Estee’s Comments (group member since May 26, 2016)

Estee’s comments from the Mills AP Lit and Comp group.

Estee Dechtman
Period One

Oh what a deal of scorn look beautiful
In the contempt and anger of his lip
A murderous guilt shows not itself more soon
Than love that would seem hid
Loves night is noon
Cesario, by the roses of the spring,
By maidenhood, honor, truth, and everything I love thee so
That mauler all thy pride
Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide
Do not extort thy reasons for this clause for that I woo
Though therefore hast no cause
But reason thus with reason fetter
Love sought is good, but given unsought better


This monologue from Shakespeare’s Twelfth night, Or What You Will, Act three Scene one is perhaps the most relatable monologue of its time. This monologue comes from Olivia, who has fallen in love with Cesario, who is really Viola. Everyone has felt passionately about someone in their life, just as Olivia did for Cesario. Shakespeare has the amazing ability to write about great tragedies, but also make the littlest incidents applicable to modern day life. Something as small as a crush is displayed in this scene when Olivia has no choice but to let her feelings out. Just like Olivia’s outburst in this time period, in todays 21st Century we still have the same feeling of loving someone so much that one can no longer keep it to themselves.

Estee Dechtman
Period Two

Distortion and literary realism are highly debated methods of writing when it comes to fiction. Literary realism has an effect that is accurate and true to the given circumstances of the plot, character’s motivation, and the time period. Distortion allows the author to go into further details and exaggerate the facts. As said by Flannery O’Connor distortion, “ is the only way to make people see.” Charles Dickens’s novel, Great Expectations is exemplary in its use of distortion and its ability to captivate its audience. Throughout the novel, Dickens specifically uses distortion when discussing the elements his unique characters. By using the aspects of distortion, Dickens gives insight towards the absurd standards of society and characterization.


Dickens writes, “I never had one hour’s happiness in her society, and yet my mind all round the four and twenty hours was harping on the happiness of having her with me unto death.” (280) The distortion and exaggeration exemplified in this depiction of Pip’s feelings towards Estella. Despite Estella’s emotional tax and abuse of Pip, he puts that aside and solely focuses on the good. Literary realism would prove that Estella’s actions were hurtful, but in Pip’s distorted view of the upperclass, he manages to exaggerate the actions that make him feel valued rather than unwanted.

The distortion in how people and classes are perceived helps Dickens to drive home his over arching themes. Distortion is used to show social classes and their systemic breed. Pip’s distortion of Estella’s character shows the desperate mindset of an outsider wanting to be let into the upperclass. Dickens effectively communicates his themes by highlighting, exaggerating, and allowing for great expectations in each of his characters.

Estee Dechtman
Period 2

The Great Gatsby, a cannon of American literature is a tale of unrequited love, outrageous parties, materialism, and greed. These aspects and the themes throughout the novel are applicable to every day life. There is a reason this novel is taught over and over again. The beauty of this novel is its ability to never stop the reader from asking questions. After reading this novel for the fourth time and trying to find a single flaw, I realized that every time I read this book I would ask the same question, is the fascination that nick has with Gatsby critical or accepting? The lack of evidence to sway the reader either way has always been something that upset me about this novel and keeps it from perfection.

Nick has always been dazzled by wealth and “new money.” He is very observant and sets high standards when analyzing events and people. Nick is known for his brutal honesty. Although not always kind, Nick tells it as it is and is not afraid to let the truth out. It is puzzling as to why the reader has such a hard time trying to future out how Nick feels about Gatsby. In chapter one Nick says, “When I came back from the East last autumn I felt that I wanted the world to be in uniform and at a sort of moral attention forever; I wanted no more riotous excursions with privileged glimpses into the human heart. Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction—Gatsby, who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn.” This quote is an example of the supportive and positive outlook Nick has on Gatsby regarding his character and personality. In the same chapter he writes, “The Carraways are something of a clan, and we have a tradition that we're descended from the Dukes of Buccleuch, but the actual founder of my line was my grandfather's brother, who came here in fifty-one, sent a substitute to the Civil War, and started the wholesale hardware business that my father carries on to-day.” The question of whether Nick finds it more respectable to come from new money, rather than his upbringing in the American Dream is displayed the contrasting quotes. Despite Nick’s upbringing, Fitzgerald opposed the reader by showcasing Nick’s fascination with Gatsby’s wealth and untraditional fortune. Nick gives every reason to be critical of Gatsby, yet the author also allows for empathy and understanding. Had there been a decisive choice this novel would be absolute perfection.

Estee Dechtman
Period 2

Every person has a spark that drives them to achieve greatness. A spark that ignites a passion within to be adventurous and try new things. The Great Gatsby is a perfect example of how when a spark is ignited the balance between remaining faithful to ones foundation and seeking adventure can often be offset. The West is a safe and comfortable location in which simply going out about every day life is the norm. There is no mystery or adventure. There is no romance or unrequited loves. The West is safe. The Great Gatsby ignores the spark in the West and moves it to the East. He showcases how sometimes the hunger for adventure can go beyond a person and cause them to fall back into a safety net. Fitzgerald uses The Great Gatsby to display the yearning of luxury and the necessary retreat back to safety when the adventure becomes too far from their foundation and morals.


Nick has a taste of what it was like to have his spark ignited though Gatsby’s parties. He is suddenly fascinated with the rush of adrenaline that adventure provides. The East is described through the “satisfaction that the constant flicker of men and women and machines gives to the restless eye.” It is portrayed as fast moving, “sharply different from the West, where an evening was hurried from phase to phase toward its close.” Nick is astonished by the vast difference in the east through its fast pace and never ending acts of rebellion. When discussing Tom’s affair he notes that instead of going to the west “it'd be more discreet to go to Europe.” This new way of life in the east begins to alter Nick’s morals by creating a more rebellious outlook on life. However, despite the slight modification in his behavior he stays true to the foundation in which he is from. The west and its less promiscuous lifestyle is rooted deep down in each character, and although the scenery may change, their values do not.

The Great Gatsby showcases the lesson of being cognizant in the balance between your morals and your yearn for adventure. Nick “was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.” This quote displays how Nick created his balance of the east and the west. It is not simply half and half, it is specific for each person and the foundation they come from.

Estee Dechtman
Period 2

The beauty of The Great Gatsby is that each discovery helps to illuminate the plot in some way, shape, or form. The first “illuminating moment” was towards the begging of the novel when Nick is invited to his first Gatsby party. Nick’s western foundation is seen when he wanders away from the extravagant night life at the party and into the library. He runs into a old man exploring each book, picking up every novel in awe of its pages and words. Evidently the man is drunk and is in look of an adventure of sorts. He then recites one of Fitzgerald’s most famous quotes, “I've been drunk for about a week now, and I thought it might sober me up to sit in a library.” This man, also referred to as Owl Eyes symbolizes the struggles in society at the time of the novel. This quote discusses a man who drinks to be social and have a good time, but he wishes to transition his lifestyle to a more prestigious and studious one. This is representative of the idea that a person's true personality is shown under the influence of alcohol. The fact that people attempted to use alcohol to hide their problems and what they truly wanted, but they often got lost in themselves. This is an illuminating scene that set the tone for the rest of the novel.