Gatsby question

MissEmilily · 04-04-2003, 12:58 AM

I'm reading The Great Gatsby for my AP English class and I have to write an essay about Tom and Daisy. I know that they are used as symbols of death and destruction, but I'm not sure why Fitzgerald uses them as symbols and how their presence affects any of the themes of the novel. Also, what exactly is their effect on the reader? Any help you could give me would be appreciated greatly.

Robert E Lee · 04-06-2003, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissEmilily

I'm reading The Great Gatsby for my AP English class and I have to write an essay about Tom and Daisy. I know that they are used as symbols of death and destruction, but I'm not sure why Fitzgerald uses them as symbols and how their presence affects any of the themes of the novel. Also, what exactly is their effect on the reader? Any help you could give me would be appreciated greatly.

1. Tom and Daisy are not "symbols" of death and destruction.
2. Fitzgerald uses them to ridicule the superficiality of the New York elite.

MissEmilily · 04-06-2003, 11:37 PM

First of all, it is the opinion of several literary critics that they are symbols of death and destruction, as they are either present for or involved in every instance of violence in the novel. They are people who are careless - they cause destruction and do not care about it (as evidenced by their reaction to Myrtle's and Gatsby's deaths). I know that they are also used to criticize the New York upper class, however, the essay topic I was given dealt with them as "symbols of death and destruction".
Second of all, I am really sorry that you feel you have to insult people who come to ask a legitimate question. Just because someone has a different opinion about a work of literature does not mean you have to treat them this way. Your immaturity, pomposity, and ignorance show through when you do.
Third of all, don't assume that because someone asks a question, he or she does not have a great love for literature. I enjoyed Gatsby immensely and I love reading classic literature, whether for pleasure or school. Since you obviously aren't mature, intelligent, and considerate enough to post here, why don't you be the one to "get lost"?

04-04-2003, 12:58 AM	#1
MissEmilily Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2	Gatsby question I'm reading The Great Gatsby for my AP English class and I have to write an essay about Tom and Daisy. I know that they are used as symbols of death and destruction, but I'm not sure why Fitzgerald uses them as symbols and how their presence affects any of the themes of the novel. Also, what exactly is their effect on the reader? Any help you could give me would be appreciated greatly.

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04-06-2003, 11:37 PM	#3
MissEmilily Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2	First of all, it is the opinion of several literary critics that they are symbols of death and destruction, as they are either present for or involved in every instance of violence in the novel. They are people who are careless - they cause destruction and do not care about it (as evidenced by their reaction to Myrtle's and Gatsby's deaths). I know that they are also used to criticize the New York upper class, however, the essay topic I was given dealt with them as "symbols of death and destruction". Second of all, I am really sorry that you feel you have to insult people who come to ask a legitimate question. Just because someone has a different opinion about a work of literature does not mean you have to treat them this way. Your immaturity, pomposity, and ignorance show through when you do. Third of all, don't assume that because someone asks a question, he or she does not have a great love for literature. I enjoyed Gatsby immensely and I love reading classic literature, whether for pleasure or school. Since you obviously aren't mature, intelligent, and considerate enough to post here, why don't you be the one to "get lost"?