Gatsby's favour goes into action and Nick arranges for Daisy to come round for tea- she is of course unaware that Gatsby will be joining her. Gatbsy is so nervouse and stuff, a bit manic, mad really. massively desperate, like this is his whole life.
It's incredibley embarassing and awkward. Nick is very considerate in this chapter but is also irritated, coldly angry and frustrated, perhaops doesn't like what he's doing, strange e shows no emotions though. -When he returns from leaving them for a while, Daisy has clearly been crying and Gatsby seems much happier and at ease; could be she said she loves him, she's pleased for what he's done etc. ambiguous, WHAT HAPPENED??? They seem close for the rest of the day with Gatsby incapable of taking his eyes off Daisy.
Monday 6 December 2010
Chapter 4
Nick and Gatsby have become close; Nick must feel that he's knows hardly anything about him as he is still a mystery.
He opens up to Nick, however, a little bit in this chapter. Gatsby wants a favour from Nick bu won't tell him what it is and this annoys Nick-mainly because he doesn;t understand Gatsby's logic or why he needs to hear this favour from Miss Baker. we find out here Nick dislikes things he doesn't understand. Meyer Wolfshiem- we don't like him. Name, horrible. any importance in the novel? We gain more information about Gatsby in this chapter from Jordan's story too- discovering that Daisy and Gatsby once loved one another. And, he still loves her. A strange chapter, strange jordan is the narrator as she's supposed to be realy dishonest and stuff. Massive revelations here, very very important./ Party scene beautiful but signifficance??
He opens up to Nick, however, a little bit in this chapter. Gatsby wants a favour from Nick bu won't tell him what it is and this annoys Nick-mainly because he doesn;t understand Gatsby's logic or why he needs to hear this favour from Miss Baker. we find out here Nick dislikes things he doesn't understand. Meyer Wolfshiem- we don't like him. Name, horrible. any importance in the novel? We gain more information about Gatsby in this chapter from Jordan's story too- discovering that Daisy and Gatsby once loved one another. And, he still loves her. A strange chapter, strange jordan is the narrator as she's supposed to be realy dishonest and stuff. Massive revelations here, very very important./ Party scene beautiful but signifficance??
Great Gatsby: Chapter 3
Gatsby's party, described as "one of a kind", emphasises his wealth and his vast and useless aquaintances. It's mentioned that many who turn up to his parties aren't even invited, which shows how much people just want an exuse to drink his illegal liqeur.Nick meets Jordan again at the party and stays with her throughout the evening. He meets Gatsby in person for the first time and seems surprised by what Gatsby's actually like, and that he is unassuming. What was he expecting? nasty? snobbish? Unexpected car accident takes place outside Gatsby's home- coincidental? the driver of the crash remains unknown.. Nick opens up towards the end of the chapter and we have more of idea about this character, and if you're me you like him less. He also appears to be falling in love with Jordan but notices she is "incurably dishonest".
Great Gatsby: chapter two
The idea of Toms affair is proved true in this chapter when he oddly takes Nick to meet her; Myrtle Wilson-(note myrtle, clinging climbing plant/ daisy little sunshine plant naive playful) who is set to appear crude and very uninspiring, and comes across as in fact odd. It is also odd how Tom buys thing for her, he who clearly has no very strong feelings towards her, and later breaks her nose. The three of them leave for a small gathering with Myrtle's friends- the odd thing is, Nick seems to have no issue with this, and surely he should feel a sense of loyalty to daisy, not be getting smashed with her husband and bit? more characters introduced who we never see again. Mr and Mrs Mckee and Myrtle's sister Catherine. Nick gets drunk at this gathering for the second time in his life.. seems strange that he's tell us this.. doesn;t want us to think little of him? disapproves of it himself and wouldn;t like the reader to think of him as a strong drinker?.. The reason tom breaks myrtles nose is some argument over her saying daisy's name, as if she isn't good enough to say her name? Tom loves daisy, we learn. Odd chapter, Nick is very drunk and yet more unreliable.
Chapter One Gatsby
The book begins by explaining about the narrative character, Nick, in his own words. He comes from a well to do family of hardware store owners and bankers, who are quite concerned with giving him the best possible opportunities. Set in twenties America, with Nick fresh out of university and in his new home in west egg near the home of his cousin Daisy Buchanan, and her husband Tom, Nicks story really starts. Nick was friends with Tom in "college". We meet Gatsby because he own the huge house next door.
Nick goes for dinner at Daisy and Tom's, during which he meets Jordan Baker the golfer, and hears a passive argument between Daisy and Tom about Tom having a lover.
After the dinner, Nick sees Gatsby hovering in the garden, but he disappears before getting a moment to talk.
This chapter is basically setting the scene and the tone , and discussing a few of the characters but none in any depth. It gives the characters little backround, and is quite confusing as a result. The evidence of Tom's mistress will become a major issue, but in the chapter it it just brushed over with the dinner continuing and it not being mentioned again.
Nick goes for dinner at Daisy and Tom's, during which he meets Jordan Baker the golfer, and hears a passive argument between Daisy and Tom about Tom having a lover.
After the dinner, Nick sees Gatsby hovering in the garden, but he disappears before getting a moment to talk.
This chapter is basically setting the scene and the tone , and discussing a few of the characters but none in any depth. It gives the characters little backround, and is quite confusing as a result. The evidence of Tom's mistress will become a major issue, but in the chapter it it just brushed over with the dinner continuing and it not being mentioned again.
Monday 15 November 2010
First impressions of Nick
Nick is typically classed by students and lecturers as an unreliable narrator; you can't trust his judgement.
There is plenty of evidence for this; he is so easily swayed. First he claims to be unjudgemental, and then launches into the typical tyrade of the recently wealthy; Boring, absorbed, and oozing with a perhaps misgotten sense of extreme self worth and infuriating affected modesty.
As with all stereotypical "children of trade" lineage and rank are of great importance to Nick. As a well-to-do tradesmans son entering the grandilopuent walls of Yale, he must have felt like a molusc in a shark tank. I percieve this to be the reason for his arrogance... he carries the hopes of his family on his vacillating shoulders.
Perhaps Nicks propriety is merely an outcome of his upbringing, as it seems he has no sense of self. Raised in a family that are pushing their way with cash and tuition into that elite "inner circle" He must have no idea of who he is, and has no real sense that just because something is well funded, it does not make it acceptable.
Nicks flightiness is can be seen therefore as this limbo he is in. It frustrates him surely, although i have little doubt that he'd actually allow himself to realise this. He is so caught up in this exasperating whirl-pool of pretending to care what his father said to him however many years ago, and then allowing everyone else to help him realise that actually he doesn't care at all, that it's almost impossible to keep up with him. One moment he seethes, the next he flatters. One moments he's lonely, the next he's a "real resident", one moment he's duke of whatsitsname and the next he's the son of a hardware store holder who came into a bit of luck. To Nick, it's galling that he should be the outcome of a dynasty founded on hard work and cunning, and not from a dynasty of chosen elites.
There is plenty of evidence for this; he is so easily swayed. First he claims to be unjudgemental, and then launches into the typical tyrade of the recently wealthy; Boring, absorbed, and oozing with a perhaps misgotten sense of extreme self worth and infuriating affected modesty.
As with all stereotypical "children of trade" lineage and rank are of great importance to Nick. As a well-to-do tradesmans son entering the grandilopuent walls of Yale, he must have felt like a molusc in a shark tank. I percieve this to be the reason for his arrogance... he carries the hopes of his family on his vacillating shoulders.
Perhaps Nicks propriety is merely an outcome of his upbringing, as it seems he has no sense of self. Raised in a family that are pushing their way with cash and tuition into that elite "inner circle" He must have no idea of who he is, and has no real sense that just because something is well funded, it does not make it acceptable.
Nicks flightiness is can be seen therefore as this limbo he is in. It frustrates him surely, although i have little doubt that he'd actually allow himself to realise this. He is so caught up in this exasperating whirl-pool of pretending to care what his father said to him however many years ago, and then allowing everyone else to help him realise that actually he doesn't care at all, that it's almost impossible to keep up with him. One moment he seethes, the next he flatters. One moments he's lonely, the next he's a "real resident", one moment he's duke of whatsitsname and the next he's the son of a hardware store holder who came into a bit of luck. To Nick, it's galling that he should be the outcome of a dynasty founded on hard work and cunning, and not from a dynasty of chosen elites.
Friday 5 November 2010
Two Hands
.
In “Two Hands,” Jon Stallworthy relates, through the metaphor of his hands , his frigid and frustrated relationship with his father.
This is not based upon an close relationship, it is based on the son comparing himself to his father. His vocation, a writer, falls short when held against his father’s, a surgeon. He shows this by seeming to to be in awe of his father who "Thirteen times between breakfast and supper led a scalpel an intricate dance." He also describes his own art as one that will "save no one, serve no one."
The poet forges a connection between the narrator and his father in brief moments, highlighting the otherwise distant relationship. An example of this The subject, “My father” is introduced at the very opening of the poem. Although the father is never directly described in the poem, aside from his hands, the way the narrator describes him leaves the reader feeling in awe of this god-like man. The
In the poem "Two Hands" by Jon Stallworthy, the speaker is comparing his own hand to his father's hand. Although physically their hands are said to be similiar similar: "spade palms, blunt fingers, short in the joint", they are very different people, and the narrative questions how two hands so aesthetically alike, "would have no more in common".
In “Two Hands,” Jon Stallworthy relates, through the metaphor of his hands , his frigid and frustrated relationship with his father.
This is not based upon an close relationship, it is based on the son comparing himself to his father. His vocation, a writer, falls short when held against his father’s, a surgeon. He shows this by seeming to to be in awe of his father who "Thirteen times between breakfast and supper led a scalpel an intricate dance." He also describes his own art as one that will "save no one, serve no one."
The poet forges a connection between the narrator and his father in brief moments, highlighting the otherwise distant relationship. An example of this The subject, “My father” is introduced at the very opening of the poem. Although the father is never directly described in the poem, aside from his hands, the way the narrator describes him leaves the reader feeling in awe of this god-like man. The
In the poem "Two Hands" by Jon Stallworthy, the speaker is comparing his own hand to his father's hand. Although physically their hands are said to be similiar similar: "spade palms, blunt fingers, short in the joint", they are very different people, and the narrative questions how two hands so aesthetically alike, "would have no more in common".
Monday 18 October 2010
Extension of fortinbras question
No seems the basic answer to that, doesn't it? If you'd like me to illustrate my point, it's because Hamlet was insecure, dishonest, canniving, and slightly mad. I suppose if his father had never been killed and he'd never been sent mad then actually he might be quite a good king, as all his dark sides could be put to positive use. For example, dishonesty could be simply seen as good diplomatic skill, canniving could be in fact cunning, and his madness could be ingenuity. It all depends on which way you look at things. I think actually he had a good heart. But a weak heart, and a fickle heart. He had a heart he rarely followed properly, and an incredibley complex mind and imagination. Kings really need to have thier feet firmly planted on the ground perhaps, to have some common sense, and bravery; but if you think about it, Hamlet escaped his uncles capture and certain death, then befriended and escaped from some cut throat pirates. Does that make him brave?
Well, i suppose it does. Brave or mad, clever or manipulative, everyone can agree to this; there's something special about Hamlet.
Well, i suppose it does. Brave or mad, clever or manipulative, everyone can agree to this; there's something special about Hamlet.
Monday 11 October 2010
Act 4, Hamlet
Polonious tells Gertrude he'll listen from a hiding place in her chamber to try and fathom what Hamlet is saying Hamlet hears him and kills polonious, crying " a rat, a rat!" and chops up his body, so he's shipped off to england but he finds some letters from claudius saying to kill him to r&g and so he escapes, and because fortinbras is marching for revenge of his fathers death he feels like a bit of a cop out and so therefore decides to up his game with the whole avenging his father thing.
Ophelia goes mad and starts singing bawdy songs, laertes comes back and all the people decide they want him for king. He is also desperate to avenge his fathers death.
Ophelia and Hamlets madness,
Gertrudes dilemma: Her son, or her husband?
Ophelia goes mad and starts singing bawdy songs, laertes comes back and all the people decide they want him for king. He is also desperate to avenge his fathers death.
Ophelia and Hamlets madness,
Gertrudes dilemma: Her son, or her husband?
Monday 4 October 2010
Maude Clare- Christina Rosetti
1: How is the story told within the poem you are studying? E.g. from whose perspective, 1st/2nd/3rd person is there a beginning, middle and end?
We believe it is being told from an onlookers view, in third person. We felt the beginning was the first five stanzas. The next three are the middle, and the last four are the end. The narrative is omniscient as they know all the inner feelings and turmoil of the characters. Within the narrative it is suggested that Thomas’ father has been through a similar experience in the past, yet had more conviction than his son does.
It is told with backstory, adding into the poem how they feel and why their emotions are as such, making the poem very narrative and understandable.
2: What themes are explored within the poem?
The themes explored are vindication, love, lust, and betrayal. The poem says a lot through its sing song couplets. Love is at the crux of the situation, with two women in love with the same man in very different ways, and one man at a total loss as to what he has done and what he should do. Maud Clare is obviously lust, stimulation, and she considers herself as his equal. She is fierce, clever and fiery, but also clearly the woman he is deeply in love with, as he cannot cross her even as she denounces him at his own wedding. Nell on the other hand, his wife, is very demure and “pale with pride.” She considers it her duty to love him and now that they are wed she knows that he will come to forget his passionate affair and come to appreciate a loving, uncomplaining, and totally submissive life partner. Far more reliable and steadfast. Thomas does not, however, love her. Maude is portrayed as flighty. You get the impression that Thomas' mother very strongly agrees with the match. It may even have been arranged. You gather from the information that the affair with Maude Clare may have been from childhood, and his mother did not approved so he forsook her, to her anger and despair, and settled for something much less, but much more suitable.
3: What poetry and poetic devices are used for what effect?
An awful lot of imagery is used during Maude Clare's speech, where she describes intensely and with some passion the things they did when together, such as "waded ankle-deep for lilies in the beck". This produces such an image in your head that you can sense the coolness of the water and the tickling of gentle currents.
There also seems to be somewhat of an extended metaphor through the choice of memories she tells of. She speaks of spring moments when they were happy, which may suggest that their relationship was like the changing seasons, and by the next spring they had finished and he had a new love.
Hamlet act 2
HAMLET:
is cool
except
when he is pretending to be mad.
then he not so cool.
see whats going down here is that Hamlet is getting right on with his whole 'tendin to be mad theme, and he's doing it rather well. He has convinced Ophelia, Polonious, the King and Queen, and even their none too bright spies. He has dramatically exposed himself in a lust enduced fit to Ophelia, and upon seeing his pride and joy she herself had something of a hysterical moment or two and ran to her father to inform him.
Claudius, old kingy, has set his dim witted spies upon Hamlet, and they don't seem to be doing much. Talking of spies, Polonious has sent someone to spy on his son and spread slander about him!!!!
At the end of act 2 Hamlet confides in the audience in ANOTHER soliloquay that he is planning to put on a pay that retells the story of his fathers shameful death so he can see if Claudius looks at all embarassed, because he is not trusting of the ghost, he is unsure whether it was a good spirit or the devil so he needs to find out for himself what the ghost told him was true. So That's The Plan.
bye now
is cool
except
when he is pretending to be mad.
then he not so cool.
see whats going down here is that Hamlet is getting right on with his whole 'tendin to be mad theme, and he's doing it rather well. He has convinced Ophelia, Polonious, the King and Queen, and even their none too bright spies. He has dramatically exposed himself in a lust enduced fit to Ophelia, and upon seeing his pride and joy she herself had something of a hysterical moment or two and ran to her father to inform him.
Claudius, old kingy, has set his dim witted spies upon Hamlet, and they don't seem to be doing much. Talking of spies, Polonious has sent someone to spy on his son and spread slander about him!!!!
At the end of act 2 Hamlet confides in the audience in ANOTHER soliloquay that he is planning to put on a pay that retells the story of his fathers shameful death so he can see if Claudius looks at all embarassed, because he is not trusting of the ghost, he is unsure whether it was a good spirit or the devil so he needs to find out for himself what the ghost told him was true. So That's The Plan.
bye now
Monday 27 September 2010
Hamlet: Reflecting on Act 1
At the crux of it, act one is describing and introducing the characters, and setting the scene. The revelation, which happens in all Shakespearean plays, is through a ghost (The late King Hamlet) To his son. Hamlet Sr reveals that his brother Claudius, who has since put it upon himself to rather politely seat himself firmly upon the throne of Denmark, and to lie himself scandalously in the bed of his brothers wife, actually poisoned him. The ghost beseeches Hamlet to seek revenge, which Hamlet does in his own, rather original way. Act one ends on a cliff hanger with Hamlet revealing to his faithful guards he is going to pretend to be mad. For some reason.
Also in Act one, we meet the beautiful Ophelia, daughter of Polonious (The late kings advisor) and Laertes(young Hamlets friend.) Her father and brother advise and positively forbid her from being too easy with Hamlet, who seems to have taken a shine to her, and tell her in no uncertain terms to stop giving him her smiles of face their extreme displeasure. To this she agrees, but obviously, believe her we do not. This makes Ophelia come across as quite sparky, which is always fun. Pity she kills herself.
Hamlet Jr Understandabley has some pretty dark thoughts regarding his mother, which he vents in an extremely long speech. For some reason they don't want him to go away to university but rather to stay with them, which i see as a bit stupid as he's not exactly been a ray of sunshine in the castle lately. Hamlet in fact appears quite pleasant to his mother, "ah, tis a fair reply" and this shows him as two faced and quite weak.
Also in Act one, we meet the beautiful Ophelia, daughter of Polonious (The late kings advisor) and Laertes(young Hamlets friend.) Her father and brother advise and positively forbid her from being too easy with Hamlet, who seems to have taken a shine to her, and tell her in no uncertain terms to stop giving him her smiles of face their extreme displeasure. To this she agrees, but obviously, believe her we do not. This makes Ophelia come across as quite sparky, which is always fun. Pity she kills herself.
Hamlet Jr Understandabley has some pretty dark thoughts regarding his mother, which he vents in an extremely long speech. For some reason they don't want him to go away to university but rather to stay with them, which i see as a bit stupid as he's not exactly been a ray of sunshine in the castle lately. Hamlet in fact appears quite pleasant to his mother, "ah, tis a fair reply" and this shows him as two faced and quite weak.
Monday 13 September 2010
David Copperfield- Charles Dickens.
What can i say about the opening of David Copperfield; Tinged with hilarity, and almost deliciously irrelevant, it states a rambling euology of his birth, and does, as he himself puts it, "start his life with the beginning of his life." The book itself of course is an intricate relation of young Davids many experiences and aquaintances, and is a book bursting with charecters, seasoned by the absoloute likability of the young David himself.
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