Identity is a series of factors such as race, personality, stratum, and gender that defines who a person is. It also determines how the society expects one to behave. However, it is a common situation that one’s desire is societally unacceptable to his or her identity. Two novels, To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, are two representatives in the fight against one’s original identity. Although Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mocking Bird and Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby both pursue a goal that is not suitable for their assigned identity, Atticus uses a just and a moral method to achieve his goal, while Gatsby achieves his goal by being opportunistic and preferring to take shortcuts whenever possible.
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When Atticus defends Tom in the courthouse, he not only exhausts his ability to examine Tom’s innocence, but also treat the dishonest and vile plaintiffs, the Ewells, with respect. Comparing the courteous way of cross-examination used by Atticus to the aggressive way used by Mr. Gilmer, the lawyer on the other side, Dill concludes, “Well, Mr. Finch didn’t ac that way to Mayella and old man Ewell when he cross-examined them. The way that man called him ‘boy’ all the time and sneered at him, and looked around at the jury every time he answered” (Lee 266). Mr. Gilmer takes advantage of the jury’s racism and seemingly intimidates the defendant as his disposal to win the case. Conversely, Atticus interrogates the plaintiff with gentleness and patience, and emphasizes the importance of justice and equality to gain the jury’s approval. Atticus consistently behaves as a moral gentleman in the process of achieving his goal. Despite the fact that Tom is convicted after the trial, Atticus still tries to exonerate Tom from blame relying on the legal system. When his children feel frustrated with the verdict, Atticus relieves them from anxiety by mentioning “there’ll be an appeal, you can count on that” (Lee 285). Though Atticus is probably disappointed at the jury to some extent, he is personally committed to justice and prefers to resolve problems under legal system instead of any other immoral approach. In comparison, Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby pursues his goal in a way of being opportunistic and participating in criminal activity. Gatsby acquires his enormously fortune by consorting with the mob boss Wolfsheim and engaging in smuggling. According to Tom Buchanan, “He and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of
When Atticus defends Tom in the courthouse, he not only exhausts his ability to examine Tom’s innocence, but also treat the dishonest and vile plaintiffs, the Ewells, with respect. Comparing the courteous way of cross-examination used by Atticus to the aggressive way used by Mr. Gilmer, the lawyer on the other side, Dill concludes, “Well, Mr. Finch didn’t ac that way to Mayella and old man Ewell when he cross-examined them. The way that man called him ‘boy’ all the time and sneered at him, and looked around at the jury every time he answered” (Lee 266). Mr. Gilmer takes advantage of the jury’s racism and seemingly intimidates the defendant as his disposal to win the case. Conversely, Atticus interrogates the plaintiff with gentleness and patience, and emphasizes the importance of justice and equality to gain the jury’s approval. Atticus consistently behaves as a moral gentleman in the process of achieving his goal. Despite the fact that Tom is convicted after the trial, Atticus still tries to exonerate Tom from blame relying on the legal system. When his children feel frustrated with the verdict, Atticus relieves them from anxiety by mentioning “there’ll be an appeal, you can count on that” (Lee 285). Though Atticus is probably disappointed at the jury to some extent, he is personally committed to justice and prefers to resolve problems under legal system instead of any other immoral approach. In comparison, Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby pursues his goal in a way of being opportunistic and participating in criminal activity. Gatsby acquires his enormously fortune by consorting with the mob boss Wolfsheim and engaging in smuggling. According to Tom Buchanan, “He and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of