The Comparison of the Bar Code Tattoo
& The Great Gatsby
By: Valerie Ng
Author's Biography
-Suzanne Weyn was born July 17th 1955 and raised on Long Island New York
-Daughter of Theodore and Jacquelin Weyn
-Married May 15th 1986
-Studied at Nassau Community College 1975 and SUNY 1977
-Her inspiration and favorite author is Louise May Alcott best known for famous novel, Little Women
-Has a great passion for theater, arts and literature
-Author of popular childhood series Scooby-Doo
-Bar Code Tattoo series is one of her greatest accomplishments.
-Sucessfull career as a writer for she has written over 50 short stories
Characters
Amber Thorn;
-Kayla's best friend
-Naive
-self centered
-easily influenced
-victim of the Bar Code Tattoo
Main Character:
Kayla Reed
-17 years old girl
-portrayed as ambitious. confident
-Very open minded, intelligent
-Mature and strong
-Member of Decode
-Risk taker
Secondary characters:
Zekeal;
-Leader of Decode
-One of Kayla's attractions
-responsible and considerate
Vs
Setting
-Futuristic novel set in the year 2025
-Setting isn't determined for there are various locations in the novel (characters are constantly traveling)
-But the year 2025 is very modern, technology has reached it's full potential
-Everything is very practical and efficient
-The Setting of the novel reflects the outcome of our future
Plot
-Futuristic novel set in the year 2025
-The government had just implanted a law where once you turn 17 you must get the "Bar Code Tattoo"
-Kayla Reed had just turned 17 but rebels against the tattoo after the death of her father due to effects from the tattoo
-Joins a group named Decode
-abandons mother
- Goes on a quest along with Decode to escape the reality of society
-Grows deep feelings for the group leader Zekeal
-Finds herself questioning her decision
Comparison of The Bar Code Tattoo and The Great Gatsby
Themes; determining your own freedom and regret
-Kayla and Daisy both seem to regret some decisions they have made in the past;
- Kayla regrets not getting the bar code tattoo
- Daisy regrets leaving Gatsby, such as when Daisy visits Gatsby's house for the first time and sees the successful man he had become
-Kayla and Daisy's freedom are limited;
- Kayla is excluded and isolated from society
- Daisy cannot make any decisions for she is a women
Would I Recommend it?
Strengths;
- Very unique story line
- Descriptive writing
- Interesting themes
Weaknesses
- Characters are generic
- Not as much action as I expected
Yes, I would recommend this book to those who are fans of Science fiction and enjoy adventurous novels.
I would give this novel a 3 out of 5 stars
Comparison of Characters
-Nick Carraway vs Amber Thorn;
- Nick is very open minded and supportive, he is also not judgmental as seen when he is always giving suggestions and listening to Gatsby rant about Daisy.
- Where as Amber is naive, close minded and selfish as seen when she ignored Kayla's observations and her pleas that the government is plotting and hiding something about the bar code tattoo.