When I first started reading this book, I was having a hard time keeping up and figuring out what was going on, mostly because everything in this book is different from things now. But, as I got in to it and got used to it I began to like it more and I'm actually looking forward to reading the next section.
The first thing that struck me in this book was Bradbury's use of description and detail when he was describing Clarisse. He says her eyes were "two miraculous bits of violet amber that might capture and hold him intact." I could immediately picture her as he continued describing everything from the light in her eyes to the whiteness of her face.
When I first started this book I had no idea that the firemen didn't put out fires but that they started them. I especially didn't know that they burned books so I was a little confused and surprised when I realized this, but later on I began to understand their reason for burning books.
I don't know what it is about Clarisse, but I really liked her character and found myself a little sad when I realized she died, even though I'd only "known her" for a few pages. The fact that she's not afraid to stand out and question things even when that's unacceptable in her society makes me admire her guts to just do what she wants.
One thing I noticed about this society is the impersonal-ness and how "disposable" people are to each other. When Clarisse died, it was no big deal. Same for the old lady who was burned to death in her own house. Everyone except for Guy seems to have no problem with other people dying. They just don't care and that kind of bothered me.
I hope that Guy really does to something to change the way things are in his world. I think Clarisse's questioning and when she asked Montag if he was happy really opened his eyes to the fact that he really wasn't. Montag seems like the kind of character who isn't going to just let something go. I think and hope he'll take some action.
So far I've really liked this book and the way that Bradbury writes especially in Beatty's speech. I can't wait to read the rest and see what Montag decides to do!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
"The theme of Gatsby is the withering of the American dream"
When you look back to America's earliest history you see the idea of the stereo typical "American dream". This original idea is that America is a place for freedom and where the hard working are rewarded not based on their family history or who they know, but the effort they put forth.
For some, this is still the drive to many thousands of immigrants that come to our country every year. The idea that across a border you can get a job serving food and then have money to send home, or to provide for your new homer is the reason for our immigration overpopulation. And when you think of it that way, it's almost encouraging that some still view America as a great prosperous country.
The Great Gatsby challenged that idea that was continuously falling since beginning of the industrial age. Gatsby started off in the war, a common American dream, fighting for your country. Then he met Daisy, the only love of his life. Then he shifted to his next dream to Daisy. The two fell in love and nothing could hold them back except for the insufficient funds on Gatsby's part. Gatsby had to leave for the war and came back to find his love with a wealthy man. This twisted his dream for the last time, he now shifted his focus to the dream of money which ultimately meant winning Daisy.
This conflict of changing interests is the message of the true theme of The Great Gatsby. Americans have changed their dreams from life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to money, credit, and the pursuit of wealthiness.
For some, this is still the drive to many thousands of immigrants that come to our country every year. The idea that across a border you can get a job serving food and then have money to send home, or to provide for your new homer is the reason for our immigration overpopulation. And when you think of it that way, it's almost encouraging that some still view America as a great prosperous country.
The Great Gatsby challenged that idea that was continuously falling since beginning of the industrial age. Gatsby started off in the war, a common American dream, fighting for your country. Then he met Daisy, the only love of his life. Then he shifted to his next dream to Daisy. The two fell in love and nothing could hold them back except for the insufficient funds on Gatsby's part. Gatsby had to leave for the war and came back to find his love with a wealthy man. This twisted his dream for the last time, he now shifted his focus to the dream of money which ultimately meant winning Daisy.
This conflict of changing interests is the message of the true theme of The Great Gatsby. Americans have changed their dreams from life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to money, credit, and the pursuit of wealthiness.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
The Great Gatsby ch5-9
This last section actually seemed to flow faster than the first, especially towards the end.
First off, I thought the section about Mrs. Wilson was crazy. It was one of those sections where slowly everything starts to piece together in my head. I can't help but wonder if Daisy intentionally killed her, knowing that she was Tom's mistress. But at the same time, I don't see any way she could know. Throughout the book they are somewhat speculating that Tom has a mistress but Daisy and Jordan never seem to decide for sure. Or if they do know that he has a mistress, they definitely don't know who it is. So, to me it just seems some odd coincidence that looks like it was intentional to the reader. Also, Daisy and Gatsby seem pretty unaffected about having just killed someone! I mean, that's murder! Gatsby is more concerned about how Daisy's holding up than the person they just killed. Honestly, he's probably just too consumed in the fact that he finally won Daisy to even consider thinking about anything or anyone else.
At the end of this book, it seems to me that Wilson and Tom are both going a bit crazy. When Tom finds out about Gatsby and Daisy he is so mad he is shaking! I'm not sure how I feel about his anger. On one hand, it's acceptable because Daisy is his wife and he loves her. But on the other hand, he's doing the same thing! He cheats on Daisy with Mrs. Wilson. He finds no problem with what he's doing but freaks out when Daisy does the exact same thing. And Wilson is crazy on another level. His genius plan is to lock up his wife in the attic and then in a few days force her to move with him to the West. I know he just wants to keep his wife to himself and away from Tom, but he's gone a little mad at this point.
On a side note, I find it a little creepy that "the eyes" are always watching in a way. Every time Tom's at Mrs. Wilson's, the eyes are just watching him as they slowly drove Wilson into madness.
First off, I thought the section about Mrs. Wilson was crazy. It was one of those sections where slowly everything starts to piece together in my head. I can't help but wonder if Daisy intentionally killed her, knowing that she was Tom's mistress. But at the same time, I don't see any way she could know. Throughout the book they are somewhat speculating that Tom has a mistress but Daisy and Jordan never seem to decide for sure. Or if they do know that he has a mistress, they definitely don't know who it is. So, to me it just seems some odd coincidence that looks like it was intentional to the reader. Also, Daisy and Gatsby seem pretty unaffected about having just killed someone! I mean, that's murder! Gatsby is more concerned about how Daisy's holding up than the person they just killed. Honestly, he's probably just too consumed in the fact that he finally won Daisy to even consider thinking about anything or anyone else.
At the end of this book, it seems to me that Wilson and Tom are both going a bit crazy. When Tom finds out about Gatsby and Daisy he is so mad he is shaking! I'm not sure how I feel about his anger. On one hand, it's acceptable because Daisy is his wife and he loves her. But on the other hand, he's doing the same thing! He cheats on Daisy with Mrs. Wilson. He finds no problem with what he's doing but freaks out when Daisy does the exact same thing. And Wilson is crazy on another level. His genius plan is to lock up his wife in the attic and then in a few days force her to move with him to the West. I know he just wants to keep his wife to himself and away from Tom, but he's gone a little mad at this point.
On a side note, I find it a little creepy that "the eyes" are always watching in a way. Every time Tom's at Mrs. Wilson's, the eyes are just watching him as they slowly drove Wilson into madness.
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