Optimism

overcomes every obstacle and rises to the highest social class in America. Although, the guy probably participated in some illegal activities in order to create his wealth. Regardless, the American Dream emphasizes hope and Gatsby is the symbol of optimism; he continues to hope, until his very last breath, for the green light (his American Dream) across the bay that has long faded. Gatsby’s American Dream is to marry the girl he loves, Daisy Buchanan, and repeat his past; all his lavish…

to take his philosophical optimism and adopt it as his own. This proves to be of consequence later on, as Candide is publicly beaten for his approval of Dr. Pangloss’ philosophy. Voltaire intends to pass along a critical viewpoint on a movement with great stride during the 1700’s, the Age of Enlightenment. During this time, more emphasis was placed on discovery through reason and the pursuit of knowledge. Candide’s character did not question Pangloss’ philosophy on optimism whatsoever, a trait…

Humans often pride themselves in being civilized and peaceful beings, controlled by rational thought and logic. War, however, brings out the animalistic characteristics of society that are otherwise kept hidden. One of the deadliest conflicts in history, World War I brought out the side of humanity that regularly remains unseen. The utilization of modern technology in warfare resulted in an unprecedented amount of bloodshed and destruction, and those who managed to survive were changed both…

lives. Many people reacted to the earthquake with optimism…

Voltaire challenged the old thinking of society by searching useful and practical knowledge to explain the world he lives in. Voltaire assaulted and criticised the seventeenth-century philosopher Leibniz and his optimism. Leibniz believed in the “best of all possible worlds” instead of convincing himself that bad and good are the same; he presupposed that all things happen for a reason (Voltaire, Candide, 12 (introduction)). As a satirical representation of Leibniz…

In the novel “The Great Gatsby”, the author F. Scott Fitzgerald demonstrates Jay Gatsby’s perpetual optimism through his struggle to balance his ideals with the reality of the world around him. This optimism presents itself in three aspects crucial to the development of his character in the novel, Gatsby’s delusion, his burgeoning ammorality, and his irrational love for Daisy. Firstly, Jay Gatsby’s continuous attempts to balance his ideology with his actuality cause him to become deluded.…

happened during industrialization, which heavily impacted the ever-changing identity of America. Despite some people being against these changes, the American spirit of optimism has still held strong. Domestic and international developments in the early 20th century have positively impacted the American identity of faithful optimism through numerous affairs throughout industrialization. America’s economic growth soared dramatically from 1860, prior to industrialization, to the early 1900s. The…

Despite every crazy trial that Candide encounters in his life, he remains an optimistic man. The optimism that is used by him could be an example to the readers. Voltaire not only shows the good side of optimism, but he also shows the dangerous side optimistic world. There are different types of tones and often…

of the Enlightenment. Voltaire questions a huge variety of ideas and social establishments through his satire, including the philosophy of Optimism promoted by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. It is generally accepted that Candide disputes Leibniz ' optimism; there are many instances that indicate this in the text, especially surrounding the Eldorado episode. Optimism is the idea that God created the “best of all possible worlds” (Leibniz 228), and that the presence of evil is not something that God…

F. Scott Fitzgerald shows many weakening points in the idea of the American Dream using the book The Great Gatsby through the topics of American being a land of bounty and beauty, the belief in progress and optimism, and triumph of an individual. He disproves the idea of America being a beautiful land with unlimited opportunities by showing the reader the hardships of the people living in the Valley of Ashes. Fitzgerald denies the belief of progress and that everything eventually getting…