The Great Gatsby Double-Entry Journal
EXAMPLE
Ideas from Text Reaction / Connection
Chapter 1 “Involuntarily I glanced seaward-- This passage brings attention to the
and distinguished nothing except a green light which may be a developing
single green light, minute and far theme throughout the novel. I think the
way, that might have been the end of green light symbolizes something
a dock.” (21) important for Gatsby because he seems
to be reaching for it or worshiping it.
Chapter 2 “He was sitting up between the Fitzgerald specifically titled the
sheets, clad in his underwear, with a portfolio to foretell and mimic motifs
great portfolio in his hands. ‘Beauty that will arise. I think that these will
and the Beast… Loneliness… Old resemble the various relationships
Grocery Horse...Brook’n Bridge…’” throughout the text because at this
(38) moment Tom has broke Myrtle’s nose.
This seems like a defining moment in
their relationship, maybe Tom and
Myrtle are “Beauty and the Beast ''
because their love is frowned upon and
aggressive.
Chapter 3 “Everyone suspects himself of at This quote characterizes Nick and
least one of the cardinal virtues, and further establishes his credibility as
this is mine: I am one of the few narrator. Nick is a good narrator, but I
honest people that I have ever wonder how the novel would be if
known.” (59) someone else was the narrator, maybe
Gatsby. Nick is such a regular guy, why
does Fitzgerald make him so significant
to these other people’s lives?
Chapter 4 “His eyes, meanwhile, roved very Here, Wolfshiem is being portrayed as
slowly all around the room--he an observant character. Eyes seem to be
completed the arc by turning to a recurring motif. I think inspecting
inspect the people directly behind.” those behind you is another way of
(71) saying watch your back or keep your
enemies close and your friends closer.
Chapter 5 “No amount of fire or freshness can Nick is telling the audience that
challenge what a man will store up in regardless of any circumstance or
his ghostly heart.” (96) situation, people will always have
something hidden or repressed. I agree
that everyone is not 100% openly
themselves.
Chapter 6 “Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried Gatsby is in denial that Daisy and he
incredulously. ‘Why of course you just might not work out. I believe that
can.” (110) history repeats itself on its own. Forcing
the repetition of history or the past will
always result in some sort of deviation.
Chapter 7 “Her voice is full of money,’ he said Fitzgerald is painting Daisy’s voice so
suddenly.” (120) smooth and sweet that it’s lucrative.
This stood out to me because of how
interesting of a sentence it is. I really
enjoyed this metaphor.
Chapter 8 “His house had never seemed so Now that Gatsby is not where he would
enormous to me as it did that night ideally want to be in life, the large void
when we hunted through the great he has in his heart is able to be noticed. I
rooms for cigarettes.” (147) think that Gatsby has always been alone
and now his house is solidifying his
loneliness.
Chapter 9 “... the East was haunted for me like The motif of eyes is once again brought
that, distorted beyond my eyes’ up as Nick is connoting the ability to see
power of correction.” (176) with terrible things. I think it is weird
how at this moment Nick claims to not
have power over his own eyes.
