The Well-Readheads Year in Books

The Well-Readheads Year in Books RJS: Reunited and it feels so good! I’ve called you out of your book cave today, Muffin, so we can talk about our favorite books of the year. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a killer reading year, filled with squeeing and underlining and OMGYOUHAVETOREADTHIS-ing. Ready to break it down? LH: I am so ready to talk about books I am going to burst. My reading year has been AMAZY. (FYI: Amazy is a combination of ‘crazy’ and ‘amazing,’ which I thought I invented, but when I Googled it, it turns out it’s the name of an Indonesian fried chicken franchise. True story: Their slogan is “The Most Wanted Crispy.” Don’t care I’m still using it.) Anyway, back in June, we did a round-up of our favorites from the first six months. And now we’re going to talk about the second half of our reading year RJS: June feels like so far away, I can’t even remember what I put in that first round-up. I’m not gonna lie, there might be some repeats here, but only because the books are so good that they deserve to be talked about incessantly. In a good way. Not like we could ever be annoying talking about books. Let’s start with the numbers. What’s your year-end total going to look like you, you book-hungry woman? LH: Oh no, a public shaming! I was shooting for 250, but it looks like I’m going to end between 210 and 220. My year got crazy busy, but it’s all been awesome. RJS: I’mma need a minute to wrap my head around how this could ever be shameful. I’ll be landing right around 100, which is where I always land, no matter what I do or how I change up my reading habits. I’ll try not to feel insecure about the fact that I’m drawing on a pool half the size you’re drawing on. On the upside, a HUGE percentage of the books I read this year were great. I remember ending 2011 feeling like it was sort of a “meh” year for books, but 2012 has been radtastic. LH: Fo sho. I loved even more books in the last six months of this year. I’m just going to start spouting them off, starting with The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg. This is a fantastic unmooshy look at a family, centered around the group’s obese matriarch. I loved it so much. And it’s driving the sales of Chinese food the way The Avengers drove sales of shawarma. Well, close to it. RJS: I haven’t read that one! Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead made me want to tie a cardigan around my shoulders, move to the Cape, and start going by “Buffy.” Summery and fun without being fluffy, it was just the scandalicious, socially satirical read I wanted for vacation. LH: I loved that one, as well. And a few more great debuts that I loved: How To Get Into the Twin Palms by Karolina Waclawiak, about a woman who desperately wants to get inside the Russian nightclub she spies on from her balcony; Love Slave by Jennifer Spiegel, about an office temp in 1995, who writes a column for an alt weekly that details her journey through the possibilities of love; and Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer, which I love explaining this premise is about a bald pregnant housewife who is stuck dealing with her autistic son and dying mother while her husband is on a space shuttle trip to populate the moon with robots. When people say it’s all been done before, I emphatically wave this book. Oh, and The Danger of Proximal Alphabets by Kathleen Alcott, about a relationship between a woman and two brothers. It’s a wonderful book even just saying the title is wonderful. RJS: Co-freaking-sign for Shine Shine Shine. Now, I’m pretty hesitant to say that a book changed my life, but Quiet by Susan Cain re-framed how I think about my personality and gave me a whole new perspective on how I work and how I socialize. Also, Alibis: Essays on Elsewhere by André Aciman is incredible. It technically came out in 2011, but I don’t care. I’m sneaking it in here because I’ve never read anything that nailed so perfectly what it is we’re looking for when we travel. LH: In the nonfiction category, I have to say Full Body Burden by Kristen Iversen gave me chills. It’s about how Iversen grew up near the secret Rocky Flats nuclear facility in Colorado, and all the terrible things that happened both at the facility, and to the area and its inhabitants (both two and four-legged.) Also, Brain On Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan made me feel like *I* was going crazy. Cahalan had a dangerous, undiagnosed illness in her brain that made her start acting like she needed to be institutionalized. Seriously scary, eye-opening stuff, these books. RJS: I burned through Brain on Fire as well, with equal parts fascination and terror. On a much lighter note, I really loved Julie Klam’s Friendkeeping, a collection of essays about making, keeping, and occasionally losing friends. It’s warm, funny, insightful, and exactly what I want from a book like that. And in the books-about-books category, Lauren Leto’s Judging a Book By Its Lover gave me ever so many nerdpurrs. LH: I heart Julie so much she’s so damn funny. Another humorous book I loved this year was How Not To Read: Harnessing the Power of a Literature-Free Life by Dan Wilbur. Dan lists a bunch of reasons why you shouldn’t read another bookafter his. It’s very funny. And it doesn’t really pose a threat to books, because you can’t take Dan seriously. I mean, c’mon he lives in a hollowed-out tree in Central Park, pursuing his lifelong dream to be a house-elf. Or maybe he’s a comedian. One of these things is true. RJS: I guess that’s sort of self-help, like, if you need more free time because you read too much? On a more serious note, and probably the first time a self-help-y book has ended up in my year-end favorites, Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly deserves to be talked about. Really excellent insights, based on years of social work and research (hooray for data!), about taking risks and going “all in” in our friendships, relationships, and work lives. I can’t stop recommending it. LH: I have heard great things about it! I am now going to rattle off a whole slew of titles technically considered as books for a younger audience, but are AMAZING reading for all ages: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne Valente, Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, Unwind by Neil Shusterman, Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead, The Year of the Beasts by Cecil Castellucci and Ask the Passengers by A.S. King. I loved all of these so, so much. RJS: Ask the Passengers is the only YA I read this yearKing tends to be my one YA pick every yearand damn. I read a bunch of short story collections I loved this year. My turn to rattle! Megan Mayhew Bergman’s Birds of a Lesser Paradise takes the cake. Then there’s Diving Belles by Lucy Woodcreepy and atmospheric and nearly perfect. Junot Diaz tore my heart to pieces with This Is How You Lose Her. Oh, and The Paris Review’s Object Lessons collection was wonderful! LH: I was going to do short stories next, and yes, Megan was on it! I loved the Diaz, as well, and holy cats did I love Battleborn by Claire Vaye Watkins. We’re running out of space, so lemme throw a few more at you real fast: May We Be Forgiven by A.M. Homes, The Lighthouse Road by Peter Geye, The Dog Stars by Peter Hellerand I just want to publicly announce that the new Kate Atkinson that comes out in April, Life After Life, is SO amazing. Truly, it’s brill, and if it doesn’t sell tons and tons of copies next year, I will eat James Patterson. That’s how strongly I feel about this book. RJS: More that I loved: The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powersa perfectly taut, incredibly affecting novel about the Iraq War. How to Think More About Sex by Alain de Bottonit isn’t so much about thinking MORE about sex as it is about thinking about sex more effectively/healthily/adaptively. Magic Hours by Tom Bissellexcellent essays about creativity and the creative life. Home by Toni Morrisonnot my favorite of her oeuvre but still fantastic, and re-reading all of her earlier novels in the run-up to it was a defining experience in my reading year. I’m sure there are more, but these are stand-outs. My current pick for Early 2013 Release That Needs to Be a Big Fucking Deal is Fiona Maazel’s Woke Up Lonely (Graywolf Press, April). It’s, well, it’s everything I want a novel to be. LH: Okay, my little ginger kitten, to recap: SQUEEEEEEE SQUEEEEEEE WE LOVE BOOKS!!!! That about cover it? RJS: Girl, you know it does. Until 2013, The Well-Readheads are over and out. *drops mic* LH: *fist bump* Sign up to Unusual Suspects to receive news and recommendations for mystery/thriller readers.

Classification Phase Of Induction Generator - 894 Words

NOMENCLATURE d-q stator voltages of induction generator d-q stator currents of induction generator d-q rotor currents of induction generator , stator and rotor resistances per phase of induction generator stator, rotor and magnetizing inductances of induction generator self excitation capacitance per phase of induction generator Angular stator frequency of the induction generator Angular rotor speed (electrical rads/s) of the induction generator moment of inertia friction coefficient, differential operator d/dt DC-link inductance DC-link resistance firing angles of the converter and inverter d-q input voltage of the converter d-q input current of the converter DC-link current inverter output voltage d-q stator voltages of synchronous generator d-q damper winding voltages of synchronous generator field winding voltage of synchronous generator d-q stator currents of synchronous generator d-q damper winding currents of synchronous generator field winding current of synchronous generator st ator resistance of synchronous generator d and q damper winding resistances d and q mutual inductances d and q self inductances rotor speed (electrical rads/s) of the synchronous generator torque input from diesel engine applied and actual fuel flow rate of diesel engine combustion delay time constant time constant and gain of fuel rack position actuator prediction horizon.Show MoreRelatedRenewable Resources Wind Energy Is An Important Factor For The New Era Of Power Quality1568 Words   |  7 Pageswind diesel system is considered in this project. 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Wedding Reception At A Orthodox Baptism - 1035 Words

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to go to a greek orthodox baptism. I am agnostic so outside of weddings I do not attend religious ceremonies and have never attended a baptism before. I am not very comfortable in church settings but this is was an important event because it was a close friends event and I knew is was very important to her. The event was on sunday so on saturday evening I called the mother of the baby to ask what the dress code was, if I should bring anything outside the gift and to get a little idea of what to expect. My friend Breanna mother of Alex who was being baptised told me to dress in a nice cocktail dress and wear comfortable shoes because there is a lot standing during the ceremony. I was not sure what to expect but I certainly did not realize that this was an all day event and as lavish as a wedding reception. The baptism itself lasted an hour and was so different from anything I had experienced. I knew that it was a religious service, that the baby would be splashed with water to absolve the original sin but beyond that everything was new. The priest was really wonderful and before the service began gave a speech that explained what would happen during the service and what it all symbolically meant so that those who were unfamiliar (like me) with this process would feel more included or at the very least at ease. Most of the ceremony was spoken in the greek language but because the priest gave the introduction I felt like I understood the

Social Life Tips for International Students Free Essays

One of the biggest challenges faced by international students and ESL Students, is the obstacle of creating a social life in an unfamiliar place. For many international students, who have travelled from various countries to come to university to study, the thought of making friends can be daunting. However, reaching out and meeting new people is a key part of the university experience and needn’t be something that is feared! Today we look at a few key social life tips you can use to make socialising a little less daunting. We will write a custom essay sample on Social Life Tips for International Students or any similar topic only for you Order Now 1) Always Say Thank You! You’ll be amazed how far smiling and being positive will go. Show people you are helpful, kind and genuine. If someone does something for you, never forget to say thank you, verbally or with a simple note. Small gestures and manners like these go a long way. 2) Use Technology to Connect Sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn make it easier than ever to connect with others and share your interests. Be sure to stay in touch with any friends you make, and be sure to join in lots of communities and groups to stay in the loop. 3) Get Involved! Sports and hobby clubs are a great way to pursue your own interests with others who share them, allowing you to have fun and meet new people at the same time. Have you considered playing a sportYou can get a workout and form some lifelong bonds with others by seeking out sports teams to play on. 4) Always make time We know it can be tempting to put off socialising, or going out – especially if you are feeling daunted as an ESL student. However, even when you’ve got a ton to do, making time for fun with friends (even if you just meet for dinner) should always be important. It’ll give your brain a rest and let you come back to your work happier and more refreshed. 5) Combine studying with fun University work and having fun don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Study with friends and you’ll get to socialize while learning as well. University can be incredibly stressful so make sure to take a moment to step back now and again and take a breath. It can also be a great time to improve your confidence speaking and writing English. 6) Accept a variety of invitations Take advantage of those moments when people offer you an invitation to do things with them. You could discover a new hobby, meet a great group of people or just have new experiences that open your eyes. It’s easy to get caught up with university, but a big part of the experience is meeting new people, forming friendships and networking with others. Don’t let that fall by the wayside in your academic pursuits. our site offer a range of services that can make it less daunting to be an international student. Or if you ever need to just chat – we’ve a team of professionals at the other end of the phone line who are happy to assist +44 (0)207 060 1205. How to cite Social Life Tips for International Students, Essay examples

Professional Studies in Managing Learning Environments - Samples

Question: Discuss about the Professional Studies in Managing Learning Environments. Answer: An analysis of three theories of classroom managemnet The aim ofclassroom management is establishing as well as maintaining a positive and productive environment for learning that will be providing effective opportunities of learning in respect of its students. As a result, it is essential for beginning teachers to have an understanding of the differentclassroom management approaches as well as their theoretical underpinnings. Effective classroom management is a necessary skill in respect of any new teacher, however, it is an unfortunate aspect that many teachers will be adopting traditional or authoritarian approaches more willingly than innovative evidence-based strategic aspects (Billett, 2013). In addition, the beliefs, attitudes as well as values of a teacher will often be doing the determination of their classroom management strategy and whether they are adopting a single theory, an association of components across multiple theories or continuously adapting to their classroom environment. In this essay, there will occur the analys is of three approaches related to classroom management, which are considered as Goal Centered Theory, Cognitive Behavioural Theory and Assertive Discipline (Bolman, 2017). Goal Cenrered Theory is considered being a classroom management theory proposed by Rudolf Dreikurs, who is considered being an Austrian pyschiatrist and student of psychoeducational theory. Goal Centered Theory is having its underpinnings in Vygotskys socio-cultural theory, which is stating that the students are affected by their social groups as well as a longing to belong. This longing to belong does the motivation of behaviour, often in a negatuve way, via four subsequent stages such as to gain attention in an inappropriate manner, exercising power, exacting revenege as well as doing the display of insufficiency (Getz, 2016). Within Goal Centered Theory, there occurs the actualization of preventing such classroom misbehaviour via different stategic aspects, discussio in the class regarding anticipated behaviours as well as outcomes, building class as well as individual accountabilites, offering choice regarding rules related to classroom as well as academic content, concentrating upon practical outcomes rather than punishment, as well as encouraging effort more willingly than achievement (Getz, 2016). The democratic traits of Goal Centered Theory does the promotion of a learning environment that is considered being positive as well as effective, in which students are having an involvement in their learning as they are having a sense ofself-management as well as self-control, doing the demonstration of their accountability through the fulfilment of their individual requirements without making an interference with the rights as well as requireements of their peers (Salend, 2015). Moreover, Goal Centered Theory does the providing of the platform in respect of the teachers for identifying the motivtion of the student towards misbehaving, along with, assisting students understanding as well as rectifying their individual behaviours (Bolman, 2017). On the other hand, Goal Centered Theory is criticized as not every student is having an inherent urge for belongingness, and as a result, might be having concealed motives for misbehaving. Moreover, teachers who are not experinced might be facing the challenge in doing the identificatio of the reasons behind the misbehaviour of the student, and when there is the requirement of immediate discipline, practical consequences might not get implemented in an appropriate manner. Lastly, the absence of evidence in effectively implementing Goal Centered Theory, does the discouraging of adopting the theory into a classroom management practice (Jones, 2015). Cognitive Behavioural Theory is regarded as a classroom management theory that was made popular by Joseph Kaplan and Jane Carter. Cognitve Behavioural Theory is aiming towards developing the self-management of students as welll as their self-regulation abilities, setting objectives, evaluating their actions as well as emotions, in respect of becoming aware of the influences that will be affecting their behavioural aspects. It is the function of the teacher in helping the students in developing these skills relating to self-management within a facilitative environment for learning, offering a systematic structure of learning that does the promotion of respect as well as outlining behavioural expectations as well as outcomes (Jones, 2015). On the other hand, the critical analysis regarding Cognitive Behavioural Theory is suggesting the aspect of using or misusing the cognitive behavioural methods that is considered to be unethical as well as conflicting across the behavioural as well as cognitive components relating to student management (Getz, 2016). In addition, a key concern relating to the interventions of Cognitive Behavioural Theory is the practicality associated with teaching the students who are lacking the cognitive maturity as well as the self-management abilities that are necessary in controlling their behavioural aspects (Kolb, 2014). Lastly, the distinctive absence of evidence as an efficient method of cognitive training brings into disrepute its legitimacy as a theory of classroom management. Assertive Discipline is considered being classroom management theory developed by the two professional educators, Lee as well as Marlene Canter. There occurs the development of Asserive Discipline on the principle that students are made conscious of the anticipated classroom behaviour as well as the outcomes that will be resulting from non-compliance. Alongwith the anticipated behaviour within the classroom, the teacher must do the establishment as well as enforcement of a set of class rules that are having a clear punishment hierarchy when the rules are not being followed (Kolb, 2014). Moreover, the teacher is required maintaining a forceful method of control over the students while doing the development of respect as well as trust within the classroom by providing assistance to the students, being approachable as well as modelling classroon practices that are considered being positive (Jones, 2015). By making the students have an awareness of the rules as well as outcomes, the Assertive Discipline model does the enabling of a teacher in dealing with students positively, teaching with less interruption as well as avoiding exasperation of getting confronted verbally. With the proper backing of efficient curriculum as well as pedagogy, there occurs the flourishing of effective learning as Assertive Discipline does the creation of a systematic learning environment. Moreover, the development of the teacher-student association via Assertive Discipline will be discouraging misbehaviour as well as do the promotion of success academically (Kunter, 2013). On the other hand, the Assertive Discipline model is having its own weaknesses as well. There is a lack of theoretical evidence for supporting the Assertive Discipline model. It is also being argued that the lack of considering the rights of the student will be affecting the students development relating to self-discipline in a negative manner (Kunter, 2013). Moreover, it is being stated that the Assertive Discipline model is not examining the reason as to why a student is misbehaving as well as has the belief that the aspect of overusing rewards as well as appreciation might be reducing the inner motivation of the student towards leraning(Getz, 2016). It has aslo been critucally stated that the students are only doing the different activities out of compliance that as a result, adversely impacts their welfare as well as development of behaviours related to learning (Muijs, 2014). Goal Centered Theory, Assertive Discipline as well as Cognitive Behavioural Theory can be classified under two major theories of classroom management. Goal Centered Theory is strongly affected by the psychoeducational theories, Assertive Discipline is affected strongly by behaviourist theories, whie Cognitive Behavioural Theory is affected strongly by the psychoeducational as well as behaviourist theories (Liebowitz, 2016). The major distictioh within the three theories are their contrasting point of views regarding the cause related to the behaviour or misbehviour of students (Mulder, 2014). Goal Centered Theory is believing in the fact that the behaviour of the student is driven by the desire for belonging to a group or gaining recognition, Cognitive Behavioural Theory is believing in the fact that the behaviour of the student is self-directed, whereas Assertive Discipline is believing in the fact that the behaviour of the student is the outcome of the lack of a structural aspect a s well as limitations (Liebowitz, 2016) . References Billett, S. . (2013). Learning through work: Emerging perspectives and new challenges.. Journal of Workplace Learning,, 264-276. Bolman, L. G. (2017). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons. Getz, D. . (2016). Event studies: Theory, research and policy for planned events. Abingdon: Routledge. Jones, V. . (2015). Comprehensive classroom management: Creating communities of support and solving problems. Sydney: Pearson. Kolb, D. A. (2014). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. London: FT press. Kunter, M. K. (2013). Professional competence of teachers: Effects on instructional quality and student development. Journal of Educational Psychology, 805. Liebowitz, J. . (2016). Knowledge management and e-learning. Florida: CRC press. Muijs, D. K. (2014). State of the artteacher effectiveness and professional learning. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 231-256. Mulder, M. (2014). Conceptions of professional competence inInternational handbook of research in professional and practice-based learning. Amsterdam: Springer. Salend, S. J. (2015). Creating inclusive classrooms: Effective, differentiated and reflective practices. Sydney: Pearson.

The U.S. Supreme Court and Politics free essay sample

A discussion of the various topics that the U.S. Supreme Court deals with. A detailed examination of the U.S. Supreme court and the type of matters it addresses. The author argues that issues of politics and political controversies should be taken into account by the supreme court as often they form constitutional issues, and supports this view by emphasizing the chief objective of the U.S. supreme court: to preserve the principles and rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. The paper includes an analysis of various politicians and an explanation of the roles of the supreme court and judiciary. When political beliefs and thoughts evolve into law, often times, constitutional issues arise alongside. Although the U.S. Supreme Court has the license to decide whether or not to adjudicate matters involving hot political topics, past history has indicated that the Court has not been inclined to evade such questions, but rather, to thoroughly delve into such controversies. We will write a custom essay sample on The U.S. Supreme Court and Politics or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As a staunch Federalist, Alexander Hamilton had strong beliefs and ideas as to how the infant U.S. government should be set up and efficiently run. As opposed to Thomas Jeffersons notions on the importance of strong state governments, Hamilton believed in the superiority of a powerful central government body. He set forth his political views in the Federalist papers, examining all aspects of government and focusing on the role of the judicial branch in numbers 78, 79 and 80.

Most Important Symbols in The Great Gatsby, Analyzed

Most Important Symbols in The Great Gatsby, Analyzed SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Have you ever come across an object or an image in a book that was really over-described? That the author seemed way too over-invested in? Most of the time, that feeling is a hint that what you've encountered is a symbol! The Great Gatsby features many objects and images that pop up exactly like this. But how do you interpret Great Gatsby symbols once you've found them? And how can you find symbols that don't have as much signposting around them? In this article, I'll take you through an explanation of what symbols are, how to locate them, and how to write about them. I'll also point you to in-depth articles about each of the most important symbols in The Great Gatsby. Roadmap to This Article What are symbols and why do authors use them? How do you find symbols in a work of fiction? Tips and advice for writing essays about symbols Links to our detailed, in-depth discussions about the key symbols in The Great Gatsby Quick Note on Our Citations Our citation format in this guide is (chapter.paragraph). We're using this system since there are many editions of Gatsby, so using page numbers would only work for students with our copy of the book. To find a quotation we cite via chapter and paragraph in your book, you can either eyeball it (Paragraph 1-50: beginning of chapter; 50-100: middle of chapter; 100-on: end of chapter), or use the search function if you're using an online or eReader version of the text. What Is a Symbol? Think about your own life. You probably save mementos from travel, or meaningful events, because they represent the experience or your connection a person rather than simply because they are airplane tickets or dried flowers. Just like these mementos are symbols of your feelings, memories, or hopes, so a symbol in a work of literature is something concrete that stands for an abstract idea. In other words, it's when an object, a character, or a place doesn't just represent that type of object, but also evokes a feeling or a concept. This means that symbols have several layers of meaning, most of which are often hidden at first. What you are doing when you interpret a symbol is going above and beyond the object's literal definition to see a deeper, less obvious meaning. Remember, symbols do not always have the same meaning or interpretation, so a particular symbol's significance varies depending on context between different works, or even within the same work. Symbols vs. Motifs A symbol isn't the same thing as a motif. A symbol occurs once or a few times, but a motif runs through the whole work. A symbol tends to be something concrete that represents or stands for an abstract idea or concept, but a motif's meaning typically comes from the different ways and situations in which it recurs. For example, in The Great Gatsby, one important symbol is the green light on Daisy's dock, which is a concrete object that also represents the abstract concepts of yearning and the American Dream. Those same themes are also connected to one of the novel's many motifs- Gatsby's verbal tic of calling everyone "old sport." This phrase isn't a symbol, but its oddness point to the not-quite-successful way Gatsby is trying to act like the social elite. That being said, you could always make the case that a particularly resonant instance of a motif is in itself a symbol of some idea! In literary analysis, to the maker of the best argument go the spoils. Symbols vs. Themes A symbol isn't the same thing as a theme. Symbols are objects that carry a literal and one or several figurative meanings, while themes are central ideas that can usually be summed up in a word or a phrase. Symbols help explain themes, demonstrate varying versions of a theme, or build emotional richness into the way a theme works in the book you're reading. For example, one theme in The Great Gatsby is "morality and ethics." But we can't know what the novel wants us to think about morality or ethics until we notice that the only symbolic representation of a higher moral power in the book is the inanimate billboard of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg. This symbol represents a lack of moral oversight in the world of the novel. This crown: a symbol of monarchy? Of imperial oppression? Of unbearable ostentatiousness? Depends on the context. Why Do Authors Use Symbols? At its core, a symbol is a literary device that enhances fiction by building richness and adding color, depth, and realism. Rather than having the author have to explain everything in a heavy-handed way, symbols allow readers to discover connections between characters, bits of plot, and different settings on their own. Authors also use symbolism to tie certain things that may initially seem unimportant to overarching themes, or to connect disparate objects or places to unify a work- all without having to be didactic or moralizing. For example, in The Great Gatsby, the symbol of the valley of ashes connects West and East Egg to the industrial poverty that the rich Long Islanders would rather simply ignore. Finally, symbols create a more active and engaging reading experience for you! Hunting for symbols and interpreting their meaning makes you think, and it also makes you have a much more visceral, emotional reaction to the abstract ideas central to the book. In the case of The Great Gatsby, watching Gatsby reach in vain for the green light makes us feel his yearning much more than if the author had simply written, "Gatsby wanted to reunite with Daisy." How Do You Find Symbols? Mostly likely, your assignment will pick out specific symbols for you to analyze. However, often teachers ask you to find and explore a symbol of your own choosing. So how do you know what's just a thing and what is imbued with a deeper meaning? Symbols Are Everywhere First, you have to realize that almost anything can be a symbol. Place. Often a setting isn't simply a location where events happen. Sometimes it's also a shorthand, evocative way of representing a particular set of people or their ideas. For example, in The Great Gatsby, Myrtle's Manhattan apartment isn't simply a place for her to host parties, but it also stands for her ambition and aspiration to leave her working-class life behind. More globally, it stands for the vulgar approximation of the upper class that the East Egg crowd scorns and mocks. Object. This is probably the most common type of symbol- a thing that carries meaning over and above its inherent thing-ness. In this novel, almost every object described at any length can be seen a symbol. Think, for instance, of the ridiculously expensive pearl necklace Tom gives Daisy before their wedding. He means it to be symbolic of his love for her, but it is also clearly a symbol of the way he uses his wealth to control other people (something he will later do with Myrtle). More globally, it symbolizes the rich using their money to get their way. Action. Sometimes, a character's actions, gestures, ways of speaking, or behaviors are themselves symbolic, representing an idea about that character alone, or about a group of similar people. One of Gatsby's most telling gestures is the outstretched arm pose he does several times in the book (like at the end of Chapter 1 or in the beginning of Chapter 8). One of Gatsby's most defining characteristics is his striving drive to attain Daisy's love and a position in the upper class- basically, a life that's just out of reach. His habitual gesture of reaching for the ungraspable symbolizes this trait. Person. Infrequently, a character can also function as a symbol of a greater idea. This is literary device is hard to pull off, because making a person into a symbol tends to take away at least some of their individuality and personhood. This is exactly what happens in The Great Gatsby, where Daisy is at once herself (lover to Gatsby, cousin to Nick, wife to Tom, mother to Pammy), and also a symbol of the American Dream and its flaws. Is adjusting a cufflink: a symbol of impeccable taste? Prissy fussiness? Anxiety? Depends on who is doing it and why. Universally Meaningful Symbols Some symbols are culturally universal. That means that in almost every place, these objects will have layers of meaning built into them. So feel free to interpret these universally meaningful symbols in any work you come across! Here are some examples: Colors. Most civilizations imbue colors with meaning, although that meaning is by no means always the same either from one culture to another, or even within the same culture. For instance, think about the way we perceive the color red. It can sometimes represent a warning (red means stop), but at other times, it's a symbol of love and passion (red roses mean romance). In our case, The Great Gatsby places lots of significance on the color green, for example, which is associated both with hope and with sickness and death. Celestial Bodies. The moon, the sun, stars- these are all potential symbols. They don't play as prominent a role in The Great Gatsby as they do in some other books, but you can still find a lot of significance in the way the moon tends to illuminate the truth. It's particularly evident in Chapters 8 and 9, when the moon makes Gatsby look like a criminal to Nick after Myrtle's murder, and when Nick imagines East Egg as a creepy El Greco painting or as the lush shore Dutch sailors would have seen. Plants, Nature, Weather Events, or Bodies of Water. If it's naturally-occurring, and if it intersects with the characters in any way, chances are it can be read as a symbol of something. Weather, in particular, plays a key function in this novel, especially when in extreme situations, like when Gatsby and Daisy's reunion is almost ruined by a downpour, or when the tense confrontation in the Plaza Hotel is made even more excruciating by the unrelenting heat. In each case, the weather can be interpreted as a symbol for the characters' emotions. Body Parts. It's not surprising that humans find other humans' bodies to be of particular significance. Whenever a book pays a lot of attention to hands, eyes, lips, or any other part of the body, there are bound to be layers of meaning behind it. In this novel, bodies are very important symbols of how characters are perceived. Whether it's Myrtle's gruesomely graphic corpse which speaks to the many ways her body is mistreated, or Daisy's siren-like voice, which points to the way Gatsby sees her more as a mythically desirable prize than as a real live person, body parts are meaningful. Discrete and Original Symbols Many symbols aren't ones that have universal associations, but are instead more idiosyncratic and book-specific. Here are some tips for how to locate these less obvious Great Gatsby symbols. Lingering Description. Pay close attention to places or objects that are described at length, especially if the novel comes back to them multiple times, or if their description has a key element that slips its boundaries and starts being applied to other things. For example, in The Great Gatsby, the valley of ashes is a strange, dusty, gray place that is never referred to by its real place name (Queens), or some made-up town name (like West Egg and East Egg), but is instead given this Biblically-inflected nickname. Not only that, but the dust and ash that cover everything in this place are also said to coat the people that live there- so much so that even when George leaves his garage, he is still described as "ashen" (8.110). Incongruity. Anything that is either completely out of place in its surroundings, or is creepy, confusing, mysterious, or discomfiting in some way is probably a symbol. For example, the billboard with the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg clearly unnerves everyone who looks at it. And it's totally out of place: it's the only colorful object in the gray valley of ashes, and it's advertising something that is no longer being sold. Character Obsession. Anything that one of the main characters is fixated on is probably a symbol. In our case, Gatsby's unyielding focus on the green light at the end of Daisy's dock clearly marks this as no ordinary shore marker for night sailing. Why is that chair not like the others? What does symbolize by standing out? Tips and Advice for Writing About Symbols Most of your assignments will ask you to analyze a symbol and explore its significance in the novel. So how do you do this well? There are two different types of essay you can build. How to Write an Essay Built Around Close-Readings This kind of essay is a great way to show your engagement with the text. Because you'll stay so close to what is on the page, you'll be protected from making your essay too broad, generalized, and unsupported by evidence. How do you write this kind of essay? When you're planning your essay, look for each instance of the symbol you'll be discussing. One good way to do this is to use an online, searchable version of the text here (like this one or this one), and search for keywords associated with your symbol. Remember to first read the book all the way through to know what you're looking for, and to try several versions of your keyword when searching. When you're writing your essay: First, build out from the instances of the symbol you found. Discuss the symbol's meaning in each context, paying close attention to the author's word choice, sentence structure, and any literary devices like similes or metaphors. How does the symbol stay the same with each appearance? How does it change between appearances? What does this change or lack or change demonstrate? Second, link the symbol to its larger meaning within the novel through these choices the author made about the way the symbol is described. What theme or themes is this symbol is connected to? What does it represent for the characters associated with it? How can you tell? How to Write an Essay Built Around an Argument This type of essay is great if you're making a statement about why a symbol is the way that it is, or why it's being used to represent what it represents. You can use it to show your understanding of the book as a whole. How do you write this kind of essay? First, follow the same planning steps as the close-reading essay above. Then: Make an argument. It's not enough to just describe the symbol and explain its possible meanings. Instead, you have to make sure that you're making some kind of point about why/how the symbol works. How do you know if you're making an argument and not just saying the obvious? If you can imagine someone arguing the opposite of what you're saying, then you've got an argument on your hands. Work from the text out. You'll still need to do a certain amount of close reading to nail this essay, so start small by analyzing chunks of the text where the symbol pops up, and then broadening your points out to the rest of the book. This way, your argument will be strengthened by textual evidence rather than seeming to come out of nowhere Don't overthink it. For example, it's fine to argue that the green light on Daisy's dock stands for delusional optimism- but it definitely doesn't stand for environmental degradation. Watch out for stretching your symbol analysis too far from what the text is telling you. Do these paintbrushes symbolize creativity? Sure. A wealth of resources? Maybe. Industrialist waste? Probably not. Analyzing The Great Gatsby Symbols This novel is very rich, symbol-wise. For in-depth discussion of the most important object symbols, check out our articles on: The green light on Daisy's dock The valley of ashes The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg Some characters (primarily the women) are often treated as symbols as well. For more on how that works, read our guides to: Daisy Buchanan Myrtle Wilson The Bottom Line A symbol in a work of literature is something concrete that stands for an abstract idea. A symbol isn't the same thing as a motif, since a motif's meaning typically comes from the different ways and situations in which it recurs. A symbol isn't the same thing as a theme, which is a central idea that can usually be summed up in a word or a phrase. Authors use symbols to help explain themes, demonstrate varying versions of a theme, or build emotional richness into the way a theme works in the book you're reading. Almost anything can be a symbol: a place, an object, an action, or even a person. Some symbols are culturally universal, like colors, celestial bodies, plants and nature, or parts of the body. Many symbols are book-specific symbols. You can find them by paying attention to any objects that are described at length, are out of place in its surroundings, are creepy, confusing, mysterious, or discomfiting in some way, or are obsessed over by one or more characters. Most of your assignments will ask you to analyze a symbol and explore its significance in the novel. You can either write an essay built around close-readings, analyzing how the different ways a symbol is described in the novel connects it to a specific theme. Or you can write an essay built around an argument, where you prove a particular interpretation of a symbol in the book. What's Next? Learn how to write about the themes in The Great Gatsby that symbols are usually linked to. Explore the differences between symbols and motifs further in our overview of The Great Gatsby's motifs. Brush up on the context of these symbols with our summary of The Great Gatsby. Get help on other assignments by reading our guides on analyzing or comparing and contrasting characters and learning how to identify personification, imagery, tone words, and rhetorical devices. Need help building your vocabulary to analyze other works of literature? We teach you all the literary devices you must know, the literary elements that appear in every story and first/second/third person POV here. If you're analyzing poetry (or Shakespeare), you'll also want to check out our articles on iambic pentameter and assonance. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: