APEnglish–Los Al

Period 4

Scribe Notes 5/28
We started off class by working with our groups on the following questions. Only questions 1-4 were discussed in class:
1.    How do time and family recur in chapter 1
-family values
-comes from a prominent well-to-do family
-went to Yale (like rest of family)
2.    Find 3 examples of Nick’s elevated diction and imagery. Explain them and how it characterizes Nick.
-Pg. 12 description of house
-grass- growing into house (makes it seem as if the house is alive)
-poetic diction
-Pg. 15 Jordan Baker
-description of individual details
-1920’s behavior
-Pg. 39 Party
-acts as an observer to a party he’s in
-portrays a romantic glamour, yet he is still realistic
-shows his push and pull
3.    Find at least two examples of how dialogue characterizes each character: Nick, Daisy, Tom
-Nick: likes to make stories
-“wheel painted black”
-romantic and realistic
-Daisy: Self centered; focuses on how people view her
-“do they miss me?”
-No concern for the baby
-gossips (tells a “family secret” about the butler)
-creates meaningless conversation
-Tom: Self centered as well; rude; disrespectful (to wife)
-slams the window (takes air out of the room)
-reads “scientific” books but doesn’t understand them
4.    Why and how are the Valley of the Ashes and Myrtle’s apartment juxtaposed?
-Ash symbolizes the poor; it is inescapable; Valley of Ashes is present because the city needs a place to put the waste; ashes “grow” like wheat
-Myrtle’s apartment is small, yet her furniture is large (tries to raise her own class); it is located on the top floor-far from ashes
-Nick says of pg. 29 “must be something beautiful” –switches between romanticism and realism
5.    Characterize Myrtle through her actions and dialogue and what others say about her
6.    How does the tapestry function?
7.    What is Nick’s tone in chapter 2? Give examples-what is with the last scene in chapter 2?
Some important notes about the book:
-Nick’s narration is SUBTLE- you have to read carefully to pick up all of his hints
-Summer represents life and youth
-nick’s story starts hopeful and optimistic at the beginning of summer and becomes bitter, hateful, and angry towards the end (of summer)

Mr Eldridge compared this to the mangoes of Hawaii. They continually develop. When in season, they are ripe and succulent; then they become overripe and rot and flying roaches infest them, then they fall to the ground and leave a nasty mess.
Don’t forget to read the next chapter.
THE END

Period 5

Today we reviewed the Great Gatsby.
We went over the theme of nouveax riches which is new money (lil wayne would be an example of new money).

The Great Gatsby described the conspicous consumption and grandiose lifestyles of the upper class.
Truth vs. beauty.
Platonism.
Romanticism – revolt against Enlightenment ideals – emotion over logic, etc.
It contained many classical references, ie. Morgan and Midas, Odysseus, Sirens, etc.
and the the persistence of the past.

All in all its probably the most boring book i have ever encountered.
Just kidding i love reading

Jay Lee

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