Surface Unfinished

Posted in art supplies on 06/15/2009 06:00 pm by admin

Surface Unfinished

A Dream Unfinished: A short analysis on THE GREAT GATSBY

A Dream Unfinished

BY MICHELLE NING

When one reads a novel, the potential of it is questioned. What is the novel trying to grasp? What is the author trying to tell you? Most readers discover the answers to the questions while reading the novel. Some answers may even surface, and shimmer, while others – like in The Great Gatsby – remain hidden, awaiting for the reader to dig them out. However, Fitzgerald twists the meanings, and leaves the reader perplexed throughout the novel.

"I didn't call to him, for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone… I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward - and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness." (26)

Already in the first chapter, the reader is confronted with a confusing symbol, which reappears throughout the novel, and at last, finishes it. Gatsby reaches out for this mysterious green light, trying to communicate with it. However, there seems to be a wall separating Gatsby and the green light, as he stretched out his arms and gazed. Later in the novel, the reader discovers the green light to be the end of Gatsby’s former lover’s dock.

The moment Daisy is united with the green light, the novel pieces together. For as long as one could trace back, the color green has been represented in many forms – freedom, promise, hope, and the dreams over each horizon. One would say that Fitzgerald casts the green light over Daisy. Daisy herself, is the green light. Being the main item in Gatsby’s dream, Daisy voluntary places her pride before her heart. Whereas Gatsby follows his heart, and does anything he can to protect Daisy – even if it was necessary to put his life on the line. Throughout the novel, Daisy is an insecure person, and hesitates at every decision. The sudden change of Gatsby coming back is disastrous. Having promised to wait for Gatsby to come back and wed her, Daisy weds the rich and wealthy – Tom – instead.

A character that is extremely close, yet apart from Daisy, is Nick. Nick is Daisy’s cousin, yet if one were to compare both characteristics, one would think that they live in different worlds. Though their appearance with the society hardly appears, the reader can see their conflicting minds in the first chapter. The reader can sense the love tensions – through melodious phrases Nick uses to describe Daisy’s voice – between the two, being related, the only element holding them back. “… My cousin who began to ask me questions in her low, thrilling voice. It was the kind of voice that the ear follows up and down … [like] an arrangement of notes that will never be played again.” (13)

Throughout the first chapter, Nick Carraway is a very open person. He tries to solve things, and encourages others to do what he thinks is right. On could say that Nick was the ideal narrator for The Great Gatsby. In the first chapter, he tells the reader that he is open-minded and a good listener, and so, he is the person who gets the juice of every story, as the neighborhood turns their secrets to him. Throughout the novel, he represents the secluded Midwestern life. Being open to new experiences, Nick soon finds some to be life costing, and damaging. Daisy carries some of these characteristics in a way. She, too was strong willed, but not too consistent and devoted. As Nick represents a quiet, thinking person, Daisy is the element of grace, charm, and not to mention, beauty. Differences are apparent as one sees Daisy run and hide behind money through all she has wronged.

The reader can sense the tension between the two when Nick becomes concerned about Daisy’s child. While she, the mother, is not at all concerned. “ … I returned rather feebly to the subject of her daughter. ‘ I suppose she talks and eat and everything…” (21) After Daisy’s daughter is finally brought to context later on in the novel, she is still rarely mentioned. Putting her love-life before her child, one can see how Daisy’s inner soul functions. As one comes to an end, one can take a step back to see them as a whole. Daisy and Nick grow up to become a more understanding person. However, being the understanding person they are now does not permit for them to become adults, they are still tied to their childishness. Daisy continues to rely on Tom – even at the very last chapter when Nick stumbles onto Tom and sees him buying jewelry – and Nick continues to back away from reality as he visits Gatsby’s empty mansion one last time before turning away to head back to Minnesota.

One example occurs when a tragedy happens. Daisy accidentally hits Mertyl with her car. As Gatsby takes her blame, Daisy does not dare utter a word, yet she chooses to run away with Tom to Chicago. Running away, performing this childish deed results in Gatsby’s death. However, at the end, Nick looks at what has happened so far and at one point later on in his life, confronts Tom. Both having grown up so close led them walking out onto different paths. Both having changed because of the people around them, they are different in many ways.

About the Author

High school student.

trick to dusting Unfinished Wood?

I have alot of shelves/bookcases that are unfinished wood. Normally I'll use the doughnut attachment from the vacuum and clean it that way, but that's a big hassle.

I sometimes dust other surfaces with a damp cloth so it will hold onto the dust, but on the unfinished wood, it tends to go sort of "muddy" and get stuck to the wood.

If I use a dry cloth the cloth seems to catch on the grain of the wood, and of course, the dust flies around.

Anyone got a different trick to dusting this kind of surface?
THanks!
PS: I bought a duster today, the kind that sort of looks like a fluffy animal tail, and it's on a long handle. I haven't had a chance to use it yet. It claims to hand onto the dust till it's shaken out.

totally unfinished wood is hard to dust unless you do it quite regularly. if you want to keep it natural, clean it with mineral spirits. then oil it with tung oil or linseed oil or some other oil. just do a little research on which one you'd like. (linseed oil is cheaper and dries faster.) the oil will give it natural protection and make your job much easier.

regardless, that little duster thing you just bought probably sucks. i've tried plenty and all of them like that do. what you need is a good ostrich feather duster. i have two (of different lengths) that are actually soft and pretty and make dusting fun. this is a strange, unexpected, and very fortunate side effect. try one. you can get one like mine here: http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_Duster.asp

Me skating the sort of unfinished funbox