Midterm Notes

• Myrtle v. society- Tom is upper class- Myrtle longs to move up

• Gatsby v. society- goes after Daisy- inappropriate - born into a lower family & he works to move up - but he is still not welcomed!

- Gatsby v. himself-- Ashamed of himself/ his past - Partially because of Daisy

- Daisy v. society - Stays with Tom- he’s the “right” kind of money

Gatsby

• Gatsby v. society- – He is an outsider in the world of old money

• Daisy v. society – Daisy stays in her marriage b/c of her lack of power/

need to be supported • Daisy, Tom, Myrtle v. – struggle to prioritize appropriately

• Gatsby v. himself – Inability to accept himself – Gatsby’s desire to fit into society / obtain Daisy

Belonging: individual v. society

• Gatsby - money • Edna- doesn’t want to fit the “mother-

woman” role • Holden- doesn’t want to grow up

Belonging: individual v. society

• Gatsby - money • Edna- doesn’t want to fit the “mother-

woman” role • Holden- doesn’t want to grow up

Catcher- conflict

• Holden v. his past – Can’t cope with death of brother – Struggles with his failures

• Holden v. himself – lack of confidence – Lack of motivation – Inability to move from childhood to adulthood

• Holden v. society – Holden is not prepared to adapt to adulthood – Holden does not “play the games” he needs to- school/

friends/ girl friends/ roommates

Awakening

• CONFLICTS • Female v. society – Society doesn’t allow them to own things/ have control

• Edna v. Leonce (Pontellier) – Leonce wants dominance / adhere to social conventions – Edna wants freedom

• Edna v. herself – Mother vs. independent woman – Passion/ security/ love

Awakening

• CONFLICTS • Female v. society – Society doesn’t allow them to own things/ have control

• Edna v. Leonce (Pontellier) – Leonce wants dominance / adhere to social conventions – Edna wants freedom

• Edna v. herself – Mother vs. independent woman – Passion/ security/ love