Gatsby and such

Today in class I realized that I would be happy to read any of the lit-circle book choices. I’m looking forward to reading something enjoyable but also with literary value. It was cool to see how the opening couple pages really do reveal so much about a book. Like you said, we definitely have become better readers. Now I do not know if I can read a book or watch a movie without attempting to analyze it… This is somewhat concerning to me. It is safe to say that your teaching is rubbing off on us. I think that all of us are AP-litting things we never imagined we would. I think over the summer I will try to read all of the books that you listed because they all seem like they will be beneficial to have read for college, and they sound interesting. Also, I started to do my part of the major works chart and quickly remembered how much I like The Great Gatsby. I think I enjoy it so much because I am intrigued by the twenties. I just like the fact that the twenties were so rebellious and everything seemed so glamorous. When I picture the upper class described in The Great Gatsby, I imagine them all to be incredibly attractive. Nick definitely has swag. The guy is level headed, relatively wealthy, and in my mind, attractive. Gatsby is a bit of a mess, but hey, he throws some killer parties. Tom is a jerk but still ends up with Daisy, so props to him. Overall, these men create quite the prime cast of 1920’s men. Also, The Great Gatsby includes everything anybody could ever want in a book: infidelities, illegal actions, crazy parties, amazing fashion, murder, and mystery. It’s the whole package! It is also a short and quick read. I like the fact that it can be read for enjoyment or looked at in a much deeper meaning. Salinger really exemplifies the likely results of having too great of dreams. Americans have the sense that anything is possible, which I guess it is to a degree, but it is important to keep reality in mind. The characters of The Great Gatsby deeply experience the consequences of avoiding responsibilities and realities. Salinger throws several social criticisms into a seemingly light and entertaining read which is why the book is so brilliant. Overall, The Great Gatsby totally drew me into the story. While I read, I could picture everything so vividly and I felt like I knew all of the characters. I’m glad we had to do a chart on an old book that we have read because it now makes me want to re-read some of the earlier books I read in high school. I am sure I will notice so much more and I will undoubtedly appreciate the novel more. I guess I am going to have a lot to read this summer.