The Great Gatsby: Chapters 4-5

 “I saw him opening a chest of rubies to ease with their crimson-lighted depths, the gnawing of his broken heart.”

In this quote, Nick is talking about Gatsby’s broken heart.  Gatsby has been in love with Daisy for such a long time.   Nothing had ever worked out between them because when Gatsby left for the war she married someone else.  All along while she had moved on, Gatsby was still in love with her.  He spent his money on buying expensive, lavish things for himself… like useless jewels, but as we all know money can’t buy you happiness.  Most people would kill to have things as nice as Gatsby, but most people have love which is what he is yearning for.  Even after admiring his “chest of rubies” he is still upset because he knows that even though he has all these nice things he still isn’t happy. (Words: 128)

“He hadn’t once ceased looking at Daisy, and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes.”

In this sentence, Fitzgerald immediately points out the fact that when Daisy is around Gatsby he directs all of his attention onto her, all the time.  At the beginning of this sentence it is obvious to the reader that Gatsby is head over heels for this girl.  Daisy brings out another side of Gatsby.  In previous chapters he is referred to as aloof and mysterious, but when Daisy is around he is charming and very sweet to her.  In these chapters a new more emotional side of Gatsby is showed.  Everything he does revolves around pleasing her. (Words: 97)

“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear.”

Gatsby says this to Nick because he knows that people are talking about him behind his back.  To most of the characters in the book besides for Nick, Jordan and Daisy, Gatsby is a very mysterious man. Gatsby was practically famous before he was formally introduced in the book; he lived a lavish lifestyle and lived the American dream. Gatsby was well aware of all the weird accusations people made about him so he wanted to set things straight once and for all.  He told this information to Nick because he wants Nick to spread the “good” word about him to everyone.  Gatsby doesn’t specifically say this to Nick but it is inferred. (Words: 113)

“One thing’s for sure and nothing’s surer, the rich get richer and the poor get – children”

This is a very ironic song lyric to be playing in the background while Gatsby, Nick, and Daisy are all together.  Fitzgerald is showing how Daisy and Gatsby represent the people who “get richer”.  Though they are unhappy with their lives they still have lots of money to blow.  On the downside they don’t have the “luxuries” of the people who aren’t as well off, which are having happy families.  The word “children” in this quote refers to having a family and being able to act foolish.  The upper-class people in society shouldn’t mess around and act childish or else they would be looked down upon.  This quote shows how there are both positives and negatives to being rich. (Words: 119)

“If it wasn’t for the mist we could see your home across the bay… You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock.”

 This quote represents Gatsby trying to get through to Daisy.  Gatsby is talking about the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock that he always seems to be looking at.  The “mist” that is in between his house and her dock symbolizes the difficulty that Gatsby has trying to get through to Daisy.  He just wants her to be able to accept him and his love for her.  Sometimes Gatsby will reach out his arms as if to try and touch the light, this action shows how he longs for her to be with him. Also the green color of the light means that he should now go after her before the “mist” gets too thick and keeps them from being together forever. (Words: 124)

1.3- "Let Teenagers Try Adulthood"

After reading the title “Let Teenagers Try Adulthood” I laughed.  I realized that that would be one of the most unruly things to do to our society.  Though this passage brought up some pretty valid points, for the most part I have to disagree with his idea of putting teens out into the real world.

Leon Botstein believes that people should go straight from middle school to college… wait what!?  I feel that middle school is everyone’s most awkward stage, socially, and physically awkward.  I cannot imagine myself, or anyone else of that matter graduating at age 16.  I’m most definitely not ready to go out into the workforce.  Just  having 10 years of education isn’t enough education to get ourselves into a good job.  Lots of my friends work at places like NRH2O, Putt-Putt, and McDonalds.  Minimum wage isn’t enough to get people through the expenses of college. The expences for classes, books, housing, and food are unbearable for young kids to come up with themselves.  By the time most people find out how expensive it actually is it will be too late to start saving up money.  Another point being with more teens having to support themselves, there will be less jobs available for the less fortunate older people as well.

Most 16 year olds are not mature or smart enough to go out into the real world.  People are very ignorant these days.  Half of my school smokes and drinks every weekend.  Would you feel safe with those same immature people leading our nation? Though some people are mentally prepared for leaving the house and starting life at age 16, those are probably the top people in each class and that’s it.  I do have to agree that some boys and girls in high school could pass for 21, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they should be forced to be treated that way.  Another statement I can agree with is the fact that some teachers are unprepared and are just teaching so that they could coach.  Everyone out there has had a coach for a teacher at one point, and without even attending the class you know it will be a breeze.  Coaches teach the easiest subjects the school has to offer because they would rather concentrate on Friday’s game then grading 250 students AP English essays.  Teachers like this aren’t preparing us for the real world.  I’m not trying to dog down on every teacher out there because most of them are amazing at what they do.  In all reality most people become teachers so that they can help others become successful in life but some of them are just better at it than others.

An issue in Botstein’s argument is legalism.  Because kids would be going out to live on their own at age 16, how would they be able to do anything without their parent’s consent?  On almost every for you fill out whether it’s for college housing, or a job application you have to have a legal adult sign your paper.  Would you be able to trust 16 year olds to pay for their own bills? Taxes? If they broke the law they wouldn’t be able to be tried as an adult, and would still go to Juvenile detention.  Does this mean that the age for becoming an adult would go from 18 to 16 so it wouldn’t cause as much hassle?   Lots of 16 year olds don’t even have their license yet.  In some states like New Jersey you can’t receive it until you’re 18.  How would they get to their jobs each day?

Overall Botstein has some valid points, yet his theory is flawed.  High school shouldn’t just be thrown away.  It teaches students many valuable lessons like responsibility, time management, and social skills.