F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, "Sometimes I don't know whether I am real or whether I'm a character in one of my novels. "This statement clearly indicates how significantly the writer attempted to reflect or infuse his own life experience into his fictional texts. Jay Gatsby, for example, in The Gre...
F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, "Sometimes I don't know whether I am real or whether I'm a character in one of my novels. "This statement clearly indicates how significantly the writer attempted to reflect or infuse his own life experience into his fictional texts. Jay Gatsby, for example, in The Great Gatsby is a manifestation of Fitzgerald's own subjectivity. Such autobiographical representation, furthermore, is by no means limited to his fictional characters, for it extends beyond this to the representation of the times in which the author lived. Fitzgerald had a clear understanding how the class concept was formed in the American society of that time, and he expressed that understanding in The Great Gatsby As many social critics have indicated, The Great Gatsby is a portrayal of the spirit lacking in America in the 1920s. In this age, moral was destroyed by material corruption and physical pleasure, and only the sense of emptiness and boredom was prevalent. This spiritual devastation and moral vacuum is manifested in all the characters in The Great Gatsby. Gatsby is a spiritual successor of the Dutch-sailors by whom the American Dream was first fashioned. So he may become a true American Dreamer or may be considered as the representative of idealism. He dreamed that he could realize his dream through his sincerity and diligence. In contrast, he breaks the law and makes his money by illegal means, and he makes his wealth as conspicious as possible by holding luxurious parties and by purchasing expensive clothes, cars, and houses. His purpose is not to have money for its own sake, of course, but to win the love of Daisy, his real dream. When he was young, Gatsby was inspired by Benjamin Franklin. When Gatsby chooses Daisy as the symbol of his dream, however, it is clear that his life goals have radically changed. His employment of unjust means to actualize this new dream entails that his story encroaches on the tragic. By contrast with Gatsby, the Buchanans, Jordan and Myrtle are represented as materialists because of their materialistic views. They live under the influence of materialism, and have little respect for human life. Even though money makes them appear strong, powerful, and liberal, in reality it causes them to behave irresponsibly and carelessly. Tom and Daisy lead Gatsby to his death, but they never recognize their own guilt in this regard. Daisy leaves with Tom to escape danger on the very day of Gatsby's passing. With Gatsby's death being due to the Buchanans' carelessness, idealism is defeated by materialism. Behind Gatsby's death, however, is the author's own confirmation of Gatsby's victory over the corrupt society. This confirmation is portrayed by Nick who is an observer, a critic and an interpreter in this novel. He rates Gatsby's idealism highly and bitterly criticizes the Buchanans'materialism which he finds corrupt and devoid of morality and idealism. Nick conclusively declares Gatsby the winner of the struggle between idealism and decadence:"They"re rotten crowd. You're worth the whole damn bunch put together." Nick's idealism and his determination to continue to fight for innovation belong with utopian energies whose potential the novel leaves open for exploration.
F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, "Sometimes I don't know whether I am real or whether I'm a character in one of my novels. "This statement clearly indicates how significantly the writer attempted to reflect or infuse his own life experience into his fictional texts. Jay Gatsby, for example, in The Great Gatsby is a manifestation of Fitzgerald's own subjectivity. Such autobiographical representation, furthermore, is by no means limited to his fictional characters, for it extends beyond this to the representation of the times in which the author lived. Fitzgerald had a clear understanding how the class concept was formed in the American society of that time, and he expressed that understanding in The Great Gatsby As many social critics have indicated, The Great Gatsby is a portrayal of the spirit lacking in America in the 1920s. In this age, moral was destroyed by material corruption and physical pleasure, and only the sense of emptiness and boredom was prevalent. This spiritual devastation and moral vacuum is manifested in all the characters in The Great Gatsby. Gatsby is a spiritual successor of the Dutch-sailors by whom the American Dream was first fashioned. So he may become a true American Dreamer or may be considered as the representative of idealism. He dreamed that he could realize his dream through his sincerity and diligence. In contrast, he breaks the law and makes his money by illegal means, and he makes his wealth as conspicious as possible by holding luxurious parties and by purchasing expensive clothes, cars, and houses. His purpose is not to have money for its own sake, of course, but to win the love of Daisy, his real dream. When he was young, Gatsby was inspired by Benjamin Franklin. When Gatsby chooses Daisy as the symbol of his dream, however, it is clear that his life goals have radically changed. His employment of unjust means to actualize this new dream entails that his story encroaches on the tragic. By contrast with Gatsby, the Buchanans, Jordan and Myrtle are represented as materialists because of their materialistic views. They live under the influence of materialism, and have little respect for human life. Even though money makes them appear strong, powerful, and liberal, in reality it causes them to behave irresponsibly and carelessly. Tom and Daisy lead Gatsby to his death, but they never recognize their own guilt in this regard. Daisy leaves with Tom to escape danger on the very day of Gatsby's passing. With Gatsby's death being due to the Buchanans' carelessness, idealism is defeated by materialism. Behind Gatsby's death, however, is the author's own confirmation of Gatsby's victory over the corrupt society. This confirmation is portrayed by Nick who is an observer, a critic and an interpreter in this novel. He rates Gatsby's idealism highly and bitterly criticizes the Buchanans'materialism which he finds corrupt and devoid of morality and idealism. Nick conclusively declares Gatsby the winner of the struggle between idealism and decadence:"They"re rotten crowd. You're worth the whole damn bunch put together." Nick's idealism and his determination to continue to fight for innovation belong with utopian energies whose potential the novel leaves open for exploration.
주제어
#이상주의 위대한 개츠비 물질주의
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.