The Hearth and the Salamander

Despite the fact that this book was written nearly fifty years ago it predicts a future ruled by technology. Although the fictional world of the story is much more extreme in depicting the reliance on technology than today it shows the slip inot ignorance. The statement 'Ignorance is Bliss' might be the ruling ideology of the first chapter in Bradbury's fictional world. Ray Bradbury's predictions of the future are eerily similiar to the problems faced in society today: extreme political correctness, sensless violence (possibly caused by the violent media streamed constantly), and overuse of technology. This people once had the ability to choose between right, wrong, educated and ignorant and above all chose ignorance. However, this morality is a characteristic unique to the human speces and as the characters in this book begin to loose their sense of morality and individual thought process through technology they begin to lose the very thing that makes them human. In a world of technology it is in fact the technology that dehumanizes the race of mankind.

Great Gatsby - Final Essay

Fitzgerald’s depiction of the American Dream is a dim and distorted one. Each character in their lavish lifestyle cannot achieve happiness. Each character, miserable in their unique way, cannot be satisfied through financial means. The American Dream is that anyone in society can rise above their social standings to achieve happiness through money. However, Fitzgerald addresses the theme in The Great Gatsby that money does not equate fulfillment, shown as each character reaches their demise through death or a life doomed to unhappiness.

            A key example of a character looking for fulfillment in wealth is Daisy. Although she claims to have loved Gatsby she moves on quickly in the hopes of the financial security of another. Even in her rocky marriage Daisy ignores her husband’s infidelity in order to continue feeling secure. Finally as she begins to reach out to Gatsby for a relationship, she sees the tremendous wealth he has acquired and weeps for the financial advantage lost when she compares his clothing to her own husband’s. Although there may have been emotional feelings coupled with her financial motives, Daisy’s priorities are clear. Her shallow upbringing led her to become acquired to wealth and rely on it to live. Due to her greed her world revolved around money, Gatsby even describes her voice as, “rich with money.” Yet despite all of the riches her husband owned not only was her marriage unsuccessful but neither partner remained faithful to the other. At the end of the book, as Gatsby waits outside of the house for Daisy there is silence between the two partners. In the silence however there is an unspoken acquisition, and a promise to continue life as it had been although neither partner was contented.

            Myrtle, Tom’s mistress, found herself in a marriage where she could not respect her husband. Originally she married her husband, but when he could not come into any money their relationship began to suffer. She began to cheat on him with Tom, a man with wealth. It was this confidence she found in Tom’s money that made the relationship so serious to her. Like Daisy, she found security in money that Tom could offer her. However, the relationship she found with Tom was unhealthy: she found the security in his wealth, was hit by him, and was continuously lying to her husband. Ultimately this connection she made with Tom’s money led to her death as she ran to the car she believed she was in. Although she knew she was hurting herself and her husband she was so attached to the prestige that Tom’s money granted her that she fell into a vicious cycle that led to her demise. Ultimately she could not find any fulfillment in the money Tom could give her.

            Gatsby’s relationship with money is a key example of the statement that money does not equate happiness. Although Gatsby does not want money for the sole purpose of the security or glamour that it holds as Myrtle and Daisy do, he understands that without any wealth he cannot attract Daisy. In this way the pursuit of riches is so important to Gatsby that he resorts to criminal activities to get Daisy back. However, these pursuits of Daisy cannot be satisfied through money. His money cannot guarantee Daisy’s commitment, or his happiness. Even before Gatsby had reunited with Daisy, his lavish parties and extravagant house could offer him any consolation or fill the void he had. In chapter 9 Gatsby’s money couldn’t offer him any protection from a shooter or any friends at his funeral. In the end no amount of money could offer him any contentment in his life.

            The Great Gatsby argues the corrupt nature of the American dream. This central theme, shown through the book, portrays a world in which money guarantees no happiness. No character in the book reaches a state of fulfillment despite the riches they possess and find their identity in. As no character could find the satisfaction that the American dream promises follows wealth Fitzgerald depicts the illusion that money can fulfill anyone.

The Great Gatsby- Final Analysis

The Great Gatsby was a unique book. Honestly when I read the final page my mind was swimming with thoughts. Namely, Did I like the book or not? In so many ways the underlying themes seemed amazing, yet how could any author end a book in such a miserable way? As a typical romantic I couldnt help but feel heartbroken for poor Gatsby. Yet the idea of such a miserable mundane life was exactly the idea to be accomplished. The general thought of such a boring life is a terrible idea, yet in America many people do subject themselves to the average 'American Dream.' Making plans for college I couldnt help but to be scared that the career path I am looking forward to will lead me to a materialistic existance that Daisy seems to be made of. But, If truly everyone lives a miserable life and dies does it really matter. I found the theme, though intriguing, just slightly too depressing to believe in. Maybe it is the unathiestic way in which I view the world or the desperation I hold that I cannot end in the same manner as Gatsby that keeps me believing that something about the theme cannot be true. Although it is Fitzgeralds argument in the book I must admit that I must disagree that I will find happiness, and  none of my lovers frightfully murdered. Overall, the book was generally a great read. Although it tugged at my heart strings and made my eyes sting a little I'm glad I had the pleasure of reading the book.