The contextual influence on a character allows for the formation of their identity and development of their aspirations. Identity can be represented through a variety of characteristics and mannerisms, created by one’s childhood, upbringing and past experiences. A close comparative study of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s 1920’s novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ and Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s (EBB) 1846 collection of sonnets titled ‘Sonnets from the Portuguese’ enables the exploration of society’s evolving values and concepts. Both texts highlight the character’s ability to represent or challenge the attitudes held by society during the time, enabling the responder to gain a deeper understanding of the connection of an individual’s aspirations and identity.
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It follows the story of Jay Gatsby, once a poor man, who mysteriously rises to wealth in a desperate attempt to win the unattainable love of Daisy Buchanan. In heightened disparity, Elizabeth Barrett-Browning’s 1846 sonnets in Petrarchan form detail the growth and strengthening of a courtly love between Elizabeth Barrett-Browning and Robert Browning. Both composers portray love as an ideal that is interferes with by life and people’s failings, but ultimately Barrett-Browning suggests strength and real love can make it possible yet Fitzgerald sees the world as too materialistic and selfish to make love attainable. This can be emphasised through the connection of Gatsby and Daisy, they demonstrate a relationship built on the foundation of wealth rather than love, this is displayed through the symbolism of Gatsby’s many shirts “While we admired he brought more and the soft rich heap mounted higher”, “It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such-such beautiful shirts before”. The love of Daisy toward Gatsby is based purely on the materialistic values held by many at the …show more content…
The notion of ideal love that overcomes the boundaries of society is explored throughout the sonnet, placing emphasis on the strength and power shared between the two. Upon comparing the two relationship’s Gatsby’s ability to commit himself entirely to his aspirations is strongly aligned with Robert Browning’s own ambition, while EBB’s cautious and realistic approach towards commitment to love can be likened to Daisy’s own insecurities about leaving her husband for Gatsby. Ultimately it is the reasons behind their love and choices that set them far apart. Fitzgerald’s use of flashing green light is a representation of Gatsby’s dream and the idea of Daisy and the love he had sought, it represents the physical distance separating them and the gap between the past and present. The fading out of the light represents Daisy’s lack of ability to completely commit herself to him, while also eluding to the notion of Gatsby’s state of reality and his
It follows the story of Jay Gatsby, once a poor man, who mysteriously rises to wealth in a desperate attempt to win the unattainable love of Daisy Buchanan. In heightened disparity, Elizabeth Barrett-Browning’s 1846 sonnets in Petrarchan form detail the growth and strengthening of a courtly love between Elizabeth Barrett-Browning and Robert Browning. Both composers portray love as an ideal that is interferes with by life and people’s failings, but ultimately Barrett-Browning suggests strength and real love can make it possible yet Fitzgerald sees the world as too materialistic and selfish to make love attainable. This can be emphasised through the connection of Gatsby and Daisy, they demonstrate a relationship built on the foundation of wealth rather than love, this is displayed through the symbolism of Gatsby’s many shirts “While we admired he brought more and the soft rich heap mounted higher”, “It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such-such beautiful shirts before”. The love of Daisy toward Gatsby is based purely on the materialistic values held by many at the …show more content…
The notion of ideal love that overcomes the boundaries of society is explored throughout the sonnet, placing emphasis on the strength and power shared between the two. Upon comparing the two relationship’s Gatsby’s ability to commit himself entirely to his aspirations is strongly aligned with Robert Browning’s own ambition, while EBB’s cautious and realistic approach towards commitment to love can be likened to Daisy’s own insecurities about leaving her husband for Gatsby. Ultimately it is the reasons behind their love and choices that set them far apart. Fitzgerald’s use of flashing green light is a representation of Gatsby’s dream and the idea of Daisy and the love he had sought, it represents the physical distance separating them and the gap between the past and present. The fading out of the light represents Daisy’s lack of ability to completely commit herself to him, while also eluding to the notion of Gatsby’s state of reality and his