The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay - 1546 Words

Consumption and materialism were both taken to new and extreme heights on the eastern coast of America in the Roaring Twenties. Consumption, and especially materialism were always hallmarks of the elite upper class aristocracy of any culture in any time period, but with the new technology, urbanization, the consolidation of funds via the world stock market, and a brand new breed of elite, called millionaires, evolved the upper class culture beyond anything any human had seen before. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald imbues a story with many themes and qualities from his own life, reflected in the parallels between his own history and that of Gatsby and Nick Carraway. With new, unbridled, booming economic growth, what started as the Great American Dream became a vulgar, empty, greedy pursuit of material goods. On top of this rise in national wealth, the addition of disillusioned World War I veterans looking to grab the American Dream and use it to hoist themselves up in the wor ld, and the 18th Amendment’s creation of a thriving and powerful organized criminal underworld gave birth to a new America, with unprecedented levels of consumption and wealth. East and West Egg is aptly named, as they symbolize the old aristocracy and the new, fresh millionaires which are two sides of the same solid gold coin- the absurdly wealthy. The difference between the two is based in the social ties and moral values held by the old aristocracy that contrast the materialismShow MoreRelatedThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald1393 Words   |  6 PagesF. Scott Fitzgerald was the model of the American image in the nineteen twenties. He had wealth, fame, a beautiful wife, and an adorable daughter; all seemed perfect. Beneath the gilded faà §ade, however, was an author who struggled with domestic and physical difficulties that plagued his personal life and career throughout its short span. This author helped to launch the theme that is so prevalent in his work; the hu man instinct to yearn for more, into the forefront of American literature, where itRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1343 Words   |  6 PagesHonors English 10 Shugart 18 Decemeber 2014 The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald s 1925 novel The Great Gatsby is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life. The Great Gatsby is about the lives of four wealthy characters observed by the narrator, Nick Carroway. Throughout the novel a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby throws immaculate parties every Saturday night in hope to impress his lost lover, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby lives in a mansion on West Egg across from DaisyRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1155 Words   |  5 PagesThe Great Gatsby The Jazz Age was an era where everything and anything seemed possible. It started with the beginning of a new age with America coming out of World War I as the most powerful nation in the world (Novel reflections on, 2007). As a result, the nation soon faced a culture-shock of material prosperity during the 1920’s. Also known as the â€Å"roaring twenties†, it was a time where life consisted of prodigality and extravagant parties. Writing based on his personal experiences, author F. ScottRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1166 Words   |  5 Pagesin the Haze F. Scott Fitzgerald lived in a time that was characterized by an unbelievable lack of substance. After the tragedy and horrors of WWI, people were focused on anything that they could that would distract from the emptiness that had swallowed them. Tangible greed tied with extreme materialism left many, by the end of this time period, disenchanted. The usage of the literary theories of both Biographical and Historical lenses provide a unique interpretation of the Great Gatsby centered aroundRead MoreThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald845 Words   |  3 PagesIn F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, colors represent a variety of symbols that relate back to the American Dream. The dream of being pure, innocent and perfect is frequently associated with the reality of corruption, violence, and affairs. Gatsby’s desire for achieving the American Dream is sought for through corruption (Schneider). The American Dream in the 1920s was perceived as a desire of w ealth and social standings. Social class is represented through the East Egg, the WestRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay970 Words   |  4 Pagesrespecting and valuing Fitzgerald work in the twenty-first century? Fitzgerald had a hard time to profiting from his writing, but he was not successful after his first novel. There are three major point of this essay are: the background history of Fitzgerald life, the comparisons between Fitzgerald and the Gatsby from his number one book in America The Great Gatsby, and the Fitzgerald got influences of behind the writing and being a writer. From childhood to adulthood, Fitzgerald faced many good andRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald2099 Words   |  9 Pagesauthor to mirror his life in his book. In his previous novels F. Scott Fitzgerald drew from his life experiences. He said that his next novel, The Great Gatsby, would be different. He said, â€Å"In my new novel I’m thrown directly on purely creative work† (F. Scott Fitzgerald). He did not realize or did not want it to appear that he was taking his own story and intertwining it within his new novel. In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, he imitates his lifestyle through the Buchanan family to demonstrateRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1607 Words   |  7 Pages The Great Gatsby is an American novel written in 1925 by F. Scott Fitzgerald. One of the themes of the book is the American Dream. The American Dream is an idea in which Americans believe through hard work they can achieve success and prosperity in the free world. In F. Scott Fitzgerald s novel, The Great Gatsby, the American Dream leads to popularity, extreme jealousy and false happiness. Jay Gatsby’s recent fortune and wealthiness helped him earn a high social position and become one of the mostRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1592 Words   |  7 PagesMcGowan English 11A, Period 4 9 January 2014 The Great Gatsby Individuals who approach life with an optimistic mindset generally have their goals established as their main priority. Driven by ambition, they are determined to fulfill their desires; without reluctance. These strong-minded individuals refuse to be influenced by negative reinforcements, and rely on hope in order to achieve their dreams. As a man of persistence, the wealthy Jay Gatsby continuously strives to reclaim the love of hisRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1646 Words   |  7 PagesThe 1920s witnessed the death of the American Dream, a message immortalized in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Initially, the American Dream represented the outcome of American ideals, that everyone has the freedom and opportunity to achieve their dreams provided they perform honest hard work. During the 1920s, the United States experienced massive economic prosperity making the American Dream seem alive and strong. However, in Fitzgerald’s eyes, the new Am erican culture build around that

A Socratic Worldview Essay - 1060 Words

A Socratic Worldview Of the philosophers I have studied, Socrates stands out to me from all the rest. Although I would be the first to confess that I have never put forth the time nor the effort necessary to consider myself a philosopher (at least not in the sense that I imagine most would consider to be the credentials of a philosopher), my philosophy about life is most closely aligned with what I understand Socrates philosophical beliefs to be. Although there are some distinct differences in what I believe to be the ultimate meaning behind life, which I will later address, I believe his thoughts on how one should live their life to be the wisest of any philosopher we have studied. First, let me relate what I understand Socrates†¦show more content†¦The soul will finally meet truth away from the constraints of an imperfect body. He believed that the soul is immortal and imperishable. He believed that â€Å"good souls† departed to an invisible world where happiness is secured and they are free of human folly and error, and of all the problems that normally plague us. Evil souls, on the other hand will wander about in misery paying their penalty until they are reincarnated to a form fitting of their former evil ways in life. And, although I do not believe this view, I appreciate it for the thought and logic behind it. I am intrigued with the way Socrates can look beyond the physical, and make reality of the spiritual aspect while holding no allegiance to any certain god or gods. I can agree with his philosophy regarding living our lives in an effort to be good, and cherishing the soul above the body, and placing all emphasis on the soul and not on the body. Although we cannot scientifically prove that the soul is imperishable - or beyond that, if we even have a soul, but we do know that the body is only temporary, so it seems logical to place importance on something beyond the physical. I think Socrates reasoning behind the evidence of our souls, is brilliant even if incorrect - which I am in no means implying. His idea of anamnesis/recollect intrigues me. Where would we have any idea of perfection, if not fromShow MoreRelatedMythic and Pre-Socratic Worldviews1142 Words   |  5 Pagesmyths and examine how their stories came into being made and how it had an effect on their civilization. These myths are a part of Philosophy because they were the first ideas about creation. The transition between these mythic worldviews and pre-Socratic philosophers’ worldview was important because it lays down the structural work for great philosophers to learn from them and develop further theories based on their findings. Homer was a very influential and significant part of the Greek civilizationRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh 1523 Words   |  7 Pagesimportance of friendship in the society, the need to avoid pride, the need to have perseverance of the face of problems and the importance of chastity or good morals (Cunningham and Reich 156). Question #2: The Concept of Pre-Socratic Philosophy The concept of Pre-Socratic philosophy refers to Greek philosophy before Socrates philosophy. Aristotle called the pre-Socrates philosophers as physicists since they used natural explanations in their phenomena unlike the theologians who explained phenomenaRead MoreThe Flaws of the Socratic Method1798 Words   |  8 PagesThe Flaws of the Socratic Method In Plato’s Republic, as well as in most of his other works, the philosopher writes dialogues between the character of his mentor, Socrates, and various figures meant to illustrate contradictory positions. He carefully scripts the engagements in a form of discussion now called the Socratic Method, where Socrates critiques the positions of the other characters in order to find flaws in inaccurate arguments. Although this method is prevalent even today, I will makeRead MorePhil 201 Study Guide Essay2453 Words   |  10 Pagesmindset is the significant role it takes in helping us establishing a comprehensive system by which our knowledge can be categorized and examined. This is called a worldview. 3. A philosophical mindset is necessary to assure that all three elements of a worldview are functioning harmoniously together, which gives confidence that our worldview is well reasoned and intact. 4. One of the real values of adopting a phil mindset: it plays a significant role in solving conundrums. 5. Philosophical mindsetRead MoreAnalysis Of Aaron Beck s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Essay1348 Words   |  6 Pagesand integrates new empirical findings about a pathological disorder into a new model of treatment for that disorder (344)†. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is structured and directive, relying heavily on the cognitive tools of psychoeducation, Socratic questioning, and inductive method. CBT interprets personality development as a process of combining introspectively reflective cognizance with learned response (CBT, 2010). It can occur through the interaction between the thoughts regarding one’sRead MoreEducation and the World Citizen1073 Words   |  5 Pagesgood citizen? According to Martha Nussbaum, educating the young has everything to due with becoming a world citizen. A prevailing theme that seems to occur in Martha Nussbaums literary essays entitled The Old Education and the Think-Academy and Socratic Self-Examination seems to be the equality of all whether it be in everyday life or in education. We are now trying to build an academy in which women, and members of religious and ethnic minorities, and lesbian and gay people, and people livingRead More The Purpose of Love Essay1597 Words   |  7 PagesWhy does one love? One loves for the sake of happiness. This was the common mindset in the pre-modern worldview from the time of ancient Greece. The ideas present in Plato’s The Symposium have however been replaced with a more contemporary view, particularly in Western societies. Allan Bloom details this transition in his work Love and Friendship. Bloom argues that the idea of â€Å"eros† has lost its true meaning; it has been morphed into a selfish and self-less act of mere sex: â€Å"Eros, in its FreudianRead MoreWhat Does The Word Man As A Synonym For Humans?1410 Words   |  6 Pagesnature loops around to contribute to men view women. According to Speth in A New Consciousness, approximately 85% of the world’s people belong to some sort of a religion (214). For some of these people, their religion will encompass their entire worldview whereas for others it will only take up two hours of their week. At any rate, it cannot be denied that religion affects some part of how we view our place in the world. A major aspect of that is how people view themselves in comparison to natureRead MorePhil2013340 Words   |  14 PagesCritically About Foundational Beliefs. 2012) * What is the difference between having a worldview and establishing a worldview? While everyone holds a worldview, not everyone has done the real labor of establishing a worldview. Some people simply adopt, with out much critical reflection, their worldview by accepting what they were told or what their culture proclaims or tacitly endorses. To establish a worldview is to reflect on our foundational beliefs, to consider the different options concerningRead MoreSocrates And Machiavelli s Views On Politics1464 Words   |  6 Pagestoo: Is the prince not ashamed that his only is on war and glory? And not of enlightenment of one’s soul through all wisdom? In the end, it is clear that the worldviews of Socrates and Machiavelli are incompatible. Socrates, living in a Machiavellian world would be doomed for death and failure, while Machiavelli’s prince, living in a Socratic world, would be unable to perform any basic governmental function. Socrates’ idealism and thirst for knowledge would get the best of him: Socrates wouldn’t

Explication of a Poem Making a Fist by Naomi Shihab Nye Free Essays

The title contributes, to us readers as it shows, that we are alive and strong as long as we can still make a fist. The person speaking in this poem is speaking to her daughter after a long car ride of days and days, maybe even weeks. Her mother is giving her comfort and reassuring her that even though people go through obstacles, you need to be strong enough to go through many aspects in life to bring happiness. We will write a custom essay sample on Explication of a Poem: Making a Fist by Naomi Shihab Nye or any similar topic only for you Order Now And just tells her if you can still make a fist you are still alive. You will make it through because she believes her daughter has the strength to get through all the obstacles they have and will go through. This poem is very easy to understand, I think she did very well with her words and references of the content. I believe this story develops as a true statement, I think the lady speaking with her daughter has gone through similar obstacles as a child and her mother reassured her as she does for her daughter. It is always important to tell your children that they are strong and can make it through anything and that’s all she is trying to do. Many people face difficult times in life and that’s why it sounds so much like a true statement then just a story. Strength is very important to have and is always nice to have someone’s reassurance. Main idea of this poem is Strength. To never give up, and you are strong enough to get through anything even at rock bottom. The figurative language is symbolism the writer is giving her worlds to create the image using more meaningful words rather than a writers experience. How to cite Explication of a Poem: Making a Fist by Naomi Shihab Nye, Papers