Reading Journal Gatsby Chapters 1-2

• Straight away in the first chapter we get an insight to Nick's upbrining - very proper, so how will this develop and contribute to the narrative?
• 'I'm inclined to reserve all judgements', - we understand how he is quite an introvert character, who watched and observes, 'I was unjustly accused of being a politician' - gives the sense he may be quite serious - is there an underlying reason for this?
• 'Gatsby, who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn' - foreshadows later conflict with Gatsby, raises questions - how will this affect the story?
• Why does he refer to his cousin in such a romantic way? - 'Her face was sad and lovely with bright things in it, bright eyes and a bright passionate mouth, but there was an excitement in her voice that men who had cared for her found difficult to forget; a stinging compulsion...'
• Why does Nick refer to Tom as 'Tom Buchanan' but to Daisy only as 'Daisy?' -  may show status, role in society
• A lot of references to wealth  - 'Lived in France for no particular reason'.
• Tom comes across very arrogant - 'Nice place I've got here' - and racist, 'It's up to us, who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things'.
• Daisy and Tom's relationship seems very dysfunctional and showy - the way Tom disregards her
• What is the significance of Doctor Eckleburg?
•  Why does Tom have a mistress?
• Myrtle is portrayed as not very well educated and fairly illiterate - 'I got to write down a list so I don't forget all the things I got to do.'
• Tom is revealed as a violent brute as Myrtle repeats Daisy's name (this could show some sort of regret as to what he's doing or shame) - 'Tom Buchanan broke her nose with this open hand.'
• A lot of characters are revealed in the second chapter which makes me wonder what their significance will be later on in the play