“Crazy Sunday” Insecurity knows no boundaries In a city full of the most valued individuals, one must conclude by their presences that these individuals believe in themselves to be of the highest standards. However, what is really happening to these people when you look past the perfected smiles and false authenticity? This question can best be assessed when looking deep into the three main characters of the short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Crazy Sunday”. In the spotlight of the public, insecurity lurks underneath the surface of the romanticized hollywood lifestyle each character deals with everyday. The short story 's plot is based around the main character Joel Coles, and his new experiences as a fairly fresh face in Hollywood. The
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“ Fitzgerald expresses his vision of one aspect of the Hollywood milieu which differentiates it from the run of common life” (Grebstein). To Fitzgerald, Hollywood is a city full of fake people and trouble; similar to how the east is corrupt in his other novel The Great Gatsby. The lives of those in Hollywood are much different than those of average lives. “Because the story’s characters work in a profession that creates and markets illusions, the problems of personal identity are heightened and the thin line between acting and being is blurred” (Morris). These people are so used to living these false lives that they lose perception of themselves being real or fake. “Within this prevailing context of theatricality, each of the main characters appear both genuine and artificial” (Grebstein). The Hollywood lifestyle they live only contributes to them losing their true selves and having to conform to an illusion of happiness. Joel, Stella, and Miles all are part of this lavish Hollywood scene, but it’s so different than everyday lifestyle that it just creates external and internal issues between them all. Having the story take place in a city known for illusions and corruption makes it easy to have each character struggle with …show more content…
When Joel first talks to Stella, he comments on things that aren’t appropriate to talk about. “Perhaps this is why when they first talk at the party, Joel makes inappropriate remarks to her about possible insecurities. Because he is insecure, he assumes she is, too.” (Milne). Joel is insecure himself, and he assumes that Stella is too which causes him to act improper at the party. The minor conflict originated because Joel himself in insecure. Even bigger than this is the struggling relationship between Stella and Miles. “For all his success in his career, Miles is basically insecure .In all likelihood, it is his insecurity that leads him to seek female attention and admiration in affairs.” (Milne) Their entire problem with their relationship starts because of Miles own insecurity. Miles searches for other companionship because of his own problems that he is struggling with. This then leads into Stella, a woman already who has her own insecurities. When she finds out about the affair, it only worsens the emotional struggle she is facing with. When you look at the plot, you can see that all the problems have originated from a common emotion all these characters share:
“ Fitzgerald expresses his vision of one aspect of the Hollywood milieu which differentiates it from the run of common life” (Grebstein). To Fitzgerald, Hollywood is a city full of fake people and trouble; similar to how the east is corrupt in his other novel The Great Gatsby. The lives of those in Hollywood are much different than those of average lives. “Because the story’s characters work in a profession that creates and markets illusions, the problems of personal identity are heightened and the thin line between acting and being is blurred” (Morris). These people are so used to living these false lives that they lose perception of themselves being real or fake. “Within this prevailing context of theatricality, each of the main characters appear both genuine and artificial” (Grebstein). The Hollywood lifestyle they live only contributes to them losing their true selves and having to conform to an illusion of happiness. Joel, Stella, and Miles all are part of this lavish Hollywood scene, but it’s so different than everyday lifestyle that it just creates external and internal issues between them all. Having the story take place in a city known for illusions and corruption makes it easy to have each character struggle with …show more content…
When Joel first talks to Stella, he comments on things that aren’t appropriate to talk about. “Perhaps this is why when they first talk at the party, Joel makes inappropriate remarks to her about possible insecurities. Because he is insecure, he assumes she is, too.” (Milne). Joel is insecure himself, and he assumes that Stella is too which causes him to act improper at the party. The minor conflict originated because Joel himself in insecure. Even bigger than this is the struggling relationship between Stella and Miles. “For all his success in his career, Miles is basically insecure .In all likelihood, it is his insecurity that leads him to seek female attention and admiration in affairs.” (Milne) Their entire problem with their relationship starts because of Miles own insecurity. Miles searches for other companionship because of his own problems that he is struggling with. This then leads into Stella, a woman already who has her own insecurities. When she finds out about the affair, it only worsens the emotional struggle she is facing with. When you look at the plot, you can see that all the problems have originated from a common emotion all these characters share: