WHAT ARE WE LEARNING NOW

If we let ourselves be controlled we will never know what to believe. As an individual, we should be allowed to be fully informed about whatever is going on and make a decision based on what we have learned. Having others control what you see and hear makes for a very dysfunctional society. We become puppets to a puppet master. Society will be lead by people's greed and personal ambitions.

WHY I WORK

Why do you care about enough to work for? A relationship? A project? A principle?
 A care enough about my mental health and goals to work for them. I know if I keep a positive mindset I can accomplish many things. Putting effort into something you love or passionate about makes the results feel amazing.

451 QUESTIONS, 20 ANSWERS

1. “The Hearth and the Salamander” seems an odd choice for a chapter title. Why do you suppose Bradbury chose it? What connections did he want to create? (hint: in mythology, the salamander is a fire lizard, said to be capable of starting and putting out fires) . I suppose Bradbury choose the salamander to show imagery. He wanted to create a connection with the main character Montag maybe.
2. The lines, “It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed” (1) tell the reader a great deal about the protagonist, Guy Montag. What assumptions can the reader make? We can assume that the protagonist is a firefighter who enjoys their job.
3. Bradbury’s use of metaphor and animal imagery begins on page one of the novel. He writes, “With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head...” (1). Why would he have chosen to characterize a fire hose as a “great python?” Is the imagery positive or negative? He chooses to characterize the hose as a great python be it shoots venom that destroys and the hose doesn't shoot water it shoots kerosene. The imagery here is negative.
4. Also on the first page, we learn that Montag’s fire-helmet is inscribed with the number 451. What is the symbolic importance of this number?  The number 451 is the temperature in which paper burns. The firemen in this novel cause fires instead of preventing them.
5. Explain how Clarisse McClellan is first described. What is it about her that immediately strikes Montag? Clarisse McClellan is first described as a young fierce girl. Montage is immediately struck by her unusual opinions and interests.
6. The names “Clarisse” and “Guy” are significant. How? The names Clarisse and guy are significant because even though she only appeared at the beginning of the novel, Clarisse symbolizes everything the guy is not.
7. Clarisse questions Montag about his way of life. How does she question him, and how does he react to
   her questions? Clarisse questions if Montage is happy and if he really enjoys what he does for a living. Montag reacts very quick in an offended manner.
8. During the first conversation between Clarisse and Montag, the reader discovers several odd things about the society in which these two characters live. Describe at least three odd things we learn. Fireman cause fires, society is very depressing, people don't stop to take a good look anymore.
9. Montag employs two similes in thinking of Clarisse. What comparisons does he make and why? He compares her to other people her age and how she's very outspoken.  Everyone during this time is very kept to themselves.
10. What does Montag realize about himself after Clarisse leaves him the first time? Montag realizes that he's not happy.
11. What are “Seashells” and how does Montag’s wife, Mildred/Millie, use them? The seashells are earphones. Montag's wife uses them when Montag is speaking to her.
12. There is a stark difference between Bradbury’s first description of Clarisse and his first description of
    Mildred. What does the reference to her face (11) signify and how does it contribute to our
    understanding of both her character and the marriage between Montag and Mildred? The marriage between Montag and Mildred is very happy. They sleep in separate beds and they don't even have proper conversations. 
13. Describe the machine used on Mildred. Explain the symbolism. The machine has a tube that first slides down her throat and the other machine sucks all the blood out and replaces it with new blood. The machine used on Mildred is described as a snake.
14. Montag’s comment that “Nobody knows anyone” (14) is telling. What is the epiphany he has? That no one talks to each other anymore. Everyone is basically like a robot and doesn't pay attention to actual life.
15. Unthinkingly, Montage finds himself drawn to the window of the McClellan household. Explain the
    contrast between his house and this one. What does the contrast tell the reader about society at large? In the McClellan house, the lights are on. Their people inside have conversations and look alive. This tells the reader that society is in a way dead.
16. Montag’s confused statement, “‘I don’t know anything anymore’” (15) signifies a pivotal moment in the
    text. Explain. He doesn't know who he really is. He now is aware of his unhappiness. He doesn't know why he chooses the job he does. 
17. When Mildred wakes up from her near-death experience, she does not seem to remember what
    happened. Describe her mood at this point. Why has Bradbury characterized her this way? What does
    Millie’s conversation with Montag reveal about her? Her mood is very calm and unaware of what just happened. She does wake up hungry. Bradbury describes her as a forgetful uncaring person. The conversation with Montag reveals that she's selfish.
18. Why does Clarisse visit the psychiatrist? Clarisse visits the psychiatrist to keep people from thinking she is crazy.
19. What is “the Hound” and what is its function? Why is Montag bothered by the Hound? The hound is a mutant robot dog. The hound is used to search for books. Montag is bothered by the hound because is always growls at him.
20. Why does the woman want to stay-- and burn, and die--with her books, rather than surrender to the fireman and leave the books and her home to burn? Her life revolves around books. Without them she feels dead. She rather leave with them, then to feel alone.

ACADMENY OF ONE

During this time of isolation, I've been pretty calm. It wasn't much of a routine difference for me (perks of having strick parents). I really do just miss seeing my friends. Even though I talked to them every day through the phone, it's not the same. The only thing driving me kinda nuts is having my siblings around full time. It was kinda nice having my parents both home for once in a very long time. We haven't eaten at the dinner table all together since probably Thanksgiving. Now I'm kinda over them being both around because it drives me nuts having two strick parents breathing down my neck 24/7. I'm very grateful that I got to spend time with my grandparents during this time. My grandma has a severe pancreatic cancer, so it was especially nice to cook her meals and just spend time without worry about the time. I've got back into baking. I was a pro at this during Jr High and haven't done it since freshman year. I had time to practice my instrument and it was a refreshing hobby to do once again. I also had fun with makeup. I even order a highlight palette that I've wanted since Jr High and just a couple days ago they brought it back. That was probably the highlight of all this. I especially enjoy online gaming with my friends. My best friend and I  are on our 12 season of PUBG mobile. We both became addicted to this game during freshman year and now it is a rewarding distraction after all school work is completed. Cleaning the house was also a major part of isolation (LOL). I've got so bored on a day I began cleaning the walls. I sadly did mess up my sleeping schedule, but it was bound to happen at some point. During this time of isolation, I learned that I'm not a person to panick.

Cue Theme Music

I think the central message of The Great Gatsby is that no matter how much you pursue something it doesn't always end up how you wanted it. It's simply a possibility.

I think this because

• Gatsby became a man with money to impress Daisy.
• He through the enormous party's to attract Daisy to him. 
• Gatsby die and all his efforts went to waste because Daisy didn't even choose him.

Preview Of Great Gatsby Essay

  
Topic

Is Gatsby’s desire for success—however we define it—evidence of the American dream, obsession, a personal sense of honor, or something else? Does Gatsby symbolize our culture and even our own desires, or is he an outlier?



The American dream is something everyone tries to accomplish. Having a home with a husband or wife and kids. Maybe with the occasional pet dog. Gatsby's desire for success is evidence of the American Dream. His obsession with a woman that was already out of his reach, cost him his life at the end. Just like in our culture we sometimes work ourselves to death to achieve what we want.

Everything Gatsby did was to impress Daisy. Hoping that she would leave her husband for him. Gatsby bought himself a large mansion across the water from where Dasiy lived. He would through enormous party's, in the hope of one day to attract Daisy. Throwing large party's and moving close to women whose's already taken for small the hope she will willing come back to you seems pretty obsessive.

Gatsby even got close to Nick whose Daisy's cousin. He was able to convince Nick to invite Daisy over for tea at Nicks's place. This was the beginning of Gatsby's obsession. This later led Nick and Gatsby to go over to Daisy's place. Gatsby created a friendship with Nick to get what he wanted, which was Daisy. His plan almost worked, but Daisy decided to be indecisive. She admitted loving both Tom and Gatsby. You would think this would show Gatsby that Daisy was a waste of his time, but that wasn't enough for Gatsby to end his obsession with Daisy.

I feel like Gatsby's actions from the novel do symbolize our culture. We still now do everything in our power to get what we want. Sometimes our selfishness gets in our way, but humans do make mistakes. Sometimes when we try and fix our mistakes we hurt others in the process. 

Whats So Great About Gatsby

1. Is Gatsby great?  Is he even good?  Why/ why not?
2. Nick opens the book by complimenting himself for his honesty.  Is Nick honest with himself?  Why does he constantly hang out with dishonest people?  Why does he respect them and seek out relationships with them?
I feel like Gatsby is a little great, but more on the selfish side as well. I find it amusing that he put all that work in for a woman who doesn't know what she wants. Gatsby was foolish to change himself for a person who doesn't give him respect. Gatsby's efforts to get Daisy was selfish because his actions harm others in the way. I feel like Nick is no longer honest with himself. He knows what Gatsby's intentions with Daisy are and yet he still follows along. Maybe Nick hangs out with dishonest people to make himself feel better about himself or needed. Nick respects the people he surrounds himself with because he was taught not to judge others.

3. Fitzgerald describes Daisy and Tom this way: “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”  What does this mean?  Do you agree?
It means that their people who act when it benefits them, but when it doesn't go as the plan they let others suffer their consequences. I agree with Fitzgerald. Daisy never tells Tom she's the one that killed Murtle and Tom knew that Mr. Wilson plans to kill Gatsby. They both keep quit and watch others get hurt.

4. Do you understand Daisy's behavior?  Do you agree with her choices?  Is she a person you would let your brother/son/friend date?
I don't understand Daisy's behavior. She has what they call the American dream. I don't agree with her choices. She leads Gatsby on and gets his hopes up only for her to lock her self up and let him suffer. Daisy is not the type of person I would let my brother, son or friend date. 

5. The last line of the book: "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."  What does this mean?  How does it relate to the theme/s of the book?
This means we try very hard to change the past because we didn't like the outcome of it in the future. This relates to the theme of the story by showing greed. Instead of moving on from what has happened we let our greed make chooses to try and change what is already done because it didn't turn out how we wanted it.

Gatsby Chapter 9 Notes and Thoughts

• Madman- George Wilson was living in a moment of pain that no one can understand.
• Wilson shot Gatsby in cold blood.
• Gatsby was shot in his pool and the Wilson shot himself.
• Catherine, Daisy's sister lies about her and Gatsby's relations and about Toms's affairs.
• Catherine that Daisy was happy with her husband and her sister was in no mischief.
• Nick finds out that the people around Gatsby don't care about him after his death.
• No one wants to be around for Gatsby's funeral.
• The postman is one of the only people who showed up at the funeral.
• Nick is reflecting on his life, where he's been, the past, and where he is now.
• Nick is feeling like and fish out of the water and now knows he has to go home. A home where things will be normal.

Gatsby Chapter 8 Notes and Thoughts/ Pgs.-154-170 158

1. What does Gatsby tell Nick about his night when Nick shows up early in the morning?  What does Gatsby say about what happened between Tom and Daisy?
Gatsby tells Nick "that nothing happened" and " I waited, and about four o'clock she came to the window and stood there for a minute and then turned out the light".Gatsby tells Nick that Tom and Daisy made love to each other.
2. What does Nick suggest that Gatsby does?  Why does Gatsby reject Nick's suggestion?
Nick suggests Gatsby to forget about Daisy and leave Long Island. Gatsby rejects Nick's suggestion because he hopes that Daisy will still leave Tom.
3. What does Gatsby say about the way he and Daisy left each other the first time when he went to war?
Gatsby says that he felt married to Daisy.
4. The gardener interrupts to tell Gatsby he wants to drain the pool.  Why, in the middle of all of this drama, do you think the author interrupts the tense relationship dialogue with a secondary character and mention of the pool?  Why do you think it's important that Gatsby wants to swim at least once in his own pool?
I feel like the author interrupts all this drama to bring suspicion to the readers. I feel like its important because its Gatsby's first time taking a breather for himself. Throughout the whole book, he was just chasing after Daisy.

• Redolent- means aromatic
• Daisy wasn't looking for Mr.Right she was looking for Mr. Right Now.
• Cheap Sharper-Conartist
• "It was just personal"- Gatsby is in pain but doesn't want to show it.
• God is always watching.
• George shot Gatsby and then George shot himself.