...play a part in the numbers of homeless people that live, and why they seemingly appear to not be in our sights. One correlation that could be made between the film and this topic is that the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, could have easily been thrown into this category if he didn’t strive to reach the goals he had. Another...
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...There are many similarities involving the main characters in the books The Great Gatsby and A Raisin in the Sun. For example, they are similar because their entire lives revolve around money. Also, they define their lives by determining what social class they live in. Another main likeness between the two is that they reside in large cities. Which leads to problems that people in rural communities wouldn’t have. On the other hand, they also have major differences. One is wealthy, the other lives in poverty. Jay Gatsby lives in a paradise-like community in New York, while Walter Younger and his family live in the slums of Chicago. Another difference between them is their race. Jay, being a white, is a well respected individual in his part of town. The Youngers, being African American, have a hard time finding their place in the city of Chicago. Especially when they decide to move to a white association. The final difference is that even though they are in similar situations, and despite their hardships, the Younger family always seems to find a silver lining in whatever they are going through. Gatsby, on the other hand, is always discontent with his life. Jay Gatsby, a bootlegger, was probably introduced to “big money” when he started in the business. Because of that, events that occur during his life, or big decisions that he has to make, is centered around money. In other words, every thought that runs through his mind deals (in some way) with his money, or money that can be...
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...takes place during the 1920’s The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald shows both the good and the bad in relation to the twenties. Although 1920’s have been associated with prosperity and luxurious it was truly has a time of hardship and pain because it was a time of social unrest, mobster and bootlegger ran the cities, and money became such a promate role it start to...
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...To most high school students, The Great Gatsby is probably the most familiar American Literature unit. To many scholars, it is also one of the greatest classics of the twentieth-century. Published in 1925, The Great Gatsby, narrates a tale of a man named Jay Gatsby and his journey to steal back the girl of his dream, Daisy Buchanan, from her husband, Tom Buchanan. Then, an ironic car accident destroys their relationship, and Gatsby dies heart broken, taking a false blame for the accident for Daisy. The author of the novel is American author F. Scott Fitzgerald. He was born in Minnesota in 1896, dropped out of Princeton in 1917, and published his first novel titled This Side of Paradise in 1920, which enabled him to marry Zelda Sayre; the couple...
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...about Nick Carraway himself. All we know is that he has goals in life, which makes him stand out compared to everyone else because he wants to make the most of life and succeed. Also, he has a moral sense compared to everyone else, he isn’t just all about wealth and doesn’t just do anything he wants without knowing the consequences. Another trait of his is that he is more practical and more down-to-earth character in the book, he really stands out compared to everyone else and he isn’t an open book so he remains mysterious which intrigues me. “They’re a rotten crowd,’ I shouted across the lawn. “You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.” This quote represents Nick by showing how he really cares about others and can see the value in Gatsby as his...
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...the opportunities for ethnic minority, working class, and female students to achieve academic success” (Makkawi). Females and minorities in heterogeneous societies will face discrimination for the simple fact they are females or minorities which hinders them from obtaining an education, job, or reaching their goals. In Michelle Obama’s biography it says, “African American students recall newspapers slipped under their door with op-eds arguing that their presence on campus brought down university intellectual standards” (Mundy 66). At Princeton, Michelle and many African Americans experience racial discrimination that makes them feel unwelcome and unworthy of attending the university. Although they feel unwelcome, this feeling only pushes Michelle and others to work harder to prove their worth so they can make it. Ghada, a female student, gives an example of the sexism and discrimination, when she states, “Despite the fact that I was rated first in my class, when we had an open day in the school the boy after me gave the students' speech” (Makkawi). The superintendent would not allow Ghada to deliver the students’ speech because she is a female, fearing it would be a disgrace for her to stand in front of the village and give the speech. The superintendent’s actions acknowledge the sexism and discrimination of females in the community and lessens the value of the hard work Ghada put in to be first in her class. When Walter’s family is disappointed in his decision to call Mr. Lindner...
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...2015) Disability Discrimination Act defines disability as ‘a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse affect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’. (Fuller, Healey, Bradley, Hall, 2004)As the definition referred to mental and physical disability, Dyslexia, unseen disabilities, multiple disabilities and other personal care support. Disability as a human right issue, children with disabilities have the right to get education without any discrimination and accordingly...
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...Discuss the portrayal of New York Society at the turn of the twentieth century in Edith Wharton’s “The House of Mirth.” Edith Wharton’s ‘House of Mirth’ critically depicts New York’s society at the turn of the 19th century as money orientated, unequal and content with its missing morals and ethics. Having experienced first-hand the upper class of America, Wharton is able to expose this dismal society in a way many other writers were unable to. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, the Great Gatsby society is also a key theme. Based in the growing New York of the 1920s, Fitzgerald portrays the theme of society through the influx of new money and its difference between those of old money. Due to the historical differences between the two novels, Wharton’s novel can been seen as a criticism of this society; Fitzgerald’s novel uses society to enhance the plot, sometimes he does criticise it. Fitzgerald criticises this society as he reveals it to be a lost generation after a major worldwide conflict, which has turned into a hedonistic and materialistic society. Word Count for Page One: 313 Word Count for Page One: 313 Money plays a big part within the characters’ lives and the society within ‘House of Mirth’. Wealth is an important factor, in order to be accepted into the higher society. Lily teeters on the edge of this society, however her lack of money limits her from being accepted fully. Wharton explores the idea of inherited wealth through characters such as Percy Gryce, she displays...
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...The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald transports one into the wealth and excitement of the 1920’s, yet reveals the dark pieces of humanity as well. In efforts to comprehend the shallow, reckless characters of this story, three traits appear to be the bases of their flawed morals: prejudice, resentment, and - what proves to often be most genuine and deadly - apathy. The type of people in this period that Fitzgerald tries to personify attain a mindset that lives on its own small, personal island. Meaning, there is only enough room for themselves. Likewise, this mindset is evident in many Americans during the time of change in the 20’s, as the voiceless people called for attention. The Roaring 20’s marked a time of economic prosperity, that...
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...The American Dream Essay The American dream is something common to all people, but it is something that everyone views in different ways. The American dream is different for everyone, but they share some of the same aspects of it. The dream is dependent mainly on the setting of where one lives and one‘s social status. For example, The Declaration of Independence was by Thomas Jefferson, who was an upper class white male. He wanted freedom, but freedom for people like himself that were white landowning males. Martin Luther King, in his I Have a Dream speech, also called for freedom, but mostly for African Americans like himself. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in his book The Great Gatsby, that he would have liked to eliminate the idle rich, which he was a part of. Every American dream is somewhat different, but they all relate to the times that one lives in. In The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson asked for equality for white landowning males. His American dream was to be free from Britain and to be treated equally. This dream only included people like himself, that were white men who owned land. The people that signed the document were all part of that class. They were the people leading the revolution, so Jefferson thought they should be the ones reaping the benefits. In the text, it talks about “the merciless Indian Savages.” Obviously they were not included as being equal. Jefferson also wrote “We…the Representatives of the united States of America…” He was referring...
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...Analysis of “Materialistic Perception” in F. Scot Fitzgerald Using Marxist Literary Criticism Chapter I 1.1 Introduction 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 for the beautiful 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 that has been described as a cautionary tale regarding the American Dream. 1.2 State of Problem The Great Gatsby provides a critical social history of America during the Roaring Twenties within its narrative. That era, known for unprecedented economic prosperity, the evolution of jazz music, flapper culture, and bootlegging and other economy struggle that was the result of the materialism and capitalism damaging on social behavior, led to the widespread social distress. 1.3 Theoretical Framework Using literary criticism to interpret what is the ideal life of America in 19th century and what is the dream of American people after World War I. as a Marxist interpretation of the novel makes especially clear, reveals its dark underbelly instead. Through its unflattering characterization of those at the top of the...
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...critical theory today critical theory today A Us e r - F r i e n d l y G u i d e S E C O N D E D I T I O N L O I S T Y S O N New York London Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 270 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 2 Park Square Milton Park, Abingdon Oxon OX14 4RN © 2006 by Lois Tyson Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business Printed in the United States of America on acid‑free paper 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 International Standard Book Number‑10: 0‑415‑97410‑0 (Softcover) 0‑415‑97409‑7 (Hardcover) International Standard Book Number‑13: 978‑0‑415‑97410‑3 (Softcover) 978‑0‑415‑97409‑7 (Hardcover) No part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, transmitted, or utilized in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publishers. Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data Tyson, Lois, 1950‑ Critical theory today : a user‑friendly guide / Lois Tyson.‑‑ 2nd ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0‑415‑97409‑7 (hb) ‑‑ ISBN 0‑415‑97410‑0 (pb) 1. Criticism...
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...Have you or someone like you ever insulted the boy you seen wearing makeup across the classroom, because its feminine or not meant to be worn by guys? Is that really how you felt or was is just to be cool around your friends? It is not cool for one. It is harassment either if you true felt that way or not. The boy has a name, a history, and believe it or not, emotions just like every human being. The advice quoted to Nick in ‘The Great Gatsby’ by his father, was pretty interesting to me. “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t has the advantages you’ve had”, is what Nick’s father said to him. Words like that tends to get your mind thinking if that is true or not, it is entirely up to you and what you stand for. The person who you choose to become is what you are brought upon. Some people judge others because their lack of knowledge compared to ones self. We now live in a time where social media is a major part of our lives. At one touch of a button, someone could be posting a nasty comment about another person. What if that person sees it? Did the attacker think about how it would affect his/her victim? Of course not. Society is prone to these type of actions. Mostly celebrities because they are on the spot light and citizens out in the world get jealous and developed a hatred. For...
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...America is most known for the value of equality across the world. These values have totally changed, instead of striving for equality, people are desperate to get as wealthy as they possibly can be. In America where we are believed to all have equal opportunities, this idea of achieving ones desires has spread rapidly. People long for this need they have to be rich and determined to make it become possible as if it were their salvation. This idea that “anyone will achieve success through hard work” proves itself invalid (Fitzgerald). The American dream creates a false sense of expectations of a perfect life and reality. In The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald the American Dream plays a big role. So it is not shocking that this...
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...In the Prologue, the narrator claims that his stealing energy from Monopolated Light & Power “allows [him] to feel [his] vital aliveness” (7). Feeling no direct threat to himself, the narrator takes on resistance rather comfortably in his underground home. However, he is not able to make meaningful change because his efforts to resist the energy company goes largely unnoticed. Later, in the Epilogue, however, having experienced adversity through exploitation and discrimination in college and in New York, the narrator says, “I must come out, I must emerge… I’m shaking off the old skin and I’ll leave it here in the hole” (581). The fact that the narrator chooses to leave his old self in the hole after the Harlem riots demonstrates that adversity can elicit one’s talents--for the narrator, his voice, passion, and capacity to understand his “socially responsible role to play” (581). The narrator’s “old skin” refers to his underground resistance, and his willingness to “emerge” to make a difference highlights that the adverse conditions he experienced truly shaped and brought out his talents. To a degree, the narrator’s desire to create change after seeing Harlem fall is similar to my desire to improve my math...
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