Nick's+experience

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!!

Please post here by Friday morning.

Please comb the book for quotes from our beloved narrator, Nick Carraway. Please find times where his tone steps beyond standard narration and into a realm of wonder/disgust/joy/pain. Basically, find where he is showing his honest reaction to the events of his turbulent summer on Long Island. Include at minimum of 3 quotes per person--no repeats please--and a short analysis.

PLEASE DO NOT USE THE QUOTES FROM THE END OF CHAPTER V OR THE BEGINNING OF CHAPTER VI - THESE HAVE ALREADY BEEN COVERED IN GREAT DETAIL.

For example:

Bob Weaver
 * Quote:** .. .there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life, as if he were related to one of those intricate earthquakes ten thousand miles away (2).


 * Analysis:** Although little is known about Gatsby at this point, Nick is clearly enamored by some facet of Gatsby's wonderful personality.

//Delaney-// -An example of Nick's change in tone is when Gatsby is telling Nick about his past in explicit detail. When Nick says, "My incredulity was submerged in fascination now; it was like skimming hastily through a dozen magazines" (66). This statement shows how Nick's doubt in Gatsby's story was also surrounded by an exciting possibility that these things were actually true. At this point Nick's tone is wondrous. Gatsby's story seems mysterious and extremely interesting to Nick, even if it was not true. Nick is in awe of Gatsby's account of his past life and this is different that his usual form of narration. -Another time Nick's feelings slip into his narration is when he is talking to Jordan Baker in chapter III. He says "... she deliberately shifted our relations, and for a moment I thought I loved her" (58). Here, the tone shifts from being didactic to loving. Previously, Nick had been trying to educate the reader about his story, and his emotions about Jordan are revealed. - -When Nick meets Gatsby for the first time, his tone changes back to the more personal feel. He says, "When he was gone I turned immediately to Jordan-- constrained to assure her of my surprise. I had expected that Mr. Gatsby would be a florid and corpulent person in his middle years" (48). This shows Nick's tone of shock and wonder because Gatsby is not a middle aged man. Nick is in wonder of how he got so much money.When Nick's tone changes in the story, it tends to become more personal and transforms into a different standard of narration.

//Haley-// 1. Quote: "I hadn't the faintest idea what "this matter" was, but I was more annoyed than interested. I hadn't asked Jordan to tea in order to discuss Mr. Jay Gatsby" (67). Analysis: Gatsby's mysterious and peculiar way of informing Nick of his life causes Nick to become highly irritated with his companion. Nick is upset that Gatsby's personal life intertwines with his own, and becomes slightly bitter about the situation. He appears to mock Gatsby at the end of this quote when he uses Gatsby's full name in an almost scornful way. 2. Quote: "Angry as I was, as we all were, I was tempted to laugh whenever he opened his mouth" (130). Analysis: As Tom speaks during his argument with Gatsby, Nick can't help but feel anger towards the arrogance Tom exhibits. Nick is scornful of Tom and his distorted views, and appears to ridicule Tom for his passionate outburst. 3. Quote: "Then I turned back to Gatsby--and was startled at his expression. He looked--and this is said in all contempt for the babbled slander of his garden--as if he had "killed a man"" (134). Analysis: Nick's tone is one of astonishment. He is stunned by Gatsby's facial expression. Nick sees something in it he has never seen before. Though he does not condone the speculation and creation of rumors surrounding Gatsby's background, this expression is highly suggestive of deeper, more sinister emotions within Gatsby. 4. Quote: "I disliked him so much by this time that I didn't find it necessary to tell him he was wrong" (143). Analysis: Nick feels great distaste for Gatsby. Gatsby's lack of concern about the situation causes Nick to begin to distance himself from his friend. He feels hatred and contempt for Gatsby's actions and the irrational thoughts that drive those actions. Over the course of the story so far, Nick's reaction to Gatsby has gone from admiration to hatred and aversion toward his thoughts and actions.

Tara- 1. Quote- "Something in her tone reminded me of the other girl's "I think he killed a man," and had the effect of stimulating my curiosity. I would have accepted without question the information Gatsby sprang from the swamps of Louisiana or from the Lower East Side of New York" (49). Analysis- Here, Nick reveals his insight and reaction to the mysteriousness of Gatsby. Nick's tone is curiosity and wonder. NIck is just leaning about the rumors of Gatsby, and because of the other girl's accusations, Gatsby becomes interested. Before this, nothing in Nick's mind triggered that something about Gatsby was off. Because Nick has just arrived and does not know the rumors, his personal insight is wondrous. Nick goes from being somewhat clueless to curious.

2. Quote- "If she saw me out of the corner of her eye she gave no hint of it- indeed, I was almost surprised into murmuring an apology for having disturbed her by coming in" (8). Analysis- In this particular situation, Nick feels very uncomfortable. This is shown because he almost apologizes to Jordan Baker for no apparent reason. Because Miss Baker shows no sense of emotion, Nick's tone is awkward.

3. Quote- "I wanted to get up and slap him on the back. I had one of those renewals of complete faith in him that I'd experienced before" (129). Analysis- All throughout the book, Nick is unsure about what he thinks of Gatsby. He is suspicious of him but also admires him. Nick has a tone is assurance of Gatsby. In this quote, Nick shows his reaction to the fight between Gatsby and Tom over Daisy.