When I began reading The Great Gatsby, I had no initial background besides the short paragraph on the back of the book. I knew it was set in to 1920's, but beyond that I didn't not know what I should be expecting. Overall I thought the initial plot and progression of the book was very interesting. I thought the growth of the characters and the complication of the love triangle made The Great Gatsby an enjoyable and intriguing book to read.
Throughout the book I enjoyed Fitzgerald’s use of deep description. His use of one of the five senses helped me make a clear mental picture in my head that allowed to me visualize the story as I was reading. The words he used were in themselves descriptive and added more enjoyment to my reading. Although Fitzgerald deeply depicted his characters explaining all their greatnesses and faults, I didn’t not grow emotionally attached to any of the characters.
It was also interesting that once Tom found out Daisy may be in love with Gatsby it was defiantly not allowed, but it was okay for his to have a mistress. Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship seemed to be pure and true after their first meeting in five years at Nick’s house. I found it sad and disappointing that Daisy never sent flowers or her sorrow for Gatsby’s death. I also found it strange that for most of the book Nick and Jordan were an inseparable pair. Her character was described as impure and dishonest, which is the complete opposite of Nick’s character.
There is also the interesting fact of East and West Egg, which divides the rich and the poor just as so many things have throughout the existence of the human race.
I was a little disappointed with the ending. I though that Tom and Daisy would separate on good terms seeing as the both loved someone else. Gatsby would finally be reunited with his love after waiting five years and Tom would go away with the terrible Mrs. Wilson. It did please me however that Nick and Ms. Baker did not end up together because they are not an appropriate match. It just disappointed me how Daisy ran away with Tom leaving Nick to be one of Gatsby’s few mourners.
In the end the overall learned is that a few close friends are of more greater value than a whole house full of strangers who barely know your name because in end that house full of strangers won’t be disappointed of your absence. The only thing on their mind is that they will have to find someone else’s house to invade on Saturday nights.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
The Kite Runner
Overall I did not really enjoy reading The Kite Runner. I understand that this certain situation in places such as Afghanistan are not the most pleasant to read about, but I just found this book depressing.
Amir was a coward boy who could never stand up for himself. Hassan, his servant, always stood up for him even in the worst situations. Whenever the time arose for Amir to help Hassan, Amir did not return the favor. He not only let harm come to Hassan, but he also kicked him and his father out of his house barely caring that he had hurt Hassan, Ali, and his father Baba.
When Baba and Amir moved to America it was a good thing for the two men. Baba was used to being the rich party man who everyone loved, and Amir was consumed with him past. In America the men were not treated the same as in Kabul. This new “adventure” opened their eyes to a new world that helped them become better people. Once in America Baba showed Amir the love and attention that he never received throughout his childhood in Kabul. He supported his schooling and even though he was a little weary about Amir becoming a writer he still reluctantly gave his support. Amir had regretted the day in the alley when he did return the favor to Hassan, but in America he was trying to move past the horrible thing he had done. Since the memory of that day in the alley was so engraved into Amir’s mind, that day was always looming over him and he could never seem to get rid of his guilt.
Amir was, in a way, forgiven for his sin after he went to retrieve Hassan’s son Sohrab. At first he was not willing to risk his life for this boy, but eventually he agreed. The fact that Amir went and risked his life to save Sohrab “made him good again” just like Rahim Khan had promised.
It is sad that Sohrab didn’t adjust well to his life in America. He had been through so much with his parents being killed, living in an orphanage, being sold to a bad man named Assef, treated unkindly, and witnessing the terrible events of a violent war. At the end of the book when Amir cut down the green kite at the Afghan New Year Festival the smile that Sohrab gave was a glimmer of hope to Amir that everything was finally going to be alright even after all these years of terrible events.
Amir was a coward boy who could never stand up for himself. Hassan, his servant, always stood up for him even in the worst situations. Whenever the time arose for Amir to help Hassan, Amir did not return the favor. He not only let harm come to Hassan, but he also kicked him and his father out of his house barely caring that he had hurt Hassan, Ali, and his father Baba.
When Baba and Amir moved to America it was a good thing for the two men. Baba was used to being the rich party man who everyone loved, and Amir was consumed with him past. In America the men were not treated the same as in Kabul. This new “adventure” opened their eyes to a new world that helped them become better people. Once in America Baba showed Amir the love and attention that he never received throughout his childhood in Kabul. He supported his schooling and even though he was a little weary about Amir becoming a writer he still reluctantly gave his support. Amir had regretted the day in the alley when he did return the favor to Hassan, but in America he was trying to move past the horrible thing he had done. Since the memory of that day in the alley was so engraved into Amir’s mind, that day was always looming over him and he could never seem to get rid of his guilt.
Amir was, in a way, forgiven for his sin after he went to retrieve Hassan’s son Sohrab. At first he was not willing to risk his life for this boy, but eventually he agreed. The fact that Amir went and risked his life to save Sohrab “made him good again” just like Rahim Khan had promised.
It is sad that Sohrab didn’t adjust well to his life in America. He had been through so much with his parents being killed, living in an orphanage, being sold to a bad man named Assef, treated unkindly, and witnessing the terrible events of a violent war. At the end of the book when Amir cut down the green kite at the Afghan New Year Festival the smile that Sohrab gave was a glimmer of hope to Amir that everything was finally going to be alright even after all these years of terrible events.
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