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Entry No. 9


Entry No. 9: Questions to Consider


52. Did this book make you laugh? Cry? Cringe? Smile? Cheer? Explain.


This book made me smile when Nick first meets Gatsby and he describes his smile as something so much more than understanding. He continues his description saying that “It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life.” (Fitzgerald 52) This book also made me cringe every time Gatsby tried to convince himself that Daisy never loved Tom and only had eyes for him since everyone except for Gatsby knew it was a lie. Gatsby was so in love with Daisy that he couldn’t see how rotten and careless she truly was.


54. What is the most important sentence/paragraph/passage in this book? The most important event or feeling? Explain.


In my opinion the most important passage in this book is the description of the Valley of Ashes which represents the foul dust that covers the dreams and aspirations of the wealthy. This passage gives us the other side of the story showing the consequences of the lavish lifestyles the roaring twenties are known for. This informs the reader that money and riches are not simply good things since they often come from injustice and death. It also depicts how hungry people in New York City were for money since the rich who commute from Long Island to Manhattan want to pass by the Valley of Ashes as quickly as possible, while the poor desperately want to escape it. 

74. What are some words you don’t know?


Five words found in The Great Gatsby that I was unfamiliar with are:


1. Buoyed (Fitzgerald 12) 

After doing some research I found out that this word means to keep someone or something afloat. 


2. Innuendo (Fitzgerald 44)

This word is used to describe a shady remark that is made to belittle someone.


3. Punctilious (Fitzgerald 68)

This word means to show great attention to detail and appropriate behaviour.


4. Defunct (Fitzgerald 90)

This word is used to describe something no longer existing or functioning. 


5. Portentous (Fitzgerald 143)

This word signifies a sign or warning that something big is likely to happen.


79. If you could step into the book, what’s the first thing you would do?


If I could step into the book, the first thing I would do is attend one of Gatsby’s parties. While I know this is not exactly an original idea, the temptation is irresistible when you take into account how iconic they must have been. Also, it is an experience I would never be able to partake in in any other way since I obviously can’t go back in time and the parties held by modern day socialites are very different to the parties held at Gatsby’s house. Also, from what I know about the 1920’s I have read that it was very experimental with regards to fashion so I would love to see the outfits and hairstyles people would show up in when attending one of these famous parties.



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