Post by thethoughtpolice on Sept 28, 2011 9:40:06 GMT
Choose a novel in which the main character is a tragic hero.
Explore the extent to which this character’s flaw affects your understanding of the novel’s key concerns.
1. Flaw = ambition and dreamer Ambition = to live in East Egg Tries too hard to be part of the Aristocracy
2. Tries to impress Daisy through his house and parties. Tries too hard to live in the past and repeat the past
3. Created a whole new past to become part of the aristocracy
4. Still doesn’t give up his dream
Conclusion - Goes to extreme lengths to achieve dream
1. Flaw = ambition and dreamer Ambition = to live in East Egg Tries too hard to be part of the Aristocracy
Water separates East and West Egg, physical barrier mirror social barrier.
Can’t be part of Aristocracy due to his background – need to inherit wealth and family.
Compare Mansions
Glass ceiling
Green Light symbolises Gatsby’s dream.
2. Tries to impress Daisy through his house and parties. Tries too hard to live in the past and repeat the past
Lavish parties. Describing parties – ‘corps of caterers’ ‘Career as Trimalchio’
Daisy.
3. Created a whole new past to become part of the aristocracy
Born James Gatz – claims his parents dead. Becomes what his 17 year old self thought of as ideal. Invents his life at Oxford. Made up where he got his money from. Actually made his money from gambling and selling illegal alcohol. Ambition is way off the wall. HUGE dream is unachievable through normal means. So Gatsby had to resort to illegal means. Inventing new identity is going against nature and suggests something deeply wrong with what he’s doing.
4. Still doesn’t give up his dream
Killed. Doesn’t drain pool as holding onto the past and thinks he still has a chance with Daisy. ‘Can’t repeat the past, why of course you can’. Takes the blame out of loyalty to Daisy.
Wants to rewind time. Lives in denial. Can’t accept Daisy had been married and had a child. ‘Say you never loved him’ – even when he faces Tom’s confrontation and all the evidence of those past 5 years, Gatsby still fights on with his ‘dead dream’.
Explore the extent to which this character’s flaw affects your understanding of the novel’s key concerns.
1. Flaw = ambition and dreamer Ambition = to live in East Egg Tries too hard to be part of the Aristocracy
2. Tries to impress Daisy through his house and parties. Tries too hard to live in the past and repeat the past
3. Created a whole new past to become part of the aristocracy
4. Still doesn’t give up his dream
Conclusion - Goes to extreme lengths to achieve dream
1. Flaw = ambition and dreamer Ambition = to live in East Egg Tries too hard to be part of the Aristocracy
Water separates East and West Egg, physical barrier mirror social barrier.
Can’t be part of Aristocracy due to his background – need to inherit wealth and family.
Compare Mansions
Glass ceiling
Green Light symbolises Gatsby’s dream.
2. Tries to impress Daisy through his house and parties. Tries too hard to live in the past and repeat the past
Lavish parties. Describing parties – ‘corps of caterers’ ‘Career as Trimalchio’
Daisy.
3. Created a whole new past to become part of the aristocracy
Born James Gatz – claims his parents dead. Becomes what his 17 year old self thought of as ideal. Invents his life at Oxford. Made up where he got his money from. Actually made his money from gambling and selling illegal alcohol. Ambition is way off the wall. HUGE dream is unachievable through normal means. So Gatsby had to resort to illegal means. Inventing new identity is going against nature and suggests something deeply wrong with what he’s doing.
4. Still doesn’t give up his dream
Killed. Doesn’t drain pool as holding onto the past and thinks he still has a chance with Daisy. ‘Can’t repeat the past, why of course you can’. Takes the blame out of loyalty to Daisy.
Wants to rewind time. Lives in denial. Can’t accept Daisy had been married and had a child. ‘Say you never loved him’ – even when he faces Tom’s confrontation and all the evidence of those past 5 years, Gatsby still fights on with his ‘dead dream’.