READING RESPONSE: THE GREAT GATSBY BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

I am about halfway through 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald and I am loving it! Last post I was beginning to describe Gatsby's party, but in this post I will go into more depth. Jay Gatsby is extraordinarily wealthy so his parties included indoor and outdoor pools, dancers and singers (and other forms of entertainment), fireworks, and an ocean side view. His parties were always very loud and lasted throughout the night. Surprisingly however, no one was ever invited. People from all classes in New York traveled to Long Island and simply attend his parties. On the night of the particular party Nick was attending, his friend Jordan Baker, whom he had met while visiting Daisy and Tom, told him an interesting discovery. During the party, Gatsby had whisked Jordan away and told her that he had a past relationship with her friend Daisy. He explained that he threw all his parties to attract her attention, as she lived only across the bay. He informed Jordan that a few years ago him and Daisy had been in love, before Jay went off to war. Upon his return, he was penniless. Although him and Daisy wished to get married, he could never support her. So instead she married Tom Buchanan. Finally, Gatsby explained, now that he was rich, he wanted Daisy back. This news stunned Nick, but he agreed to assist Gatsby in his heroic fight for Daisy, as they were becoming fast friends.

My earlier prediction that Nick would discover Gatsby's true identity turned out to be partially true. He did uncover much about his past and how Daisy was involved, but he still didn't learn where all his wealth came from. I am beginning to feel a little suspicious of Gatsby, because if a few years ago he was broke, how did he suddenly become a millionaire? My next prediction is that Nick will uncover the truth behind Gatsby's wealth, as the secret must come out sooner or later. The author, F. Scott Fitzgerald is greatly talented as I stated in my earlier post, although sometimes it is hard to understand the 1920's literature. 

In conclusion the Great Gatsby is an excellent read and I can't wait to finish it, as I know from the movie that it has a very important moral to share.

READING RESPONSE: THE GREAT GATSBY BY F.SCOTT FITZGERALD

Yesterday I went to see The Great Gatsby with my friend at the movies. I greatly enjoyed it and decided that I should read the book. I just bought it today, so I don't know much about the plot yet, but I will retell as much as I have discovered.

The story is told from the point of view of a man named Nick Carraway. Nick has come to live in long island for the Summer so he can be near his second cousin Daisy Buchanan and her husband Tom. He quickly becomes intrigued by his neighbor, a very wealthy man named Jay Gatsby. Mr. Gatsby often throws large extravagant parties with his surplus of money, and on one of these such occasions, Nick finds himself invited to the party. However, when he attends he realizes that none of the guests know who Gatsby is or have ever seen him before. Nick hears many rumors such as Gatsby was a prince who killed a man, but eventually he meets Gatsby, and he finds all these things to be untrue.

I predict that Nick will discover Gatsby's real identity, and where all his money comes from, as no one seems to know. I predict this because Nick and Gatsby are neighbors, and I think they will become close, and eventually Nick will uncover his secrets.

The author, F. Scott Fitzgerald is greatly talented. Although this book was written in the 1920's its moral is still applicable to the 21st century. So far I am greatly enjoying this book, and I can't wait to read more.

 Hurricane Song by Paul Volponi

   'Hurricane Song' by Paul Volponi is a historical fiction book about how a father and son survive throughout the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina. The protagonist, Miles, is a young boy with an obsession of football, who comes to live with his dad, Pops, a musician in New Orleans after Pops and Miles's mother divorce. Their relationship is rough, as Miles believes that his father favors music over him and doesn't support his passion of football. When Katrina hits, Miles and Pops are forced to take refuge in the Superdome, where they face many challenges. Among these challenges are unsanitary bathrooms, lack of supplies, and gang violence. Originally Miles and Pops had a rough and confusing relationship, but as time progresses and as they face the hardships of the Superdome, they come to realize that they love each other, even though Miles thought Pops favored music over him. The author wants the reader to know that hard times can bring people together, such as the challenges in the Superdome changed Miles, Pops, and their relationship for the better.

   Before hurricane Katrina, Miles was a selfish boy who thought of nothing else besides football. He believed his father didn't care for him, and this caused him to hang out with some bad people. Among these people were Dunham and Caine, who were football jocks. Once in the Superdome, Dunham and Caine become gang members and they stole people's money, food and supplies. Miles was pressured into joining them, but in that moment he began to change and he realized it was wrong, so he declined. Another example of when Miles changed was when he played the drums at a funeral. He became really involved in the rhythm and beat, which pleased his father, and helped him understand that football wasn't everything. A final example of when Miles changed was near the end of the book, when he assisted his father in carrying a piano out of a jazz club so burglars didn't steal it in the chaos.

   Pops changed a lot throughout the book as well. The first few months of Miles living with him, he gave Miles the impression that he favored music over him, which was probably true. When Miles specifically asked for sporting equipment for his birthday, Pops gave him a drum, hoping to create a love of music inside of him. When they begin to reside in the Superdome, Pops insists that he doesn't want to get involved in anyone's problems. As the situation becomes dire, and the hardships of the Superdome become worse, Pops assists people less fortunate than him, and comforts the family of a man who committed suicide. Finally, when a gang starts a fire, Pops grabs his trumpet and Miles as well, which shows how much he is starting to care for Miles, as he willingly saves his life.

  Their relationship also undergoes many changes. In the beginning of the novel, Miles and Pops live nearly separate lives. Miles plays football, and Pops plays jazz music on his many instruments. As they try to survive during Hurricane Katrina, they become closer. Miles expresses an interest in music, and Pops becomes open to the idea of Miles playing football. Pops decides to rebel and he leaves the Superdome, and Miles willingly follows him. Once outside of the former sports arena Miles is strangled by a looter on the street and Pops hits the man over the head with his most prized possesion, his trumpet. Afterwards, Pop says "I couldn't lose you Miles, not for anything", which is a perfect example of how they come to love each other.

   In conclusion, Miles and Pops become closer, as does their relationship, as they suffer through the hardships of the Superdome. This book showed me that I shouldn't take my good relationship with my parents for granted, as sometimes people have to go through life threatening situations in order to become close.