HollyWaite

"Gatsby has some serious self esteem issues. Not only can he not ask the women(Daisy) who he is apparently still in Love with to have lunch with him but he had to use Jordan as a messanger to get nick to have an arranged lunch with Daisy so he could see her."

Definitely summed up what I was trying to say in my blog when I said how it was interesting that it was the man who was pining after the woman instead of the other way around which is usually seen in books and movies today. Not only that, it's very weird that Gatsby and Daisy don't seem to have much to say to each other, I just got the idea that there was a sort of tenseness in the air whenever they were together. Not only that, he gets so upset and torn up when he thinks she didn't enjoy his party...good grief.

Faulkner is also known for his sense of sarcasm and symbolism. "Great" is probably an ironic term, but who knows what the rest of the story will reveal.

Well, in Gatsby's case, it's too little too late. The dullness that exists between both Daisy and Gatsby comes off looking like they did and probably still love each other, but given circumstances, nothing can come of it again.

I really like the title you came up with, it is so fitting. I also touched on this some in my blog "He is not very often seen at his own parties because he often falls into the backdrop." I think that this behavior is really strange and I do not see why he does it. This is not the only time he uses a messenger so you are making a good point here. He also uses a messenger to invite Nick to his party to begin with. I think that Gatsby has some serious issues to work out.

It is definitely arguable as to whether or not Gatsby is "great," especially at the end of the story (which I won't get into yet). I think that what he did wrong was focus all of his energy into Daisy. He had great ambition and he achieved wealth, but had no friends and lived a glamorous life masked by money... I had problems with most of the characters within the story, but Gatspy was determined to be like the others. He did not begin wealthy, but made a decision to become it. He was very reserved and seemed to be looking in at his own parties. Gatspy's character seemed to be caught up in reliving the past. I kinda feel bad for him ? :(

I agree with your ending comment to Gatsbys low self esteem issue. We see this a lot through the beginning part of the book. He always has people around him, and we see this happening a lot through Gatsby using Nick to maybe getting closer to Daisy. However, this might be the case since he had been away at war for some time and had not seen Daisy, however he needs to be able to step up and do things for himself if he wants to get anywhere in life.

The Great Gatsby is an ironic title. He seems like such a big shot at the start but it turns out to be a phoney front.

All the people in the story look so good and rich at the start but when you get to know them they are rotten.

Tom Buchanan the rich athlete is a racist, who cheats on his wife, hits his girl friend, treats people like dirt then slithers his way out of trouble like a slimy worm man.

Daisy is so beautiful and desirable that men go crazy for her, but she can't make up her mind or stand up for herself. She too runs away and leaves her lover to die alone.

Jordan Baker the sports woman turns out to be a cheater who wins by cheating.

Even Nick, who came to New York to be a big bond broker quits and goes home by the end of the story. Like a big loser.

Out of it all Gatsby comes out the best. Sure he was a crook and a phoney but he loved Daisy with all his heart. He gave everything to win her love and in the end, died because he wouldn't rat her out.