Reading Journal - Chapter 3 - The Great Gatsby

Perspective/Voice

• Once again it's written from Nick's perspective, in the first person.
• As it is set in Gatsby's house during a party there is a lot of description. 
• More speech occurs when Nick meets Jordan Baker at the party.

Setting

• Gatsby's house which obviously shows him to be a very wealthy man - "a long, many-windowed room which overhung the terrace."
• Mentions the weather/nature often - 'the lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun.' 

Style

• Again written in the form of biography.
• Again very descriptive of what he sees.
• He lists a lot of things as it is like he can't keep up with everything that's happening in front of his eyes.

Language

• His use of symbolism is present as he describes things as colours - "Yellow cocktail music" - The colour yellow is usually associated with happiness and fun so it makes you think the music is upbeat and fun.
• Speech creates realism between crazy descriptions of a fleeting party.

Structure

• Nick barely focuses on time in this chapter which is strange because he usually does. Maybe it's because he doesn't want the time to go so fast as he's having a good time at Gatsby's.

Characters

• Jay Gatsby - introduced properly face to face which is odd as he's the titular character.

Themes

• Corruption - 1920s had the Prohibition so all the drinking is illegal.