I have to say this has been my favorite so far. I enjoyed the text and the style of the book. When my sister had to read this book I watched the movie with her. The jump from Grapes to Gatsby in the description was very different. Sometimes I felt like there was no description, it is hard to compare to Steinbeck I suppose. Anyway. With the little description I always went back to what the movie was like. I am not saying they are exact, but the movie and book were very similar. It was very helpful to picture scenes, characters, and explanations. I really enjoyed this book, and the style.
During the book I wondered what everyone else thought of it. I can't help but refer back to the movie. It was entertaining and a lot like the book. I feel like I was able to see two characters in each character. The movie character and my version of the character. I enjoyed Gatsby's character. In the book you don't really get a feel for Gatsby, but through Nick's eyes. In the movie, you see Gatsby in a whole new way. He is a little different, looking and "outgoingness". Gatsby was my favorite character. He seemed honest and kind, in the movie, he was played by Robert Redford, so...
One thing I was especially confused about was that the father came to the funeral. In chapter Four, Gatsby says that his family died, and he inherited all of the money. Later of course you discover he was lying, but I was really confused when the father came. It questioned me and I had to read it over again. One other thing that confused me a little but I remembered in the movie was when Myrtle Wilson was killed. In the book it doesn't explain anything about when they were driving or when the car actually hit her, and you don't really know what happened until after it all happened. The movie explained it very well. Also, it is kind of slipped in there, that Myrtle "escaped" from her husband. There are many things that I loved about this book, and it would be interesting if it was written from a third person omniscient point of view. Some of the book would be a lot different, but I think it would be a good read as well. The Scarlet letter is next :) Goody?
-Cool Beans:)
Nice observations. I didn't even catch that about Gatsby's dad, supposedly being dead. But I thought the death of Myrtle was pretty clear. She ran into the street and got hit. I don't know if she just didn't see the car coming or if she was trying to get the drivers attention, because later we find out Daisy and Gatsby were in the car that hit her, the same car Myrtle saw Tom in earlier. Either way, you probably shouldn't run out into the street. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! If you had seen the movie it described how Myrtle was watching when Tom was getting gas. She had seen the car, and when she saw it again when Daisy was driving, she ran to stop who she thought was Tom so he would "save her". You get a small hint that Myrtle is being held against her will when her husband finds out she is having an affair.
ReplyDeleteI loved the movie made after this book, but I love Robert Redford in his younger acting days. Did you know Nick is played by the DA from Law and Order? Anyway...
ReplyDeleteYou must remember everyone was lying or hiding their true identities because 1)they were ashamed or 2)they wanted to be popular and well liked or 3)both. Escaping reality is one thing all of the characters shared, wouldn't you agree? Myrtle was held against her will when her husband finds out the truth and that is the start of the running in the road. Nobody has really talked about the eyeglasses...they saw everything!
"Gone is the Romance that was so Divine" is your title. However, I would argue that the romances all of the characters have are not even close to divine. These are all characters (except for Nick) that have trouble facing reality. It would make sense then that their "love", much like their lives, is an opulent illusion and a lie.
ReplyDeleteI loved how you added that the story would be interesting from a third person point of view, and I definately agree :). I also think it's understandable that you would keep referring back to the movie. I find myself doing that alot on books that I read after I see there movie, it helps to get a better grasp upon the events!
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