4/20/09

Mostly Gatsby

I am half way through a large stack of grading, mostly dealing with The Great Gatsby. Here are some gems, and I can almost guarantee a fresh batch by the end of the week. I think the first one is the only one not pulled from a Gatsby assignment. As always, these are taken directly from student work. My comments are in ( ).

- Gretchen does not hold the perspective that is probable for her.

- (From the Department of Redundancy Department) ...that character will not be able to fully fulfill the intended purpose of the author.

- Gatsby getting killed was for the best. (Somehow I think he would disagree.)

- She is having drinks with her friends and her new dog. (I hope the dog doesn't drink too much. I hate drunk dogs.)

- People don't get what they always get. (Not even in context did this make sense.)

- (As to why the student read less than half of the novel:) Too long of chapters to read in one night, and trying to work, and find something to eat after work, and then read a 20 page chapter at 9:30 at night.

- I did like the novel because it was like a sope opera. (What is sope, anyway?)

- The book had a lot of deeper stuff in it you had to realize yourself.

- The people getting killed was cool.

- He said his parent lived in the city and that they were dead.

- Gatsby likes to have parties where everyone is invited and no invitation is needed.

- Tom is married to Daisy but he also has Myrtle in the background.

- Gatsby's dream is to be with Daisy aging. (I think "again" was the intended word.)

- When Myrtle is with Tom she almost crosses the line between her in the face. (?)

- Gatsby's fantasy life represents the American dream in a way because happiness occurs, rich, and the lady. (Kinda peters out there at the end, no?)

- Gatsby and Myrtle tried to illusion there own dream.

- Gatsby's money is earned by boat legging.

- The American dream is an achievement not worth achieving for.

- He soled alcohol.

- In Tom's case he has sex with poor people.

Well, that is it for now. I've got tons more to grade this week, so stay tuned.

Jeremiah

2 comments:

  1. But what perspective IS probable for Gretchen?

    Drunk dogs ARE the worst. Poor Pressler Pup!

    The book had a lot of deeper stuff in it you had to realize yourself. (I prefer deeper stuff others realize for me.)

    No, I thinking "aging" works. The quiet years. The unwritten (but implied) Act 4.

    I've tried to illusion my own dreams so many #^%!ing times!

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  2. I have no idea what perspective is probable for her. I'll go with Third Person Limited.
    I am constantly realizing deeper stuff for my students. Gets tiring...

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