David Orta Honors American Literature St. John 's College High School 8/22/15 Francis Scott Fitzgerald Francis Scott Fitzgerald was a vital figure to literature, not only was he a novelist, but in addition he was a poet, playwright, screenwriter, copywriter, and author of short stories. He was truly a trailblazer who paved the way for authors to come. Modernism means a style or movement that aims to break with traditional forms. Fitzgerald wrote during the time period of modernism. Modernism partook primarily in Europe from the early to mid twentieth century. Modernism symbolizes the introduction of new ways to express oneself as well as the separation from traditional ways. One major idea that was corroborated throughout many written items during this time period was the idea of self awareness. Self awareness also known as self consciousness, is when one is extremely aware of their own actions, feelings, and thoughts. One of the biggest driving factors for this belief of self consciousness was the devastating effects from World War One. Many artists and authors were striving to cut ties with the previous beliefs and traditions in their specific field. They wanted to stand out and start new trends. In the Victorian age there was a massive increase in the overall knowledge of the general population due to education reforms. This increase in knowledge led to a constant hunger for more and more knowledge. One way people cured this craving was with literature.
F. Scott Fitzgerald was born on September 24, 1896. He was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and his parents were both born in Maryland and Irish. You could say he grew up very lower middle class. Fitzgerald’s views of relationships began at an early age. It was interesting because many of his best books came from the idea that women & men relationships is just a game with one person ending up being a winner. He claimed to forever have a jazz-age attitude that would stick with him for life, and it worked. F. Scott Fitzgerald died December 21, 1940 at the young age of 44.
Mangum, Bryant. "THE GREAT GATSBY, by F." THE GREAT GATSBY, by F. London and Chicago: Fitzroy-Dearborn, 1998. Web. 1 July 2015. .
I wonder why Nick thinks that Gatsby is sick since the lights in his house are off. Maybe Gatsby did not feel like having a party, he might be tired. Once it was mentioned in the metaphor that everything fell as there was disapproval in her eyes it felt like Gatsby had to fire the servants. They would only make him and Daisy look bad. The second paragraph away from the metaphor has numerous words giving imagery into the scene. It states that it was the hottest day; “simmering in the edge of combustion”; people perspired delicately and despairingly into deep heat. Continuing, the author repeats the word “hot” to emphasize passion or anger. We have found out that Tom does not like Gatsby since he mentions his “well connected dislike”. Then he continues to welcome him however he cuts off and goes to Nick. It looks like the heat is affecting everyone. Daisy starts to slow down saying words as the heat is affecting her. I predict that the heat will affect people in a negative way. The author in an odd way makes Nick reveal that Gatsby did not “really believe in its existence” in Daisy’s child. This dehumanizes the little girl by making her a possession. There is a contradiction afterwards. Nick refers to the child as in a dream. This is directly related to the beginning chapters where Daisy says her daughter is a fool in a dream. Daisy also shows off her daughter in nice clothes to Gatsby. This shows that both Gatsby and Daisy are committed by showing off and impressing each
Gatsby colossal mansion, is used a a centre point for the entire novel; it is the place most explored and best described by Fitzgerald, and an analysis of the architecture reveals multiple aspects of Jay Gatsby himself. Gatsby House is initially described as “ a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy,” (5). Fitzgerald, uses “factual imitation” to address how the house is an pastiche of the European/French palace-style, accurate in detail, but lacking in the whole impression, which is juxtaposed with Gatsby 's place in society. The house in its entirety is a fake, however, the abode, like it 's owner contains some authenticity - Gatsby did study at Oxford, but he was not an Oxford graduate, and had a medal at Montenegro; here, the details are genuine. On page 45, when a stout middle-aged man, with large spectacles is flabbergasted in Gatsby possession of real books in his library He exclaims “What thoroughness! What realism!”(46). This could directed at Gatsby 's whole facade which is extremely realistic, here, Fitzgerald draws attention to aspects of Gatsby authenticity.
When North America was first settled, the pioneers of our continent sought relief from their native lands. Where it would have been impossible for many of them to achieve prosperity and wealth, the new Western World enabled many of them to be successful on account of their dedication and work ethic alone. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” the state of this American Dream is depicted as it was in the 1920s. However, much has changed since this era, and today’s society has much evolved. In both epochs, the American Dream functions as a symbol of hope that promotes the personal advancement of many. However, in the 1920s the Dream was on the decline, whereas in the 2010s it has evolved to become an increasing reality. In both cases, the Dream plays an important role in the everyday lives of Western citizens. In the 1920s, the concept was impossible for most to attain. However, the Dream has evolved into a goal that can be achieved by an increasing number of people. In both time periods, the income gap between the wealthiest and poorest citizens is clear and convincing. However, in the 2010s, this has a mitigated impact on the average citizen due to social programming. While in both eras there is a somewhat of a distinction between sections of the continent, the divide between the East and the West is more pronounced in the 1920s. Modern
When Cody died, he left the boy, now Jay Gatsby, a legacy of $25,000. Unfortunately
Celie, the narrator and the protagonist of the story, is a young African American girl who lives in the south. She is poor, as well as uneducated. She lives with her step father, Alphonso (Pa), her mother, and her younger brothers and sisters. Celie began writing letters to God to escape the brutality and pain her step father causes her endure on a daily basis. Celie tries her best to keep her younger sister, Nettie, away from the abuse of their father by persuading Nettie to marry a middle aged man, Mr. _____. However, Pa refuses to allow Nettie to get married, saying that she was “too young, no experience. Say Mr. ____ got too many children already (Walker, 6).” However, when Mr. ____ returned, Pa offered him Celie’s hand in marriage. Celie was then taken away from her family, most importantly Nettie, but unfortunately she did not escape the constant abuse.
In F. Scott Fitzgerald 's novel, The Great Gatsby, all of the characters attempt to achieve a state of happiness in their lives. The main characters are split up into two groups: the rich upper class and the poorer lower class, which struggles to achieve a better, happier life. Although the major characters only seem to look to make their lives even better, the ideal and reality of the American Dream is almost completely destroyed by the harsh reality of life, leaving them with pretty much no hope in improving their lives and making them feel hopeless.
In The Great Gatsby, the author, F Scott Fitzgerald depicts the post - war roaring 20’s, a time of overwhelming prosperity and a new found sense of hope for the future. While this novel is often perceived as a romance, it is also a criticism on the devastating nature of the elusive american dream. The story of Jay Gatsby is a representation of what had become the values of the individual at the time. With the progression of the early 1920’s the vision of the perfect life, or the american dream, had been skewed. It was replaced with greed, and an abundance of reckless spending in which the wealthier individuals placed their misguided ideas of happiness. In the Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald chooses to expose the hidden truth behind the illustrious concept of the American dream. Through his use of literary devices such as, symbolism, metaphor, and, irony the central idea of the truly unattainable American dream is supported throughout the novel.
In this chapter, we are introduced to the narrator of the story: Nick Carraway. Nick discusses his upbringing and comments on himself, telling the readers that he is “inclined to reserve all judgements”. We learn that Nick graduated from Yale, fought in World War 1 and he discusses that he tries not to hold those he meets up to his own personal standards.
The 1920s was a time of excess and growth. Economically, it was a time for great financial gain. Largely because of improvements in technology, productivity increased while overall production costs decreased, and the economy grew. Not only was this time filled with prosperity, but corruption as well. People who had previously worked day and night finally acquired leisure time. Some of the most wealthy people made the choice to fill this free time with gluttony and lust. Many authors during this time believed that the excessive spending and consumption would surely lead to ruin. Although many people associate good times and carefree abandon with the reverie of the 1920s, some also suggest a hidden, much darker side. In his
In New York, there are drifters, and there are unsettled citizens. Despite having everything that one could desire, each character in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby shows dissatisfaction. All of the characters do not seem to be pleased with their current lives, whether it be with love, opportunity, and, most importantly, themselves. This dissatisfaction shows how careless the wealthy citizens of the 1920’s were. Because of this, each of the characters are constantly craving more of what they desire, causing them to lose themselves due to the deadly sin of greed. The rootlessness of Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, and Jordan Baker reveal a self-centered nature that negatively influences others due to their hidden motives.
Thesis: The pursuit of the American Dream is a dominant theme throughout The Great Gatsby, which is carried out in various ways by F. Scott Fitzgerald, how the author represents this theme through his characters and their actions is one small aspect of it.
Any American is taught a dream that is purged of all truth. The American Dream is shown to the world as a belief that anyone can do anything; when in reality, life is filled with impossible boundaries. In the novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald gives us a glimpse into the life of the upper class during the roaring twenties through the eyes of a moralistic young man named Nick Carraway. It is through the narrator's dealings with the upper class that the reader is shown how modern values have transformed the American Dream's pure ideals into a scheme for materialistic power, and how the world of the upper class lacks any sense of morals or consequence. In order to support Fitzgerald's message
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is by far one of the most interesting yet congested books I have ever read. I feel as if the story is shifting as soon as I was able to tell what was happening. One idea that was constant was the themes, symbols and motifs used throughout. Love and the seduction of money, to me, were the most influential themes that I noticed in the book.