...“American Dream” American novelist Florence King once said, “People are so busy dreaming the American Dream, fantasizing about what they could be or have a right to be, that they're all asleep at the switch. Consequently we are living in the Age of Human Error” (Florence King). This quote brings to light the fact that the American Dream is nigh impossible to achieve. This is simply because people are so caught up in dreaming about what other people have obtained rather than taking the necessary steps to live the dream themselves. American author F. Scott Fitzgerald has an unparalleled impact on the idea of the American Dream. Fitzgerald’s novels This Side of Paradise and The Great Gatsby have consistent themes that feature small aspects of the American Dream that conflicts him. Both the main male characters, Armory Blaine and Jay Gatsby showcase men in 1920s America who have come into wealth, yet their money and shiny trinkets do not bring them happiness, even though that is what both characters legitimately yearned for. Together, Gatsby and Blaine expose a perception of the American Dream that F. Scott Fitzgerald investigated thoroughly throughout his life. The idea that when a society is consumed by materialism and the promises it could bring the real American Dream is lost in the shuffle. Fitzgerald was born on September 24, 1869 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The author was named after his second cousin Scott Francis Key, who wrote the lyrics to the “Star-Spangled Banner”. As a young...
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...2013 Project Title: Critical Analysis of Great Gatsby novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald Introduction The Great Gatsby is may be the F. Scott Fitzgerald’s greatest novel. This novel offers damning and insightful views of the American nouveau riche in the 1920s. It is an American classic and a wonderfully evocative novel (Bloom, 2010). The author seems to have a brilliant understanding of lives that are characterised by greed and incredibly sad and unfulfilled. The Great Gatsby is at once a romantic and cyclical novel about wealth and habits of a group of New Yorkers during the Jazz Age (Bloom, 2010). Fitzgerald’s work is magnificent as he paints a grim portrait of shallow characters that manoeuvre themselves into some complex situations. The use of symbols and articulate language makes the novel to be best appreciated by mature readers; and this enables them to analyse literature and think critically (Bloom, 2010). The plot Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, is a love story of sorts, the narrative of Gatsby’s quixotic passion for Daisy Buchanan. The initial meeting of the two lovers takes place two years before the novel is written. Daisy was then a legendary young Louisville beauty while Gatsby was an impoverished officer. The two fell in deep love, but while Gatsby serves abroad; his lover Daisy marries the bullying, brutal but extremely rich Tom Buchanan (Fitzgerald & Stuart, 2005). After the end of the war, Gatsby dedicates himself to find wealth by any...
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...since its publication, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby continues to be critically acclaimed as the Great American Novel, with millions of copies being sold annually. Fitzgerald’s slim novel perfectly encapsulates the highly sought-after American Dream in a way that hadn’t been written before in the era of its publication. The story of greed, envy, jealousy, and wealth implores readers to re-read and decipher its deeper-meanings, and serves as a worthy contender for the title of the Great American Novel. Fitzgerald began his novel in his late twenties, pouring his heart and soul into the soon-to-be masterpiece. Finally, after numerous revisions and edits, Fitzgerald’s third novel was...
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...Iranian writer Azar Nafisi once said, “The negative side of the American Dream comes when people pursue success at any cost, which in turn destroys the vision and the dream.” In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby we see the decay of the American Dream through the selfless but selfish acts of the characters. In the Great Gatsby the symbols of the Valley of Ashes, the green light, and materialism show that the American Dream is unachievable. Through the symbol of the Valley of Ashes we see the hollowness and decay of the American Dream. Myrtle had the same dream as everyone who lives in the Valley of Ashes has, they all want to escape the Valley of Ashes to be a part of a higher social class“…Myrtle Wilson, her life violently extinguished,...
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...Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald Sean P. Conway Teacher Period 27 April 2013 Class System in the Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald Topic: F. Scott Fitzgerald Purpose: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s stories show the demise of the “American Dream” by Demonstrating that the American class system determines your manner, Lifestyle and character 1. Introduction: Fitzgerald believed the American dream was false and distorted. 2. Stories showed the decadence of the Jazz Age but with a jaded view 3. 1920s a. About the time period b. “The Jazz Age” c. Wealth d. Social values e. Fashion 4. Works by Fitzgerald a. This Side of Paradise b. The Great Gatsby c. The love of the last tycoon 5. Symbolism a. Great Gatsby i. Green light ii. Valley of ashes (poor’s lack of values, unfaithful’s lack of morals) iii. Beat up car b. This Side of Paradise i. Speed and cars ii. Alcohol as means to forget c. The Love of the Last Tycoon i. Car ii. Sheep /people iii. Light/darkness as reality/fantasy 6. Theme a. American dream b. Class system c. Relationships 7. Conclusion The death of the “American Dream” was a notable part of the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. His use of symbolism and extensive writings on the large gap between the social classes demonstrated why he felt this way. According to his...
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...Although it is a work of fiction, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby is an accurate portrayal of the 1920s. It is generally realistic, despite some events and details being fabricated for entertainment purposes. The story was written shortly after the Roaring 20s. Because it was written so soon after the time period, readers are led to believe that the author experienced the time period first hand. If this is true, the author will know more information than that of someone writing a novel on the same time period almost one hundred years later. In history books, the 1920s, also known as the Roaring 20s, was a time period prior to the Great Depression where the majority of the population was prosperous and happy. (“The Roaring...
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...As Scott F. Fitzgerald invites the reader to see the perspective of the 1920’s from an “honest” and “nonjudgmental” man named Nick Carraway, the views of the rich and ugly collide together, making The Great Gatsby a novel with a twisted and complicated plot. The main character Nick Carraway, is from the west and moves to the overpopulated city of New York. He settles in the “West Egg” of Long Island and meets his mysterious neighbor who goes by the name of Jay Gatsby. Nick visits his cousin Daisy, who lives in the “East Egg” and soon becomes somewhat engaged within the fast, upbeat, party life. (Fitzgerald) Although he is not fully involved, he disentangles himself from the whole scene near the ending due to his observant behavior and disgusted attitude towards the whole outlook. However, his attraction towards Gatsby is a main focus. Readers are captivated by Gatsby’s admirable perseverance and determination in working towards achieving his goal of winning Daisy’s heart and beyond that, the American dream, yet his greatness predicts his downfall. Gatsby’s desire of becoming wealthy and dedication to this goal reflects how admirable he is because created himself out of nothing; he “sprang from his Platonic conception of himself; he was a son of God-.” (Fitzgerald, 104) He “reinvented” himself, using his imagination and being “faithful to the end” until he was the prosperous man he wanted to become. But this accomplished goal of becoming wealthy was only a small step...
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...self-reliance and accomplishment. F Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, is an effective critique on the corruption that surrounds the American Dream. It is also a commentary on the warped view of Western hedonism and idealized lifestyles. The dream is portrayed strongly through the characters, depicting undignified ways to obtain wealth, the amoral social interactions and the illusion of affection and false fellowship. Thus exposing the unscrupulousness, self-absorption and disillusionment that lie at the wake of the American Dream. Fitzgerald critiques on the ideal of ‘self-made’ men (financially) and how through sheer desperation, men stray from conformity and followed a deviated path in order to reach wealth. The American Dream is the belief that regardless of one’s socio-economic background, an individual could still reach financial triumph through hard work, education and drive-which has been the belief of the American society. According to American sociologist Robert K. Merton, American society has generated common desires and pressures for material possession-which is how success was measured- those who fail to succeed by conformity or valid means, resort to devious acts to do so. Fitzgerald comments on this aspect of his society through the portrayal of Gatsby in the novel; who employed unorthodox ways of obtaining wealth in order to gain his incommunicable desire for Daisy’s affection. His illegal background was hinted by Gatsby himself: “… You see, I carry on...
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...F Scott Fitzgerald’s Classic American novel, The Great Gatsby, depicted the 1920’s American Dream and a strong side of hope that could drive your life in a positive direction, but can lead to a life of emptiness. The “Roaring Twenties” was a period filled with lavishness and carelessness. The stock market and economy was flourishing and being a part of this experience was every man’s dream. The true love Jay Gatsby had experienced in his young life as a soldier with the beautiful Daisy Buchanan- daughter of great American wealth, led him to follow the American Dream in hopes of making Daisy the happiest girl in the world by showering her with his wealth. But, Fitzgerald claims that even with Gatsby’s hard work and wealthy and hopes and elaborates dreams of stealing Daisy back, life doesn’t go as he anticipated. There isn’t much to lose for many men and women immovable in the lower classes of European society and in the poor lower class of the south and the Middle West regions in growing America. These people decided to come to the big cities on the East Coast in search of a new beginning-- just like Gatsby. Gatsby was born in a poor mid-western family. When he met Daisy, the love of his life, he decided that in order to please her he would have to leave everything he knew behind and follow the American Dream with the other men searching for a better, richer life. He was able to carry out this idea of the American Dream and became unthinkably rich. Once this was achieved he was...
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...achieve in Western society. The American Dream is the pursuit to happiness through hard work and success. Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” demonstrates a person’s needs for money and success to attain there American dream. The character Walter Younger lives a life of low class and poverty and struggles throughout his life and wants to live out his dreams to be able to provide better for his family. In the “Great Gatsby” Gatsby lives an unhappy life and wants to relive an old dream of love to live a happier life. In each novel, the characters show there desperation and devotion to pursue the American dream of materialistic values and to happiness although it is not guaranteed. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” Gatsby is wealthy man, but has not always been at a high social status. Gatsby was a man of the lower class and had no success. He was in love with Daisy but he knew that there was no chance of them being together when he is poor. Gatsby had no money and thought that Daisy does not want to wait her whole life for him to become successful. Gatsby devotes his whole life to becoming rich and successful enough to win Daisy’s heart. He was to recapture and old dream and memories they once had. It was only important for Gatsby to become wealthy to get Daisy back. Gatsby becomes a wealthy man and lives in a mansion and always throws lavish parties only hoping to see Daisy. He did not care to attend his own parties,...
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...Miles 1/5/17 English 11 Gatsby Essay Throughout The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald illustrates symbolism through color to paint pictures within the novel. In the backdrop of the roaring 20’s, a time of care-free extravagance and a new age of culture, lives one Jay Gatsby, “The Great Gatsby.” In reality, Gatsby is a poor man living a life of fantasy and corruption all for a “golden girl,” although no matter how rich he is, he is never able reach his dream, and dies tragically at the end of the summer. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses gold and silver to portray wealth as it corresponds with this obsession for prosperity and the pursuit of the American Dream, as well as his preoccupation with Daisy as a symbol of affluence and beauty....
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...F. Scott Fitzgerald is in many ways one of the most notable writers of the twentieth century. His prodigious literary voice and style provides remarkable insight into the lifestyles of the rich and famous, as well as himself. Exploring themes such as disillusionment, coming of age, and the corruption of the American Dream, Fitzgerald based most of his subject matter on his own despicable, tragic life experiences. Although he was thought to be the trumpeter of the Jazz Age, he never directly identified himself with it and was adverse to many of its manifestations. The life of F. Scott Fitzgerald was deeply divided, in that his early successes in the 1910’s and 1920’s contrast noticeably with the years full of personal happenings and self doubt. It was divided, among all, between the pursuit of the artistic ideal and the continual lure of easy success. He became a victim of the myth of success and money instead of the perpetrator. Nevertheless, Fitzgerald’s incredible prose style and beautiful talent shined through his tragic, disillusioned life and he was able to successful create a beautiful world for his readers to escape to. In the early 1920’s, Fitzgerald was accepted as a symbol of youthful sophistication. He became intensely aware of the strangeness and mystery behind the rich at a young age, and tried so hard to echo their actions through sheen curiosity and characterization. It was then that he established a rich and enduring symbolic value throughout his...
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...From a feminist lens, The Great Gatsby criticizes and punishes female characters more than their male counterparts. F. Scott Fitzgerald best exemplifies this disparity through the characterization of Myrtle Wilson. Myrtle is criticized and cosmically punished for taking part in an affair with Tom Buchanan, while Tom walks away unscathed. Tom Buchanan is praised for his sexuality, while Myrtle is criticized and punished for her sexual nature. George Wilson, Myrtle’s husband, evokes sympathy from the audience while Myrtle is portrayed as evil and deserving of punishment. It is evident that females face greater scrutiny and punishment in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Equal participation in an affair, unequal repercussions. Tom Buchanan, a married man, begins an affair with Myrtle Wilson, a married woman. Both enter the relationship willingly and with selfish intentions. However, Myrtle is the only participant punished for her extracurricular activities. After seeing Tom drive into the city in Gatsby’s car, when she sees the car...
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... The Great Gatsby From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the novel. For the film, TV and opera adaptations, see The Great Gatsby (disambiguation). The Great Gatsby is a 1925 novel written by American author F. Scott Fitzgerald that follows a cast of characters living in the fictional town of West Egg on prosperous Long Island in the summer of 1922. The story primarily concerns the young and mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his quixotic passion and obsession for the beautiful debutante Daisy Buchanan. Considered to be Fitzgerald's magnum opus, The Great Gatsby explores themes of decadence, idealism, resistance to change, social upheaval, and excess, creating a portrait of the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties that has been described as a cautionary tale regarding theAmerican Dream.[1][2] Fitzgerald, inspired by the parties he had attended while visiting Long Island's north shore, began planning the novel in 1923 desiring to produce, in his words, "something new—something extraordinary and beautiful and simple and intricately patterned."[3] Progress was slow with Fitzgerald completing his first draft following a move to the French Riviera in 1924. His editor, Maxwell Perkins, felt the book was too vague and convinced the author to revise over the next winter. Fitzgerald was ambivalent about the book's title, at various times wishing to re-title the novel Trimalchio in West Egg. First published by Scribner's in April 1925, The Great Gatsby received...
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...Clever and captivating, F Scott Fitzgerald’s novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ is perhaps the most critically analysed American piece of the past century. Arguably this is because Fitzgerald uses many diverse literary devices to fascinate the reader. Gatsby and Daisy embody the theme of complicated relationships, which Fitzgerald uses to make the reader question the legitimacy of Daisy’s feelings and Gatsby’s persistence in chasing his dream. Fitzgerald involves symbolism in many ways including a green light at the end of Daisy’s dock to symbolise Gatsby’s dream and comment on the greed of the people of the roaring twenties. The American Dream is a theme through which Fitzgerald is able to comment on the moral decay of the Roaring Twenties society. Fitzgerald uses the theme of complicated relationships between characters as a symbol of misjudgement, this is especially evident for Gatsby and his relationship with Daisy. When Gatsby and Daisy began their love, Daisy was a symbol of wealth and the upper class of American society. Circumstantially it was the case that for Gatsby to fulfil his dream he would have to work to once again be worthy of Daisy’s love. It is hard not to question whether during their time apart Gatsby had glorified Daisy and it is uncertain as to whether she was worth it. Gatsby strongly desired the past to be repeated. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow...
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