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Thursday, May 16, 2019

To what extent and in what ways is Fitzgerald purely critical of Gatsby?

Dreams ar a large part of The cracking Gatsby, both in the wider sense and in terms of individuals, and Gatsby is the piece whose romance is focussed on the most. It is arduous to tell what Fitzgerald truly thinks, ascribable to the fact that he uses Nick as the narrator meaning the lector finds it hard to fork their feelings. However, by looking at how he presents the characters in the novel, and the society as a whole, we can perhaps see what Fitzgerald thinks close to Gatsbys romances in the novel.Fitzgeralds views atomic number 18 presented ambiguously in the novel, with the similitude to the ataraxis of society be the main point against the title views, and the presentation of Daisy and stuff and nonsenseism perhaps world the main arguments to financial backing the statement in the title. One way in which Fitzgerald bases his views to the reader is in his presentation of Gatsbys stargaze itself, otherwise known as Daisy. From the beginning of the novel, she is presented by Fitzgerald as a sooner annoying, simple character who seems to deliver very(prenominal) few redeeming qualities about her other than her looks.From her simple and repeated dialogue Do you always catch out for the longest day of the year and then miss it? I always watch for the longest day of the year and then miss it, the reader is made to feel that Daisy has very footling substance to her character, with the exception of her low, thrilling voice. Despite the reader having a screen in front of Fitzgeralds stall in terms of Nick as the narrator, who clearly Fitzgerald intends to show as somewhat drawn to Daisy, we atomic number 18 still able to see that the only characteristics of Daisys that are praised seem to be superficial.Therefore, when we are told that this woman has been Gatsbys intake and who he has built his deportment around for the past five geezerhood, it perhaps makes us question whether Fitzgerald is onerous to depict Daisy as worthwhile of this dedication. This doubt arises I feel that if Fitzgerald was applauding Gatsbys conceive of of Daisy, he perhaps whitethorn sop up presented her as a more(prenominal) likeable, intelligent character with qualities that could easily be admired universally.As a result of this portrayal of Daisy, I remember it shows Fitzgerald to be mainly little of Gatsby and his ambitiousness. However, this could depend on the era that the individual is based in readers today could find Daisy as more of an annoyance due to the change in womens roles, in that today women are further more independent and take far more responsibility than they did in the 1920s. Daisys apparent simple nature may therefore annoy advance(a) readers more than in the past as we are less able to understand that this was how women were expected to be in the 1920s.Nevertheless, even taking these sequence changes into account I believe that Fitzgerald still intended Daisy to pop perhaps lacking in typical good qu alities to highlight a potential point about Gatsbys dream. However, Daisys apparent lack of appeal as a character could be used by Fitzgerald to portray Gatsbys dream in a better light, if we look from the angle of his loyalty to Daisy. The way that Gatsby has stayed so firm and loyal to his dream to be with Daisy, despite (in our eyes) the fact that she is not worth it, could show that Fitzgerald is praising his dream as a cause of this admirable quality in Gatsbys character.This would go against the statement that Fitzgerald is purely critical of his dreams, as it would postulate that they bring out the best in tidy sum. However, the other interpretation of Gatsbys loyalty could support the title statement, as Fitzgerald at times implies that Gatsby is foolish for holding on to the memory of Daisy, and building her up to such a high position in his mind. An example of this is when Fitzgerald writes and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath.Although it is implied that it is Gatsby who says the oral communication, I still believe it shows Fitzgeralds dislike of Gatsbys attitude towards Daisy by making the phrase so exaggerated it implies that he is blinded by his past perceptions of her, in addition to the actual phrase that seems to imply Gatsby is foolish for putting all his hopes into someone who could leave him. I believe that in this way Fitzgerald is criticising Gatsbys dream because of how he holds it in his mind and how it affects him. Another aspect that could show that Fitzgerald is critical is how he relate Gatsbys dream of Daisy to material objects and situation.Throughout the novel, he creates the impression that these two things are intertwined in Gatsbys mind with his dream of being with Daisy. He describes her voice as full of money, and shows off his house to her, lingering on his insistence with the pile of shirts in many coloured disarray. The first quote shows how Gatsby links Daisy with money in his mi nd, and as a result of this Fitzgerald makes the reader question whether it is really Daisy he wants or if it is the social status that she represents to him.The close link to materialism in his dream can also be seen in the component part where Gatsby shows Daisy his shirts, where he is literally trying to prove himself to her using what he owns. They are even described as a fatty heap, which I believe could be a play on words by Fitzgerald obviously rich in terms of the colours of the shirts, but also literally rich as perhaps this is what the shirts mean to the characters. The description is also attached as a list the habitual repetition of the word and in the paragraph also implies that Gatsby is showing off as much of his material worth as he can.I think both of these things are a criticism of Gatsbys dream by Fitzgerald, as it seems as if he is trying to say that this love he has had for Daisy all these years is really fuelled by status and money a criticism because it therefore becomes even less of a worthwhile dream. It also calculates to be critical as these links would imply that Gatsby has spent all this time chasing after a somewhat empty dream, as he has money and a certain measuring stick of status in his community. It could also give the impression that Fitzgerald feels that Gatsby may never feel that his dream has been entirely fulfilled if it is status that he wishes to have.This point could be linked to Fitzgeralds overall views about dreams in the States at that point, as he could be trying to say that these people who think that material objects and status will make them happy (perhaps those people who were or are enticed by a vision of the American Dream) will never be truly happy as there will always be somebody richer, more popular or at a higher status than themselves. If the reader links this point to Fitzgeralds feelings about Gatsbys dream, it would indicate that he is critical of it for the most part.A second quote that c ould show that Fitzgerald is critical of this intense build-up of dreams is on page 93 No amount of fire or impertinence can challenge what a man can store up in his ghostly sum of money. I believe that this quote is Fitzgerald telling the reader that what is there in reality can never match our dreams in Gatsbys case, that the real sprightliness Daisy can never live up to the image he has stored of her in his heart and mind, the realistic approach being represented by the fire and freshness.Again, I believe that this is also referring to dreams in general, and how it is so often the case that dreams are not always so amazing in reality, and can often disappoint and could perhaps be a specific speech to the American Dream and how, for many people, this is not as amazing as it is built up to be when achieved. This seems critical from Fitzgerald, both of Gatsbys dream and of dreams universally as he appears to be making the point that dreams are often built up and aimed too high perhaps giving false hope.Although there are many aspects throughout the book that indicate Fitzgerald is solely critical of Gatsbys dream, by giving us the coincidence to the rest of the einsteinium brink society, parts of the novel seem to be suggesting that this is not the case. Throughout the novel, the re fountnts of the einsteinium and West Eggs have been presented by Fitzgerald as very materialistic living for objects, and trivial gossip, rather than people or feelings.Mrs Wilson describes how she knew Mr Wilson wasnt right for her when she discovered he had borrowed somebodys best suit to get married in showing the focus on objects rather than feelings in the society. Therefore, amongst the gossiping and whispering (for example at Gatsbys parties), to have Gatsby focused on someone and loyal to someone for an extended period of time makes for a very refreshing comparison. Fitzgerald is therefore showing to the reader how having dreams can make you a better person, and almost more real in comparison to the rest of the society, which has been portrayed as somewhat fake by Fitzgerald.In this sense, it would go against the statement that Fitzgerald is purely critical of Gatsbys dream, as this seem to be a irresponsible side to his dreams. Another element of the novel that could be seen to contradict the title statement is also a comparison between Gatsby and the rest of the East Coast society. We are shown throughout the novel how many of the residents do not seem to care about anything, anyone or consequences of their actions.An example of this is Jordan, who confesses to Nick that she feels she can avoid being metrical whilst driving because other people will keep out of her way. This shows a disregard for the consequences of her actions and of other people and can be seen to be representative of many of the upper class people on the East Coast expecting everyone else to comply with the rules and regulations but disregarding them themselves. Ag ain, in this way Gatsby is definitely a contrast he obviously cares about something, which is the first main difference that I believe Fitzgerald wants us to see.In addition to this, Gatsby has been shown to think very carefully about the consequences of his actions for example when he re-enters Nicks house after Daisy arrives to make it appear as if he has not been waiting. Whilst this could be seen as somewhat calculating, I believe Fitzgerald intended it as another comparison to the rest of society, as it again uplifting for the reader to see that at least(prenominal) one character is concerned about the effect his actions might have on others.This once more shows that the effect of Gatsby having a bigger dream and ambition in his life has led to him seemingly being portrayed as a better person. This aspect of the comparison would also contradict the title statement, as to me it seems that Fitzgerald wished for this positive difference to be shown meaning that he would not be purely critical of Gatsbys dreams. A view that Fitzgerald seems to put across to contradict the belief that he is purely critical is when he links dreaming and dreams to vitality and life.More than once in the novel he describes Gatsby in terms of the life Daisy seems to give him describing the colossal vitality of his dream and the two of them as possessed by intense life. Both of these quotes seem to imply that Fitzgerald dreaming is natural, and is almost what makes you human. More specifically, the way that Fitzgerald implies that reaching his dream has given Gatsby life makes it seem as if we are accomplished by our dreams and that finally having Daisy in his life has completed Gatsby.Considering that Gatsby has already what many people might dream of a lot of money and a mansion, the fact that it has taken his sentimental dream based on feelings and love to give him life seems a very positive view from Fitzgerald. It also links to the earlier comparison between Gatsby and the rest of the East Coast society that we view, as this clearly shows that Gatsby puts more emphasis on emotions and feelings than many of the other people.These quotes from the book could mayhap be taken as negative, as it could perhaps be seen as somewhat pathetic that Gatsby relies on somebody else (and, as mentioned earlier, particularly Daisy) to complete his happiness, meaning that Fitzgerald would perhaps view Gatsby as foolish. However, I believe that the way Fitzgerald has tried to make Gatsbys dreams and feelings seem more natural are a direct arrow to how dreaming is a part of human nature, and as such, he is not criticising Gatsbys dream at this point. cod to Fitzgeralds seeming disregard for Daisy in the novel, I believe that he is critical of Gatsbys dream to be with her. However, I believe the other aspects of his presentation linking to dreams in a wider context prevent this view from seeming as if he is purely critical of it the way that he suggests dreams are im portant to human nature and separate Gatsby from the crowd imply that Fitzgerald finds dreaming admirable, to an extent.For him to be purely critical I believe that he would have to feel purely critical of dreaming in general, which I believe not to be the case. Therefore, I believe the conclusion that Fitzgerald is critical to an extent is far more feasible and takes into account the more positive aspects of dreaming that he seems to incorporate and believe in.

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