Quick digression: THE KEYBOARD/MOUSE IS BEING SO UNHELPFUL TODAY.
Anyway, I think the only reason I disliked it upon first reading was because I was young, and speed reading. Never a good combination. For example, I didn't realise that Jay Gatsby was in a criminal syndicate. Obviously I cannot speed read.
This time however, it was very enjoyable, although I still wanted to slap Daisy. But it's a lovely little book all the same. I would have to disagree that it's one of the 'three perfect examples of American Literature.
Here in Northern Ireland we study 'The Great Gatsby' in English Literature during Year 14, but not everybody in this country does. I've heard that every single student in America is forced to read it, though. That sounds fun.
The enthusiasm/grammar isn't flowing today.
1 comment:
It is fun, being forced to read 'The Great Gatsby' in every English class since ninth grade. It's so much fun that the next time I see that novel on my required reading list, I will suffer a mental breakdown and be committed.
xD So maybe 'Gatsby' isn't that bad. I certainly love how it's written, and love how neat a novel it is (no excessive introspection, concrete events in every chapter, easily summarized - all right, I'm terrible). But you have it absolutely right - I couldn't call it one of the "three perfect examples" of American literature (... what were the other two?)
What themes does your class discuss when you study 'Gatsby'? My English professor keeps lecturing on the importance of time (Gatsby wanting to turn back time, the clock he knocks over and catches when Daisy comes to an awkward tea, etc.) and I was curious if that concentration is a global one... or just confined to my tiny corner of Central Virginia, xD
And as a side note, have you ever read "Daisy Miller", by Henry James? That was certainly a Daisy I wanted to slap. Your comment on Daisy made me recall that for some reason, xD
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