Dialectical Journal For The Great Gatsby

1. The most crucial part of the plot in chapter one is the intricate and detailed descriptions of the materialistic personalities of each of the characters. The author dives into descriptive explanations of New York City and this explains precisely and early in the novel why Nick hates New York so much. We learn that while both East and West Egg are rich and materialistic areas, they are very different. East Egg represents the “conservative breeding aristocracy”, while West Egg is representative of “young money” or as it is stated in the book, “new money”, the younger generation making their own fortune. We learn that another reason Nick hates New York is that the people are snobs, such as Tom with his racist and cheating personality, and

Jordan with her bored snobbish attitude.

2.

At the beginning of the novel Nick describes himself as nonjudgmental, tolerant, and reserved. He reveals a stuck-up side though when he describes himself as privileged with better morals and sense of decency than others. He tries not to judge people based on his own superior morals in order to avoid misunderstanding them. The underlying truth of Nick reminds me a little bit of myself. Nick stays on the fringe, he doesn’t pander to the drama going on around him and he is a watcher.

3. Nick describes and views Tom as a “good athlete”, however he is also an untrustworthy philanderer with “two shining arrogant eyes”. Nick has little or no respect for Tom and this is found in his viewpoint when he states that He sees him as dishonest due to his relationship with women (other than his wife) and Nicks second cousin Daisy. He also finds Tom arrogant and is put off by his racist views.

4. Jordan Baker is a friend of Daisy’s and a competitive golfer. When first introduced at Daisy and Toms home, she was yawning snobbishly as if bored with everyone around her and their company. Nick finds Jordan very physically attractive, she is described as “a slender small breasted girl with a erect carriage”. I believe Tom is attracted to her because he himself is an

athlete.

5. The first time Nick sees Gatsby he is standing at the water’s edge, staring into the distance at a mysterious green light with his arms outstretched. This is an odd moment where Nick wonders to himself if he should call to him, but decides he Gatsby looks odd, like he is trembling and Nick decides it is a “private moment” and leaves him alone. He is left with an intrigued but odd notion of who Gatsby really is and what he moment is all about.

6. Nicks description of Tom is self-explanatory and quite clear. You can see that as a physical specimen of a man, Nick thinks Tom is quite a fine gentleman, athletic and in shape. However, when he describes his eyes, he calls them “arrogant”. The reader can tell that Tom does not value his character. Nick discusses how Tom is constantly trying to get him to read books that focus on racist viewpoints; why white is the superior race and how it is proven scientifically. He describes Toms muscles and body as a “great pack of muscle shifting when his shoulder moved under his thin coat”. Although this is supposed to be a compliment you can tell it is said with disdain and perhaps a little envy since Tom is obviously more gifted with athleticism and money.