Entrapment In The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams explore themes of imprisonment through use of different narrative techniques. Exploring these themes of imprisonment, the authors use the techniques of characterisation so to investigate illusion and reality. Symbolism to emphasise how following the American Dream leads to entrapment, and entrapment by responsibility through use of narration structural techniques.
Throughout the texts, a theme of imprisonment is explored by illusion and reality, where the authors employ characterisation techniques to express imprisonment. In the texts, Gatsby and Amanda are established as lost in illusions of reality, choosing to deny truths over illusions that better suit

their dreams. Gatsby, like Daisy are perceived as caught in illusions of the past, when Gatsby and Daisy were deeply in love with each other. Similarly, Amanda Wingfield is also living illusions of the past, never choosing to come to terms with reality. For she continually reminds herself and others of the past so to show her illusionary character “And I could have been Mrs. Duncan J. Fitzhugh, mind you! But – I picked your father!”. Amanda is seen as hooked up on old ideas and events so that she can try to relive the past in an illusion of reality. Gatsby is just as immersed in the illusion of the past, although Nick tries to bring him out from his entrapment in his illusions "You can't repeat the past."-- "Can't repeat the past?" he cried incredulously. -- "Why of course you can!". However, Gatsby like Amanda, cannot bear the thought of disregarding their illusions of the past for reality. Since they have both built up their personalities around illusions, which in reality has seen them become ensnared by their illusions. They have let their illusions get the better of them, they have let their illusions alter who they are, creating character that is illusion. Thus Amanda and Gatsby have become trapped in their illusions, they have convinced themselves that they are who they want to be, rather than who they really are.
Similarly, another theme of entrapment is The American Dream where symbolism is used so to explore Gatsby and Amanda’s actions to achieve this dream.

Gatsby, victimised by the American Dream, invests much of himself and his money into the perusal of the American Dream. Gatsby’s immaculate mansion, his change of name from Jay Gatz to James Gatz, and his perusal of Daisy is all symbolic of his devotion to the American Dream. For they represent power, wealth and security. However, in his devotion to the American Dream, Gatsby has become enslaved by the need for this power, and money “"Her voice is full of money," he said suddenly. That was it. I'd never understood before. It was full of money—that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals' song of it.”. For Gatsby, Daisy is the ultimate symbol of fulfilment in the American Dream. Likewise, Amanda also actively pursues the American Dream, however what she associates with the American Dream is symbolic in cherishment of the past. Because Amanda is always reminding herself and her family of her past, symbolising her entrapment in the past and the American Dream “One Sunday afternoon in Blue Mountain—your mother received—seventeen!—gentlemen callers!”. Because Amanda was once living the American Dream when she was a girl, she denies that she is no longer living the American Dream. Thus Amanda’s recollections on the past symbolise her yearning for the past, and the want to continue living in

the American Dream. Amanda has become trapped with the ideals of the American Dream.
Fitzgerald like Williams employs the use of a narration structural approach so to convey a theme of entrapment in responsibility for others.

Nick Carraway, the narrator for The Great Gatsby, has his narration structured in a diary like manner so to simulate a personal inner-voice from Nick. This structure creates a different perspective for the reader, instead of being told from an on-looker such as the author the story is read through the eyes of a character. This technique uses the first person, and is commonly from just one character’s perspective. This structure can also be seen in The Great Gatsby, where Tom’s narration is recalled in a sequence of recollections as the play is depicted from memory. However, both characters in these texts become entrapped in responsibility through their narration. Because Nick uses his narration as means to express his suppressed opinions about Gatsby, since Nick cannot bring himself to the idea of letting go Gatsby down “"They're a rotten crowd," I shouted across the lawn. "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together."” I've always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end.” Although Nick disapproves of Gatsby, he cannot help but become caught up in Gatsby’s dream. Nick feels responsible for Gatsby, he feels that he must give Gatsby support and encouragement. Because Nick and Gatsby are friends, and Nick understands that he must do all that he can to help

Gatsby. Similarly, Tom in The Glass Menagerie is providing support for his family because he feels trapped under the financial and family responsibilities he has for his mother Amanda and his sister Laura. However, like Nick, Tom expresses his entrapment these responsibilities through his narration, where he expresses his opinions and thoughts “You’ll go up, up on a broomstick, over Blue Mountain with seventeen gentleman callers! You ugly—babbling old—witch...” Although Tom despises his mother, and her illusionary worlds, he cannot help but feel responsible for her, as Amanda still relies on Tom to bring in money for the family. In the end however, Tom’s wits grow thin, and unlike Nick he eventually escapes from the grasps of his responsibilities, but he still cannot release himself from the guilt. For Tom continues to feel that he is responsible for his family, responsible for leaving them, but his narration expresses his continual anger for his mother, and his want for escape. Whereas Nick finds his escape from responsibility through Gatsby’s eventual death.
Overall, the texts explore many themes through varieties of techniques so to convey ideas the entrapment. Where illusions of reality were explored through Amanda and Gatsby’s characterisation as they shaped and subsequently trapped themselves in past illusions. Then the entrapment in the American Dream used symbolism in Gatsby’s mansion and perusal of Daisy. As well as Amanda’s continued repetition of her past symbolised her entrapment in the American Dream. Then finally the entrapment of responsibility which Nick and Tom found themselves in through use of narration structure, where they were structured like they were recalling events like a diary.