In 1925, Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby after many years of academic problems and indifference that prevented him from graduating from college.
The Story
The Great Gatsby is told by Nick Carraway, who comes to settle in New York from Minnesota to learn the bond business. These events are happening during the summertime of 1922. Nick rents an apartment in Long Island, in the district of West Egg. Nicks neighbor is Jay Gatsby, a rich and mysterious man who loves giving spendthrift parties to his friends.
After spending some time in this neighborhood, Nick finally attends Gatsbys exuberant parties only to realize that Gatsby organizes these parties to impress Daisy, Nicks cousin, and wife to Tom. Gatsby had met Daisy in Louisville, and they had a relationship, but it broke later. Gatsby pleads with Nick to mediate his reunion with Daisy, although he is not sure of the repercussions.
Nick finally invites Daisy to a coffee where she meets with Gatsby, and they reignite their affair. Unfortunately, Tom finds out about Daisys affair and confronts Gatsby. He reveals Gatsbys dirty dealings as an alcohol bootlegger, after which Daisy swears she loves Tom.
Ironically, Tom is cheating on Daisy, for he is in another clandestine affair with Myrtle, George Wilsons wife. In a turn of events, as they drive through the valley of ashes, Nick and Tom realize Myrtle has been run over by Gatsbys car. Nick finds out that Daisy hit Myrtle; however, Tom is ready to take that responsibility. Tom rushes to George, tells him that Gatsby was driving the car when it hit Myrtle.
George hurriedly concludes Gatsby had an affair with Myrtle and vows to kill him. George shoots Gatsby as he relaxes in his mansion by the pool. George then shoots himself dead. Nick buries Gatsby; however, he moves from East Coast. He concludes that Gatsbys dream to have Daisy was perverted by money and knavery. Nick equates Gatsbys vision of the American dream. He, however, notices that both dreams have decayed into the quest for riches. These dreams are dead, marking the end of the power of imagination.
Message
The author is trying to say that the American dream is dead. There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams not through her own fault but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. It had gone beyond her, beyond everything. He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion (Fitzgerald 69). Daisy stands for ordinary Americans going after riches. They are lost in this compelling desire to have more money, and these riches are delusional.
Gatsby stands for those who are already in riches. They have thrown themselves into these riches without thinking hence killing the American dream. Americas lack creative passion in pursuing riches. This passion is supposed to bring happiness; unfortunately, as Fitzgerald observes, this passion is no more. Therefore, the characteristics of the American dream, like happiness, are nowhere to be found in the lives of Americans.
Conclusion
The Great Gatsby is about the dead American dream. Fitzgerald is concerned about the newfound wealth that seems to drive people crazy, especially on the East Coast. The American dream was about innovation, laissez-faire, and the quest for felicity; unfortunately, this dream is dead.
The slow death of the American Dream started immediately after World War I, and now it is dead and decomposed. Unfortunately, some people are still dreaming; however, the writer concurs with Fitzgerald that the time for dreaming is gone. The closest American dream can come to reality now is that; dream.
Works Cited
Fitzgerald, Scott. The Great Gatsby. Prigozy, Ruth. Ed. New York; Oxford University Press, 1998.
Even though the characters of Tom and George in The Great Gatsby seem completely different at first glance, their behavior has certain similarities. First, this is displayed in how these two characters relate to women. Its impossible not to notice Toms cruelty and rudeness, while George seems like a deceived husband cheating on his wife and seeking revenge on her killer. However, Georges relationship with Myrtle is not much different from Toms relationship with Daisy. At the same time, the motives of Tom and Georges behavior differ due to their backgrounds, origins, and belonging to different social classes.
Differences in the Characters Behavior and Motives
The apparent difference between Tom and George lies in their background and social status. As Leiwakabessy and Ermansyah (2020) note, Bourgeoisies is drastically separated from the Proletariat (p.86), so the class affiliation of the characters largely determines the social norms of their behavior. However, how the characters perceive their social position is much more significant.
To which Tom has become accustomed since childhood, Permissiveness leads to the fact that manifestations of aggression are a characteristic feature of the character. For example, he does not hesitate to break Myrtles nose as soon as she crosses the line set by Tom (Fitzgerald, 1925). Tom feels the power that money gives him in a capitalist society. Moreover, he knows that money can justify any of his actions before society. By seducing Myrtle, Tom feels like her savior, who helps a miserable woman to get away from her dumb husband (Jiang, 2019, p. 474). At the same time, Myrtles opinion and desires do not matter to the character because he seeks to satisfy his own.
On the other hand, George seems completely unambitious and submissive. He is probably resigned to his status as a proletariat and does not seek to get rich or gain power. He is not capable of the cold-blooded cruelty that characterizes him. Even when, during an argument, Myrtle yells, Throw me down and beat me, you dirty little coward! (Fitzgerald, 1925), George does not lose his temper and does not show the slightest hint of aggression. Moreover, seeking revenge for the death of his wife and killing Gatsby, George, in the end, commits suicide. He consciously accepts the rules of the capitalist world, where everything is allowed to the bourgeois, and the proletariat must be punished for disobedience. Therefore, George independently pronounces a sentence for the murder of a person as the highest degree of manifestation of cruelty and aggression. At the same time, Tom leaves everything behind and moves on without considering the importance of human life.
Similarities in the Characters Attitudes toward Women
Despite all the differences in the characters, the models of their behavior towards their wives have standard features. They are both attached to their wives and seek to take them away from their lovers as soon as they discover the betrayals. At the same time, despite the attachment to their wives, this is more connected not with romantic feelings but with a sense of ownership of something or someone. Moreover, having a wife is essential to both men, but neither pays attention to his wife. Tom cheats or takes up rich peoples hobbies, and George spends all his time in the garage and is more attached to the old Christian culture than Myrtle. Both are cruel to their wives, even if this cruelty is not manifested on a physical level but on an emotional level.
Conclusion
Thus, despite the significant differences between Tom and George, which seem evident at first glance, the characters have much more in common. The main thing that unites them is a rude attitude towards their wives and emotional abuse. On the other hand, the social and economic situation largely determines the behavior patterns of the characters. After World War I, US society split into the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. As depicted in the novel, members of both classes are capable of cruelty, but only one of them must be held accountable for their actions.
References
Fitzgerald, S. F. (1925). The Great Gatsby [Audiobook]. Web.
Penned by a famous Minessota native and narrated by Nick Carraway, The Great Gatsby is a captivating must-read chef-doeuvre. Like Fitzgerald, Nick is a native of Minnesota and an advocate of Midwestern values. The novels setting is on the long island dominated by prosperous wealthy and poor communities of East Egg and West Egg. The year 1922 marked the dawn of a period of epochal social alterations and economic prosperity in America.
Cultural convections perceived as out of date die ushering in new ones. Women seem granted rights to participate in voting, something that causes them to see themselves as equal to men: they assimilate masculine ways and fashions into their lifestyles. Jingoism and racism rise abundantly as mechanisms to counter the benefits and opportunities acquired by non-white communities and foreigners.
Around the same time, the ardent push by religion fundamentalists to the government to prohibit the consumption of alcohol sees bootleg whiskey business greatly hampered with by people. Upon considering the use of symbolism, themes, and characters in the story, it seems evident that the author incorporated substantial elements of the traditional plot for fairy tales. Such a tale has heroes and villains.
The villains remain perceived successful at the onset of the tales but turn out as large losers at the end. Therefore one can see Daisy Buchanan as a Fairy Tale Princess. Basing on the several evident parameters, for instance, the character traits, the behavior of prince and princess, and gender distinctions amongst others, Fitzgeralds masterwork stands out as a variation and sophisticated version of the fairy tale.
Character Traits/Prince and Princess Behavior
The Great Gatsby characters exhibit traditional fairy tale traits through vividly intertwined with variations and sophistication of purely fairy tale. Daisy Buchanan is a typical princess who never grows. She rejects Gatsby and marries Tom Buchanan (wealthy snobbish West Egg resident) later again to have an affair with Gatsby.
In thought, she is shallow and lacks maturity. She says: Ive gone everywhere and seen everything and done everything (Fitzgerald 141), portraying that she is wholly bored with life. In spite of her unhappiness in marriage and the privileges she goes through in life, she is not the likes who give up simply so as not to turn out as being the loser.
She had better live with marriage challenges than live without money as Gatsby tells us, her voice is full of money (Fitzgerald 151). On the other hand, Tom Buchanan is an arrogant, fabulously wealthy and condescending character. His fellow students despised him at Yale. This is a typical response from the society towards people exhibiting wild characteristics in fairy tales. However, these characters are stereotypes of modern cultures that have an ardent love for wealth and could partake anything to attain it.
For instance, Nick says, Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but thats no matter- tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther& (Fitzgerald 153). Gatsby climbs his ladder to be among the opulence club member through participation in illegal bootleg whiskey business and organized crimes.
Gender Distinctions
Gender distinctions are evident comparable with traditional fairy tales, which more often than not tend to bring out the gender differences in terms of allocation of roles and responsibilities in the society. Gatsby and tom travel to the city to partake their respective work leaving women behind. Daisy exclaims: Im glad its a girl. And I hope shell be a fool- thats the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool (Fitzgerald 160 ).
Daisy informs that the survival of women relied on their husbands fate. Women disguise themselves as fools, just like her to benefit both socially and materially from men. The other side of the coin tends to show the plot of the writing to be somehow not purely that of traditional fairy tale since females in this society, seem to have some absolute rights. For instance, women can engage in arguments with their husbands on matters of infidelity.
Construct and Conformance to Traditional Fairy Plot
The plotting and writing employ smiles and metaphors to provide a vivid description of places and people. For example, wheat fields are compared to the valley of ashes (Chrome Para. 3). The social setting makes the novel more consistent with the traditional plot for fairy tales.
The novel is set among wealthy and educated persons who have an enormous deal for partying and shallow concern for the rest of the people who do not fall in their social milieu. Analogous to traditional fairy tales, in The Great Gatsby, no one seems to be individually worried about issues surrounding spiritual, political, and economic matters.
The primary concern is their overall perception socially. The social climate advocated for is the one, which demands conformance to some specified standards. This fact remains exemplified by Toms flaunting about his mistress, something that draws many issues to the society. Besides, in spite of suspicion of Jay Gatsbys involvement in organized crimes, people still take part in his laxative parties.
Just as fairy tale ends with a promise of a happy life ever after, The Great Gatsby sums up by promising something like happy life after convection. Nick practically appears to invent idealistic Gatsby somewhere midway to cast him to the realization of the right indulgencies affiliated to heroism.
Nick laments that &Gatsby was overwhelmingly aware of the youth and mystery that wealth imprisons and preserves, of the freshness of many clothes and Daisy, gleaming like silver, safe and proud above the hot struggles of the poor (Fitzgerald 41).
This piece looks like an attempt to achieve fairy tale quests. Symbolism and figurative language are sufficiently used by the author, who gives the novel a more feel of a fairy tale. However, the figures deployed tend to reflect much on modern-day social challenges like corruption. In real life, this represents aristocrats, which took a long time to establish. Symbolically the author tags them old money (Fitzgerald 54) and remains generally characterized by corruption accompanied by jaded ways of life.
On the other hand, west Egg residents or new money (Fitzgerald 54) are perceived by East Egg counterparts as upstart outsiders. Nick and Gatsby live in this community. The green light is yet another symbol that depicts Gatsbys dreams. As Gatsby comments, you always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock (Fitzgerald 79), The green light gives a permit to move on to pursue dreams.
Conclusion
The Great Gatsby is a tragic novel which perhaps reminiscent of tragedies such as the downfall of central characters in a tragic flaw typically called hamartia appearing in ancient Greek plays- Sophocles (497-405 B.C). The novel documents the rise and fall of two exclusive noble phenomena: American society and Gatsby. The tragedies involving flaws encountered extend from one ridge of idealistic naivety and on the other ridge enormous corrupt behavior. The tale, therefore, is a variation and sophisticated version of the fairy tale.
Authored by Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby is a must-read chef-doeuvre. It satirizes the events as they unfolded in the 1920s soon after World War I. Fitzgerald seeks to reveal the worthlessness and the futility of the remark great as it stood in the Jazz Age, a period dominated by moments of sadness and destruction. As the paper unveils, Jay Gatsbys contentment, prosperity, and collective recognition are no more than images that mask his sinful life.
Satire in The Great Gatsby
Satire begins right from the title of the novel. The Great Gatsby implies something great, be it a person or a society. Therefore, the reader expects greatness from the book. However, Gatsby, the protagonist of the story, is not as great as the reader expects. He is a mere thief and an extravagant person who gathers people for bashes every Saturday, not to say something great, but to win the heart of only one person in the crowd: Daisy.
Besides, the title might suggest a society that is upright from all perspectives, morally, socially, spiritually as well as politically. However, it is ironic that the title is a social satire addressing the ethical dissipation of American society with everything in pathetic conditions. Behind the title are issues concerning the unfulfilled American dream, its heightened corruption, spiritual decadence, and hopelessness, none of which denotes greatness and hence the satire.
Fitzgeralds masterwork further reveals satire in another way that arouses laughter to the reader. The irony stands out through the way Fitzgerald points out the truth concerning Gatsbys family background. Gatsby tries to induce some contentment through the way he describes his family. For instance, in his conversation with Nick, he points out that he comes from a well-able family located in a prominent place: Middle west and, in particular, San Francisco.
However, based on 1920s family situations, families underwent significant destruction, thereby leaving people in pathetic conditions subjugated by moments of sorrow rather than joy. The real terms of Gatsbys family stand out when he reveals it in chapter six. The reader then realizes that Gatsbys words are no more than a cover of the truth concerning the situations of families, not only of Gatsby but also of others as well and hence the satire.
Another aspect of satire in Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby is the wealth associated with Gatsby, as the reader observes in chapter two. Here, the reader wonders about the great party organized by Gatsby. He invites many people, some of whom cannot explain where the money comes from.
Mr. McKee associates the wealth with the fact that Gatsby is a son to a prominent person Kaiser Wilhelm, a German Emperor. However, the truth of the matter stands out in chapter 6, which reveals the money as an inheritance from Cody. He is not rich as the reader might insinuate but rather a professional criminal involved with every sort of illegal activity only to get money to impress Daisy in the name of entertaining the other people like McKee.
The author further satirizes the education of the American people. The reader might mistake Gatsby for an educated person, as he points out in chapter four, where he tells Nick about his Oxford University education. Later in chapter seven, the truth manifests itself when Gatsby tells Tom that he cannot pass for an Oxford man. Through this satire, the reader realizes the truth concerning the American people who boast of being educated while in the real sense, they are not.
Lastly, in chapter four, Jordan Baker brings to light a house that Gatsby erected, thinking that it will help in bringing Daisy closer to him. However, in chapter five, where Gatsby shows Daisy his home ground, he instead realizes the vast distance between them.
Conclusion
It is ironic that the house that the reader expects to strengthen the love between Gatsby and Daisy ends up separating them instead. There is no love at all between the two but an illusion. The novel ends with Tom and Daisy reconciling but not Gatsby as the reader expected.
This is a novel set by Scott Fitzgerald as a critique of America. It takes place after the First World War when America was enjoying the fruits of a soaring economy. After its publication and leading, it was declared the quintessence of the immense American work of fiction as well as archetypal. From the novel, this essay is directed at finding out the role that the careless characters were out to depict with them being involved in acts that were morally qualified to be regarded as lackadaisical.
Main body
As Nick says near the fall of the curtain, there were careless people Tom Buchanan, Daisy Buchanan who happens to have been his wife and Jay Gatsby were the characters that depicted carelessness in alarming magnitudes. Tom for instance was involved in the smashing of the innocent creatures and was later joined by Daisy to kill them after which they did not bother to know how they fared after death. This carelessness was noticed after the death of creatures and leaving them to rot in the vast lands of North Island North shore and getting back to his enjoying of wealth. Who will take care of the dead creatures seems not to be in Toms order of what to bother him and together with the wife is comfortable enjoying their wealth while the creatures are rotting in the wilderness.
Tom does boost his fortunes openly without thinking of the impact it has on Gatsby who at the end elopes with his wife Daisy. He says, I have got a nice place here and emphasizes that it once belonged to Demaine oilman (Fitzgerald 12) without bothering whom he is talking to. This carelessness concerning who is listening does cost Tom a wife at the near end of the novel. Tom too does disregard the wealth of the new eloquent people and refers to them as bootleggers. He does not recognize Gatsby and he even testifies, I pegged him as a bootlegger from the first sight. This is careless that on Toms part did harm him more so after Daisy broke the news of his disposal at the expense of Gatsby. He declared shes not leaving me, and not for a basic swindler who has to steal a ring to put on her finger (Broccoli 140).In addition to this, he even sent the two home with a belief that her flirting was already gone. Tom could not have depicted this ignorance because it does harm him after losing a wife to Gatsby.
Jay Gatsby is a careless character in the novel. Being born of an impoverished childhood, he finds a way of getting the wealth he is enjoying by his chipping in for the well-thought-out crime. This was after he dropped out of St Olaf college due to his despise of the janitors job that was paying for his fees. The drop out of school is carelessness on his part and the repercussions are getting involved in the sale of illegal alcohol and stolen securities.
Daisy was once an exemplar of womanhood in the novel with a sweet exciting laugh but her flirting with Gatsby and going with him at the end makes her a low vulgar girl who can be charged with catastrophic events at the fall of the curtain. It was due to her carelessness that she was downgraded to a vulgar girl. This is one of the instances where Daisy Buchanan found herself in the fuss after she had made a careless mistake.
Three guiltless civilians are declared dead due to Daisys heedlessness. She betrayed Gatsbys delusion, ran over Myrtle with her sedan, and she in one way or the other was involved in the carnage of George , as the author puts it. This carelessness has led to the loss of lives for the three who were important characters in the novel. She gambles with Gatsby before the accident and declares that the involved shall move out of the way and their conversation is you are a rotten driver. Either you ought to be more careful or you ought not to be driving at all as Gatsby advises her on the wheel. I am careful no you are not, well other people are then. This ignorance and carelessness made her run over the dead in the eyes of Gatsby with her car.
Conclusion
Scott Fitzgerald has used carelessness to depict a society that is rotten of morals and concerns for the welfare of the others (Notes & Maurer 42). Each person is fighting for himself and Gatsby even decided to trade on illegal stolen, securities to be rich other than staying in school while he worked as a janitor. Tom too does oppress the creatures for his comfort and he retreated after the kill with no interest in what the creatures were likely to be facing. A society that is selfish and ignorant is precisely what the author of the novel sought to show by using the various characters with little concern for colleagues. Through the carelessness of these characters, Scott is out to suggest that selfishness, pride are the root of evil, and it does not lead to any little good other than bouts of misfortunes and unlucky. Does anyone who has read the book dought this?
Works cited
Broccoli, Matthew. F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby: A Literary Reference. New York: Carroll & Graf. 2000. Print.
Notes, Cliffs & Maurer, Kate. Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby. New York: Cliffs Notes. 2000.
Fitzgerald, Francis Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner. 1999. Print.
Described by literal critics as the greatest work of Scott F. Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby not only remains one the greatest stories of all the time but also opens insight into the intrigues of the real life situation during the Roaring Twenties. This book has been linked by many as the best symbol to the Jazz Age which is an era that was depicted by the emergence of class and great promises in the lives of Americans.
On the other hand, I know why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is another powerful literature that captures the subject of racism in the American society. The author presents challenges faced in the society as a result of the mixture racial and gender discrimination that a young black girl goes through in search of her dream and personal identity. In addition to the above, the book presents other social issues in the society such as child abuse, relationships between children and parents and the search for a future so distant.
Main body
Whereas these two powerful works are written by different authors, an analysis of the major characters shows both similarities and differences. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is represented as a young man struggling to find personal identity and live the life of his dream by marrying Daisy Buchanan. This main character in this book is regarded as a young man in search of personal identity in a society that is polarized by social ills and separated by class. The psychoanalytic criticism of Gatsby character is well illustrated in the text by Fitzgerald (46) in stating that there must be something in our biological make up as specie to explain this death work, this psychological and physical destruction. This could explain the reason behind Gatsbys desire of Daisy even if it the eventual consequence may be death.
On the other hand, Maya as the main character in I know why the Caged Bird Sings also depicts the real search for personal identity within a society that is encompassed by racial and class discrimination. As a young black girl, Maya endures all forms of racial discrimination in search of her dream and is never cowed by acts of racial discrimination by the whites she came into contact with. She successfully overcomes the challenges and realizes her full potential despite numerous challenges she faced in her search for her on path in life. In addition to the above, the two characters share common childhood backgrounds in that they were brought up in humble households. This has provided the foundation for the struggle of the two characters in search of their dreams within the same harsh society. The American dream in the analysis of these two characters is all about individuality, discovery and pursuit for happiness despite all odds. Last, the two characters are used in both literatures as depictions of hollowness in the upper class.
The main difference in character between the two works is in Daisy Buchanan. It is in this character that the to literatures deviate from the other. Daisy is demonstrated as an agent of corruption. The early explorers travelled thousands of miles in escape from corruption only to discover that their Daisy of desire America is also corrupt. The characters in The Great Gatsby therefore travel in all directions in the search of wealth and materialistic life abandoning their moral values and beliefs as they move to the east side. The eastern side is described as the valley of ashes where there is totally lack of human values and people are driven by the desire to achieve superficial illusions. The change of direction is used by Fitzgerald to depict the deterioration of American ideals and the erosion of personal ethics. It is also a demonstration to the extent at which our search for wealth and sophistication is impacting on the moral values of the society. In addition to the above, Gatsby is demonstrated as one who feels contented with his newly acquired status. Complications arise as Gatsby dream seems to follow a varnishing path because of his obsessions with the materials of this world, just like the Americans are fully obsessed by wealth. On the other hand, the characters in I know why the Caged Bird Sings such as Maya, Bailey Johnson Jr. Annie Henderson (Momma) and Vivian Baxter all exemplify straightforward American citizen who live within their means in the search of happiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, characters in this Scott F. Fitzgeralds great literal work tend to drive in the theme of how Americas culture of material wealth and sophistication desire has gone beyond the mere search for comfort in life to levels of worship. This intense desire ends up in disastrous consequences depicted by the flaws in life. It remains one of the greatest analytic literal works on the American society in the Roaring Twenties. The characters in I know why the Caged Bird Sings project the lifestyle of a humble family supporting each other in search of a dream in a society encompassed by racial discrimination.
Reference
Fitzgerald, Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: NuVision Publications, LLC, 2008.
Francis Fitzgerald is Americas most famous writer, and one of his legendary works is the novel The Great Gatsby. The main idea of the work is to show the unfairness of the fate of a poor young man who cannot marry the girl he loves. Generally, there are different opinions about whether Gatsby was a fool or a genius. It is indeed a difficult question, but at the same time, he can undoubtedly be called a great man with a hard fate.
One of the main characters and the narrator is Nick Carraway. It is impossible to say anything specific about this figure since, in the novel, he is more of a guide for the reader on the road of Gatsbys destiny. First, what confirms Jay Gatsbys greatness is his entrepreneurial spirit and determination. All his life, he loved one person, and everything he did was to win her favor; it is also noted by storyteller Nick Carraway (Fitzgerald 80). Another critical factor is that Jay was brave, which is a trait of strong and successful people. After seeing Daisy and realizing he wanted to live his life with her, he honestly told her husband (Fitzgerald 131). One must have great courage to do such things. It is an indication of respect, both for oneself and others.
The last but also significant thing is recognizing the heros greatness is love which is a real challenge in this story. Gatsby understands this, and in addition, he accepts all tests of fate (Fitzgerald 132). A strong man realizes that one must always be prepared to deal with all aspects of life: joy, sorrow, resentment, and love. Without this, it is impossible to succeed, to become truly great.
Jay Gatsby lived a hard life, he was secretive, but he kept hope in his heart that sooner or later he would be happy with Daisy. The hero may have been blinded by his newfound love and done many irrational things, but that does not make him a fool. On the contrary, a great man is first and foremost a strong man who will pursue his goals. Jay Gatsby was precisely that, and although his fate did not end in the best of ways, he did everything he could to make his lifelong dream come true.
Work Cited
Fitzgerald, Francis Scott. The Great Gatsby (1925). Charles Scribners Sons, 1953.
The Great Gatsby is a widely-known piece by Scott Fitzgerald, a prominent American author. The novel is known for its well-developed characters and is regarded a masterpiece by many scholars. The story is primarily focused on an individual named Jay Gatsby and his relationships with Daisy Buchanan. The aim of the paper is to explore the character of a former debutante, and her overall role in the book.
The argument is that the author attempts to describe her as a pure and innocent female to ensure that the reader understands the perspective of Jay, but particular aspects of her true identity are revealed when the story progresses. Fitzgerald shows that in reality she is an opposite during the final chapters, and it was nearly impossible to predict because of her ability to manipulate others.
Discussion
Daisy is a fascinating character because some individuals may feel sympathy towards her because of the way she is described and her actions. The author tries to ensure that her motives are not clear and provides subliminal hints throughout the whole novel. Fitzgerald highlights the girls charm when she is introduced to the reader, and he states that she held my hand for a moment, looking up into my face, promising that there was no one in the world she so much wanted to see (11). Differently put, she knows how to act to gain sympathy. Before I could answer her eyes fastened with an awed expression on her little finger is another quote that supports the argument (Fitzgerald 15).
She proceeds to explain that she was hurt as the result of her husbands actions. Such comments may seem quite innocent, but the intonation and the situation suggest she wanted to appear as a victim. It is quite clear that Gatsby was quite interested in the girl at this point, and she tried to capture his attention. A girl is quite charismatic, but her statements seem suspicious in some cases. I hope shell be a fool thats the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool is the way she speaks about her daughter (Fitzgerald 20).
This quote indicates that she recognizes that women have to deal with numerous difficulties in their lives, and unfair treatment and discrimination were especially prominent at that time. She believes that it would be better for a girl to achieve everything with her beauty, and she should not think about the difficulties that she may face. Her desires may seem reasonable, but the quote also highlights her real character. She was not a fool and understood that this approach is inappropriate, but did not want to challenge the norms of the society.
Her intentions start to get a little more obvious in the middle of the novel. The central character and Daisy know each other much better, and she is no longer as careful with her statements because she knows that he loves her. It makes me sad because Ive never seen such such beautiful shirts before is a rather interesting quote (Fitzgerald 99). One could think that it is a sign of affection that she has for the central character. However, it highlights the fact that she is much more interested in material things that she may possess if she is in a relationship with the millionaire.
You always look so cool is a statement worthy of a discussion (Fitzgerald 126). She does not want to say what she thinks directly and tries to utilize her movements and intonations to ensure that a particular person understands her intentions. Her husband did not see or hear anything inappropriate, but it was still incredibly suspicious, and it is possible to say that she wanted to start drama. I did love him once but I loved you too is one of the most well-known quotes in this piece (Fitzgerald 142).
This phrase is intriguing because it has surprised Jay Gatsby. Daisy was able to manipulate Gatsby to believe that he is the only person that she likes. He made a crucial mistake and did not understand that she only loves money. Moreover, Jay thought that marriage is not a problem, and only feelings are important. However, he failed to realize Daisys true intentions, and it has led to severe consequences.
The girls identity becomes clear after the incident involving Gatsbys car, but the central character still does not want to look at the situation from a different perspective. Well, first Daisy turned away from the woman toward the other car, and then she lost her nerve and turned back is the statement that reveals that she was careless and did not care about the future of ours (Fitzgerald 154). The accident is rather interesting because it is not possible to state if it was accidental or not, but the fact that she tries to avoid the responsibility for her actions reveals her true identity. I walked away and left him standing there in the moonlight watching over nothing is a quote that should not be overlooked (Fitzgerald 156).
The narrator suggests that the central character was waiting for Daisy to show up and discuss their relationships and the problem that has occurred. However, the girl only cared about herself and preferred to stay at home. He couldnt possibly leave Daisy until he knew what she was going to do suggests that it may too late for Jay to change his mind (Fitzgerald 158). A girl was in control of the situation and did not want to provide clear answers because she believed that she could exploit central character in the future.
In summary, the analysis of the piece has shown that the primary role of Daisy in the Great Gatsby is to expose the fact that shallowness has affected all areas of society at that time. Individuals with good intentions had to suffer because they were not able to see deeper. Daisy, just like many people during that era, has learned how to fake emotions to gain profits. It is quite evident that Jay was a smart and rational man, but he still became a victim of her charm. It is hard to argue with the fact that it is an outstanding example of masterful writing.
Fitzgerald tries to hide the identity of Daisy to make the work much more interesting and intriguing. It would be reasonable to analyze the techniques utilized by the author to achieve this level of character development. Also, and it may be necessary to read it several times and pay attention to details. The description of the era is quite accurate, and the tone of the work is consistent. Overall, it is an excellent novel that highlights the importance of symbolic devices and narrative.
In 1925, Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby after many years of academic problems and indifference that prevented him from graduating from college.
The Story
The Great Gatsby is told by Nick Carraway, who comes to settle in New York from Minnesota to learn the bond business. These events are happening during the summertime of 1922. Nick rents an apartment in Long Island, in the district of West Egg. Nicks neighbor is Jay Gatsby, a rich and mysterious man who loves giving spendthrift parties to his friends.
After spending some time in this neighborhood, Nick finally attends Gatsbys exuberant parties only to realize that Gatsby organizes these parties to impress Daisy, Nicks cousin, and wife to Tom. Gatsby had met Daisy in Louisville, and they had a relationship, but it broke later. Gatsby pleads with Nick to mediate his reunion with Daisy, although he is not sure of the repercussions.
Nick finally invites Daisy to a coffee where she meets with Gatsby, and they reignite their affair. Unfortunately, Tom finds out about Daisys affair and confronts Gatsby. He reveals Gatsbys dirty dealings as an alcohol bootlegger, after which Daisy swears she loves Tom.
Ironically, Tom is cheating on Daisy, for he is in another clandestine affair with Myrtle, George Wilsons wife. In a turn of events, as they drive through the valley of ashes, Nick and Tom realize Myrtle has been run over by Gatsbys car. Nick finds out that Daisy hit Myrtle; however, Tom is ready to take that responsibility. Tom rushes to George, tells him that Gatsby was driving the car when it hit Myrtle.
George hurriedly concludes Gatsby had an affair with Myrtle and vows to kill him. George shoots Gatsby as he relaxes in his mansion by the pool. George then shoots himself dead. Nick buries Gatsby; however, he moves from East Coast. He concludes that Gatsbys dream to have Daisy was perverted by money and knavery. Nick equates Gatsbys vision of the American dream. He, however, notices that both dreams have decayed into the quest for riches. These dreams are dead, marking the end of the power of imagination.
Message
The author is trying to say that the American dream is dead. There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams not through her own fault but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. It had gone beyond her, beyond everything. He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion (Fitzgerald 69). Daisy stands for ordinary Americans going after riches. They are lost in this compelling desire to have more money, and these riches are delusional.
Gatsby stands for those who are already in riches. They have thrown themselves into these riches without thinking hence killing the American dream. Americas lack creative passion in pursuing riches. This passion is supposed to bring happiness; unfortunately, as Fitzgerald observes, this passion is no more. Therefore, the characteristics of the American dream, like happiness, are nowhere to be found in the lives of Americans.
Conclusion
The Great Gatsby is about the dead American dream. Fitzgerald is concerned about the newfound wealth that seems to drive people crazy, especially on the East Coast. The American dream was about innovation, laissez-faire, and the quest for felicity; unfortunately, this dream is dead.
The slow death of the American Dream started immediately after World War I, and now it is dead and decomposed. Unfortunately, some people are still dreaming; however, the writer concurs with Fitzgerald that the time for dreaming is gone. The closest American dream can come to reality now is that; dream.
Works Cited
Fitzgerald, Scott. The Great Gatsby. Prigozy, Ruth. Ed. New York; Oxford University Press, 1998.
Even though the characters of Tom and George in The Great Gatsby seem completely different at first glance, their behavior has certain similarities. First, this is displayed in how these two characters relate to women. Its impossible not to notice Toms cruelty and rudeness, while George seems like a deceived husband cheating on his wife and seeking revenge on her killer. However, Georges relationship with Myrtle is not much different from Toms relationship with Daisy. At the same time, the motives of Tom and Georges behavior differ due to their backgrounds, origins, and belonging to different social classes.
Differences in the Characters Behavior and Motives
The apparent difference between Tom and George lies in their background and social status. As Leiwakabessy and Ermansyah (2020) note, Bourgeoisies is drastically separated from the Proletariat (p.86), so the class affiliation of the characters largely determines the social norms of their behavior. However, how the characters perceive their social position is much more significant.
To which Tom has become accustomed since childhood, Permissiveness leads to the fact that manifestations of aggression are a characteristic feature of the character. For example, he does not hesitate to break Myrtles nose as soon as she crosses the line set by Tom (Fitzgerald, 1925). Tom feels the power that money gives him in a capitalist society. Moreover, he knows that money can justify any of his actions before society. By seducing Myrtle, Tom feels like her savior, who helps a miserable woman to get away from her dumb husband (Jiang, 2019, p. 474). At the same time, Myrtles opinion and desires do not matter to the character because he seeks to satisfy his own.
On the other hand, George seems completely unambitious and submissive. He is probably resigned to his status as a proletariat and does not seek to get rich or gain power. He is not capable of the cold-blooded cruelty that characterizes him. Even when, during an argument, Myrtle yells, Throw me down and beat me, you dirty little coward! (Fitzgerald, 1925), George does not lose his temper and does not show the slightest hint of aggression. Moreover, seeking revenge for the death of his wife and killing Gatsby, George, in the end, commits suicide. He consciously accepts the rules of the capitalist world, where everything is allowed to the bourgeois, and the proletariat must be punished for disobedience. Therefore, George independently pronounces a sentence for the murder of a person as the highest degree of manifestation of cruelty and aggression. At the same time, Tom leaves everything behind and moves on without considering the importance of human life.
Similarities in the Characters Attitudes toward Women
Despite all the differences in the characters, the models of their behavior towards their wives have standard features. They are both attached to their wives and seek to take them away from their lovers as soon as they discover the betrayals. At the same time, despite the attachment to their wives, this is more connected not with romantic feelings but with a sense of ownership of something or someone. Moreover, having a wife is essential to both men, but neither pays attention to his wife. Tom cheats or takes up rich peoples hobbies, and George spends all his time in the garage and is more attached to the old Christian culture than Myrtle. Both are cruel to their wives, even if this cruelty is not manifested on a physical level but on an emotional level.
Conclusion
Thus, despite the significant differences between Tom and George, which seem evident at first glance, the characters have much more in common. The main thing that unites them is a rude attitude towards their wives and emotional abuse. On the other hand, the social and economic situation largely determines the behavior patterns of the characters. After World War I, US society split into the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. As depicted in the novel, members of both classes are capable of cruelty, but only one of them must be held accountable for their actions.
References
Fitzgerald, S. F. (1925). The Great Gatsby [Audiobook]. Web.