Category: Discussions (Page 1 of 13)

       Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel “The Great Gatsby,” which has intrigued readers for almost a century, was published. Richness, love, and the elusiveness of the American Dream are among the novel’s many themes that still strike a chord with readers today. The novel’s quest of wealth is one of its main themes. This quest is embodied in various ways by the characters of Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby. Self-made Gatsby gathers money while trying to win back his ex-girlfriend Daisy. Tom, on the other hand, was born wealthy and makes use of his position to make claims to privilege and power. The protagonists’ unrelenting quest for material achievement is a reflection of the current culture’s preoccupation with material prosperity and social standing. The characters’ aspirations and deeds are a reflection of the unrelenting chase of material gain seen in modern culture in a world where success in business is frequently considered as a measure of one’s value.

           The hollowness of the American Dream is also thoroughly explored in “The Great Gatsby” as a whole. The novel’s characters strive for riches and success because they think that achieving these goals will make them happy and content. Fitzgerald, however, exposes a grim reality that lies under the veneer of material wealth and lavish gatherings. The characters’ eventual devastation and disillusionment reveal the hollowness of a dream based only on worldly goals. The novel’s indictment of the flimsiness and hollowness of the American Dream serves as a warning in a time when societal pressures and the appeal of social media frequently promote a crafted image of success. Fitzgerald gives readers a window into a pivotal time in American history through his evocative descriptions of extravagant parties, excesses, and moral decay. In the contemporary world, where comparable trends can be seen, this description of a society dominated by materialism, hedonism, and the pursuit of pleasure continues to ring true. The curiosity in celebrity culture, the desire for rapid pleasure, and the pervasiveness of social media draw attention to how relevant the novel’s condemnation of a superficial society is even now. One important line of The Great Gatsby is “For a while these reveries provided an outlet for his imagination, they were a satisfactory hint of the unreality, a promise that the rock of the world was founded securely on a fairy’s wing” The broader issue of the American Dream’s illusory character is also reflected in this line. Gatsby’s daydreams are a representation of the fascination of the dream itself, the concept that success in life and social standing might lead to a perfect, idealized existence. Fitzgerald claims that this goal is naturally illusive and transitory because it fails to take into account the “unreality of reality” and the promise of a solid basis.

            Ultimately, The Great Gatsby’s exploration of these themes—morality, identity, class issues, gender issues, the frailty of “fame” in the age of social media, and the search for authentic meaning—offers readers a thought-provoking reflection on the complexities of human existence. By delving into these timeless concerns, the novel continues to resonate with readers in 2023, inviting introspection and fostering discussions about the enduring challenges and aspirations of the human experience.

One thing that really stood out to me was that Fitzgerald shows the sharp contrast between Gatsby’s lavish parties and his mysterious nature. The lavish gatherings are portrayed as chaotic excessive scenarios where individuals seek pleasure and escape from reality. Rumors about Gatsby’s mysterious history and the source of his money are circulating in the meantime, but he continues to be difficult to find. The key idea stressed in this part is the hollowness and despair that lie beneath the glittering lives of the wealthy elite. Characters like Tom and Daisy Buchanan are characterized as morally bankrupt and stuck in unhappy relationships despite their money and social standing. Nick offers a critical viewpoint on the moral decline he observes from the outside, expressing uneasiness and challenging the tenets of this culture. As the novel progresses, it establishes the sharp difference between appearances and reality, laying the groundwork for the collapse of the American Dream and its catastrophic effects.

Stephen Crane’s poem, “War is Kind,” offers an ironic and satirical critique on armed conflict. He contends that the heroization of combat and the soldier sacrifice serve to manipulate and restrain the emotions of those left behind. Crane emphasizes the effects of war on all parties involved by speaking to mothers, widows, and soldiers themselves. He also draws attention to the rhetoric’s hypocrisy in defending war and its tragedies. Despite the title of the poem, Crane does not truly think that war is good; instead, he highlights the cruelty and senselessness of war. In the end, “War is Kind” is a condemnation of the heroization of war and a recollection of the human cost of battle.

Crane speaks to mothers whose sons died in battle. He warns them not to mourn for too long and explains that “war is kind.” However, this assertion is promptly followed by a number of instances highlighting the brutality of war and its terrible effects on families. The grieving of mothers who have lost their sons is ultimately in vain in the face of the unending cycle of violence, according to Crane, who contends that the notion that war is “kind” is a falsehood spread by those who profit from it. Crane emphasizes the human cost of war and the necessity for peace and understanding by speaking directly to moms.