Anthony aims to fulfill his incomplete psychological structure the same way a child does; by finding a person who positively acknowledges his achievements. Normally a child learns to provide his or her own mirroring as he or she grows up, but because Anthony's parents never provided sufficient mirroring, he developed a narcissistic personality and cannot establish a sense of self-appreciation. To Anthony, his newly acquired status and outgoing lifestyle are the key components to maintaining his rather erratic self-esteem. Parties and people shortly become such a necessity to him that he begins to shun his own company in a fear-like manner: ''He who had grown up alone had lately learned to avoid solitude. During the past several months he had been careful, when he had no engagement for the evening, to hurry to one of his clubs and find someone.'' (Fitzgerald, p. 36.) However, these randomly chosen individuals only act to enhance Anthony's spirit and are otherwise insignificant to him. …show more content…
The only people that are somewhat meaningful to Anthony are his two best friends, Maury Noble and Richard Caramel.
Maury, being the top of his class back at Harvard, is an ideal selfobject to Anthony, who, in order to maintain a balanced state, requires a parent-like character to look up to in every situation. When Maury is not around, Anthony becomes ''nervous as a will-o'-the-wisp'' (Fitzgerald, p. 29), but calms down when the two meet again, indicating that Maury is the supporting structure in his life. Maury is the man ''whom he admires and, to a bigger extent than he likes to admit to himself, envies.'' (Fitzgerald, p. 29.) Envy is mainly caused by Anthony's lack of self-confidence, which prevents him from becoming the kind of person he would want to be like. Anthony's reaction to Maury's success is also a sign of narcissism, because a narcissist commonly envies qualities or materialistic objects that he cannot
have. Richard Caramel is an eager writer who is mocked by Anthony and Maury when they discuss his ambition to become a novelist: ''And energy - ambitious, well-directed energy. He's so entertaining - he's so tremendously stimulating and exciting. Often there's something breathless in being with him. […] But not indomitable energy. Some day, bit by bit, it'll blow away, and his impressive talent with it, and leave only a wisp of a man, fretful and egotistic and garrulous.'' (Fitzgerald, p. 30.) Richard's potential talent and fresh ideas intimidate Anthony, because he as well has intended to start writing, but doubts his abilities: ''[…] he had made several lists of authorities, he had even experimented with chapter titles and the division of his work into periods, but not one line of actual writing existed at present, or seemed likely ever to exist.'' (Fitzgerald, p. 25.) The very thought of Richard's possible future success and the likelihood of his own failure concern Anthony, which is why he attempts to highlight Richard's every flaw together with Maury to boost his own ego.
Edmund Perry’s maintaining the same personality toward both his peers from home and Exeter is a mental journey by itself. Dealing with racism at Exeter has put Edmund through a journey mentally trying to keep his temper and follow his personality and qualities, although the racism finally bothered him to a maximum point that Edmund change. Edmund has experienced a journey by altering environments drastically from predominantly black neighborhood to a predominantly white school that might have strength his personality. At Exeter, Eddie was the strong student that he showed to be in Junior High. Edmund tells us a testimony of Herney, “He was, said those who had taught and coached him, matured for his age, serious, studious, determined and not at all in awe of the strange new world that was Phillips Exeter.”(114) I maintain the same qualities that his teachers and coaches saw him as. I also see a similarity in the way we use these qualities, to excel in education as Edmund did. After a situation at Exeter, explained in the book, Edmund says that “Eddie didn 't let any group or clique tie him down, which is kind of amazing… He could be with black people, and he could be with white people and he could be with himself.” (165) I connect strongly to this feeling or way of life. I feel as though, I do not need to have a certain group or clique to be with, all I need is myself. I am not racist nor judgemental so can be with and enjoy myself with any group nor clique. Recently, I have entered an art piece into the Teen Arts annual festival. I was placed in a group that had individuals that I have never conversated. This journey has pushed me to make conversation and still enjoy myself, and I took the opportunity to get to know them and create a sort of friendship. Being tied down to a specific group will aid you to lose a chance of getting to know other individuals and
The quintessential American is someone who has aspirations, able for self-improvement, and self invention. Jay Gatsby and Oprah Winfrey show all these qualities. They never settle for less, have goals, and they reinvent themselves. From humble background to exciting new lives. They show that anyone can be anything they want to be, if they put their mind to it. Instantly, their lives changed for the better with only one change in their lives. Jay leaving his home, and Oprah being recognized for her voices. These two show qualities of perseverance, strength, and willingness that everyone needs to become the quintessential American.
Pride in the Great Gatsby Adam Bussey English IIIA, Period 3 5/26/99 Adam Bussey Mrs. Forchion English IIIA, Period 3 26 May 1999 Outline Thesis: F. Scott Fitzgerald uses Nick Carraway in the Great Gatsby to analyze pride and its effects in a man’s life. I. Nick tells the reader about his background and family history. II. Nick Carraway’s interactions between the many characters in the novel show a reflection of pride. A. Interactions between Tom and Nick show examples of pride. B. Interactions between Gatsby and Nick show examples of pride. C. Interactions between other minor characters show pride throughout the novel. III. Discussions arise that give Nick certain biased or critical opinions, these opinions reflect his pride and other people’s opinions reflect it as well. A. Discussions about money and other financial issues help flesh out the idea of pride. B. Discussions about social situations and interactions between certain couples show Nick’s concern over his pride. 1. Nick talks or discusses the relationship between Tom and his mistress. 2. Nick discusses the relationship between Tom and his mistress. 3. Nick talks about the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy. Adam Bussey Mrs. Forchion English IIIA, Period 3 26 May 1999 Pride in the Great Gatsby Pride. The dictionary defines it as “quality or sate of being proud; an unreasonable opinion of one’s own superiority over others; and as the reflection of this quality in disdainful or arrogant behavior.” Many people experience different kinds of pride. Some show off, others reflect their family’s history with powerful pride.
the 1920s as we can see with Gatsby's five cars, one of which he gives
In chapter 3 of The Great Gatsby Nick is invited to one of Gatsby’s extravagant parties. He arrives only to find he doesn’t know where Gatsby is, and then he runs into Jordan Baker. Together they set off to find Gatsby and they head to the library where they find “Owl Eyes”, a drunken man trying to get sober. After talking to “Owl Eyes” for awhile they head outside again where Nick unknowingly starts a conversation with Gatsby. After revealing himself, Gatsby tells Jordan that he would like to speak to her privately. Later “Owl Eyes” drives his car into a ditch and the chapter ends with Nick describing his life in New York and driving in a car with Jordan.
Connie, who is incredibly shallow, regards others as beneath her; however, in reality she strives for the attention of strangers because she feels insufficient. Connie feels bad about herself because she feels that her "mother [keeps] picking on her." She makes up for this insecurity by fabricating a false sense of superiority. She is so desperate to eradicate these flaws in herself, which she ref...
In addition, a teenager’s feelings of self worth are dependent upon the approval of others. Connie displays this as she practices “…checking other people’s faces to make sure her own was all right” (208). And of course there is also the explosion of hormones and corresponding sexual urges and fantasies. Oates makes all of these characteristics clear in her descriptions of Connie’s actions, thoughts and feelings.
with is that no man is a great man- the only great man encountered in
For a person to be their self they need to rise above their fears and then they will become superior to aversion. Horace’s character traits are boring, resulting in an uneventful life. Due to his personality, difficulties arise within himself and between him and others. When he overcomes his fears, positive resolutions emerge forming a lifelong lesson. Horace lacks certain qualities, but each experience he is to go through; he will gain confidence, courage, and strength in order to discover his true self and important values.
To Gatsby the green light symbolizes Daisy, Daisy in a way represents her peers in the same social strata as her. Daisy is a fool, living vicariously and so are the characters in this book. The green light represents the wild and recklessness of the times. These were times when women for the first time were drinking and smoking alongside the guys, their war was over and so were their troubles. The green light for them means go, after most wars the economy experiences a boom, this was no different. They are cocksure, thinking that whatever they do is right, and they always push on. They don’t care what happens to others as long as they remain untouched and unrivaled.
I have just read a novel called "The Great Gatsby" this novel was based in the 1920's. In this novel there are lots of drinking, and parting. In this essay I'll be writing about how the novel condemns the belief of "The American Dream", this belief states that, hard working people are successful and live happy lives. And in this novel "The American Dream" was just a mirage.
Through the chosen quote, Fitzgerald reveals the vital ideas of the American Dream to show how it has been dominated due to the adoption of materialism and industrialization, and so; he emphasizes on the materialistic aspect of the American dream which leads to disenchantment and misery. In addition, the implementation of different colors allows for color symbolism to show the destruction of the American Dream
The line of attack we use in order to identify individuals around us is an intriguing thing. Our perception is forever shifting, forever building, and affected not only by the person’s actions, but by the actions of those around them. In Scott F. Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby Nick Caraway’s perception of Jay Gatsby is always changing. All the way through the novel, Nick’s perception of Gatsby changes from him perceived as a rich chap, to a man that lives in the past, to a man trying to achieve his aspirations but has failed.
In stories, minor characters are often highlighted to display or represent a certain idea. The novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, shows the rich and their romps. Most are carefree and only care about themselves and their status. The novel focus’ on Jay Gatsby, a mysterious extravagantly rich man who throws blowout parties and lives in luxury in hopes of winning over his love, Daisy. Gatsby builds his life of from nothing, as the son of poor farmers from the west and then morphing himself into a New York millionaire. Only to be destroyed when Daisy kills her husbands mistress and Gatsby takes the blame for her; eventually leading to his murder. No one but a party goer nicknamed Owl Eyes and Gatsby’s live-in resident Klipspringer attends his funeral. All of Gatsby’s business partners and the thousands that came to his parties did not care enough to come to his funeral. Gatsby spent all his time focusing on one dream that he did not make connections and socialize with people that cared about him, but his parties. The lifestyle of the American Dream arguably became the only thing that people were chasing. Through the character of Owl Eyes, Fitzgerald shows the rise and fall of the American Dream and the consequences that come with it.
A great lecturer once said, ³Man is so caught up in his own recklessness that he does not notice the values of life.² The theme proclaimed in the quote reflects literature in the abundance that it is used in throughout the history of writing. Author F. Scott Fitzgerald, spokesman of the Jazz Age, illustrates the shallow emptiness, careless recklessness, and materialistic concerns of the rich in his novel The Great Gatsby. First and foremost of all are the issues of the materialistic concerns of the rich. Jay Gatsby, a young rich bachelor, had so many personnel possessions because he wanted Daisy, the first love of his life, so much that she was the equivalent of ³Winter Dreams² to him. Gatsby¹s silk shirts being tossed over his head out of his dresser is a good example of how his money means nothing to him and how he would give it all away to have Daisy. Also his eccentric cars were the center of attention because of their high price and extreme beauty. All of these examples of prosperity represent the lives of the people of this novel to a point. Together, the citizens of this book are more concerned with their possessions and money, than their health and lives. Subsequently, the people at his parties show careless recklessness with their abuse of alcohol and their bodies. First of all, the people at Gatsby¹s balls drank all night and showed no respect for Gatsby¹s house or possessions. Also the participants of the parties held at Gatsby¹s mansion are audacious enough to drive home while very intoxicated. Furthermore the individuals who were drinking were astonished to see the car in the ditch but none of them bothered to help. Alcohol in large amounts and large groups can cause misjudgements and even death. All in All drinking by Gatsby¹s guests led to extremely reckless behaviors. Next and final of all is the emptiness that the characters of this book posses and how it affects their lives. Tom Buchannen, an insidious man who had an affair with Myrtle, has the nerve to be married to Daisy and have a mistress. Following Tom is a man they call Kiplinsinger, a gambling piano player, who lives with Gatsby and doesn¹t go to the funeral but he has the brashness to ask for his tennis shoes back. Other guests of Gatsby are shallow enough to trash his house and not care that they are very drunk.