Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds to those standards.
Characterized by a high tide of consumerism and prohibition, the roaring 20’s was a thriving time in American history with a strengthened difference between “old money” and “new money”. While many easily grew accustomed to these daunting societal norms, many including Jay Gatsby in F.Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby struggled to find their place in high society. Through Fitzgerald's flowing syntax and vivid imagery, we follow Jay Gatsby as these increasingly strengthened standards shape him into a new character with significantly better social status.
Fitzgerald's syntax effectively provides important background information on our main character, smoothly easing us through Gatsby's past life. He chooses long flowing sentences to provide substantial amounts of detail, allowing for our minds to truly understand and see the situation. Rather than just telling the story of a man who was once named James Gatz, he brings us through James Gatz's terrible misfortunes as a young man and his woes as he was cheated out of a small entitlement. These details are necessary, as he then juxtaposes Gatz's former impoverished life with that of the society that James Gatz wishes to be a part of. We see the nice cars, beautiful homes, and pretty women that this society yields only to those of the upper class, and how it contrasts with Gatz's meager status. Fitzgerald's choice of these long flowing sentences really provide much expression, making everything very vibrant. A poor young boy just deployed from World War One, as well as a beautiful gleaming mansion across a lake all come to life with the elegance of Fitzgerald's sentences.
Combined with this syntax, Fitzgerald candidly depicts every scene of our main character's new life as Jay Gatsby. As we keep up with Jay Gatsby in his attempt to gain the attention of one who is old money, Fitzgerald depicts lavish parties in ways that appeal to numerous senses. Not only can we picture a scene with numerous happy people drinking bootlegged alcohol, but we also can hear the symphonies and sonatas of the small orchestra that he chooses to incorporate. We must keep in mind though, that Gatsby has acquired his wealth through corruption and fraud. While he has gained the wealth to merit him social recognition, he still does not stack up to those who are considered "old money". As hard as he tries to win the attention of beautiful old money women, such as his early love Daisy Buchanan, he lacks the social status to do so. Although he does seemingly win Daisy's heart for a little while, we see his failure against society's challenges as he not only loses Daisy but also his own life in a graphic shooting by George Wilson.
Through Fitzgerald's syntax and imagery we can take away numerous details from this novel, which show us how Jay Gatsby's fictional society impacted him and caused his eventual death. Gatsby feels that he must resort to any means necessary to fit into high culture, and his struggles ultimately catch up to him as his plan to gain the attention of "old money" backfires. His death shows us that Fitzgerald thinks this is a society that is morally flawed and fundamentally broken.
Fitzgerald's syntax effectively provides important background information on our main character, smoothly easing us through Gatsby's past life. He chooses long flowing sentences to provide substantial amounts of detail, allowing for our minds to truly understand and see the situation. Rather than just telling the story of a man who was once named James Gatz, he brings us through James Gatz's terrible misfortunes as a young man and his woes as he was cheated out of a small entitlement. These details are necessary, as he then juxtaposes Gatz's former impoverished life with that of the society that James Gatz wishes to be a part of. We see the nice cars, beautiful homes, and pretty women that this society yields only to those of the upper class, and how it contrasts with Gatz's meager status. Fitzgerald's choice of these long flowing sentences really provide much expression, making everything very vibrant. A poor young boy just deployed from World War One, as well as a beautiful gleaming mansion across a lake all come to life with the elegance of Fitzgerald's sentences.
Combined with this syntax, Fitzgerald candidly depicts every scene of our main character's new life as Jay Gatsby. As we keep up with Jay Gatsby in his attempt to gain the attention of one who is old money, Fitzgerald depicts lavish parties in ways that appeal to numerous senses. Not only can we picture a scene with numerous happy people drinking bootlegged alcohol, but we also can hear the symphonies and sonatas of the small orchestra that he chooses to incorporate. We must keep in mind though, that Gatsby has acquired his wealth through corruption and fraud. While he has gained the wealth to merit him social recognition, he still does not stack up to those who are considered "old money". As hard as he tries to win the attention of beautiful old money women, such as his early love Daisy Buchanan, he lacks the social status to do so. Although he does seemingly win Daisy's heart for a little while, we see his failure against society's challenges as he not only loses Daisy but also his own life in a graphic shooting by George Wilson.
Through Fitzgerald's syntax and imagery we can take away numerous details from this novel, which show us how Jay Gatsby's fictional society impacted him and caused his eventual death. Gatsby feels that he must resort to any means necessary to fit into high culture, and his struggles ultimately catch up to him as his plan to gain the attention of "old money" backfires. His death shows us that Fitzgerald thinks this is a society that is morally flawed and fundamentally broken.
Wow! Great introductory paragraph. I really think this is exactly how an intro should look like. You start out with a nice, broad "hook", get more specific and relate it The Great Gatsby, and then you nail the thesis.
ReplyDeleteThe rest of your essay also very good. You stayed focused on the topic, provided good examples, and most importantly, answered the question.
The only thing that I noticed, that could improve the piece is providing more points about how the society shaped Gatsby in the first body paragraph (the one about syntax). You provide a lot of information on the technique of syntax, but could use more explanations of how the technique shows how the society shaped him.
I always enjoy reading your Open Prompts, your introductions are always incredibly solid and ready the reader for the degree of sophistication that they are soon to encounter.
ReplyDeleteYou also achieve the sort of essay "funnel" where you are able to draw the reader in with a nice relevant opening and narrow until you have completely answered the prompt's question.
Overall excellent job, though I have yet to read the "Great Gatsby" I found very few flaws with your work. You could perhaps spend a little more time on your second paragraph?