Societal Factors in The Great Gatsby vs. Their Eyes were Watching God In our society, social status has always been a major factor in determining one 's identity and maintains reputation, whether it depends on race, class or heritage. The comparisons and contrasts that can be made between the novels The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald and Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Hurston are that the main characters struggle to find their identity and fit into their formal societies. Janie and Gatsby are both looking for true love, with the desire to benefit from a meaningful relationship and change their course in life. The influence of society plays a major role in both stories, which greatly impacts how they perceive the world. Within their
…show more content…
As a woman who comes from a mixed black and white heritage, Janie Crawford is often seen superior to most blacks but still looked down on by white people. Her grandmother did not want her to be treated poorly just because she was a coloured woman and planned the ideal life for her. In return for support and protection, the women 's role in southern culture is to serve their husbands. Janie conforms to this type of relationship with her second husband and immediately gains a reputable status as the wife of a mayor. The vast differences in wealth and race are the social aspects that Gatsby and Janie respectively try to challenge, and while this does contribute to their reputation, neither of them are rightfully entitled to their riches. They both "possessed some deficiency in common which made [them] subtly unadaptable" (Fitzgerald 187) to their newfound lifestyles, meaning they were not meant to keep their affluence and have satisfaction in it. This is because they do not have the refinement to become the person their society expects them to be, …show more content…
Janie and Gatsby both go through several ordeals to discover their identity, find true love and become successful in life. While many people in their society aspire to move up the hierarchical ladder, their position in social status has an inverse effect on their morality. They persist in finding their American Dream, but maintaining their goals of love at the same time were beyond their control. The only difference is that Gatsby 's dream ends along with his life, while Janie 's is brought to a greater state. As depicted in each story, everyone has their limitations and that societal factors are irrelevant to one’s success. Life is about trials, purpose, and being able to overcome different challenges, and people need to reach that point of their development when differences and diversity are not regarded as division and distrust, but of strength and
As a woman who comes from a mixed black and white heritage, Janie Crawford is often seen superior to most blacks but still looked down on by white people. Her grandmother did not want her to be treated poorly just because she was a coloured woman and planned the ideal life for her. In return for support and protection, the women 's role in southern culture is to serve their husbands. Janie conforms to this type of relationship with her second husband and immediately gains a reputable status as the wife of a mayor. The vast differences in wealth and race are the social aspects that Gatsby and Janie respectively try to challenge, and while this does contribute to their reputation, neither of them are rightfully entitled to their riches. They both "possessed some deficiency in common which made [them] subtly unadaptable" (Fitzgerald 187) to their newfound lifestyles, meaning they were not meant to keep their affluence and have satisfaction in it. This is because they do not have the refinement to become the person their society expects them to be, …show more content…
Janie and Gatsby both go through several ordeals to discover their identity, find true love and become successful in life. While many people in their society aspire to move up the hierarchical ladder, their position in social status has an inverse effect on their morality. They persist in finding their American Dream, but maintaining their goals of love at the same time were beyond their control. The only difference is that Gatsby 's dream ends along with his life, while Janie 's is brought to a greater state. As depicted in each story, everyone has their limitations and that societal factors are irrelevant to one’s success. Life is about trials, purpose, and being able to overcome different challenges, and people need to reach that point of their development when differences and diversity are not regarded as division and distrust, but of strength and