Fitzgerald's Allusions - Second Period

10/15/2012

Note: This blogging assignment regards (starting on) page 100 of the eBook provided for you under the “Gatsby” tab.
Gatsby: The Great Gatsby eBook (click the button)

Consider the following before responding:

Fitzgerald continues to reference western heroes by naming Gatsby’s benefactor “Dan Cody,” an allusion to Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill Cody. In the late eighteenth century, Daniel Boone, an American pioneer, created routes for westward expansion to what is now Kentucky and Missouri. Narratives of these exploits were published in magazines, inspiring young people with accounts of courage. Buffalo Bill Cody began his career with a series of Wild–West experiences, working for Custer, shooting buffalo, and acting as a scout for the U.S. Army.

In Chapter 7, we learn of Gatsby’s origins as James Gatz of North Dakota. In the novel, Gatsby has become his alter ego, leaving James Gatz behind as he travels the world as Dan Cody’s steward.

How do Fitzgerald’s allusions—to Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill Cody—apply to Gatsby as a character? Is Gatsby doomed to tragedy as long as he disguises his Midwestern origins in favor of a more extravagant, fictional biography? Do you think Gatsby ever knew a Dan Cody—why or why not (I’m looking for support from the book!)?

Keep in mind that Fitzgerald’s allusions are in regard to Dan Cody, not Gatsby himself. Respond in no less than five, thorough sentences for the entire twenty points.

Allusion -- an implied or indirect reference especially in literature; also : the use of such references.

12 Comments

Harley Berlesky

10/16/2012 11:35:42 am

They apply to Gatsby because they seem to be who he was and who he wants to be. Gatsby was in the army like bill Cody. However, Gatsby probabaly wants to be more inspireing and couragous like Daniel Boone to impress Daisy. Yes, I do feel he will be doomed. Gatsby's roots will end up comeing out and most likely ruin the involvement he does have with everyone because they will feel less highly of him. From what I've learned about Gatsby I feel like he never knew a Dan Cody. He most likely made him up like he does everything else.

Mr. Poderzay

10/17/2012 06:10:00 am

Good, Harley. However, keep in mind that Dan Cody is the one to whom Fitzgerald alludes Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill Cody. Therefore, we should consider the story of Dan Cody before applying Fitzgerald's allusions to Gatsby. Everything you said about the two allusions are correct, but they apply to Dan Cody. Once applying such allusions to Dan Cody is when we can form a conclusion about the influences of the "traveling" Dan Cody on Gatsby. If anything, Dan Cody's purpose is to essentially "validate" or even formulate (initially) Gatsby's stories. Your response should evolve from such an understanding.

Masa Sasic

10/16/2012 02:24:47 pm

The allusions that the author has to Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill would apply to Gatsby as a character because of the following reasons. Both Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill are man that came form nothing and became self made. Gatsby is like Buffalo Bill because just like him he was working odd gobs like fishing for salmon and digging for clams.I think that Gatsby is doomed to tragedy as long as he does not show his true self. I think this because the truth always comes out and also because i do not think a person can be anything but doomed if they are hiding such a big secret. I think that at one point Gatsby did knew a Dan Cody. I think that he knew a Dan Cody because of tom and what he said.

Mr. Poderzay

10/17/2012 06:14:13 am

See reply above (on Harley's post). However, your response is accurate. Gatsby is a self made man. He is working odd jobs. But how does Dan Cody influence Gatsby and his supposed past? Dan Cody is the one to whom Fitzgerald alludes--not Gatsby.

Hunter Sherman

10/18/2012 04:57:58 am

I think the allusions of buffalo Bill coffee and Daniel Boone apply to Gatsby because both of these two men are in some way similar to Gatsby. Both Buffalo Bill and Daniel Boone are know as a "self made man" and also all three of these man came from nothing at all. They worked up to the man that they are now. Gatsby has worked odd jobs throughtout his life such did Daniel Boone. These jobs consisted of digging up for clams and fishing on a boat for salmon. I think that Gatsby will be doomed of tragety if he keeps lying and hiding from the truth. I think that he did once know a Dan Coffee in his younger years, but he didn't know him very well.

Spencer Walker

10/17/2012 11:55:17 am

Gatsby is a man who has a different outlook on life. He wants to be different.... but in his own unique way. I dont think Gatsby is trying to be like Dan Cody. I feel as though Gatsby is trying to be the outcast to hide is past from others. After all... he does tell some White Lies. Gatsby is not trying to be Someone. He is trying to "not" be someone. Therefore he is trying to be the outcast. And keep his secrets safe.

Brandon Griffith

10/17/2012 11:48:01 pm

Im going to guess on this so bear with me. I would think they do apply. Gatsby had to make himself known. He at first was a nobody who had to make himself become someone. Many things Gatsby does many things like the two. I think he is doomed to tragety. I also think he made up dan cody and that hes fictional. I am now out of time

MIkey Santucci

10/18/2012 04:50:24 am

Both Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill Cody started off as nothing and they both turned into something. Gatsby wishes that he could be less cowardly and more courageous like Daniel Boone was. Buffalo Bill Cody used to be in the army and Gatsby claims to have been in the army as well. Together these characters symbolize Dan Cody. Dan Cody is everything that Gatsby wishes to be; he is Gatsby’s inspiration and was his mentor. Gatsby really did meet Dan Cody and their meeting gave Gatsby the opportunity to start over to achieve a different life. Embarrassed of his previous life, James Gatsby creates a new persona, known as Jay Gatsby, when he first meets Dan Cody. Gatsby travels around with him and finds himself in awe of Dan Cody. After Dan Cody’s death, Gatsby was determined to do everything that he could so that he could create a new life. If Gatsby had never met Dan Cody, he never would have been able to become rich and famous because he would not have had a suitable inspiration. Now that Gatsby has money, he believes that he can buy happiness. He thinks that he can win Daisy back but that is all a dream. He cannot tell the difference between what is reality and what is fantasy, and this confusion and make believe is going to lead to Gatsby’s death or failure.

greg smith

10/18/2012 08:08:00 am

Fitzgerald’s allusions to Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill Cody apply to Gatsby as a character because they all had to work for what they got and built themselves from the ground up. gatsby though i think will never reach his full potential as a person because he is hiding large secrets that slowly eat away at him. This will be the cause of his downfall. i think also that he looks at both Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill Cody sort of as the same person, with just like two different personalities.

abbey stith

10/18/2012 08:31:52 am

They apply to Gatsby because he represents an inspiring others. They share many similarities that make them a like. Everything that have they worked for a some point. I think Gatsby will be doomed because at the end of they day the truth will come out and then hes going to loose much respect from everyone who looks up to him. With the evidiance from Tom I do think Gatsby could of known Cody but with his lying past it would not shock me if he was made up.

Kimisha

10/18/2012 01:15:52 pm

Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill came from nothing and are self made men. Gatsby is like buffalo ,because he does odd jobs just to make money. Gatsby isn't true to himself so he is doomed, he's doomed because if you are true to yourself what can you expect from other people

Randi Artrip

10/22/2012 06:37:17 am

I think Daniel Bill and Gatsby are similar because they all three are known as "self made men". They share lots of similarities and are all very inspiring with what they do. And i also feel as if Gatsby never knew a Dan Cody, I think that he made it up.

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Fitzgerald's Allusions - Second Period

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