Question

I'm using MLA and need to quote someone who is quoted in another work. Here is an excerpt from my paper: In the words of David F. Trask, Owl Eyes is the only one who ultimately distinguishes himself from “‘all the hordes who have accepted [Gatsby’s} largesse when alive.”’ It seems odd for me to have three marks around this quotation. I found it in a work by Patrick Shaw. How do I cite it?

Answer 1

You do not need the 3rd mark no matter what.
Are you taking a direct quote from Shaw? If so, you need a quote at the beginning of where you start to copy his work, and then a reference to Shaw's work at the end of the phrase.
Seems to me your life might be easier to paraphrase Shaw, and then reference the paraphrase.