Read the first few paragraphs and the last section of this article (or
the whole article if you are so moved) and respond. Make a specific
connection between an idea or quote from the article and a
character/event/quote in the novel.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/may/25/american-dream-great-gatsby
Some may say that it is impossible to grow up as a poor country boy and become a rich city man, but James Truslow Adams says in his book "the genuine worth of each man or woman", whose efforts should be restricted by "no barriers beyond their own natures." This quote states that every man has a potential to become great, but it is their decision whether or not to use that potential.This idea is shown in the novel the "The Great Gatsby". Gatsby grew up in a poor family, but he rose to the riches. He had the potential to become rich and he used it.
ReplyDeleteLike the quote, Patrick. I especially like the first part about "genuine worth." It seems as if people place "value" on others based on money, education, etc., then we define ourselves by the value OTHERS place on us. If we define worth for ourselves--or see each unique person worthy of value--then perhaps people will feel empowered to achieve...like Gatsby.
ReplyDeleteIn the article it talks about the American Dream being a not being a promise, but a dream in its self. People were not guaranteed a life of riches and they truly had to work for it. Sometimes hard work doesn't pay off and as many were discovering it was very difficult to find a high paying job after an education. Gatsby did find the silver lining in his dream, Daisy, and really worked toward his goal of becoming rich. He made "The American Dream" a reality.
ReplyDelete"Americans were evidently beginning to recognise that consumerism and mass marketing were teaching them what to want, and that rises of fortune would be measured by the acquisition of status symbols" from the article directly correlates to Myrtle's desire for a puppy. She says, " I want to get one of those dogs...They're nice to have--a dog." Here Myrtle simply wants and buys a dog on a whim because it's a symbol of wealth. It shows that one has money because they can buy something that requires money to take care of.
ReplyDelete"'There has never been an American tragedy,' Fitzgerald ended. 'There have only been great failures.'"
ReplyDeleteThis article and this quote are intersting. Fitzgerald who hung out with and spend time with the type of people he wrote about in the Great Gatsby. He seemed to pridict that there was an end to the prosperity that American was experiencing. Also, Fitzgerald pridicts this end of prosperity. At the end of the novel, its winter and everyone in West Egg and no one is having parties anymore, including Gatsby.
In the article "The Great Gatsby and the American dream" it expresses that the restriction of social classes it is increasingly called the failure of the American dream. The American Dream shown by Fitzgerald was truly a failure due to the control that our social classes have on our daily lives. The way we act, the way we think, and the way we talk are all developed by social standards. This same thing was shown through George Wilson, he did not have the capabilities to be upper class due to the environment he was raised in and the education he received.
ReplyDelete