Sacrifice‚ the concept of giving up something valuable as a means of gaining more desirable things or preventing evil‚ is a fascinating art that has long intrigued humankind. In particular‚ two American texts have captured the essence of it ‚ The Great Gatsby by F.S. Fitzgerald and the 1999 movie American Beauty directed by Sam Mendes. Both texts closely explore the responsibility of an individuals relationship with his or her society for the sacrifices the individual makes; from the disillusionment
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Desecration of the American Dream in Glengarry Glen Ross Glengarry Glen Ross portrays a harsh view of American business that not only contradicts‚ but also befouls the values of the "American Dream." The idealistic importance of fairness‚ equality‚ and the idea that hard work brings success included in this "dream" of American society is clearly not reality in this play. The values of work ethic‚ and equal opportunity are betrayed‚ and there is a notable presence of racism‚ sexism‚ and an savage
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There is a fine line between love and lust. If love is only a will to possess‚ it is not love. To love someone is to hold them dear to one’s heart. In The Great Gatsby‚ the characters‚ Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan are said to be in love‚ but in reality‚ this seems to be a misconception. In The Great Gatsby‚ Fitzgerald portrays the themes of love‚ lust and obsession‚ through the character of Jay Gatsby‚ who confuses lust and obsession with love. By the end of the novel however‚ Jay Gatsby is denied
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For the Love of Wealth‚ Power and Freedom Cars are a symbol of power which has close ties with wealth. The American Dream was originally about finding happiness in the small things but by the 1920’s and 30’s the thirst for wealth tainted the American Dream causing many to believe that money would bring happiness. Through the desire to obtain wealth and “happiness” cars became significant. Cars were seen as a higher status and gave Americans a sense of freedom. Wealth‚ freedom‚ and power were the
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Myrtle‚ She Wrote As F.Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby comes to a close‚ Jay Gatsby is killed at the hand of Wilson. Wilson then goes on to end his own life. We are supposed to believe that Wilson killed Gatsby as some kind of vengeance for his late wife –Myrtle- who Wilson believes was killed by Gatsby. However‚ prior to this event‚ Wilson knew very well that Myrtle was not being faithful. Even before this news surfaced‚ Myrtle was never kind to Wilson and their relationship was a rather rocky
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Jennifer N. Professor T. English 101 10 November 2012 The Corruption of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby In The Great Gatsby‚ Fitzgerald illustrates how the desire for wealth and materialism compels the corruption and decay of the American Dream. Each individual has a different interpretation of what the American Dream entails; however‚ it is usually based on ideas of self-sufficiency‚ freedom‚ and a desire for something greater. The old dreams of earning money and starting a family gradually
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The American dream is sought after and imagined by everyone who comes to America. It is the main reason that people come to America; they come for freedom as well as to one day attain the idea of a perfect American dream. It theoretically symbolizes what you have accomplished in life and what you wish to one day have. In my personal opinion if any person wants come to America to live a life of happiness‚ be released of religious persecution and the freedom to say what you feel‚ then it can be accomplished
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In a time of economic crisis all parties submit to the power of the modern grail - the dollar. Daisy‚ for example‚ must choose between love and honesty‚ and class status. Gatsby’s relationship with Daisy mirrors Tom’s‚ both in his initial rejection‚ and subsequent pursuit of her. At the outset Gatsby is rejected by Daisy because of his class. He thus thinks that outbidding Tom will enable him to own Daisy. Protagonist and antagonist have the same economic and moral characteristics – they are hollow
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The ‘American Dream’ in The Great Gatsby It has been said that “people are so busy dreaming the American Dream‚ fantasizing about what they could be or have a right to be‚ that they’re all asleep at the switch‚ [the American man has lost his focus]” <www.thinkexist.com>. What exists behind the vision of the American Dream is a paralleled unreality. Humans are dreamers‚ and desires often create beliefs in people’s minds that lead them to strongly believe in a successful outcome. Unfortunately
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The American Dream. Is it over‚ or is there still hope? The meaning of the American Dream has changed throughout history. During the jazz era‚ the American Dream was thought to be someone starting out low on the economic or social level and through hard work; one would prosper and could become wealthy and successful. Having the nice house‚ the nice cars‚ and the happy family‚ symbolized that one was living the American Dream. How does one have a dream for something that is material? Once one wants
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