After reading the entire book I
became very fond of it. Throughout the entire novel I was very on the fence if
I actually did like it or not but once I reached the last few chapters I was
convinced. The first read through I missed many key concepts in the book but
after analyzing a bit more I realized how much of a phenomenal writer
Fitzgerald is. He incorporated love, action, drama, betrayal, and many other
important themes all into one book. His style and organization I found to be
very sophisticated and his uses of rhetorical strategies were very abundant but
not overwhelming. I found that there were actually some very funny parts
including a scene where Tom alludes to Gatsby’s bootlegging but it is not
picked up by anyone (121).
Although at times I was not fond of
all the characters, Tom for instance, I found them all to represent a
significant part in the story. I liked how at the end it wrapped around and
nothing had seemed to change between Daisy and Tom, although it was revealed
both were cheating on the other. It was ironic though that the ones they were
cheating on both died because of the other. Daisy killed Tom’s mistress and in
a way Tom killed Daisy’s by telling George Wilson who the owner of the yellow
car was.
As seen in my text connections, I believe Fitzgerald
should be credited for the basic idea of both Sweet Home Alabama and The
Notebook. Although I do not think The
Great Gatsby can be referred to as a great romantic story in my opinion
because she ends up with the wrong guy, it is a good love story about the
perseverance one can have about reaching a goal.
Not only because of the great story it tells, but also
because of the great style, usage of rhetorical strategies, and sophistication,
this novel should be passed down from generation to generation. It effectively
characterizes the time period, the lost generation, and failures of the
American Dream. Fitzgerald shows that a happy ending is not always needed for
an excellent book.
I agree, this book was one that took a while to appreciate. It initially seems dull, it eventually picks up, and when looking back I was able to realize all the wonderful elements in which Fitzgerald incorporated into his novel. I do disagree with your opinion on the amount of rhetorical strategies. At times I found as if certain statements in the novel were overly described or analyzed by Fitzgerald to a point in which it was difficult to comprehend what he was attempting to convey.
ReplyDeleteI cannot decide whether or not I liked or hated how in the end Tom and Daisy carry on with their lives as if nothing had changed. Despite how I feel about it, this component in the novel actually characterizes how terrible Tom and Daisy are as people. They simply ignore the death of two people who they were very much associated with simply because they are overly self involved people.
I do agree that this novel should be passed on from generation. I enjoy how this novel has the ability to bring out such a vast majority of opinions from different people.
I will agree with all of your comments. While reading the book, I was also faced with the dilemma about whether or not I should like this novel because of the rather slow parts. But after finishing the book and finding out that three people died, I was very shocked because I would have never guessed the ending. I also agree with you on the fact that after going back and analyzing the book for this assignment, you pick up on small things here and there that help the author shape the plot.
ReplyDeleteI was not fond of a few of the characters also like Jordan and Daisy. I felt that they were both ignorant and were not able to make decisions for themselves. An example for each of them is choosing the wrong man she wanted to be with because she felt safe for Daisy and Jordan cheating in her game of golf. These actions both of these women pulled are very immature.
But one of the overall major points I am going to have to agree on is the authors use of an abundant rhetorical strategies. There was not one page that did not have an elaborate rhetorical strategy. The rhetorical strategies that are used do convey a sophisticated tone, but also a complex tone because of the twisting plot.