The Great Gatsby Reflection Essay

Reflection #1: Chapters 1-2 The author, Nick Carraway, states that he has very high moral standards and he has reserved all judgements so he does not misunderstand people and what they have gone through. The reader is introduced to Tom and Daisy Buchanan. The reader suggests Tom is a very successful man and has everything in life he could image, while Daisy is a very charming and pleasant young lady. Many people do not like Tom because he is arrogant and a cocky racist, and Daisy describes him as “a brute of a man, a great, big, hulking specimen.” The reader is first introduced to Gatsby, and the author describes his as “gorgeous” and connects him to the American Dream and new money. Nick rents a house in West Egg across the bay from East Egg and the reader suggests that the two have a rivalry: “old money” versus “new money.” Gatsby’s mansion represents “new money,” while the clothes Tom wears presents “old money” because they are riding clothes. While leaving dinner, Nick sees Gatsby standing on the lawn for the first time and the reader suggests he is a hopeful dreamer. While on the lawn, Gatsby is reaching out for something across the
Gatsby is a man who doesn’t seem to exist. Nick gets invited to one of the party and feels so out of place. The luxury of the party represents the happiness of the American Dream. Most of the people who attend the parties are not actually invited, they just show up. It is very suspicious because Gatsby never shows himself at his parties. While sitting outside watching the party, Nick and Gatsby recognize each other as being in the army together. Gatsby smiles at Nick representing a mask, like the roaring twenties and the “fun” that went on during the time covering up what really went on. While talking with Gatsby, Nick realizes that Gatsby has other plans in life than having fun and making