Great Gatsby and Elizabeth Barrett Browining Essay

The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald and Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett cook atomic number 18 influenced by their varying context in their portrayal of kip down in their respective texts. Both authors explore the concept of cacoethes using various words features such as metaphors the use of irony. The Great Gatsby explores how the desire for the American Dream has taken prevalence over romantic love during post world contend 1. This is contrasted with Elizabeth Barrett browns Sonnets from the Portuguese where we are sufficient to visualise her estrus towards her lover through linguistic construct and also through the construction of an informal sonnet. The Great Gatsby is set in what is commonly known as The Roaring Twenties or The Jazz Age. Given the 20s was about opulence, the nihilist attitude is reflected in romantic needs. Fitzgerald dismisses the idea of idealised love and refers to Americas love with the American Dream. Post World War 1 was a perio d of hedonism that reflected mickles determination to forget the sufferings and loss of the war. It was also a time of moral confusion.There was a mood of superficial optimism as people well-tried to hide their disillusionment. Fitzgerald explores the difficulty of individuals maintaining moral integrity in a material edict that values wealth above all others. It was a time where on that point was great importance placed on what people had and not what people were. Fitzgeralds use of Nick as the unreliable narrator is meant to represent heathen mores of the 20s. He represents the voice, failings and cynicism of the time and acts as a filter through which ideas and characters are reflected and mediated. We gain a pessimistic and fragmented insight into the tragic love business affinity of the novel. The fragmentation and complex structure of the novel builds up Gatsby as the paragon of the Jazz Age and epitome of the American Dream. Ultimately, someone who represents the 20s c annot gain true love in the face of Toms wealth and riches. At the end of the play, Nick comes to fear that he is living in a loveless and sheep pen world. The narrative structure shows that time is a representation of love.The exploration of love in The Great Gatsby is treated with great ambiguity as Gatsby who is to be prize for his hope and vision, is sadly tragic and is unworthy in a society in which he loves. Fitzgerald is alluding to the fact that in successful America at the time, galore(postnominal) were preoccupied with their social standings and wealth. The American Dream took precedence over romantic relationships. He condemnslove to be distrustful and faithless. This is shown through the numerous relationships throughout the novel. The relationship between Daisy and Mr. Gatsby is a clear example. Before Gatsby went to war, Daisy promised to wait for him but instead, married the very wealthy Tom. It becomes clear that Gatsby loves and wants the idea of Daisy rather tha n the real version. In assign to eligible for Daisys love, Gatsby recreates himself to become a successful and wealthy man hence he shows Daisy all his possessions after their meeting at Nicks house. When Daisy cries over Gatsbys beautiful shirts it highlights, the materialistic overtakes she possesses and the relationship between love and money at that time.Part of Gatsbys yearning for Daisy is her link to an exclusive society that he desperately wants to join. Gatsbys love for Daisy is clear when he takes the blame for the death of Myrtle. We are positioned to see his devotion to Daisy as being foolish. I love you now, isnt that enough? Although Daisy is unsatisfied with her marriage and enjoys her relationship with Gatsby, she never intended to leave Tom. In the end, it is not enough as Gatsby is not accepted in society or accepted by Daisy. F.Scott Fitzgerald shows the shallowness of love through the relationship of Myrtle and Tom. Their relationship is a symbol of an exploita tive relationship. Myrtle is not content with her marriage and vies for a higher position. Myrtle admires breeding and the aristocratic society and sees nothing immoral about her position as Toms mistress. She feels more superior when walking around New York with Tom and looks down on people who cannot afford materialistic goods although she normally would not be able to afford these products either.Tom provides Myrtle with presents that she normally would not receive. Ironically, Myrtle condemns her husband, George Wilson, for not owning his wedding suit. However, Tom doesnt want to sustain the relationship with her. It is purely for his inner needs. Hence, Fitzgerald depicts love to be superficial and is determined by the amount of wealth and social standing of a person. F.Scott Fitzgerald critiques the American Dream. Gatsby is an apparent self-made man who went from intimately nothing to extravagance and wealth. However, Gatsby, Myrtle and George are seeking a better life but only achieve humiliation and death. Myrtle dies in the rocking horse of the American Dream. Ironically, she is killed by Daisy who represents the idealised woman of her time in terms of wealth and status. ElizabethBarrett Brownings Sonnets from the Portuguese explores love from the perspective of a nineteenth century women in order to convey the passion she feels for her lover. Barrett Browning reflects a society where idealised love is admired and where there is faith in the individual. Barrett Browning presents an optimistic view of love. She manipulates the Petrarchan sonnet form, which is traditionally written from a male perspective, by subverting the writing scheme.She subverts the form by writing as the subject and prey of the poem. Elizabeth Barrett Browning writes of her personal experience of love and idealised love. She is challenging how the art form challenges woman and celebrates love as a liberating force. By exploring her emotions, she explores her own identity. El izabeth Barrett Browning believes her love with Robert has elevated so much that they approach transcended beings, Our two souls stand up erect and strong. Barrett browning is suggesting that if they didnt have a body they would thus far move towards each other in passion. She captures the intensity of their love and the depth of their love through the line Until their lengthening wings break into fire This reiterates their passion and connection of love. There is a stark contrast with F.Scott Fitzgeralds bleak view towards idealised love to Barrett Brownings optimistic representation of love.In each sonnet, Browning portrays the notion of love has empowered her and made her value herself as an individual, I love thee with the love I seemed to lose (sonnet 43) She reveals to us that in the first place she met Robert, her life was characterised by fragmentation and loss. This reinforces how love has transformed her life. She attempts to measure her love for Robert through the line, I love thee to the depth & breath & height. The use of the half-rhyme unifies Sonnet 1 but fractures it at the same time. Half rhymes show the impact of the love she is feeling and the reassessment she is feeling.The half rhymes are created to show how the predictable known slipway of seeing the world have led her to innovation. In conclusion, it can be seen that both authors deal with love in their respective texts. However, F.Scott Fitzgerald takes a pessimistic view towards idealised love and rather, comments on the love for the American Dream in his society. Elizabeth Barrett Browning takes a more optimistic view, suggesting that it is a liberating force.