As Roger Crawford once said, “being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.” Life is full of obstacles, some easier to overcome than others; nearly all difficulties, however, can be conquered by attacking them with zeal and confidence. Individuals who attempt to escape their realities by developing alternative personas or using subterfuge ultimately fail in life–whether it be in their relationships, careers, or personal fulfillment. People who resist the alluring temptation to become someone else, avoid the fleeting escape offered by their alter ego, and remain true to themselves, on the other hand, are far better equipped to battle life’s challenges - despite criticism, lack of acceptance, and doubt from the people around
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Although Gatsby hoped that shedding his past and acquiring wealth would earn him love and a well-respected reputation, the pursuit of wealth and the thin veil of extravagant parties prohibits Gatsby from establishing meaningful relationships and finding fulfillment. The guests’ interactions with each other at his parties are described as “laughter is easier minute by minute, spilled with prodigality, tipped out at a cheerful word” (Fitzgerald 40). “[S]pilled” and “tipped out” evoke the tipsy, clumsy, careless, unadulterated, unbothered, and ultimately forgettable experience–just like the conversations and acquaintances at this party–of being drunk. The mind-altering effects of alcohol, especially when flowing so liberally at this party, add to the insincerity of the whole affair. Furthermore, not only do Gatsby’s party guests resemble the crashing in-and-out waves of the ocean–“the groups change more swiftly, swell with new arrivals, dissolve and form in the same breath”–but Willy also mimics the movement of ocean waves (Fitzgerald 40). Willy constantly travels throughout Massachusetts and New York for his job, never having the time to deeply interact with his colleagues, neighbors, nor his family–like Gatsby’s party guests who cannot hold meaningful conversations with each other. All this “disconnect” answers Linda’s question, “why didn’t anyone come [to the funeral],” in regards to Gatsby–who was murdered by Tom as revenge for his trying to steal Daisy with new money–and Willy–who commits suicide trying to acquire insurance money for his family. (Miller
Although Gatsby hoped that shedding his past and acquiring wealth would earn him love and a well-respected reputation, the pursuit of wealth and the thin veil of extravagant parties prohibits Gatsby from establishing meaningful relationships and finding fulfillment. The guests’ interactions with each other at his parties are described as “laughter is easier minute by minute, spilled with prodigality, tipped out at a cheerful word” (Fitzgerald 40). “[S]pilled” and “tipped out” evoke the tipsy, clumsy, careless, unadulterated, unbothered, and ultimately forgettable experience–just like the conversations and acquaintances at this party–of being drunk. The mind-altering effects of alcohol, especially when flowing so liberally at this party, add to the insincerity of the whole affair. Furthermore, not only do Gatsby’s party guests resemble the crashing in-and-out waves of the ocean–“the groups change more swiftly, swell with new arrivals, dissolve and form in the same breath”–but Willy also mimics the movement of ocean waves (Fitzgerald 40). Willy constantly travels throughout Massachusetts and New York for his job, never having the time to deeply interact with his colleagues, neighbors, nor his family–like Gatsby’s party guests who cannot hold meaningful conversations with each other. All this “disconnect” answers Linda’s question, “why didn’t anyone come [to the funeral],” in regards to Gatsby–who was murdered by Tom as revenge for his trying to steal Daisy with new money–and Willy–who commits suicide trying to acquire insurance money for his family. (Miller