Monday, October 25, 2010
Nick's diary entry - veronica .
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You are Nick Carraway. Write a diary entry describing your thoughts and feelings after the meal with Gatsby and Wolfshiem.
I met Gatsby at 42nd street this noon for lunch. I wanted to spend some time alone with him as I thought we were geting closer, perhaps even forming a friendship. I was planning on asking him about his Oxford days when I noticed we weren't to be alone; there was a stout Jewish man at the table. A Jew with Gatsby! What was he thinking, getting involved with such a man?
He was called Meyer Wolfshiem. Not long after we were seated he started telling Rosy Rosenthal's story, claiming that he was present when Rosenthal was assassinated. It was a story I was perfectly familiar with, but I nonetheless asked a question out of politeness; he responded quite forcefully, almost indignantly. His mustache and animated nose were even more accentuated as he went on tellign the story, his nose especially so. I was fixated with his nose; it was as if it had a life of its own! After he finished telling his story Wolfshiem asked me if I was looking for a business 'gonnegtion'. It waws almost chilling how casually he put the two together, as if life and death were merely casual in the business world. Gatsby's answer was equally puzzling; he replied 'We'll talk about that later,' as if he too were hiding something from me. What could it be?
Wolfshie ate with gusto once the food arrived, but his facial features were ever disturbing. His eyes roamed around the room in full circles, inspecting innocent diners out of the corners of his eyes. His paranoia was apparent; what exactly he feared I don't know but he looked ready to search everyone in the restaurant.
I was, howeverm aware that Gatsby was acting suspicious and was glad when he mentioned what happened that morning. I asked him why he felt he had to use Jordan Baker as a medium indteado f telling me straight away what he wants to. He answered casually that Jordan was a great athlete and she wouldn't do anything that wasn't right.
He then jumped up from the table and left, giving me a chance to further acquaint with Wolfshiem. I found out that Gatsby and he were longtime acquaintances and he definitely seemed to have a good impression of Gatsby. Wolfshiem had on a ridiculously flashy set of cufflinks made of human molars - yes, molars. A Jew with cufflinks made of teeth .. what a sight it made. He left almost immediately after Gatsby came back. Why I don't know, but I'm afraid it may have been something I said. He definitely left a great impression.
I later found out from Gatsby that Wolfshiem was the man who fixed the World Series back in '19. This was a lot to take in, as I always thought such things just happened; it seemed impossile to me how one man could tamper with the faith of a nation.
As I paid the bill the strangest thing happened. I noticed Tom Buchanan across the room - I thought it would be a good idea to introduce him to Gatsby, as I felt they were similar people. I did not have to approach him; it seemed that Bucahnaan had noticed me too and briskly walked towards us. I then proceeded to introduce Gatsby to him and as they were shaking hands a foreign look clouded over Gatsby's face, a look unlike any other I'd seen on him. The smile I'd come to expect was gone and an almost forced, faintly embarrassed look was in place. As I was exchanging some words with Tom I turned towards where Gatsby was moments ago; it seemed that he disappeared.
I was beyond confused. Did the two of them know each other? If so, Buchanan showed no sign of it. Perhaps he was just uncomfortable in the presence of a stranger? - clearly unlikely; his lavish parties are living proof of that. I will be meeting Jordan Baker later today; I shall ask if she knows why Gatsby was so unlike himself.
it's so baaaad ...
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Ryan's Late Diary Entry
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The 28th of July was probably the starting point of my acquaintance with Gatsby. I was getting to know him better and indeed his background was shady and mysterious as i had expected. The word "expected" was quite an underestimation really, for Gatsby's fascinating acquaintance with the Jewish Mr Wolfshiem caught me off guard during lunch near the old Metropole.
We start off in his gorgeous car to New York and I initially thought that Gatsby was a perfect gentleman. How was i wrong: his straightforwardness startled and sometimes offended me. To my confession, at the beginning I did not believe his story of an Oxford man, but then he convinced me by showing his decoration with his name imprinted on it, it shows me that a character like this does really exist...
I carried the ' grudge' for Gatsby to lunch ( apparently, he arranged my date with Jordan so that she could talk about his backgrounds, which he avoided telling me) and there I met Mr Wolfshiem. He was a Jewish man about fifty years old and had a really long, pointed nose. The nose caught my attention more than anything, it was as if I was intimidated with the stealthiness of that feature. The shock came when Gatsby mentioned that this was the man that fixed the World's Series in 1919! I still had not fully comprehend nor understand why that man wasn't in jail. If Gatsby had not tell me, i would have believed that Mr Wolfshiem was somekind of renown dentist. Now that I recalled, the way he talked was a little odd, or rather fishy. He witnessed that assassination of Rosy Rosenthal, moreover, the guy was his friend. I sometimes wonder what kind of man Gatsby really is to be associated with this Mr Wolfshiem.
Indeed, there was somekind of businesses between Gatsby and him. He did mention me being the "man" but Gatsby denied so. At some point, I must ask Gatsby what this was about. Anyway, after that, Mr Wolfshiem's attitude changed into a more ferocious one. I wondered whether I had offended him in anyways. On the other hand, Gatsby did offend me again for talking about Jordan Baker and our date. It was annoying and intriguing that Gatsby would not tell his "histories" directly to me. Gatsby at some point hurried off to telephone leaving me with Mr Wolfshiem. Although i must recline all judgments, I found Mr Wolfshiem quite peculiar. There was the definition of sinister written across his face somehow and the cunning of his behavior, such as showing me the molars cuff buttons.
When he left, I was secretly relieved as talking to Gatsby was easier. After Gatsby revealed the shock details of Mr Wolfshiem, I wondered whether i would like to meet him ever again.
Later I caught sight of Tom Buchanan. He took his usual ferocious pace and walked straight to our tables. As we said hello, Hatsby had this odd expression, or rather, almost an embarrassment on his face. He was shy towards Tom, as if Tom was really intimidating? The moment Tom and me placed a second look on Gatsby, he was no longer there. He vanished out of sight. I found it strange, perhaps Gatsby didn't like Tom Buchanan? Or did they have some shady conflicts in the past? There was definitely a mystery behind Gatsby.
Note: Gatsby is fascinating to me. From this day, I would like to know more about him, perhaps from Jordan. Hmm..... I shall and can't wait.
Nick Carraway.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Gatsby Film
Where would you set it? Are there any other relevant time periods to which the themes apply? Could it be updated or does it still need to be set in 1920s east coast America?
Thoughts below.
Don't worry- only about 45 hours until our English lesson- I can't wait....!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sophia and Uyen
Definitely worthy of receiving House Stickers upon your return to school.
Exciting, I know....
Rhianne's Diary Entry
I got back from my holiday on Wednesday and I was too tired/busy to do it yesterday and I realised you cannot copy and paste it so i will have to type it all up again.
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Imagine that you are Nick Carraway describing you thoughts and feelings after the meal with Gatsby and Wolfshiem
Dear diary,
Today i had a very peculiar lunch with Gatsby because he formally introduced me to an old friend of his called Meyer Wolfshiem. Mr Wolfshiem is a Jewish man with a nose infested with hair; i have to be honest, he was an atrocious sight to look at. Although we did agree on one topic, how fantastic a man Gatsby is, and Mr Wolfshiem was raving about him. He also seemed to be repeating the university Gatsby attendened, I felt as if Mr Wolfshiem was trying to communicate something to me but i will dismiss it because he would have just told me in person if it was important. I did feel quite threatened by Mr Wolfshiem because he mentioned his human molar cuff buttons, Ibelieve he was sending me a silent message to beware of the business world and to especially not underestimate him. Mr Wolfshiem is the man who fixed the Wrld series in 1919and I will never comprehend the fact that he actually succeded in this and got away with it. I always assumed it was a group of men and I never suspected Mr Wolfshiem because he did not seem intellectual enough to accomplish that, I mean he can't even pronounce Oxford correct! Gatsby told me it was true so it must be because i believe i am one of the few people he actually trusts. Mr Wolfshiem told Gatsby and I an anecdoteof a friend who got shot, but what i found disturbing was the fact that as soon as he was done telling the story he did not shed any upset emotion towards his friend and goes straight into talking about business; I thought he would be more humane to at least acknowledge his friend that was murdered. I do wonder how a brute man like Mr Wolfshiem is friends with dear old Gatsby; i guess i will never know. However i feel i must like Mr Wolfshiem due to the fact that he is Gatsbys friennd and i can't judge him on first impressions, I think I must get to know Mr Wolfshiem better to appreciate him like Gatsby does.
I have to say my original impression of Gasby has changed slightly due to this lunch because firstly he took us to 'The Old Metropole' which i have to admit, is a bit down market compared to the other elabourate places I have been to with Gatsby. Secondly Gatsby seemed to be a bit more...jittery and jumpy? At one point he leaped up from his chair and rushed away to take a phone call, he didn't even excuse himeself! He must have had too much coffee this morning to be acting that worked up.
Also when Tom Buchanan arrived at the shabby place we were eating at, Gatsby didn't even stay to chat with Tom, quite rude really, I didn't expect him to act that ill-mannered. I don't think they have ever met before so i'm sure it was nothing to do with Tom, well as i pre-mentioned Gatsby was acting a bit on edge that lunch. Tom didn't seem to mind Gatsby disappearing, Im sure Tom is used to it because of his intimidating body and arrogant personality, although Im not sure how Daisy can stand him, I definitely can't.
So overall today Ifound Mr Wolfshiem an eccentric character because I definitely underestimated his capabilities and overall attitude. I believe Gatsby was stressed out that lunch and he didn't seem to be completely focusing on the discussion and was very anxious. There must be a liable reason to it though.
Well Ithink I will invite Jordan out for dinner tonight because as iv mentioned before, we seem to be getting rather close lately.
Football
Interesting thing....albums on Facebook that have Mr Minford in are also viewable by me as we are mutual friends.
Such as teachers vs students football game.
And your comments....
me redeeming myself
By RAMSES FLORES
and now that i have captured your attention with the pretty picture:
We haven’t heard much about the upcoming adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s beloved classic, The Great Gatsby. In fact, we haven’t heard anything about the project since we reported on the news that director Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge) had bought the rights to the novel in 2008. Now, Production Weekly has announced some exciting casting rumors via their twitter feed.
The rumors are that Leonardo DiCaprio is up for the role of Jay Gatsby, Tobey Maguire for Nick Carraway, and Amanda Seyfried for Daisy Buchanan.
There is no mention of Luhrmann directing, but I’m going to assume that he still owns the rights and will be helming the film.
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel continues to be mandatory school reading (I read it in 8th grade) for a good reason. The book’s tragic story of two wealthy aristocrats (DiCaprio and Seyfried), their next door neighbor (Maguire), and their doomed love affair during the early 1920s continues to be poignant more than 80 years later after it’s first publication in 1925. It’s easy to see why Luhrmann would be interested in adapting the story for a modern generation that continues to be fascinated by fame and wealth.. The trio of actors are, in my opinion, very solid choices and I look forward to seeing how Luhrmann will choose to tackle the novel. Hit the jump for a plot summary for The Great Gatsby.
[SOURCE]
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I thought this was a pretty impressive cast..!!
but i think Di Caprio would perhaps be better suited as Nick
thats just me though, i think he would be good as Gatsby too
Too bad the movie hasn't been filmed yet (i think) or else we could make someone download it then watch it in class again huh ;)
we could even do another film review!!!!
haha just kidding
i thought this was pretty interesting, hope its ok to share...?
you can click on "[SOURCE]" to see the original article.
Nick's diary entry by Lien
Wow thats so typical, i'm really sorry Mr. Pollicutt, i went on here a few days back to post this but ended up reading everyone else's and forgetting what i was on here to do in the first place...
sorry......!!! but look, i found an interesting article though, so i'll post that on the blog as well to redeem myself!!!!
hehe......
sorry
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Today I rode up to the city to have lunch with Gatsby. I hadn’t realize he had invited another guest along – his rather peculiar, to say the least, Jewish friend Mr. Meyer Wolfshiem – but arriving at the forty-second street cellar to find that I would not have to be alone with Gatsby somewhat loosened the knot inside my stomach that I hadn’t even realized had been there until that moment. I turned around to greet the small Meyer Wolfshiem before me. Glancing down at his face, my eyes immediately picked out a rather irritatingly outsized nose which annoyingly concealed much of his features and small eyes. It was going to be a very unusual day, and for some inexplicable reason I can’t seem to remember too much of it apart from Gatsby’s unrelenting strangeness and a few observations I made of Meyer Wolfshiem, all the while trying not to stare incessantly at his catastrophic thing of a nose. Although I do remember thinking from before I arrived to lunch that something about the day had been odd, little did I know that throughout the meal quite few things would happen to augment this initial thought quite heftily.
We had barely even reached our table before Wolfshiem dived blithely into his first story of the afternoon, one of how a young man he used to know named Rosy Rosenthal was shot in the old Metropole just opposite from us. Immediately after he finished, he turned my direction and asked me if I would like a business “gonnegtion”. The casual manner with which Wolfshiem seemed to make the connection between murder – and brutal murder as well, by the sounds of Rosy’s story – and business startled me greatly. I could tell he didn’t really think much of it and it was clearly a genuine remark. It confused me, how somebody could talk about death then go on straight to business in a way which clearly tells me he apparently believes the link between the two to be obvious or even, as if they regarded some kind of mutual theme! It's shocking, really... I wondered, could this be how they do business here in the East?
But before I had time to express any of these thoughts or even put my bewilderment into any form of words, out of nowhere Gatsby’s somewhat panicked voice sounded to our left and hurried to avoid the subject. This irritated me deeply, the way in which Gatsby, who probably knew precisely what he was doing, stopped me from criticizing Wolfshiem’s absurd notions. This had me under the suspicious impression that he was doing this to somehow protect Wolfshiem, who meanwhile, with his nose, merely sat there in the middle of it all, apparently unaware. I was also wary of the way Gatsby told Wolfshiem that he’d told him they’d talk about it some other time, like Gatsby was scared to speak of the matter in my presence. But what difference should that make? This only made me more curious to know what Wolfshiem meant about it all. Unless of course, he has something to hide, like Gatsby. I find his deliberate secrecy and vagueness quite frankly unsatisfying and lame, if I’m honest. As if his intrusion on matters between Jordan and I wasn’t enough already.
The issue did actually come up again for the second time today when Gatsby attempted to apologize. Seizing my chance I tried again to know more about his “request”, but he wasn’t about to put his delicate little ego away, again stubbornly insisting it was nothing I should fuss over. I could sense myself burning up more and more with every passing syllable uttered from his mouth. How could one be so incredibly big-headed and selfish to push his nose into other people’s affairs and expect them not to fret? He even added one of those smiles but for the first time I felt like it was piercing a hole through my face. I had to try enormously to resist the temptation of hitting back with something particularly nasty. Perhaps it was the wiser option in the end.
As if feeling my frustration from across the table Gatsby abruptly stood up and left the table. I felt myself heave a sigh of relief before realizing that I was now left alone at the table to deal with Meyer Wolfshiem. Too tired from being annoyed at Gatsby, however, I let him drone on without paying much attention, every now and then agreeing and nodding my head a bit to avoid him noticing.
Once Gatsby returned to the table again, it was Wolfshiem’s turn to leave as if he were in a rush, claiming that he didn't want to "impose himself" on us – the young generation as he put it. We shook hands and he left quickly. After that, Gatsby told me a little about Wolfhsiem but I didn’t really feel like staying much longer with him so I insisted on paying for our lunch so we could go. Trying to avoid any further awkward conversation with Gatsby, I pretended to look around the restaurant and coincidentally caught sight of Tom Buchanan who was sitting across the room. I told Gatsby I wanted to him to meet someone and we walked to where he was. I was somewhat oddly relieved to see him and quickly introduced Gatsby, more eager to talk to Tom as we hadn’t caught up for quite a while. Perhaps this was the reason why I didn’t really pay much attention to Gatsby and it wasn’t until I looked over while telling Tom that we had been eating together that I’d realized he had disappeared, into thin air as far as i was concerned. Only sitting here writing this now after racking my memory has made me remember seeing from the corner of my vision Gatsby’s bizarrely tense expression and body language. Why that could be hasn’t ceased to challenge my imagination today, even until now.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Extract from Nick Carraway's not so private diary anymore........
I still feel a bit confused as to why Gatsby disappeared just like that. Im sure that it wasn't that he felt shy in front of Tom Buchanan. Was he? Gatsby is a very confident man. He should possess the ability to talk to anyone, even strangers, I think. Anyway, I don't think that he has met Tom before. Yes, I agree that Tom might seem intimidating to certain people, but i think that Gatsby off all people would not be scared of him. There must be another reason. Maybe he felt that Tom was sexually attracted to him? Sometimes Tom has that affect on some people. Also Gastby is gorgeous, everybody loves him, and he is rich. He is the dream man. Yes. That must be it. He must have felt freaked out by Tom. I have to tell Gatsby not to be afraid of Tom. As far as i know, Tom is not a homosexual. He has a wife and a mistress for God's sake. If he actually turned out to be a homosexual that would be shell shocking, and the whole world might just as well come to an end. Tom is so straight he even makes me look gay.
Oh, poor Gatsby. I wonder how he is feeling right now. Im sure that he has enever experienced something like this before. Oh poor, poor Gatsby. And he's such a nice person! He has been really friendly to me ever since I moved to the West Egg. Although Im not so sure about that acquiantance of his. What was his name again?.... the man.....it was...... the man with the humuongous nose...... oh yes, Mr Wolfshiem. What a strange name though. Unfortunately, I dont think any other name would suit him either. I mean, look at the size of that nose! Its large enough to be classified as a planet itself! Oh what in the worl are the Jews getting at? This is sad. Maybe Tom was right. If we white people are not careful, bbig nosed Jews might actually take over the world. Now that's a horrible thought. Maybe I have to go read that book that Tom was talking about that other day. What was the name again? Oh, I can just ask him the next time i go over to Daisy's house, or bump into him. Thinking of big nosed Jews now are sending shivers up my spine. Urgh. How can Gatsby be so friendly with these sort of people? They are going to tarnish his reputation sooner or later. Oh poor poor Gatsby. And he already has so many things to deal with. He should take a vacation lest his brain explodes and we'll be cleaning up what's left of him using a broom and a dustpan.
Im absolutely certain that Gatsbby would not be able to take it. He s a fragile emotional person. He might just break under the pressure of that big nosed Jew!. I have to save him...... unles.....Gatsby actually did and enjoyed doing those kind of things. Oh no, Gatsby, a bootlegger? Oh, what is that huge hairy nosed Jew doing to my poor poor Gatsby? I never expected Gatsby to deal in these kinds of businesses. I thought those people were just gossipers with nothing better else to do. I though those were empty rumours. Don't tell me I have been associating myself with a criminal? Oh, I might get influenced by the likes of Mr Wolfshiem through Gatsby? That huge hairy nosed Jew is going down! I might actually be becoming a bootlegger myself! Going against the law?! No, this wont do. Not at all. Doesn't Gatsby know the effect the emotional trauma of getting sent to jail will affect him? Although if I can get rich like Gatsby did, that would be fine. Very fine indeed.I could get any girl I want. And all the girls would want me too. Everyone would know my name. Maybe even Tom would be jealous of me. What a wonderful world that will be.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
All marked!
Want your diary marked? Post it!
Annette's Essay
August 15 1924
What a day. I think I finally know why New York never sleeps. People rushing, on pedestrianized streets, rushing in the traffic, in trains, in the corners of dark back alley restaurants stuffing down little pig sausages. That constant hum machinery and all the hustle and bustle are overwhelming. There is so much to fill your palette of drama, wherever excitement goes, and danger does too. There is no wonder why many feel much safer and much more satisfied fantasizing about romantic women, about other things on the streets of New York. Many things are just beyond your wildest imagination.
I had thought Tom’s cult like ideals my own affair the jersey girl my new job my relationship with golf star Jordan Baker, and getting to know the mysterious Mr. Gatsby was enough for me to juggle, my life here will last years of exciting stories to tell the others in the mid west – yet lunch today brought this all to another level.
My wealthy neighbor who owns West Egg’s version of “Hotel de Ville” whom I know refer to as Jay Gatsby invited me to lunch, somewhere expensive uptown. I was thrilled when he picked me up in his bright yellow Rolls Royce that is so well known around town. There is so much mystery surrounding him and I felt this meal might serve as some form of revelation. I haven’t had much chance dining with the upper class because I am so busy and only manage to cram time on little café’s. With high expectations, Mr. Gatsby disappointed me. He is always surrounded by and aura of excitement and curiosity, he does not need to abide to law like the rest of us which I found rather shocking and wherever we go, there are interesting people to see, south Europeans, modish Negroes and the like. On the contrary, although we are surrounded by interesting things, he pretty much has nothing to say- not to mention that he has been keeping something from me the whole morning, insisting that Ms Baker will tell me everything. I don’t like it when people taunt me, maybe I am mildly curious but much more than that, and I am annoyed. And I don’t see why it all has to come through Ms. Baker.
Another man joined us for lunch. A Jew, Meyer Wolfshiem. He looks like he stepped right out of an anti-Semites’ cartoon. I am beginning to think that they do implement some truth. He was a short, flat nosed and almost rodent like, sniffing about with his humungous nostrils in which hair proudly sprouted out of. It was not until he had left, devouring a hash, shooting his pupils all around the room and showing off his human molar cufflinks and left that I found out he was the gambler that fixed the world series back in 1919. To me and everyone else in the mid west, it was just merely something that had happened, predestined by only god himself. It was shocking that this Jew had meddled and played with the faith of so many millions of people, and I now feel a mixture of admiration and contempt. However what was most unbelievable was his attitude towards death, and the casualness in which he brings up the inevitability of money, business to death. Originally being glad that this high end speakeasy was well out of public sight, I felt no comfort sitting or even, having conversed with the man, whom after retelling the Rosy Rosenthal incident which was all over national headlines, he immediately followed by offering a business connection! Of course I declined or rather Gatsby declined for me, and it makes me wonder even more why Gatsby even dragged me up here, to eat with this fat peculiar and certainly powerful man and not have anything to do with what he originally wanted to tell me about?
However risky, Wolfshiem’s situation, and mine for that matter was, I still learned something. As a man of such abilities of tolerance, an always learn something. Even though I had found out even the elegant, mysterious and now irritating Mr. Gatsby and Wolfshiem are probably co workers as major crooks, I was drawn to them. Although guilty to the us, the people, I admire the sentimentality, the class, and the power in which they posses. Wolfshiem speaks of Rosenthal’s death with such braveness. For a man who just see’s the opportunity to fix the World Series, he speaks fondly of Gatsby even talking about introducing him to mothers and sisters, and Gatsby, for that grandeur in which he does everything. His romantic English accent picked up in his oxford days, the interesting thing that surrounds him…
Towards the end of the meal after Gatsby insisted on paying the bill, Tom interrupted. I’m glad he saw me there, at an expensive speakeasy. I’ve had enough of his superciliousness. There are people in new haven who hate his guts. He was definitely in awe and I loved the feeling of standing on equal ground with someone such as Tom Buchanan but Gatsby immaturely and impolitely disappeared looking embarrassed. It’s an image I cannot quite comprehend- confident, romantic, posh Gatsby who runs away on the sight of a large hulking Tom Buchanan. To say the truth I now anticipate what it is Jordan has to tell me.
Liza's ~
Imagine that you are Nick Carraway.
Write your thoughts after the meal with Gatsby.
The days pass quickly in here, as I’m involving myself in all the affairs of life on the East. It is amusing, how all the people live with a sense of eternal levity, recklessness and irresponsibility: they never care about what awaits them in the future, neither they remember their past. Surviving through the war, I forgot completely how is it to relax, and life in West Egg brings me a true relief; though it’s still hard for me to get used to amorality, dirtiness of Eastern society. Well, I’m not trying to judge those people, but their lifestyle stuns me: alcohol flows here like normal water, and drunken billionaires laugh in the mist here over things that only they can understand.
So yes, days flow faster and faster, and I cannot remember most of what was happening – the whirlpool of business world trapped me in itself, and as I am became a part of all the different events they gained less and less importance for me. A while ago I was amazed by a small party at my neighbour’s house, and now I’m walking along the streets of
And Jordan Baker… That woman is the only creature that still surprises me – her and Gatsby. No, I understand her character completely now, all her thoughts, right from the beginning until the end. And it is just unbelievable, how all the things I despise may combine in one woman being, how disrespect, irresponsibility, dishonesty absorb one single human completely. I worship that woman, and I despise everything about her. She is and incredible, glorious representative of this age; and I admire her.
Going out to the city with her is like walking on a promenade in an aureole of yours greatness, and flashes of cameras, which are meant to capture the famous are all pointing at you, and you are the centre of people’s attention. I like walking with
I wanted to have dinner with her today as well – my only constant companion; she is an interesting person to talk to and a miracle to look at. However, no. There came Gatsby.
The Great… People call him the Great – and that is true. He is a sparkling Emperor of a remote region of West Egg; Trimalchio, I shall say – arrogant, ignorant fool, proud of his money and wealth. And yet there’s something about him… Why would I forgive him for ruining my nice dinner with Ms Baker? I can’t understand – it’s just… If it was someone else except from Gatsby, I would definitely tell him to go away, but I couldn’t say that to Mr Gatsby. There was something in him today I did not see, something that attracted me to him for a moment, and next second I found myself sitting in his car and talking.
He’s a strange man. He is lying, I can see it, but Lord, by all heart I want to believe him. He told me something about his family, something about his career, but the way he acted… he was uncomfortable. He was bad at lying, and that was what made his lies more intriguing. Gatsby, representing all I scorn, is the most interesting man in West Egg, and I should definitely reveal his secrets.
We went to that café, where I met his friend. Friend… I wish he wasn’t that close to Gatsby, I know Gatsby is much better than all those… rotten speculators. Damn, he is a Jew! His nose, flattering nose was disgusting: every time he spoke his nose moved, and all I could look at was that incredible facial feature. It was dirty, and all the hair moved as he breathed as well. Why, in a God’s sake, can’t he pay at least a little bit of attention towards his appearance?
He was disgusting by all means. Treacherous, sly, he was engaged into some criminal businesses – I could see it from his eyes, from his speech. And he wasn’t even hiding it! Arrogantly bragging about Rosy Rosenthal and Old Metropole, he revealed his identity instantly.
I despise him with the deepness of my heart, and at the same time – I cannot resist looking at that man. Fixed the 1919 World Series, him? It’s… incredible, unbelievable: the whole basics of things I trusted crushed to pieces after I’ve heard that. Is it actually possible for a single man to fix something like the World Series? Fix and stay alive, never being caught? He’s surely clever, Wolfsheim – disgusting, inaccurate and spoiled, dangerous to know and yet clever. I can’t respect him – he doesn’t deserve respect, the only thing I feel towards him is admiration. It’s nor for me to judge whether he was right or not, but this is… just inhuman, just superb.
Though it worries me that Wolfsheim considers Gatsby as his friend. Does that mean that Gatsby, my neighbour, someone I have belief in has something in common with that… Jew? A shared business? Shared ideals? Can I believe Gatsby after meeting with Wolfsheim, after seeing the company he prefers?
Probably, not. But something hidden, mysterious in him still attracts me: I feel myself like a moth, flying towards a candle. It may be that it’s dangerous; it may be that Gatsby is not the one who he seems to be. There’s no way I believe him completely… But I will try to see through his lies, sure I will. After all, Gatsby didn’t seem very sad about Wolfsheim leaving, and neither did I.
To finish it, I’m still hoping to meet with Ms Baker without anyone’s annoying interference, so now I have to leave.
[Somehow I still thouht that Jordan will take a huge part of Nick's thoughts, as he "likes" her in a way and it was supposed to be dinner with Ms Baker, not Gatsby. Moreover, at the moment Nick wan't that quite obsessed with Gatsby, and still doubted him, as he didn't know anything about Gatsby's dreams...
so yeah, I might be wrong, but I felt that way ^^""]
things to look for
A sense of his unreliabilty
His (implicit) anti-semitism
His continuing (although possibly now tarnished) awe in which he regards Gatsby/ his changing attitudes towards him
His convoluted, pompous prose style (sentence lengths/ verb choices/ phraseology)
Reasonable conjecture around Gatsby's sudden exit
A sense of shock / naivety/ puritanical response to Wolfshiem's fixing of the World Series/ the violence in New York
A sense of discomfort in the surroundings- possible reference to how it's different to the Mid-West/ East/West Egg.
Peace out. Stay safe kids; don't be sponges.
Band Descriptors (1=A)
0/0–1 No answer / Insufficient to meet the criteria for Band 8.
Band 8
2
3
4
Limited attempt to respond
• shows some limited understanding of simple/literal meaning
Band 7
5
6
7
Some evidence of simple personal response
• makes a few straightforward comments
• shows a few signs of understanding the surface meaning of the text
• makes a little reference to the text
Band 6
8
9
10
Attempts to communicate a basic personal response
• makes some relevant comments
• shows a basic understanding of surface meaning of the text
• makes a little supporting reference to the text
Band 5
11
12
13
Begins to develop a personal response
• shows some understanding of meaning
• makes a little reference to the language of the text (beginning to assume a
voice in an empathic task)
• uses some supporting textual detail
Band 4
14
15
16
Makes a reasonably developed personal response
• shows understanding of the text and some of its deeper implications
• makes some response to the way the writer uses language (using suitable
features of expression in an empathic task)
• shows some thoroughness in the use of supporting evidence from the text
Band 3
17
18
19
Makes a well-developed and detailed personal response
• shows a clear understanding of the text and some of its deeper
implications
• makes a developed response to the way the writer achieves her/his
effects (sustaining an appropriate voice in an empathic task)
• supports with careful and relevant reference to the text
Band 2
20
21
22
Sustains a perceptive and convincing personal response
• shows a clear critical understanding of the text
• responds sensitively and in detail to the way the writer achieves her/his
effects (sustaining a convincing voice in an empathic task)
• integrates much well-selected reference to the text
Band 1
23
24
25
Answers in this band have all the qualities of Band 2 work, with further
insight, sensitivity, individuality and flair. They show complete and sustained
engagement with both text and task.
Assessment Criteria/ Objectives
AO1 show detailed knowledge of the content of literary texts
AO2 understand the meanings of literary texts and their context, and explore texts beyond surface meaning to show deeper awareness of ideas and attitudes
AO3 recognise and appreciate ways in which writers use language, structure, and form to create and shape meanings and effects
AO4 communicate a sensitive and informed personal response
The General Descriptors cover marks from 0 to 25, and apply to the marking of each question. They guide examiners to an understanding of the qualities normally expected of, or typical of, work in a band. They are a means of general guidance, and must not be interpreted as hurdle statements. For the purposes of standardisation of marking, they are to be used in conjunction with photostats of
candidates’ work produced in the examination and discussed during the examiners’ coordination meeting, as well as the question-specific notes.
The notes for each question are related to the assessment objectives above. Because of the nature of the subject, they are for general guidance; they are not designed as prescriptions of required content and must not be treated as such.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Nick Carraway's "diary entry"
Imagine that you are Nick Carraway. Write your thoughts and feelings after the meal with Gatsby and Wolfshiem.
Finally, I could meet up Mr. Gatsby again, at noon. Somehow the bustling crowd at the
The fact that I kept all the feelings of abandon to myself not because I’m afraid to speak up, I just don’t want to be someone’s humiliation. And I think I made a good choice to ask about the old Metropole. Now I’m consider that meeting again, I know I think deeper and more mature than anyone, unlike someone started to be nice to me and then made me disappear in front of Gatsby’s eyes, and then chatted with him on sentimental memories. Such an opportunist!
I noticed his terrible nose, not because it caught my eyes, even more than that, his nose represents something about his personality towards my responses. It flashed, his nose flashed, and the reason of this is because he thought he knows everything. Obviously, it was his business to know remember his memories of Rosy and what happened at the Metropole. I called it showing off and I don’t care about his business, it was just impolite to ignore his stories.
Apart from Mr. Wolfshiem, there are concealment and secrecy in the way Gatsby acted, in front of my attendance. I knew that Gatsby avoided talking to Mr. Wolfshiem about their businesses. As I said before, I don’t like mysteries; I didn’t even enjoy sitting there and hear Gatsby whispering about my attitudes as he tried to comfort me. This time he should have compensated for me. Then, I took one more look at Wolfshiem, just in case I could discover any of his personalities through his nose. He acted normal, faster, but normal. His eyes glanced around, checked everything…Only I know, there was panic, anxiety in his tiny eyes! And his nose trembled. At the time, I knew that he shivered with fear, the fear of revealing his secrets. The he tried to get away with it as it was nothing happened at all. There was a fact about the World’s Series that shocked me with the ideas of Mr. Wolfshiem is a dangerous person to know, and also not easy not work in business with. I’m eager for protecting Gatsby.
There was a strange moment, I met Tom, and Gatsby disappeared! How could he do such a thing like that? That wasn’t the gentleman I used to know. I think again to myself, he must have very important business to deal with and he was not being impolite at all. At least he’s gone after greeting Tom, even though, he haven’t say goodbye to me.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Assessment Criteria- up on 19th Oct
I will put up the assessment criteria on Tuesday....
...When I come back from the beach. And get some sleep.
Well done this half term- you have all worked really hard.
Still, I'm glad that none of you 'orrible lot are going to be allowed to shave me...!
Ana's... Please don't read....
Today, would be one of the oddest days. As I was about to enjoy a table with Gatsby, he introduced me to a flat-nosed Jew who apparently fixed the World Series. Mr. Wolfshiem was what he introduced himself as, although a striking feeling give me the impression that it is not his real name, rather, it could be a far-fetched name that he inhabited to drive away the nosy eyes of the world. That, would not be unpredictable from a man who had manipulated and trashed the national hope.
The moment I saw him, he had started the conversation with a half-told unfinished story of his one of his adventures and the murder of a man called Rosy Rosenthal in front of the restaurant across the street from where us three were sitting then he suddenly turned to me and asked whether I was looking for business connections. I wasn't the really subject of the question would if I was that man I would prefer my future to be placed after the story of a dead businessman. No, I am not going to lunch to find business "gonnegtions" my friend.
And as the waiter served him the plates, he ate with much anticipation, like he never recalled on the memoirs of Rosy's death but what was more disturbing was the fact that his nose was inspecting the area as if hound dogs were hunting him down. He was so suspicious that the anxiety caught up with me.
But why exactly does Gatsby have to find Baker whenever he wants to approach me? After all, I am just a lawn away from him.
He doesn't even seem like a shy man, although, he probably wasn't all that smart. Wolfshiem said he went to Oxford in the old days, no, rather "Oggsford". When I heard those lines, I found it so hard to hold my laughter, less because Gatsby's claim was so transparent but rather by the Jewish accent of "Oggsford". Wolfshiem seemed come as a package, the flat nose, the large head, the tiny eyes, and the famous Jewish accent. If we were to talk about more lightheaded subjects, I would have very enjoyed the presence of this man on my table. But I didn't, as he gave me such an awkward vibe. It wasn't exactly coldness or anything of the same kind, but it certainly was not assurance and security of an old man. He even had cuff buttons made out of human molars, of which, I found highly disturbing. I felt the need of being careful around him, because who would have molars as cuff buttons? And where did those molars come from? Rosy Rosenthal?
Besides the other comments made my Wolfshiem that were full of contagious anxiety, he said that Gatsby was a careful man with women, he would never touch a friend's wife". Well... I really wonder about that...
Surprisingly, later on we met the sight of Tom, aggressive and demanding as ever, he came towards us furiously, shook Gatsby's hand very briefly and demanded myself to be in their company again. A slight embarrassment appeared across Gatsby's face, and as I turned around after finished my greetings with Tom, by then Gatsby had disappeared in thin air. Who would have thought the natural enemies would come so close to each other before the war starts? I'd love to cheer Gatsby on, but I have a feeling Daisy would never leave Tom for anyone, especially Gatsby, as his fame and power could shatter so quickly merely because his last name was not in long admiration. Daisy would stay with Tom for the same reason she married him. Gatsby doesn't seem to understand how Daisy thinks, I'm afraid in the end he'd still be the one in loss. Tom has Myrtle, and Daisy has Gatsby, but no one seem to understand the significance of their marriage, even if they have never truly loved each other, they married each other to complete the package that they were born with. A rich, young master of great background needs a beautiful young rich wife, who also has the similar background, to complete his reputation and a beautiful young rich lady needs a rich, young master of great background to complete her image.
This lunch promised greater things, drama, of the past and now, I am anticipating some more jazz in this story between the spoiled kids and the great man.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Be nice! :)
Imagine that you are Nick Carraway. Write your thoughts on the meal with Gatsby and Wolfshiem.
I had expected something lavish for lunch with Gatsby. Perhaps a luscious meal in some extravagant hotel restaurant filled with the rich, where the classy windows looked down upon the busy bustling street with workers scurrying here and there. Or even a private lunch, in a privately rented room where he wouldn’t have prying eyes looking at him and in which I could ask all I wanted about his life and the ‘matter’ Jordan was supposed to tell me. That Forty-second Street cellar was a surprise, but not at all unexpected, however, Meyer Wolfshiem was a different matter.
I didn’t think much of him at first, only that Gatsby actually knew a Jew, but I remained open minded. He looks like a typical Jew, flat-nosed and all and I looked forwards to the opportunity to ask him about Gatsby’s life. Although soon it became clear that Wolfshiem didn’t deal with normal business. What kind of man talks about a friend’s death and then a business connection with barely a pause? He’s very careful too, paranoid even, his eyes roved slowly around the room and he even inspected the people directly behind us. If it wasn’t for my presence, he would have surely taken a look under the table. My suspicions were proven right when Gatsby said that he was a gambler and the one who fixed the 1919 World Series, because he just ‘saw the opportunity’. It’s clear that Wolfshiem is a capable and dangerous Jewish man and Gatsby deals with him, and probably many others like him.
Perhaps Gatsby really isn’t an honest man, how could one be honest if they associated themselves with crooks such as Wolfshiem? Although Wolfshiem seems to have nothing but praise for Gatsby, I take it that he deems him reliable, trustworthy. He has confirmed that Gatsby went to Oxford, but is it the truth or did Gatsby lie to him too? My doubts are rising about this ‘matter’ Gatsby wants Jordan to discuss with me, why else would it need to come from another person if it wasn’t something underhanded? There’s no need to go through the trouble of getting someone else to tell me if the business was perfectly legal.
Maybe Gatsby really had killed a man, with the help of old Wolfshiem no doubt, and soon I would be pulled into this web of dark mysteries and underground activities. It seems Wolfshiem had tried to warn me with those molar cuff buttons of his; it did raise the question of whether he specifically ordered a set of molar cuff buttons or collected those teeth himself. Either way, life and death doesn’t seem so important to Wolfshiem, as if having dealt with it for so long, he no longer feels remorse from a death – even a friend’s death. Wolfshiem could have turned to this kind of business in search of a way to cheat and some easy money and, after some time, lured Gatsby in with him.
Gatsby did not seem very enthusiastic when asking Wolfshiem to stay longer; their relationship might possibly not be one of friends but merely one where business is made easier through. At least it may be so for Gatsby. If so, perhaps Gatsby only deals with Wolfshiem through a necessity for money. Why though, if he is supposedly the son of ‘some wealthy people in the Mid-West’?
Another one of those puzzles that seems to follow Gatsby wherever he goes is his sudden disappearance. Tom didn’t seem to know Gatsby so the reasons he would’ve left so hurriedly are hard to guess at. Chances could be that Gatsby had killed an acquaintance of Tom and is fearful of his wrath lest he found out. Or possibly, Gatsby just isn’t comfortable with meeting new people; after all, he himself has remained anonymous at his own parties every week.
Diary Entry by Nick
Recently, I’ve had a rendezvous for a lunch at the city with Gatsby and one of his friends, Meyer Wolfshiem. The lunch was rather interesting as parts of our conversation stuck in my mind and played with my knowledge about certain things. It made me question myself, who this ‘Gatsby’ really is… And coming from such a small place; I’d rather say New York business is wrongly fascinating.
Thinking back to when I first met Meyer Wolfshiem that day, I wasn’t expecting him to create further chaos in my head as I was already quite frustrated with Gatsby comments involving Jordan. I was already prepared to confront Gatsby and discuss about it when Wolfshiem decided to spatter around his little stories – which did interest me quite a bit. I’d like to believe I’m always interested in sincere and up-to-the-minute stories as they open my mind to new doors. Therefore, Meyer Wolfshiem stories were, I suppose, emotional. I presume old men get emotional easily as aging hits their sensitive part a little. His story about Rosen Rosenthal particularly caught my attention –besides other things. I mean, this man was shot several times on the chest and the murderers never got caught… And for over what reason did he die for? This story shocked me inside. I know Rosy Rosenthal was a business man for a fact – Wolfshiem must have mentioned it. And this made me realize how dangerous business is in the East until I found out another thing. Wolfshiem was involved in the fixing of the World Series. I never really thought how such an individual could have the power to do something likewise and not be in prison. Are policemen or the government security even at their jobs these days or are they just laying there kissing feet of the rich, wishing they were in their shoes. That could possibly be a fact. Wolfshiem and his little nose, bizarre and influential man he is; makes me think that money does mean power. I kept in mind his saying about how money shut a man right up – this just proves today’s hunger for wealth. And it is a sad thing…is it…
But for a man with so much power, Meyer Wolfshiem is ignorant. He kept blabbering on about some sort of Oggsford which I am certain he meant Oxford and I’ve noticed many grammar gaps in his English. Yes, Gatsby, I thought, smart man he truly is!
However, other things concerned me more and indeed, it is about Gatsby. He was not acting tout-a-fait normal. He seemed a little uncomfortable; possibly because he was worried I wasn’t comfortable myself. Though, I think because I was about to hear something which have made me question what really is Gatsby’s past; has he been lying to me from the start of our friendship? I know as a truth that Gatsby told me himself that he was from a very rich family and his wealth was inherited. However Meyer Wolfshiem story was far from similar. It was quite upsetting when I heard that he was actually a poor boy who created his wealth by himself. And for I to know that Gatsby and Wolfshiem had business ‘connections’, I knew at that moment Gatsby was involved in illegal business. I haven’t really thought about how I felt about Gatsby being a fraud with the giant amount of respect I have for him. But then I recalled my father’s advice, on how some people did not have the advantages that other people had and it made me reflect. If what Meyer Wolfshiem said was true, then I’d accept it. Gatsby struggled and had no choice but to go through what he did in order to reach to a good state. But are there other reasons to it? However, my acceptance of Gatsby does not reach the conclusion to my curiosity of him. If Gatsby lied about his background, what else have he lied about? Everything I know about him and the time I have spent with him could all be just fiction or an act – an appealing act though. Who is this person hiding behind his wealth and what is he living for.
The lunch became even more gauche when I had an encounter with Tom. I couldn’t help myself to be offended when he mentioned how was able to get here but I controlled my judgments quite well but that wasn’t what bothered me the most. It was Gatsby again, gone out of the blue just a little bit after I introduced him to town. It was supposedly like Gatsby couldn’t stand Tom’s presence or he has heard of Tom before. This made me think even harder about what Gatsby’s past was like and the intensity of my curiosity hasn’t yet died till this day.
Nick Carraway's "Diary Entry"-Rosa
June 6th, 1924
It seems as though my seemingly brilliant impression of Gatsby has been slightly scarred in a rather peculiar strand of events this afternoon. His reassuring smile that I had once encountered now resembles a clever mask, faded away, revealing what I suspect to be somewhat of a suspicious truth.
I had plans to meet him this lunch at the cellar on
I recognized immediately that a Jew stood before me, Meyer Wolfsheim, a man with a sense of oddity, in which his great, flattened nose gazed at me in greeting. I responded with a handshake, out of politeness, only to hurry to my seat afterwards.
The actual lunch itself proved to be insignificant as Wolfsheim’s inexplicable stories had taken most of the space. His nostrils flared at the climax of each anecdote, especially of his friend’s death, Rosy Rosenthal. I had no idea Wolfsheim had been involved in the murders of four people; and many of his later stories had included death or some sort of unsettling notion. Yet, I didn’t see it as mind boggling, as I came closer to believing that anything could happen here in the East. He even asked me a minute later if I wanted to create a business connection with him, in which he attempted to create a look of intimidation, squinting his eyes until they vanished into the troubling atmosphere. I knew then, for sure, that I never wanted to meet the Jew man and his bothersome nose again, as I started to shift uncomfortably away from the table. Gatsby must’ve sensed this, as he tried to throw away the subject all together, and pushed me away with his hurried chatter with Wolfsheim, to answer to my apprehensive condition. I was infuriated at the act of Gatsby keeping secrets with such a man, rather than ease the stress inside the room by being clear of his intentions, and his thoughts. He then left suddenly, to emphasize his ostentatious importance, and answer a phone call, selfishly leaving me to deal with what I never intended to be involved in.
I thought of excusing myself to the restroom right then, but it seemed as though the glare of Wolfsheim’s nose restrained me from moving at all, as he started to gush with enthusiasm over Gatsby, evidently Wolfsheim had fallen for his inevitable charm. I wondered if he knew about his shifty affair with Daisy, when he encouraged me to believe Gatsby was a man to bring home to a mother and sister. During the rest of his speech, I believe the only part I fully understood was his oblivious manner of mentioning endlessly of Gatsby as an
I tried to change the focus of our talk once or twice, only to have given the entire floor to Wolfsheim yet again, as he hastily boasted his unusual cuff buttons at me, made out of human molars. I was reminded again of the various deaths this man was engaged in, and it seemed as though he felt this was a regular thing, even to have warned me to watch my manner against him. He was, as I soon found out, the man who fixed the World Series and still got away with it. A gambler for a living, I was slightly repulsed at this type of behavior, the lifestyle of the East, as I felt very distant at that moment from this fraudulent world. How could a man toy with the faiths of millions, and still show up to a lunch and casually talk about his cuff buttons? A few moments passed and I was irritated at Gatsby for having created this mess.
The highlight of the meal arrived at last, when Wolfsheim noisily devoured his lunch and rose out from his hunched position, anxious to depart. He looked in each direction before taking a couple of steps, and I thought there might have been hit-men in all corners of the restaurant. Nonetheless, he seemed rather dejected by Gatsby’s apathetic farewell, as though Wolfsheim’s glowing image of him started to weaken as well. He then faded slowly into the background as Gatsby and I started to exit, too, and I looked over at him slightly and suspiciously, quickly adjusting my eyes to the faint commotions outside- to wonder if I could take any of this any longer.
It was then that I spotted Tom Buchanan romping about, with his look of familiar indifference that I found comforting at the time. I quickly motioned to him, eager for a conversation without a hint of obscurity, as I was already tired of the day’s mysterious conundrums.
Gatsby seemed hesitant upon my action, but at this point, I didn’t have the same level of concern that I had for him before, and called Tom over anyways. His thunderous approach made our acquaintance over the several feet towards Gatsby and myself, and after addressing each other, Tom started eagerly upon our whereabouts, mentioning Daisy’s name in between. I glanced at Gatsby for a second as he and Tom awkwardly shook hands, and I thought I that I glimpsed at a bit of panic on his face. Panic on Gatsby, great, great Gatsby- that was something to behold.
I directed my attention back to Tom, and then recalled vaguely the events of the afternoon, in which I motioned towards Gatsby to continue. It was after a few seconds of silence that I realized that he had disappeared.
I was confused at his sudden departure, even though I knew he didn’t see himself and Tom on the best of terms, I would believe that he could go through one small introduction. Evidently, I was proven wrong and thought then, and still now that Gatsby had run from his problems. Running far away, from the harsh realities of the world, I question myself on who Mr. Gatsby really is.