Gatsby is as a victim of the values of a pretentious, narcissistic society, however, at his core, he desires something richer and sincere. Similarly, Elizabeth Barrett Browning is initially suppressed by the rigid ideals of the Victorian era, however, she undergoes a metamorphosis and gains the courage to defy the conservative values of the 19th century. Through reviewing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” and Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Sonnets from the Portuguese” it is apparent that an idealistic love is only achievable once societies values are questioned.
Gatsby is the victim of the values of his post World War I society. He aspires to achieve an unattainable dream, which is founded on flawed values. Similarly, to those of …show more content…
The role of a woman and man in the Victorian era was sharply defined, a subservient woman was not only valued but idolised. Elizabeth highlights this suppression in the octave of sonnet 1. This is evident through the alliteration and oxymoron in “the sweet, sad years, the melancholy years”. This deep and revealing reflection on her past life highlight her vulnerability and uncertainty. Similarly, to Gatsby, Elizabeth’s saw comfort in conforming. However, Elizabeth unlike Gatsby challenges the values of her society as is apparent in her later sonnets. The sensory imagery and ellipsis in the extract “The silver answer rang…” emphasis her awakening to love and subsequent excitement at the prospect of freedom in the future. Additionally, Elizabeth states “Not Death, but Love’ the use a disjunction and monosyllabic words convey her realisation that love has a transformational property. Elizabeth transformed once her love was achieved, however, Gatsby transformed for love. The 19th Century held the perception that a woman’s role was merely to enhance a man’s life. However, through a direct and imperative voice in sonnet 1, Elizabeth proposes that love can enhance the female life too. Similarly, to Gatsby, Elizabeth is initially the victim of her society however, she is transformed by love and challenges the patriarchal society in order to find
Gatsby is the victim of the values of his post World War I society. He aspires to achieve an unattainable dream, which is founded on flawed values. Similarly, to those of …show more content…
The role of a woman and man in the Victorian era was sharply defined, a subservient woman was not only valued but idolised. Elizabeth highlights this suppression in the octave of sonnet 1. This is evident through the alliteration and oxymoron in “the sweet, sad years, the melancholy years”. This deep and revealing reflection on her past life highlight her vulnerability and uncertainty. Similarly, to Gatsby, Elizabeth’s saw comfort in conforming. However, Elizabeth unlike Gatsby challenges the values of her society as is apparent in her later sonnets. The sensory imagery and ellipsis in the extract “The silver answer rang…” emphasis her awakening to love and subsequent excitement at the prospect of freedom in the future. Additionally, Elizabeth states “Not Death, but Love’ the use a disjunction and monosyllabic words convey her realisation that love has a transformational property. Elizabeth transformed once her love was achieved, however, Gatsby transformed for love. The 19th Century held the perception that a woman’s role was merely to enhance a man’s life. However, through a direct and imperative voice in sonnet 1, Elizabeth proposes that love can enhance the female life too. Similarly, to Gatsby, Elizabeth is initially the victim of her society however, she is transformed by love and challenges the patriarchal society in order to find