The Great Gatsby Journal 7

George Angelopoulos 4˚

1. The Great Gatsby: Chapter 7: Pg. 113-145

2. Gatsby ceases his parties, since the only reason he had them was to lure in Daisy. One day, Nick, Gatsby, and Jordan go to the Buchanan’s house, where Daisy and Gatsby’s feelings become noticeable to Tom. They all decide to take a trip to New York, and stop at George Wilson’s Garage for gas. George has discovered that his wife is cheating on him, but does not know with whom. Tom initiates a fight with Gatsby, by questioning his ways, his history, and his relationship with Daisy. Daisy is leaning towards Tom, since he is winning the argument. Tom sends Gatsby and Daisy off to prove that Gatsby cannot do any damage to their relationship. As they drive away, Daisy accidently hits, and kills Myrtle. Gatsby will gladly take the blame for her, and just wants to protect Daisy. Tom and Daisy settle their differences, and Gatsby is left in solitude.

3.             a. Nick Carraway

            b. “I’d be damned if I’d go in; I’d had enough of all of them for one day, and suddenly that included Jordan too.” (142)

            c. Nick is a reserved person, who withholds outward judgment, which gives other characters a sense of ease. He is, by any measure, a good guy. His heart is in the right place, but he is also a bit naïve. He gets entangled with these love triangles, affairs, and schemes because he does not know how to say no. He is new to West Egg, and fairly new to these type of social issues, which entails him to a certain amount of innocence. Since his exposure to the corruption of East and West Egg, he has been divided internally. One part of him is the tolerant Mid-Westerner, and the other part of him is a person who is sick of the problems of the rich, and just wants to be able to live for himself, and not for the whims of others.

            d. Nick’s role in this novel is one of unity. He is the character that has some sort of connection with most of the other characters, which ties the story and the plot together. He is the cousin of Daisy, neighbors with Gatsby, romantically involved with Jordan, and the go to guy when there is a problem or a plot twist. Gatsby uses Nick to re-kindle the relationship with Daisy, which really is the source of the many of the problems in this novel. Although his intentions are good, Nick’s actions and his help cause plenty of drama and turmoil. Since he is a character so involved with the plot and other characters, he makes the perfect narrator.

4. “’Was Daisy Driving?’ ‘Yes,’ he said after a moment, ‘but of course I’ll say I was.’” (143) No matter what one’s dream is, sacrifices must be made. Gatsby moved, changed his life style, and is about to take the blame for something he didn’t do because of his dream for Daisy. He loves her, obsesses about her, and is willing to do anything to get her. What one is willing to do for his or her dream is a true indicator for how strong that dream is. This drive and passion is usually found in the pursuit towards internal wealth, not external wealth. Even though most of the characters in this novel are rich, none of them are happy. This is a reflection of the American Dream. The Dream cannot be based in monetary value, rather in the principles that are the foundation of one’s morals. The strength to sacrifice is found deep in the soul, not in one’s pocket book.