The Thin Line Between Jay Gatsby and Ethan Frome

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The attempt to capture the American dream is a theme in many novels and films, and that is no exception when it comes to The Great Gatsby and Ethan Frome. Jay Gatsby and Ethan Frome may have lived during different time periods, were characters written by two different authors, and seemed to be two distinct people, however, in one aspect or another, they came together as one. Their failure to achieve the American dream was due to isolation from society, silence, and their roles in their affairs.
Both Gatsby and Ethan suffer from isolation in society, great loneliness, and emptiness, never ending up achieving their dreams. Everything that Jay Gatsby has done in his adult life has been with the sole purpose of fulfilling the more unrealistic of dreams – to recapture the past. However, as he grew into a young man he had little to nothing, having voluntarily estranged himself from his family, and was left on his own to reinvent himself. Although he became a different man, changing his name from Jimmy Gatz to Jay Gatsby, becoming extremely successful, being prodigal, and throwing extravagant and outrageous parties all the time, Gatsby was still in a sense, alone. After he moved to his house on West Egg. Long Island, even though he would see thousands of people at his house every week, Gatsby was more alone than ever. He did not have any close friends and people did not know much about him. Rumours erupted about the “Great” Jay Gatsby who was oblivious to the nature of the lies and where they evolved. It was commonplace for Gatsby to be the topic of conversation after his death, as everyone knew of him, but in reality, no one really knew him. Parties at Gatsby’s house were frequented by many people, however, when it came to his funeral...

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...nd an “ear to hear” (Neeson 1993), meaning that she not only listened to Ethan, but also understood him and could talk to him. Mattie seemed to be truly in love with Ethan. From turning down Denis Eady to declaring her love for Ethan, Mattie had demonstrated that her affection for Ethan was sincere. The fact that she came from a wealthy family and then moved into the house of the Frome’s, not taking the easy way out of poverty and refusing to marry Denis Eady, showed that she cared for Ethan as he cared for her.

In conclusion, both Jay Gatsby and Ethan Frome had very different American dreams. Gatsby wanted to repeat the past and be reunited with Daisy and Ethan wanted a life filled with education, love, and company. As a result of their solitude and silence in society and their role in their relationships, these two characters were unable to achieve their dreams.

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