Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Essay

treasure chest depending on how much you read. I remember there was always a week called “TV Turn Off Week” where you couldn’t watch TV for a full week and instead read a certain amount of hours. At the end, you would receive a ticket to Six Flags Great America. There were rules though; you were not allowed to read…

The American Dream In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there are different symbols that all tie in to a message about the American Dream. During the rolling 20’s, everyone wants to achieve this American Dream; however, people couldn’t picture the reality. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald puts the American Dream in perspective when mentioning symbols such as, the valley of ashes, love in the 20’s, Gatsby’s anonymous parties, the green light from the light house that shined…

In the novel The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck, the protagonist, Wang Lung is overwhelmed by the society in which he lives. His overpowering society eventually causes him to lose touch with himself and succumb to society's many pressures. He ultimately separates himself from his loved ones and creates a sad and lonely life for himself due to all the coercion of his society. In the beginning of the novel, Wang Lung is a poor single man living in his father's house. He is not, by any means, well…

Karen Hesse wrote a poetic story by weaving 11 different characters together to share this tale, based on real events. By having 11 different distinct voices, Hesse is able to represent America in the 1920’s as well as modern-day life. By representing in both time periods, Hesse’s story resonates with the young, modern reader. Every reader can find a character they can relate to. Whether it is Leanora, who is struggling to find her way. Or Reynard Alexander, who speaks his opinion in hopes of a…

Holden's isolation from society highlights how society values conformity and obedience even at the cost of one's identity. Throughout the novel Holden does not find anyone that shares his same disgust for society and he does not understand why all of society conforms to specific norms and acts a certain way. For example, when Holden is in a night club in New York City and he comes across one of the many habits of humanity he despises. Holden says to the reader, “You should’ve heard the crowd,…

I’m way too little. I used to be big, but not no more.” (Kesey pg.207, par.10). His many years at the hospital appear to have aided in his lack of self confidence, something he appeared to have struggled with even as a child. It was quite a great storyline to see unfold. Watching Bromden’s self actualization and confidence evolve throughout the story was like cheering for the underdog and watching the underdog slowly win. McMurphy’s presence and confidence seemed to have shown Bromden…

A Knight’s Tale is a movie directed by Brian Helgeland starring Heath Ledger, a young actor who has been in many well-known movies, as William Thacher, a man whose main goal in life is to change the stars and become a knight. In A Knight’s Tale, you follow William Thacher, who worked for a knight who passed away within the first minutes of the movie. When this happens William jousts in his place. He wins the joust which leads him and his friends to create the idea of competing in other…

them living together, and Zainab, bashful, lies, and says that it is only for a short while. As the film continues, prejudice disappears quickly, and a bond forms between the women, as they get to know each other better. Walter is the possessor of great privilege. His privilege, as I see it, is that Walter gets to shape the destiny of both his own growth and experience with the visitors. His choices to join the two in the various parts of their lives allows him to experience their culture,…

David Foster Wallace’s 2005 commencement speech for Kenyon College, referenced here from the text They Say I Say, differed from the cheery and laudatory reassurances that typically mark graduations. Rather he used his speech to impart the more momentous advice that by living intentionally one can escape the rat race that consumes and devastates many adults. Wallace’s main assertion is that most people operate on a “default setting” of unconsciousness, letting their thoughts roam freely and…

The conclusion of World War I signified the beginning of an era of great material wealth and newfound prosperity in America. Such conditions provided the platform on which the social class of “new” money was built during the 1920s. The rising class of “new” money greatly contrasted with the aristocrats of society, who had inherited the prosperity of their ancestors and had never known the economic struggles of the average person. The juxtaposition between these two classes is eloquently conveyed…