SUMMER READING BLOG SPACE
Please list the title of your book and then comment. 
Avoid summary. Write observations, comments, questions, anything that would start or enhance a “conversation” about the reading. ENJOY!
Remember, you must blog at least five times for each of the books you are reading this summer. Your first reading blog is due by 6/15/10.
1:39 pm 
egrimm 
comment | June 13, 2010 at 12:03 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar-by Sylvia Plath
I started reading this book yesterday, and already it is very good. I enjoy it a lot actually. The part of the book that has most interested me so far really had nothing to do with the novel’s storyline. It was when Esther was talking about a time when she did not want to be an editor, but go into botany. These two career paths are so different from eachother that it makes me wonder why she ended up choosing the English major over the botany major. It seems to me that if you really enjoy a career path as much as Esther loved botany, then go for it. It just seemed interesting to me and I wish she would have went into more detail about it. Another question that is lingering in my mind is what ever happened to Esther’s mother? Why was she living with her grandparents? Hopefully I will find out soon. Other than those few unanswered questions and nondescriptive moments, I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the novel.
comment | June 14, 2010 at 10:27 | individual comment-link
Hello, looks like I’m the first one here.
I’ve already got “A Comedy of Errors” on hold
but for some reason it is still in transit from the Hackley library.
I ordered it the day after our English meeting
and I’m becoming impatient myself!
I apoligize in advance
and I will submit my blog as soon as the book comes in.
This ain’t no anti-summerwork excuse,
t’is the just the facts, ma’am.
comment | June 14, 2010 at 22:12 | individual comment-link
Native Son: I have just reached the part where Bigger gets his gun and heads off to rob the store so I thought it would be a great time to blog because of all the different thoughts going on in my head. First of all, I think the beginning is very sad where Bigger is with his family and it describes how they live. I feel very blessed with all that I have because many people don’t have much. Bigger confuses me because he seems to have an innocent side to him but he tries so hard to cover that up by doing so many horrible things. The whole plan to rob the store seems crazy to me and I think that all of it will turn out badly. If I were Bigger, I would not go through with any of it and would tell my friends that I was scared. Since Bigger is a guy I know he won’t. I hope that Bigger does not end up in jail because I don’t know where the story would go from there. Will the rest of the book be about his time in jail or will a new character be introduced and talk about their life?
comment | June 15, 2010 at 12:32 | individual comment-link
I read The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare. This piece seemed to be very rhythmic. I found myself constantly thinking that the next line was going to rhyme. I also noticed that the first lines of the first two scenes rhymed completely. Then throughout the rest of the scenes the only rhymes you could find were slant rhymes. I liked that there wasn’t a Prologue in the beginning but instead there was a back story built into the dialog of the first scene. I found that rather unique. I find myself enjoying this play, which is odd for me because i don’t enjoy plays, and am looking forward to reading it further.
comment | June 15, 2010 at 12:33 | individual comment-link
I am reading The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare. This piece seemed to be very rhythmic. I found myself constantly thinking that the next line was going to rhyme. I also noticed that the first lines of the first two scenes rhymed completely. Then throughout the rest of the scenes the only rhymes you could find were slant rhymes. I liked that there wasn’t a Prologue in the beginning but instead there was a back story built into the dialog of the first scene. I found that rather unique. I find myself enjoying this play, which is odd for me because i don’t enjoy plays, and am looking forward to reading it further.
comment | June 15, 2010 at 13:28 | individual comment-link
Never mind, I managed to get the book just a few hours later.
A Comedy of Errors Oxford University Press ©2002
1.1.1 – 2.2.222
At the beginning of the play, the introductory monologue, although quite clear in the beginning, lost me right about where the twins were separated; I feel that about 30% of the fluff could have been eliminated, and it would have made perfect sense. The setting and reason for the exchange is a bit ambiguous, though. Is Egeon, as I feel is implied, a noble in the Duke’s court, or as required by the play, a merchant who didn’t know the laws concerning the two cities? The argument between Antipholus (E) and Dromio (S) almost immediately reminded me of such characters like the Marx Brothers, or Abbot and Costello. Laurel and Hardy could fall under this grouping, but they fall short. The Three Stooges are not able to be compared to this play, mainly because they were up Slapstick Creek without the paddle of a play-on-words.
comment | June 15, 2010 at 15:33 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar:
I’ve recently read chapters one through five of The Bell Jar. Despite the sarcastic jokes and negative remarks I’ve heard about this novel, I’m actually enjoying it. Being able to look through the eyes of someone with a different view on life-although pessimistic-really intrigues me. Also, the way in which the author, Sylvia Plath, writes is different than that of any other novel I have read. With every thought, action, and word Esther says and does I feel more and more like the character herself. One thing however, that does bother me is the repetition in Esther’s thoughts. It seems as if she is uncertain in what she wants herself to think, and I am constantly re-reading the sentence to make any sense of it. I know that this is most likely to continue as Esther’s state of mind weakens, but I hope that this will not cloud my judgment of the novel as a whole.
comment | June 15, 2010 at 16:12 | individual comment-link
I am reading The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare for my classic choice in summer reading. I have read act 1 scene 1 online so far because my book has not come from Barns & Nobel yet. From what I’ve read so far it seems interesting and best option out of the list of five books. Comedy of Errors also seemed like the easiest way out with the other books being about deep issues such as racism and sexism, well Comedy of Errors is a Shakespearian comedy. I’m guessing this book will probably end up with a deep issue though otherwise it wouldn’t be on the list. I am intrigued to find out if the main character finds his wife and son before getting executed and will continue reading it once my book gets here.
Side Note: Did I post this in the right place?
comment | June 15, 2010 at 19:29 | individual comment-link
The Comedy of Errors, William Shakespeare
The chaos begins quite early in this book, doesn’t it? I want to know how it came to be that they live in rival cities. If so, they cannot tell between their own origin. This raises some issues with their discrimination. How does the son not know where his father is? He could definitely use the money, if only the slave wasn’t being mixed up in all of this also. I find it quite convenient that a poor woman has twins within the same day that the other twins are born, it’s as if they were born to be their slaves
comment | June 15, 2010 at 21:21 | individual comment-link
I’m reading “The Awakening” and so far it’s pretty interesting. Some of the phrases and such are a little hard to comprehend, but the key notes at the bottom help:] I’m interested in where Mrs. Pontellier’s relationship with Robert is going to go…I feel bad for her husband though. He seems nice enough. Hopefully she isn’t too much of a jerk to her husband.
comment | June 15, 2010 at 21:51 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
The Book is going great so far, it’s easy to understand and read. I don’t know why in the world Elly Greenwood would be unsatisfied with her life. It seems as if she worked so hard to get to where she is in the fashion magazine world. She has to be good at what she does or she wouldn’t have been one of the few girls who were chosen to intern. The first chapter of the book though, doesn’t fit in with the rest until the poisoning occurs. I also wonder where in the world the poisoning came from. I can’t think of anyone from the book who I would suspect did the poising. Although Doreen could possibly have had something to do with it because, Elly said she was a bad influence on her, but so far she has seemed like a half way decent friend by being by Elly’s bed side after the poisoning. I am looking forward to reading the rest of thebook as the plot thickens.
comment | June 15, 2010 at 22:04 | individual comment-link
Hello! This is my first post for my “Classic” summer reading choice, Comedy of Errors, by Shakespeare.
So far, I have read the first Act. The work is called the “Comedy of Errors”, so I think it is safe to assume that many errors will be made by the characters,such as the one of Antipholus thinking that Dromio owes him money. I cannot really understand everything through the Shakespearian language, so I do not understand why Antipholus makes this mistake, nor do I know who does owe Antipholus the money. Judging by what I can gather by the monologue by AEgeon about his life and the twins, perhaps Antipholus mistook Dromio for his twin brother…? And if that is the case, I wonder how much more convoluted this could possibly get with everyone mistaking each other for other people.
As there are 5 Acts, I guess I will check in after every Act I read.
comment | June 15, 2010 at 22:43 | individual comment-link
Native Son by Richard Wright
In the book so far the main character seems to be Bigger, Bigger seems to have a difficult time with life whether it be at home with his family or with life outside of family. Bigger seems to have problems with his mother cause she blames him for the poverty and problems they have been facing. and i feel that the rat is a symbolic addition that stood for the fear (which happens to be the name of the book one). the rat was afraid of bigger as was the family afraid of the rat, and i feel its death was a symbol of Bigger masking his fear by using violence to get rid of his problems. so far i am enjoyin this book and i can’t wait till the next blog.
comment | June 16, 2010 at 20:36 | individual comment-link
“The Comedy of Errors” by William Shakespeare
Hello, and sorry I’m one day late on my reading blog. I went with my sister to Barnes and Noble to buy “The Comedy of Errors” by Shakespeare on Sunday and it wasn’t there. I ended up having to order it there in the store and had it shipped to me. It just arrived today and I’ve read Act 1, so here it goes. “The Comedy of Errors” is pretty enjoyable to read. I picked it for my Classic reading choice because it seemed to be on a “lighter note” than the other choices. Also I like comedy, making this the natural choice. I like what I’ve read so far through Act 1, my favorite part being when Antipholus of Syracuse mistakes Dromio of Ephesus of being his servant, Dromio of Syracuse. It even has some good old slapstick comedy with Antipholus beating Dromio over the “spent” money. The silly story of two sets of identical twins and their families suffering from cases of mistaken identities is sure to be hilarious as I read on through Acts 2,3,4, and 5. I got the “No Fear Shakespeare” version of the comedy, with the original text on one page and plain English text on the other so I can get a better understanding of what is going on. I don’t know if that is allowed but don’t worry, I’m reading the original text, not just the plain English. Like Kyle, I’m going to blog once every Act, seeing as there is five Acts and five blog dates. Once again, I’m sorry for typing this blog a day late. I will make sure to get my next one in on time on the 1st of July.
comment | June 17, 2010 at 19:52 | individual comment-link
Hi everyone. I hope you’re all having a great summer. I’m Sorry that i’m a little late on the blog. I ordered both of my books from amazon.com and they just came in today! I just got started, but I hope that’s okay, and I do apologize. I’m reading The Bell Jar, and I really enjoy thebook so far; it’s an easy read. I find Esther very amusing, and her remarks are extremely entertaining. I thought it was funny when she said, “The thought of dancing with that little runt in his orange suede elevator shoes…made me laught” (11). I also thought it was clever of her to create a fake name on the spot. I like her sense of humor, and it makes me feel like I can easily relat to her. I discovered that when Esther talks about the city of New York, she uses very discriptive words like glittering and blinking. I think this is because she is captivated and excited by New York, unlike the other girls she is living with who are “bored” of the New York life. Esther seems very down to earth, she has a good vocabulary, she eats what she wants to eat, and she works hard, unlike the other girls. The plot hasn’t really developed yet, but i’m looking forward to reading more. I heard this is a very good book, and I already feel like I have a connection with Esther.
comment | June 18, 2010 at 09:51 | individual comment-link
A Comedy of Errors Oxford University Press ©2002
3.1.1 – 3.2.190
As the beginning of the total mess of absolute confusion, I had to reread it several times just to verify who was speaking to whom. It was indeed a bit wordy, which can be expected from Shakespeare, I suppose. If Dromio (S) had actually opened the door of the Phoenix to Dromio (E), … that would be a very difficult bit of literature to write. There are already hintings of a wedding, but I’m not sure that EVERYONE will get married. Still no word yet on the plight of Egeon, though.
comment | June 20, 2010 at 22:07 | individual comment-link
I just finished the first part of Native Son and I am kind of disturbed. When I started reading I had this feeling that something bad was going to happen; but I did not think that it would be this awful. For a moment I tried to put myself into Bigger’s shoes but I just couldn’t. How could anyone even think about doing something like that? I realize that he was in shock himself but to burn her body seems crazy. I have no idea where the book will go from here but I am excited to read more. So far the book has kept me interested but it was very hard to read these last few pages. I can only imagine what Mary’s parents reaction will be and I do not think that it will be good.
comment | June 21, 2010 at 10:26 | individual comment-link
A Comedy of Errors Oxford University Press ©2002
4.1.1 – 4.3.95
I was hoping that more of everything would be happening at the same time, but that might start to pick up after Antipholus (E) has been in jail for a while. I’m a bit disappointed in not being able to meet Dromio’s (S) girlfriend in the kitchen! (well, at least not yet;) I might admit that the means of actually running to the police and talking directly to them to settle a score is very effective, however. It is a lot harder to argue with someone face to face than over the phone at central dispatch.
comment | June 22, 2010 at 21:56 | individual comment-link
A Comedy of Errors.
Hey I’m sorry my posts are late. I went to the Naval academy for a week and didn’t have any computer access to blog. Anyways I think that a Comedy of Errors is a little confusing. I have trouble keeping all the characters straight and who goes with who and stuff like that. I want to know how the characters get mixed up. I mean if you are married to someone wouldn’t you be able to recognize them even if they looked exactly like someone else. I really like the play so far and I will keep reading and blogging as soon as I can. Sorry I am late with my comments.
comment | June 23, 2010 at 18:32 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar -Blog #2
I was shocked when I read that the girls were poisoned, but the book has not gone into detail with it yet. I am still wondering who did it, and why would they do that. Who would want to posion all those girls? As I keep reading more and more of The Bell Jar, i can easily see that Esther is not happy in her life. She is constantly bringing up things she is not good at, instead of focusing on her possitive qualities. She continues to think negatively towards herself. I believe her depression stems from her confusion. On page 77 she compares her life to a fig tree. She has so many opprotunities in life, and so many choices, but she wants them all, which is not always possible. There are many roads she can take in life, but she is confused, and she can not make up her mind. If she does not make any desicions about her life soon, she may lose all her opprotunities. She could be left with nothing. Although the plot still has yet to evolve, I am really getting hooked on this book, and Esther’s character. I am constantly wondering why the book is called The Bell Jar. I still do not know what that means. Hopefully the plot begins to form, and the title is explained, in the further reading.
comment | June 24, 2010 at 09:09 | individual comment-link
A Comedy of Errors Oxford University Press ©2002
4.4.1 – 5.1.91
I just realized how big of a coincidence it would have to be for both sets of twins to be called the same name. Not only that, but raised in separate cities with different values and society further lowers the chances that they would be absolutely identical in all means. Here the story sort of comes to a climax arising from that small gold chain, and I finally realized one way to discern between the two sets: the Syracusans lean towards plain speaking, or prose, and the Ephesians tend to prefer a more poetic language. What I find really interesting concerning the matters of the law back then, is that if the prisoner escapes and isn’t recaptured, or doesn’t repay, the money in question is demanded of the officer of the law.
comment | June 24, 2010 at 15:14 | individual comment-link
Ever since the murder Bigger has acted very strange. I do not think that his plan to get money from the Dalton’s and then run away with Bessie is going to work. I have two ideas of what is going to happen. The first is that Bigger is going to become even more strange and will eventually tell somebody what he did and it will be the wrong person. My other idea is that Mrs. Dalton will confront Bigger about Mary being gone and then she will remember what she heard/smelled the night it all happened. Although Mrs. Dalton was only around Bigger once before this, I just have a feeling that she already knows that he killed Mary.
comment | June 27, 2010 at 21:48 | individual comment-link
The Comedy of Errors William Shakespeare
I am really getting into this play. I love the way that all the characters get mixed up with eachother. I think it is very funny when Dromio S almost opened the door of Dromio E. I wonder what would have happened if the two characters would have actually met eachother at that moment. I’m sure there would have been alot of confusion and it would have most likely been difficult to read and to keep the characters seperate.
comment | June 28, 2010 at 08:57 | individual comment-link
A Comedy of Errors Oxford University Press ©2002
5.1.92 – 5.1.428
Now I do know that nuns must not be married while wearing the habit, but I did not think that a nun could leave the ranks and be married again; it definitely sounds like it at the end of the story, but is not explicitly mentioned. One thing that is not mentioned, which I find pretty important, is if the Duke waives the thousand-mark bounty on all three of the Syracusans, which would mean that everyone would die and little would be accomplished. But I am glad to know that Dromio’s (S) “fat friend” will be the sister-in-law to his brother (there’s going to be a wedding!), exactly what he wanted…
Did I enjoy this book? Yes. Could it have been improved? If it was a film starring the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges, I’m sure it could have grossed higher than Gone With the Wind, even with the less gentlemanly aspect.
comment | June 29, 2010 at 14:54 | individual comment-link
Native Son -Blog #2
I just finished reading more of Native Son. This novel is really keeping my interest. It shocked me when Bigger accidently killed Mary. This makes me have a lot of question about Bigger’s life, like will Bigger confess he accidently killed Mary? Or will he lose his job? and how much guilt will he have? Even though what Bigger did can cause him jail time, I really wish he would tell someone about the accident with Mary. I like how there is a lot of drama and excitement when I read. I get really excited in the parts where Bigger is being asked questions because it makes me wonder will Bigger get caught and does he seem to be getting closer to being caught with the lies in his story? I am really curious if Bigger’s plan with Bessie will really work. Even though it seems like a perfect plan for some reason I don’t think it will work. I feel really bad for Jan. He is basically getting accused and blamed for something he didn’t do because of Bigger’s lies in his story. I hope Jan doesn’t get any jail time because he doesn’t deserve it, even though it didn’t help when he started lying to Britten. I cannot wait to continue reading to see what will happen next!
comment | June 29, 2010 at 20:46 | individual comment-link
I’m reading The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. I really like how the story line is going. I was intrigued from the first page, and it seems like it could go anywhere at this point, and i’m not even very far yet. I like that it is exciting in a very simple way, in the sense that she lives a relatively normal life. I just wonder why the title is The Bell Jar. I don’t know where that comes from. I empathize with Esther, even though she has much better luck than I ever have, and a seemingly better life. The way she narrates her life makes it feel like it could easily be your life, and you can follow along easily. I’m very much enjoying this book so far.
comment | June 30, 2010 at 10:08 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar #2
This main character of the novel has definitely taken a turn for the worse. She is completely insane now and trying to discover different ways to kill herself. The novel was really good up until this point. Now it is just depressing. The tone is so gloomy that it takes all the fun out of reading a relatively enjoyable piece of writing. Sylvia Plath is doing a very good job of putting the tone across however. She uses words like “killing”, “terrible”, “black”, and “asylum”. I have been thinking the same thing as Laura mentioned above, why is the novel titled The Bell Jar? What does that have to do with anything?
comment | June 30, 2010 at 10:54 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Scribner, ©1992
Chapters 1-2
What I gather so far is thus: one middle-class guy, trying to get into the financial market, attempts to hang out with the rich folks and have a good time until (absolute wild guess) this Gatsby guy comes along and gives him one, just one bit of advice that will make him rethink his entire life. If this is how the story works out, I can see why it was an early flop on the market. So far, I have come to the conclusion that there is no dramatic plot, or any real purpose to write this book than to get it out of Fitzgerald’s head. Just like real life, as far as I can see, there is no reason for this excerpt of this guy’s life except that which no one else can comprehend except the author.
comment | June 30, 2010 at 17:03 | individual comment-link
This is my first blog post for The Awakening I’m sorry I’m a little late on it. This book is somewhat interesting so far. I really like some of the small passages and the way they are worded. I wonder where the relationship between Mrs. Pontellier and Robert are heading. It makes me wonder about her and husbands relationship. I wonder why she married her husband. Other than that there is really good imagery throughout the novel as well. Some parts it’s as if it’s playing in your mind. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next in this novel.
comment | June 30, 2010 at 17:15 | individual comment-link
I’m imagining the three stooges acting in Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. Thanks for the thought, Karl.
comment | June 30, 2010 at 18:58 | individual comment-link
Blog #2 – 7/1
I am continuing to read The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare. I just finished with Act 2 and am enjoying the novel so far. I am finding that I have to go back and re-read sections though. This is because I am trying to space my reading out enough to pull 2 months’ worth of blogs out of an 80 page book well doing minimal effort. The book is a tad confusing at times also due to that the characters having similar names in the play notes from people using his or her city name as part of their title. I enjoy reading The Comedy of Errors and will continue reading when next blog entry is nearing its due date.
comment | June 30, 2010 at 19:26 | individual comment-link
Oh Michael, please don’t feel like you have to spread out your reading. Those are just FINAL due dates. If you’re movin’ along well, then feel free to do your postings as you go. The due date is just teh final date you’re supposed to post.
comment | June 30, 2010 at 21:31 | individual comment-link
“The Comedy Of Errors” By: William Shakespeare
I am reading Act 2 for this blog. I found it funny that Adriana says that Dorimo [of Ephesus] gets loved more by Antipholus and she is his wife. I found it even more funny that she then goes on to blame Antipholus for her declining beauty. I don’t get why she randomly starts rhyming at the end of Act 2 Scene 1! Scene 2 seemed pretty straightforward and easy to understand.
comment | June 30, 2010 at 23:09 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar
Finally I’m posting. Sorry about the delay. I ordered my books online and it took forever. However, The Bell Jar is an amazing read. While reading, I felt that Esther and I were similar, we both have similar goals in college and similar attitudes with others and alone. I wish she was real. She would be cool to talk with.
One thing I noticed in Esther is that she can be very critical and/or cynical, like Chapter 1 (Pg. 4): “These girls looked awfully bored to me. . . . Girls like that make me sick. I’m so jealous I can’t speak.”
Another thing in Esther is that she is very observant, can lose track of thought, and switches different perspectives within a scene that can take five minutes but take ten. I can’t decide if this is annoying or sometimes interesting to me. I guess it depends on the subject.
One last thing I have noticed in Esther is that she can sometimes hold back the whole truth. She seems to be more independent and lonely than sociable with the women she is with, like how she leaves Doreen with Lenny while they are fooling around and kissing, and getting kind of left out.
Esther doesn’t seem to be happy with her life, but I hope it improves. So far, I’m am very interested in the book and I hope it gets more exciting!!!
comment | July 1, 2010 at 15:37 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar: Post 2
As I continue reading, it seems that Esther’s state of mind is clearly diminishing. This however, has given a vantage point on interpreting recurring symbols and their connection to Esther. For example, when Buddy shows Esther different hospital sights they come across a series of babies in pickle jars, which had died before birth. Esther remains calm and un-phased, but vividly recalls the memory when visiting Buddy in the sanatorium. I believe that the stillborn fetus’ represent how childish and inferior she feels compared to Buddy’s life experience, as if she too had not been given the chance to mature into something more. The Fig tree (as Lindsey mentioned above) also gave a similar insight to Esther’s feelings of negativity and the need to “branch out” to her various opportunities. I hope that both of these symbols will continue to broaden throughout the rest of the novel.
comment | July 1, 2010 at 18:07 | individual comment-link
Well I was a tad confused in my first post, as I didn’t really get that the Dromios were slaves. After rereading some parts more carefully and reading the character list at the beginning, I understood it a bit better.
Anyway, the Comedy of Errors Act II is what I read for this posting. Just going make a prediction right off the bat and say that Antipholus of Syracuse and Luciana are going to be married, because this is a Shakespeare comedy. And hilarity will probably insue with Antipholus courting Luciana, and Adriana thinking that it’s her husband. Just throwing that one out there. I can’t believe that Antipholus and Dromio look so much like their brothers that NO ONE notices at all. Are they wearing the same clothes too? Even Antipholus’ wife mistook him. I haven’t really noticed anything with the rhyming scheme. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, all of the characters had different kinds of rhythm in their lines, but I don’t see any sort of pattern in Comedy of Errors. Sometimes they rhyme, and sometimes they don’t.
comment | July 1, 2010 at 18:08 | individual comment-link
This is my first blog post for The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare; I’m sorry for the tardiness. I am enjoying the play but noticed some aspects of it which I’m not currently familiar with. This includes the rhyming of lines at odd places, such as at the beginning but not the end of a character’s part. This confused me at first but as I read on I was able to understand more clearly what characters were saying to each other. I look forward to the next few Acts to better understand Shakespeare’s unusual way of writing.
comment | July 1, 2010 at 18:23 | individual comment-link
Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare
And the comedy begins. Shakespeare’s play on words is really starting to shine through. My book marks some words as two things, just so I will be able to follow their conversation. One word was even marked as sounding like another word. It seems that this would be a lot harder to do with our limited English, it seems that our language is shrinking with regard to multiple meanings, and expanding into words that have very specific purposes. Such as “blog.”
comment | July 1, 2010 at 22:51 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar #2
I am not very far in the book, but I am already feeling that Ester has some mental issues building up. First of all she is a downer, always pointing out what she finds herself bad at instead of all of the things others find her good at. She then started comparing herself to men and thinking that she was not good enough for them. The book is a bit more difficult to read because she is always referring to things that have happened in her past. I’m wondering about the title also. It’s all good though.
comment | July 1, 2010 at 23:42 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar
Esther and I are almost the same people. As I read more, she starts to sound like me, which is cool. She seems to have a very confusing love/hate relationship with Buddy. Esther would talk about Buddy being a hypocrite, but the story she tells sounds like she loves him and doesn’t want to be away from him. I guess it makes sense that she lets Constantin sleep with her, so she can try to forget Buddy because she talks about Buddy a lot. One thing that makes this more confusing is that she doesn’t want to get married. She sounds independent, but she doesn’t want to be lonely. I guess I’ll have to read more and figure out this chaotic life of Esther. Other than that, Sylvia Plath has nice diction and use of figurative language. It’s abstract from concrete content, which makes things interesting and creative.
comment | July 1, 2010 at 23:44 | individual comment-link
I’m reading “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin and so far it’s pretty good. Edna is getting even more attached to Robert’s company than I had thought. I think it’s weird that she spends so much time with just a man. Usually women have more girlfriends, but not Edna. I just found that odd. I feel bad for her family because she spends more time with Robert than them. Especially her husband whom I think she’s going to cheat on. Now the story is getting pretty interesting because Robert is leaving to go to Mexico and she reacted like she was his wife or something. Edna thought he should have told her. This I found interesting considering she doesn’t care when her husband leaves for business trips… . Well that’s what I’ve read so far. Does anyone else think she is being a selfish wife and mother?
comment | July 2, 2010 at 00:18 | individual comment-link
The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
Sigh…..I did it again — by just a few minutes though. I’m sorry for being late again. I procrastinated and waited until the last minute and in turn, I am now late. I truly apologize. Anyhow, Act II of The Comedy of Errors was a preety good read. I felt slightly bored with it though with the conversations between Adriana and Luciana. Other than that it was pretty good. The section when Dromio tells Antipholus the metaphor about all the bald men was fairly strange and funny. I am hoping to see more hilarity ensue as the Antipholus twins and the Dromio twins continue to be mixed up between the other characters. Once again, I sincerely apologize for being late again, and I assure you it won’t happen again.
comment | July 2, 2010 at 10:57 | individual comment-link
Kendra,
In The Awakening, I think Edna doesn’t like to be alone and wants security from Robert. I also think this book is also a Feminist book, so Chopin is showing that women can be devoted to there husbands. The Awakening sounds good. I think I should read it too after The Great Gatsby.
comment | July 4, 2010 at 15:13 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Scribner, ©1992
Chapters 3-4
A string of seemingly unconnected events, but eventually they will all relate to one another, but how they will I have no idea. So far, I can only figure out that Gatsby is feeling insecure about himself and his role in this world, so he is looking for a woman he saw only briefly a few years ago. If this was a cartoon, Linus would tell him to get a security blanket, and Snoopy might tell him to get Met. My first reaction to when Gatsby told the author he invited him over in the bare hopes that he knew Daisy, I thought that he was being used; was he going to be a tool to avenge some long-lost cause or to convey some ancient poem of love? It remains to be seen, and one reason this might be a famous book so far is its complete and accurate rendition of the results of parties: I went, I partied, I don’t remember.
comment | July 4, 2010 at 16:43 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar: Blog #3
There is only 100 pages left in the book, and I feel like the plot is just beginning to take off. I can honestly say that she has lost a bit of sanity. Who doesn’t shower or wash their clothes for three weeks just because they know they will have to do it all again tomorrow. That is life. Normal people shower and wash their clothes. I understand that alot of things have not been going Esther’s way, but that does not mean she can just give up on life all together. I do feel bad for her that she can not sleep. I also think she secretly wants a life in the suburbs, even if she claims she doesn’t. She is always stating how happy Dodo Conway is, and she is so envious of Doctor Gordon, and his family. I believe she wants the life with a family, but she just doesn’t know it yet, and she continues to be unhappy because she is so confused.
I just got to the part where she is enterin Doctor Gordon’s private hospital, and maybe that is what the Bell Jar is. Maybe she feels trapped in there, like a firefly trapped in a jar; held there against its own will. I’m looking foward to finishing this book, and reading what happens to Esther in the hospital.
comment | July 4, 2010 at 16:47 | individual comment-link
Jonathon,
I agree with you. I love how Sylvia Plath uses words and imagry in her book. Even when there is a part where not much is going on, i’m still hooked on reading because of her clever descriptions and details.
comment | July 5, 2010 at 16:05 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar #3
Well I finally figured out why the novel is titled The Bell Jar and it is quite interesting actually. When Esther first referred to being trapped in a bell jar, I did not know what it was so I Googled it, and it is like a glass dome type of thing. The fact that Esther keeps mentioning being trapped makes me understand just how frustrated and lost she really is. The poor girl feels like she can’t get out, she is put aside from the rest of the world. It really makes one sympathize with her condition at this point. I really do feel bad for her even though she is a bit of a physco.
comment | July 6, 2010 at 11:31 | individual comment-link
Sorry this blog is late but i have been without a computer for some time. But in the novel Native Son by Richard Wright you start to learn more about Bigger. Bigger seems to have a really big anger problem and has a hard time controlling his rage that is usually triggered by his fear. Bigger didnt want to rob Blum so he used anger and threatened Gus, but he did this so that the gang did not go through with robbery. But this got out of hand, while Bigger knew that he was not serious during the whole act with Gus in the pool room he took it to far and angered the gang and Doc who is the owner of the pool room. To me fear seems to be a huge symbol in the book. The Bigger is scared to do stuff because of fear and it always resorts to confrontation and anger. Bigger tries to blame other people saying they are the ones that are scared but in reality it is Bigger that is scared. Im really enjoying this book so far and can’t wait to blog about my next passages.
comment | July 6, 2010 at 11:38 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Scribner, ©1992
Chapters 5-6
Alright, so now we have a plot. From the story, it seems like Gatsby doesn’t care very much for what he’s accomplished to date. The only thing that really seems to draw him along in life is Daisy, and he didn’t do so well for the first few minutes. I have found it quite quite difficult to believe that Gatsby would be willing to devote five years of his life to thinking about her, and then appear to fall into love at first sight. But she is already married, so what will be the consequences once Tom finds out? Or once Daisy tells him she never loved him? There is going to be a problem, a big one coming up, and this sounds suspiciously like a modernized, prolonged Romeo and Juliet.
comment | July 6, 2010 at 12:01 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar #4
I finished the novel and realized I still have two more blogs to do! So I will first start out by saying that I really actually enjoyed the book, which is surprising for a required reading book. The only complaint I have (and I hope this doesn’t ruin the ending for anyone reading it) is that the ending is left open for the reader’s own interpretation. I don’t like it when novels end that way, not knowing whats next. I can make a pretty good prediction and I hope I’m right becuase I want whats best for Esther. So I am imagining that the doctors decide to let her free. It’s the only thing that makes sense really because she has been improving and she is so young that she should not stay in an asylm for her whole life. But the overall theme of the book I think is very relevant to everybodys life, and that is always look forward becuase things will get better. Don’t fear the future unless you want a bad history to repeat itself.
comment | July 6, 2010 at 12:07 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar #5
I agree with Jonny, Esther’s love life is one of many twists and turns. She does seem to go through a lot of different boys in the novel but none of them she seems serious about, just a little fling or short date. I never really realized Esther’s hesitency until now. I mean I definitely noticed her distancing herself from males and not wanting long term things with them, but I just don’t know why. She seems very independent, as Jonny said, and maybe this is why she doesn’t want to be tied down. She doesn’t want to feel dependent on another living person for her own care. She’s kind of all about herself, but in a safe way, not a arrogant way. It’s very interesting to me the way she keeps referring to Buddy, but never seems to want to be consistent with him ever since she found out that he slept with another woman. Maybe she doesn’t trust males anymore. Something to think about.
comment | July 7, 2010 at 06:30 | individual comment-link
Well Danielle, what I got from reading this book last year was that Edna was so hurt from her previous “loves” that she would rather marry a man that loves her (even if she does not necessarily love him back) than risk getting hurt by another man.
comment | July 10, 2010 at 13:36 | individual comment-link
The Comedy of Errors.
Wow act four was crazy. There was so much going on I had to read it twice to really even be able to pretend to know what was happening. I think it is really funny how the characters interact with eachother and how they cannot keep from mistaking who is who. I am even having trouble remebering who is who sometimes but I just re-read what happened and then it’s all good. I really cannot wait until all the characters meet up with eachother if that happens at all.
comment | July 10, 2010 at 17:34 | individual comment-link
“The Comedy Of Errors” By: William Shakespeare
Act 3. I am finding that the more novels I read from William Shakespeare, the easier it is to understand his complex vocabulary. I still would not be able to fully understand this novel if I didn’t have the word definitions on the side. Anyways, back to the blog.
The comedy is really starting to kick in now. I found myself actually chuckling at when Dromio called one of the females as fat as she was tall, spherical. Also, either the vocabulary is getting slightly simpler or I am beginning to understand more of it. Overall I find that I am actually enjoying this book a lot more than I figured I would, especially since it is summer reading.
comment | July 10, 2010 at 19:04 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar: Post 3
It’s beginning to get harder to read the mass chaos unfolding in Esther’s life. I think her depression is fed by her high expectations of life. Esther envisions living a “perfect” life. One filled with a happy marriage, children, and a broadened career path that is able to change with a blink of the eye. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as “perfect,” and she cannot apprehend this. It’s terrible to watch her spiral into her depression and the immense actions in which she takes, especially knowing that the author herself was similar. I’m glad that Esther is able to get some help for her psychosis, but wish that she saw the opportunity as a chance for freedom, not entrapment.
comment | July 10, 2010 at 19:32 | individual comment-link
I read The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare for the first book of my summer reading. I enjoyed the humor of all the characters, including the masters and their own servant, confused about which twin was which. There is one problem that smashes the believability of a situation being possible in real life, their clothing. For the servants to confuse one twin with another and give the wrong object to one person the twins would have had to have been wearing the exact same thing with the same hair style. Another problem that would have caused one twin to differ from the other and tip off the servant would have been the twin’s accent. It is noted that the two were from different area, but they seem to each sound the same to someone who has lived their full life together like the servant has. In the end though these flaws might have been annoying, but the story and the errors surrounding it make it an enjoyable read.
comment | July 10, 2010 at 21:06 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar
Esther randomness impresses me more as I keep on reading. I still do not understand why she hates Buddy. She did break her legs (which I thought was funny because she wanted to try to ski again), but is that why she hates him? I guess I’ll still have to read to find out more.
Back on her randomness, Esther disappointed me when she quit college. Also, she seems to hate a lot of things, especially men. She would say they are rude or conceited, but then she would kiss them after a few talks.
I noticed that in Chapter 11, she has totally become a new person. She seems to lie about what she feels about certain actions and also lies about her personality towards men. She also slits her wrists, which is disgusting.
Since she acts lonely in the novel, the narration is very descriptive about random things that pop into her mind. Like suicide and people in the neighborhood. It’s very random. I think she might be bi-polar or something. One thing that did make me laugh that was random was when she was in the park. She remembered the time she “had spent an hour kissing a hairy, ape-shaped law student from Yale because [she] felt lonely for him, he was so ugly” (146). I thought it was disgusting and funny at the same time.
All in all, Esther is shifting into a stranger person that had no reason to change. I guess she just felt lazy and apathetic about everything. I bet it’s going to get worse.
comment | July 10, 2010 at 21:46 | individual comment-link
Native Son -Blog #3
As I continue reading, things seem to be getting more exciting. I can’t see how Bigger can live with himself know how Mr. Dalton and his family are suffering after he wrote the kidnap note. I loved the part in the novel when the men noticed bones and the earring in the furnace. I think since Bigger ran off it shows that Bigger is guilty. I hate that Bessie is involved with Bigger’s situation. I got so angry at Bigger when he raped and then killed Bessie with a brick. I know Bessie would be a heavy burden for Bigger but she didn’t deserve what Bigger did to her. I am just wondering will Bigger get caught soon? Can’t wait to find out what will happen next.
comment | July 10, 2010 at 22:42 | individual comment-link
Hello, all, it’s me, Kyle Miesch!
Just doin’ some mandatory blog posting of mandatory summer book reading for AP English, and as you may or may not know the mandatory book that we had a choice of that I chose was A Comedy of Errors and as you may or may not know I have already posted two of these blog postings prior to this one which detailed my bumbling analysis of the first two Acts. Too lazy to fix all of my grammar mistakes in this blob of an opening statement, so sue me.
Here’s Act 3
Well, I am pretty sure I am right about Antipholus of Syracuse and Luciana because, well, pretty much exactly what I predicted happened. Oh Shakespeare, you old predictable trope-maker, you… There has been quite a bit of hilarity ensuing in this third Act, in a fashion remeniscent of some modern-day sitcom, except it’s actually funny. I guess we still use a lot of the same humor and plot devices as Shakespeare did, but we are so used to it now. I have to wonder what people back in the 1600s or whenever thought of this kind of entertainment – I mean, those people barely got to see anything like this except for the aristocrats and nobles. Did they stand around the water cooler at work and discuss what escapades they saw at the theatre?
“Oh, Lord Reginald, didst thou enjoyeth the newest theatre production?”
“Oh yes, quite; my powdered wig felleth down off of the balcony during a fit of laughter I had when that droll fellow Dromio was beaten for an error that he had no recollection of doing.”
I’m sure it would go something like that. They wore powdered wigs back then, right? Anyways, where was I? I sort of derailed this blog post with that logical tangent… I guess the point I’m trying to make is that this kind of humor is timeless, and even though the scenario is so different to today’s, we can still understand the humor (if you can read through the complicated Shakespearean). That’s something I really appreciate.
ok wow i swear, i just out-blogged you all
i’m giving myself a cookie for this one
comment | July 10, 2010 at 23:03 | individual comment-link
Comedy of Errors, Shakespeare
Act three has been read, and I find that it is becoming more difficult to differentiate between the native and foreign varieties of the characters. Besides that, I’m curious why the foreigners decided to go along with it. They must have thought that the wife and her sister were crazy, yet they decide to go along with dinner, which as far as I can tell is either early enough to still be in the light of day, or is actually code for lunch. I know that my grandparents call lunch dinner, and dinner supper. This is probably too trivial matter for my attention, but that’s what I noticed.
comment | July 10, 2010 at 23:30 | individual comment-link
“The Comedy of Errors” by William Shakespeare
Act III of Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” is considerably more interesting than the first two. The banter between the characters at the Phoenix is pretty entertaining to read, especially between the twin Dromios and Antipholus of Ephesus and Dromio of Ephesus. One part that puzzled me was the the excerpt when Antipholus orders Dromio to fetch him a crow to break into the door. When I read that, I thought, “What? How is that going to work!?” I had no Idea that he was talking about a crowbar at first. I pictured Antipholus shoving a crow’s beak into the keyhole of the door, feathers flying everywhere. It was funny when I thought of it because it would just add to the kookiness of the story. Scene II was just as entertaining. It is only natural that Antipholus of Syracuse should fall in love with his brother’s wife’s sister, Luciana. It is a Shakespearean comedy after all. Dromio of Syracuse’s description of Nell is pretty funny, when he compares her body to a globe. I’m interested to see how the confusion between Antipholus’s and Dromio’s mistaken identities continue to unfold throughout the next two Acts. And hey! I’m on time this time!
comment | July 10, 2010 at 23:57 | individual comment-link
“The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
As I’ve gotten into the story I’m beginning to understand a little bit more where Edna is coming from. Robert has just left for Mexico and Edna is dealing with her feeling of attachment towards him as more than a friend. I still don’t quite agree with it though. How she is handling her life isn’t the most realistic. Feminism is great and all, but there’s also a time where a woman should grow up and except the life she has. Edna needs to stop with her childish infatuation with Robert. She is a grown woman with two children and a husband. Edna has to just except that role that she is in and be a good wife and mother. Robert is just some guy that she has a crush on. The romance is great and all, but not realistic. Edna has a husband and should focus on him and her sons. I hope as the story continues she’ll just give up on her little “love affair” with Robert. Unfortunately, I don’t think that will happen any time soon. When Robert reappears into her life I think she’ll pursue her feelings in a more forward way.
Jonathon,
I understand what you are saying about Edna. I just think that her children, her friends, and her husband should be plenty for her. Robert is just an indulgence that she is over using. I believe she is very selfish, and should except her life. Not to say that feminism wasn’t a great movement. Edna just wasn’t a feminist to me. It doesn’t take a strong woman to cheat on her husband. It takes a strong woman to be a faithful wife and mother in my book. I’m not trying to be mean Johnny! Just stating my opinion on what I’ve read so far. You should read it. I think that you would really enjoy the story, and you would be able to have a clearer idea of how I came to my opinion.
comment | July 11, 2010 at 22:53 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar #3
At this point in the book Ester seems to be losing her sanity more and more each day. The fact that she does not shower or wash her clothes because she will just have to do it again the next day is a little heart breaking. I just wish she would get her life back together!! The fact that Ester was such a successful person one day and fell into a pit of depression the next, makes it seem easy for you to lose your mind, which is kind of depressing in its self. The author’s descriptions of the setting and Esters feelings make the book more interesting to read at this point. I can’t wait to find out what the title has to do with the book.
comment | July 11, 2010 at 23:33 | individual comment-link
The Comedy of Errors Blog #2
Act #2 of The Comedy of Errors was a good insight into how playful Shakespeare liked to be with his writing. While reading Act #2 I also developed a greater appreciation for his style of poetically telling a story and the way he rhymed almost every piece of dialogue. I have never quite understood how meaningful poetry such as what is contained in Shakespeare’s plays until now. If Act #2 is anything to go by, the rest of the play should be magnificent.
comment | July 12, 2010 at 10:47 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Scribner, ©1992
Chapter 7
What does Trimalchio mean? It sounds like a person who almost finished something but failed. So far, the one thing that Fitzgerald has been really good at is confusing the reader. Conversations have been jumbled together so you aren’t sure which line you’re supposed to be reading, and stage directions are very vague. I feel that the title of the book would be more appropriate if it was called “The Great Gatsby Love-story that Failed”; at the end of the chapter, it definitely sounded like it was going to fail. It might not fail in which they no longer love each other, but where they can no longer express their love. I think the author just wrote this book to relieve himself of the guilt of the work it took to get Gatsby into jail and keep Daisy out.
Meischie, what are we going to do with you?
comment | July 12, 2010 at 16:48 | individual comment-link
Kendra,
I’m not mad Kendra. That is what reading is all about. I totally understand your opinion and it does make sense. Women do deserve to be strong. I will read the book in the future, it sounds dramatic.
comment | July 13, 2010 at 16:38 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #1
Hello. I just started reading Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, and I honestly have to say I haven’t really found a point to this novel yet. It is all very random and switching back and forth between present and past. There is no real “meat” to the story yet, so hopefully that comes soon. There is one quote, however, in the first chapter that really stood out to me. The narrator says of his rich cousins, “Their interest racher touched me and made them less remotely rich” (25). This is such a stereo-type comment. It makes it sound like Nick, the protagonist, assumes all rich people have no feelings for anybody. Maybe their concern in him will change his mind. It was just so weird to read such an untrue comment that it really made me question Nick’s character.
comment | July 13, 2010 at 18:00 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Scribner, ©1992
Chapters 8-9
In summary, three people dead, a love relationship ended, a marriage continuing (unwillingly), and nothing was accomplished for the betterment of mankind except for the undertakers being paid. This is sort of a loosely defined Romeo and Juliet, and I don’t really feel that this book conveyed any important message or wanted to change a person’s heart or outlook on life, sort of like in Romeo and Juliet. I feel no different after reading it, and that being said, I do not understand or know how it has become such a famous book.
comment | July 15, 2010 at 11:01 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #2
Hey again! The novel is finally getting interesting and I am starting to love it. I really like the characterization of the book. All of the characters are so interesting in their own way and they all bring something to the storyline. Not only that, but all of their stories somehow intertwine. It’s so cool and interesting. Daisy Buchanan is my favorite character [so far] just because I just read about her past, which is just something I never would have even thought about, which makes it all the more enjoyable. It is sad however that her life never turned out the way she remotely wanted it to, but I have a good feeling that all this is about to change real soon, now that she’s been reunited with Mr. Gatsby again.
comment | July 15, 2010 at 14:53 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar
Blog #4
Esther is becoming more and more irrational. I find her multiple attempts at suicide terribly sad but at the same time ammusing. Every attempt leaves her alive, and even more depressed. I don’t think she really wants to die, I just think she is unhappy with her life; and feels there is no other option. I felt sympathy for Esther when she looked into the mirror and did not recognize her own reflection. Everything in her life is changing, and her apperance changing just adds more stress and trauma to her world. I thought the part about the thermometer was hilarious. Esther was just itching to find a way to annoy the nurses because they constantly annoy her. Then, after she was wheeled away. She kept smiling at the mercury ball, like she was please with her accomplishment. I feel like that is something I would do if I were forced to live in a mental hospital. I am so close to the end of the book, and I can tell so much more is going to happen. I’m excited to see if Esther ever makes it out of all the hospitals, if she is permently drivin crazy, or if she succeeds at committing suicide.
comment | July 18, 2010 at 12:45 | individual comment-link
“The Comedy Of Errors” By: William Shakespeare
Act 4. In act 3 it appeared to me as if we had the raw comedy. And now in act four we have the aftermath of that comedy, which I see as much more humorous. I am noticing that the further I read into this story, the harder and harder it gets to determine the differences between the twins. Not so much the Antipholus twins, but more of the Dromio twins. Since they are the slaves and are used as tools it is difficult to determine which is which at some points. Until the end that is. At the end of act four it is clear that both Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse believe that this is a place filled with demons and witches. I am actually slightly sad that this book is nearing its completion because I am actually finding this comedy to be funny.
comment | July 18, 2010 at 16:39 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #3
Well, again, the novel is just so-so. Like Karl said, this is supposed to be an all-time classic, very famous, and I just don’t see that. It’s not really that well written and there is nothing special about it. In fact, it’s quite plain, kind of boring. No real storyline. Chapter 12 has been the best chapter so far just because there is actually ”action” and a lot of drama in it. Everybody’s love affairs are coming unraveled and their partners and friends are finding out about them. One thing I don’t understand is why the novel is written from Nick’s point of veiw, he really has no purpose in the story at all. The whole story could have still gone on without the character Nick. Maybe Fitzgerald is trying to keep a character who won’t show feelings one way or another, just a sort of ‘’story-teller” so the reader isn’t really influenced to like someone more than another.
comment | July 19, 2010 at 09:43 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #4
Wow. Some pretty intense stuff! I don’t really want to say what happened becuase I don’t want to give it away. I would like to say that I cannot believe what a coward Gatsby turned out to be, and Daisy too for that matter. It is absolutely unbelievable what happened and it pretty much happened out of nowhere. But, in a cruel sort of way, they all had it coming. Gatsby is such a coward that not only did he run away from the scene of the crime but he did not even want to hear the details of Mrs. Wilson’s condition. It just makes me sick and the event was so surprising and out of nowhere that I don’t know how the novel is going to end anymore. There is only about 45 pages left, so however it ends, it’s going to end in a rush, I can tell.
comment | July 19, 2010 at 16:01 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar
Blog #5
Everything about the ending of the book suprised me. I do not think the book ended with a big enough “bang”, but I always figured Esther would be the one to commit suicide. I thought Joan had plans to become a psychiatrist, and that she was becoming happy again. The book ends with your own opinion. You can believe Esther is on the right track, and will make in out of the asylum, or you can imagine that she lost her sanity in the interview, and was sent right back to Wymark. I also think the way Esther behaved at the end was shameful. She stated the fact that she wanted to be free and independent, and she was “her own women”, but then she said she needed a man. She is a contradiction to herself. In the end, I enjoyed this book, and now I am getting ready to start The Great Gatsby.
comment | July 19, 2010 at 16:06 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #5
Finally I’m all done! And just as I predicted, the book was rushed at the end; it was quite frustrating actually. Fitzgerald squeezed 95% of the action into the last 60 pages of the novel. I just don’t understand it. The first whole part of the book was long, drawn out, and boring. Then, all of the sudden, right when the action and drama starts up, the main character is in a major tragedy [again, I don't want to spoil the ending] and the novel ends. Just as quickly as the ”good stuff” started, it ended. To be honest, I still do not really understand the ending. Yes, I understand literally the events that took place, I just don’t understand why. This was definitely not the best book I’ve ever read but it’s a classic so it must have some deeper, under the surface meaning that I am just not picking up on.
comment | July 20, 2010 at 22:15 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar #4
Ester keeps trying to commit suicide; I think that if she really wanted to die she would have accomplished it by now. I am getting that Ester is just not satisfied with her life the way it is, I think she is trying to change her life’s course, but it’s going in the wrong direction. I can’t wait to see if Ester gets a hold of her life and mental health. It was funny when Ester dropped the thermometer; it shows she still has a sense of humor in spite of her depression , because of this I think ester will recover slightly if not regain her life back.
comment | July 21, 2010 at 10:13 | individual comment-link
Comedy of Errors William Shakespeare
Wow! Act Five was awesome. I really thought it was cool that Antipholus of Ephesus hid in the church from Adriana and she couldn’t go in there and get him out. I wonder if you can still do that now in some places. Anyways I thought it was funny that even after they get things figured out Adrianan still gets Antipholus of Ephesus mixed up with her husband Antipholus of Syracuse. I wonder what it would be like if I had a twin that I didn’t know about and suddenly met him in some random place.
comment | July 22, 2010 at 15:14 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar: Post 4
Already nearing the end of The Bell Jar things appear…different; almost anticlimactic. Esther’s strong emotional downfall leads to attempt-and-fail suicidal actions, which become overly repetitive. In the mist of everything, however, Plath adds a slight humorous tone, as if it were to balance out the negativity. In example, after Esther awakes from her failed pursuit of overdose she fears that she is blinded, and is told by the nurse that there are many blind people she could marry. In later response Esther causes commotion by kicking thermometers to the ground. I found these parts rather interesting, like a breath of fresh air. I was also grateful that the phrase “the bell jar” finally came into play, expressing Esther’s immense frustration with her condition. Doctor Nolan seems to have a greater chance of easing Esther into a level-headed state than previous doctors, and I’m anxious to learn if he is able to do so.
comment | July 22, 2010 at 19:20 | individual comment-link
Blog #4 7/22
I read The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare for my summer reading part one. As I said in an earlier post reading book blog the plot makes leaps in logic that would have been lost in play form. The only other thing that I have against the book is the lack of a major theme. The other options on the list seemed like they had deep underlying themes such as racism, sexism, or depression. This book on the other hand seemed like there was no prevailing theme, just confusion in an attempt for comedy. The attempt for comedy succeeded, but leaving me with no ending message. I enjoyed reading this book and hope to finishing blogging about this book and continue to the next.
comment | July 22, 2010 at 21:17 | individual comment-link
Native Son -Blog #4
After reading more of Native Son, I am actually looking forward to continue reading more of this novel. When I was reading this novel, it made me think about Bigger and what the people of his same race had to go through. It makes me wonder about Bigger and what he has went through because of the time frame he lived in, he didn’t have the best living conditions, and the way he was treated because he was black. Is the situation he is in now for the murders and rape of two women fate? If Bigger was white would he even be in the situation he is in? It made me mad how racist the white people were in the time frame of this novel. I didn’t like how because of what was being told about Bigger in the newspapers, black people were getting fired because the white people thought all black people are the same. I am glad that while Bigger is in jail, Jan went and visited him. I loved how Jan had acted toward Bigger and how he cared about Bigger, even though he killed Mary, the girl he loved. It was nice to see the kindness he showed and tried to help Bigger have more faith in himself. I cannot wait to continue to read the rest of this novel.
comment | July 22, 2010 at 21:19 | individual comment-link
I wanted to let you know when I sent my comment the website said “Comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment.” So I wanted you to know that I was not late with my comment post.
comment | July 22, 2010 at 22:01 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar #5
I just finished the book, the ending impressed me. I love when endings are left up to the reader to interoperate. I hope that what I predicted was right, that Ester passed the interview and was let into the real world again. She showed major signs of improvement over the time she was in the hospital. I loved the references to the bell jar thought the book it helped me see Esters improvements in her mental health. After Esters shock treatment she says “I felt shockingly at peace. The bell jar, hung, suspended, a few feet above my head. I was open to the circulating air.” When she said this I realized that it was a major turning point in Esters rehabilitation. She realized that she could be happy and relieved from feeling trapped in her own life. I think the theme of the book is that things are not what they seem. Ester seamed successful, at lots of things, but in spite of all that she was not satisfied with her life and tried to kill herself. I was surprised that I liked the book, I usually don’t like required books.
comment | July 22, 2010 at 22:05 | individual comment-link
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Sorry I’m just getting around to my blogs! I was out of town for the last one that was due. I haven’t really had a chance to read all that much. I was in Denver for a family wedding/vacation:) Moving on…the book hasn’t changed that much since my recent log. Edna is still dealing with her loss of Robert. I find this to be very aggravating. She has a family and all she can think about is her selfish wants and needs. They have just gotten back to the city and the story line is continuing to keep my attention. I hope that I can finally finish it soon! I hope Edna can dig deep and become a more affectionate wife and mother. I apologize again for just turning in my logs today. And also for having this be so short. I wish I’d been able to read more on vacation:/ I’ll have more for sure in my next blog!
comment | July 22, 2010 at 22:10 | individual comment-link
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Sorry I’m just getting around to my blogs! I was out of town for the last one that was due. I haven’t really had a chance to read all that much. I was in Denver for a family wedding/vacation:) Moving on…the book hasn’t changed that much since my recent log. Edna is still dealing with her loss of Robert. I find this to be very aggravating. She has a family and all she can think about is her selfish wants and needs. They have just gotten back to the city and the story line is continuing to keep my attention. I hope that I can finally finish it soon! I hope Edna can dig deep and become a more affectionate wife and mother. I apologize again for just turning in my logs today. And also for having this be so short. I wish I’d been able to read more on vacation:/ I’ll have more for sure in my next blog!
comment | July 22, 2010 at 23:12 | individual comment-link
“The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
I’ve been in Denver for my cousins wedding and that would be why I’m just doing my fourth and fifth log now. Due to this I wasn’t able to read as much as I would’ve liked to. So I apologize for the length of the blog.
So far the storyline hasn’t changed much. Edna just got back home to her life in the city, and she is still grieving for the loss of her good friend Robert. He is currently in Mexico vacationing. Edna just discovered that he was involved with a Mexican girl that they had run into on their way to church one morning. Now she is feeling jealously towards this young girl. Edna has just come to the realization that she is in love with Robert and yearns to be with him. This yearning to be with another has caused her to resent her relationship with her husband Mr.Pontellier. Now that they are back in New Orleans and life was expected to go back to its normal course Edna was falling into a depression of sorts. She is eager to rebel against this life, and is showing this in only little ways. For example she had stopped receiving visitors on the scheduled day; Tuesday. Mr. Pontellier noticed this and they argued over it. I Wonder if these showings of rebellion will continue and become more evident. I hope not. I really wish she would just except her life as it is. Edna should not destroy her life for some romance. I hope she comes to this realization soon.
Jonathon,
I’m glad I didn’t offend you with my opinion:] lol. I’m glad that you’re going to read it! It is an interesting read. Their life is so different. I love the time period and the style of living they were accustomed to. I’m a fan of historical fiction novels. Well, I hope you enjoy it when you do get around to reading it! Talk to you soon!
comment | July 22, 2010 at 23:16 | individual comment-link
Haha…well the last blog I entered was my official one Mrs. Grimm!! I thought the other two times I sent them weren’t sent. So count those two out please! I did them on my blackberry and it had said it hadn’t been sent. So my bad! The last one was my official one lol. Sorry!!
comment | July 23, 2010 at 18:59 | individual comment-link
The Comedy of Errors Blog #3 –
The comedy really seemed to have been cranked up in Act 3 of The Comedy of Errors. While reading Act 3 I felt more connected to the characters through the comedy. Because of that, I enjoyed the play far more than I did before. In Act 3, one thing I found humorous was the name calling Dromio of Syracuse projected towards Dromio of Ephesus. That is what I got from that part, at least. Overall, I seem to be having a tough time deciphering what each character says in part because of the language William Shakespeare uses to convey his character’s emotions and actions. I will read Act 4 and see if I can understand the writing style better.
comment | July 24, 2010 at 16:41 | individual comment-link
Oops, I’m two days late. Oh well.
Anyways, Esther is starting to disappoint me. She is acting ridiculous about committing suicide. She thinks she can be calm and that it is alright for her to attempt suicide. I guess its more like a joke or something to her.
In addition I think its her fault that she is complaining about her life in the wards, except for the hospital in Boston. Not to be weird, but if I was crazy, I’d like to go the hospital Esther is in.
One thing that I’m am starting to question is Miss Norris. I wonder if she is important. My prediction is that Miss Norris is actually Esther, because she acts deaf and blind. I bet it’s not true though.
So far, I’m getting a little bored when Esther narrates or when she is alone; there is not that much action going on. I am on interested when there is dialogue. Other than that, I hope the novel gets more interesting.
comment | July 25, 2010 at 15:42 | individual comment-link
The Awakening
I just got back from Louisiana so that’s why I’m just now posting my blogs. We’ve been gone for a while and I apologize for not posting sooner. I had no computer acces while I was down there.
Edna is at first a confusing character. She seems like she cares about Robert more than she cares about the rest of her family, wanting to spend more time with him. With Kendra’s older post I do agree that Edna was acting very selfish.
When it was announced that Robert was leaving that night for Mexio Edna reacted in such a way which to me is unexceptable. She should not have acted like they were together in a relationship. I understand that people were upset that he was leaving the night he announced it but to get upset about not telling her before anyone else. That’s not something he should have to do.
comment | July 25, 2010 at 15:46 | individual comment-link
The Awakening
Edna is taking forever to control her feelings about Robert. She gets anyone she can to talk about him. It’s almost like she feels out of place without him there because they were together every day. I guess she needs to know that it’s not just a dream and that he really is gone but other people remember him. I wonder what her husband thinks when all she wants to do is talk about Robert or hear about him or think about him.
I wish Edna would realize what she has in front of her. She has a husband and kids of her own to worry about, but all she can seem to worry about is Robert, someone who she has no involvement in. This is very annoying. I hope she can come around to realize that she is commited to her family.
comment | July 25, 2010 at 15:55 | individual comment-link
The Awakening
Edna has been talking to Mademoiselle Reisz about Robert. She knows that Robert has been writing to Reisz but not herself. She does become irritated that he has chosen to write her friend but not her, the woman he spent every day with. When Mademoiselle Reisz, after persistance from Edna, let her read the letters Edna could see Robert cares about her. All he talked about was Edna and asked how she was and what she was up to. This helped Edna to realize that she is in love with Robert. This news is somewhat irritating only because there’s nothing she can do about it. She already has a family of her own, she can’t drop everything to be with him. I wonder if she’ll ever realize this.
comment | July 25, 2010 at 16:02 | individual comment-link
The Awakening
Things have somewhat gotten out of control. Edna is not with her family anymore. Her husband is away on business and her mother took her kids to her home. Edna feels like her house is too big for her so she has made up her mind without her husband’s opinion to move into a house around the corner that is considerably smaller. This way she would not have much to do and she would only have one maid. I think she should have waited for her husband’s opinion on this matter.
Enda has been hanging out with a man named Arobin. The were getting closer and she even kissed him. I wonder if her family is even in her mind anymore. I really hope she digs deep inside of her and realizes she has a family who loves her and is her own. Maybe she just needs a refresher of some sort. By the sound of it she has a good life and all she has managed to do is throw it away. We’ll see what the final outcome is. Hopefully something wonderful.
comment | July 25, 2010 at 22:15 | individual comment-link
“The Comedy of Errors” by William Shakespeare
Sorry for being late, yet again. I have no excuses, because I read Act IV before I left for Band Camp. I was just being lazy and should have done it before I left. I should have done it two days ago when I got back, but I was lazy and didn’t. I apologize for this late blog entry. Anyway, Act IV of “The Comedy of Errors” was just chock full of misconceptions and mistakes that made it hilarious and entertaining to read. One of the funniest parts was when Adriana, Luciana, and the Courtesan bring Pinch the exorcist to “drive the demons out” of Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus’s bodies. Its really hilarious to read the parts when the twin Dromios return to their opposite Antipholus’ an bring them the wrong objects or news they asked for. I just wonder how all this madness is going to be solved by the end of Act V. I think that Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse will be arrested for drawing their swords out towards Adriana and the rest of the Ephesians involved in the conflict, meet their Ephesian counterparts, and ultimately solve the mayhem surrounding the mistaken identities. One thing that I kept thinking about as I’ve been reading the Comedy was how do the the opposite Dromios and Antipholus’, as well as Adriana and any of the other supporting characters, keep meeting and mistaking each other in the most random places? One Dromio meets the one Antipholus and the other Dromio runs into the next Antipholus, which leads to more confusion. I don’t know, it just seems ironic that they run into the wrong Antipholus most times, but i guess that’s the point. It adds to the hilarity of the Comedy. I look forward to reading Act V and typing my last blog for “The Comedy of Errors”. Once again I apologize for this late blog entry and I will turn my fifth one in on or before the deadline of August 1st.
comment | July 26, 2010 at 12:00 | individual comment-link
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
In this book it starts off just by introducing the characters. The main character Edna pontellier, her husband and their two children are vacationing in a summer cabin in new orleans. This is where the story starts off running. Kate Chopin writes about the pontellier family and their daily business. The book doesnt really start off to be that interesting or lead on or even give very many hints to what may even happen to the characyers later on in the book.
comment | July 26, 2010 at 12:05 | individual comment-link
The Awakening
the story is starting to become more interesting in a way. Edna the main character starts to show her flaws around the higher class people who are also vacationing in new orleans. She knows that she is not like them, but yet she still feels the need to try and fit in. She knows that she is not like the other people in Grans Isle. When Kate Chopin writes she seems to include how the main character thinks and how they feel at that particular moment. She writes the deepest thoughts of the main character Edna, to clue the reader in on why Edna acts the wat that she does.
comment | July 26, 2010 at 12:13 | individual comment-link
The Awakening
As the story goes edna starts to realize her problem. She doesnt like the person that she is trying to be. She seems to want to fit in with a crowd of people who she isnt like at all. She is starting to decide the type of person thjat she wants to be. While Edna and her family spent their summer in Grand Isle New Orleans she met someone by the name of Robert, and ever since that summer she cant seem to get him out of her mind. She is what someone might call obsessed. The problem is that she is married and Robert went down to mexico. She feels as if the time they spent in Grand Isle together had meant nothing to him, because he does not write to her.
comment | July 26, 2010 at 14:28 | individual comment-link
Blog #1 The Great Gatsby
The book has not impressed me so far, but I don’t want to stop reading it. Myrtle and Tom have a mixed up love affair, but I do not think they really love one another. I think they are just using eachother because they are not happy with their marriages. After Tom broke Myrtles nose, I do not think they will ever see eachother again, and I hope it helped Toms realationship with Daisy, because I like her character. I still do not know who Mr. Gatsby is, but I am only on page 39, and I have a strange feeling that I will find out soon. I wonder why he is so great? I can see that alot of people have heard of him, but is that a good thing? This book is from Nick’s point of view, and I feel like Nick doesn’t know alot of people. The first part of the book has made him seem like an outcast, so hopefully we see more action and personality from him in the upcoming chapters.
comment | July 28, 2010 at 21:12 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #1
I just started to read this book and i am already kinda tired of reading it, there is no action and no real story line taking place so far in the novel. I don’t understand the jumping around from present to past just yet, I hope it all comes together in the end. nothing in the book so far has popped out at me just yet.
comment | July 28, 2010 at 21:13 | individual comment-link
“The Comedy of Errors” By: William Shakespeare,
Act 5. I started reading this chapter and was thinking that I got the whole book figured out. I wasn’t confused anymore and I understood it completely, then both of the Antipholus’ and both of the Dromios were brought on together. I was so confused after that. I found myself re reading that section about three times to fully understand everything that was going on (and I probably still don’t understand it all). I found the ending of this story very quick and not as humorous as the rest of the story was. Yes it was a happy ending but it felt like the incorrect ending to me. I believe a story like that should have continued with the comedy until the last line. This book was an overall surprisingly enjoyable read for me.
comment | July 29, 2010 at 18:49 | individual comment-link
This is my fifth and final blog for The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare, which I am reading for my independent blog posts. It seems I’ve broken down the book a lot from the major theme to impossibility of a scenario like this being believable out of a fictional world. Then with the lack of a major theme and almost see through plot should this book be covered in school setting? I personally think the book should only be taught in a casual reading setting, similar situation to this. This way the reader can enjoy the book as a fun read instead of dissecting it for an in depth discussion. In final thought though The Comedy of Errors is just a fun read and nothing deeper.
comment | July 31, 2010 at 00:12 | individual comment-link
Bluh bluh Act IV
Oh boy. Now the police are involved. It was only a matter of time. I would think that during this time, a lot of the confusion from the earlier acts would come up again and then perhaps the characters would begin to figure out what is going on, but that is obviously not the case here. I’m a little surprised at Luciana’s and Adriana’s reaction to seeing the Syracusian Antipholus and Dromio coming in at the end of the Act. I mean I know it’s surprising to see someone who you think was just taken to prison show up, but why do they suddenly think they are going to be killed? Sure, Antipholus has his rapier drawn, but that is kind of a hasty conclusion. They just start to flip out over this, even though Adriana was about to go find the goldsmith and pay Antipholus’ debt. That sort of bugs me.
comment | July 31, 2010 at 00:44 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar
Oh my goodness. The ending was disappointing. I was sure Esther was going to commit suicide. I agree with Lindsey saying that the ending did not have much of a bang.
Anyways, I thought Esther was becoming very paranoid and jealous in Chapter 16 with Joan and Dr. Nolan around, even though she was interested at the same time. Plus, I started to wonder is Joan was a figment of Esther’s personality. That would make more sense of her insanity.
Esther seemed to relax a little bit at the end of the novel, which seems like a nice way to end. I have enjoyed reading this book, with all the randomness and graphic images. Sylvia Plath is very creative and her diction is very unique. I would love to read her poetry.
comment | July 31, 2010 at 15:08 | individual comment-link
Blog #2 The Great Gatsby
I finished the book in 5 days while I was camping because it was so good. I wrote down individual blogs as I finished each section, so now I just have to write them all on here.
Pages 39-80 were so exciting and interesting, I just could not stop reading. I love Gatsby’s charecter, and I wish people would stop spreading and believing rumors about him. Just because people do not know all of the facts, does not mean he killed a man. At first I did not understand why Gatsby had an akward meeting between him and Tom. I thought Gatsby was a gentlemen, but he did not seem very welcoming when he met Tom. I thought something strange must be going on, but I never imagined what was going to happen next. I was shocked to find out Gatsby had a relationship with Daisy, but after I found this out, I have never stopped wanting Gatsby and Daisy back together. I think Daisy deserves a man like Gatsby, and Tom has not been faithful to her. I hope tea goes well with Gatsby and Daisy and Nick, but I have a feeling something will go wrong. I also think Tom and Gatsby will end up getting in a fight later on in the book.
comment | July 31, 2010 at 15:17 | individual comment-link
Blog #3 The Great Gatsby
The tea date went fairly well. I can see that Daisy is still in love with Gatsby, which is what I had hoped for. I find it a bit strange that Gatsby can see Daisy’s house from his window; like he moved there just to keep an eye on her. The green light must mean alot to Gatsby, because even at night he can tell where her house is, which something Gatsby must want, although it does not mean alot to Daisy, which makes Gatsby upset. I love how Tom is jealous of Gatsby. When he comes to one of his parties, he has nothing positive to say about Gatsby. I have a feeling he’s going to do some searching into Gatsby’s past, because he wants to know so much about him. I am starting to think Gatsby is a pushy person. He is expecting too much of Daisy. He can not expect her to get up and leave her life, and to leave Tom, with the snap of his fingers. Daisy and Tom have a child, and Daisy has alot of responsibilities. The book keeps getting better, and I am looking forward to reading more about these troubled relationships.
comment | July 31, 2010 at 15:35 | individual comment-link
Blog #4 The Great Gatsby
Wow! So much has happened I do not even know where to begin! It really stuck out to me when Gatsby said Daisy’s voice is “full of money” (120). Daisy did not wait for Gatsby because he was poor, which shows how shallow Daisy is. Then after that he talked about the “hot, green leather of the seat” (120). His car is designed to remind you of money. The inside is green, like dollar bills, and the outside it yellow, like gold coins. He was trying to impress Daisy and win her back all along. Also, I love how Tom and Gatsby got in a fight over Daisy, and would not let Daisy speak for herself. All of the drama with Myrtle’s death was so exciting. She ran out into the road to stop the yellow car because she thought Tom was in it with his “wife” who was actually Jordan, but instead, it was Gatsby and Tom’s actual wife Daisy in the car, which neither one of them knew who Myrtle was. Even just writing this makes me laugh at how twisted this story has become. I know Gatsby is going to cover up for Daisy, and say that he was driving, but I wish the wouldn’t. I hate when innocent people get in trouble for something they didn’t do. But if people knew it was Daisy who was driving, they would think the killed her on purpose because Myrtle was Tom’s other lover. Just imagine how much more chaos there would be. Either way, I know somethingbad is going to happen. I have a feeling Tom is going to team up with Wilson, and want Gatsby dead.
comment | July 31, 2010 at 15:43 | individual comment-link
Blog # 5 The Great Gatsby
The book is finished. And I am sort of sad, because I did not want to finish it. I wish the choas could have gone on longer. I was sort of right in that Tom did tell Wilson it was Gatsby who killed Myrtle. I wish Tom knew it was really Daisy, or if he really does know and that’s why they left. I was shocked to find out that know one came to Gatsby’s funeral. Everyone seemed to like him when he was alive, but they just forget about him know that he’s dead. Now that he’s dead, it’s like Gatsby isn’t so “Great” anymore. I was shocked when someone said he got what he deserved! I like what Jordan said about finally meeting a bad driver. It explains what Nick did to her. He completely blew her off, which is sad, because I really liked them together. Overall, I loved this book, both books this summer that I read we’re great, and I would definitely recommend them to other students to read!
comment | July 31, 2010 at 16:13 | individual comment-link
The Comedy of Errors Blog #4 –
Act 4 really confused me. The book, I feel, has a nagging reliance on confusion for the sake of creating comedy in some way. The plot does not make much sense to me because it jumps around too much. Also, I cannot figure out what the overall plot of the book is. On the back of the book it says it is about two identical twins and a father looking for his lost son and wife…. but I have not been able to pull that out from reading the book. I hope the next Act will provide insight into the overall plot in the story.
comment | July 31, 2010 at 16:33 | individual comment-link
The Comedy of Errors Blog #5 –
This is my last blog post for this book. For the next book’s blog posts I will not procrastinate. For that, I am sorry. Anyways, the fifth act did not do anything to help my paling interest in this book. Like I said in my previous blog post, I cannot find the overall plot arc. Act 5 seems to be about two families fighting over wealth. And again, I don’t really get any of the comedy William Shakespeare was trying to convey. I would have to assume that is because of the “foreign” way in which he writes. If only I could have understood the book better. Maybe then I would have enjoyed it more.
comment | July 31, 2010 at 21:49 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #2
Surprisingly I am starting to enjoy the book; it had such a slow start I didn’t think I would ever actually get into the book. One of the things that started to get me into the book was that, Like Jennie said the book’s characters are all intertwined, which makes the book unique and interesting to read. To think that all of the intertwining brought Jordan and Caraway (I haven’t picked up his first name) together is an amazing accomplishment of Fitzgerald, because of how deep the characters are tangled. I wonder what will happen between Mr. Gatsby and Daisy, will it be that daisy gets a divorce and lives happily ever after with Gatsby, or live unhappily with the man she married, or even a different route. I am thankfully excited to find out what happens in the end.
comment | August 1, 2010 at 16:56 | individual comment-link
The Bell Jar: Post 5
Finally finished with The Bell Jar! The last four chapters really tied the book together, as they were very refreshing in comparison to the ominous and melancholy tone used throughout the novel. I was also really pleased with the way in which the shock therapy transformed Esther from a dismal patient in self denial, to a self-renewed woman. The new Esther Greenwood simply accepts her own illness as if it were a part of her identity. She expresses her newly found understanding when saying, “To the person in the bell jar, blank and stopped as a dead baby, the world itself is the bad dream” (237). Esther’s success could easily be interpreted as the base of an inspirational theme. I was very happy to see how much Esther matured and how, in my version of the book (metaphorically speaking), she was able to have a happy ending.
Overall I felt indifferent reading The Bell Jar. Some days were more fast paced than others and kept me in a constant cloud of thought and emotion, while other days I felt that I needed to somehow conjure up some energy and positive thoughts to keep me on track. I believe this is because I couldn’t connect on the same level as Esther in most cases, as I usually do while reading other novels.
comment | August 1, 2010 at 20:18 | individual comment-link
Sory my blogs are late, i’ve been traveling alot for baseball and havent had the computer access to blog so sorry for the inconvenience. In the book Native son Bigger goes and get the job from Mr. Dalton being their driver and Bigger seems to be really excited about making a change in life and making a new name for himself. Bigger’s anger seems to change his thought process on a few incidents, such as when he was getting interviewed and Mary starts to ask him questions. Bigger can not quite answer the qusetions and this embarresses him and makes him resent her because he feels she is ruining his chance of getting the job. another time was when he kills Mary by accident. Bigger should not have paniced when Mrs. Dalton came in looking for Mary, because he did nothing wrong and i feel the daltons would not have held Mary’s actions against Bigger. But Biggers anger took over and he ended up suffocating Mary. I think that Biggers anger symbolizes the struggle Black folks faced in that time peroid and how frustrated they are with th eway they are treated. another symbol i found was Biggers gun. Bigger used his gun not as a tool of violence but as a tool of security around white folks. Bigger brought his gun to the Daltons home because on the way there he was passing through a white neighbor hood and when he had his gun he felt that he was equal with the white people there. so far i am loving this book and i cant wait to read ahead and see what happens next as this book unfolds.
comment | August 1, 2010 at 21:13 | individual comment-link
The Comedy of Errors.
Well I completely spaced out and thought that I had five blogs when it turned out that I only had four. Well I thought that this play was very good and very entertaining. I really enjoyed the parts when the characters would mess things up for eachother and then they would be completely confused with the situation. I was wondering why the characters were seperated at all but I am sure that I simply missed that part in the play.
comment | August 1, 2010 at 21:48 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #3
In this section of the book Mr. Gatsby meets Daisy for the first time in a long time. I was surprised at Gatsby’s initial reaction to seeing Daisy. The book says he felt embarrassed, wouldn’t he feel overjoyed to see her instead of having felt Awkward and embarrassed. I wonder what will happen with daisy’s husband. I hope they don’t hurt him too bad. When Gatsby Nick were getting ready for Daisy’s visit, and they were looking at Gatsby’s house from nick’s, and Gatsby was commenting on how nice his house looked, I found It stereotypical of Fitzgerald to put that section in the book, it made Gatsby sound shallow. This section of the book was less exciting than the last, I hope it picks up again soon.
comment | August 1, 2010 at 22:02 | individual comment-link
Native Son -Blog #5
I finally finished Native Son. I liked this novel a lot. After reading this novel, I think the theme has a lot to do with racism. Even though Bigger murdered, the white people accused him of murder and rape just because he is black. Through Bigger, the reader can see how the white people have treated black people, how they made the laws which disabled blacks to do the things the white people could do, and by the ways the whites treated the blacks, they felt hopeless. Because of the laws the white people made, Bigger’s dreams vanished. It was a time where white people ruled the world and the blacks were just living in it. I think this theme is so important and is the reason why I enjoyed reading the novel. This theme is what makes the novel deserved to be read by all people.
comment | August 1, 2010 at 23:27 | individual comment-link
“The Awakening” by Kate Chopin
I didn’t read a lot more than I had last time, so not much of anything different has gone on. Edna is now becoming a lot more independent. She has completely quit the Tuesday visits. She now is coming and going places as she pleases. Edna’s husband now resents her independence and she resents his old fashion ideals. They are constantly at odds. Although it is not quite due to her “romance” with Robert. I believe she is just trying to be happier now. Although I believe that the focus will go back to Edna and Robert’s relationship soon. Edna is visiting Robert’s brother and mother in their city home at the moment in the book. I’m curious to see what we’ll learn about Robert’s stay in Mexico.
comment | August 2, 2010 at 00:04 | individual comment-link
“The Comedy of Errors” by William Shakespeare
Ahhh… finally done with this comedy (in a good way though). Act V was one of the most interesting Acts of the comedy, mostly because the reader discovers exactly how all the confusion is resolved and what happens to some of the characters. My prediction in my previous post was completely off though, about the Syracusian Antipholus and Dromio being arrested alongside their brothers. One thing that completely caught me by surprise was the revelation that the Abbess Emilia was in fact The Twin Antipholus’ and Dromios mother. However, I felt that the ending was underwhelming. They just uncovered what all the mayhem was about and all it is is petty conversation, like “Oh that was you?” “Yeah.” “Oh.”, minus Emilia, who plans a feast. Also, the Twins and their mother and father are reunited after many years and they just don’t seem very enthusiastic. The ending with the Twin Dromios holding hands just seemed like it didn’t fit well as the resolution. I feel another scene in Act V about the feast would have tied up the comedy pretty well, with the characters learning more of their past connections and themselves, Although that might be too dramatic for a comedy. The ending overall just felt rushed. “The Comedy of Errors” was a very entertaining read for me. I read “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in Honors 11 and I enjoyed it, so I figured I’d read this Shakespeare comedy. I look forward to reading “The Great Gatsby”, and I hope this blog doesn’t count as late for being four minutes past midnight on August 2nd.
comment | August 2, 2010 at 13:50 | individual comment-link
Native Son, Richard Wright
I apoplogize for not having blogged at all this summer. And i realized that you guys probibly had no idea that i was taking this class, once again, deep apologies. I have been reading Native Son for the past 4 days, and let me tell you, its was brutal!! I took notes while i read, and recorded anything that passed my mind, just so i wouldn’t miss anything when looking back at it and blogging on it. So here here it goes
I’m not saying that im in Bigger’s position at all, but i can definatley relate to Bigger’s frustration with getting a job. There are times when it’s okay to nag about getting a job, and then there are tmes when it’s not. He has already said that he was going to go, dont keep bugging him. If he’s avoiding talking about it, maybe its because he doesnt want the job all that bad, maybe he doesnt want to work fot those certain people. But theres is no doubt in my mind that says that he isn’t ganna take that job. I’m sure he wants to help out his family, keep them from living an even more miserable life at home aside from the conditions they have to indure outside of home. But like i said, there’s no need to nag, it doesn’t help. That kind of agrivation is what fuels stupid ideas, like robbing a store.
comment | August 2, 2010 at 13:56 | individual comment-link
Rachel Mumby
The Great Gatsby Log 1 Chapter 1
I have started Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. First off, I read the back of the novel first, and was extremely surprised about the narrator of this novel. I thought that it would be Jay Gatsby or Daisy Buchanan based on that reading but it wasn’t either of them. I wonder why Fitzgerald wrote the book through the eyes of Nick, Daisy’s cousin, instead of Jay or Daisy. I want to know why he would write it like that and how that would effect the reader’s view on the relationship (if there will be one) between Jay and Daisy. Also, all the characters seem to be hiding something. Everyone has their secrets. I was surprised to learn that Tom Bucanan had another woman in New York that he was seeing. I didn’t really get that “vibe” from him when Nick was first explaining him. Other than the secrets and the surprise narrator, I don’t really have a huge interest in it so far. I don’t really see the point of this novel yet. I am sure that it will pick up and get better in the next couple of chapters, or at least I hope it will. I look forward to seeing what will take place.
comment | August 2, 2010 at 14:37 | individual comment-link
Native Son, Richard Wright – 2nd blog
Hey guys, back again
Gus seems to have his head on straight. I love how he has no problem puting Bigger in his place. I think Bigger has everyone but two people played in this book, and thats Gus and his mom. His mom is more played than Gus is, but atleast she knows that Bigger isn’t some average black man roaming the neighborhood. She knows that he is in a gang and he does some bad things, she knows somethings up. See us has an advantage because he gets to see how Bigger really acts. he’s basicly the LEADER of the gang!! Gus sees through Bigger’s bull. He sees that Bigger is the biggest dummy coward out of all of them. With that kind of emotion, its kind of easy to lead a group of men who feel the same. I love how Gus wont allow Bigger to push or pressure him though.
comment | August 2, 2010 at 15:16 | individual comment-link
Native Son, Richard Wright – 3rd blog
I’m startig to see Bigger. He fears EVRYTHING. Getting a job, following white rules, what his gang thinks. Under these conditions, how can you have stable emotions and reasonable actions? Therre is no happy medium for Bigger. He’s always in the extremes, longing for the impossible; complete happiness. THAT in retuen would throw anyone into a spiraling depression, loss of understanding, overwelming anger. Wrights flower example is a great way of showing Bigger’s contemplations.
I’m under the impression that Bigger would rather continue the life he’s living than have a good job! That he would rather steal from a white man than work for one. I think that maybe he doesn’t want to feel beaten. That if he takes this job, he has no control, he’s just taking more orders from another white man…It’s kinda sad that these men dont really know what a communist is. I mean, i could imagine the fear the white men would have if black men were allowed to learn about communist.
What in the world! Bigger is all over the place. i’m sure its the stress, but if he doesnt want to go through wih it then all he needs to do is admit it, not blow up on Gus (the one who basic saved his butt). He is lethal! When i read what Bigger does; threating, yelling, and controling others. I wonder if he realizes thats he is just as bad as the over-tempered white men who control him. the title of this chapter is awesome.
I wonder how old Miss Dalton is and why he is so pushy. Why she doesnt realize that Bigger is uncomfortable?
comment | August 2, 2010 at 15:50 | individual comment-link
Native Son, Richard Wright – 4th blog
O…My…Gosh! No!!!
Dont drink, dont drive, dont let teens drink! DONT SMOTHER her with a pillow!!! I am so shocked. I’m getting sick i cant believe this…In the back of my mind i felt that it was weird when he kept beating that rat and then waved it around not effected by its death. probibly because he looked all big and mighty, like he had a little power. His temper always put me on edge and i knew he was going to jail, but not this way! What about the evidence! i dnt support him at all, but what a complete idiot.
its sick how he’s acting like nothing happened. Kinda creepy, all the power he thinks he has…
Here he goes again with the stupid ideas, not thinking of his actions all the way through. Seriously, who does that?! Murder a girl, then take money from the same family…its sad.
Wel,, i think tht Bessie is the dumest one in the whole book, shes pathetic. Working day in and day out, hard and long. Then going off and waisting her weekends parting, not making anything outa herself. shes only gettin drunk and giving herself up to Bigger. I hope she doesnt think that he likes her. Buddy said that Bigger could do beter than Bessie, but i believe that Bessie can do way Better than Bigger. She needs to come to her senses and leave Bigger before HE gets rid of HER.
See!? just like i said. he got rid of her. Hes ganna get caught. there’s nly a matter of time. This book is intising, i just dont like hoe Wright drones on about things, lol and how he always uses the word ‘blot’.
comment | August 2, 2010 at 16:42 | individual comment-link
Native Son, Richard Wright – 5th blog
Bigger has not only created a new life for hiself, but also for the people effected b the murders. He has only created a life with more worry and stress, lots more caos. If this is his way of making things egual, hes not doing a good job.
Things like this happen all the time in today’s time. It starts with someone wh has indured tribune,seperation, trials, brokn dreams, and waisted time. These things happen all the time, which then in return, bcome crimes of some sort. Becaus what thse people want is something that they cant have. They wanted to be equal, higher on the statis bar then where they were and yet at the same time, lower, everyone becoming equal. They want to be wanted and needed rather than feared or hated. Because of the chances they never had or could grasp, they eventually snap. It all makes sense. The beaten, the broken, the bewildered.
I love how at the jail, Max finally explains to Mr. Dalton the money will NOT help the issue that the black race is having.
Reading this book has givin me a more open perspective on the mind and emotions of a scared man. And im glad i had that experience. But i wish i would have given myself more time to read and absorb it all. My timing was horrible, but im glad i got it done.
comment | August 2, 2010 at 18:10 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
I cannot tell if I am interested in The Great Gatsby. I guess there is not much going on to figure out the the purpose of the novel.
However, I do like Nick Carraway; he acts independent (my favorite type of characters) and he is very descriptive in almost every paragraph. His diction is very formal and abstract. I cannot tell if he uses it excessively in an annoying way or not. I guess it’s just to give detail to the characters inside feelings.
There are a few funny scenes in the novel with Myrtle and Tom. Why don’t they just get married. It’s kind of a disgrace to have a secret lover. Anyways, I laughed when Tom broke Myrtle’s nose, even though it wasn’t.
So far, Mr. Gatsby doesn’t seem so great. I hope there is a point to it, unlike The Bell Jar.
comment | August 2, 2010 at 19:58 | individual comment-link
In Native Son the plot is really starting to unfold as the tension increases and Bigger trys to cover up his murder of Mary Dalton. I feel that Bigger may not have had such a huge problem if he just would have told Mrs. Dalton what happened that night instead of panicing and accidently killing Mary. On top of that Bigger decides to get rid of the body by throwing her in the furnace and comes up with a story on what happen to her, insuring Bigger had nothing to do with her dissapearance. as the story goes on Bigger’s attitude starts to change as he feels a sense of invinceability, when he starts to feel that life is going his way and he can actually control it himself. The Daltons realize that Mary is missing and hire a private investigator to look into the case. The Private investigator Britten is convinced that Bigger has something to do with the disapearance because he is black,but the Daltons disagree with his theory. This I found strange because they barely know Bigger and yet they are sticking up for him. Finally the stories that are being thrown around don’t entirely match up and Bigger has to keep adding on to the stories to compensate for the minor confusions. Bigger decides that he should have gotten more money from this whole ordeal so he decides to write a ransom letter to get more money. i feel this is a very bold move because this could potentionally come back to Bigger and ruin his plan. This book is really starting to get good and im really enjoying it cant wait to see what happeneds next as i finish the book.
comment | August 3, 2010 at 15:02 | individual comment-link
Hello again! I just wanted to remind Mrs. Grimm that I have been in Costa Rica for the last 5 weeks so that is why I have not blogged. I was very busy before I left so I was not able to finish the book yet but I should be able to finish it and have my last two blogs within the next few days hopefully. Thanks for understanding!
comment | August 4, 2010 at 14:57 | individual comment-link
The Awakening
In the story Edna starts to wonder about Robert and doubt her marriage with her husband. She doesnt like the way her life is going right now. She wants to go out and do things for herself that she hasn’t ever done. She starts to spend alot of time with a man named Arobin, who takes a liking to her. Unconciously i think that Edna takes a liking to him but she just doesn’t realize it. Now in the book Edna is very confused about what she wants in life.
comment | August 4, 2010 at 15:13 | individual comment-link
The Awakening
The story is almost over and Edna feels lost. She decided that she wants to move into a small house down the street. She doesn’t want to live with her husband or her children for that matter. She is confused abou t everything. Edna thropws a mjoving party and invites a few people including Arobin. she realizes that she doesnt really have feelings for Arobin or her husband, but that she is in love with Robert. She went to grand Isle to take a break to figure things out and she went swimming. She swam until the shore wasn’t visible and until she did not have enough energy to return to the beach. I enjoyed ythe way the author wrote the story. I especially enjoyed the language she used. The only question that I really have is why did the story end this way? Whatever happened to happy endings?
comment | August 4, 2010 at 15:14 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby By f. Scott Fitzgerald
comment | August 4, 2010 at 15:19 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
I have already read this book before in my tenth grade english class. I really enjoyed the book. Im not going to give away the details but even though the book starts out slow, I do not suggest judging the book by its introduction. the beginning just introduced the main characters and gave information about them to get the readers interest. When I first started reading the book I thought it would be jusst another love story, but in truth it starts to be something much more.
comment | August 4, 2010 at 17:38 | individual comment-link
I have been finding it hard to put down Native Son because I really just want to know what happens. Wright has kept me thinking throughout the entire novel. Every time I think I know what is going to happen, something different happens. Wright uses the word “red” to describe several things throughout the novel. The name of the organization Mary is a part of is the Reds. The most powerful use of the word is used to describe what Bigger sees when he looks into the furnace. The red embers and red blood coming from Mary’s head after he had dropped it. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be in Bigger’s shoes and to be constantly thinking about the events of that night. I do not understand how he has held it together for so long. Then I think about it again and realize that it has only been a day since he killed Mary. So many events have happened since then that I forget that little detail. I am excited to find out what happens in the rest of the novel. I am only half way through the book and it seems like everything is about to be solved so nothing else would happen. I will just have to wait and see I guess!
comment | August 5, 2010 at 13:39 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #4
This part of the book was really intense. I can’t believe Gatsby and Daisy broke the news to Tom like that and then ran off. I also can’t believe that they ran away from the scene of the crime like that, I thought at least daisy would have owned up to it, or have shown some compassion for the family . I wonder why the author chose to narrate the story through Nick; he doesn’t have really a point to being in the story. I can’t wait to finish the book.
comment | August 8, 2010 at 00:00 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby: Chapters 1&2
Okay so I tried to read this at about two in the morning, but that didn’t go over so well. I had to get up and re-read the first six pages in the morning anyways and I still don’t think I understand it. The main character moved, from where I don’t know, and is now living near New York. I also don’t understand what the big deal is about this Gatsby guy. I don’t think he said anything to the main character but he is apparently important because he is referenced again at the end of the second chapter. I’m thinking that he probably plays a bigger role in the story later on. I am hoping that in the chapters to come that this story picks up because so far it seems bland about a guy trying to fit in to a new life. I did laugh though when Tom broke Mrs. Wilson’s nose. That, to me, was the most entertaining part of the story so far.
comment | August 8, 2010 at 13:02 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Blog #1
When I first started reading the great Gatsby, I found it to be boring. But now I am really starting to get into this novel as I find out more about the characters. I loved the drama that happened in chapter 2. It was interesting to me when I read that tom was having an affair. I thought it was funny when Myrtle started to tease Tom about his wife and said Daisy’s name over and over again. But I was shocked when Tom hit her and broke her nose! I hope that Myrtle stops having an affair with Tom. Hopefully Tom realizes he made a mistake and tries to make things work with Daisy. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
comment | August 8, 2010 at 13:05 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Blog #1
When I first started reading the great Gatsby, I found it to be boring. But now I am really starting to get into this novel as I find out more about the characters. I loved the drama that happened in chapter 2. It was interesting to me when I read that tom was having an affair. I thought it was funny when Myrtle started to tease Tom about his wife and said Daisy’s name over and over again. But I was shocked when Tom hit her and broke her nose! I hope that Myrtle stops having an affair with Tom. Hopefully Tom realizes he made a mistake and tries to make things work with Daisy. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
comment | August 8, 2010 at 13:09 | individual comment-link
Hi Mrs. Grimm i noticed my first blog post on Native Son did not show up maybe something went wrong with sending it, so here it is sorry if it took a while for me to post this!
Native Son Blog # 1
I chose to read the novel Native Son by Richard Wright. I read up to page 80 and so far I like it. While reading the beginning of the novel, I do not like the way Bigger’s mom treated him. I noticed after the rat problem how mean she was to Bigger. It made me wonder, if she didn’t make putdown comments and treated him better, maybe his life would be improved and different. I feel bad for the African American folks in this novel because the time frame they are living in the white people are racist. I think it is sad how just because African Americans have a different skin color, they cannot do things white people could do, like fly airplanes. While reading this novel, I noticed how Bigger has a temper. I hope it doesn’t lead him into doing something he would really regret. I hope Bigger doesn’t get fired from his job, since Mary got drunk. I am really happy I chose this novel and I cannot wait to continue reading it.
comment | August 8, 2010 at 15:37 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #1
I am reading F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby for my second summer reading book. So far I am enjoying this book a lot more than the last book I read for my summer reading, The Comedy of Errors. I think this is because with The Great Gatsby, being a novel, the details are immersed in the story instead of in the background like in a play. I also enjoy the style of writing in this book with recounting major events instead of a day to day diary style that remembering the past events books usually take. I hope to continue reading soon because I genuinely like reading this book instead of it feeling like a chore.
comment | August 8, 2010 at 16:03 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
Chapters 1&2
After reading the first few chapters of The Great Gatsby it’s apparent that, because of the era in which the book takes place, it might take some time to adjust to the writing style. Fitzgerald’s diction is very formal and surreal, which really adds something overall. I also really enjoy the way in which the character Nick describes those he encounters. For example, upon meeting Mrs. Wilson he observes, “…there was an immediately perceptible vitality about her as if the nerves of her body were continually smoldering” (25). On another note, Mr. Gatsby and his mysterious aura really has me wondering. When Catherine said that she was scared of him and wouldn’t want him to hold anything above her I immediately thought of Gatsby as being a mob leader. I hope that future conversations about Mr. Gatsby are uninterrupted and more helpful to prove or disprove my thought.
comment | August 8, 2010 at 16:42 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
I can start to tell why F. Scott Fitzgerald is known for the Jazz Age. From what I have read of his work, he always mentions rich people, parties, and golf. Nick has connections to them, but I think he is a little bit more considerate and mannered unlike the others.
I have been a little bored when Nick is just describing things. I am only interested when there is a conflict or dialogue, and so far the only thing interesting is Gatsby’s behavior. It is kind of typical for a character to be rich and get whatever he wants. Hopefully there isn’t any tension between Nick and Gatsby later in the novel.
comment | August 8, 2010 at 21:58 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
BUT i still have thoughts and emotions on this book, so without giving anything away, im ganna try to make my blogs simple, sweet, and to the point…and maybe clear sme things up for the lost.
Just like Heather, i read this book my tenth grade year. And i loved it. It’s a little slow in the begining, but i learned that reading it outload helps a lot with piecing things together and getting the little details…lol or mabe thats because this is my 2nd time reading it
Nick makes it clear from the begining that he gets to know Gatsby when he says, “No-Gaby turned out alright a the end; its what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily cosed my intrest in the aborted sorrows and shortwinded elations of men” and it tells a lot about what he finds out. Kay so, Nick and Gatsby live on the West Egg and Tom and Daisy live on he East Egg. The West Egg is where the ‘new money’ lives(West-neW) and he East is where the ‘old money’ lives.
Wooww Tom is…a piece of work. Whats with him and power?! And i think that Daisy is only craving attention when she tells Nick about what she says when shes finds out that her child is a girl. There is no way that her life was, or is that bad. Maybe she should tell her husband to dip, that she should be treated with more respect(the other girl).She should leave him with her little girl. But why would she do that?! He’s got everything that any clueless girl could ever want! The body, the talent, the sense of adventure, and not to mention, the MONEY! She’d be nothing without him.
I dont even want to blog about Tom. He’s such a…buttmunch. I cant even find the words other than pathetic.
Ummm Chris? Not trying to snap at you, just wondering..what part of drunk domestic violence intertains you? Haha I mean, i was waiting for things to kick up and for her to stop getting mouthy too hahaha but come on…a slap to the face?? lol so not right.
comment | August 8, 2010 at 22:36 | individual comment-link
“The Great Gatsby” by F.Scott Fitzgerald
I’ve just gotten through chapter one and so far I find it semi interesting. The fact that I have to read things through more than once so that I can understand it is frustrating, but I’m otherwise enjoying it.
Mr.Carraway has introduced himself and his views of himself and his family. Apparently him and his family are of a prestigious background and looked up upon by society. Carraway has moved to a upperclass part of the city call the “West-Egg”. He lives between two mansions. One of them belongs to Mr.Gatsby whom he has heard much about.
Half through the chapter he goes to visit his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom. Carraway is kind of set off by these people though half way through the visit. He finds out that Tom is having an affair in New York and that Daisy has a fake persona of sorts. At this visit he is also introduced to a Miss.Baker whom he had seen before but didn’t recognize immediately. Carraway is then volunteered to be her host of sorts while she is visiting. During this visit he hears more about Mr.Gatsby from Miss.Baker. When he gets home from his awkward visit he gets an opportunity to meet him, but chickens out. I’m am so curious as to Mr.Gatsby’s importance in this story. The title of the book is his name, and so far he is just a rich man that lives in a mansion. I guess I’ll just have to read on to find out! Oh yeah I am also curious as to how Carraway and Miss.Baker’s time together will lead too. I think there might be a little romance there, but who knows!
comment | August 8, 2010 at 22:56 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Blog 1
This book is so confusing right now. I have only read the first chapter and I don’t actually know what’s going on. I really like the main character Nick. He is really cool from what I have read. He is really down to earth and seems to always know what to say. I like the way that he interacts with Tom and Daisy. I wonder how long they have all known eachother and how that relationship all got started.
comment | August 8, 2010 at 23:32 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
To be honest I haven’t started the book just yet. I’m about to there’s just been a busy schedule. I know no excuse. I’m sorry and I’ll get on the reading.
comment | August 9, 2010 at 00:03 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Blog #1 – Chapters 1&2
The Great Gatsby has drawn my attention far more than The Comedy of Errors ever had. I have a feeling the main character is someone who has a strong sense of pride and determination because of his family’s business, which may have helped him get through life and find himself. I can connect to the character more so than any character that was in The Comedy of Errors. This makes the book much more engaging and interesting to me. I feel that the character is a much more sensible person, probably because of his skills in the business world. Also, I could easily find what the overall plot with be, since it was nicely laid out in from of me. I hope the rest of the book is as engaging as the first two chapters were.
comment | August 9, 2010 at 00:21 | individual comment-link
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I didn’t think that “The Great Gatsby” would be that difficult to read. However, I can say now that it is somewhat challenging. I have read Chapter I and I think I’ve got a grasp on what is going on. The main character Nick Carraway decides to go into the bonds business and moves to Long Island Sound, on the “West Egg”, where his next door neighbor is the wealthy Mr. Gatsby. He visits his cousin, Daisy and her husband Tom on the “East Egg” and meets Miss Baker in the process. I thought that the two “Eggs” were Ellis Island and another island but I guess that isn’t the case. Nick can’t drive across the sound to another island to visit his cousin, can he? I think that Nick might eventually develop a relationship with Miss Baker as I read on throughout the story. I also think that during Mr. Gatsby’s rise to wealth, he did some shady dealings that helped him get to his social standing that he might now regret, judging by what I’ve read on the second page about the “foul dust” that floated in the wake of his dreams” (2). I could be wrong about this, and maybe he is suffering from temptations and greed because of his wealth. I also want to know why Nick is so judgmental toward Mr. Gatsby and the generally wealthy. It seemed to me he had sort of a negative feeling for Tom and Daisy because of their wealth. The writing is challenging to read, but it shouldn’t be much of a problem. I hope that the story begins to pick up the pace and become more interesting because the first chapter was slightly bland, even though it introduced us to the story and main characters. I’m sorry for entering this blog slightly late again. I began typing it at 11:50 and I’m just finishing at 12:21. I’ll be back for my next log on or prior to August 13th.
comment | August 9, 2010 at 11:37 | individual comment-link
Rachel Mumby
The Great Gatsby Blog 2 Chapters 2 & 3
I am still not very interested in this novel. It just hasn’t drawn me in yet. I do not understand the point. I wonder why Tom Buchanan would want to introduce Nick to his mistress. Nick is Daisy’s cousin and Tom admitted his affair to Nick. I also wonder what Gatsby’s secret is, because he seems like he is hiding something. He has all of these elaborate parties, but seems to never be enjoying them himself. He always buys a great amount of alcohol for the parties but he doesn’t drink. Also, most of the guests at his party do not even know him. I was surprised to learn that Jay and Nick know each other from somewhere, possibly the war. Why does Jay put on all these elaborate parties, with people he doesn’t know, and he doesn’t even enjoy the party himself? Also, what is the point of this novel, I still haven’t quite figured it out. It seems to be just alot of random information about the lives of Nick, Jay, and Tom and Daisy. I hope something more happens soon in this novel.
comment | August 9, 2010 at 12:00 | individual comment-link
Rachel Mumby
The Great Gatsby Blog 3 Chapters 4 & 5
Finally! I am begining to enjoy this novel. I figured that Jay wanted to talk to Nick about Daisy until he said he had a favor that would come through Jordan. I was very confused about why the favor had to come through her. I think it was interesting. It made me think about the way Fitzgerald wrote this novel. The story is through Nick’s eyes, this gives it a different feel from other novels that center around romance. It isn’t told through the eyes of one of the lovers or through a third person point of view. It is still first person, so you see the romance from the outside, from someone looking in on it. This is the same with the meeting. Nick could learn all of this from someone on the outside. It wasn’t bias. Jordan could tell Nick the truth about Jay and the whole situation. I wasn’t surprised that Nick helped. I know that Tom and Nick are “friends,” but I have a feeling that it isn’t so much a friendship as it is a convenient relationship because it’s Nick’s cousin’s husband. I also think that learning of Tom’s mistress made it easier for Nick to help Jay and Daisy out. I wonder if Jay and Daisy will develop a relationship like Tom has with his mistress. Will they end up together, and if they do what will happen to Tom and Daisy’s little girl? I can’t wait to find out what happens due to Jay and Daisy reuniting.
comment | August 9, 2010 at 20:03 | individual comment-link
I am now finished with Native Son and was very disappointed with the ending. After Max’s big speech I thought that the judge was going to sentence Bigger to life in prison. At the beginning of the trial I thought that Bigger deserved the death sentence but then Max had me convinced otherwise! The biggest message I found in this novel was that to make changes you have to not be afraid of what will come at you. Obviously not much change happened in the hearts of the people during the trial but I believe that racial segregation would not have changed if it were not for people like Max. Overall I enjoyed the book and I think that Mrs. Grimm should keep this book on the summer reading list for years to come.
comment | August 10, 2010 at 10:13 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
I feel sorry for Nick. Gatsby is just using him and in a rude way. I hate how Nick doesn’t say anything, but I understand why because in the beginning of the novel he says: “I’m inclined to reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to men and also made me the victim of not a few veteran bones” (1). So, maybe he’ll figure out more about Gatsby.
Gatsby does has a secret, I know it. I feel like he has done terrible things in the past and wants to start off new but can’t because he still does the bad things, kind of like the movie Disturbia.
Overall, Gatsby now disturbs me because of his behavior towards Nick. Hopefully Nick figures out more about Gatsby.
comment | August 10, 2010 at 15:51 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby: Blog #1: I am not very far into the book but I am already confused. I understand who all of the characters are but I do not really see what the point of the book is so far. Daisy seems like a very sweet lady and I do not know why she is married to such a horrible man. Tom & Mrs. Wilson’s love affair seems silly and immature. I kind of hope that Daisy divorces Tom because I know that she could kind a better man. Nothing has been said about how the two met but I have a feeling that it was when they were young and did not really know what they were getting themselves into. Hopefully Mr. Gatsby will become more involved in the book because at this point I just know that he is a wealthy man that several people know and he is Nick’s neighbor. At this point I do not know what will happen in the book because I am still confused.
comment | August 10, 2010 at 16:35 | individual comment-link
What do you mean it’s August 10th? Blog posting, what? Act V? Oh.
First off I would like to express my dissapointment in the fact that this comedy did not end in a wedding (unless Dromio and Dromio count… nevermind). I guess I was just under this assumption because because a certain Mrs. Buboltz said that this was the case when we were reading a Midsummer Night’s Dream. >:O
In regard to Kristian’s reaction to the “underwhelming” ending, it’s Shakespeare. It’s very old. I think that the endings of these kind of old Shakespearian plays are always somewhat underwhelming because we are so accustomed to modern stories being more relatable, and therefore having more satisfying endings. A Comedy of Errors, while enjoyable, is not exactly relatable. Plus, if I’m not mistaken, this was one of Shakespeare’s first works.
comment | August 11, 2010 at 11:58 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby: Blog #2: I am starting to like the book more and more now. I like how Gatsby’s character is mysterious and each chapter reveals a little bit more about his life. I hope that the whole plan to have Daisy over for tea at Nick’s house works out. Although I still do not know a lot about Gatsby he seems to be a very nice guy and I think he would be better for Daisy than Tom. I just want to know what is going to happen next!
comment | August 11, 2010 at 16:12 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby: Blog #3: The book is getting even more mysterious as I keep reading. I am a little confused as to why Gatsby invited Tom to come with Daisy to one of his parties. I was hoping that Tom was completely out of the book but I guess not. I really like that the book is written from Nick’s point of view because the reader does not really know the feelings of the other characters. The book would be much different if Gatsby and Daisy’s feelings were included. From my understanding Gatsby still wants to win Daisy back but I do not know what Daisy is thinking about all of this. From the way the book has been going so far I think that I will be disappointed with the ending. I think that the relationship of Gatsby and Daisy will be left to the reader to decide.
comment | August 11, 2010 at 18:33 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby: Blog #4: So much has happened in the last 20 pages I do not even know what to think. I wonder if Fitzgerald had a purpose in putting all the action in the last part of the book. I do not understand how Wilson knew that Gatsby had been the person in the car that hit his wife. If only he knew what had really happened. Gatsby life and death is very tragic. For all of those years he was searching for Daisy and trying to make money so that he could win her back. Then when he finally finds her his own life is taken. Reading this book makes me wonder what Fitzgerald life was like. Did he know someone that had similar life experience as Gatsby? Also, why did he name the book, “The Great Gatsby?” I find nothing “Great” about Jay Gatsby. I liked him at first but his whole story confuses me so I do not really know what to think of him.
comment | August 11, 2010 at 19:11 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby: Blog #5: Most books I read I usually look at the back of the book to figure out what it is about before I read it. For some reason I did not do that with this book. Instead I read it after I had finished the book and now I understand more of Fitzgerald’s purpose in writing the book. The statement the New York Times made was definitely shown in the book. Everybody would go to Gatsby’s parties but nobody actually cared about him. It was sad that only a few people attended his funeral and for Nick to be one of them was kind of funny since he had only known Gatsby for a few months. I found that Nick was the only character that I liked. Everyone else was very shallow and only thought about themselves. Overall I found the book to be an easy read and I enjoyed it!
comment | August 12, 2010 at 12:07 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #2
I am reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I think this is one of my favorite books I’ve had to read for an English class that I haven’t picked on my own. There is one problem though; it’s a critically exclaimed novel. This means it cannot end well for everyone in it stopping the happy ending fun read, someone has to face despair and sadness. I’m guessing Gatsby will be the beholder of said despair because of how he built his post war life around chasing Daisy. This is because whenever a secondary character builds his or her life around one the character almost always fails. So in following this idea something bad will happen to Gatsby. I hope to continue reading to find if something bad happens to Gatsby like I predicted.
comment | August 12, 2010 at 14:50 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Blog #2
After reading more of this novel, I find it entertaining. It was amusing to me, when Nick was talking to Mr. Gatsby at his party and didn’t even know it! I thought the man who was drunk in the library at Mr. Gatsby’s party was hilarious. Mr. Gatsby seems like a nice guy, I don’t like how there are a lot of rumors going around about him. It was cool how Gatsby got away with speeding by just showing a photo to the police officer. This novel is becoming more interesting and can’t wait to read more of it.
comment | August 12, 2010 at 19:00 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
Finally, the novel is now getting exciting. I’m referring to Chapter VII. Who knew there was this much commotion. I feel like Tom is a hypocrite to Gatsby and that Daisy is just a source of all the problems. Geez, women. Just kidding!
I cannot tell who is the bad guy in the situations: Tom or Gatsby?
I guess this just shows that even rich people have their problems.
comment | August 12, 2010 at 19:09 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
Wow, I totally underestimated Gatsby. No wonder he is known as “The Great Gatsby” (DUHHH!). I totally thought he was a terrible person and Tom was innocent, but it happened to be the other way around. Gatsby worked so hard for his success and Tom has been given it his whole life. Too bad Gatsby died. He would have been great, like his father said: “He knew he had a big future of him. And ever since he made a success he was very generous with me” (172).
Overall, “The Great Gatsby” is a wonderful novel. I felt sympathetic for Nick through his feelings and diction used to illustrate them. One thing that is kind of rare to me is an ending to a novel. “The Great Gatsby” did have a great ending; however, Nick didn’t really get a girlfriend. At least he appreciates his new perspective of life from Gatsby. He truly is “great.”
comment | August 12, 2010 at 19:56 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
Nick goes over to the Buchanans house and saw his cousin Daisy for the first time in a long while. Gatsby is becoming more mysterious as the story goes. I like the way Fitzgerald writes the beginning, because he keeps the story alluring and keeps the reader looking for more. As the story goes it reveals more about Gatsby and the way he goes through his lifestyle.
comment | August 13, 2010 at 14:57 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #2
So I am not very far in this book due to restricted reading time but it is going good so far. I am unfortunately only on chapter three but I like it. I really liked the part where the Narrator describes the billboard of the man on the side of the highway with the way he is faded and how he seems to cry when it rains. I really liked that part alot. This book is starting to get good and I can’t wait to find out more about all the characters.
comment | August 13, 2010 at 16:13 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby: Chapter 3
Party! That just about sums the chapter up. So we finally find out more about this Gatsby guy, well sort of. We find out what he looks like and that he is generous. Speaking of his generosity, how come I don’t get to ride on a hydroplane! Anyways, this story still doesn’t seem to be picking up. It seems to be more like a biography than an actual story. I waiting for some plot twist or at least something entertaining. Fitzgerald does use a lot of excellent vocabulary and grammar in this story though. I wonder if that is why we are reading this story. I just hope that something interesting will happen soon.
comment | August 13, 2010 at 20:46 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Blog #2:
I am sorry for being three minutes late on the August 8 due date… it will not happen again. This book is much more interesting now that I have read more into it. Chapters three and four dive deeper into Nick’s life, as well as Gatsby’s. I hope things turn out well for Nick, as he seems to have interest in Miss Baker. The same thing can be said about Gatsby and Daisy, since Tom appears to be the wrong match for Daisy and would probably be better off with another woman. In chapters four I liked how Nick explained all of the people Gatsby knew (or were all strangers). I hope to find out more about Gatsby…. he is one odd guy.
comment | August 13, 2010 at 22:08 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
Chapters 3&4
My theory about Gatsby being a mob leader seems to have been shot down, but my interest in his persona has not. I was very intrigued by Jay’s party, and how no one seemed to know of his presence, which made Nick’s meeting with Gatsby really surprising. It seems that Jay is misunderstood by the community, and it was terrible to see that because of this people resorted to rumors. It was fascinating to hear a little bit about Jay Gatsby’s life from Gatsby himself; how he attempted to kill himself in the war, ended up being promoted, and living his life in misery without Daisy. I’m not quite sure how I feel about Gatsby trying to secretly get Daisy to notice him. After all, she is a married woman with a family.
comment | August 14, 2010 at 00:01 | individual comment-link
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Well, I’ve been lazy for the last four days and only read Chapter II for this blog. Anyway, I like how the reader learns more about the relationship between Tom and his “girl”, who is the married Mrs. Myrtle Wilson. I don’t like Mrs. Wilson’s character. She reminds me of one of those aristocratic, stuck-up women from the 1800’s. This chapter was very feminine in that most of the time, the women were talking. It felt like I was picked up and thrown in as a guest on The View. I laughed when Mrs. Wilson made it seem that she was involved with Nick in the past. I just imagined Nick putting his hands up, wide-eyed and saying, “I have no idea what she’s talking about!” The most confusing part though was the last page of the chapter when it goes straight from Mr. McKee in the elevator, to Nick babbling about some half naked man with a portfolio, to beauty and the beast, and then waking up in the lower levels of the Pennsylvania Station waiting for the 4:00 train. I had no idea what this meant. I also didn’t really understand the beginning of the chapter, when Nick was explaining about the ash or Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. I wonder how the rest of the story is going to unfold and if there is going to be a chapter about Nick going to lunch with Mr. McKee…. Anyway, until my next blog, I will continue to read and hopefully have more chapters read to blog about.
comment | August 14, 2010 at 00:01 | individual comment-link
“The Great Gatsby” I haven’t really gotten that far in it since my last blog. I’m just beginning chapter two and so far I find it interesting. Tom is showing Nick his girl on the side. This woman’s name is Mrs.Wilson and they are on their way back to her apartment she has with Tom. Nick is a bit uncomfortable and is trying to get out of this lunch he got hassled into, but he can’t. That’s where I left off. I wonder what will happen next, and when will Mr.Gatsby come into the picture? I guess I’ll read on and find out!
comment | August 14, 2010 at 00:11 | individual comment-link
“The Great Gatsby” by F.Scott Fitzgerald
I haven’t really gotten that far in it since my last blog. I’m just beginning chapter two and so far I find it interesting. Tom is introducing Nick to his woman on the side. This woman’s name is Mrs.Wilson and now they are on their way to an apartment she and Tom share. Nick is in a very awkward situation and is attempting to escape a lunch invitation, but is unsuccessful. That is where I left off. I wonder what will happen next, and when will Mr.Gatsby actually become and active character?
comment | August 16, 2010 at 21:48 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #5
I finally finished the book. I thought the ending was exciting and full of energy compared to the beginning section of the book. Though I don’t understand why everything happened yet, it was still quite interesting. At the end I understood that the book was narrated by Nick because they wanted an impartial friend of both Gatsby and Daisy to let us see what their relation was from the outside. This was definitely not a traditional love story like I thought it would have been. I loved how all the characters were intertwined in the beginning, all knowing each other but, never really knowing there life stories and by getting to know how they fit together makes the book.
comment | August 17, 2010 at 14:10 | individual comment-link
Great Gatsby Blog #2
I can’t express how much more I like reading this book over Native Son. I like the details that Fitzgerald puts into the town where Tom’s mistres is. How the old painted eyes are gazing through the sad gloomy town. How there was once a dream there, that now can hardly keep the town together.
I also love Gatsby’s mysterious character. I think the reason he loves to throw the biggest parties, with the most guests and elaberate details is because he doesnt have anything better to spend his money on. Like a family, or hobby. Gatsby doesnt care weither his guests really know him, they hardly treat him with respect, I think he only wants his house to be full, that maybe it will give him happiness, that maybe he’ll feel wanted. Living in an empty mansion has to be torture.
Tom doesn’t see what he has, he takes it for granted. And Gatsby only wants company, someone to actually know. But I think that both have the wrong idea as to how to get what they want, and thats with money.
comment | August 18, 2010 at 14:25 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #3
Alright so I just met Gatsby and he is awesome. He seems to be very down to earth and really humble. He fit right in with all the party-goers and no one seems to notice who he is. I wish I could be like that when I grow up. Gatsby is awesome. I like the way that he was in the Army too. That is really cool.
comment | August 18, 2010 at 16:00 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
I’m so sorry I’ve gotten somewhat behind on all of my blogging. I won’t bother with excuses just know I apologize.
For some reason I thought this book was going to be interesting from the start. So far it really is not. It’s hard to get into this book and for me sort of confusing. I could be wrong about everything but to me, at the beginning when the narrator states, “I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer” (4), it sounds like things have been going wrong or he is even trying to get away from someone or something. Like I said I could be one hundred percent wrong but that is what the beginning comes off to me as.
I can not say I’m looking forward to reading more of this book. I do however hope it gets more interesting and things begin to happen.
Once again I do apologize for the late posts. I am trying to stay on top of everything.
comment | August 18, 2010 at 16:15 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby: Chapter 4 & 5
First off I was surprised at how pushy Mr. Gatsby was. “You’re having lunch with me today” also he says old sport a lot. I was very confused as to why Mr. Gatsby took off when Nick tried to introduce him to Tom, but now I see that it was because Mr. Gatsby likes his wife. I want to know if the only reason Mr. Gatsby got to know Nick was because he was using him. Another thing I find interesting is that apparently cheating on a husband is no big deal in these times. I am finding myself curious for the first time in this book. I wonder what will happen between Mr. Gatsby, Daisy, Tom, Jordan, and Nick. Other than that I still find this book as more of a biography than an actual story. It is not very exciting.
comment | August 18, 2010 at 18:59 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
Chapters 5&6
These chapters were phenomenal, and easily the best of the novel so far. I loved seeing the nervous side of Gatsby as he awaited Daisy’s arrival at Nick’s. Gatsby is usually so nonchalant. One of the first things, however, that made these chapters great was the party. It seems the party scenes are the only time in which Fitzgerald portrays a some-what comedic mood. For example, I especially enjoyed the part in which a drunken woman talking to a doctor exclaims, “Your hand shakes. I wouldn’t let you operate on me!” (106). The second part that made these chapters memorable were the flashbacks. I loved how subtle they were, and they made an amazing end to the chapter.
comment | August 18, 2010 at 19:30 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Blog #3
I was shocked to find out that Daisy and Gatsby had a little romance going on. I think its cute how much Gatsby is into Daisy and how he bought the location of his house just to be closer to Daisy. I think it is nice that Gatsby is really into Daisy and wants to bring back the past that he had with her. But even though he wants Daisy just to tell Tom I don’t love you anymore and just leave him, I think Gatsby needs to realize that it’s not that easy and it’s more complicated than that. I am really curious to see what happens next!
comment | August 18, 2010 at 20:33 | individual comment-link
Whoa, I can’t help but think that my previous post (on the 13th) has mysteriously disappeared… that makes me nervous.
Anyways, on with the blog post for today (August 18).
The Great Gatsby Blog Post #3 –
I have enjoyed this book thus far, and I have yet to find a reason why I shouldn’t. I love the way the author gives Nick a somewhat suspicious attitude, yet he is truthful in everything he says about others. I find that unique since I haven’t seen that in a character in any book I have ever read, and it really shows in Chapter V. I thought Chapter V was the most engaging of the chapters so far… I hope the next few are even more so.
comment | August 18, 2010 at 20:34 | individual comment-link
Oops… I forgot that the site keeps record of names. There is August 13th’s blog post…
comment | August 18, 2010 at 21:56 | individual comment-link
“The Great Gatsby” by F.Scott Fitzgerald
I just got through chapters 3, 4, and 5. They all have been pretty interesting. So far Nick has met Tom’s lover Mrs.Wilson and Tom struck her. He did this while they were all having a little get together with some of their strange friends in the apartment. That was like whoa…I was really surprised by it. The book seems to have little things that happen to catch the reader’s attention. I feel like I’ll be reading along and then something crazy jumps out. I like that aspect of it.
Nick has also run into Mr.Gatsby finally! I was wondering when I’d get to know this hidden character. I didn’t think he would be a young man of only 30 some years. He also has a very interesting past that is revealed throughout these chapters. Among those interesting things is hidden fling with Daisy that was going on when Mr.Gatsby was in the service. This was one of those things that jumped out at me. Now they are in the middle of rekindling their romance. I wonder where this romance will go.
Jordan Baker and nick are also having a little romance themselves; which I knew was going to happen! I think they are weird together, but kind of cute in a way. I wonder where this romance will go too.
There was something that I found to be annoying in chapter 5. When all the people that go to Mr.Gatsby’s parties are being told to you. All I could think was “I don’t care.”. Did anyone else think that was pointless? Maybe I just didn’t get why that was included, or maybe I was just sick of reading…haha just kidding:] Kind of.
comment | August 19, 2010 at 00:35 | individual comment-link
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Chapters III and IV were pretty interesting to read. I’m glad I finally learned more about Gatsby and his character and personality. He seems to be a sort of nervous/sensitive type, like the guy who asks his best friend to ask a girl out for him. I kept picturing him as Tom Hanks’ character from “The Ladykillers”, but I guess he is much younger than that because he dated Daisy in her youth. I wouldn’t be surprised if a relationship sprang up between him and Daisy later on in the novel. It was quite obvious that Nick and Miss Baker would spark a relationship. She seems to me to be clever, manipulative, and indifferent, like the character Mai from “Avatar: The Last Airbender” if you’ve ever seen it. There were many humorous parts in Chapters III and IV, such as the drunk who got his hand ran over by a car and the car in the ditch with the severed steering wheel. The way Nick/Fitzgerald describes and explains these events are humorous too. He sounds like Dwight Shrute from “The Office”, very precise and literate. These chapters weren’t without their boring moments either. The excerpt with Nick explaining and describing most, if not ALL, the guests at Gatsby’s parties was a little unnecessary. Back to Gatsby, though. I think there’s more than meets the eye with him, regarding his history and credentials. I also wonder if Mr. Meyer Wolfsheim will play a bigger role later in the novel or if I will learn more about him. I’m sorry for being late. I need to start my blogs earlier so I can get them done on time. I’ll be back on the 23rd to write my next blog.
comment | August 19, 2010 at 13:17 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #3 (I somehow lost track of days this was supposed to be due yesterday.)
I just finished reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I guess I was right about something bad happening to Gatsby, sadly. It did however not happen like I thought it would though. I thought it would go suicide from Gatsby seeing how he had his life situated on one thing, Daisy. Then everything got screwed up when Tom gave Gatsby all the blame getting Gatsby killed by a minor character. Even though Gatsby getting killed was the worst possible ending, I don’t think it could have ended any other way well still keeping the magic and determination of Gatsby. I liked the ending a lot because of the magic of Gatsby still keeping alive.
comment | August 20, 2010 at 18:00 | individual comment-link
This book sure does pick up fast. I love the drama, the mystery, everyone’s individual story. I dont want to say too much else on how I feel about the characters and my prediction on whats ganna happen next. But i do want to say that i cant wait to actually get this class started so I can share EVERYTHING.
comment | August 21, 2010 at 23:42 | individual comment-link
*gasp* *pant*
GREAT GATSBY
As soon as I got to the second page, this book was ruined for me.
“I never saw this great-uncle but I’m supposed to look like him – with special reference to the rather hard-boiled painting that hangs in Father’s office.”
“hard-boiled”
This is the best adjective ever. The reason this ruined the story for me is because a certain webcomic about a hard-boiled detective used this adjective, and now I just imagine all of the characters in this story as characters from that comic. Also, it made Tom Buchanan’s character really amusing, and it made the part where he punched Mrs. Wilson in the nose absolutely HILARIOUS.
Anyway, Gatsby himself has eluded observation so far, but from what I’ve heard of him through the story, I’m betting he will subvert the EVIL RICH PERSON archetype that all these other characters (Tom Buchanan) encompass. Thanks to the little box of text that was on the other side of the cover on my copy, I already know that Tom’s wife is having an affair with Gatsby, so that’ll be fun to watch. Hey, if we’re lucky, they’ll realize that they are both having affairs and they don’t love each other, and have a peaceful break-up without any fuss.
BUT THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN.
————————–
wow these are really easy, i don’t know why i procrastinate so much. =(
also can you believe that those stupid electric signs in front of all the schools cost $25,000 each?! That is absurd! (sorry that this is completely unrelated, i just wanted to get that off of my chest)
comment | August 22, 2010 at 12:43 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Blog #4
This chapter really kept me interested! The fight between Tom and Gatsby was really intense. I was really shocked by how Gatsby acted. I can’t believe Gatsby wanted Daisy to tell Tom she never loved him and was in love with him. Even though Gatsby wants Daisy to leave Tom and wants her all to himself, he needs to realize that Tom and Daisy have a past and she did love him. I also can’t believe the only reason daisy didn’t marry Gatsby was because he was poor. I think that is really selfish of Daisy. I was really shocked to find out that Daisy killed Myrtle. I thought it was really nice of Gatsby to say he would take the blame for Daisy. I think this helps a little to show his love for Daisy. But the problem is it seems like Gatsby is trying to win over by nice things and money. Daisy should want to be with Gatsby because she loves him not because he is rich and has nice items. Can’t wait to finish the book, I will love to see how it ends.
comment | August 22, 2010 at 23:26 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby: Chapters 6 & 7
I am very confused as to why the author brought up the Reporter in the beginning of the sixth chapter. I don’t know if he just couldn’t think of anything else to say or was just not being creative, but then again this whole story hasn’t been very creative and exciting. I still can’t believe that a tank of gas had only cost a dollar twenty back then. And now the interesting things start to happen, we got a little bit of fighting and some death. I find myself curious about what is going to happen between Daisy, Tom, and Mr. Gatsby. I half expected Tom to be the one to go crazy and start killing the others. I really didn’t expect the murder to be accidental. Anyways I actually won’t mind reading this next section because I feel it might be more entertaining than any of the rest. I will see soon enough.
comment | August 23, 2010 at 16:37 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
Chapter 7
Oh, wow. I feel like I’ve just watched (or in this case, read) my very first soap opera. I was a little skeptical at first about how this chapter was going to go. When Gatsby fired his servants and was no longer serving his massive parties I was sure this chapter was going to be about Jay’s depression over Daisy. Little did I know that things were going to get more manic-depressive than ever. It was stunning when Gatsby exploded to jealous Tom that Daisy had supposedly never loved him. Things were very chaotic, and I felt a large amount of sympathy for Daisy. Due to this situation, I think it was wrong to let Daisy drive home in such a fragile state. Overall, there was a lot of information to take in, and I hope that things begin to sink in and settle down. I think I’m setting my hopes a little high, though.
comment | August 23, 2010 at 18:19 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #4 It seems like I’m the last one getting these done, hooray for laziness.
I read The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald for my second blogging book. After I finished reading the book it felt like I had read it before or at least the main story. Then I remembered where, Fitzgerald’s short story Winter Dreams which was written a few years before Great Gatsby. To me Winter Dreams almost seemed like a demo for the idea of Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship. I think this might have come from the author’s enjoyment for writing the topic or felt like the theme could be expanded on. Even though the book and short story had a similar topic, I liked the Great Gatsby better because of the writing style with a main character recounting in instead of narrator with Winter Dreams jumping in at several of points of the main character’s life. I’m glad I read booth pieces of work though.
comment | August 23, 2010 at 21:09 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #4
I really am getting into this book more and more everytime that I read it. I love the way that whenever Gatsby does something it reveals a little bit more about who he is and where he comes from. I really like the way that Gatsby has alot of money but acts like it’s not a big deal and just is all humble about everything. I am really looking forward to reading more about Gatsby and learning even more about him.
comment | August 23, 2010 at 23:43 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby: Blog #4 –
Things are starting to get a lot more serious now that Tom found out about the romantic past of Gatsby and Daisy. I think Daisy would be happier with Gatsby because of his odd nature. What I don’t like about this book is the absence of an overall plot up until Chapter VII. Before Chapter VII it seemed like the entire book was only about certain days in Nick’s life, and never really progressed anywhere. That is, until Chapter VII, when the plot is shaped up pretty nicely. When I finished the chapter I felt a little bit less confused, since I finally understood what all of the previous events were leading up to how they may eventually pan out. I hope to find out more in the last three chapters.
comment | August 23, 2010 at 23:59 | individual comment-link
“The Great Gatsby” by F.Scott Fitzgerald
I just finished reading chapter six and now I’m into chapter seven. Daisy and Jay’s affair is now revealed to Tom. Tom’s affair with Mrs.Wilson has come to an end I believe. Nick’s romance with Jordon however is still in its beginning stages.
So far they are stopped at a hotel in the city and Tom is almost to his boiling point. He is about to lose both his wife and his lover. Nick is observing this and just watching the drama unfold.
Nick had also learned some new information on Jay too. This new information was put into the story kind of oddly. It was hard to follow. It was hard to read because it was just thrown in there. Did anyone else think that was weird? Maybe it’s just me.
comment | August 24, 2010 at 00:05 | individual comment-link
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I’ve just started Chapter VI and I’ve actually started to enjoy reading the book, especially after Chapter V. I really enjoyed reading Chapter V because I found many of the events and excerpts humorous, such as when Nick “idiotically” says, “It’s an old clock,” about the clock Gatsby almost broke. I also thought Gatsby’s behavior was somewhat funny, with him being extremely nervous, “acting like a little boy,” in Nick’s words, or him having Nick cut the grass in his yard for Daisy’s arrival. I think Daisy might be insane. Who in the world cries over shirts, even if they are beautiful? I liked that in the beginning of Chapter VI, I learned about the real backstory of Jay Gatsby, or should I write James Gatz. Or is it REALLY his real backstory?….. I think Gatsby is having “under the table” dealings with Wolfsheim and he was offering Nick a position inside them so Nick would get some extra income. I just want to know what happens further within the novel, what will happen to the characters and the plot as I get further through Chapter VI and the rest of the novel. I’m sorry (AGAIN…) for entering this blog slightly late, and I’m also sorry for the rushed, unpolished quality of this entry. I’ll be back for my last blog on the 27th and I’ll have read all of the book by then.
comment | August 24, 2010 at 14:34 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
The rumors about Gatsby continue to go around in New York. A reporter even travels to Gatsby’s mansion with the hope of interviewing him. Nick sees neither Gatsby nor Daisy for several weeks after their reunion at Nick’s house. Stopping by Gatsby’s house one afternoon, he is alarmed to find Tom Buchanan there. Tom has stopped for a drink at Gatsby’s house. So far the book is becoming more and more dramatic and it seems as if it is not going to end any time soon.
comment | August 24, 2010 at 14:37 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
The topic of social class appears to be very important to Gatsby. Nick’s description of Gatsby’s past reveals his sensitivity to status. Gatsby’s transformation of himself symbolizes his desire to forget his lower-class identity and recast himself as the wealthy man he he has always wanted to be.
comment | August 24, 2010 at 14:41 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
Two years after Gatsby’s death, Nick describes the events that surrounded the funeral. Swarms of reporters and journalists swarmed his mansion after the murder. Wild and untrue stories, more exaggerated than the rumors about Gatsby when he was throwing his parties, spread about the nature of Gatsby’s relationship to Myrtle and Wilson. The story has finally come to a drastic and above all shocking end. Although i have read this book once before, it still shocked me that Gatsby was the one to be killed.
comment | August 25, 2010 at 16:44 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby Blog #5
I really enjoyed reading this novel. There was so much drama that helped made the novel interesting. I was sad that Gatsby died and I wish more people would have gone to his funeral. I didn’t like how after people found out that Gatsby died they didn’t care. Tom really made me mad. It seems that all Tom cares about is his money and helps show how cruel the upper class people were. The people didn’t care about Gatsby, but only that he had money and the parties Gatsby threw, the people attended only because of his social class. I am glad Nick and Gatsby were friends. Nick showed how he cared about Gatsby and wasn’t like the other upper class people. This is a good novel and I will most likely read it again in the future. I can’t wait to discuss it in class.
comment | August 26, 2010 at 20:38 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #5
The Great Gatsby was the book that I read for my second reading blog. After I finished reading it I wondered how my first blog book The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare related too it. The main thing that I could think of was a class system. From the other books in the choice for first blog (based on main ideas) the social class system seemed like it could have been fit with racial, sexual, or mental state in the class system. This comes up in Comedy of Errors more blatantly with the servants and master relationship. This also is an idea in The Great Gatsby with wealth; such as with story of Myrtle not liking her husband anymore because she found out he was less wealthy than she thought. I’m sure there are more examples of this theme that could be backed up with quotes and such if needed. I enjoyed reading and blogging about books in the end though.
comment | August 27, 2010 at 18:08 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby
Chapters 8&9
For some unapparent reason I can’t find the words to type. Nothing I type seems to fit the emotions I felt finishing this novel. There was no epiphany, nor any complaints. Just contentment, I suppose. Gatsby made some very drastic changes and moments in every characters life, but yet I wasn’t upset to see him go. Then again, I never really realized how pathetic most of the characters were, and I wouldn’t have been too upset to see any of them leave as well.
The Great Gatsby really proved my hesitant and bored impression wrong. I was extremely grateful that things began to liven up after the first few chapters, and I actually enjoyed reading it. I think I’m going to re-read it, just to make sure I fully comprehend not just the plot, but Fitzgerald’s style as well…Maybe this time the ending will come on a little stronger.
comment | August 27, 2010 at 22:30 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby: Chapters 8 & 9
It’s finally over. The book is over. I suppose it is not that bad, after all it is not The Scarlet Letter. I actually understood it. This was a different type of story. It seemed less like a novel with a plot and more of a biography. But that is beside the point. I can not believe that Mr. Gatsby died so suddenly in the story. In most tales, murders of important characters are described in vivid detail, but this one seemed over quickly. I also do not quite understand why only one person showed up at Mr. Gatsby’s funeral, and why that person did at all. I also do not see why Fitzgerald ended the book as he did. It seemed rather sudden not to mention half of it seemed unnecessary. I did not need to know about his run in with Jordan, Tom I could see as necessary but not Jordan. This book was not too terrible, but I definitely will not be reading it again anytime soon.
comment | August 28, 2010 at 00:05 | individual comment-link
The Great Gatsby #5
Okay so this blog is cutting it close and I apologize. Anyways I love the way that Gatsby seems to know everyone. Any new character that I encounter seems to know Mr. Jay Gatsby and I think it is awesome. I am almost finished with the book and I should finish tomorrow sometime. I am looking forward to the finish and I am really excited to see how everything turns out.
comment | August 29, 2010 at 14:08 | individual comment-link
Rachel Mumby
The Great Gatsby Log 4 Chapters 6 & 7
I did not like the begining of the sixth chapter at all. I did not understand the part about the reporter. I do not think it was necessary to include. I feel as though it was just filling space. Gatsby invited Daisy and Tom to a party though. Daisy enjoyed herself, while Tom was not so happy about it. He does not like Gatsby and he wants to know what Gatsby is up to. He keeps making assumptions such as being a bootlegger and says he is not a good man. However, his parties stopped all of a sudden. I was very confused about this. I was shocked to learn that Gatsby was no longer throwing parties, and he had gotten rid of all of his staff and got a new one. When Daisy invited Jordon, Jay, and Nick over I was very surprised and thought it was a bad idea. Jay’s fight with Tom was not a surprise. It was coming at some point. However, I was surprised that Tom had Daisy leave with him. Also, Tom is very hypocritical of Daisy. He has a mistress, but thinks it is horrible how Daisy feels for Jay. I was surprised the two did not run away together. I could not believe that Tom’s mistress died, and then to find out Daisy was driving the car was even more surprising. I would have thought Jay would be, especially because it was his car. So much happened in chapter 7. This is my favorite chapter so far. I am glad that Daisy and Jay finally came out about how they feel, especially to Tom. I hope they end up together.
comment | August 29, 2010 at 14:24 | individual comment-link
Rachel Mumby
The Great Gatsby Log 5 Chapters 8 & 9
I cannot believe that Gatsby was murdered by Tom’s mistress’ husband. It was a huge mistake, Tom was the man he was after and Daisy was the one who killed her. Gatsby was not connected except for the fact that his car was used. It was the wrong place at the wrong time. Gatsby died for nothing. This ruined the ending and the novel in general for me. Moving back to the begining of chapter eight, Nick really learned alot about how Daisy and Jay met. Also, he learned how Jay really feels about Daisy and how much he truely wants to be with her. I think it is sad that they were not together. It was a bad situation with two people who should have been together, but unfortunately a series of events kept them apart forever. Nick was such a good friend to Gatsby even when he died. He took care of all the after death arrangements and he did the funeral. I cannot believe that only Gatsby’s dad, Nick, and the one drunk man from the library were the only ones to go. He did so many things for so many people and this is how they repay him after he dies so tragically. It is really sad that this is the way the novel ends. I do not know yet whether it completely ruined this novel for me or if I just dislike the ending.
comment | August 30, 2010 at 01:31 | individual comment-link
Hey I’m just gonna poke my head in here with this Great Gatsby thing. Here I am in the middle of Chapter 5 or something, and I realize I still have to do this. So let’s do this.
For some reason, I expected Jay Gatsby to be more elegant, but he really isn’t, at least when it comes to Daisy. During the party scene, the fact that he eluded Jordan and Nick for most of the night made him seem so enigmatic, but then it turns out Nick had been talking to him for a good while, so it was anti-climatic. But I think it was supposed to be anti-climatic, to emphasize the fact that Gatsby isn’t so Great. I’m starting to wonder why they would call him the Great Gatsby, he is just embarassing himself at Nick’s house with Daisy there.
The reason I stopped in the middle of chapter 5, other than to write this post, was because I got such a kick out of this line:
“Americans, while occasionally willing to be serfs, have always been obstinate about being peasantry.”
That’s some good stuff right there, Fitzgerald, good stuff.