A Streetcar Named Desire Scenes 1 & 2

The first scene of the play begins in a poorer area of New Orleans where we meet Stanley, his friend Mitch, his wife Stella, and their neighbor Eunice. After dropping off a package of meat at home, Stanley and Mitch head out to go bowling and soon after, Stella’s sister Blanche arrives at the flat. Blanche is stunned at the simpleness of their home and is shown inside by Eunice. After reuniting with her sister, Blanche is overjoyed, however, manages to make snide comments on Stella’s living situation and shame her for it. Stella takes the insults and has little response to them, allowing Blanche to continue talking and tell her of the loss of their family estate, Belle Reve.

In scene 2, Stanley returns home from bowling, and Stella quickly explains to him the situation surrounding Blanche and the loss of Belle Reve. He is unconvinced of Blanche’s innocence, believing that the loss of the estate was an act of theft. Stanley is especially offended believing that if his wife has been swindled of her assets, he has been also due to the Napoleonic Code in Louisiana. Stanley further attempts to prove his argument by tearing apart Blanche’s suitcase which is full of glamorous items that a school teacher would not normally be able to afford thus adding to his mistrust. After she gets out of the bath, Stanley voices his suspicions of Blanche who unashamedly flirts with him while proving that the estate was lost due to mortgage rather than being sold by showing him the transaction papers. Stanley takes them along with additional notes that were from her past lover and we learn a little more about Blanche’s past and the history of Belle Reve. At the end of the scene, Stanley believes Blanche is innocent of fraud, and we find out that Stella is pregnant.  

I found the interactions that both Stanley and Stella had with Blanche to be somewhat bizarre. She not only bullies and humiliates her sister, but is bold enough to demand a place to stay and insult then flirt with her Stella’s husband. I also think that the relationship between Stella and her husband is interesting, as Stanley seems to be a relatively vivacious person whereas Stella is meek and submissive. During class, I would like to discuss the odd exchanges that occur between the characters and the power balances within them.

Chapter 9

In the final chapter of “The Great Gatsby”, Nick Carraway starts off by describing the events that unfold after Gatsby’s tragic death. Nick tries to plan a large funeral for Gatsby hoping to commemorate his death in an honorable fashion, but is instead bombarded by people who merely knew Gatsby from the parties he hosted. Gatsby’s house is swarmed with reporters and investigators, but no one of any importance to him. Nick tries to invite people he thinks might have been close to Gatsby, but it seems as though everyone has fled the scene including Tom and Daisy. The only people that show up at the funeral are Nick, Owl Eyes, a few of Gatsby’s servants, and Gatsby’s father, Henry Gatz. Mr. Gatz shares some more information with Nick about Gatsby’s early life and even shows him a journal from his childhood that emphasizes on Gatsby’s work ethic and drive for success.

After Gatsby’s funeral, Nick soon realizes that the life style of the east has lost all value to him and that he wants to move back to the Midwest. Nick finds the face paced New York City and its residents revolting and immediately begins his departure. He then breaks off his relationship with Jordan Baker and quits his job. Before Nick leaves, he runs into Tom in the streets of the city. Tom and Daisy had earlier left without a trace not even leaving a new address for Nick. Nick is repulsed to see Tom at first, and is even more unsettled when he learns that Tom is the one who told Wilson that the car was Gatsby’s. After listening to Tom complain about giving up the apartment he used  for his affair and how he believed Gatsby deserved his fate, Nick comes to the conclusion that Tom and Daisy are reckless for people and care for nothing and no one but themselves. They are shielded by their money, and will forever live carelessly in their wealth.

Before Nick leaves for Minnesota, he visits Gatsby’s home one last time. He walks around his mansion and eventually lays on the beach and looks up at the moon. As he starts to think of Gatsby he realizes that Gatsby’s ambition was in some form like the American Dream. He thinks that Daisy was an impossible goal for Gatsby to achieve and that no matter how hard he tried she was attainable. He concludes that many people have dreams and desires of success like Gatsby, but that not every dream is possible.

In class I would like to talk about Tom and Daisy’s relationship and how after all their troubles they still stay together and escape instead of leaving each other. I would also like to talk about the significance of the green lantern.   

The Great Gatsby Chapters 5 & 6

Chapter 5 seemed to be one of the most important chapters in the novel so far. It is a turning point for Jay Gatsby because he is reunited with the “love of his life”. At the beginning of chapter 5, Nick returns from New York and notices that Gatsby’s house is lit up but no party is happening, the house is practically silent. Gatsby then approaches Nick in his lawn with a frustrated demeanor. Gatsby begins to offer to take Nick to take him to Coney Island and to go swimming in his pool, and Nick soon realizes this is only a ploy to ensure that he will help Gatsby with his plan to reunite with Daisy. Gatsby then continues to offer Nick things because he agreed to help with the reunification, but Nick refuses.

On the day of the tea it is raining outside, Gatsby sends flowers to Nick's house as well as has someone cut his grass. To me, Gatsby seems incredibly frustrated and nervous about this meeting, because he is afraid of it not going the way he wants. At first, the meeting is awkward between Daisy and Gatsby, but soon after the two rekindle their true emotions and seem to be incredibly happy about seeing each other again. Coincidentally the rain stops outside and Nick, Daisy, and Gatsby walk to Gatsby’s house in order for Gatsby to be able to flaunt his luxuries. When Gatsby begins to show Daisy his possessions, she seems to become overwhelmed by all the wealth. Nick worries that Daisy won’t be able to live up to Gatsby’s expectations. Soon after, Gatsby calls Klipspringer in to play the piano for the three of them. Nick soon realizes that Gatsby and Daisy have both forgotten he is there, and he quietly leaves the two alone to further kindle their relationship.

Chapter 6 begins with a young reporter from New York approaching Gatsby at his house asking him if he wanted to make a statement. The readers then find out the truth about Jay Gatsby, or should I say, James Gatz. One day as a young seventeen-year-old, James noticed a yacht owned by Dan Cody and began to row out on Lake Superior to warn Cody of a wind. Fitzgerald writes “It was James Gatz who had been loafing along the beach that afternoon in a torn green jersey and a pair of canvas pants, but it was already Jay Gatsby who borrowed the rowboat, pulled out to the Tuolomee, and informed Cody that a wind might catch him and break him up in a half hour” (Fitzgerald 98). I thought this was a very important quote because of what follows in the chapter. Gatsby begins to work for Cody as his assistant on the yacht and begins to see what true wealth and luxury is like. Prior to this Jay Gatsby had attempted to go to St. Olaf’s University in southern Minnesota, but returned after a few weeks to Lake Superior. Dan Cody was an older man and died while Gatsby was still working for him. Dan Cody had left Gatsby $25,000, but Gatsby never received his share of Cody’s inheritance. The chapter switches back to Nick’s life and talks about how Nick went to see Gatsby only to find Tom there. This seemed like a very awkward experience overall. Gatsby invites Tom and Daisy to one of his parties and they attend. Daisy and Tom fight throughout the night and eventually leave the party.

In class, I would like to discuss why we think Gatsby is a compulsive liar and why he lied about all of his life?

Also, something I was confused about was the kind of business Gatsby was offering Nick in chapter 5?

The Great Gatsby Chapter 4

At the start of chapter 4, Nick discusses the list of names he made of the people that attended Gatsby’s parties in the summer of 1922. The list contained some of the most wealthy and influential people in the nation, which isn’t surprising based on what we know about Gatsby thus far. After this, Gatsby picks Nick up at his home for a lunch together in New York. During their car ride to the city, Gatsby asks Nick what he thinks of him, and to not believe all the misconceptions that most people have. This further proves the idea that Gatsby is constantly concerned with his reputation and people’s perception of him. While Gatsby tells, what is essentially his life story, Nick can’t help but be a little suspicious about the validity of what he is being told. When they get pulled over by a policeman for speeding, the cop lets them go on with their evening with no repercussions and even apologized for stopping them. This is an example of Gatsby’s widespread reach and power.

Once they arrive at lunch, Gatsby introduces Nick to his friend Meyer Wolfshiem. When Gatsby gets up to take a phone call, Wolfshiem starts talking about Gatsby. He says, “Yeah, Gatsby’s very careful about women. He would never so much as look at a friend’s wife” (72). I took this statement as a little bit of foreshadowing! When Gatsby returned to the table, Wolfshiem quickly gets up and leaves, which I found a little bit odd. It is soon after this that they run into Tom Buchanan, which causes Gatsby to disappear without saying a word.

Finally, Nick gets to talk to Miss Baker, and receives an abundance of authentic information about his neighbor for the first time. Baker tells Nick what she and Gatsby talked about that night at the party. She tells him that Daisy was a beautiful girl who was sought out by many of the military officers in Louisville, but she ended up falling in love with Gatsby. However, after Gatsby left for war, she married Tom, which may or may not be the worst decision of her life. This is shown when Baker recounts the memory of Daisy drinking (which she never does) and crying the night before her wedding because of a letter from Gatsby.  Long story short, she alludes to Nick that Gatsby is still in love with Daisy Buchanan. Baker also reveals that Gatsby bought his house in West Egg so that he could be close to Daisy. This meeting concludes with the mention of Gatsby wanting Nick to invite Daisy over for tea so that he can come over and see her.

This chapter was packed with clarity about the events of the book thus far, as well as insight into Gatsby mind. I would like to discuss the following questions with the class. What do we think will happen at this “tea” with Gatsby and Daisy? What do you think were the causes of Wolfshiem and Gatsby speedy exits from the New York lunch?

The Great Gatsby Chapter 3

I was undoubtedly drawn into chapter three by the descriptive imagery of the famous Gatsby parties. I felt like I could imagine exactly how the house looked and who was there and what was going on. I loved the odd yet specific details that made the mansion come to life. I also appreciate how Mr. Gatsby was introduced into the novel. I was expecting an extravagant man with an extravagant suit with an extravagant entrance, but it was so simple and sudden. Nick and I were both caught off guard to say the least. Casually meeting Mr. Gatsby makes him feel much more human, but he is still such a mystery. I thought I understood him and his personality until he returned from chatting with Jordan. He appeared to automatically shift how he spoke and how he carried himself once he returned to the party. I am curious to find out who he really is. I am also intrigued by the dynamic of Mr. Gatsby's parties after last night's reading. As the party started, everyone seemed to be having a great time laughing, dancing, and catching up with friends, but there was a mood change once the night got later. Handfuls of married couples began to fight, and most people had had entirely too much to drink at that point which resulted in pure chaos. I wonder if these couples are just as unhappy in their marriages as Tom and Daisy are. On another note, I was having a hard time understanding what was going on when Nick began talking about his personal life at the end of the chapter. I would like to clear that up a bit in class. I am also so confused about Jordan and Nick's relationship. They hung out at Mr. Gatsby's party and then all of a sudden he is talking about love! What is that all about? Are they interested in each other or just friendly?  The last thing I want to talk about is the last line of the chapter. Nick says once again that he is one of the few honest people he has ever known, but what exactly is the significance behind that?

Great Gatsby Chapter 1 & 2

This book starts off with narration from a character named Nick Carraway looking back on his past years. He tells readers how in his younger years his father told him not to judge people because not everyone has been as fortunate as he has. This is perhaps said to put the idea in readers mind to not judge the characters as we continue through the duration of the novel due to the fact it is one of the first ideas presented in the book. He describes Gatsby as “everything for which I have an unaffected scorn” yet also says “there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivities to the promises of life”. After this we dive into the actual story that takes place in the summer of 1922. Carraway tells us this was the summer he moved away for a year to learn bonds under his father's financial aid. He tells how he lived in West Egg and his cousin Daisy lived in East egg. He describes West egg the “the less fashionable of the two”. He lived next to a huge house which he refers to as Gatsby’s mansion. One night he goes to visit his cousin Daisy for dinner where her Husband Tom Buchanan greets him on the porch in full riding clothes. Tom is obviously wealthy and is viewed as a powerful man. He finds Daisy with her friend Jordan inside lounging around. The group spend time together catching up and discussing a book until the mood shifts and they are interrupted by a phone call. Tom leaves to take the call and Daisy frantically follows. Jordan tells Nick that Tom “got some woman in New York” and “thought everybody knew”. The dinner is left on an awkward note as the night comes to an end. Tom and Daisy hint to Carraway as he leaves that perhaps he should take in interest in Jordan romantically. As Nick arrives home he sees Gatsby for the first time outside. He can’t see his face but he just sees him looking out in the distance at a green light. Gatsby reaches out his arms and after Nick looks away for a moment Gatsby is suddenly gone leaving Carraway alone.

Chapter two starts off with describing an area halfway between West Egg and New York City where ashes are dumped on a plain. It described as this ghostly somewhat haunting place. Here is when the eyes are introduced into the book that we saw on the cover. They are the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg and are described as blue and gigantic with retinas one yard high. He says “they look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles that pass over a non-existent nose.” They watch over everything. One day when Tom and Nick are taking the commuter train Tom forces Nick off at one of the stops because he wants him to “meet his girl”. They walk out to George B. Wilson’s garage at the edge of the Valley of Ashes. Tom makes small talk with Wilson when suddenly Myrtle comes down the stairs seductively. Tom tells Nick that her husband does not know of the affair and thinks she goes to see her sister in New York whenever she is out seeing Tom. Tom, Myrtle, and Nick all leave and take the train to New York City together to an apartment. Tom pulls out a bottle of Whiskey and Nick tells readers “I have been drunk just twice in my life, and the second time was that afternoon”. Myrtle’s sister, Catherine joins as well as the Mckee couple. The group have a good time together and party. Gatsby comes up in conversation as Catherine says she heard Gatsby is the nephew or cousin of Welhelm the ruler of Germany at the time of World War one. They continue to get drunk together and the conversations are repulsive to Nick such as when they talk about marriage between Myrtle and Tom. Nick finds himself wanting to leave, yet at the same time fascinated by the people. Tom gifts Myrtle a new puppy and she continues to grow louder as she gets more drunk. Myrtle begins to bring up Daisy and Tom warns her to not say her name again. Angrily Myrtle begins to shout “Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!” and says “I will say her name whenever I want!” She is cut off by Tom quickly extending his hand and breaking her nose leaving her a bloody mess. The party ends and Nick quickly leaves. The chapter ends with him waiting for the four a.m. train. These two chapters a lot happens so I would like to just unpack everything that took place together. I would like to discuss Daisy and Tom’s marriage and if we think they love each other or if we can even tell at this point I also want to ask what people think Nick Carraway’s role and purpose is in the novel. Lastly I want to talk about different themes we have seen come up so far.

Hamlet Act V

Act V of Hamlet ironically opens in a graveyard with two gravediggers in conversation regarding the death of Ophelia. The first question arises when the gravediggers ponder the reasons that Ophelia will be given a Christian burial as her death seems as though it were a suicide. This question’s answer is that she is being given a Christian burial due to her high rank, but more importantly, this question introduces the idea of death and burial for all citizens. When Hamlet and Horatio enter the scene, Hamlet immediately notices a skull and questions who the skull belonged to. In this moment, Hamlet realizes that death is death whether one was of high rank or no status at all. I found this aspect of Act V to be something worth discussing because Hamlet once again faces the idea of death, but in a somewhat different light. In a way, he answers one of his troubles that he mentioned in his famous “To be, or not to be” soliloquy: what happens after death? In his time in the graveyard during Scene i of Act V he addresses this conflict and he seems to come to peace with returning to dust. Hamlet states, “Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth to dust, the dust is earth” (V.i.176-177).

Claudius, Gertrude, and Laertes then enter the scene with Ophelia’s coffin and Hamlet then discovers the death of Ophelia. A question arises in this scene because of Gertrude’s statement that “[she] hoped [Ophelia] shouldst have been [her] Hamlet’s wife” (V.i.211) and Hamlet’s statement that “[he] loved Ophelia; fourty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up [his] sum” (V.i.236-238). This seems to be the first real moment that the audience understands that Gertrude felt that way about Ophelia and the first time we hear Hamlet express his admiration of her. I question the extent to which these statements are true because Hamlet seems, through his guiltlessness, to be forgetful that his actions in killing Polonius indirectly killed Ophelia as well. I also wonder if this makes Laertes in a way regret his warnings to Ophelia about the validity of Hamlet’s love and the fact that Hamlet could not choose his own wife.

Scene ii is when Claudius’ and Laertes’ revenge plot takes place. Before the duel begins, Hamlet asks for Laertes’ forgiveness and explains that his madness killed Polonius and does not actually blame himself. I believe he cannot blame himself because as Hamlet is imperfect, the guilt of his actions would be overbearing. As expected, the plan does not play out perfectly. Hamlet makes two hits at Laertes, but he does not accept the offer of the poisoned wine. Then, Gertrude drinks the wine, Laertes wounds Hamlet, Hamlet wounds Laertes, Gertrude dies, Laertes explains that the king is to blame, Hamlet stabs Claudius and makes him drink the poison, Laertes dies, and then Hamlet tells Horatio not to kill himself to tell Hamlet’s story, and Hamlet dies. There is a lot to analyze from this scene, but I would like to discuss Hamlet’s death in the context of its heroism or lack thereof.