The Great Gatsby, what does it all mean?

In the novel the Great Gatsby there are many instances where one can find themselves relating to a certain character or relating someone they know with a character. For me, this anonymous person was found in Gatsby. The naked eye would perceive Gatsby as a well mannered, charming "all american" type of guy. On the inside however he is insecure and afraid and as we find out later, generally not a very good person. He dresses with style and class and isn't afraid to boast his wealth in his purchases. But with a closer look you begin to find the truth about Gatsby. To me it seemed the way he used his little offhand saying "old sport" as a cushion of sorts, making him capable of saying really whatever he feels so long as he lightens the blow with a polite ending. A peek into Gatsby's insecurities happened when Gatsby shows up for his date with Daisy on page 84, an overdressed Gatsby hurries into Nick's house looking pale and tired and immediately asks "Is everything all right?" To me this is the behavior of a man who has a bright and shiny exterior and a dull and weak interior.

Poetry oUT lOUD

1. Not Waving but Drowning
2. Nude Descending a Staircase
3. Zoom
4. London, In the Desert

Of the five poems listed above, the one i enjoyed the most was London and In the Desert. Out of the five the one i enjoyed the least was Zoom, it was recommended to me by Ian Wishart, i was thoroughly disappointed. The poem I am most interested in studying further is London because I like the feel of it. I personally connected with this poem in that it to be very interesting.

My Literary Developement

I think it's fair to say that writing is something that I feel i do pretty well. My literary skills started to mature when I was in the eighth grade if memory serves me correctly. I had just read the novel I Am Legend and was supposed to be writing an essay about the book. This book resonated with me because of it's depth and the way Richard Matheson seemed to vividly describe things and make an otherwise bland sentence come alive. My essay on the book was so out of character for me that my teacher at the time Mr. Sherman, approached me in the halls before school and asked if I had had someone else write the essay for me. Since then it seems writing has been something i excel in. I think since my freshman year my writing has matured in that I have a better attention for detail and my writing has a better flow.

The Crucible

I think we're reading the Crucible as part of American Literature because it encompasses a crucial part of American history. The Salem Witch Trials came about from the Puritans superstitious beliefs that several young girls had been taken under by dark Satanic magic. Because of these girl's scheme of accusing people whom they didn't like of witchcraft, many people were executed in odd, disturbing ways because of false beliefs that they were witches or in cahoots with Satan himself. I can relate to that particular part of the story. I haven't ever been put under torture for practicing in dark magic, but i have been wrongly accused just for the purpose of getting me in trouble. Most people with older and younger siblings alike can vouch for me on that one.

Stars and Stripes Forever

America the beautiful, the land of freedom. What is entailed by being an American, besides being born here or earning citizenship? Most of us utilize our right as Americans to have our own opinions and beliefs on the matter. In my opinion being a true American means loving and respecting your country and the rights given to you. There are an astounding amount of countries who don't respect the opinions of individual citizens anywhere near as much as America does. I think that we as Americans take for granted just how many privileges we are given. But, at the same time we have to be humble and realize that we obtained this land through the Native Americans who inhabited this land far before Christopher Columbus came upon it. I am interested in learning about the culture of the Native Americans and think that that is sometimes lost when people think about America. I think the prejudice notion of an American from an outside point of view is that we are cowboys. I say this because like most other prejudice notions relating to a country's culture whatever stands out as different is usually what the country symbolizes to other countries. Now, I know that we are not all cowboys, especially on the West Coast, but I can respect that that is something that is unique to our country and an indigenous American figure. That's about all the gas I have in the tank for now.