Blog 8

"As for Tom, the fact that he "had some woman in New York" was really less surprising than that he had been depressed by a book." I find that in many instances today I am less surprised that someone did something morally wrong rather than doing something educated (or in this case, reading a book). It is sad but true. This quote just explained this  event  eloquently and in a humorous way. also the book he was referring to has historical context. The book was about how other races might be in power soon if the white race does not take action. During that time, after the civil war, the great migration took place. African Americans in particular along with other immigrants moved to the north, mainly New York. So the fact that a rich white guy is concerned about this issue is current news for him. 


"I have been drunk just twice in my life, and the second time was that afternoon, so everything that happened has a dim, hazy cast over it..." This was during the time of Prohibition, which was the law that made the production, and distribution of alcohol illegal for some time. The rich however were able to get alcohol easily. They drank champagne from France and Wine from Italy and the occasional Tequila. If you were rich during this time, it was like prohibition never happened. 


"At least once a fortnight a corps of caterers came down with several hundred feet of canvas and enough colored lights to make a Christmas tree of Gatsby's enormous garden." This is just the beginning of the description of how Jay Gatsby sets up for a party every week. For the rich, the Roaring 20's was a marvelous time of leisure and partying. Gatsby expressed every stereotype about a rich man in the 20's because he his spending so much money for parties every weekend.