Chapter 8 and 9 The Great Gatsby

Chapter 8:

After reading chapter eight I feel really depressed. I just feel bad for Gatsby. I feel as if there is no way for him to be happy and it was so nice of him to take the blame for Myrtle’s death. I just think that Gatsby only finds temporary happiness in material things. And Daisy is kinnnnd of a material object to him. I just don’t really enjoy this book. It seems as if it is a soap opera with everyone cheating on everyone else.

Chapter 9: The end of the book was crazy. I cannot beleive what I have just read. Wilson kills Gatsby (wilson is myrtle's husband) and then he kills himself!!! OMG. I think that in a way Gatsby is sort of freed, if you know what I mean. I just feel really bad because he died because of Daisy who wasn't even his real lover. This book frusterated me and I feel that it is a great disappointment to read all of this, all for him to just die because of a stupid, dramatic, annoying woman. Ugh. This book made me sad.

Chapter 7 The GREAT GATSBY

In chapter seven, it was really awkward between all of the characters. I can’t believe what happened. Tom discovers what is going on between Gatsby and Daisy! He confronts Gatsby and witty as he is, he calls him “old sport”. Gatsby simply replies that Daisy is in love with him. They go to New York, and take separate cars. As Daisy witnesses Tom and Gatsby fight, she seems to be leaning more towards Tom. Tom tries to be tough and macho and sends Daisy home with Gatsby, just to prove that she does not love him or something like that. On the way home Daisy was driving and she hit Myrtle and killed her!!! I can’t believe this happened. OH THE IRONY. Anyways, Gatsby is going to take the blame for the accident, which is very chivalrous of him. We discover this while Nick and Gatsby are talking in Gatsby’s bushes; because Gatsby is keeping watch to protect Daisy. This chapter was more interesting for me to read. I really just can’t believe this happened. Gatsby is kind of sad and decides not to have parties anymore because of Daisy, which was the initial reason for his parties in the first place. I feel bad for him, and I just want Daisy and Gatsby to get together. L

Chapter 6 GREAT GATSBY

In chapter six, it talked about Gatsby’s past. He was not always rich. He worked as a janitor to earn his tuition for college, and one day on a boat he went to a man to warm him about the upcoming storm, and the man was so grateful, he hired Gatsby as his assistant. Gatsby feel in love with being wealthy and rich. The man asked Gatsby to look after him while he was drunk, it was his job to do that. Because of this Gatsby was not fond of drinking. This chapter was interesting to read. I question Gatsby if he’s telling the truth because it is all the gossip that he is a bootlegger or something like that. I’m not too sure what that means but I’m pretty sure because of what we have said in class that he is in a mafia and that’s how he is so wealthy. I have trouble focusing while I read this book. It’s strange that I can read other books so quickly and comprehend them, but this one I do struggle with. Fitzgerald is very descriptive and writes very pretty, but sometimes I wish he could just say what he means in a simple way.

The Great Gatsby Chapters 4 and 5

4:

I found that while reading chapter four, I was much more interested than the previous chapters. Gatsby and Nick decide to go to New York, which gives them a wonderful opportunity for their relationship to develop on a deeper level. Gatsby tells Nick about his life, saying that his parents were rich but they died, in San Francisco. Gatsby shows Nick his medal and a picture. I really enjoyed reading this chapter because previous chapters seemed to linger on for me. I feel that the book is now finally getting started and its interesting to read about the life of a wealthy person compared to average people. It seems a bit unfair that they get special treatment but that’s just how life is. I also think that Gatsby could be a little bit full of the truth. His stories seem to be fake but I can’t tell if he is lying or not. I would like to think that he is telling the truth, but I always wonder why in the world the author would have the character lie.

5:

I think that it’s exciting for Nick to go on a date with Daisy. I think books are always much more interesting when there is romance in the story. It’s also easier for me to read. I can’t decide if I like the book yet or not. I suppose I am indifferent to it. Anyways, in this chapter, Gatsby seems that he would do absolutely anything for Nick, and I find this strange. He even offered to have someone cut his grass. I guess if I had a lot of money, I wouldn’t want to waste it all on myself and I would want to share my wealth with my friends. I think that it was strange how anxious Gatsby got when Daisy was coming over, and it was unnecessary to knock Nick’s clock over. . Daisy is married to Tom, and I don’t think the relationship will last because of this, and how faithful she is to him.  I don’t really understand why he did this, and I was happy to see that they warmed up to each other (Daisy and Gatsby) after they were acquainted. But it seemed the only way Daisy would like Gatsby was after he showed her how much money they have. It was almost as if he was showing offOver all this was an easy chapter to read.

28 && 29

Chapter 28:
In this chapter, thankfully Marija and Jurgis get freed from jail. And then we discover that Marija is addicted to morphine; I can't believe this! How can she even afford to be addicted to a drug. It's really sad that she resulted to prostitution. Eeeew. Marija then gives Jurgis Teta Elizabeth's address and he will go visit her when he finds a job. He comes to realize that he is afraid to go see Teta because he abondoned the family after his sn died. As he is pondering this in a politacal meeting room, he dozes off. But then a women urges him to listen to the speeches. While listening he is happy to hear that this is a good political speech, and the party agrees with all of his views! He is so elated! Yay
Chapter 29:
After listening to this Jurgis finds someone to ask about the political party. The man explains that party has two economic classes. He also explains that the workes must gain workers consciousness. Ostrinki explains socialism as well, and explains it as the "new religion" of humanity. This chapter is just Jurgis learning of this new political party in his life and he is happy to know there is something that he agrees with completely!

26 && 27

Chapter 26:
In this chapter a strike begins at Jurgis's job. This amazes me because he is recieving three dollars a day, wich means he's doing nothing and he argued to receive that wage. In this chapter descrimination takes place against the union leaders, which causes another strike. Jurgis is the boss of the killing beds, which is suprising.
Later on Jurgis come upon a man Phill Connor in Packingtown, and attacks him. Jurgis is a violent man. He has changed so much from the beginning of the novel. He goes to jail to find that connor is one of Scully's favorites. UH OH. Jurgis pays his pail, is poor, and moves to the other end of Chicago.
Chapter 27:
Jurgis begins begging for a job. Its hard for him to live in such run down places because he had previously had much money and he wenty from all, to nothing. I bet that would be really hard if I was in his positing as well. He finds someone that he knew before, and she gave him the address to see Marija. This made me very excited for him to go see his family finally! Sadly, the family ends up having a horrible story, which should be no suprise, and Jurgis once again spends another night in jail.

23, 24, 25

Chapter 23:
Jurgis goes back to Chicago in the fall, and finds a job. It is digging underground tunnels. I bet that must have been a very scary and challenging job. Jurgis didn't even realize the purpose of his job, until a year after working at it. The purpose was to break the power of the teamster's union. Jurgis broke his arm during an accident at work and spent his Christmas in the hospital. After he was permitted to leave the hospital, Jurgis came to find is was the middle of Winter, and he attended a religious gathering just to keep warm. His life is pitiful, and sad.


Chapter 24:
The same winter, Jurgis is hiding in saloons, searching and competing for a warm place to stay. The competition for a job had never been more extreme, and as Jurgis is at a saloon, he happens upon a very rich young man, named Freddie Jones. Jones invites Jurgis to stay at his place and gives him a 100 dollar bill for the cab, and tells him to keep the change. After eating a hearty meal at Jones' place, he realized his father was the owner of Jurgis' very first job at a factory. He also comes to find that Freddie's father is known as "Jone's the packer". Freddie falls asleep and just as this happens, the butler tells Jurgis to leave, because he doesn't approve of him. I wonder How Jurgis felt seeing the life of a man completely on the other side of the spectrum.


Chapter 25:
In the beginning of this chapter, Jurgis is wanting change for the hundred dollar bill he acquired. He takes it to a saloon and the man cheats him and takes all of his money. Out of anger, Jurgis attacks the bar tender, then gets sent to prison for ten days. The judges find his story comical and do not believe him. In jail he realizes that the life of a criminal is the way to go, so Jurgis begins doing many crimes, that including political schemes. Near the end of the chapter, it tells that Jurgis now has a job, as a hog trimmer. When the Republican candidate is elected, Jurgis becomes 300 dollars richer and guess what he does? Goes on a drinking binge. Very intelligent of you Jurgis.

20, 21, 22

Chapter 20:
In this chapter Jurgis begins looking for a job, for his son's sake. The book then reveals that he is not capable of receiving a job any where in Packingtown because he is blacklisted. This family just cannot catch any good luck, is what I was thinking, until Jurgis found a job two weeks later. Thanks to his acquaintance,  it was at a factory with MUCH better conditions than previous work. After reading this I was so pleased and excited for Jurgis, for him getting a job and beginning to learn English, until the section of the factory that Jurgis worked in was about to be closed down until further notice. How devastating.


Chapter 21:
Because of Jurgis' lack of job, the children's income must keep the family from starving. I can't imagine what it would be like if my family's survival depended on me working. That is just crazy. Things begin looking up once again in this chapter, only to end horribly again. The crippled child goes to the dump in search for food, where he finds a rich lady that is curious about his life style. She graciously write Jurgis a letter of recommendation for a job at a steel mill that her fiance owns. Because the job is far away, he must only come home on the weekends to spend time with his baby that he loves so dearly. One weekend he comes home, only to find that his child had died. It really is appalling how terrible these people's lives are and how that can just continue to get worse and worse and worse.


Chapter 22:
Jurgis is devastated at the death of his son, and at the first glance of his dead body, he leaves without one word. Jurgis goes to the country by train. The air, and calmness is just a breath of fresh air for him. He cleans his clothes in a near by stream, then finds a farmhouse and tries to buy food, but the owner refuses to sell food to a "tramp". Jurgis finds a kind farmer that gaurunteed him a job till November and let him sleep in the farm, but Jurgis takes down the offer because he wants work all winter long. He then explains the struggle of finding a job in the city during the winter season. Later on, Jurgis works for two weeks, and receives a considerable amount of money, that previously, would have meant a fortune to him. Sadly, he spent it all in one night on alcohol, and women. This is so incredibly frustrating to me, because he finally had a chance to do something good, and he caught a stream of good luck, but he just wasted it.

Reading over Turkey Breakkkkk

After reading the section that we were assigned of the Jungle, I am a bit overwhelmed because of all that happened. At first, everything was going really well for the family, which made me pleased because in previous chapters they had been so devestated, but then things took a turn for the worse. The family began comprehending the evil doings of the factory, for they all worked in such varied areas they could see all the crime being done. Jurgis was sent to jail, grandpa dies, and they have no money, nor food. It explains the terrible things happening to the women as well. This reading fooled me at the beginning thinking things were going to be okay, but in the end everthing is just going terribly for them. It was really sad to read this and I can't imagine what it would be like to be in this family's position. I get hungry going from breakfast, to sitting in school waiting for the clock to strike 11:15. I truly can't imagine what it would be like to be poor or starving and I feel so terrible for this family. It saddens my heart that all of this is true. Reading sad strories is one thing, but reading novels based on true events that are sad is very depressing, and I don't like what I'm reading. I really don't. :(

Moby Dick: Chapter 1

After reading Moby Dick, I regret picking this book. I feel as if this is going to be a very dry and boring novel about a man named Ishmael. He feels as his its going to be a freezing November so he is going to sail from New York to New Bedford, in search of a great adventure. I feel as if Ishmael and all of the other men are going to die or go through many hardships on their adventure. I’m hoping that maybe Mr. Boyd would possibly let me switch books. I am interested in reading The Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Blake and Jenny are reading that and it looks very interesting and I would like to buy that book. I am not expecting Moby Dick to be very exciting, because what I have read is very lengthy and does not tickle my fancy. During chapter two the book mentions Ishmael stumbling into a church full of weeping African Americans. I wonder if the sermon being preached about the blackness of darkness, was a bit of foreshadowing that during Ishmael’s voyage, he will stumble upon something dark. Not only does he stumble into this, but an inn with an ominous name, “Spouter-Inn” owned by an even creepier name, Peter Coffin. I feel that there is about to be something bad to happen. I really don not like reading this book it is sooooo incredibly boring. If you are reading this Mr. Boyd, please let me switch books!

The Jungle; Chapters 4, 5, & 6

Reading chapter four was exciting. I enjoyed seeing Jurgis so proud of himself for obtaining a job. He was a sweeper in the killing beds. It is a simple job and Jurgis was very jubilant to begin work. In chapter four the family also made a very big decision. They decided to buy a house that they saw on an advertisement. Although the house was very different than the paper illustrated, they bought it. They weren’t sure about the decision they had made and were very frightened it was a scam. This chapter amazed me at how fast they began their lives in America.

Chapter five begins with the family beginning to furnish their new home. I noticed in this chapter that the picture advertisements were very smart and successful for immigrants, and was a smart business trap. I liked in this chapter how the book described to the reader what they ate. That amused me, because I was pondering their diet, while reading in earlier chapters. This is the chapter where Jurgis discovers that good people fail in life, and the evil prevail. It is eye opening to Jurgis, and he doesn’t like being apart of the bad people. I feel bad for him because he was so excited about getting a job, and he now realizes that it is in a way, very bad.

Chapter six begins with telling us that Jurgis and Ona are very in love. This is about the only content statement in the chapter. Sadly, a woman from the neighborhood tells the family that the house was meant to be a scam, and they are going to begin to charge interest on top of the monthly rent. Because of this, Ona must get a job as well as the child. It was very depressing to see how disappointed the family was, but they all found jobs, and they will be okay, money wise.

This reading was very easy for me to understand, and it really suprised me how much they had to walk, and carry all of their new things for miles on foot. I can't imagine what that would be like.

The Jungle Chapter 1, 2, 3, &4

After reading these chapters of The Jungle I had a lot of trouble understanding what was going on. It is very difficult for me to read something that takes place in a foreign country because I have trouble visualizing the story, thus, me not understanding. What I did get out of the reading was that there were two people, Jurgis and Ona, and they just got married in Lithuania and had a really strange reception, where many babies attended.  The reception was in a Saloon, which I though was very strange. It seems that this is a very poor country and I just really had a difficult time picturing this story in my mind because it is so different from anything I have ever read. Even after reading Spark Notes I feel completely lost with what I have read. Maybe the discussion in class will help me understand and I can find a method to help me understand this novel.

Freddie D Essay

The topic that I chose is number six; Using The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass, create a reasoned argument that demonstrates why slavery is a dehumanizing experience for the slave. My central argument will be that because the slaves weren't thought of as people, they could not think of themsleves as people. Being sold, auctioned, whipped, starved, raped, and worked to death is what they had to endure. My essay will show examples, citing the text, and showing how one articulate slave, could tell just his story and how he survived the mortifying trials of slavery.

Freddie D; The Ending

The ending of this novel is very satifying. I really enjoyed reading
it because usually when you read about slaves you spend so much time just to find that they didn't make it. It's very
depressing seeing how oppressed and abused they are. But Frederick Douglass stuck it through. He believed in
himself and knew his way to freedom. He got married which is so incredibly exciting, aswell as being a free man! I really did enjoy reading this book because it shows that if you perservere,
you can really overcome many obsticles. Frederick Douglass was such an incredible man and this novel truly testifies that.
This novel makes me want to learn more not only about slaves, but black history. I enjoyed this reading immensley!

Discussion Questions & Comments:

Why would they not set his grandmother free, but provide a place for her to live in isolation?

If I were being ranked and divided to go to a new place, I would be extremely scared, just as Douglass was.

Was it signifact that after one memer of the family died, another immediately followed? (The Master's family)

I can't imagine what it would be like to starve.

Although they did think of slaves as property, why would you treat property so terrible. You would take care of it so you could get as much use out of it as possible. Did the masters do this because of fear?

I'm scared for Douglass as he has a new master.

Fredrick Douglass:::

     After reading, I feel very depressed. The life of Frederick Douglass is just terrible, and I don't know what I would do if I was him. The thing thats sad to me is that because he experienced the kindness of white people, he now is suffereing in some ways the most, because he knows what its like to be treated a little bit as a human. This reading really helped me realize how dehumanizing slavery was. They ranked the slaves along with the pigs, horses, and sheep. And when the division took place, it really saddened my heart to see how anxious Frederick was. I feel this way because I know that if I were in his postition, I would be frightened as well. Change is scary, especially when it comes to viscious masters, and new unknown places.
     The reading also told about Frederick's grandmother, and how they sent her to be isolated in the forest, to die of lonliness. She had been a slave for life, she out lived her master, and she did everything in her power to obey her master. I really can't fathom how cruel people were, but when I think about the excuses people give them today, they say it's because they didn't think of slaves as people but as property. But why would anyone treat their property so bad? I don't trash my house, just because it's property. I take care of it so I can get signifcant use out of it. When it comes down to it, I really think half of the reason masters were so violent towards their slaves was because of fear. Fear of them revolting and taking over. There were more slaves than there were white people and what would have happened if they all revolted as one? This reading has brought me to this quetsion.

Discussion Questions & Comments; Chapters 5, 6, &7

My Dearest Class,  

My partner is Bre Lozoya.

Chapter 5

Questions: Why would Colonel Lloyd send Douglass to Baltimore if he knew it was such a great place full of opportunities for him?

Why did the colonel not give Douglass so much work, if he was able to work?

Comments: I enjoyed how hopeful this chapter was.

I thought it was sad how he was joyful to leave the plantation.

Chapter 6

Questions: If Douglass' Mistress seemed to be such a genuinely kind woman, why do you think she changed in to such a mean person, instead of just discontinuing her teaching.

Comments: I find it interesting that Alas started teaching Douglass although he did not ask for it. In a way, she sparked a very important interest in his life that was very useful to him.

Chapter 7



Questions: If the mistress was suspicious of Douglass reading, why do you think she still left him alone at times? Do you think its possible that she knew and didn't stop it?

Comments: Frederick Douglass was a very clever man.

Freddie D; Chapter 5, 6, & 7

     Chapter five makes me feel very hopeful for Douglass. He's so excited to leave Colonel Lloyd and he's suffered so much at this plantation. The novel states that he only had one linen shirt that went down to his knees. He had no pants, coats, no shoes, nor stockings. He was practically starved, and recieved his first pair of trousers in chapter five! This suprised me so much. I can't fathom what it would be like to be owned by such rich people, yet be deprived of so many things. Douglass is very excited for what the future hold for him this chapter and it's nice to read about him being greatful that he gets to leave the Great House Farm. Baltimore is such an amazing place according to his description and he is so thankful that it changed and saved his life. I find it sad that he's so excited to be a slave somewhere, just the mere fact that he gets to leave makes him so ecstatic. I would be too if I recieved such a kind, white mistress.
    Chapter six explains how Douglass's mistress began to teach him how to read, but the she gets repremended for it by her husband. This shows Douglass that knowledge is power, and also illegal for slaves, which makes him want to do it so much more. It really inspires me how much he wants to learn. So many people today take learning for granted and he strived for it so much. He knew that knowledge was the key and it would free him. This chapter also showed me that slavery changes people for the worst. Douglass's mistress was such a kind hearted woman, but after she realized how slaves were supposed to be treated, she turned to a stone cold woman. 
    Chapter seven tells how Frederick would take poor white boys bread and ask them to teach him how to read. It made me happy to see how very and geniunly greatfull he still was, and he thanked them, and didn't want to embarrass them by acknowledging them by their names. I really appreciate how much he wanted to learn, I wish that kids today appreciated knowledge as much as Douglass does. This chapter also explains how Douglass would even trick boys into teaching him to read. I found this very clever, and he obviously was not a stupid slave. He was inredibly intelligent, not to mention he was only 11 or 12 at the time.     

Amistad Reaction

After watching this, it really makes me feel depressed, sad, and frightened at how cruel people were. I would hope that people would choose to be kind but they only can is when theres a law saying they have to be. I am so shocked at how they treated the slaves. They treated them worse than animals, and I always knew this, but seeing it really makes things seem real. I would jump off of the ship if I had a chance to. I would because i wouldn't be able to starve, and get beat, and sold, and beat, and worked to death. The sad thing is that slaves didn't know what lay ahead of them in their miserable lives. If I was on board with my baby, I have no idea what i would do. If I recieved rations of food I would give it to my baby. That would be such a mortifying situation to be in I can't imagine myself in those women's places. This movie is so disturbing and that sad thing is that this all actually happened. It sickening, disturbing, and depressing.

Chapters 2, 3, & 4

After reading these three chapters, I am suprised yet not suprised at how cruel their masters were. Reading this makes slavery seem much more real to me. When I have previously learned about slavery, I never imagined what the men and women actually went through, I just heard the words and chose not to visualize them in my mind. Reading something that was written by a slave, makes me understand the graveness of what so many people went through. I am suprised at how well constructed his writing is. Although this text is tragic and depressing, it's very interesting to read. It's important, and not boring. I think that this is such an important peice of writing because many slaves went through the same thing but were unable to write about it because they did not know how. Slaves could have gone through worse things for all we know. It's frusterating to read how inhumane the owners treated their slaves. I don't know how any person could bve so cruel. I don't like what I'm reading, I like the way its written, I think it's a very important text, and I feel terrible for not only Frederick Douglass, but for all the slaves who had to go through this.