Dear AP students:
First, let's talk about symbols.
What can we say about that scene at Gatsby's party in which the guy with the horn-rimmed glasses makes a comment about the books on the shelves being real books? He's astounded that they are real books, that "they have real pages and everything." He initially though they were made from "durable cardboard."
Yet, he's still skeptical--he merely thinks that Gatsby has showed "thoroughness" about this supposed deception; he still thinks Gatsby is trying to pull something with these books. He doesn't think Gatsby really likes books or is some sort of intellectual, or an avid book collector.
Nick Carroway, the narrator of the story, theorizes that the entire library of books had probably been transported complete from some "ruin overseas."
What do those real book symbolize? What are we to think of them?
And I want everyone to notice the reference to the "green light" mentioned at the end of Chapter One. He notices the "green light" appearing at the end of a dock. This green light is one of the most famous symbols in American Literature. Let's start to figure out what the green light is all about.
One more symbol....the color gray. The narrator uses that color to describe Jordan Baker's eyes. He also uses it at the beginning of chapter 2 to describe the color of cars and the land. Does he use anywhere else? If so, why that particular color?
Has anyone spotted any other symbols/motifs?
Secondly, did you catch Jordon Baker's paradoxical statement given at Gatsby's party in which she states "I like large parties.They're so intimate. At small parties there's no privacy."
Remember, a paradox seems to contridict itself, but also has some truth.. What's meant by this paradoxical statement?
First, let's talk about symbols.
What can we say about that scene at Gatsby's party in which the guy with the horn-rimmed glasses makes a comment about the books on the shelves being real books? He's astounded that they are real books, that "they have real pages and everything." He initially though they were made from "durable cardboard."
Yet, he's still skeptical--he merely thinks that Gatsby has showed "thoroughness" about this supposed deception; he still thinks Gatsby is trying to pull something with these books. He doesn't think Gatsby really likes books or is some sort of intellectual, or an avid book collector.
Nick Carroway, the narrator of the story, theorizes that the entire library of books had probably been transported complete from some "ruin overseas."
What do those real book symbolize? What are we to think of them?
And I want everyone to notice the reference to the "green light" mentioned at the end of Chapter One. He notices the "green light" appearing at the end of a dock. This green light is one of the most famous symbols in American Literature. Let's start to figure out what the green light is all about.
One more symbol....the color gray. The narrator uses that color to describe Jordan Baker's eyes. He also uses it at the beginning of chapter 2 to describe the color of cars and the land. Does he use anywhere else? If so, why that particular color?
Has anyone spotted any other symbols/motifs?
Secondly, did you catch Jordon Baker's paradoxical statement given at Gatsby's party in which she states "I like large parties.They're so intimate. At small parties there's no privacy."
Remember, a paradox seems to contridict itself, but also has some truth.. What's meant by this paradoxical statement?
46 comments:
Up until this point, we have almost no complete background of Gatsby, besides the fact that he previously served in the World War I and is currently living a luxurious life at West Egg.
Owl Eyes made that rather snide remark to demonstrate how he believes Gatsby is simply putting on a show. None of the other guests are aware of Gatsby's past whereabouts, how he got wealthy, or why he insists on throwing such extravagant parties. This leaves reader's to interpret his character as superficial and furtive. Owl Eyes calls Gatsby a "regular Belasco" to imply how he went all out in making his mansion as real as possible — a tour de force. He also mentions how removing "one book" would cause the entire library to "collapse," hinting at the fragility of Gatsby's hopes and dreams. However, as of right now, we are unaware of his intentions, however malicious or misconstrued they may be.
The color gray is normally associated with the bleak and depressing aspects of life, and here in The Great Gatsby, it is no different. Gatsby and Carraway have a conversation about "some wet, grey little villages in France," so I'm assuming that the color gray represents pre-World War I days and the difficulty of life, in general, for many workers.
Jordan Baker's paradoxical statement is also quite alluring, as I can somehow relate to it. At large galas, you are only one fish out of a sea of a million. Consequently, you are at complete liberty to either cloister or enter private conversations with others. However, at smaller parties, the playing field is much more limited, and it is much harder to have one-on-one conversations.
Jordan Baker's parodoxial statement, in simpler terms, is just saying that at a large party it is easier to get have one on one conversations or even get intimate ( come on Jordon Baker we are guys ), in the other hand, at a smaller party anything you do is being seen by other people present in the party and you "get burned".
Because green is usually associated with action or moving forwards, maybe Nick's encounter with the "green light" foreshadows that he is going to take some significant action. Because he talks about looking for Gatsby right after the encounter, it could be interpreted that Nick will be searching for Gatsby in the near future, or maybe Gatsby will be the way Nick moves forward in life?
Graeme Scott
The reference towards the "real books" can refer to Gatsby himself. The author wants his audience to ask themselves, is this guy really who he says he is? For example, everyone has a speculation has to where Gatsby came from. Some say he fought in World War I on the German army, other said he fought with the Americans. The author wants to put that sense of mystery to the background of Gatsby. Is everything they say about him true? Did he really go to Oxford? Questions like this reflect towards the books themselves, are they real? Does Gatsby really take the time to read every each and one of them?
In the Grapes of Wrath, author John Steinbeck was very fond of utilizing the color Gray as a symbol. Gray can usually represent the past, sadness and despair. I agree with Justin Ramos and his theory that the color grey may represent the days before World War I. Maybe, Gatsby might have suffered some emotional injury after the war. However, that's just my theory.
The symbol of a green light can represent hope. For instance, as Nick watches Gatsby as sees a green light, this can represent a sign of approval. Nick has speculated about his neighbor and that green light can literally mean "go". Go forth, he may not harm you. Maybe that is why Nick decided to go to the party, he had hope that Gatsby would be good to him.
When I stumbled across Baker's comment, I stopped at thought about it for a second. What she was communicating is true. A party with 20 people is different than a party of 200 people. Think about it, small parties allow for those 20 people to see and judge everything everyone does. If you spill a drink on yourself, everyone will know. However, with 200 people, only a few will notice. As contradicting as it sounds, large parties are more private.
P.S Merry Christmas everyone :)
I noticed how the man at Gastby's party talked about the real books. In my opinion, I thought that he might have said this because everyone is rumoring about Gatsby and his killings and what not when they all are not real, but the books in his house are real because of the stories they have to tell and not how they are filled with hearings from another person to person telling these stories.
The reason why the green light is a symbol because it represents the "ok" signal that Daisy, his past love, is alive, possibly, and the light that is close to her house is possibly an emotional boundary for Gatsby.
The grayness of everything is a sigh that the setting is very dull; gray is a distasteful color when it comes to literature, or television.
Personally, the "real books" scene relates to Gatsby and the mysterious build up that's been happening in this point of the book. No one knows about him and having Owl Eyes mention something is "real" questions Gatsby's deal in throwing parties and whatnot when he doesn't seem to be what everyone believes he is.
The color gray relating to Jordan seems that nothing will happen to them regardless of the idea of them seeing each other. Gray symbolizing something gloomy reflects the possible outcome of Nick and Jordan. In contrast to this, the green light Nick sees towards Jay Gatsby is probably a deep symbol of action. With green light almost always meaning "go", a change in Nick's life regarding Gatsby is ahead.
Many people that have heard about Gatsby and go to his parties, hardly even know of the man himself. There have been many stories about him such as having killed a man and wanting everyone to like him but who really knows the truth beyond that? The astonishment about the books from the middle aged man has shown just how people dont even know Gatsby even if they go to his parties. People at the parties want to find out more of this mysterious man and the green light could possibly forshadow Nick and Gatsby's future friendship or guidance.
Alyssa lagasca
The statement regarding real books made by Owl Eyes establishes a mystery as to who Gatsby is and whether the readers can truthfully consider him accountable for how far he has come financially. We are forced to inquire if Gatsby is who he says he his. However, it is a question remained unanswered because the guests attending his extravagansas appear to have no concrete information of the host himself. Owl Eyes mirrors the disbelief of readers, that is to say, Gatsby's financial facade can collapse at any moment and prove to be false all along.
The colors gray and green are used to accentuate the meaning of the story and explain the actions of the characters. Gray correlates with dreariness, it symbolizes the lack of life or spirit. It is used in the book to describe a place of ashes, a place where no one wants to be. For the most part, green represents the initiative to take action which is symbolized by Fitzgerald as the key to getting Daisy. The green could also represent money and prosperity which Gatsby eventually obtained over the years to win Daisy.
When I came across Jordon Baker's paradoxical statement, I noticed its validity. At bigger parties there is the oppotune moment of being in a secluded area without risking the attention of others, because there are so many fish contained in one sea. However, in smaller parties, you are somewhat forced to hold conversations with others and cannot have liberty with your actions because everyone is observing.
LauraLee Johnson
The way owl eyes perceives the books connects to how people view Gatsby. The numerous guests that attend Gatsby's countless parties never even went past the surface of Gatsby and easily accept the rumors. None actually took the time to open one of his books in his library for a story and instead accept its surface weather cardboard or not. The view of the guests are all we have on Gatsby's life so far but the books being real hint that there is a story behind Gatsby other than his weekly parties and big house.
Light is usually used to guide and the color green signifies a place to go and the motivation to take action. This light can signify the American dream. If it is visible it is reachable, but the American dream only promised its light to a lucky few. on the other hand, there is the grey side. wherever there is light there is a shadow. The grey in which they describe the valley of ashes show the suffering of the lower class who did not obtain the light but instead live in its shadow. A very dull, abject place. We will have to read on in where Gatsby falls under in his case the dream being a girl, Daisy.
When people are trying to impress, they often make attempts to portray themselves greater than they really appear to be. Owl Eyes is asking that indirectly by pointing out the books - is Gatsby how he is really seen by people? Actually, we could tie this back to 'fake people' from Holden's perspective, but that's another story, quite literally at that. In another sense, Owl Eyes could be saying that there's more to Gatsby - he's more complicated, much more different than thought, and so on.
Gray is a neutral color, often used to indicate that there is more or simply what is seen. Good, evil, the inbetween, and those unaffected. That may be what is being hinted at by comparing Baker's eyes and the land with the color.
The real book could symbolize Gatsby's past of whether it's false or true. Possibly he's trying to be someone else and created rumors to portray himself as a bigger man. This builds up a mysterious character of whether he could be trusted.
The color gray could be associated with the gloomy, hopeless relationship between Jordan and Nick. On the other hand green light could symbolize a positive encounter with Gatsby.
Yuji Usami
The remark that Owl Eyes made towards Gatsby and the book case reflects much about Gatsby's unknown background and his unknown past. His questioning of the realness of the bookcase suggest that he does not believe that Gatsby should be in a wealthier position and by suggesting that the bookcase could collapse and break also hints that he believes that Gatsby to be capable of falling apart and to be an unstable person.
The color gray is often used as a description to describe dullness, lack of life, an empty area (vastness). Carraway's usage of this color in narration is used to describe the dullness and the emptyness of cars, lands, and etc.
The green light is a symbol of action. Even in present day, a green light is interpreted as a symbol that tells people to move. The green light that was seened in the dock was foreshawdowing an action to be made.
Books symbolize intellect, knowledge, and a way of communicating information and recording it. Since there is no previous background information on Gatsby, the books act as a symbol that Gatsby is nothing more than normal man that can be read just like a real books with real pages.
The "green light" symbolizes the foreshadowing of the narrator's future events. Since green stands for knowledge or greed and the light usually symbolizes a incoming venture, the "green light" overall probably symbolizes the foreshadowing of the future knowledge or distrust that he may be in in the long run.
The color gray usually symbolizes for something bleak or depressing. The gray in the certain situations in the book may refer back to the Marxist perspective when the gray enly appears when seeing a poor or lower class workmen such as the men shoveling up the ashes or the beaten up old cars.
The paradox that had been used means that at large parties, there are so many people that only those close friends are having a great time while the other people are enjoying themselves with their own in crowd. On the other hand, small parties may have ten people and that gossip and rumors would spread like wild fire in small parties. This paradox's truth means that in this big world that we live in, are shared by all these people and ultimately sharing a common theme in daily life.
James Lee
The reference to the color´s green and gray are to signify life and how it changes. The color gray is portrayed most closely to depression, as seen in the time period of this book, WWI would be the grief seen in everyone and the reference to green can be a new beginning, a foreshadow for change.
The paradoxical statement expresses the idea of self image and also the image in which people see you. In a small party, there is a greater probability for communication-interaction in people, image would be more noticeable as for a larger party where image is not as detailed.
The green light symbolizes hope for Gatsby for he really long for the past between him and Daisy to come back. It also means money. He rised from the slums. Daisy loved Jay but he did not have the money to marry her. Money played a huge role between her and Jay. That's why she married Tom, rich guy.
As for the color gray, for Jordan's eyes, Nick saw something he has never seen in her and that was she lied. He knew about her tournament scandal. The cheat that she had moved the ball. That's why she preferred a larger group for a party, so that no one would pay attention to one particular person. There was always distractions from here and there. She moved from one place to the other to not show who she really was to hide her true features. But she was free to act as what she wanted to be because she knew no one would pay attention. The gray cities depicts saddness. Although the the people were having a good time, it showed that there was something that have been hidden under their sleeves. Like Mr. Wilson's garage. Gray ashes were everywhere. Although he knew nothing about Tom and Myrtle, Myrtle hid something from him that showed the lies that swarmed around them.
Tiny Rose Medallo
Gatsby seems to be a "party" person, having books like those which are real doesn't make sense since he's too busy throwing parties that he doesn't have time to read books. Gatsby puts up these books for people to think he's an intellectual man and he has a good background like going to a great fancy school when he was a boy.
The green light represents the next move of Gatsby maybe to visit Daisy since it is lighting near Daisy's house. The gray color represents dullness, boring. Maybe there was no spark between Tom and Jordan.
The paradox suggests that in a big party there's way too many people, they can't really tell who is who and whoever is doing something. In a small party, there's only few people, they can see what each person is doing and saying.
Owl Eye's comment about Gatsby's library books being real is interesting. The books symbolizes Gatsby's life. Is it reality or merely a dream? Gatsby's life is so luxorious it seems almost unreal. Gatsby's past seems a bit mysterious and even Nick doubts his background stories are true. The books are used to symbolize the reality of Gatsby's life or to identify if it is all a show.
The color grey can be associated with hardship and depression. This could symbolize hardships and challenges many people had to face in order to earn money before their time.
Jordan Baker's paradoxical statement is clearly one that puzzles me. Though it can be seen that in large parties you will have a greater chance of meeting up with someone you know in order to have an intimate conversation with them. Whereas at a small party there may be a chance that you know no one at all which might make it a bit awkward to join in intimate conversations.
The library was picked on as a symbol for Gatsby's knowledge, his mind, his personality. The owl eyed man was skeptical and surprised not because of the books and his collection but how Gatsby carried himself. The owl eyed man (whom was part of the others who were skeptical of Gatsby) may have thought, why is this man of great knowledge and aristocracy so nice and generous to the public, people in general. His kindness made him question the genuineness of Gatsby. Why is he not like Tom? Why is he not as arrogant and proud as him? The library was the symbol of Gatsby's character.
In terms of the color grey, as Justin said grey associates with the "bleak and depressing aspects of life." It is used constantly in the story to show a juxtapose between the liveliness of the occurring events and the drained colors described with it.
In a way it can relate with the irony riches can bring to an individual.
As for the paradox, I had also tilted my head when reading how smaller parties were less "intimate" than large parties. But after contemplating, I realized the truth in it. A smaller party easily can make one more self conscious. However, in a large party, one can make a niche and connect with people with common likes. They can even make fools of themselves and not feel the embarrassment one would have in a smaller party.
-Eriel Carino
Jordan Baker's paradoxical statement could mean that she finds it easier to have intimate conversations at larger parties because there are so many othernpeople to entertain each other, whereas, at smaller parties it is harder to seclude yourself.
-Alex Sonnenberg
In my opinion the green light is foreshadowing that later on in the book Nick is going to move forward from an action. Also the paradoxical statement that was mentioned by Jordan Baker is basically stating that within a bigger party people are more likely to focus on one what they are engaged in than what others are. That is why larger parties are more intimate and at smaller parties people pay more attention to everyone else cause there is less going on.
Leanza Manzo
I think the books represent knowledge. The other characters in the novel are unsure about Gatsby educational background and where he is from so they doubt if he is a knowledgeable man. Also in the 1920's, it wasan era of flappers, alcohol, and liberation so to actually see "real books" during that time was maybe unusual. the green light in this novel,may represent a sign to go. So whatever Gatsby or Nick is pursuing they should continue their efforts. Gray may mean wisdom, maturity, or even sorrow. So Jordan may have personality that is mature or maybe she knows something thatmy cause hurt later on. The paradox may mean thatthe larger the party, people can be isolated toan extent because not everyone is paying attention. So far small parties, people can focus more each other since there is less. But one would think that small parties has privacy and large parties are not intimate.
Stephen Davis
The books commented in the party that Gatsgy throws can be a symbol of knowledge as many of the readers can notice. What I beleived the books stood for is prosper and not only knowledge but also wealth. The fact that one of the party guests notice that the books are real with real pages and everything is curiously ingenious to the fact that the guest notices and assures the reader about the myysteries and stories that are being told about Gatsby and it complements those stories. I presume that it symbolizes wealth because you never really hear about poor people having libraries with real books. I thought that probably in the 1920's books were really precious to people and they were actually read in great depth and considerd a hobby. Not many i beleive had the opportunity to have a real library with books that had pages. Most probably used durable carboard to make an illusion of a library just to add to the personality of the person with money but also to the look of their house.
What the green light could stand for is to keep going. Like a green light in life. The detail that it stands at the end of the dock could symbolize that at the end of the road, for Nick, it coiuld also mean prosperity and wealth if all goes well.
The color grey has many meanings in the fact that in those days business men usually wore a simple color to visualize a simple life of business and routine. The color grey describing one of the characters eyes is describing his life that has no life. His life in general has no green to it or reason or inspiration. Grey is a dull color and it means that he either is worked out from work or woeked out to trying to stick up to other people that it sucks the very nutrients from his life.
Sunny Avila
The color gray is used in the story to portray being dull or causing sadness. It symbolizes the lack of life and spirit. It is the place of no hope or future. In the book the author uses the color gray for a symbol of the valley of ashes; where everything is covered in gray dust, even the people.
I agree with the others that posted on this entry. The paradoxical statement quoted by Jordan Baker means at larger parties people won't notice the enviroment as much as those at a smaller party; where others would notice if you weren't wearing socks.
When the astonished man with the horn rimmed glasses observes the real books on Gatsby's shelf, I think it symbolizes Gatsby himself. It shows how people see the surface of Gatsby; his nice home, extravagant parties, and his wealth. But if you were to take the time to seek out Gatsby, and know him, he can be thought of as real and the mysterious tone that is cast upon him is somewhat uplifted. You would know more about him.
The color gray symbolizes a depressing, gloomy, boring nature. I agree with Eriel in that the color is used to contrast with the liveliness of the events around them.
The thing about the books being real books, i think means that people dont really know anything about Gatsby even though they go to his parties but theres a mystery about him that they would want to find out. The green light could mean he should just keep moving forward in his life and do what he wants to do. the gray usually means something "boring" because its not either light or dark, its in between.
Kevin Mendoza
"gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us" (pg. 189) the green light that was seen at the end of the dock represents hope which it foreshadowed gatsby's reconnection with daisy. the color grey symbolizes dullness especially in the valley of ashes. it symbolizes the lack of color, low life, and its dreariness.
The statement the man said about the books represents how others view Gatsby. He seems to be superficial, almost faking his wealth and his past. The man being surprised at the books can mean that even though Gatsby appears to be a poser, he is actually what he says he is.
Also, Jordan's statement can be seen as meaning that it is easier to keep to yourself and small comfortable groups at larger parties, because of the amount of people there, but at smaller parties, it is almost impossible to hide--one is forced to talk to nearly everyone.
-Kimberly Parra
The guy at Gatsby's party commenting that they are 'real' could only mean that he see's right through Gatsby and all his lies, or stories that he is hearing around the house during this time. And knows that Gatsby is hiding something very secret, dark, horrifying and wants to know the truth about all the rumors to simply put them to rest.
Jordan's statement about how he likes big parties is because you can get away with so much. For example, if someone were to berak a lamp of a pary of 5 you'd know who it is for sure, but if the numbers were higher to say 15 you would have no idea therefore having it be a mystery and a mess on your hands and in your wallet. :)
The green light repreents gatsby's hopes and dreams. Which his dreams are to be with daisy. He even holds his hands out the the light becasue he feels thats the closest he is to her
-Daniel Hernandez
The owl-eyed man is a skeptic about why a whole library of books are there. I mean, you can't believe that Gatsby would read all of them, let alone know all of the ones present. In reality, the books are just another part of the grand scheme of things in Gatsby's world. He buys a huge house across the body of water from Daisy (his love interest), holding huge parties in hoping she would show up too in curiosity. His whole life is in excess. Excess money, excess effort, excess hubris. The books are just there to impress, really.
The green light at the end of the dock can symbolize money or envy. Gatsby reaches his arms out as he looks into it across the bay; he is constantly striving for more. What more would he want? He has all the money in the world, but he still wants Daisy, the object of his desires for the past five years. This infinite dream is never fully realized. Grey is another color that's in the novel. It can symbolize the dullness of the world, people's numbness to others. For example, when the sky is grey, you don't really want to do anything. The world lacks color, and the use of the color grey emphasizes the monotonous indifference to others when taking advantage of them.
Daisy's statement is very interesting, but it makes sense actually. When there's a small gathering, it's easier to be nosy. A to B conversations can be invaded by C, D, and E. At larger parties, sub-groups come out of it and you can still have some intimacy. There's so much going on that no one else would pay attention to you and your little group. I found it interesting that Daisy would say that, since in the smaller gatherings in the novel there is always something wrong going on, like a mistress or awkwardness.
This far in this book Gatsby's mysteriousness has been portrayed to us readers. Not much has been identified about him,as for the owl eyes it defines that. It defines that although people attend Gatsby's numerous amount of parties rather than getting to know him and looking at these "real books."
Grey it is a rather dull and limp color that no one boths to overlook just like valley of ashes that consist of the lower class and what Gatsby strives for is the green, a more lively and "wealthy" color symbolizing Daisy.
From this point, we the audience have no knowledge of Gatsby, except the rumors which circulate his grand parties and around the area. However, we can only infer from his extravagant mansion that he is wealthy and (from Owl Eye's observation of the library and its genuineness) is intellectually sophisticated. The said "realness" of these books reflects upon and mirrors the true intentions and character of Gatsby himself: does he truly live up to this theatrical presentation of a man as being so "great"? or is he simply bootlegging this opulence in order to create such greatness, such reputation. Fitzgerald perfectly executes Gatsby as an enigma to which we the audience are learning of him as Nick does.
As for the green light, green usually attains a connotation of goodness, and of perhaps even persistence. This light to which Gatsby is so engulfed by is questionable to the audience and to Nick. This light symbolizes something that is obviously parted from Gatsby physically, emotionally, and geographically. to what extent does this light truly have on Gatsby? It is in this tool of foreshadowing that Fitzgerald executes so successfully.
The green light in this story is usually a symbol of things progressing and money. I think that the green light foreshadows that some action will be made...perhaps with Daisy. Since Daisy left Jay for Tom who had money.
Jillian Buenviaje
The green light can represent two things- money and hope. Money because Gatsby worked so hard to get to where he is now just for his love for Daisy and hope because he might actually get a chance with Daisy. The color ggray can represent dullness and hopelessness between Tom and Jordan.
Jordan's statement means that when there is a big party, people wont know who is there and they wont seem to care what everbody is doing but in a small party, there are less people and everybody will know everybody.
Ciarra Gagan
Owl Eyes comments the books being real as surprising because he felt that gatsby lacks intelligence and that he has all thos books for show-really just to impress Daisy hoping that one day she would show up to one of his extravagant parties. People see gatsby as mysterious because no one knows nothing about him, his past, and how he became rich. because people have no idea they start to make rumors and assum things about gatsby. the color grey symbolizes boreness and gloominess and depression. the green light usually means go or to take action. this shows that gatsby is ready to take action to reunite with daisy when he sees the green light at her dock. the paradoxical statement means she like larger parties because it more intimate rather than smaller parties that have no privacy. at larger parties there are so much people that are doing their own thing that you do not seem to stick out like a sore thumb unlike at smaller parties where everyone knows whos at the party and can easily notice what you are doing or if you are MIA.
I think the skepticism surrounding the books serves to show how in general, people do not expect too much from Jay Gatsby. He is a charming man who throws big parties where people invite themselves to feel famous and important; yet no one actually knows him. In the most literal form of the word, Jay Gatsby is a tool. People use him, his mansion, and his money to make their lives feel interesting. When the man with the glasses discovers the library brimming with real books, he is surprised to find that there is some reality behind the facade created to entertain the masses-so surprised that he can't even believe it. Why would someone who supposedly spends all of their time throwing fancy parties need books after all? Naturally, it is hard to accept Gatsby as a real person, but someone as lonely as him must have an awful lot of time to read books.
As Gatsby is seen to have a large collection of books, one would assume that he is a man of intelligence. However, this seems to contridict the fact that Gatsby is a "party man", so to speak. One would find it hard to understand that Gatsby would have the time to read when he spends most of his time having fun.
The color gray usually represents dullness, sadness, a time of boredom. Perhaps it refers to the relationship status between Tom and Jordan
As for the paradoxical statement by Jordan, I can conclude that the statement is true, as people in a larger party would not notice the things that would be happening around them. While as people in a secluded party would be more aware of what would be happening around them.
when Gatsby stares off toward the green light at the end of Daisy's Dock.In the novel the green light can represent Gatsby's hope to meet daisy again and win her back. The color gray can symbolize the dullness and lifelessness that refers to the valley of ashes.
-yoli Valdez
Personally, I would not consider the books as a main symbol in this novel, but I would consider The Owl Eyed Man as one. The Owl Eyed Man as first intoduced was drunk in Gatsby's library, but was still conscious enough to examine the books on the shelves for their authenticity. The "owl" represents knowledge aswell as darkness. Owl Eyes, as symbolized, may have seen through Gatsby and saw him as the very epitamy of a lie that he truly was.
The green light can be broken down into two other seperate symbols. The green can represent money, greed, reassurance, etc and the light represents a beacon of hope. When combined, Gatsby's American Dream is created as he desires to be together with the woman he loves, Daisy.
Through Jordan Baker, the color gray symbolizes a strong solid woman and also a woman who may have no hope for an intimate relation due to her neutrality. Through the Valley of Ashes, gray symbolizes a depressing and uniform community which suffers through opression of the upper class and a seeminingly unending poverty.
I think that the questioning of the books by the guy with the horned rimmed glasses is used to represent Gatsby. Just as how the man questioned the authenticity of Gatsby's books, people question whether Gatsby is really who he says he is. Various rumors have been spread that Gatsby was never a war hero and never attended Oxford. "I like large parties. They're so intimate. At small parties there's no privacy." This statement from Jordan is contradictory, but also truthful. One would believe that there's no privacy at large parties. However, large parties can have more privacy because everything thing you do is not seen by everyone, whereas every action at a small party is visible to everyone.
I think that the books, and the suspicion that they are all an elaborate hoax to fool his guests, really show how far he is willing to go to ensure that no one discovers his past. Though there are people that is something off about his story, he is able to feign who he is.
The paradoxical statement used by Jordan Baker is interesting, I think it shows how impersonal the parties are.
Josh Rodriguez
One motif is Gatsby's house. His house is a symbol for wealth. Unbelievable and unnecessary wealth. He hosts these unbelievable parties every weekend.
Jordan Baker’s contradictory statement makes a lot of sense to me. In a large part is more intimate because you become lost in the crowd. It is only you and the person you are talking too. In a small party there is no privacy because everything you say can be heard by everyone at the party.
To begin with, I will admit that I do not completely understand what the book comments made by the horn-rimmed glasses man... but I do have to say, that particular scene caught my attention.
Anyway,the two symbols that I was able to interpret were the ones that had to deal with colors. First of all, the green light symbol was very interesting, because the color green means health, good fortune, youth, and very importantly, resilience. As I discovered this I came to realize these were all qualities Gatsby himself possed making him all the more adequate to fight fow what he wants- his social status, popularity, and much more importantly, Daisy.
Now I interpreted the color gray somewhat differently than many others. To me, the color gray is like a kind of balance, since it is formed from black- which normally represents obscurity and evil- and white, the symbol of purity. Now Jordan Baker is kind of an ambiguos character. She is highly trusted by Gatsby proving her to be smart and sensible, yet, when she is around Tom and Daisy, she tends to be superficial and act like she does not have a care in the world. In essence, she relates to both kinds of characters the sensible ones (nick and Gatsby) and the superficial ones (daisy and tom) thus, creating a balance and allowing them to co-exist later on in the book.
The scene with the real vs. fake books can represent the whole situation of Gatsby becoming rich. Everyone who knew of Gatsby had their speculations which was the surprise in the guy with the horn-rimmed glasses that the books were real books. Gatsby is really rich and he had all the luxuries to prove it. But of course the guy is still "skeptical." He says that the books are just there for show even though they were real. This could kind of represent the unethical means Gatsby went through to obtain his money, which did not include the usual inheritance or hard work.
I agree with most of my classmates that the green light is a symbol for moving forward or acceleration. In real life, it is the symbol for "go", so it can be referring to that in eithr Nick finding our more about Gatsby and who he really is or Gatsby taking action towards winning Daisy.
-Dominique Rillo
The fact that the man was so astonished by the many books Gatsby owns reveals that deception and acting more "high class" then what one might actually be is common in this city culture. It is another window into what one has to do or pretend to be to be accepted.
The color green is usually associated with greed or envy,possibly the envy Gatsby has since Daisy is with another man.
Alexandra Daigle
Jordan and Nick stumble upon a man named Owl Eyes glancing through all the books in Gatsby’s massive library, established an obvious fact that all the books are real. This concept symbolizes how Gatsby’s guests feel about him. They pursue him to be this fake man trying to impress everyone with his expenses and extravagant parties; most of the rumors said are partly true, for instance, him being an “Oxford-man” and him “killing a man.” Gatsby did attend Oxford for a short period of time after the Armistice of WWI but did not graduate from there. Also, he technically killed a man considering the fact that he was a lieutenant in the war. The comment made that if one book had been removed for too long, the whole library would collapse, referencing to the vulnerability of Gatsby’s “green light,” or hopes and dreams.
Concerning the bleak yet often refreshing colour of gray, here Carraway describes the Eastern realm as dull and depressing. Also, this could refer to when it’s daylight; one can see the dark gray mounds of land compared to at night when the desolateness of New York is covered with nightfall and bright coloured lights and extravagant parties. Gray can additionally resemble hollowness, as Carraway states that Jordan Baker’s eyes are gray and we later find out that Jordan is a compulsive liar and a cheater as she cheated her first golf tournament.
Jordan’s paradoxical statement, "I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there's no privacy." She’s implying that at larger parties, it is far easier to have one on one conversations with someone and not be entirely noticed, as Daisy and Gatsby do at one party and absolutely no one noticed nor cared. But when they had a party consisting of Gatsby, Daisy, Tom, Jordan, and Nick, it was harder for Gatsby and Daisy to conceal their impulses as well as for Nick and Jordan to dip out when Gatsby and Tom began to argue.
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