it meant murder. It shows his compassion for his father and his ability to progress as a character.

Soliloquies in "Hamlet": Soliloquy #6

This final soliloquy is spoken by Hamlet in Act 4 Scene 4.

"How all occasions do inform against me,

And spur my dull revenge! What is a man

If his chief good and market of his time

Be but to sleep and feed? A beast, no more.

Sure, he that made us with such large discourse,

Looking before and after, gave us not

That capability and godlike reason

To fust in us unused. Now, whether it be

Bestial oblivion, or some craven scruple

Of thinking too precisely on th' event—

A thought which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom

And ever three parts coward—I do not know

Why yet I live to say “This thing’s to do,”

Sith I have cause and will and strength and means

To do ’t. Examples gross as earth exhort me.

Witness this army of such mass and charge

Led by a delicate and tender prince,

Whose spirit with divine ambition puffed

Makes mouths at the invisible event,

Exposing what is mortal and unsure

To all that fortune, death, and danger dare,

Even for an eggshell. Rightly to be great

Is not to stir without great argument,

But greatly to find quarrel in a straw

When honor’s at the stake. How stand I then,

That have a father killed, a mother stained,

Excitements of my reason and my blood,

And let all sleep—while, to my shame, I see

The imminent death of twenty thousand men,

That for a fantasy and trick of fame

Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot

Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause,

Which is not tomb enough and continent

To hide the slain? Oh, from this time forth,

My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!" (IV.iv.44-69)

Hamlet realizes that he has been to slow with revenge and must hurry up. He mentions that he has everything to do it, and "...from this time forth,/My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!" meaning that he wants his thoughts to be only violent. Hamlet is trying to pump himself up (so what it seems to me).

Soliloquies in "Hamlet": Soliloquy #5

This next soliloquy comes directly after Claudius's soliloquy, spoken by Hamlet.

"Now might I do it pat. Now he is a-praying.

And now I’ll do ’t. And so he goes to heaven.

And so am I revenged.—That would be scanned.

A villain kills my father, and, for that,

I, his sole son, do this same villain send

To heaven.

Oh, this is hire and salary, not revenge.

He took my father grossly, full of bread,

With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May.

And how his audit stands who knows save heaven?

But in our circumstance and course of thought

'Tis heavy with him. And am I then revenged

To take him in the purging of his soul

When he is fit and seasoned for his passage?

No.

Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent.

When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage,

Or in th' incestuous pleasure of his bed,

At game a-swearing, or about some act

That has no relish of salvation in ’t—

Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven,

And that his soul may be as damned and black

As hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays

This physic but prolongs thy sickly days." (III.iii.77-101)

As Hamlet is on his way to his mother's chambers he comes across Claudius praying. He thinks about killing Claudius right then and there, but he shall not risk him going to heaven. It ends with Hamlet leaving and proceeding to his mother's chambers.

 

Soliloquies in "Hamlet": Soliloquy #4

Our third soliloquy is spoken by Claudius, in Act 3 Scene 3:

"O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven;
It hath the primal eldest curse upon ’t,
A brother’s murder. Pray can I not,
Though inclination be as sharp as will.
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent,
And, like a man to double business bound,
I stand in pause where I shall first begin
And both neglect. What if this cursèd hand
Were thicker than itself with brother’s blood?
Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens
To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offense?
And what’s in prayer but this twofold force,
To be forestallèd ere we come to fall,
Or pardoned being down? Then I’ll look up.
My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer
Can serve my turn? “Forgive me my foul murder”?
That cannot be, since I am still possessed
Of those effects for which I did the murder:
My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen.
May one be pardoned and retain th’ offense?
In the corrupted currents of this world,
Offense’s gilded hand may shove by justice,
And oft ’tis seen the wicked prize itself
Buys out the law. But ’tis not so above:
There is no shuffling; there the action lies
In his true nature, and we ourselves compelled,
Even to the teeth and forehead of our faults,
To give in evidence. What then? What rests?
Try what repentance can. What can it not?
Yet what can it, when one cannot repent?
O wretched state! O bosom black as death!
O limèd soul, that, struggling to be free,
Art more engaged! Help, angels! Make assay.
Bow, stubborn knees, and heart with strings of steel
Be soft as sinews of the newborn babe.
All may be well." (III.iii.40-76)

In this soliloquy Claudius is wrecked with guilt. He prays to God asking for forgiveness for his sin, he begins to plead the angels for help. He has (tries to have) hope at the end of the soliloquy.

Soliloquies in "Hamlet": Soliloquy #3

The third soliloquy in Hamlet is it's most famous: "To be, or not to be?" It can be found in Act 3, Scene 1:

"To be, or not to be? That is the question—

Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,

And, by opposing, end them? To die, to sleep—

No more—and by a sleep to say we end

The heartache and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to—’tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wished! To die, to sleep.

To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there’s the rub,

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,

Must give us pause. There’s the respect

That makes calamity of so long life.

For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,

Th' oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,

The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay,

The insolence of office, and the spurns

That patient merit of th' unworthy takes,

When he himself might his quietus make

With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,

To grunt and sweat under a weary life,

But that the dread of something after death,

The undiscovered country from whose bourn

No traveler returns, puzzles the will

And makes us rather bear those ills we have

Than fly to others that we know not of?

Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,

And thus the native hue of resolution

Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,

And enterprises of great pith and moment

With this regard their currents turn awry,

And lose the name of action.—Soft you now,

The fair Ophelia!—Nymph, in thy orisons

Be all my sins remembered." (III.i.64-98)

In this soliloquy Hamlet is contemplating if it is better to be dead or alive. He talks about why people wouldn't end their life, are they afraid of what comes after death?

 

Soliloquies in "Hamlet": Soliloquy #2

The next soliloquy in Hamlet appears during Act 2 Scene 2:

"O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!
Is it not monstrous that this player here,
But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,
Could force his soul so to his own conceit
That from her working all his visage wann’d,
Tears in his eyes, distraction in’s aspect,
A broken voice, and his whole function suiting
With forms to his conceit? and all for nothing!
For Hecuba!
What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba,
That he should weep for her? What would he do,
Had he the motive and the cue for passion
That I have? He would drown the stage with tears
And cleave the general ear with horrid speech,
Make mad the guilty and appal the free,
Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed
The very faculties of eyes and ears. Yet I,
A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak,
Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,
And can say nothing; no, not for a king,
Upon whose property and most dear life
A damn’d defeat was made. Am I a coward?
Who calls me villain? breaks my pate across?
Plucks off my beard, and blows it in my face?
Tweaks me by the nose? gives me the lie i’ the throat,
As deep as to the lungs? who does me this?
Ha!
‘Swounds, I should take it: for it cannot be
But I am pigeon-liver’d and lack gall
To make oppression bitter, or ere this
I should have fatted all the region kites
With this slave’s offal: bloody, bawdy villain!
Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!
O, vengeance!
Why, what an ass am I! This is most brave,
That I, the son of a dear father murder’d,
Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell,
Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words,
And fall a-cursing, like a very drab,
A scullion!
Fie upon’t! foh! About, my brain! I have heard
That guilty creatures sitting at a play
Have by the very cunning of the scene
Been struck so to the soul that presently
They have proclaim’d their malefactions;
For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak
With most miraculous organ. I’ll have these players
Play something like the murder of my father
Before mine uncle: I’ll observe his looks;
I’ll tent him to the quick: if he but blench,
I know my course. The spirit that I have seen
May be the devil: and the devil hath power
To assume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps
Out of my weakness and my melancholy,
As he is very potent with such spirits,
Abuses me to damn me: I’ll have grounds
More relative than this: the play ‘s the thing
Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king." (II.ii.577-634)

Hamlet is talking about uncovering the king's conscience in hope to have a better evidence than just the ghost.

Soliloquies in "Hamlet": Soliloquy #1

Shakespeare included many (6) soliloquies in his writing of Hamlet. The first soliloquy that appears is in Act 1, Scene 2.

"O that this too too solid flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!
Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd
His canon 'gainst self-slaughter! O God! O God!
How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world!
Fie on't! O fie! 'tis an unweeded garden,
That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely. That it should come to this!
But two months dead! — nay, not so much, not two:
So excellent a king; that was, to this,
Hyperion to a satyr; so loving to my mother,
That he might not beteem the winds of heaven
Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth!
Must I remember? Why, she would hang on him
As if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on: and yet, within a month, —
Let me not think on't, — Frailty, thy name is woman! —
A little month; or ere those shoes were old
With which she followed my poor father's body
Like Niobe, all tears; — why she, even she, —
O God! a beast that wants discourse of reason,
Would have mourn'd longer, — married with mine uncle,
My father's brother; but no more like my father
Than I to Hercules: within a month;
Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled eyes,
She married: — O, most wicked speed, to post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!
It is not, nor it cannot come to good;
But break my heart, — for I must hold my tongue!" (Act 1, Scene 2, 133-164)

Hamlet is contemplating suicide in this soliloquy. He also discusses how he believes his mother marrying Claudius is incestuous, as it is her husbands brother.

Motifs in "Hamlet"

Hamlet

By: William Shakespeare

Disclaimer: I've slowly have been moving all of my stuff from my mural.ly to this blog. I decided to switch because I find the other site to hard to work, and I prefer this one. In the process of moving this blog post I ended up deleting it (go me! she say's sarcastically), so now I have to re-write it. Please bear with me. Thank you.

Our assignment was to select three motifs from a list, and track them throughout the play. I chose the motifs: incest, guilt and confession, and Hamlet's flaw - his inability to act.

Let's start with, what is a motif? A motif is: "a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work." (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/motif).

Incest (definition provided) is mentioned a bit in the throughout play.  The most memorable moments being when Hamlet is says: "...With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!..." (Act I, Scene II, 162). He is talking about Claudius marrying his mother, as it was his brother's (King Hamlet) wife. It is also mentioned by the ghost of King Hamlet in the same manner in this following quote: "Ay, that incestuous, that adulterate beast,..." (Act I, Scene V, 49). It is again mentioned by the ghost in the same scene when he says: "A couch for luxury and damnèd incest." (Act I, Scene V, 90). The ghost is talking about what had happened to him (how Claudius murdered him). Incest is then again mentioned when Hamlet sees Claudius praying (after he watched the play): "...Or in th’ incestuous pleasure of his bed,..." Hamlet is discussing how Claudius should not go to Heaven. The last time it being mentioned was when Hamlet forced Claudius to also take the poison to make sure he would die: "Here, thou incestuous, murd’rous, damnèd Dane,/Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?" (Act V, Scene II, 356-357).
 
Guilt and Confession is also used quite a bit in Hamlet. It is first seen when Hamlet get's actors to reenact his fathers death in hopes that it would lead Claudius to confess. When in the end, it just lead to him being upset with Hamlet and Hamlet killing Polonius. Another example of guilt and confession in the play would be when Hamlet batters his mother for a reason to why she married Claudius. You can see she feels guilty as she says:

 "O Hamlet, speak no more!
Thou turn’st my eyes into my very soul,
And there I see such black and grainèd spots
As will not leave their tinct." (Act III, Scene IV, 99-102).

And she continues to plead Hamlet to stop. Guilt and confession can also be shown when Hamlet apologize: 

"Give me your pardon, sir. I’ve done you wrong.

But pardon ’t, as you are a gentleman.

This presence knows,

And you must needs have heard, how I am punished

With sore distraction. What I have done,

That might your nature, honor, and exception

Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness.

Was ’t Hamlet wronged Laertes? Never Hamlet.

If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away,

And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes,

Then Hamlet does it not. Hamlet denies it.

Who does it, then? His madness. If’t be so,

Hamlet is of the faction that is wronged.

His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy.

Sir, in this audience," (Act V, Scene II, 212-227)

Laertes accepted the apology, as Hamlet was really sincere. 

Finally, Hamlet has a fatal flaw - his inability to act. It is very controversal to the subject of "is Hamlet crazy or just acting crazy?" For one, I believe Hamlet has gone crazy. Although, it is normal to feel betrayed when two of your friends begin to spy on you, I think it is much more than that. When Hamlet tells his friends that he will begin to act like a madman, I believe this is not only an act but what Hamlet is truly like. Hamlet also talks about his madness to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: “I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw” (II.ii.361–362). he is describing that he is only mad in certain situations. I believe that Hamlet is not only acting mad, but is also a madman as well. (Going between being "crazy and crazy like a fox".  Hamlet also displays an act of madness in his mothers chambers is where he stab's Polonius: "How now, a rat? Dead for a ducat, dead! (He kills Polonius by thrusting a rapier through the arras.)" (III, IV. 29.) in thought that he was stabbing Claudius. I do not believe a sane man would stab somebody, even if it was to get revenge for their father's death. The reason I believe Hamlet is mad is because not only does he act like a madman, but he does have control over his actions, and most "normal" people would not result to murder as compensation for a death of a loved one.

 

He demonstrates his inability to act when he is faced with the threat of killing Claudius when he was praying. He second guessed himself because he didn't want Claudius to go to Heaven. HE COULD HAVE KILLED HIM RIGHT THEN AND THERE! This, to me, shows signs of a real madman. When one is trying to act crazy, they try to keep up the act, but suddenly, things change and when you have the opportunity you waste it! Acting crazy, and being crazy are two very different things. Hamlet was (in my opinion) crazy.

 

Active Reading Journal: "Hamlet" Act V

Hamlet with the skull of Yorick Selous

In Act V Scene I there are two gravediggers digging Ophelia's grave discussing her means of death. Horatio and Hamlet enter talking of the gravediggers. They then begin to talk about the skulls that were thrown out of the graves. When the King, Queen and a pack of people come for the funeral Hamlet decides to hide and watch. Laertes is very upset and jumps into his sisters grave asking to be buried with her. Hamlet reveals himself in all of the commotion and jumps in with Laertes. The two begin to fight and are broken up, but Hamlet challenges Laertes to a deul.

In Act V Scene II Hamlet finally fills Horatio in on everything that happens. Hamlet then comes accross a letter that demands for his death, and with a few slight changes it now demands for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's deaths. Hamlet basically apologizes for killing Laertes father, but they can't end the duel because that's just weird, as everyone came out for the event. In the end a whole whack of people died. Including:  Laertes (by his own poisonous sword), Claudius (he was stabbed with the same poisoned sword and had to drink poisoned wine), Gertrude (accidentally drank poison), and Hamlet (he was also stabbed).

Active Reading Journal: "Hamlet" Act IV

In Act IV Scene I Claudius and Gertrude enter with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Gertrude tells of what she is witnessed, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are asked to go fetch Hamlet and bring the body to the chapel. 

In Act IV Scene II Hamlet has safely hidden the body. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come in asking for the corpse and Hamlet will not tell them (for what I assume he feels betrayed). He calls them fools and Hamlet tells them to bring him to the King.

In Act IV Scene III we learn that Claudius has sent someone to go find the body. Rosencrantz comes in telling Claudius that Hamlet refuses to tell them where the body is and is outside waiting to see him. Hamlet comes in and Claudius asks where it is and Hamlet replies that it is at a feast being eaten by worms. Hamlet gives a slight hint to where the body is hidden and Claudius sends his servants to go look. Claudius tells Hamlet that the ship is ready for him to sale to England. After Hamlet exits Claudius writes a letter to the King of England instructing him to kill Hamlet.

In Act IV Scene IV Hamlet is on the ship. He learns that Fortinbra is heading to attack Poland. Rosencrantz tries to advise Hamlet to come with him, but Hamlet told him to go along and he'd be there in a minute. In yet another soliloquy the scene ends.

Act IV Scene V

In Act IV Scene V Gertrude refuses to see Ophelia, but after Horatio mentions her worsening state of insanity Ophelia comes in. Ophelia sings songs of death and other dreary things and neither the King or Queen can get any intelligent/helpful replies from her. Meanwhile Laertes is outside with a mob of people trying to break the castle. He asks for his father but his sister Ophelia comes out being completely incoherent. She allows him to focus his attention on Claudius who promises that there will be a way to avenge his fathers death.

In Act IV Scene VI sailors come with a letter for Horatio and some for the King. The letter to Horatio is from Hamlet and it says that he has become prisoner on ship because of a pirate invasion. He asks him to let the sailors see the King and ends the letter by saying that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are off to England he has a lot to tell Horatio when he gets back.

In Act IV Scene VII Claudius and Laertes are discussing Polonius's death, he praises Laertes in hopes that he will agree to kill Hamlet (as he has just discovered that Hamlet is on his way home). Claudius believes that Hamlet will agree to a duel with Laertes and allows a pick of swords. In the next bit of the scene Gertrude comes in telling of how Ophelia has drowned in a brook.

Active Reading Journal: "Hamlet" Act III

In Act III Scene I Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Ophelia, Gertrude, Claudius and Polonius enter. Claudius and Gertrude ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of their time with Hamlet and ask for them to spark his interest more. After they exit, Claudius asks Gertrude to please give him a moment with Polonius and they have arranged for an "accidental" meeting of Ophelia and Hamlet and they are going to act as spies. Hamlet walks in and I believe is performing another soliloquy. He notices Ophelia who tries to give him his stuff back, Hamlet on the other hand is telling her that he gave her nothing and that he used to love her (past tense, he does not love her anymore). He tells her to go to a "nunnery" and says that if he were to ever marry her he would give her a curse as a wedding present. Throughout his pauses she is praying to God to please return him to normal. After Hamlet leaves, Polonius and Claudius come forward and Claudius points out that it does not seem to be love that is pointing him in these directions, as he was not acting crazy, but his speech was disorganized. Polonius stays with the fact that he believes the method to his madness is love. In the end of this scene Claudius says that they have to watch Hamlet closely.

Act III Scene II

In Act III Scene II the play is performed in hopes of getting Claudius to confess what he did. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern deliver the news that the King was not happy with the play and that the Queen would like his presence in her chambers. (This was a very long scene).

 Some of the characters adopt false persona, such as Hamlet acting mad. Claudius acting innocent while he struck with guilt. And Gertrude, trying to act as if she has not sinned by marrying her dead husband's brother.

In Act III Scene III Claudius is talking to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about how it is not safe for him the way that Hamlet is acting. Guildenstern says that they will take care of it for him. They leave the room. Polonius enters to tell Claudius that Hamlet is headed to his mothers chambers and that he will hide behind the tapestry to listen to what is going to happen. Polonius leaves and Hamlet walks in  on Claudius praying. He is about to kill Claudius when he rethinks his actions and does not because he does not want Claudius to go to Heaven.

In Ac III Scene IV Polonius and Gertrude are in her chambers and Polonius hides behind the tapestry. Hamlet comes in and Gertrude then begins to scold Hamlet for hurting Claudius's feelings. Hamlet then turns on his mother, and she fears for her life and cries out for help. Polonius yells out help and Hamlet hears him. Hamlet ultimately stabs Polonius, killing him. Hamlet then begins to question why his mother married Claudius, surely it was not out of love. The ghost appears and Gertrude cannot see it, Hamlet is told to give his mother a bit of respect. Hamlet then tells his mother not to let Claudius sefuce her again, and tells her that he must go off to England. He exits with Polonius' body.

Active Reading Journal: "Hamlet" Act II

In Act II Scene I we have Polonius enter with his servant Reynaldo. Polonius asks Reynaldo to go deliver some letters for him and he tells Reynaldo to get some gossip from whoever they are delivering letters to. Once Reynaldo leaves Ophelia enters scared, she tells of how she was sewing and Hamlet came into the room looking distraught, and he held her tight, but she backed away a bit. He eventually let her go and left. Polonius suggests that the boy is love crazy and threatens to tell the King about what happened. Ophelia objects but Polonius is determined and they set off to go see the King.

Polonius and Hamlet

In Act II Scene II Claudius, Gertrude, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter the room. Claudius and Gertrude discuss with them how highly their son thinks of them, and sends them off to find Hamlet in the chance it might make him feel better. After they have left the room Polonius enters he tells Claudius that he thinks he knows why Hamlet has gone crazy, but first he will let the ambassadors speak to the King. The ambassadors bring good news and leave. Polonius then begins to speak about how he thinks Hamlet is crazy. He reads the letter that Hamlet sent Ophelia about how he loves her. Polonius then says:

"And my young mistress thus I did bespeak:

“Lord Hamlet is a prince out of thy star.

This must not be.” And then I prescripts gave her,

That she should lock herself from his resort,

Admit no messengers, receive no tokens.

Which done, she took the fruits of my advice;

And he, repelled—a short tale to make—

Fell into a sadness, then into a fast,

Thence to a watch, thence into a weakness,

Thence to a lightness, and, by this declension,

Into the madness wherein now he raves

And all we mourn for." (Act II, Scene II. 131 - 143)

The King and Queen then discuss if this may be the reason Hamlet is acting funny. Hamlet enters and Polonius talks with him. Polonius figures that there is a "method to his madness". Once Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enters Polonius leaves and Hamlet perks up a bit. They have a discussion and Polonius enters again to bring news that the actors have come, Hamlet does not like Polonius much at this point and basically says that he is a big baby and he still wears diapers. Hamlet instructs the actors to do a reenactment of his fathers death (they don't know that's what it is though).  After everyone leaves Hamlet then again performs a soliloquy.

Active Reading Journal: "Hamlet" Act I

We were asked to create an active reading journal throughout the course of reading (or listening) to Hamlet. I'm going to do my Journal in sections. Each of the acts will have it's own blog post, and so will each of Hamlet's soliloquy's. 

In Act I Scene I Bernardo relieves Fransisco, where he is then met with Marcellus and Horatio. Marcellus and Bernardo tell Horatio of the ghost who looks like the king. Horatio has his doubts until the ghost appears. He tries to talk to it, but it stays quiet. After the ghost disappears Horatio suggests that they tell Hamlet of his father's appearance.

In Act I Scene II new King Claudius talks about the death of his brother, and of his marriage (I believe it has just happened) to Gertrude. He also talks of a letter that he received from Fortinbras asking for return of the land that King Hamlet had gotten from his uncle. Laertes asks for permission to go back to France and is granted permission. Claudius asks why Hamlet is still mourning his fathers death as it is the cycle of life, but Claudius tells Hamlet that he is a good son for mourning his death. Hamlet also promises his mother that he will not go back to Wittinberg.After everyone leaves Hamlet performs a soliloquy and then Horatio comes in to tell him of his fathers ghost. He decides to meet with him that night to see for himself.

In Act I Scene III: In the beginning of this scene it Laertes is getting ready to leave for France, but as he is getting ready he is talking to Ophelia. He warns Ophelia of Hamlet and what he may do. Polonius shoos Laertes away and then asks Ophelia not to see Hamlet anymore, and as the good girl she is she agrees. 

Photo Reference: Act I Scene IV

In Act I Scene IV Hamlet is with Horatio and Marcellus waiting for the ghost. When the ghost appears and beckons for Hamlet alone. Horatio and Marcellus try to tell Hamlet not to go, but in the end it is useless and he follows after his father's ghost.

In Act I Scene V Hamlet is with his father's ghost. King Hamlet then begins to ask Hamlet to seek revenge so he can pass on. He tells Hamlet he was murdered. He alludes to Claudius when he says the murder now wears his crown. Hamlet agrees to seek revenge on his father's behalf.

Blog Activity: "Hyperbole and a Half: Menance"

You may have heard of a little blog called "Hyperbole and a Half". It's entertaining, but it's full of life lessons as well. In Allie Brosche's post of Hyperbole and a Half: Menance they discuss power, and the feeling of power.

Brosche uses the dinosaur suit as a metaphor for power. Because the more they wore the suit as a kid, the more powerful they felt.

They became a menace to their parents.

Ultimately, the suit got taken away, and the power was all gone. What had happened?

The suit made them feel invincible, like the could do anything in the world. Such as colouring on the walls or throwing crayons in their kindergarten teachers eye. 

Power is something that makes people feel more alive. And Brosche showed by using the suit as a metaphor. 

This had an overall impact of extreme realism that everyone can relate too. Which allowed the viewer (while laughing) to make connections between the author's life and our their life. We're not all that much different.

What was the thing that made you feel like you were most powerful?

Blog Activity: "Mindless Productivity: Not Everyone is Beautiful"

Nathan Bieberdorf get's to the point when he posted his on his blog that "Not Everyone is Beautiful" Mindless Productivity: Not Everyone is Beautiful. Bieberdorf is COMPLETELY correct. In his writing he uses the "element of surprise" and it has an overall impact on his blog post.

He posted many photos, and even a video while writing this blog post to enhance his point.

I can do nothing but agree when he says: "Let go of “beautiful”. Not everyone can be beautiful, just like not everyone can climb Everest or play saxophone or be a good kisser."

Because, c'mon, this blob fish is FAR  from beautiful. ICK.

Bieberdorf use of the "element of surprise" gives this post an impact of relatability.

When was the last time you felt the need to complement someone on something they were wearing even though you didn't like it?

It happens everyday. Although we're being nice, there are other words than just "beautiful" we can use.

The overall impact of the "element of surprise" I believe was his ability to get through with his message. He allowed viewers to realize the word beautiful was used too excesively and our use of the word should be cut back.

Blog Activity: "Girls Gone Child: On Frozen And Feminism"

Girls Gone Child: On Frozen And Feminism

Rebecca Wolf writes very realistically, and has some really good points about feminism and it's use in Frozen. I most enjoy when she said that her friend had said: 

"He felt the film's underlying message was "a woman in power is a threat to the world." He felt that Elsa running off to the woods was all very red tent "women are less equipped to lead because they are hormonal and bleed out of their vaginas and OMG PMS" esque."

I think that woman are treated unequally sometimes because people believe that we are powerful and would be "a threat to the world." People try to make fun of it, but the truth is we are a force to be reckoned with.

Ms. Wolf also uses many examples in her writing, these sources and references support her  arguments. This allows the overall impact to be thought through and very reasonable.