The Great Gatsby Dialectical Journal

“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”

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(P)- Is the character, or their family wealthy? Are they economically wealthy or simply happy and have humble roots? The era of the novel was a time when there were many affluent American individuals who lived very extravagant lives. I wonder if this will be the case for our main character and if so, how the plot will play out.

2) “My family have been prominent, well-to-do people in this Middle Western city for three generations.”

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(CL)- The character confirms my previous prediction. As stated, the family is prominent and prosperous and has been so for several generations. This social status

is sure to have a major impact on the rest of the novel’s events and fellow characters.
3) “I looked back at my cousin, who began to ask me questions in her low, thrilling voice. It was the kind of voice that the ear follows up and down, as if each speech is an arrangement of notes thats that will never be played again.”
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(E)- This is quite interesting seeing that Daisy is his cousin. It is definitely unusual to show such a level of affection for a family member. Nonetheless, the author is attempting to portray Nick’s appeal for Daisy, and present Daisy as a desirable woman. By illustrating how tightly Nick listens to her words and how much he admires listening to her speak. Essentially, the author is establishing Daisy as a desirable woman.
4) “She told me it was a girl, and so I turned my head away and wept. ‘All right,’ I said, ‘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.
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(A)- The paradox “a beautiful little fool” illustrates how she hopes her own daughter does not fall into a situation similar as hers. She wants her to be beautiful so that she does not lack love in her life, but a fool to ever realize that her life has gone down hill, or ever realize how bad it really is. It illustrates the major issues within Daisy’s marriage, and begins the possibility of Daisy venturing away from her partnership.
5) “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life”
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(E)- The author is demonstrating how Nick is basically living two separate lives.

He is a part of the life in the east, and he is also watching it from afar. While he is at the party with these people, he also observing them and considering their perspective. He finds himself “enchanted” and “repelled” by the lifestyle of those he finds in the East.

6) “Instead of rambling, this party had preserved a dignified homogeneity, and assumed to itself the function of representing the staid nobility of the countryside- East Egg condescending to West Egg, and carefully on guard against its spectroscopic gayety.”

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A- This passage displays incredibly unique and extraordinary diction. Overall, it is commenting on how the many people there are very similar in the social status. The people together at this party only represent one aspect of the social spectrum. However, by including such elaborate vocabulary, Fitzgerald forces the reader to further understand Nick’s perspective. Such vocabulary use is assuredly used by a well educated and well spoken individual. This allows us to infer that Nick may not be that different from his party

counterparts.
7) “Every one suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.”
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Q- Nick obviously has quite a strong opinion towards the subject of honesty among his peers.

What has happened that has led him to this mindset? Is he truly an honest man or is this simply his own perception of himself?

8) “Meyer Wolfsheim? No, he’s a gambler.” Gatsby hesitated, then added coolly: “He’s the man who fixed the World’s Series back in 1919.”

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C- I am a massive baseball fan, and I immediately connected to this quote since it is referring to a major piece of baseball history. The 1919 World Series fixing is a major moment in the history of pro baseball and would be recognized by most baseball fans. In addition, the inclusion of this detail certainly gives me a bit of perspective on the time period we are working with here.

9) “Daisy’s face was smeared with tears, and when I came in she jumped up and began wiping at it with her handkerchief before a mirror. But there was a change in Gatsby that was simply confounding. He literally glowed; without a word or gesture of exultation a new well being radiated from him and filled the little room.”

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R- Obviously, there is a fair bit of history between Gatsby and Daisy. This can be inferred by considering how badly Gatsby wanted to see her, how concerned he was of his image, how he knew their time apart precisely, and the emotion displayed by each of them in their reunion. A massive aspect of human nature is revealed here. Often times, former significant others in many lives still hold a special place in each member of the partnership. Even more often, feelings and emotions from past experiences can conjure up similar feelings and remind one of how they once felt, as evident by Daisy and Gatsby.