In the 1920s, a character from The Great Gatsby portrayed herself as a flirtatious, used, and pushed around woman who took advantage of millionaires. None of these qualities strike me as what a woman really is, especially in today’s terms. We are essentially smart women and we are in no circumstance of being pushed around by misogynistic men. Commonly, women today also show no intention of marrying or teasing men for their money. In this case, the woman did both. She portrayed no discipline, money driven qualities, and a stature that led her husband to push her around.
In the novel, Daisy Buchanan had no discipline. She was often flirtatious, erratic, and unreliable. Her cousin, Nick Carroway, told us of the many times she said teasing comments such as, “Are you in love with me, or why did I have to come alone?” Some of these comments were small remarks, but when she fell in love with Gatsby while she was married, her character developed into an entirely different persona. While women make mistakes, many show self- discipline especially in their marriages. However, Daisy relied on Nick to cover up her emotional affair and keep it from her husband, Tom. Another trait she carried, that modern women try not to show, is unreliability. While she developed a love triangle between her, Gatsby, and Tom, she forgot to mention that she loved them both. In the end, this hurt not only her marriage, but Gatsby as well. After the incident, she drove Gatsby home, and accidentally ran over a woman and left the mangled body for someone else to find. If this had been the case now, most women and most people would have stopped, called the police, and taken the blame yet Daisy drove away and was willing to let Gatsby take the blame.
Daisy was also a “gold digger,” considering she had money driven thoughts. She married Tom Buchanan for his wealth, and didn’t wait for Gatsby who was her summer sweetheart. In theory, she didn’t wait for him because he had no money at the time, which in turn motivated him to become a millionaire. Fortunately for her, Tom’s wealth paid off and she was featured in many newspapers at many parties. In some ways she can be described (quoted by Randy Scherer) as the “Paris Hilton” of the 1920s. However, she does not represent women today, whatsoever, considering the majority of women is now working. They also support and mother their children, and in the novel, Daisy did not seem to have a strong connection with her daughter.
One major issue that stood out to me, though, was the fact that she let her husband push her around. He was a racist, sexist, and an abusive man that had an open affair with Myrtle Wilson. Today, women have enough self respect and the idea of a mistress is completely outdated. If any context of an affair came into a marriage today, major conflict would occur, and might possibly lead to a divorce. In Daisy’s marriage, divorce never came into her mind and maybe that can relate to her “gold digger” personality. When it was convenient for him in the end of the novel, Tom said he was still in love with Daisy. She later confessed she loved him too, even though she had said he was “repulsive” at one point.
In my opinion, women just have so much more self respect that is not shown throughout this novel. The feminine characters are incredibly degrading to today’s women. They lack the strong and motherly essence, and show flighty tendencies. One of the main characters, Daisy, definitely does not depict women today, especially since she portrayed no discipline, money driven qualities, and a stature that led her husband to push her around.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Re: Blog #24: More current events
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/sep/21/n94698214119-following-flow-pollutants/
Excerpt from Union Tribune:
"Dozens of scientists, engineers and volunteers in wet suits and immersed in 67-degree water are setting up sensitive equipment along Imperial Beach's shoreline to better understand water pollution.
The work is part of a $1.5 million experiment that may help manage beach closures along the entire California coast.
Scientists with UCSD's Scripps Institution of Oceanography say the goal of the Imperial Beach Pollutant Transport and Dilution Experiment is to track how pollutants are moved by waves, currents and tides.
Yesterday, investigators dropped floating devices called drifters, which move like dye, into the Pacific Ocean. Dye testing is set to begin Monday.
Drifters and dye both simulate pollution. However, drifters provide better data for how fast pollutants spread along the shore while dye better monitors cross-shore movement.
The drifters and nontoxic dye will be released from the Tijuana River to just north of the Imperial Beach city limit, depending on the swell and other conditions. "
The issue for this story is that scientists are studying the flow of pollution from the Tijuana river to north of Imperial Beach. They took trackers and put them in the water to see where they end up in a certain amount of time. To find out more information, we could research and follow up the Union Tribune's articles that feature San Diego's water pollution.
The story relates to our class because of pollution, investigating the water, and writing an article on it. It could tie into our project if anyone does a topic on water pollution.
http://www.fws.gov/Endangered/bulletin/95/coastal.html
Southern California attracts even more people and provides habitat for more listed species than the Texas Coast. The "River of Birds" along the Pacific flyway has lost most of its native, undisturbed habitat for nesting, resting, and feeding. A partnership with the San Diego County Parks Department, State agencies, and local conservation groups is attempting to reverse the trend by restoring tidal flow to a degraded coastal lagoon. Restoration of the San Elijo Lagoon will likely benefit three endangered species, the California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni), light-footed clapper rail (Rallus longirostris levipes), and tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi); two threatened species, the western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) and coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica); and Belding's savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwhichensis beldingi), a species of concern.
This story featured more places to it, but one that stood out to me was the one on Southern California. It featured how San Diego and some state agencies are working to protect some of their native species of birds and fish. This relates to my topic completely because my essential question is "How does San Diego protect it's animals in it's coastal ecosystem?"
Some information that could be featured is more info on San Diego County. I think that would benefit my project a ton. I also think that they should say where those three endangered species live or where the San Eligo Lagoon is.
However, the most important information is that there is work being done to help animals!
Hold Onto Your Butt (Thanks to Emilie's blog)
"An awareness event that was meant to educate people about how to dispose of cigarette safely and how the ones thrown on the ground can effect the ocean and wildlife."
*Cigarette butts are the most littered item in The United States and the world.
*They account for nearly one in every three items collected during Surfrider cleanups
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j-aGrkBDdWp1rUIvhI2EQ_taAn1wD9BV4I5G0
"The seals can stay and play at a La Jolla swimming cove.
A judge ruled Friday that harbor seals that have colonized the cove in La Jolla for more than a decade can remain there. That overruled an earlier decision to have the city remove the seals because their waste bacteria was dangerous for humans.
San Diego County Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor ruled that a state law signed by the governor in July will allow the cove to be designated as a marine park starting Jan. 1, and that there is no reason to evict the animals before then. The move finalized a tentative ruling Taylor made Thursday."
This article was published 3 days ago and explains the current situation on the La Jolla Seals controversy. It says that they can stay.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/13/hodges-spill-could-bring-big-penalty/
"San Diego faces one of its largest water-quality fines in recent years for spilling nearly 400,000 gallons of untreated sewage into a tributary of Lake Hodges in 2007."
This article describes what happened when San Diego spilt chemicals and polluted Lake Hodges two years ago. It explains their penalties now.
Excerpt from Union Tribune:
"Dozens of scientists, engineers and volunteers in wet suits and immersed in 67-degree water are setting up sensitive equipment along Imperial Beach's shoreline to better understand water pollution.
The work is part of a $1.5 million experiment that may help manage beach closures along the entire California coast.
Scientists with UCSD's Scripps Institution of Oceanography say the goal of the Imperial Beach Pollutant Transport and Dilution Experiment is to track how pollutants are moved by waves, currents and tides.
Yesterday, investigators dropped floating devices called drifters, which move like dye, into the Pacific Ocean. Dye testing is set to begin Monday.
Drifters and dye both simulate pollution. However, drifters provide better data for how fast pollutants spread along the shore while dye better monitors cross-shore movement.
The drifters and nontoxic dye will be released from the Tijuana River to just north of the Imperial Beach city limit, depending on the swell and other conditions. "
The issue for this story is that scientists are studying the flow of pollution from the Tijuana river to north of Imperial Beach. They took trackers and put them in the water to see where they end up in a certain amount of time. To find out more information, we could research and follow up the Union Tribune's articles that feature San Diego's water pollution.
The story relates to our class because of pollution, investigating the water, and writing an article on it. It could tie into our project if anyone does a topic on water pollution.
http://www.fws.gov/Endangered/bulletin/95/coastal.html
Southern California attracts even more people and provides habitat for more listed species than the Texas Coast. The "River of Birds" along the Pacific flyway has lost most of its native, undisturbed habitat for nesting, resting, and feeding. A partnership with the San Diego County Parks Department, State agencies, and local conservation groups is attempting to reverse the trend by restoring tidal flow to a degraded coastal lagoon. Restoration of the San Elijo Lagoon will likely benefit three endangered species, the California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni), light-footed clapper rail (Rallus longirostris levipes), and tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi); two threatened species, the western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) and coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica); and Belding's savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwhichensis beldingi), a species of concern.
This story featured more places to it, but one that stood out to me was the one on Southern California. It featured how San Diego and some state agencies are working to protect some of their native species of birds and fish. This relates to my topic completely because my essential question is "How does San Diego protect it's animals in it's coastal ecosystem?"
Some information that could be featured is more info on San Diego County. I think that would benefit my project a ton. I also think that they should say where those three endangered species live or where the San Eligo Lagoon is.
However, the most important information is that there is work being done to help animals!
Hold Onto Your Butt (Thanks to Emilie's blog)
"An awareness event that was meant to educate people about how to dispose of cigarette safely and how the ones thrown on the ground can effect the ocean and wildlife."
*Cigarette butts are the most littered item in The United States and the world.
*They account for nearly one in every three items collected during Surfrider cleanups
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j-aGrkBDdWp1rUIvhI2EQ_taAn1wD9BV4I5G0
"The seals can stay and play at a La Jolla swimming cove.
A judge ruled Friday that harbor seals that have colonized the cove in La Jolla for more than a decade can remain there. That overruled an earlier decision to have the city remove the seals because their waste bacteria was dangerous for humans.
San Diego County Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor ruled that a state law signed by the governor in July will allow the cove to be designated as a marine park starting Jan. 1, and that there is no reason to evict the animals before then. The move finalized a tentative ruling Taylor made Thursday."
This article was published 3 days ago and explains the current situation on the La Jolla Seals controversy. It says that they can stay.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/13/hodges-spill-could-bring-big-penalty/
"San Diego faces one of its largest water-quality fines in recent years for spilling nearly 400,000 gallons of untreated sewage into a tributary of Lake Hodges in 2007."
This article describes what happened when San Diego spilt chemicals and polluted Lake Hodges two years ago. It explains their penalties now.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Re: Honors Essay #3
In 1931, a journalist found the previous decade so awe-inspiring that he began to write a novel that was based on the era’s impression. His main characters were known as “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” a higher class couple that could have resided in East Egg, New York. Traveling through the decade, Mr. and Mrs. Smith experienced the rise in parties, money, alcohol, art, and most of all- materialism. However, the general ideas of the couple were not, under any circumstance, the average American citizens. Many still lived in remote farms and towns that slowly began to show growth in their economy through paved roads, automobiles, and large corporations. A new era slowly crept up on Americans in the 1920s, and it soon became known as “The Roaring 20s.” While change came rapidly, so did the economical growth. Between 1922 and 1927 the economy grew by 7 percent a year. If the Roaring Twenties was defined by anything, it was industry, commerce, and materialism.
While American industrialization was taking over, 200,000 workers were being replaced with machines each year. This kept the labor force increasing at a rapid rate, which improved pay tremendously. Between 1919 and 1927, the average income climbed nearly $150 for each American. As the economy grew, more consumer products appeared: lighters, wristwatches, and more. However, as people gained more money and more consumer products were on the market, people put little of their earnings into the bank because they spent it frequently.
One job that was known as a “boom industry” was construction. Since many cities around the country were being “modernized” residential construction doubled. Beverly Hills, in Los Angeles, grew 2500 percent. Road construction improved the economy too by millions of dollars. In 1919, a few states proposed a tax on gas, which redefined the auto industry as well. By making more automobiles, many people began to travel which led to motels, restaurants, and gas stations.
New industries kept appearing which led America into the “Consumer Culture.” Advertisements, welfare, and credit opened up a new America and people began to favor materialism. People from the “Roaring Twenties” were often considered “The Lost Generation” because of materialism and because of the freedom people felt which often involved art, alcohol, parties, and going against the law. According to “Nation of Nations,” “Consumption was the key to prosperity, and increased consumption rested on two innovations: advertising to encourage people to buy, and credit to help them pay.” The fact that people kept spending, and not saving, led to a crash in the economy known as the Great Depression.
As we can see, change was inevitably there, and at the time America was transformed into a more industrial and materialistic country. Change defined the era by industry, commerce, and materialism. Change was a catalyst for the later Great Depression. Change was the Roaring Twenties.
Resources:
Nation of Nations: p. 682-689
http://library.thinkquest.org/C005846/The_1920/the1920.htm
While American industrialization was taking over, 200,000 workers were being replaced with machines each year. This kept the labor force increasing at a rapid rate, which improved pay tremendously. Between 1919 and 1927, the average income climbed nearly $150 for each American. As the economy grew, more consumer products appeared: lighters, wristwatches, and more. However, as people gained more money and more consumer products were on the market, people put little of their earnings into the bank because they spent it frequently.
One job that was known as a “boom industry” was construction. Since many cities around the country were being “modernized” residential construction doubled. Beverly Hills, in Los Angeles, grew 2500 percent. Road construction improved the economy too by millions of dollars. In 1919, a few states proposed a tax on gas, which redefined the auto industry as well. By making more automobiles, many people began to travel which led to motels, restaurants, and gas stations.
New industries kept appearing which led America into the “Consumer Culture.” Advertisements, welfare, and credit opened up a new America and people began to favor materialism. People from the “Roaring Twenties” were often considered “The Lost Generation” because of materialism and because of the freedom people felt which often involved art, alcohol, parties, and going against the law. According to “Nation of Nations,” “Consumption was the key to prosperity, and increased consumption rested on two innovations: advertising to encourage people to buy, and credit to help them pay.” The fact that people kept spending, and not saving, led to a crash in the economy known as the Great Depression.
As we can see, change was inevitably there, and at the time America was transformed into a more industrial and materialistic country. Change defined the era by industry, commerce, and materialism. Change was a catalyst for the later Great Depression. Change was the Roaring Twenties.
Resources:
Nation of Nations: p. 682-689
http://library.thinkquest.org/C005846/The_1920/the1920.htm
Re: Environmental Current Events
http://www.fws.gov/Endangered/bulletin/95/coastal.html
Southern California attracts even more people and provides habitat for more listed species than the Texas Coast. The "River of Birds" along the Pacific flyway has lost most of its native, undisturbed habitat for nesting, resting, and feeding. A partnership with the San Diego County Parks Department, State agencies, and local conservation groups is attempting to reverse the trend by restoring tidal flow to a degraded coastal lagoon. Restoration of the San Elijo Lagoon will likely benefit three endangered species, the California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni), light-footed clapper rail (Rallus longirostris levipes), and tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi); two threatened species, the western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) and coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica); and Belding's savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwhichensis beldingi), a species of concern.
This story featured more places to it, but one that stood out to me was the one on Southern California. It featured how San Diego and some state agencies are working to protect some of their native species of birds and fish. This relates to my topic completely because my essential question is "How does San Diego protect it's animals in it's coastal ecosystem?"
Some information that could be featured is more info on San Diego County. I think that would benefit my project a ton. I also think that they should say where those three endangered species live or where the San Eligo Lagoon is.
However, the most important information is that there is work being done to help animals!
Southern California attracts even more people and provides habitat for more listed species than the Texas Coast. The "River of Birds" along the Pacific flyway has lost most of its native, undisturbed habitat for nesting, resting, and feeding. A partnership with the San Diego County Parks Department, State agencies, and local conservation groups is attempting to reverse the trend by restoring tidal flow to a degraded coastal lagoon. Restoration of the San Elijo Lagoon will likely benefit three endangered species, the California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni), light-footed clapper rail (Rallus longirostris levipes), and tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi); two threatened species, the western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) and coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica); and Belding's savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwhichensis beldingi), a species of concern.
This story featured more places to it, but one that stood out to me was the one on Southern California. It featured how San Diego and some state agencies are working to protect some of their native species of birds and fish. This relates to my topic completely because my essential question is "How does San Diego protect it's animals in it's coastal ecosystem?"
Some information that could be featured is more info on San Diego County. I think that would benefit my project a ton. I also think that they should say where those three endangered species live or where the San Eligo Lagoon is.
However, the most important information is that there is work being done to help animals!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Historian Page Smith referred to the period of American industrialization as "the war between capital and labor." In a thoughtful essay, supported by informative references to relevant history, describe the extent in which you believe this statement in an accurate portrayal of American society between 1850 and 1900.
~
Historian Page Smith’s reference to the American industrialization as “the war between capital and labor” was somewhat accurate. Although most of the components were warlike, some were not. Things like the formation of unions and strikes captured the essence of an army, and represented “labor” in Smith’s context. However, one glitch that stands out is the fact that wars usually require a lot of money and resources on both opposing sides. The working class or “labor” did not have or presumably need much money to form strikes like the Pullman strike or the Haymarket Affair.
During the Industrialization era, the formation of unions was sprouting up in different states. The grouping can be viewed as the formation of an army, and not only was it happening with unions but with Robber Barons as well. Robber Barons, or the “capital” side of Page Smith’s context, were rich men who used sneaky tactics that sometimes involved the government. Some were factory owners, and some were wealthy by other jobs. However, the sides were clearly imminent: labor unions versus Robber Barons, the government, and the factory owners.
Common tactics of war were forming under the hands of union leaders. One greatly known labor union leader was Eugene Debs, and in the words of Page Smith, he could be considered an army leader. He was involved in the Pullman Strike, and later imprisoned for the violent act. The Pullman Strike was one of the greatest acts of revolt, and can be represented as a “war between capital and labor.” Its main cause was because the Pullman Palace Car Company reduced their workers’ wages by 25%, while still keeping the rent high. At its peak, some 250,000 workers were involved with the strike in over 27 states. The strike was known for being very violent, considering that there was $340,000 worth of property damage, and its approach on the “capital” can be viewed as warlike considering the destruction the “labor” caused.
However, the opposing side struck back when the US Marshals interfered by the order of President Grover Cleveland, who can be perceived as another army leader. In Howard Zinn’s chapter of “Robber Barons and Rebels,” Cleveland promised the Robber Barons and other higher class that he would be in favor of their needs. This promise can clearly be represented in his reaction to the Pullman Strike, where he stated it threatened public safety, ignored a federal law, and hindered the US Mail delivery.
Although the strikes represented battles, and the union leaders/higher class represented army leaders- there was one notable glitch that did not relate to historian Page Smith’s statement at all. Usually in wars, each opposing side has some money or resources. The labor unions did not have much money or resources; they basically had themselves. Besides, money was not to their advantage because their wages were cut frequently and they didn’t even need money to organize a large strike like the Pullman Strike or the Haymarket Affair. The Haymarket Affair, due to a demand for 8 hour work days, only required a mob of the labor unions. The riot eventually led to another battle.
As we can see, there are many viewpoints that can be derived from Page Smith’s statement of American Industrialization as “the war between capital and labor.” Personally, I do believe he is somewhat right. Things like unions, strikes, and violence can be interpreted as warlike qualities. However, having a side that doesn’t have money or resources does not flow with Smith’s statement.
http://www.sagehistory.net/gildedage/industrial.htm
http://recollectionbooks.com/siml/library/PullmanStrike.htm
http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/zinnbaron11.html
~
Historian Page Smith’s reference to the American industrialization as “the war between capital and labor” was somewhat accurate. Although most of the components were warlike, some were not. Things like the formation of unions and strikes captured the essence of an army, and represented “labor” in Smith’s context. However, one glitch that stands out is the fact that wars usually require a lot of money and resources on both opposing sides. The working class or “labor” did not have or presumably need much money to form strikes like the Pullman strike or the Haymarket Affair.
During the Industrialization era, the formation of unions was sprouting up in different states. The grouping can be viewed as the formation of an army, and not only was it happening with unions but with Robber Barons as well. Robber Barons, or the “capital” side of Page Smith’s context, were rich men who used sneaky tactics that sometimes involved the government. Some were factory owners, and some were wealthy by other jobs. However, the sides were clearly imminent: labor unions versus Robber Barons, the government, and the factory owners.
Common tactics of war were forming under the hands of union leaders. One greatly known labor union leader was Eugene Debs, and in the words of Page Smith, he could be considered an army leader. He was involved in the Pullman Strike, and later imprisoned for the violent act. The Pullman Strike was one of the greatest acts of revolt, and can be represented as a “war between capital and labor.” Its main cause was because the Pullman Palace Car Company reduced their workers’ wages by 25%, while still keeping the rent high. At its peak, some 250,000 workers were involved with the strike in over 27 states. The strike was known for being very violent, considering that there was $340,000 worth of property damage, and its approach on the “capital” can be viewed as warlike considering the destruction the “labor” caused.
However, the opposing side struck back when the US Marshals interfered by the order of President Grover Cleveland, who can be perceived as another army leader. In Howard Zinn’s chapter of “Robber Barons and Rebels,” Cleveland promised the Robber Barons and other higher class that he would be in favor of their needs. This promise can clearly be represented in his reaction to the Pullman Strike, where he stated it threatened public safety, ignored a federal law, and hindered the US Mail delivery.
Although the strikes represented battles, and the union leaders/higher class represented army leaders- there was one notable glitch that did not relate to historian Page Smith’s statement at all. Usually in wars, each opposing side has some money or resources. The labor unions did not have much money or resources; they basically had themselves. Besides, money was not to their advantage because their wages were cut frequently and they didn’t even need money to organize a large strike like the Pullman Strike or the Haymarket Affair. The Haymarket Affair, due to a demand for 8 hour work days, only required a mob of the labor unions. The riot eventually led to another battle.
As we can see, there are many viewpoints that can be derived from Page Smith’s statement of American Industrialization as “the war between capital and labor.” Personally, I do believe he is somewhat right. Things like unions, strikes, and violence can be interpreted as warlike qualities. However, having a side that doesn’t have money or resources does not flow with Smith’s statement.
http://www.sagehistory.net/gildedage/industrial.htm
http://recollectionbooks.com/siml/library/PullmanStrike.htm
http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/zinnbaron11.html
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Re: Your MSB organizations
Chula Vista Nature Center
The Chula Vista Nature Center is an internationally recognized zoo/aquarium exhibiting native plants and animals. Come see us for an up-close and personal visit with endangered Green Sea Turtles, shorebirds, hawks, sharks, stingrays, and jellyfish, to name a few!
One thing I noticed when I visited the site was at the very end; we were given a farewell. The people said that it would be great if we could come back and support them because the city of San Diego doesn't anymore, which I find an important fact about their center with the city government.
http://www.chulavistaca.gov/City_Services/Community_Services/Nature_Center/default.asp
San Diego Coastkeeper
San Diego Coastkeeper protects the region’s bays, beaches, watersheds and ocean for the people and wildlife that depend on them.
This group seems to release a lot of press releases. Some are featured on their website.
They also reference their supporters in the city and state government. Here's a link to see:
http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org/content/takeAction/districtContacts.htm
http://sdcoastkeeper.org/
The Chula Vista Nature Center is an internationally recognized zoo/aquarium exhibiting native plants and animals. Come see us for an up-close and personal visit with endangered Green Sea Turtles, shorebirds, hawks, sharks, stingrays, and jellyfish, to name a few!
San Diego Coastkeeper
San Diego Coastkeeper protects the region’s bays, beaches, watersheds and ocean for the people and wildlife that depend on them.
This group seems to release a lot of press releases. Some are featured on their website.
They also reference their supporters in the city and state government. Here's a link to see:
http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org/content/takeAction/districtContacts.htm
http://sdcoastkeeper.org/
Monday, November 9, 2009
Re: Gatsby! Ch.4
Gatsby and Nick are both detached from their settings in a way. In Nick's mind, he's supposedly "convincing" the reader to trust him, but he also does not show a biased side. Nick is very observant as well, so we see what happens in every sense. However, he still is a little stand-offish and does not seem to clique with some people. He seems like a wallflower in a sense.
Gatsby on the other hand seems very secretive and mysterious. At first, he's this cool guy but you start to wonder why he doesn't tell the full truth, and why he seems to rush over some things he says. Is he uncomfortable?
Gatsby on the other hand seems very secretive and mysterious. At first, he's this cool guy but you start to wonder why he doesn't tell the full truth, and why he seems to rush over some things he says. Is he uncomfortable?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Re: Beginning the Great Gatsby
The narrator is Nick Carroway, a man originally from the West who travels to the East Coast. He became interested in bonds, and moved to an apartment located on the tip of "West Egg," near a mansion owned by "Gatsby." He also participated in the Great War and attended a nicer University. After awhile of living there, he went to visit his cousin, Daisy, who lived with her husband in the East Egg.
Some of his perspective has to do with his father's advice: "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." This leads Nick Carroway to understand that he comes from a wealthy family, and encourages him to make a living of his own.
He seems like a person who likes to joke around, but also seems like the average guy. Nice, smart, and friendly. He becomes friends with Daisy and her husband, Tom.
I think that by choosing to write in first person, the author showed a much more personal look on the situation. If it had been in third person, we might have gotten just a general summary of the story and no side commentary that Nick Carroway was thinking.
He seems like a person who likes to joke around, but also seems like the average guy. Nice, smart, and friendly. He becomes friends with Daisy and her husband, Tom.
I think that by choosing to write in first person, the author showed a much more personal look on the situation. If it had been in third person, we might have gotten just a general summary of the story and no side commentary that Nick Carroway was thinking.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Re: Honors Novel #2
In the 1800s, Nantucket’s whaling industry flourished with men who lived to sail the rough African, Asian, Latin, and American seas. For a period of two to three years at a time, most of the highly appraised Nantucketer men left their wife and children to hunt Sperm whales for their greatly depended on oil. Now, a story based on this information would appear to be a regular piece of nonfiction, but in Nathaniel Philbrick’s In the Heart of the Sea, he introduced a surprisingly true, wild, and remarkable account. Throughout the book, he explains a series of events that was a catalyst for later novels and stories such as Moby Dick by Herman Melville. Also, questions like- Is it a dangerous task, should people still venture out into a sea of monsters, and more- came into play.
In the beginning of the story, we are introduced to Nantucket’s gentle and mostly Amish atmosphere. While the people of this island are nice and extremely religious, they also have an almost condescending attitude. Since they had a ton of experience in the whaling industry, factories from the main land relied on them to get oil for machines because they were considered qualified since they knew how to process and strip blubber from a whale. However we are mostly familiarized with a few of the sailors from the grand old whaling ship, The Essex. While we are taken throughout The Essex’s uncanny and unfortunate adventures, we note that they had set off on their hunt to find less than half of the oil supply they finally needed. They started from their native island and ended up travelling an enormous distance.
On their journey, The Essex’s crewmembers were mostly “greenhands,” a nickname for new sailors on the job. The captain and the first mate had to teach the greenhands the vicious technique of killing the massive Sperm whales and on the first try; they failed their captain, George Pollard. As for the result, one of their dinghies was smashed to bits by the whale, flinging the remnants and people out into the ocean. Unfortunately, this was just one of the many unsatisfying events that devastated the sailors, causing what some believe was a curse.
Throughout the story, the crewmembers had their ups and downs, but mostly negative. One sailor, Thomas Chappel, burned down one of the islands they had taken a stop at. It was later explained that the island, known as Charles Island, had its known population of Giant Tortoises wiped out because of the crewmember.
However, on November 5th, their journey on The Essex ended and a massive Sperm whale rammed into the ship causing not only confusion, but panic as well. Why was the whale showing such aggression? The sailors soon found a leak and realized the ship was sinking. They crowded into 3 small dinghies and watched what they had known as their home for the past year sink. As they began their long and tough journey with little food and fresh water, the story revealed their excruciating pain that dealt with death, starvation, and cannibalism.
Death came mostly later on after about 30 days had passed, and the idea of cannibalism scared the crewmembers at first. The fact that a few islands such as Tahiti were ironically closer to them taunted them because they knew they would find refuge on the islands, but they also had heard tales of cannibalism and homosexuals. These rumors mostly encouraged their decision to travel to coast of Chile. However, this required them to travel a distance of 2000 feet, and that didn’t count wind resistance or other obstacles.
These implied obstacles came one by one. There were storms, and sharks, and orcas, and salt water which dehydrated them immensely. Rations of food also decreased in size as their hope did too, but one day they found a small island. Eggs, berries, and small birds became their diet for about two weeks until there was barely any food left. They then set sail on a darker journey, and this one would lead to many deaths and even one of their most unspoken fears: cannibalism.
While the daily portion of hardtack supplied not even ¼ of their regular diet’s carbohydrates, many of the sailors turned into skeletons. Fresh water was lacking too, and their tongues became hard, and their minds weakened. Many actually hallucinated and became cold and exhausted. After a few days, the three boats separated, causing the people to become depressed.
Not before long did one member die, causing the sailors to look at the body with a painful hunger. They decided to eat their old friend, and began to cut off his familiar features. Resorting to cannibalism became familiar with the other boats as well. After awhile, death came frequently, and the members ate the remaining body. One extremely surprising death was caused by a “game” known as lots. Lots required a name to be picked out of a hat, which determined who would be killed for cannibalism. Captain Pollard’s nephew voted for it, and since they were in the same boat, the captain felt uncomfortable with the idea. However after the other members of the boat sided with his nephew, he didn’t resist. His nephew was the one that had to be eaten, and Captain Pollard ended up regretting it for the rest of his life.
Only a few members remained, but when the final crewmembers were rescued by another whaling ship, their grief hadn’t ceased. Starvation takes many months to recover, and it took The Essex’s captain 2 months to heal until he could finally return to his native island.
The long and eventful story is the reason why this book cannot be put down. It’s incredible and wild account described a tale that no one had heard of at the time, or even in our time now.
In the beginning of the story, we are introduced to Nantucket’s gentle and mostly Amish atmosphere. While the people of this island are nice and extremely religious, they also have an almost condescending attitude. Since they had a ton of experience in the whaling industry, factories from the main land relied on them to get oil for machines because they were considered qualified since they knew how to process and strip blubber from a whale. However we are mostly familiarized with a few of the sailors from the grand old whaling ship, The Essex. While we are taken throughout The Essex’s uncanny and unfortunate adventures, we note that they had set off on their hunt to find less than half of the oil supply they finally needed. They started from their native island and ended up travelling an enormous distance.
On their journey, The Essex’s crewmembers were mostly “greenhands,” a nickname for new sailors on the job. The captain and the first mate had to teach the greenhands the vicious technique of killing the massive Sperm whales and on the first try; they failed their captain, George Pollard. As for the result, one of their dinghies was smashed to bits by the whale, flinging the remnants and people out into the ocean. Unfortunately, this was just one of the many unsatisfying events that devastated the sailors, causing what some believe was a curse.
Throughout the story, the crewmembers had their ups and downs, but mostly negative. One sailor, Thomas Chappel, burned down one of the islands they had taken a stop at. It was later explained that the island, known as Charles Island, had its known population of Giant Tortoises wiped out because of the crewmember.
However, on November 5th, their journey on The Essex ended and a massive Sperm whale rammed into the ship causing not only confusion, but panic as well. Why was the whale showing such aggression? The sailors soon found a leak and realized the ship was sinking. They crowded into 3 small dinghies and watched what they had known as their home for the past year sink. As they began their long and tough journey with little food and fresh water, the story revealed their excruciating pain that dealt with death, starvation, and cannibalism.
Death came mostly later on after about 30 days had passed, and the idea of cannibalism scared the crewmembers at first. The fact that a few islands such as Tahiti were ironically closer to them taunted them because they knew they would find refuge on the islands, but they also had heard tales of cannibalism and homosexuals. These rumors mostly encouraged their decision to travel to coast of Chile. However, this required them to travel a distance of 2000 feet, and that didn’t count wind resistance or other obstacles.
These implied obstacles came one by one. There were storms, and sharks, and orcas, and salt water which dehydrated them immensely. Rations of food also decreased in size as their hope did too, but one day they found a small island. Eggs, berries, and small birds became their diet for about two weeks until there was barely any food left. They then set sail on a darker journey, and this one would lead to many deaths and even one of their most unspoken fears: cannibalism.
While the daily portion of hardtack supplied not even ¼ of their regular diet’s carbohydrates, many of the sailors turned into skeletons. Fresh water was lacking too, and their tongues became hard, and their minds weakened. Many actually hallucinated and became cold and exhausted. After a few days, the three boats separated, causing the people to become depressed.
Not before long did one member die, causing the sailors to look at the body with a painful hunger. They decided to eat their old friend, and began to cut off his familiar features. Resorting to cannibalism became familiar with the other boats as well. After awhile, death came frequently, and the members ate the remaining body. One extremely surprising death was caused by a “game” known as lots. Lots required a name to be picked out of a hat, which determined who would be killed for cannibalism. Captain Pollard’s nephew voted for it, and since they were in the same boat, the captain felt uncomfortable with the idea. However after the other members of the boat sided with his nephew, he didn’t resist. His nephew was the one that had to be eaten, and Captain Pollard ended up regretting it for the rest of his life.
Only a few members remained, but when the final crewmembers were rescued by another whaling ship, their grief hadn’t ceased. Starvation takes many months to recover, and it took The Essex’s captain 2 months to heal until he could finally return to his native island.
The long and eventful story is the reason why this book cannot be put down. It’s incredible and wild account described a tale that no one had heard of at the time, or even in our time now.
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