Cuckoo's Nest blog post 2

The conflict between Big Nurse and McMurphy is in full swing at the end of "Part One." Who is getting the best of their rivalry at this point? Why do you say that (specific evidence)?

              I think McMurphy is getting the best of the rivalry between him and Big Nurse. Big Nurse is continuously getting upset with McMurphy’s actions. For example, Mcmurphy wants to watch the World Series but they are on Tv in a time aloted to chores. McMurphy doesn't care for the schedule though and he quits what he was doing, goes over to the Tv, pulls over two chairs (one for him to sit in and one for him to put his feet in), and turns on the game. The patients can see "the nurse’s face get red and her mouth work as she stares at him." Clearly, she is angry and in disbelief that he is still doing what she said not to. She barges into the room and yells at him. Many of the other patients come over and sit in front of the television. "Then Cheswick goes and gets him a chair, and then Billy Bibbit goes, and then Scanlon and then Fredrickson and Sefelt, and then we all put down our mops and brooms and scouring rags and we all go pull us chairs up." The nurse is furious now "'You men—Stop this. Stop!' And we’re all sitting there lined up in front of that blanked-out TV set, watching the gray screen just like we could see the baseball game clear as day, and she’s ranting and screaming behind." 

            McMurphy- who, after a vote that was unfairly ended, has the support of a majority of the patients, around 21 of the 40 patients- presses a rebellion against Big Nurse. She wants to move McMurphy to a different institute, referred to as the Disturbed. This shows that she sees McMurphy as a threat and that she can be torn apart if the right actions are taken.

 What is your perception of the Chief at this point in the story? Why? And how has the presence of McMurphy changed the Chief's character or his narration (be specific)?

            I believe Chief is a reliable narrator, for the most part. I am unsure as to if he really saw the part where the man was hung by his ankles or not. He perceives this dream as if it really happened, and when he awakens he can’t decide if his dream really happened, or not. However, he does show that he is an observant person in many scenes, especially scenes were McMurhpy is doing something bizarre compared to normal actions that occur in the institute. The scenes with McMurphy appear to be some of the most important scenes in the book thus far. He may be a reliable narrator when it is absolutely necessary.  

Who are you rooting for at this point in the story and why?     

            I am rooting for McMurphy and the rest of the patients. They have been mistreated by the staff of the institution and are finally rebelling. We, as a society, should want the patients to win because we frequently root for the underdog or someone who is fighting someone villainous. I am glad McMurphy came to the institute because since he did many of the patients have been able to finally stand-up against their abusers.

Great Gastby 3

How are the circumstances and setting of Gatsby’s death consistent with his personality and life?

     Gastby is a quiet man with one main goal in his life: to get Daisy to love him, again, and only him. He throws huge parties in hope that one day she will come. Everyone comes to these parties, but very few people actually talk to Gastby or even meet him. He doesn't seem to have a problem with that. He seems to be the man to be with in the town. But when he dies, he dies completely. He is forgeten about by everyone but his one true friend, Nick. Nick tries to get many of Gastby's friends to come, but, for multiple different reasons, none are able to come. His father, who is proud of his son's achievements, is one the few people who attend the funeral.! It is ironic that he appears to have all these friends and all these people like Gastby, but when it cone down to the end, he has no one.

     Now, Gastby is a criminal, he got all of in money from criminal activity; therefore, getting shot seems to be an appropriate way to die.  He was killed while layonfbon the pool of his massive house, obtained by his criminal activity invjopes to attract Daisy. Daisy is married to Tom. Tom cheats on Daisy with Myrtle. Myrtle is Mr. Wilson's wife. Mr. Wilson kills Gastby. The connections seem to match the oddness of Gastby's life.

Why isn't Tom extremely angry over the situations between Gastby and Daisy?

     Tom can't possibly be mad at Daisy for cheating on him with Gastby because he is cheating on her with Myrtle. But, is thee a more in depth anwser? Well, no matter how awful the relationship seems between Daisy and Tom seems, thet are married and the have been married for a while. Married couples work through difficult situations, even if originally she only married him for money, she eventually fell in love with him. Tom knows that she loves him, especially after the scene in the hotel room when Gastby tried to get Daisy to say that she never loved Daisy. "Oh you want to much! I love you now- isn't that enough? I can't help what's past.... Even alone I can't say I never loved Tom." Daisy admits to loving both men at one time. Tom can't be angry with her after she says that she can't do what Gastby wants her to, say she never loved Tom.

What is the meaning of the title?

     Nick idolizes the Gastby, viewing him like he is a God. Gastby is great in Nick's eyes because of his extravagant mansion, enormous parties, and polite composure. This may be one explanation for the title. However, the title may be more in depth, Fitzgerald may view Gastby as great himself. Throughout Fitzgerald's life he has tried many different activities and failed. He may see Fitzgerald as a great human because he doesn't give up on his goals. Gastby wants nothing more than to have Daisy love him again. He pours his life into achieving this goal. Fitzgerald may admire this trait in him. However, after the many times of failure in his own life, Fitzgerald must make Gastby fail in his life. Gastby does not end up with the girl of his choice and he dies. 

 What is the theme of The Great Gastby?

     The theme of the Great Gastby is impacted by the life of Fitzgerald who failed in many different attempts. The theme is that no matter how hard one tries, or how much of oneself if poured into a nostalgic goal, nostalgic goals simply cannot be reached. The goal used as an example in this book is one of Gastby's. Gastby wants to return to the past love of Daisy, but since she is already with Tom, his goal cannot be met. 

*I left my book at school, so I don't have page numbers, but I did have my kindle to use for quotes. I apologize.