Identify and explain a parallel or connection you have found with The Great Gatsby. Give specific details, and discuss how this novel may put a "twist" on the element.
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Willie Bodega is most closely paralled to Jay Gatsby. The two are both immensely rich and well respected, but both seem to have only achieved what they have for a woman. In Willie Bodega's case: Vera, and in Jay Gatsby's case: Daisy. Both women are already married, but supposedly to men they do not love. Both men are aided by the novel's narrator, who somehow has a distant relation to the women. Both men dealt in illegal buisness to aquire their wealth.
Bodega Dreams may put a more violent ending to this element. Being from a volatile area as spanish harlem, violence may be the answer.
Jay Gatsby's love for Daisy and Willie Bodega's love for Veronica both seem to be their weaknesses. Both men visit the past and conclude that these women should love them according to past events. Gatsby wanted to marry Daisy after five years of being out of contact, which connects to how Bodega is inclined to marry Veronica after she has been married. He assumes, like Gatsby, that she does not love her present husband and would rather marry him. Bodega said: "'Of course she'll leave that pendejo. She never wanted to marry him in the first place" (78). As Bowen stated, both Gatsby and Bodega try to get their women through another man.
Unlike in The Great Gatsby, Bodega Dreams may let Bodega have Veronica in the end. Maybe Bodega will actually realize that that she is not the same anymore, and possibly she won't love him.
The most obvious parallel between Gatsby and Bodega is their love of a woman and the things they will do to gain that woman's love. Both Gatsby and Bodega were denied by said woman supposedly because they didn't have enough money and both have dreams and plans to gain riches and eventually the hand of the woman they love. However, the most interesting parallel I saw was on page 14 of Bodega Dreams: "Bodega would create a GREEN LIGHT of hope." The idea of a green light was both physically, at the end of Daisy's dock, and metaphorically, to describe the dream of Gatsby, present in The Great Gatsby. I think that just like in Gatsby, Bodega's dream will come crashing down upon him, almost certainly because of a gun based on where the book takes place. Although, maybe Quinonez will employ a bit of irony and Bodega will fail using the Anglo's method - perhaps some legal trouble will befall him. -Victoria M
Willie Bodega has the most parallels to Jay Gatsby. Both men are self-made, both of their fortunes are made illegaly, and both men are madly in love with somebody that is not in love with them. In Bodega's case: Vera is his love but she loves Nazario, and Bodega made his fortune as a drug lord. In Gatsby's case: He is in love with Daisy but she is not in love with him, and he made his fortune through gambling.
I have already read the book, but if I were to guess the ending, I would say that it ends the same as The Great Gatsby. Bodega dies, Vera's husband dies, and Nazario goes untouched.
To agree with everyone else, there is a clear parallel between Bodega and Gatsby. Both had high dreams of hitting it big, but to do that they had to get the money through illegal means (Bodega with drugs, Gatsby with bootlegging). Both men are striving for the love of a past fling, but their woman is now married. Bodega and Gatsby think though that their girls don't actually love their husbands.
But when Victoria mentioned the green light that made me think of the green card. The green card Blanca is trying to get for this woman from her church. This green card is similar to the green light from The Great Gatsby because both symbolize hope and desire. The green light is the desire Gatsby has for getting Daisy back. While the green card is the hope the woman has to get an education and live a good life. Both of which seem to be just out of the said person's reach.
I really like the green card idea! I hadn't made that connection before. One thing I've been thinking a lot about are the parallels between Nick and Chino. Any thoughts?
Oh, and please don't give any plot twists away if you're an early poster!
Maybe i'm getting a little ahead of myself here, but i think the most obvious similarity is the way that Gatsby devotes his entire life to getting Daisy, and Bodega does almost exactly the same thing with Veronica. I think the twist is going to come at the end though, I think Bodega and Veronica are going to come extremely close to living happily, and then something is going to happen to Veronica, and I've got a feeling that its going to be related to the guy across town that Bodega supposedly has a truce with, just because i cant see a truce lasting very long in Spanish Harlem.
I also see many similarities between Nazario and Wolfshiem. I have not finished the book yet, but so far they seem to be very similar. Both of these characters have a great sense of mystery surrounding them. I constantly wonder what is being said behind closed doors and try to guess the real intentions of their actions. Besides the fact that they are both involved in similar business, they both rely on the Bodega/Gatsby characters in their books. You get a sense that Bodega and Gatsby both look up to Nazario and Wolfshiem. Nazario and Wolfshiem seem to have the greatest influence over Bodega and Gatsby and have steered them into their businesses.
Nick and Chino do have a lot in common. They are both the "new" people to the scene; Nick becomes friends with the Buchanans and Gatsby, and Chino becomes friends with Bodega. Both Nick and Gatsby seem to be in the dark about certain things, and due to this, they become entangled in twisting plots that involve the love of women. Similarly, they also are the links to women- Vera and Daisy- who turn out to be the reason for the fatal end of the friends who needed the link, Gatsby and Bodega. Even though I finished the book, the twist is that Nick does not seem nearly as affected by the end as Chino does. For Nick, it was just another interesting summer gone by and Gatsby's death did not affect him too personally. Unlike Nick, Chino was hurt and angry at Nazario's plan and was sad at Bodega's funeral. Chino also saw a positive outlook after Bodega's death- Spanish Harlem remained the same and no one "took to the streets."
Of course there are the obvious parallels of the man chasing his dream and his love and of the man chasing his dream being shot, but the element of similarity I found most interesting was the narration. True, Nick from Gatsby was a little bit less likable and annoyed me a bit more, but Chino's narration had some similar qualities to Nick's. The main similarity was that both narrators were very passive in dealing with the events of the stories. Chino gets sucked into this vortex of Bodega's without really wanting to or meaning to. However, it is only because of his inaction that he is pulled in. I also think that in some ways, like Nick, Chino was pulled in by both the money and the dream offered to him by Bodega. I also think that, after being pulled into Bodega's plan, Chino continued his pacifism; there were multiple times where Chino knew that what was going on was wrong, both in Blanca's eyes and in the eyes of the law, but he didn't do anything to right the situation. True Nick didn't have both his house and the safety of his best friend riding on his decision of whether or not to interfere, but Chino could, and should, have gotten himself out of that situation instead of passively accepting it and riding it out till the 'end' which came only with Bodega's death. Truthfully I do like Chino much more than Nick. Chino was more of a solid person and he definitely had redeeming qualities. Also, Chino ends the book by finally making a strong decision and going to the police about Nazario. This is the twist from Gatsby where Nick never tells the police why Gatsby was killed. -Victoria M
Just like most people said. Willie bodega can be compared to jay gatsby the most. they both are very wealthy. When it comes to women they seem to be searching for the same thing, love and they only have there eyes on one person only. Bodega wants vera and jay wanted daisy and it is made very clear in both books the love they have for there women.
Roughly 150 pages into this book, there are several noteworthy similarites between "The Great Gatsby" and "Bodega Dreams." For starters, Bodega (Gatsby) befriends a family member (Julio/Chino) of the woman of his dreams (Vera), in order to get closer to her. Also, both Gatsby and Bodega participate in criminal activities, but are considered good people by the majority of their respective communities. People loved Gatsby because of his great parties, and people love Bodega because he helps out his neighborhood. I get the sense, however, that like Gatsby, Bodega's story will end in tradgedy.
Everyone has found really intersting paralles between "The Great Gatsby" and "Bodega Dreams"! Even though it's already been said, my orignal parallel about the 2 novels was Willie Bodega and Mr. Gatsby and their lifestyles and about the women they love. Gatsby being known for his famouns parties and Bodega being known for helping his communitiy show that the 2 men are similar in different ways. Also, Bodega, living for the moment to meet Vera, and Gatsby, living in the same area as the love of his life, Daisy, show how similar the 2 relationships are in the novels. I also noticed the quote about how "Bodega would create a green light of hope" (14) and it obviously made me think of the green light that is in "The Great Gatsby". It symbolizes hope in life and maybe hope in having the woman that they both love, but can't get. Both men are rich but these women are the only things standing in their way of a perfect life. As of now, the moral of the story seems to be that you can't always get what you want. The men are so used "buying" their way into everything with their money, that they are stumpted when trying to get the women that they love to be with them as it proves to be a different type of task. We know that the Gatsby/Daisy relationship doesn't work out...but I wonder if there will be any difference in how the relationship between Bodega/Vera turns out...
Bodega and Gatsby both are in love with women from their past. Both women left for something better, but the men couldnt let go.
Bodega is a gang leader, and a "Young Lord" while Gatsby also dealt in illegal activities, all in order to gain respect in their loves' eyes.
Gatsby was rarely seen at his own parties, and Bodega is only seen when he wants to be.
I think Bodega will be more forceful trying to get Vera. Gatsby seemed too shy or even socially awkward to try hard enough to get Daisy's full attention. Bodega is more charismatic, and if his charm doesnt work, he'll do something big to get Vera back.
I agree with the ideas that have been posted. Most postings have focused on drawing connections between the characters, however, what stuck out to me were connections between a few specific scenes instead. For example, when Bodega was nervously preparing to meet Vera his "bloodshot" eyes and frantic demeanor seemed very similar to the condition of Gatsby when he showed up at Nick's door to meet Daisy. Also, the atmosphere that accompanied Willy and Vera's meeting took a course similar to that of Gatsby and Daisy. At first there was a severe feeling of awkwardness which Chino describes as a "horrible tension." However, after Willy gloats to Vera about all of his possessions and they reconnect, they act as if they are once again in love. -Carolyn Maiorana
One obvious parallel between The Great Gatsby and Bodega dreams is the love stories within each. Gatsby was obsessed with Daisy and sought her out much like Bodega did Vera. Whether this love was real or if it was just a matter of lust has yet to be proved in Bodega and Vera's case, but in Gatsby's story it turned out that their "love" had been little more than the obsession. Another connection can be made between Nick and Jordan and Chino and Blanca. Both couples argued continuously and were attracted to each other based on appearances. Nick and Jordan broke up in the end, so in my opinion there is not much hope for Chino and Blanca. (But I, for one, am hoping they do stay together!)
The most obvious parallel between the two stories is clearly the non-reciprocated love both Bodega and Jay Gatsby both struggle with. Both are in love with women that are already taken; both have tried to earn the love of these women through less than honorable means. I suspect that just like in Gatsby, Bodega will not get the girl. Victoria's connection between the greed card and the green light is a great point I didn't connect at the beginning. The symbol of hope holds the same connotations in both novels: a happy future and the ability to gain what you want. The connection between Nick and Chino is equally obvious- they are spectators to the world they don;t really belong in, but were dragged into because of a familial connection. The connection between Wolfsheim and Nazario is also evident- both men are honest fronts for the less honorable businesses they are a part of, letting the less educated or worldly partners take the fall because of their idealism and naivety. I also see a bit of a parallel between Jordan and Sapo. Both are dishonest people, sort of pawns in the lives of the people they associate with, with little concern for anyone but themselves.
I was actually wondering, while reading Bodega Dreams, "why does she really want us to read this book?". The parallels between Bodega Dreams and Gatsby are uncanny. First off, Willie Bodega, a 'new money' man who gained his fortune through organized crime, is a mirror image of Jay Gatsby. The two entrepreneurs are part of the upper echelon in society and suffer from distorting reality and conforming to that distortion. Bodega, and all of his Hispanic followers, believe that from the money and loyalty from Spanish Harlem, he can rebuild a part of the city looked down on my others. Intertwined with this unreality, is the love of 'Vera', which adds on to the fable that the renovated love that they once shared could be assembled again. Sound familiar? Jay Gatsby and Daisy's affair displays the same unfavorable wish. Gatsby mentions to Nick that he plans on reconstructing the relationship that Daisy and he once had.
In addition to the parallels between Gatsby and Bodega, common threads exist between Chino and Nick Carraway. Both are compelled and intrigued by the higher power living around them. For Chino, Bodega offers him a job he can't refuse, hanging with his friends, making money and benefiting society as a whole. On the other hand, Nick admires Gatsby for his wealth, prosperity and lifestyle, in addition to the connections with the friends he hangs out with. For Nick and Julio, the rewards are endless if they conform to the men they look up to.
Alex- I really like how you said of Gatsby and Bodega "The two entrepreneurs are part of the upper echelon in society and suffer from distorting reality and conforming to that distortion".
Now that I have finished the novel, the meeting between Vera, Bodega and Vidal struck me as very similar to a scene in "The Great Gatsby." This meeting where Bodega encourages Vera to tell Vidal that she never loved him is very close to how Gatsby tried to get Daisy to tell Tom that she never loved him. In Bodega's situation, however, Vera does leave her husband for her outside lover. Daisy, on the other hand, goes back to her husband. Ernesto Quinnonez most likely did this in an attempt to stray from Gatsby's story and make his original.
Another connection that I drew between the two novels was the role that alcohol played in the story. In Gatsby, alcohol and partying was a way for people to get “in” with Gatsby. At these parties, Gatsby was his happiest because his plan of luring Daisy away from Tom was working. Bodega’s way of getting to Vera involved champagne and a night out on the town. Although Bodega was the one who was truly being played, at this time he believed that he was obtaining his prize. Both reunions among the past lovers were very similar as well. Each meeting was filled with shock and awkwardness. But once the men flashed their showy possessions to the women, they fell back in “love”.
This novel seems to be almost exactly the same as The Great Gatsby. First and foremost, Gatsby and Bodega are clearly VERY similar. They both are a sort of rags to riches story with many friends all over the place. Also, they are in love with someone from the past who has moved on, while he still cannot. Then Chino and Nick Carraway seem very similar, as well. They are telling this story from their persepective to the reader. Also, in Gatsby, Jay tries to get Nick to help him win over Daisy, and in Bodega, Bodega recruits Chino to help him get to Vera. It is also very interesting that both of the novels are titled after the man who is stuck in the past, Bodega and Gatsby. The final difference is the location. In Gatsby, much of it takes place in New YOrk City, and the rest in the Hamptons. Bodega Dreams also takes place in NYC, albeit, a very different section of the city.
The big differece, though, is that in Gatsby, all the characters are extremely rich. They have money to throw around, carelessly. The characters living in Spanish Harlem in Bodega Dreams, however, are all, at least for the most part, living in poverty and living in the projects.
The two obvious parallels are Nick and Chino, and Gatsby and Bodega. Then there is Vera and Daisy which is a bit more subtle. I think there is also a parallel between Wolfshiem and Nazario. They were both smart and respected partners of the Bodega/Gatsby of their story. There is also an air of mystery that surrounds them. Wolfshiem tried to stay under the radar and tried to avoid unwanted company (when Nick goes to see him after Gatsby's death, his recptionist tells Nick that he is away on business but once Nick mentions his connection to Gatsby he gets in to see him in his office). Nazario is a very private person and didn't wan Chino overhearing the conversation about Salazaar. They both want as few people to know about their "business" as possible. --Scott Hagen
Chino is a parallel of Nick They both narrate the story, they both develop into Bodedga and Gatsby's best friend. They each are not rich, but very involved with the rich mans' lives. Also Bodega and Gatsby are very similar.
They both have a geat deal of money and use it to try to obtain a married woman. Very and Daisy are also similar. they both married men they did not love for the money. They also both had cheated on their husbands.
WIllie Bodega definately reminds me of Jay Gatsby not only for his love for Vera, but also because they both kind of live in secrecy. In the beginning of the book, Willie seems to be a very secret person. Not many know about him, and few have seen him. This reminded me of Jay Gatsby just because they not many know about them in the beginning of the book.
I also found it interesting how both of them have gotten wealthy from actions that are downright illegal.
The characters in Bodega dreams almost entirely parallel the characters in The Great Gatsby. Nick and Chino. Gatsby and Willie. Wolfsheim and Nazario. Each has definate differences as well, but Nick and Chino were thrust into a new scene and sort of float along until they become involved. Gatsby and Willie strive to become wealthy to impress a girl they fell in love with in the past. And Wolfshiem and Nazario are equally shady and play the role of sidekick to the main protagonist.
Halfway through the novel, the most clear connection has to be the connection between Jay Gatsby and Willie Bodega. Between the illegal acquistion of the their fortunes, striving love lives, and inability to contact their lovers on their own make both characters very similar. Also, both Nazario and Wolfsheim seem to be similar through their peculiar roles. Although the basis is quite differnt and the impact of society is enormous, Nick very much resembles Chino. Neither character is trying to be the "it" of their society. Both focus on fitting into the ever changing environments that they live in. The mood of each novel alone is also similar. Each novel starts off sort of slow, explaining the background of each neighborhood and gradually builds suspense through love and conflicting relationships.
so I feel as though I am really restating what everyone else has so nicely pointed out. It is clear of the parallels between the characters. Bodega and Gatsby were both very shady characters and were really only spoken of but never actually met. I can remember reading about how Sapo was talking about Bodega in the beginning and the sense of mystery in the character reminded me greatly of Gatsby and how no one knew about him and only heard stories. Nick, and Chino are the two characters who seemed to be influenced greatly by other people. It is obvious that Chino bows down to Sapo, especially at the very beginning. It is interesting to think what might have happened if Sapo and Chino were not such great friends. Chino could have remained very innocent and simply could have lived his life with his wife. The theme of love is extremely apparent in both novels as most people have already stated. Both authors focused on the realationship between a married woman and a rich but dishonest man. The woman bring weakness to the men simply by being near them. I am very interested to see the rest of the parallels between this novel and Gatsby. ~Lauren Bowker
I definitely agree with everyone that's said there is a huge parallel between Jay Gatsby and Willie Bodega. They are both rich men who came from meager beginnings. They both want women they can't have. They both hold a large amount of influence over other people. But I think the bigger similarity is between Chino and Nick. Neither are them are upper class and both manage to get themselves tangled up in things that are far bigger than they are. For Nick this would be his association with Gatsby and his witnessing of Gatsby and Daisy's affair, the death of Myrtle, etc. For Chino it would be his connection to Bodega and the things it gets him into. Also, both men are brought into a different social circle by latching onto these more influential men. Nick meets all of the people that party at Gatsby's house, and some of Gatsby's friends like Wolfsheim. Chino meets people like Nene and Nazario and becomes involved with them.
I don't know if this is too basic, but a parallel between the two stories is the American Dream. In the Great Gatsby the characters have the opportunity to reach it, while in Bodega Dreams, the characters first have to fight to get the chance to acheive the dream. Both novels deal with an on-looker of someone wealthier than the narrator and we see the corruption in wealth. Jay Gatsby is rich and miserable, and Bodega is rich, but only rich from selling wicked expensive hotdogs and giving away heroin. Both characters appear to have achieved the American Dream, but both prove that it is not as glorious as it seems.
I have found that Willie Bodega has a lot in common with Jay Gatsby. Both are pining for girls who chose money over love. Both come into money through hard work and illegal schemes. Both men are immensely successful but enormously unable to get a grip on reality and accept the rejection of old lovers. The most striking difference I see between Gatsby and Bodega is the community's feelings for them. Gatsby's parties were popular, but very few people actually cared about him. Bodega has worked very hard to be in good standings with the community. His philanthropy has made the community dependent on him and has made him many friends.
Kind of going off of what Jacob said regarding the American dream... one of the immediate parallels I noticed between the two novels was the significance of money. Gatsby strived to go from being poor and on the outside to being wealthy and social, which in many respects, he achieved. Although it is somewhat unclear as to what Willie Bodega's financial situations as a child were, he has gained so much respect being wealthy. In Bodega Dreams... the characters are identified by their poor lives in Spanish Harlem... while the characters of the Great Gatsby such as Tom and Daisy are recognized as an extreme upper class. In both novels, they associate with those of their own groups and in many ways look down upon others. The poorer characters of Bodega Dreams feel like the rich are ruining their lives... and vice versa in The Great Gatsby.
I agree with the ideas of the American dream that have been provoking some discussion. It also seems that both Bodega and Gatsby use the "American Dream" to help them fufill their personal dreams regarding love. Gatsby had built up all this material wealth and status, which meant nothing to him personally, but were possessions with which he could impress Daisy. Though Bodega's possessions are not ritzy mansions and boats, he also acquires expansive property and influence with which he hopes to impress Vera. A particular reference of Bodega's chest as that of a peacock's put the image in my mind of Gatsby gloating about all his impressive belongings to Daisy. Their similar behavior as they display their property and worth to the woman they desire further provides parallels between the characters and their chracterization. -Carolyn
A clear parallel that can be observed between these two books is a man's undying love for a women. Both Willie and Jay have fallen in love at the wrong time in their lives. Willie fell for Vera when he was a simple harlem kid and Jay fell for Daisy when he was a simple soldier, but in both books love is the one thing that drives these men to become what they are and they are only so successful because they hoped one day they would find that girl they loved and she would finally except them now that they were something in the world.
Both Willie Bodega and Jay Gatsby had to learn their lessons the hard way. Both tried to win love by using their wealth, which did not work out for either of them (since they both ended up dead!). How Bodega flaunted his limo to Vera and showed her what a successful, wealthy man he had become, it reminded me so much of the personality that overtook Gatsby when he was with Daisy. He had even pulled out his entire wardrobe for her to admire. It seems that these men both felt that they had nothing going for them besides their wealth, for both were nervous wrecks before they saw the "love of their life" for the first time in years. As these stories teach us, however, wealth is not enough.
As we have figured out, both Bodega and John Vidal die. Bodega represents Jay Gatsby in that he longs for Vera, but in the end is killed by her lover, Nazario, who in turn tells Vera to kill her husband, John Vidal. Vera and Nazario walk off like nothing happened, the same as Daisy and Tom did when they wacked everybody. But, Chino was not a little prick like Nick was and he told the police and got Nazario and Vera punished for their actions.
Now that I am done with this novel,I found a less obvious similarity between Bodega Dreams, and The Great Gatsby. In both novels, substance abuse is a very common thing. It seems that with every scene in Bodega, they are either smoking some weed or chugging a beer, much like how in Gatsby, alcohol was an ever present object.
Another difference is that there are more illegal things going on in Bodega Dreams. While black market dealings were hinted towards in Gatsby, in Bodega Dreams, they are blatent, and a major part of the story.
I think that Matt made a supierior point about the ending of Bodega Dreams. I can;t help but feel that the ending where Willie, Vidal and Vera are expressing their true feelings is Quinonez's attempt to really wrap up the tie ins with Gatsby. In Gatsby, of course, Daisy, instead of reviving her intentions from the past with Jay, runs into the armns of her husband, Tom Buchanan. Ernesto, however, puts an interesting twist in his story by letting Vera love Bodega like hte past, and leave her husband forever. The passion is so strong, Vera ends up killing her husband, certainly defining his story as his own and not a copy of the great gatsby.
Now that i have wrapped up Bodega Dreams i can truely see all of the parallels that exist there. The one most obvious one is that between Willie and Jay. In gatsby Jay is driven by his love and he builds himself from the bottom of society to the top. In Bodega Dreams Willie truely trys to change the world in order to impress Vera. Because both of these men build their lives to impress women i think that that is the most important parallel.
I agree with some of the other posts regarding the similarity of the American Dream in both novels and how it majorly impacted most of the characters. Also, it seems that love in both novels is a death sentence. Gatsby's death, Bodega's death, Myrtle's death, Geaorge's death and Jonh Vidal's death all are due to the pursuit of love or a confliting relationship. Chino is one of the few who have not directly ecnountered dealth within his/her own relationship but his did not end on the best note. Love seems to be a sort of insanity, eventually leading to violence and death instead happiness. It brings out the worst qualities of the characters in both novels, from anger to lying.
One parallel that I noticed was that between Bodega and Gatsby. Both of them have acquired a large amount of money, Gatsby possible more money that Bodega because Gatsby flaunted the money more. They both acquired the money by dealing illegal things (i.e. Alcohol and Crack/ Cocaine or something similar) and by gambling. Bodega had numerous "numbers houses" set up within his neighborhood, and Gatsby had dealing with Wolfshiem. Another parallel is that they both acquired their money for a women they loved years ago.
so as everyone has been saying, there are obvious parallels between Bodega and Gatsby. For one, both men have dreams of making it big and living the good life, and they worked their way towards the top and made their fortune by breakin' the law, breakin' the law (i had to channel Nene for a moment). Gatsby had gone from rags to riches in his life, and Bodega had used his money to gain him respect (the way Gatsby had tried to by throwing bootlegging parties and what not). But the two men were trying the most to gain the respect of two women they were madly in love with, which is another thing they have in common. However, no matter how badly they want to relight their old flames, they cant because both women are already married, and it seems as though the men are so wrapped up in the idea of being with these women that they'll do anything to get them.
Bodega is very persistent in having Vera tell her husband that she has never loved him, just like Gatsby and Daisy in the apartment scene. Both men are both shot and killed. However, Bodega is shot by who he thought was a close friend, Nazario. Gatsby was shot by a crazed and confused husband. However, what is most different in the two novels are the funeral scenes. In Gatsby's case, only a few people attend the funeral. However, Bodega's funeral is widely attended, almost all of Spanish Harlem attends. His legacy continues to live on, his face on murals everywhere. However, Gatsby dies quietly, almost no one knowing until they arrive at a supposed party at his mansion.
A parallel that I saw at the end was just before Vera shot her husband was the way Bodega kept pushing her to tell her husband that she never loved him and how she loved Bodega. Also at the end of the story, how Bodega died trying for taking the rap for Vera shooting her husband, and then he was killed by Nazario. And then in The Great Gatsby, Gatsby took the blame for the death of Tom's mistress. Both men died for the love of their women. -Will
I just want to build off of Will's post for a sec. Bodega also died after Vera killed her husband by shooting him, something that Bodega had recently taught her how to do...kind of like Daisy running over myrtle while driving, something Gatsby had recently taught her hoiw to do.
There was also the reappearence of the Green light that symbolized hope.
After finishing the book, I could not stop thinking about how Daisy and Tom were similar to Nazario and Vera in the fact that both could just ruin other peoples lives and just move on. As Nick says in the end of his book, there are people like Daisy and Tom who just run others over while not caring about anyone but themselves, and it seems that Vera and Nazario are the same exact way. They can set up plans and schemes and break others hearts, and kill others just for their own satisfaction. -Eric H
The ending of The Great Gatsby upset me just because the hero didnt come out on top. Or at least who we thought was the hero. I was really hoping Bodega Dreams would have a different ending. And although it is definately the best book we've read all semester, I wish the good guy won. It may sound cliche, but thats how I like my endings. Vera and Daisy are identical, they are shallow and obnoxious. The only thing that made me happy, was that Willie didnt have to deal with Vera. It is clear that the tragic flaw of both Gatsby and Bodega are their loves, and ultimately leads to their death, which in a way is a cliche ending. Tragic hero and their tragic flaw, like Romeo and Juliet.
There are a lot of parallels between the two books, but some that stand out to me are the obvious connections between Gatsby and Willie Bodega. Both men have made their fortunes through shady ways and both have an undieing flame of love for a woman that doesn't return that same love. Also, I see some connection between Nick and Chino, Nick and Chino are both the outside perspectives on the life story of these two men, and tell it as they see it. Eric Wu
I'm not sure if anyone has said this yet, but part of the parallel between nick and chino seems to lie in the way they view themselves. Both seem to see themselves as honest, virtuous, almost untouchable people, when this isn't always neccessarily the case. Between Nick's drug use, possession, and gang affilitations, and Nick's life in the fast lane with partiers, neither is as good a person as they make themselves out to be. - Cameron
it is also notable that in both stories, the men hold positions of power, but they end up being made insignificant idiots by the women they think love them. Both die for something that doesn't totally exist. They both devoted their whole lives to this. Willie talks of bringing about a revolution and how glorious it will be, but it is obvious this is just an extravagant attempt at winning Vera's heart. - Cameron P.S. yeah i read the second half of the book in 4 minutes.
Like many people have been discussing, a clear parallel that I noticed once completing the novel was how much love affects the lives of the characters. Not only does it drive them to become wealthy, in the cases of Willie Bodega and Gatsby, but it forces them into unwanted situations, and ultimately leads to their downfall.
In both novels, love is the driving force of nearly every conflict. Gatsby spent most of his life trying to impress Daisy, and win her back. Bodega also worked hard to get Vera. Both Bodega and Gatsby failed to realize the true character of their lovers... essentially meaning that all their tiresome work and deaths were caused by a person that didn't truly deserve their love.
While it's not the best and most obvious parallel between the two books, I think there's some slight parallel between Nazario and Tom. Both of them decieved a man and robbed him of all that he found valuable, his woman and his life. Tom tricked George Wilson, slept with his wife and took away the greatest thing in Wilson's life away from him basically, Myrtle. Nazario on the other hand in terms of personality isn't very similar to Tom, but what he did to Bodega with Vera, how they played him and then killed him at the end was kind of similar in my opinion. It was similar because in both stories Tom or Nazario ruined the other mans life and took with him all the victim really loved, his woman. Eric Wu
The Gatsby parallels continue throughout the entire book, up through the last page. On page 213 Chino reminisces, "The way a picture that's been hanging on a wall for years leaves a shadow of light behind, Bodega had kicked the door down and left a green light of hope for everyone. He had represented the limitless possibilities in us all by living his life".
The green light allusion for hope is only one way that Bodega relates to Gatsby. Bodega Dreams is to The Great Gatsby what West Side Story is to Romeo and Juliet- similar, one obviously based on the other, but more modern and urban. Bodega's aspiration to create something better and become worthier is similar to that of Gatsby's as well- their motives were also similarly misguided. The main difference I saw was the resolution. Where Gatsby was more realistically tragic, Bodega Dreams ends with the bad guys going away.
Being that most of the mian characters had parallels that were already stated, I went through the characters and realized that Sapo and Jordan Baker played similar roles in both of these stories. Neither Carraway nor Chino would have met Gatsby or Bodega if it had not been for their connections. It is through them, where at least in the beginning, the only way Gatsby can get it touch with Carraway and Bodega can get in touch with Chino. Both characters are essential to connecting the main characters together, which also persuades their decision to help the rich men or not. In The Great Gatsby, Gatsby first manipulates Daisy into talking to Carraway about his cousin, Daisy. And from then on, if Nick had been unsure whether to continue helping Gatsby or not, Gatsby would simply talk to Jordan, who would convince Carraway to help him because she wanted him to. Like so, Bodega uses Sapo as a messenger to get to Chino, and at times when Chino is unsure whether or not to continue aiding Bodega in his quest, Sapo would convince him to do so, telling him that he was his "Panas" and that he would do anyhting for him, expecting Chino to say the same, ultimately giving him no choice as to whether or not he should help Bodega.
I also found it to be interesting how both Gatsby and Bodega's characters focued so much on the idea of houses, though Gatsby actually had a real house while Bodega owned these apartments. Both characters are basically known for their generousity when it came down to parties, or paying rent. Gatsby decorated his house with such wealth, renovating it from plain to amazing. Bodega did something similar when he took run-down apartments and renovated them into decent living spaces; both taking their lives from poverty to riches.
One of the most obvious parallel connections between the Great Gatsby and Bodega Dreams is the similarities between Jay Gatsby and Willie Bodega. Both characters are incredibly wealthy and very well respected among their communities. Each of the men are incredibly dedicated and willing to their love interests; in Jay's case, Daisy, and Willie's, Veronica. Their dedication and committment are clear elements of their weaknesses with women. Both men want to be with their woman of choice, both women of whom have been married, yet Jay and Willie are both denied. Their dreams and hopes of being with these women are a sign of weakness when they are denied. -Brooke kemper
In both of these stories, Nick from The Great Gatsby and Chino from Bodega dreams are both manipulated by a higher power. They are essential in Gatsby and Bodega's dream of finding their lost love and Nick and Chino are then used to reconnect the two because of their family relations.
Just as well, Gatsby and Bodega had similar backgrounds and goals, though most of their goals have already been stated by others. Gatsby and Bodega both grew up poor and hated it, mainly because they felt as though they lost their girls due to their lack of wealth. Their ambition to renovate themselves through the black market led to their future wealth and success. Their efforts, ever since falling love, had been to become prosperous just so the girl will take them back.
I also really enjoyed the parallel Scott and Will stated, between Vera and Daisy and their lack of self-esteem and confidence while with their new men, being one of the few things noted in my book. Gatsby and Bodega want so badly for their women to tell their ex-husbands that they never loved them and only married because of their wealth. These women are crying while mumbling what they were forced to say by their current men, Gatsby and Bodega. And even though Vera extends her criticism so far as to tell him he was an old man, though Chino mentions how it was as though Bodega had rehearsed these lines with her, and they were really his lines she was reciting, his thoughts and wants.
Also, to follow-up on my previous comment about Gatsby and Bodega's house/tenements, they both accentuated their residence to impress their women, then offering the whole expanse to them, because they were the only reason for making their house/tenements the way they were.
Many of the parallels between "The Great Gatsby" and "Bodega Dreams" have been stated, but after finishing the novel, I noticed that the 2 novels were more similar than I had oringally thought. In my first post, I wondered whether or not the Bodega/Vera relationship would work out and obviously it did not and Vera wasn't even going for Bodega! That just brought so much more to the novel than I had expected. Both novels are also similar in that Bodega always wants Chino nearby when he meets with Vera and Gatsby always wants Nick nearby when he is with Daisy. Most of the time Nick/Chino just stand there and feel awkward, but Gatsby/Bogeda don't seeem to care. I also think the point that Gwen made about how Gatsby is always renovating and how Bodega is always renovating the apartments is similar and interesting. Also, I don't think that anyone has mentioned this, but what about how Roberto Vega and Claudia fell in love with each other and then literally disappeared from the novel...does that have any parallels with " The Great Gatsby"? It was kind of a minor part...but I wonder why Quinonez decided to write about it...it must have some significance...
After completing the novel I am going to have to say that I was disappointed. Like Kelsey said I was really hoping for a different ending than Gatsby. Although I know there are many differences in how the novels ended such as the passion that was clearly more apparent in Bodega Dreams. However both title characters died in the end of the novels. It was clear to me that there were many parallels in the characters and the themes but I was really hoping that the ending would vary more. It would seem obvious and predictable for Bodega to die like Gatsby had which is why I really thought it had to end differently, but to my displeasure, Bodega does die in the end. I really liked how Gwen related Jorden to Sapo in the way that they are the reason Nick and Chino got wrapped up in Gatsby and Bodega. I didn't see that connection at first! ~Lauren Bowker
At first i thought Bodega v. Gatsby was really a weak comparison, because it seemed like vera was a secondary thing, like the future of Harlem was what mattered to him, whereas Gatsby did nothing to further anyone's lives. Now though, the comparisons are piling up.
booth books end up with three deaths, and both books have this intriuging character who is both nowhere and everywhere. Quinonez even goes so far as to make reference to the green light from The Great Gatsby, the difference of course being whom the light shines for. For Gatsby, the light is omthing that cannot be shared, its hope, but of a singular nature, in Bodega Dreams, the hope is a synthesis of the dreams of all of Spanish Harlem. In both stories, BodeGatsby is betrayed by the girl, whom it turns is really indifferent, and in both cases, falling in love with someone out of reach leads to their death, and taking a bullet for their love, although in Gatsby's case, its in a much more roundabout manner.
Another very obvious parallel between both books, that MANY people have already mentioned, is the connection with the green light. In both books, the green light is described to create an opportunity of "hope". In Gatsby, it is used as a light of hope at the end of Daisy's dock, and an optimistic element that Jay connects with. In Bodega Dreams, Bodega creates hope for his community, which is more noticeable after his death.
The use of alcohol and drugs are also a common theme that is weaved through out each book. The majority of the characters use these substances to "make a better time" and have more fun. This ties into the connection of money, and the significance it had on the people. The more money you had, the more you would boast about and show off. Its easy to see that money, drugs, sex, and women all play a very significant role in both novels and ultimately create the scandalous and controversial issues that occur.
A very obvious parallel to the Great Gatsby is that there were two murders at the end. Myrtle and Gastby die, and so do Bodega and Vera's husband. Both novels have a very enexpected twist at the end involving these deaths. From these deaths, both narrators reflect on their past and see it in a new light.
i also noticed the parallels between nick and chino, both narrators of their own respective novels. each one is kind of like an observer to everything. They dont really participate in the dominant action in the plot, and while, yes, they're THERE, they really just step back and watch it all unfold in front of them (i mean they dont do NOTHING... but you get my point...). they also sort of get sucked in, which i realize sounds a bit contradictory to what i just said, but its like they're sucked into the twisting plot and they cant really get out... if that makes sense.
like, for example, the first time Chino met Bodega he was asked to be Bodega's lawyer and help him with his revolution plan and whatnot and he said no, and Bodega was like "oh okay" but then the next time they asked him to do something he could have easily said no- he had done it before without problem- but because he's such a passive person, he agrees and gets sucked into everything.
A Gatsby connection I found was when Bodega sees Vera again for the first time in years and he states the exact ammount of him they've been apart: "Twenty-one years, three months, fourteen days" (121). Similarly in the Great Gatsby, Jay states how long he and Daisey had been apart. Also, like Gatsby, Bodega overplays Vera's love for him thinking that she never loved her husband-when clearly that wasn't the case. In the end, both of their loved ones ended up leaving them for another man. HOW TRAGIC! :'(
The most apparent connection I have found between Bodega Dreams and the Great Gatsby is the similarities between Willie Bodega and Jay Gatsby. Both men are very wealthy, and like to show off their wealth, "...regardless, Sapo lead me to his parked BMW and we drove the short distance..."(22). They both also use their cars as a way to show off this wealth.
Another connection between Bodega and Gatsby is that they both are in love with a woman, and they both are doing what they do to get this woman's attention. Jay Gatsby built up his wealth and then throws extravagent parties hoping that one day Daisy will come and see how much wealth he has gained. And Willie Bodega is trying to fix up their neighborhood so that Vera will want to come back and see how he has improved his own wealth and life, and also the lives of the people around him. In both cases the men are also in love with what the woman used to be like, or what they think the woman is like, even if it has been a long time since they last saw the women.
In the last two pages of the novel, there was a connection between Bodega and Gatsby with the "green light of hope". On page 212, there is a similar situation where Bodega "stretched out his arms and took a deep breath, like he had done when he showed Vera his renovated tenements". Also on page 213, "The way a picture that's been hanging on a wall for years leaves a shadow of light behind, Bodega had kicked the door down and left a green light of hope for everyone". In Gatsby, the green light was when he was reaching for his love Daisey; as Bodega did the same-reaching for his love Vera
There are instances throughout the novel where I think Sapo and Tom Buchanan are parallels. First, their undercover love life, and I by that I mean, what they do behind the scenes. So Sapo's is when he goes and has sex with other Latino prostitutes for a night. Then Tom's would have to be Myrtle, who we know he's having an affair with. Another connection is that Sapo and Tom are very materialistic, they notice when other people have nice or expensive things. Tom lives in a rich neighborhood, and Sapo drives a BMW. Both of them don't mind getting invovlved in bad business. Sapo's clearly bad because he sells drugs and bit Salazar. Then Tom was bad when he told George that Gatsby killed him, because he knew George would kill Gatsby. Both don't have an issue of being slightly involved in the death of someone else that they have a grudge against. Like Tom didn't mind helping George kill Gatsby by giving him Gatsby's house address. Sapo didn't mind biting off Salazar and doing other injurious things to people who will soon be killed by someone else. While they definitely have some differences, connections can still be made between the two.
Jay Gatsby and Willie Bodega still strike me as the most interesting parallel between the two books. Both men suffer from such an undying love to a woman from their past and this love leads to their downfall. It is interesting to me that two authors with such different histories and style, are both hinting at a theme that suggests sometimes love isn't enough. Both authors seem to recognize that love does not conquer all and that life rarely works out like a fairytale. I think it is interesting that these two authors created the characters of Jay Gatsby and Willie Bodega to highlight the dark side of love - the love where there is no glory and no happy ending.
I think that it is a little bit of a twist that in Bodega Dreams Blanca and Chino are an example of another difficult relationship. However, these two recognize that life isn't perfect, and they accept these imperfections. They forgive each other for mistakes and the end of the book leaves you with the feeling that that they will be ok. The book seems to be contrasting the unrealistic obsession of Bodega's love and the practical, genuine acceptance involved in Blanca and Chino's marriage.
Other than the connection between Willie and Jay Gatsby, I also saw a parallel between Nick and Chino. In both books they are the narrator of the story, and are more observant. Neither of them are extremely outspoken, and neither of them really have any kind of extreme qualities. Not necessarily that they both blend in, it is just that they don't stand out as much as Jay Gatsby and Willie Bodega do. Also, in both stories Nick and Chino are introduced to important people and important events through the other character, like Jay and Willie. At some parts they seem to live a lot of their life based on what the other character (Jay and Willie) do, not necessarily what they want to do. Bodega Dreams puts a twist on the element of the characters like Chino and Nick meeting others, and doing more things, only by means of people like Jay and Willie. Unlike in The Great Gatsby, the characters are not wealthy people that throw and go to huge parties, instead the characters in Bodega Dreams are fighting for something important to them. And the people that Willie introduces Chino to help change and sometimes improve his life, it is not just for the sake of knowing more rich people who like to behave recklessly.
Bodega has come about his fortune through questionable methods to please a woman who he is absolutely in love with.
Also, a huge them in the Great Gatsby was Gatsby attempt to live in the past. He does not see life as going on after Daisy gets married and all. Bodega thinks in a very similar way, he loves Vera unconditionally and will anything to win her back. He has made all this money to please her, but she is married. He even says, "AS if the past was recyclable, and all he had to do was collect enough cans to make a fortune and to make another start" (125-6). Bodega feels as if he can just start where he left off with Vera in the past, the same way that Gatsby feels about Daisy, that it will all go back to the past and they can start over.
right when i finished the book, the first thing that came to mind was the green light. in Bodega Dreams it says " Bodega had kicked the door down and left a green light of hope for everone." i remeber in the great gatsby the green light as well. symbolizing hope. it may not be a good comparison but it sparked something in my mind when i read it haha.
Although I definitely did recognize similarities between The Great Gatsby and Bodega Dreams throughout the entire story, I honestly really didn't see them as that prominent until the end. I definitely saw the way Gatsby and Bodega compared, and Nick and Chino, but it wasn't until the end, when everyone started killing each other and whatnot, that I really went "wow, this reminds me of The Great Gatsby." I find these events to be the most significant comparison between the two because the sequence of events is so, so similar, and though the outcome is very different, the deaths of, for example, Bodega and Gatsby have huge effects on the stories.
I think there are several ways this question can go. Paralleling the Great Gatsby, i deffinately think there is most distinctly a connection with quite possibly willie bodega and gatsby. Both men always seem to be the "hot shots", the characters that seem to have all the money and sort of run the town, everything revolves around them. Also, much like no one ever saw gatsby when he hosted his parties, no one can ever seem to find willie unless they have connections. both characters have that sense of mystery which is very standoutish.
a few connections i found by the end was possibyl the concept of the American Dream. i dont know if that's a stretch or not, but Chino's want and will to try and become successful, having the american dream to pursue this perfect lifestyle, and he's trying to balance out the two parts of his life (strict white culture lifestyle with blanca, or the slums, livin in the hood gangsta gangsta lifestyle which Sapo introduced him to). Also i do feel as though the killings at the end is a connection, but a small one because its a connection you didn't really have to think about in order to make. finally as time went on, Bodega's search for Vera reminded me of Gatsby long search for daisy, or more s to reunite and sit down with her. however, both men, as much as they pursued these two women in their lonely, love-seeking, money overpowering lives, neither ended up with the women they wanted to be with.
78 comments:
Willie Bodega is most closely paralled to Jay Gatsby. The two are both immensely rich and well respected, but both seem to have only achieved what they have for a woman. In Willie Bodega's case: Vera, and in Jay Gatsby's case: Daisy. Both women are already married, but supposedly to men they do not love. Both men are aided by the novel's narrator, who somehow has a distant relation to the women. Both men dealt in illegal buisness to aquire their wealth.
Bodega Dreams may put a more violent ending to this element. Being from a volatile area as spanish harlem, violence may be the answer.
-bowen
Jay Gatsby's love for Daisy and Willie Bodega's love for Veronica both seem to be their weaknesses. Both men visit the past and conclude that these women should love them according to past events. Gatsby wanted to marry Daisy after five years of being out of contact, which connects to how Bodega is inclined to marry Veronica after she has been married. He assumes, like Gatsby, that she does not love her present husband and would rather marry him. Bodega said: "'Of course she'll leave that pendejo. She never wanted to marry him in the first place" (78). As Bowen stated, both Gatsby and Bodega try to get their women through another man.
Unlike in The Great Gatsby, Bodega Dreams may let Bodega have Veronica in the end. Maybe Bodega will actually realize that that she is not the same anymore, and possibly she won't love him.
-Zenya M
The most obvious parallel between Gatsby and Bodega is their love of a woman and the things they will do to gain that woman's love. Both Gatsby and Bodega were denied by said woman supposedly because they didn't have enough money and both have dreams and plans to gain riches and eventually the hand of the woman they love. However, the most interesting parallel I saw was on page 14 of Bodega Dreams: "Bodega would create a GREEN LIGHT of hope." The idea of a green light was both physically, at the end of Daisy's dock, and metaphorically, to describe the dream of Gatsby, present in The Great Gatsby. I think that just like in Gatsby, Bodega's dream will come crashing down upon him, almost certainly because of a gun based on where the book takes place. Although, maybe Quinonez will employ a bit of irony and Bodega will fail using the Anglo's method - perhaps some legal trouble will befall him.
-Victoria M
Willie Bodega has the most parallels to Jay Gatsby. Both men are self-made, both of their fortunes are made illegaly, and both men are madly in love with somebody that is not in love with them. In Bodega's case: Vera is his love but she loves Nazario, and Bodega made his fortune as a drug lord. In Gatsby's case: He is in love with Daisy but she is not in love with him, and he made his fortune through gambling.
I have already read the book, but if I were to guess the ending, I would say that it ends the same as The Great Gatsby. Bodega dies, Vera's husband dies, and Nazario goes untouched.
Eric Leone
To agree with everyone else, there is a clear parallel between Bodega and Gatsby. Both had high dreams of hitting it big, but to do that they had to get the money through illegal means (Bodega with drugs, Gatsby with bootlegging). Both men are striving for the love of a past fling, but their woman is now married. Bodega and Gatsby think though that their girls don't actually love their husbands.
But when Victoria mentioned the green light that made me think of the green card. The green card Blanca is trying to get for this woman from her church. This green card is similar to the green light from The Great Gatsby because both symbolize hope and desire. The green light is the desire Gatsby has for getting Daisy back. While the green card is the hope the woman has to get an education and live a good life. Both of which seem to be just out of the said person's reach.
- Katie C
Katie,
I really like the green card idea! I hadn't made that connection before. One thing I've been thinking a lot about are the parallels between Nick and Chino. Any thoughts?
Oh, and please don't give any plot twists away if you're an early poster!
-Ms. Coppens
Maybe i'm getting a little ahead of myself here, but i think the most obvious similarity is the way that Gatsby devotes his entire life to getting Daisy, and Bodega does almost exactly the same thing with Veronica. I think the twist is going to come at the end though, I think Bodega and Veronica are going to come extremely close to living happily, and then something is going to happen to Veronica, and I've got a feeling that its going to be related to the guy across town that Bodega supposedly has a truce with, just because i cant see a truce lasting very long in Spanish Harlem.
GREAT POINTS EVERYONE!
I also see many similarities between Nazario and Wolfshiem. I have not finished the book yet, but so far they seem to be very similar. Both of these characters have a great sense of mystery surrounding them. I constantly wonder what is being said behind closed doors and try to guess the real intentions of their actions. Besides the fact that they are both involved in similar business, they both rely on the Bodega/Gatsby characters in their books. You get a sense that Bodega and Gatsby both look up to Nazario and Wolfshiem. Nazario and Wolfshiem seem to have the greatest influence over Bodega and Gatsby and have steered them into their businesses.
~Victoria Welch
Nick and Chino do have a lot in common. They are both the "new" people to the scene; Nick becomes friends with the Buchanans and Gatsby, and Chino becomes friends with Bodega. Both Nick and Gatsby seem to be in the dark about certain things, and due to this, they become entangled in twisting plots that involve the love of women. Similarly, they also are the links to women- Vera and Daisy- who turn out to be the reason for the fatal end of the friends who needed the link, Gatsby and Bodega. Even though I finished the book, the twist is that Nick does not seem nearly as affected by the end as Chino does. For Nick, it was just another interesting summer gone by and Gatsby's death did not affect him too personally. Unlike Nick, Chino was hurt and angry at Nazario's plan and was sad at Bodega's funeral. Chino also saw a positive outlook after Bodega's death- Spanish Harlem remained the same and no one "took to the streets."
Zenya M
Of course there are the obvious parallels of the man chasing his dream and his love and of the man chasing his dream being shot, but the element of similarity I found most interesting was the narration. True, Nick from Gatsby was a little bit less likable and annoyed me a bit more, but Chino's narration had some similar qualities to Nick's. The main similarity was that both narrators were very passive in dealing with the events of the stories. Chino gets sucked into this vortex of Bodega's without really wanting to or meaning to. However, it is only because of his inaction that he is pulled in. I also think that in some ways, like Nick, Chino was pulled in by both the money and the dream offered to him by Bodega. I also think that, after being pulled into Bodega's plan, Chino continued his pacifism; there were multiple times where Chino knew that what was going on was wrong, both in Blanca's eyes and in the eyes of the law, but he didn't do anything to right the situation. True Nick didn't have both his house and the safety of his best friend riding on his decision of whether or not to interfere, but Chino could, and should, have gotten himself out of that situation instead of passively accepting it and riding it out till the 'end' which came only with Bodega's death.
Truthfully I do like Chino much more than Nick. Chino was more of a solid person and he definitely had redeeming qualities. Also, Chino ends the book by finally making a strong decision and going to the police about Nazario. This is the twist from Gatsby where Nick never tells the police why Gatsby was killed.
-Victoria M
Just like most people said. Willie bodega can be compared to jay gatsby the most. they both are very wealthy. When it comes to women they seem to be searching for the same thing, love and they only have there eyes on one person only. Bodega wants vera and jay wanted daisy and it is made very clear in both books the love they have for there women.
- Kristen Scopetski
Roughly 150 pages into this book, there are several noteworthy similarites between "The Great Gatsby" and "Bodega Dreams." For starters, Bodega (Gatsby) befriends a family member (Julio/Chino) of the woman of his dreams (Vera), in order to get closer to her. Also, both Gatsby and Bodega participate in criminal activities, but are considered good people by the majority of their respective communities. People loved Gatsby because of his great parties, and people love Bodega because he helps out his neighborhood. I get the sense, however, that like Gatsby, Bodega's story will end in tradgedy.
-Matt Campbell
Everyone has found really intersting paralles between "The Great Gatsby" and "Bodega Dreams"!
Even though it's already been said, my orignal parallel about the 2 novels was Willie Bodega and Mr. Gatsby and their lifestyles and about the women they love. Gatsby being known for his famouns parties and Bodega being known for helping his communitiy show that the 2 men are similar in different ways. Also, Bodega, living for the moment to meet Vera, and Gatsby, living in the same area as the love of his life, Daisy, show how similar the 2 relationships are in the novels. I also noticed the quote about how "Bodega would create a green light of hope" (14) and it obviously made me think of the green light that is in "The Great Gatsby". It symbolizes hope in life and maybe hope in having the woman that they both love, but can't get. Both men are rich but these women are the only things standing in their way of a perfect life. As of now, the moral of the story seems to be that you can't always get what you want. The men are so used "buying" their way into everything with their money, that they are stumpted when trying to get the women that they love to be with them as it proves to be a different type of task. We know that the Gatsby/Daisy relationship doesn't work out...but I wonder if there will be any difference in how the relationship between Bodega/Vera turns out...
~Maryam Semenov
Bodega and Gatsby both are in love with women from their past. Both women left for something better, but the men couldnt let go.
Bodega is a gang leader, and a "Young Lord" while Gatsby also dealt in illegal activities, all in order to gain respect in their loves' eyes.
Gatsby was rarely seen at his own parties, and Bodega is only seen when he wants to be.
I think Bodega will be more forceful trying to get Vera. Gatsby seemed too shy or even socially awkward to try hard enough to get Daisy's full attention. Bodega is more charismatic, and if his charm doesnt work, he'll do something big to get Vera back.
-steph
I agree with the ideas that have been posted. Most postings have focused on drawing connections between the characters, however, what stuck out to me were connections between a few specific scenes instead. For example, when Bodega was nervously preparing to meet Vera his "bloodshot" eyes and frantic demeanor seemed very similar to the condition of Gatsby when he showed up at Nick's door to meet Daisy. Also, the atmosphere that accompanied Willy and Vera's meeting took a course similar to that of Gatsby and Daisy. At first there was a severe feeling of awkwardness which Chino describes as a "horrible tension." However, after Willy gloats to Vera about all of his possessions and they reconnect, they act as if they are once again in love.
-Carolyn Maiorana
One obvious parallel between The Great Gatsby and Bodega dreams is the love stories within each. Gatsby was obsessed with Daisy and sought her out much like Bodega did Vera. Whether this love was real or if it was just a matter of lust has yet to be proved in Bodega and Vera's case, but in Gatsby's story it turned out that their "love" had been little more than the obsession. Another connection can be made between Nick and Jordan and Chino and Blanca. Both couples argued continuously and were attracted to each other based on appearances. Nick and Jordan broke up in the end, so in my opinion there is not much hope for Chino and Blanca. (But I, for one, am hoping they do stay together!)
-Shannon Langella
The most obvious parallel between the two stories is clearly the non-reciprocated love both Bodega and Jay Gatsby both struggle with. Both are in love with women that are already taken; both have tried to earn the love of these women through less than honorable means. I suspect that just like in Gatsby, Bodega will not get the girl.
Victoria's connection between the greed card and the green light is a great point I didn't connect at the beginning. The symbol of hope holds the same connotations in both novels: a happy future and the ability to gain what you want.
The connection between Nick and Chino is equally obvious- they are spectators to the world they don;t really belong in, but were dragged into because of a familial connection. The connection between Wolfsheim and Nazario is also evident- both men are honest fronts for the less honorable businesses they are a part of, letting the less educated or worldly partners take the fall because of their idealism and naivety.
I also see a bit of a parallel between Jordan and Sapo. Both are dishonest people, sort of pawns in the lives of the people they associate with, with little concern for anyone but themselves.
-Christina
I was actually wondering, while reading Bodega Dreams, "why does she really want us to read this book?". The parallels between Bodega Dreams and Gatsby are uncanny. First off, Willie Bodega, a 'new money' man who gained his fortune through organized crime, is a mirror image of Jay Gatsby. The two entrepreneurs are part of the upper echelon in society and suffer from distorting reality and conforming to that distortion. Bodega, and all of his Hispanic followers, believe that from the money and loyalty from Spanish Harlem, he can rebuild a part of the city looked down on my others. Intertwined with this unreality, is the love of 'Vera', which adds on to the fable that the renovated love that they once shared could be assembled again. Sound familiar? Jay Gatsby and Daisy's affair displays the same unfavorable wish. Gatsby mentions to Nick that he plans on reconstructing the relationship that Daisy and he once had.
In addition to the parallels between Gatsby and Bodega, common threads exist between Chino and Nick Carraway. Both are compelled and intrigued by the higher power living around them. For Chino, Bodega offers him a job he can't refuse, hanging with his friends, making money and benefiting society as a whole. On the other hand, Nick admires Gatsby for his wealth, prosperity and lifestyle, in addition to the connections with the friends he hangs out with. For Nick and Julio, the rewards are endless if they conform to the men they look up to.
alex putnam
Alex- I really like how you said of Gatsby and Bodega "The two entrepreneurs are part of the upper echelon in society and suffer from distorting reality and conforming to that distortion".
Nice point.
-Ms. Coppens
Now that I have finished the novel, the meeting between Vera, Bodega and Vidal struck me as very similar to a scene in "The Great Gatsby." This meeting where Bodega encourages Vera to tell Vidal that she never loved him is very close to how Gatsby tried to get Daisy to tell Tom that she never loved him. In Bodega's situation, however, Vera does leave her husband for her outside lover. Daisy, on the other hand, goes back to her husband. Ernesto Quinnonez most likely did this in an attempt to stray from Gatsby's story and make his original.
-Matt Campbell
Another connection that I drew between the two novels was the role that alcohol played in the story. In Gatsby, alcohol and partying was a way for people to get “in” with Gatsby. At these parties, Gatsby was his happiest because his plan of luring Daisy away from Tom was working. Bodega’s way of getting to Vera involved champagne and a night out on the town. Although Bodega was the one who was truly being played, at this time he believed that he was obtaining his prize. Both reunions among the past lovers were very similar as well. Each meeting was filled with shock and awkwardness. But once the men flashed their showy possessions to the women, they fell back in “love”.
~Victoria Welch
This novel seems to be almost exactly the same as The Great Gatsby. First and foremost, Gatsby and Bodega are clearly VERY similar. They both are a sort of rags to riches story with many friends all over the place. Also, they are in love with someone from the past who has moved on, while he still cannot. Then Chino and Nick Carraway seem very similar, as well. They are telling this story from their persepective to the reader. Also, in Gatsby, Jay tries to get Nick to help him win over Daisy, and in Bodega, Bodega recruits Chino to help him get to Vera. It is also very interesting that both of the novels are titled after the man who is stuck in the past, Bodega and Gatsby. The final difference is the location. In Gatsby, much of it takes place in New YOrk City, and the rest in the Hamptons. Bodega Dreams also takes place in NYC, albeit, a very different section of the city.
The big differece, though, is that in Gatsby, all the characters are extremely rich. They have money to throw around, carelessly. The characters living in Spanish Harlem in Bodega Dreams, however, are all, at least for the most part, living in poverty and living in the projects.
~Alyssa
The two obvious parallels are Nick and Chino, and Gatsby and Bodega. Then there is Vera and Daisy which is a bit more subtle. I think there is also a parallel between Wolfshiem and Nazario. They were both smart and respected partners of the Bodega/Gatsby of their story. There is also an air of mystery that surrounds them. Wolfshiem tried to stay under the radar and tried to avoid unwanted company (when Nick goes to see him after Gatsby's death, his recptionist tells Nick that he is away on business but once Nick mentions his connection to Gatsby he gets in to see him in his office). Nazario is a very private person and didn't wan Chino overhearing the conversation about Salazaar. They both want as few people to know about their "business" as possible.
--Scott Hagen
Chino is a parallel of Nick They both narrate the story, they both develop into Bodedga and Gatsby's best friend. They each are not rich, but very involved with the rich mans' lives. Also Bodega and Gatsby are very similar.
They both have a geat deal of money and use it to try to obtain a married woman. Very and Daisy are also similar. they both married men they did not love for the money. They also both had cheated on their husbands.
Steve Lesnikowski
WIllie Bodega definately reminds me of Jay Gatsby not only for his love for Vera, but also because they both kind of live in secrecy. In the beginning of the book, Willie seems to be a very secret person. Not many know about him, and few have seen him. This reminded me of Jay Gatsby just because they not many know about them in the beginning of the book.
I also found it interesting how both of them have gotten wealthy from actions that are downright illegal.
-Eric H
The characters in Bodega dreams almost entirely parallel the characters in The Great Gatsby. Nick and Chino. Gatsby and Willie. Wolfsheim and Nazario. Each has definate differences as well, but Nick and Chino were thrust into a new scene and sort of float along until they become involved. Gatsby and Willie strive to become wealthy to impress a girl they fell in love with in the past. And Wolfshiem and Nazario are equally shady and play the role of sidekick to the main protagonist.
-Kelsey Laning
Halfway through the novel, the most clear connection has to be the connection between Jay Gatsby and Willie Bodega. Between the illegal acquistion of the their fortunes, striving love lives, and inability to contact their lovers on their own make both characters very similar. Also, both Nazario and Wolfsheim seem to be similar through their peculiar roles. Although the basis is quite differnt and the impact of society is enormous, Nick very much resembles Chino. Neither character is trying to be the "it" of their society. Both focus on fitting into the ever changing environments that they live in. The mood of each novel alone is also similar. Each novel starts off sort of slow, explaining the background of each neighborhood and gradually builds suspense through love and conflicting relationships.
-Joe D
so I feel as though I am really restating what everyone else has so nicely pointed out. It is clear of the parallels between the characters. Bodega and Gatsby were both very shady characters and were really only spoken of but never actually met. I can remember reading about how Sapo was talking about Bodega in the beginning and the sense of mystery in the character reminded me greatly of Gatsby and how no one knew about him and only heard stories.
Nick, and Chino are the two characters who seemed to be influenced greatly by other people. It is obvious that Chino bows down to Sapo, especially at the very beginning. It is interesting to think what might have happened if Sapo and Chino were not such great friends. Chino could have remained very innocent and simply could have lived his life with his wife.
The theme of love is extremely apparent in both novels as most people have already stated. Both authors focused on the realationship between a married woman and a rich but dishonest man. The woman bring weakness to the men simply by being near them.
I am very interested to see the rest of the parallels between this novel and Gatsby.
~Lauren Bowker
I definitely agree with everyone that's said there is a huge parallel between Jay Gatsby and Willie Bodega. They are both rich men who came from meager beginnings. They both want women they can't have. They both hold a large amount of influence over other people. But I think the bigger similarity is between Chino and Nick. Neither are them are upper class and both manage to get themselves tangled up in things that are far bigger than they are. For Nick this would be his association with Gatsby and his witnessing of Gatsby and Daisy's affair, the death of Myrtle, etc. For Chino it would be his connection to Bodega and the things it gets him into. Also, both men are brought into a different social circle by latching onto these more influential men. Nick meets all of the people that party at Gatsby's house, and some of Gatsby's friends like Wolfsheim. Chino meets people like Nene and Nazario and becomes involved with them.
^^Jillian Pellegrini
I don't know if this is too basic, but a parallel between the two stories is the American Dream. In the Great Gatsby the characters have the opportunity to reach it, while in Bodega Dreams, the characters first have to fight to get the chance to acheive the dream. Both novels deal with an on-looker of someone wealthier than the narrator and we see the corruption in wealth. Jay Gatsby is rich and miserable, and Bodega is rich, but only rich from selling wicked expensive hotdogs and giving away heroin. Both characters appear to have achieved the American Dream, but both prove that it is not as glorious as it seems.
~Jacob Burnstein
I have found that Willie Bodega has a lot in common with Jay Gatsby. Both are pining for girls who chose money over love. Both come into money through hard work and illegal schemes. Both men are immensely successful but enormously unable to get a grip on reality and accept the rejection of old lovers. The most striking difference I see between Gatsby and Bodega is the community's feelings for them. Gatsby's parties were popular, but very few people actually cared about him. Bodega has worked very hard to be in good standings with the community. His philanthropy has made the community dependent on him and has made him many friends.
- Kelley S.
Kind of going off of what Jacob said regarding the American dream... one of the immediate parallels I noticed between the two novels was the significance of money. Gatsby strived to go from being poor and on the outside to being wealthy and social, which in many respects, he achieved. Although it is somewhat unclear as to what Willie Bodega's financial situations as a child were, he has gained so much respect being wealthy. In Bodega Dreams... the characters are identified by their poor lives in Spanish Harlem... while the characters of the Great Gatsby such as Tom and Daisy are recognized as an extreme upper class. In both novels, they associate with those of their own groups and in many ways look down upon others. The poorer characters of Bodega Dreams feel like the rich are ruining their lives... and vice versa in The Great Gatsby.
--Laura Hundley
I agree with the ideas of the American dream that have been provoking some discussion. It also seems that both Bodega and Gatsby use the "American Dream" to help them fufill their personal dreams regarding love. Gatsby had built up all this material wealth and status, which meant nothing to him personally, but were possessions with which he could impress Daisy.
Though Bodega's possessions are not ritzy mansions and boats, he also acquires expansive property and influence with which he hopes to impress Vera. A particular reference of Bodega's chest as that of a peacock's put the image in my mind of Gatsby gloating about all his impressive belongings to Daisy. Their similar behavior as they display their property and worth to the woman they desire further provides parallels between the characters and their chracterization.
-Carolyn
I really like the specific details that have been brought up to support some of these points. Also, good observation about the titles of the novels.
-Ms. Coppens
A clear parallel that can be observed between these two books is a man's undying love for a women. Both Willie and Jay have fallen in love at the wrong time in their lives. Willie fell for Vera when he was a simple harlem kid and Jay fell for Daisy when he was a simple soldier, but in both books love is the one thing that drives these men to become what they are and they are only so successful because they hoped one day they would find that girl they loved and she would finally except them now that they were something in the world.
Matthew Fitch
Both Willie Bodega and Jay Gatsby had to learn their lessons the hard way. Both tried to win love by using their wealth, which did not work out for either of them (since they both ended up dead!). How Bodega flaunted his limo to Vera and showed her what a successful, wealthy man he had become, it reminded me so much of the personality that overtook Gatsby when he was with Daisy. He had even pulled out his entire wardrobe for her to admire. It seems that these men both felt that they had nothing going for them besides their wealth, for both were nervous wrecks before they saw the "love of their life" for the first time in years. As these stories teach us, however, wealth is not enough.
-Shannon Langella
As we have figured out, both Bodega and John Vidal die. Bodega represents Jay Gatsby in that he longs for Vera, but in the end is killed by her lover, Nazario, who in turn tells Vera to kill her husband, John Vidal. Vera and Nazario walk off like nothing happened, the same as Daisy and Tom did when they wacked everybody. But, Chino was not a little prick like Nick was and he told the police and got Nazario and Vera punished for their actions.
Eric Leone
Now that I am done with this novel,I found a less obvious similarity between Bodega Dreams, and The Great Gatsby. In both novels, substance abuse is a very common thing. It seems that with every scene in Bodega, they are either smoking some weed or chugging a beer, much like how in Gatsby, alcohol was an ever present object.
Another difference is that there are more illegal things going on in Bodega Dreams. While black market dealings were hinted towards in Gatsby, in Bodega Dreams, they are blatent, and a major part of the story.
~Alyssa
I think that Matt made a supierior point about the ending of Bodega Dreams. I can;t help but feel that the ending where Willie, Vidal and Vera are expressing their true feelings is Quinonez's attempt to really wrap up the tie ins with Gatsby. In Gatsby, of course, Daisy, instead of reviving her intentions from the past with Jay, runs into the armns of her husband, Tom Buchanan. Ernesto, however, puts an interesting twist in his story by letting Vera love Bodega like hte past, and leave her husband forever. The passion is so strong, Vera ends up killing her husband, certainly defining his story as his own and not a copy of the great gatsby.
alex putnam
Now that i have wrapped up Bodega Dreams i can truely see all of the parallels that exist there. The one most obvious one is that between Willie and Jay. In gatsby Jay is driven by his love and he builds himself from the bottom of society to the top. In Bodega Dreams Willie truely trys to change the world in order to impress Vera. Because both of these men build their lives to impress women i think that that is the most important parallel.
Matthew Fitch
I agree with some of the other posts regarding the similarity of the American Dream in both novels and how it majorly impacted most of the characters. Also, it seems that love in both novels is a death sentence. Gatsby's death, Bodega's death, Myrtle's death, Geaorge's death and Jonh Vidal's death all are due to the pursuit of love or a confliting relationship. Chino is one of the few who have not directly ecnountered dealth within his/her own relationship but his did not end on the best note. Love seems to be a sort of insanity, eventually leading to violence and death instead happiness. It brings out the worst qualities of the characters in both novels, from anger to lying.
-Joe D
One parallel that I noticed was that between Bodega and Gatsby. Both of them have acquired a large amount of money, Gatsby possible more money that Bodega because Gatsby flaunted the money more. They both acquired the money by dealing illegal things (i.e. Alcohol and Crack/ Cocaine or something similar) and by gambling. Bodega had numerous "numbers houses" set up within his neighborhood, and Gatsby had dealing with Wolfshiem. Another parallel is that they both acquired their money for a women they loved years ago.
-Will Kearney
so as everyone has been saying, there are obvious parallels between Bodega and Gatsby. For one, both men have dreams of making it big and living the good life, and they worked their way towards the top and made their fortune by breakin' the law, breakin' the law (i had to channel Nene for a moment). Gatsby had gone from rags to riches in his life, and Bodega had used his money to gain him respect (the way Gatsby had tried to by throwing bootlegging parties and what not). But the two men were trying the most to gain the respect of two women they were madly in love with, which is another thing they have in common. However, no matter how badly they want to relight their old flames, they cant because both women are already married, and it seems as though the men are so wrapped up in the idea of being with these women that they'll do anything to get them.
-Shay
Bodega is very persistent in having Vera tell her husband that she has never loved him, just like Gatsby and Daisy in the apartment scene. Both men are both shot and killed. However, Bodega is shot by who he thought was a close friend, Nazario. Gatsby was shot by a crazed and confused husband. However, what is most different in the two novels are the funeral scenes. In Gatsby's case, only a few people attend the funeral. However, Bodega's funeral is widely attended, almost all of Spanish Harlem attends. His legacy continues to live on, his face on murals everywhere. However, Gatsby dies quietly, almost no one knowing until they arrive at a supposed party at his mansion.
-bowen
A parallel that I saw at the end was just before Vera shot her husband was the way Bodega kept pushing her to tell her husband that she never loved him and how she loved Bodega. Also at the end of the story, how Bodega died trying for taking the rap for Vera shooting her husband, and then he was killed by Nazario. And then in The Great Gatsby, Gatsby took the blame for the death of Tom's mistress. Both men died for the love of their women.
-Will
I just want to build off of Will's post for a sec.
Bodega also died after Vera killed her husband by shooting him, something that Bodega had recently taught her how to do...kind of like Daisy running over myrtle while driving, something Gatsby had recently taught her hoiw to do.
There was also the reappearence of the Green light that symbolized hope.
--Scott Hagen
After finishing the book, I could not stop thinking about how Daisy and Tom were similar to Nazario and Vera in the fact that both could just ruin other peoples lives and just move on. As Nick says in the end of his book, there are people like Daisy and Tom who just run others over while not caring about anyone but themselves, and it seems that Vera and Nazario are the same exact way. They can set up plans and schemes and break others hearts, and kill others just for their own satisfaction.
-Eric H
The ending of The Great Gatsby upset me just because the hero didnt come out on top. Or at least who we thought was the hero. I was really hoping Bodega Dreams would have a different ending. And although it is definately the best book we've read all semester, I wish the good guy won. It may sound cliche, but thats how I like my endings. Vera and Daisy are identical, they are shallow and obnoxious. The only thing that made me happy, was that Willie didnt have to deal with Vera. It is clear that the tragic flaw of both Gatsby and Bodega are their loves, and ultimately leads to their death, which in a way is a cliche ending. Tragic hero and their tragic flaw, like Romeo and Juliet.
-Kelsey Laning
There are a lot of parallels between the two books, but some that stand out to me are the obvious connections between Gatsby and Willie Bodega. Both men have made their fortunes through shady ways and both have an undieing flame of love for a woman that doesn't return that same love. Also, I see some connection between Nick and Chino, Nick and Chino are both the outside perspectives on the life story of these two men, and tell it as they see it.
Eric Wu
I'm not sure if anyone has said this yet, but part of the parallel between nick and chino seems to lie in the way they view themselves. Both seem to see themselves as honest, virtuous, almost untouchable people, when this isn't always neccessarily the case. Between Nick's drug use, possession, and gang affilitations, and Nick's life in the fast lane with partiers, neither is as good a person as they make themselves out to be.
- Cameron
it is also notable that in both stories, the men hold positions of power, but they end up being made insignificant idiots by the women they think love them. Both die for something that doesn't totally exist. They both devoted their whole lives to this. Willie talks of bringing about a revolution and how glorious it will be, but it is obvious this is just an extravagant attempt at winning Vera's heart.
- Cameron
P.S. yeah i read the second half of the book in 4 minutes.
Like many people have been discussing, a clear parallel that I noticed once completing the novel was how much love affects the lives of the characters. Not only does it drive them to become wealthy, in the cases of Willie Bodega and Gatsby, but it forces them into unwanted situations, and ultimately leads to their downfall.
In both novels, love is the driving force of nearly every conflict. Gatsby spent most of his life trying to impress Daisy, and win her back. Bodega also worked hard to get Vera. Both Bodega and Gatsby failed to realize the true character of their lovers... essentially meaning that all their tiresome work and deaths were caused by a person that didn't truly deserve their love.
--Laura Hundley
While it's not the best and most obvious parallel between the two books, I think there's some slight parallel between Nazario and Tom. Both of them decieved a man and robbed him of all that he found valuable, his woman and his life. Tom tricked George Wilson, slept with his wife and took away the greatest thing in Wilson's life away from him basically, Myrtle. Nazario on the other hand in terms of personality isn't very similar to Tom, but what he did to Bodega with Vera, how they played him and then killed him at the end was kind of similar in my opinion. It was similar because in both stories Tom or Nazario ruined the other mans life and took with him all the victim really loved, his woman.
Eric Wu
The Gatsby parallels continue throughout the entire book, up through the last page. On page 213 Chino reminisces, "The way a picture that's been hanging on a wall for years leaves a shadow of light behind, Bodega had kicked the door down and left a green light of hope for everyone. He had represented the limitless possibilities in us all by living his life".
The green light allusion for hope is only one way that Bodega relates to Gatsby. Bodega Dreams is to The Great Gatsby what West Side Story is to Romeo and Juliet- similar, one obviously based on the other, but more modern and urban. Bodega's aspiration to create something better and become worthier is similar to that of Gatsby's as well- their motives were also similarly misguided. The main difference I saw was the resolution. Where Gatsby was more realistically tragic, Bodega Dreams ends with the bad guys going away.
- Christina
Being that most of the mian characters had parallels that were already stated, I went through the characters and realized that Sapo and Jordan Baker played similar roles in both of these stories. Neither Carraway nor Chino would have met Gatsby or Bodega if it had not been for their connections. It is through them, where at least in the beginning, the only way Gatsby can get it touch with Carraway and Bodega can get in touch with Chino. Both characters are essential to connecting the main characters together, which also persuades their decision to help the rich men or not. In The Great Gatsby, Gatsby first manipulates Daisy into talking to Carraway about his cousin, Daisy. And from then on, if Nick had been unsure whether to continue helping Gatsby or not, Gatsby would simply talk to Jordan, who would convince Carraway to help him because she wanted him to. Like so, Bodega uses Sapo as a messenger to get to Chino, and at times when Chino is unsure whether or not to continue aiding Bodega in his quest, Sapo would convince him to do so, telling him that he was his "Panas" and that he would do anyhting for him, expecting Chino to say the same, ultimately giving him no choice as to whether or not he should help Bodega.
I also found it to be interesting how both Gatsby and Bodega's characters focued so much on the idea of houses, though Gatsby actually had a real house while Bodega owned these apartments. Both characters are basically known for their generousity when it came down to parties, or paying rent. Gatsby decorated his house with such wealth, renovating it from plain to amazing. Bodega did something similar when he took run-down apartments and renovated them into decent living spaces; both taking their lives from poverty to riches.
One of the most obvious parallel connections between the Great Gatsby and Bodega Dreams is the similarities between Jay Gatsby and Willie Bodega. Both characters are incredibly wealthy and very well respected among their communities. Each of the men are incredibly dedicated and willing to their love interests; in Jay's case, Daisy, and Willie's, Veronica. Their dedication and committment are clear elements of their weaknesses with women. Both men want to be with their woman of choice, both women of whom have been married, yet Jay and Willie are both denied. Their dreams and hopes of being with these women are a sign of weakness when they are denied.
-Brooke kemper
In both of these stories, Nick from The Great Gatsby and Chino from Bodega dreams are both manipulated by a higher power. They are essential in Gatsby and Bodega's dream of finding their lost love and Nick and Chino are then used to reconnect the two because of their family relations.
Just as well, Gatsby and Bodega had similar backgrounds and goals, though most of their goals have already been stated by others. Gatsby and Bodega both grew up poor and hated it, mainly because they felt as though they lost their girls due to their lack of wealth. Their ambition to renovate themselves through the black market led to their future wealth and success. Their efforts, ever since falling love, had been to become prosperous just so the girl will take them back.
I also really enjoyed the parallel Scott and Will stated, between Vera and Daisy and their lack of self-esteem and confidence while with their new men, being one of the few things noted in my book. Gatsby and Bodega want so badly for their women to tell their ex-husbands that they never loved them and only married because of their wealth. These women are crying while mumbling what they were forced to say by their current men, Gatsby and Bodega. And even though Vera extends her criticism so far as to tell him he was an old man, though Chino mentions how it was as though Bodega had rehearsed these lines with her, and they were really his lines she was reciting, his thoughts and wants.
Also, to follow-up on my previous comment about Gatsby and Bodega's house/tenements, they both accentuated their residence to impress their women, then offering the whole expanse to them, because they were the only reason for making their house/tenements the way they were.
Many of the parallels between "The Great Gatsby" and "Bodega Dreams" have been stated, but after finishing the novel, I noticed that the 2 novels were more similar than I had oringally thought. In my first post, I wondered whether or not the Bodega/Vera relationship would work out and obviously it did not and Vera wasn't even going for Bodega! That just brought so much more to the novel than I had expected. Both novels are also similar in that Bodega always wants Chino nearby when he meets with Vera and Gatsby always wants Nick nearby when he is with Daisy. Most of the time Nick/Chino just stand there and feel awkward, but Gatsby/Bogeda don't seeem to care. I also think the point that Gwen made about how Gatsby is always renovating and how Bodega is always renovating the apartments is similar and interesting. Also, I don't think that anyone has mentioned this, but what about how Roberto Vega and Claudia fell in love with each other and then literally disappeared from the novel...does that have any parallels with " The Great Gatsby"? It was kind of a minor part...but I wonder why Quinonez decided to write about it...it must have some significance...
~Maryam Semenov
After completing the novel I am going to have to say that I was disappointed. Like Kelsey said I was really hoping for a different ending than Gatsby. Although I know there are many differences in how the novels ended such as the passion that was clearly more apparent in Bodega Dreams. However both title characters died in the end of the novels. It was clear to me that there were many parallels in the characters and the themes but I was really hoping that the ending would vary more. It would seem obvious and predictable for Bodega to die like Gatsby had which is why I really thought it had to end differently, but to my displeasure, Bodega does die in the end.
I really liked how Gwen related Jorden to Sapo in the way that they are the reason Nick and Chino got wrapped up in Gatsby and Bodega. I didn't see that connection at first!
~Lauren Bowker
At first i thought Bodega v. Gatsby was really a weak comparison, because it seemed like vera was a secondary thing, like the future of Harlem was what mattered to him, whereas Gatsby did nothing to further anyone's lives. Now though, the comparisons are piling up.
booth books end up with three deaths, and both books have this intriuging character who is both nowhere and everywhere. Quinonez even goes so far as to make reference to the green light from The Great Gatsby, the difference of course being whom the light shines for. For Gatsby, the light is omthing that cannot be shared, its hope, but of a singular nature, in Bodega Dreams, the hope is a synthesis of the dreams of all of Spanish Harlem.
In both stories, BodeGatsby is betrayed by the girl, whom it turns is really indifferent, and in both cases, falling in love with someone out of reach leads to their death, and taking a bullet for their love, although in Gatsby's case, its in a much more roundabout manner.
Another very obvious parallel between both books, that MANY people have already mentioned, is the connection with the green light. In both books, the green light is described to create an opportunity of "hope". In Gatsby, it is used as a light of hope at the end of Daisy's dock, and an optimistic element that Jay connects with. In Bodega Dreams, Bodega creates hope for his community, which is more noticeable after his death.
The use of alcohol and drugs are also a common theme that is weaved through out each book. The majority of the characters use these substances to "make a better time" and have more fun. This ties into the connection of money, and the significance it had on the people. The more money you had, the more you would boast about and show off. Its easy to see that money, drugs, sex, and women all play a very significant role in both novels and ultimately create the scandalous and controversial issues that occur.
-Brooke kemper
A very obvious parallel to the Great Gatsby is that there were two murders at the end. Myrtle and Gastby die, and so do Bodega and Vera's husband. Both novels have a very enexpected twist at the end involving these deaths. From these deaths, both narrators reflect on their past and see it in a new light.
-Jacob B
i also noticed the parallels between nick and chino, both narrators of their own respective novels. each one is kind of like an observer to everything. They dont really participate in the dominant action in the plot, and while, yes, they're THERE, they really just step back and watch it all unfold in front of them (i mean they dont do NOTHING... but you get my point...). they also sort of get sucked in, which i realize sounds a bit contradictory to what i just said, but its like they're sucked into the twisting plot and they cant really get out... if that makes sense.
like, for example, the first time Chino met Bodega he was asked to be Bodega's lawyer and help him with his revolution plan and whatnot and he said no, and Bodega was like "oh okay" but then the next time they asked him to do something he could have easily said no- he had done it before without problem- but because he's such a passive person, he agrees and gets sucked into everything.
-Shay
A Gatsby connection I found was when Bodega sees Vera again for the first time in years and he states the exact ammount of him they've been apart: "Twenty-one years, three months, fourteen days" (121). Similarly in the Great Gatsby, Jay states how long he and Daisey had been apart. Also, like Gatsby, Bodega overplays Vera's love for him thinking that she never loved her husband-when clearly that wasn't the case. In the end, both of their loved ones ended up leaving them for another man. HOW TRAGIC! :'(
-Krystle D.
The most apparent connection I have found between Bodega Dreams and the Great Gatsby is the similarities between Willie Bodega and Jay Gatsby. Both men are very wealthy, and like to show off their wealth, "...regardless, Sapo lead me to his parked BMW and we drove the short distance..."(22). They both also use their cars as a way to show off this wealth.
Another connection between Bodega and Gatsby is that they both are in love with a woman, and they both are doing what they do to get this woman's attention. Jay Gatsby built up his wealth and then throws extravagent parties hoping that one day Daisy will come and see how much wealth he has gained. And Willie Bodega is trying to fix up their neighborhood so that Vera will want to come back and see how he has improved his own wealth and life, and also the lives of the people around him. In both cases the men are also in love with what the woman used to be like, or what they think the woman is like, even if it has been a long time since they last saw the women.
-Rhian
In the last two pages of the novel, there was a connection between Bodega and Gatsby with the "green light of hope". On page 212, there is a similar situation where Bodega "stretched out his arms and took a deep breath, like he had done when he showed Vera his renovated tenements". Also on page 213, "The way a picture that's been hanging on a wall for years leaves a shadow of light behind, Bodega had kicked the door down and left a green light of hope for everyone".
In Gatsby, the green light was when he was reaching for his love Daisey; as Bodega did the same-reaching for his love Vera
last comment by Krystle D.
There are instances throughout the novel where I think Sapo and Tom Buchanan are parallels. First, their undercover love life, and I by that I mean, what they do behind the scenes. So Sapo's is when he goes and has sex with other Latino prostitutes for a night. Then Tom's would have to be Myrtle, who we know he's having an affair with. Another connection is that Sapo and Tom are very materialistic, they notice when other people have nice or expensive things. Tom lives in a rich neighborhood, and Sapo drives a BMW. Both of them don't mind getting invovlved in bad business. Sapo's clearly bad because he sells drugs and bit Salazar. Then Tom was bad when he told George that Gatsby killed him, because he knew George would kill Gatsby. Both don't have an issue of being slightly involved in the death of someone else that they have a grudge against. Like Tom didn't mind helping George kill Gatsby by giving him Gatsby's house address. Sapo didn't mind biting off Salazar and doing other injurious things to people who will soon be killed by someone else. While they definitely have some differences, connections can still be made between the two.
- Katie C
Jay Gatsby and Willie Bodega still strike me as the most interesting parallel between the two books. Both men suffer from such an undying love to a woman from their past and this love leads to their downfall. It is interesting to me that two authors with such different histories and style, are both hinting at a theme that suggests sometimes love isn't enough. Both authors seem to recognize that love does not conquer all and that life rarely works out like a fairytale. I think it is interesting that these two authors created the characters of Jay Gatsby and Willie Bodega to highlight the dark side of love - the love where there is no glory and no happy ending.
I think that it is a little bit of a twist that in Bodega Dreams Blanca and Chino are an example of another difficult relationship. However, these two recognize that life isn't perfect, and they accept these imperfections. They forgive each other for mistakes and the end of the book leaves you with the feeling that that they will be ok. The book seems to be contrasting the unrealistic obsession of Bodega's love and the practical, genuine acceptance involved in Blanca and Chino's marriage.
-Kelley S.
Other than the connection between Willie and Jay Gatsby, I also saw a parallel between Nick and Chino. In both books they are the narrator of the story, and are more observant. Neither of them are extremely outspoken, and neither of them really have any kind of extreme qualities. Not necessarily that they both blend in, it is just that they don't stand out as much as Jay Gatsby and Willie Bodega do. Also, in both stories Nick and Chino are introduced to important people and important events through the other character, like Jay and Willie. At some parts they seem to live a lot of their life based on what the other character (Jay and Willie) do, not necessarily what they want to do.
Bodega Dreams puts a twist on the element of the characters like Chino and Nick meeting others, and doing more things, only by means of people like Jay and Willie. Unlike in The Great Gatsby, the characters are not wealthy people that throw and go to huge parties, instead the characters in Bodega Dreams are fighting for something important to them. And the people that Willie introduces Chino to help change and sometimes improve his life, it is not just for the sake of knowing more rich people who like to behave recklessly.
-Rhian
Bodega is Gatsby
Bodega has come about his fortune through questionable methods to please a woman who he is absolutely in love with.
Also, a huge them in the Great Gatsby was Gatsby attempt to live in the past. He does not see life as going on after Daisy gets married and all. Bodega thinks in a very similar way, he loves Vera unconditionally and will anything to win her back. He has made all this money to please her, but she is married. He even says, "AS if the past was recyclable, and all he had to do was collect enough cans to make a fortune and to make another start" (125-6). Bodega feels as if he can just start where he left off with Vera in the past, the same way that Gatsby feels about Daisy, that it will all go back to the past and they can start over.
Jenna Williams
right when i finished the book, the first thing that came to mind was the green light. in Bodega Dreams it says " Bodega had kicked the door down and left a green light of hope for everone." i remeber in the great gatsby the green light as well. symbolizing hope. it may not be a good comparison but it sparked something in my mind when i read it haha.
kristen scopetski
Although I definitely did recognize similarities between The Great Gatsby and Bodega Dreams throughout the entire story, I honestly really didn't see them as that prominent until the end. I definitely saw the way Gatsby and Bodega compared, and Nick and Chino, but it wasn't until the end, when everyone started killing each other and whatnot, that I really went "wow, this reminds me of The Great Gatsby." I find these events to be the most significant comparison between the two because the sequence of events is so, so similar, and though the outcome is very different, the deaths of, for example, Bodega and Gatsby have huge effects on the stories.
--Jillian Pellegrini
I think there are several ways this question can go. Paralleling the Great Gatsby, i deffinately think there is most distinctly a connection with quite possibly willie bodega and gatsby. Both men always seem to be the "hot shots", the characters that seem to have all the money and sort of run the town, everything revolves around them. Also, much like no one ever saw gatsby when he hosted his parties, no one can ever seem to find willie unless they have connections. both characters have that sense of mystery which is very standoutish.
a few connections i found by the end was possibyl the concept of the American Dream. i dont know if that's a stretch or not, but Chino's want and will to try and become successful, having the american dream to pursue this perfect lifestyle, and he's trying to balance out the two parts of his life (strict white culture lifestyle with blanca, or the slums, livin in the hood gangsta gangsta lifestyle which Sapo introduced him to). Also i do feel as though the killings at the end is a connection, but a small one because its a connection you didn't really have to think about in order to make. finally as time went on, Bodega's search for Vera reminded me of Gatsby long search for daisy, or more s to reunite and sit down with her. however, both men, as much as they pursued these two women in their lonely, love-seeking, money overpowering lives, neither ended up with the women they wanted to be with.
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