A notably character besides Lily Bart would be Gerty Farish. To simply put it, Gerty is the complete opposite of Lily. Lily often describes Gerty in a negative light. For example, Lily states, “Oh, I know – you mean Gerty Farish.” She smiled a little unkindly. “But I said marriageable – and besides she has a horrid little place, and no maid, and such queer things to eat. Her cook does the washing and the food tastes of soap. I should hate that, you know” (Wharton, 6). This provides insight into Gerty’s character as readers realizes that despite being poor, Gerty does not necessary need a man to supply for her. In fact she does not even need a maid! Selden would describe Gerty as ‘content’ and ‘happy’ with her life. She does not let the greed …show more content…
of money control her.
It is also possible that Lily speaks critically of Gerty because of envy. Gerty does not struggle with inner conflict about social class as oppose to Lily who struggles with it constantly. This is an important aspect to the novel because Gerty symbolizes what Lily could have been if she had not been so obsessed with social class and wealth. Another important characteristic about Gerty is her genuine kindness. Throughout the novel, Wharton describes many women in the novel as manipulating—even Lily herself uses her beauty to manipulate men. The upper class women also donate money as an ‘act’ of kindness. Gerty, however, would donate money to the less fortunate even though she was poor herself. Also, when Gerty had ill feelings towards Lily, she would choose to set aside her difference with Lily and help her. For example, “Gerty's compassionate instincts, responding to the swift call of habit, swept aside all her reluctances. Lily was simply someone who needed help –for what reason, there was no time to pause and conjecture…” (Wharton, 157). Gerty could have easily rejected Lily’s plead for help, but Gerty decided to comfort Lily. There was no hidden agenda like most women in the novel have. Gerty just wanted Lily to
feel better. This is highly important to the novel because if readers were to compare Gerty to the upper class, there is an indication of corruptness in the high class society. Throughout the novel, Gerty is very wise. She gives advice to Lily in attempt to help Lily with her constant obsession with wealth. For instance, “How can you talk so, Lily? Of course the money ought to have been yours, but after all that makes no difference. The important thing---" Gerty paused, and then continued firmly: "The important thing is that you should clear yourself—should tell your friends the whole truth." (Wharton 215). In this line, Gerty attempts to make Lily realize the unimportance of money, that friendship is just as important. As the story progress, readers realize that Gerty constantly advises Lily about her life choices. Gerty acts as guidance. This is significant to the novel as Gerty becomes a support and advisory to Lily about upper class society.
Fancy wardrobes, extravagant parties, and endless gossip makes up much of their lives. Even though she doesn’t have an abundance of money, Lily manages to keep pace with her friends. When Bertha lies about her and spreads the untrue news that she had had an affair with George, Lily’s life changes dramatically. She finds it hard to get a job, and she begins running out of money. One of her old friends, Mrs. Fisher, eventually apologizes for being so rude after the cruise and agrees to help her to find a way to make a living. Lily works with one of Mrs. Fisher’s friends for a while, but then Bertha befriends Lily’s employer and causes Lily to quit her job. Lily makes one final attempt at getting job with a woman named Mrs. Hatch. That arrangement goes well until Lily unknowingly gets involved in a scandal of sorts and is forced to quit that job, too. Lily’s last option is to join the working class of New York. She begins working as a hat maker but is unable to keep her job due to her lack of
...aisy risking her place in society.. Gatsby thought that having wealth would guarantee Daisy to be his again. His naivety about Daisy seemed childish, but in Gatsby wealth is hugely important to the characters.
To Kill a Mockingbird "I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them." – Miss Maudie The quote above states that Atticus Finch was a man who did unpleasant things, but this quote is false. Miss Maudie had every good intention when she told Jem and Scout this and her point was taken in the way she intended it to be taken by the children. Her point could have been better worded if the portion that reads "our unpleasant jobs" were replaced with "what is right." Atticus did unpleasant things only because he knew that they were the right thing to do. Miss Maudie told the children about their father in this way only to avoid saying that the rest of the town was wrong.
The novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, is an American classic, narrated by the young Scout Finch, the most engrossing character in the book. The novel is about the adventures of two siblings over the time of about three years. Jem and Jean Louise (Scout) Finch were two young siblings who one day met another young boy named Dill. Over time, Jem and Scout grow up under the careful watch of their father and friends, learning how to be adults. They play games, they sneak into a courthouse, and they learn a valuable life lesson. Scout was an intriguing character. As the narrator, you learn more about Scout’s feelings towards the events in the book and soon learn to love her. Let me introduce you to Scout Finch.
Life is about making a positive impact on those around you, not trying to accumulate vast wealth. However, it is well-known that members of society are bound to choose riches over one's own or others happiness. To add, it is important to acknowledge, especially when considering selfish women like Daisy Buchanan. Studies show, that often people are unaware that their actions have an affect on those around them. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan is corrupt through her materialistic, obsessive views on life, despite Gatsby’s dysfunctional views on his version of the American Dream. With this, one can prove that Daisy Buchanan is a self-absorbed, vacuous socialite whose decisions lead to the destruction of both Jay
The author George Elliot once said “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Appearance can be very misleading, and you shouldn't prejudge the worth or value of something by its outward appearance alone. This philosophical idea has been included in many works of literature, including the timeless classic To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee. The novel takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Many citizens of Maycomb tend to make judgements based on outward appearances alone. In the novel, Lee uses minor characters such as Boo Radley, Mrs. Dubose, and Tom Robinson to convey the book’s theme of prejudice.
Courage is valued in many ways. It is measured by bravery, heroism, physical strength, and morally correct behavior. The world mostly defines courage as having physical strength and being brave. Atticus, Scout, and Jem show many acts of courage through the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. They all have different views and opinions on courage. The novel is told from the point of view of Scout. She, and her brother Jem, live with their widowed father in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930’s. Their father, Atticus, is also a lawyer who defends his black client, Tom Robinson, who is innocent of rape. The title To Kill A Mockingbird explains that “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” because they “make music for us to enjoy” (Lee 119). In other words, the mockingbirds are harmless and have never done anything wrong. It would be considered a sin to kill a harmless and peaceful mockingbird. Similarly, accusing an innocent and
The world in which Lily grows up in is one where money is the standard by which everyone is judged. In a setting like this, “money stands for all kinds of things- its purchasing quality isn’t limited to diamonds and motor cars” (Wharton 66). Therefore, even small things such as the way a person dresses or the places someone frequents become of high importance as they are representative of how much money a person possesses. This materialistic tendency ...
To kill a mockingbird generates a unique sense of reading. Harper Lee’s style of writing brings a different and an unideal way of reading, the context in which to kill a mocking is written with the two narrators (Jean Louise and Scout) brings fourth many perceptions of the book. This unusual style of reading can become complex, struggling to telling which narrator at that point in the book is telling the story as each have different emotions, inputs and influences. As Scout is a very bright and intelligent person for her age is was tough at times to understand who the telling the story at that time, scout or the older version of scout Jean Louise for her language was far beyond her age.
Jill McCorkle's Ferris Beach, a contemporary novel, shares numerous characteristics with Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel written in the 1960's. Like To Kill a Mockingbird, McCorkle's novel documents the life of a young girl in a small southern town. The two narrators, Kate Burns and Scout Finch, endure difficult encounters. A study of these main characters reveals the parallels and differences of the two novels. Jill McCorkle duplicates character similarities and rape from Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird to show the reader how young girls think and develop.
For many years, African Americans have faced the challenge of being accurately and positively portrayed within mainstream media, such as American made films. They are often represented as people who are inferior to those of the Caucasian race, and are frequently presented with problems that are related to racial discrimination. The portrayal of African Americans in media such as movies has often been considered a large contributing factor to the racial tensions that still exist in our world today (Lemons, 1977). The movie, To Kill a Mockingbird, sheds light on the portrayal of African Americans in movies, and how stereotypes can greatly impact the lives of those who are not of the Caucasian race.
Keeping a mouth shut doesn't hold the world shut out, it opens up new doors to things that would never be expected. In To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, there is are two character that is are an eternal mystery for the readers. Boo Radley, though the reader nor Scout and Jem know anything about the character all they want is to learn about him. Boo becomes a mysterious figure that many see as creepy, ghostly, but also reasonably wise. The one-time Boo appears the readers learn he is a sagacious, powerful man. Little do Scout and Jem know is that their father is also a rational being as well. The two crucial character in the story helps support the
At first glance, The Great Gatsby is merely a classic American tragedy, portraying the story of a man's obsession with a fantasy, and his resulting downfall. However, Fitzgerald seems to weave much more than that into the intricate web of emotional interactions he creates for the reader. One interesting element is the concepts of greatness each has. For Daisy, it lies in material wealth, and in the comfort and security associated with it. Daisy seems to be easily impressed by material success, as when she is touring Gatsby's mansion and seems deeply moved by his collection of fine, tailored shirts. It would seem that Tom's relative wealth, also, had at one time impressed her enough to win her in marriage. In contrast to that, Gatsby seems to not care a bit about money itself, but rather only about the possibility that it can win over Daisy. In fact, Gatsby's extreme generosity gives the reader the impression that Gatsby would otherwise have never even worked at attaining wealth had it not been for Daisy. For Gatsby, the only thing of real importance was his pursuit of Daisy. It would seem that these elements are combined, too in the character Myrtle.
He convinces the women that their place in society is to be helpless and at his mercy. This is especially apparent through Tom Buchanan 's wife Daisy. Daisy believes, “that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” (Gatsby 21) She believes that all she is a beautiful little fool, but no one can blame her. Whenever Daisy is spoken about it 's not in relation to her intelligence, but rather that, “‘Her voice is full of money,’ [Gatsby] said suddenly. That was it. [Tom had] 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. . . . High in a white palace the king’s daughter, the golden girl. . . .” (Gatsby 119) The men in The Great Gatsby blame her for being dumb or stupid, but she was never encouraged to be anymore than that. This idea of frailty in women is not only seen in Daisy but also Myrtle
To Kill A Mockingbird deals with many primal and basic lessons in human nature. The book exposes many issues that affect most people throughout their lives. Scout, the main character was one of the most affected by these lessons. During the book she was exposed to many profound experiences, which no doubt will leave a lasting impression. In the three years that the book took place, she may have learned the most important things she will learn over her entire life.