Alex Ilusorio

Mrs. Storer
English 3 Honors Block 4
20 February 2020
Socratic Circle Reflection on The Great Gatsby: Feminist and Archetypal Criticism
My group was the second inner circle to discuss The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
The first half of the seminar was about Daisy, who was found to be interrupted numerous times
in the book. The question focused around whether it was only certain characters who interrupt
Daisy or if it may be a social phenomenon during this time period. Multiple students agreed that
Tom, Daisy’s wife, was found to interrupt Daisy throughout the story. This is seen especially in
Chapter 2, where Nick is at the Buchanan’s house for a party. Although many students found
Tom to interrupt, someone mentioned Gatsby as well. Using these characters, a big opinion was
shared that supports the claim of no social phenomenon. If this scenario was a phenomenon, then
why is Jordan not getting interrupted as well as Nick interrupting people? This means that only
specific characters are revealing unethical behaviors. The discussion was moved on to whether
Gatsby is a Christ figure. Although the group found it obvious that Gatsby sacrificed his life for
Daisy, a strong opinion was shared that questioned the consequences Gatsby faced: Gatsby did
not know that he would die as a result of the crash. This makes Gatsby more of a hero, yet the
conclusion was left undecided in the group when I said that there may be bias as Nick describes
Gatsby as a hero, so his death might be exaggerated to side with him.
One of the biggest opinions in the discussion questioned the characters Jordan and Nick. It
counters the argument of interruptions by men being a social phenomenon, as Jordan was never
interrupted, and Nick never had ruthless behavior to the women of the story. These are insightful
because it also questions the role of Daisy, who appears very weak and needy under these
circumstances. Another big opinion questioned the role of Gatsby as Jesus Christ. His desires
point away from what Jesus wants, yet his sacrifice and having no intention of dying from
Daisy’s immoral decision questions his story as a hero. Does this outweigh all the situations
where he does not appear Christ-like? This idea raised many questions and ideas shared by other
students in the seminar. The most original piece of evidence comes from the party at Tom’s
house. This is because the scenes that are present show many instances of Tom interrupting
Daisy, revealing his personality within twelve pages of the book. The author uses punctuation
such as a long dash to end Daisy’s dialogue before she finishes sentence, recognizing that
someone else (Tom) is about to speak.
Daisy is interrupted numerous times by Tom, whom by his old wealth/traditional background
as well as his desire for power seems to influence his character in the relationship with his wife
Daisy. She is also interrupted by Gatsby, as he believes their love is his right to impact her
beliefs and opinions.
The first main point or body paragraph in the essay would take instances where Tom
interrupts Daisy that represents the traditional beliefs of the man having power not within the
household, but to speak on the behalf of the women. This is seen mainly in Chapter 2, but other
parties show him interrupting Daisy. I would also mention Daisy’s emotion/feelings in these
situations which allow herself to be controlled. In the second body paragraph, I would use more
situations where Tom interrupts Daisy, yet to present his power to other characters. Without
interrupting Daisy, the novel would suggest Daisy having more power, which is not the case. In
the last paragraph, I would show the increasing love between Daisy and Gatsby and how Gatsby
desires to protect her. Because Gatsby dreams to be with Daisy forever, his manners get out of
hand especially the party at the Buchanan’s in Chapter 7. He begins to take control in the
relationship now that it is more revealed to Tom. Although Daisy lets this happen as her
emotions get the best of her, Gatsby changes from his quiet, calm behavior.
The 1900s was a time where only select men continued to hold onto their traditional values
of men’s power. Although it sounds like a social phenomenon, I learned in U.S. history that
many men at this time were advocating for labor movements in which women heavily impacted.
This relates to the story because it only appears that certain characters retain values and not
everyone. If almost every man wanted power all around the United States, women might not
even have rights today, as they gained the rights to vote (suffrage) in the 19th amendment in
1917. In almost all my classes coming into high school, there are many guidelines that I must
follow in order to be a responsible student. One rule is to treat others with respect, and another is
to raise your hand before you speak. These are important to the story because today, it appears
that everyone recognizes the flaws of not following these rules, as American men in the past
disregarded the rules that infringe upon other’s happiness and joy. I hardly see instances of
interruption from man onto women, and it proves that men wish the best for the women and have
respect for their leadership roles and impact.

Daisy is interrupted numerous times by Tom and eventually Gatsby. Tom’s traditional beliefs
of power and control, Gatsby’s desire to reunite his love with Daisy, and Daisy’s weak and
needy character allows Daisy to be abruptly interrupted in conversations.

Narrator’s goal is to tell the story, rather than interfere and affect the lives of the characters.
Over time, Nick’s reliability as a narrator declines as his words become disloyal to the audience.
Nick criticizes characters, creates his own bias towards Gatsby, and interferes the story with his
own growth, ignoring the bystander stance his is meant to maintain.
Nick is growing from beginning of story alongside the characters, more unreliable)

Is Nick Carraway a reliable narrator? Can his words be trusted as he so often asserts, or is he hiding/lying
to his audience? In the end, does his reliability as a narrator change the meaning of the story he tells?
Nick Carraway is not considered a reliable narrator

Criticizes other characters without taking into consideration their perspectives

Portrays Gatsby as a hero because of his positive experiences with him (bias)