F. Scott Fitzgerald's endearing prose makes me feel like I am swinging, snapping through the roaring twenties. The Great Gatsby has, so far, has incorporated dynamic characters into a not-so well-woven plot. The symbolism and theme, however, redeem the tale and make it one of national importance.
Nick Carraway appears to be the most cool-headed character in the entire book. His narration can almost seem detached, but his occasional emotional absences allow the reader to explore his or her own opinions of the other characters. Tom Buchanan is the ultimate alpha-male: his infidelity to and simultaneous possessiveness of Daisy are all too familiar even to the twenty-first century reader. Daisy is whimsical, impulsive, and enchanting; she is, in many senses, a flapper with a wedding ring. Gatsby, although he has experienced much of what the world has to offer, is boy-like in his unrealistic dreams of his future with Daisy. These characters are perhaps the most enjoyable aspects of the book; however, the plot in which they interact is, in my opinion, lacking in cohesion. The scenes seem choppy, and motives are often blurred. Hopefully, the plot will include more than Gatsby's parties as the book progresses.
Fitzgerald, I believe, should have been a poet. His use of language throughout The Great Gastby is sporadically enchanting. His appropriate use of simile is, if I may, like a spoonful of sugar that helps the plot go down. Fitzgerald primarily uses Nick to depict the setting, other characters, and dialogue with finesse. Gatsby's symbolism contributes to the book's theme: the shattering of the American dream. The green light, which represents hope, well-being, and satisfaction is highly relative to the desires of today's American. The valley of ashes, a symbol of dullness and bleak mediocrity, also transcends Fitzgerald's lifetime and touches those of us who weren't New Yorkers or ever alive during the twenties.
So far, I think the book has potential (says Mary Ryan, the ultimate literary critic). I hope that Daisy and Gatsby both realize that neither can make the other happy and that Nick and Jordan fall together effortlessly. The Great Gatsby isn't over yet, and I still have time to think that it is, indeed, great.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
"Young Goodman Brown"--Enough With the Pink Ribbons.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story about human motives and spirituality is a whirlwind of a tale. "Young Goodman Brown" begins in the bleak streets of Salem and takes the reader into the deep forests of Massachusetts and the human soul. I especially enjoyed the central question that the story posed: are people inherently good or evil? Hawthorne portrays young Goodman Brown and his new wife, Faith, as God-loving, innocent, and optimistic people. Soon enough, however, the reader finds that Goodman Brown has been lured into the trap of devil worship. When he eventually resists and thinks himself righteous for doing so, he realizes that the entire village is secretly affiliated with Lucifer. Brown's experience, although only a nightmare, offers a unique view of both internal and external evil.
Goodman Brown is appalled by the evil within him, the ravenous hunger he has for wrongdoing and devil worship that arises as he makes his way through the forest. In the same way, humans are often shocked at their own inhumane and twisted desires. I believe that Hawthorne succeeded in explaining how an individual is often divided in a struggle between good and evil and can surprise himself with his decision to choose evil.
Goodman Brown then wonders farther into the shrieking forest, only to find elders and pious members of his church as well as those of soiled reputations all communing with the devil. He is shocked to find out that those who seemed to adore God so outwardly could now wildly proclaim their love for the world's source of darkness. The most noticeable aspect of the devil worship that is central to this story is the village's unity in their love of evil. In the story, even the devil recognizes that evil is a powerful, unifying force: "Welcome, my children, to the communion of your race."
"Young Goodman Brown" made me reflect on my own faith. So often I find myself turning from what I am told and certainly believe is good. Following the crowd is easier than clinging to faith. This story, although I believe it to be highly allegorical, characterizes the human race's passion for evil and constant rebellion against what is good. Hawthorne has an excellent point; however, I was a bit bored by his overuse of symbolism. I get it, okay? The ribbons in Faith's hair were pink. Her name is Faith. She wears pink ribbons. She is faithful. She is innocent. Did I mention the ribbons were pink?
Toss in a few tricky vocabulary words and a few hints of King James era English and voila: the devil's recipe for a thought provoking concept but disappointingly bland short story.
Monday, February 6, 2012
ON WRITING Essay: Another One Down
Honestly, I do not feel like writing this essay right now. My big toe hurts, plus today is Monday. Reading On Writing, however, has changed my perspective on the craft and the commitment and it requires. According to author Stephen King, a writer becomes a full-fledged author when he or she writes frequently, regardless of circumstance. Throughout his own life, King has written frequently through adolescence, addiction, and injury. King's perseverance has resulted in many best-selling titles as well as the author's title as a dynamic modern writer.
King's love of writing began when he was a child. At first, he imitated his favorite science-fiction stories with elementary precision. As he found himself in the pit of confusion known as adolescence, Stephen King approached his writing career with great ambition. He began to submit his stories to magazines and continued to submit even after they were rejected. King recognized his passion for the craft at a young age and resolved to keep writing throughout his life. His early writing career shows the aspiring author that not all projects will be glamorous or successful. Often, they are copies of the successes of others or rough blueprints of the young author's potential.
Stephen King's personal life was not quite as horrifying as some of his novels, but his battle with addiction was dismal. As an adult, King found himself drinking at alarming frequency and experimenting with cocaine. If his wife, Tabitha, had not interfered with the drugs that were killing him, he might not be here today. King's writing career, although darkened by addiction, never stopped. He mentions that he kept writing novels throughout this period; sometimes he wrote in a drunken stupor. King even notes that there are certain books and parts of books that he does not clearly remember writing. The quality of his writing was diminished by the quality of his liver, but he never gave up the craft. King's battle has shown me that writing, if done correctly, becomes a part of the author's life. Writing often saves the author, just as King realized while writing Misery that he was writing about himself. His wife and his writing saved him from a flat, dull life of addiction. Writing is therapeutic, and, most importantly, it sustains the will to eke purpose out of life.
The last few pages of Stephen King's On Writing really hit me like a truck, or, rather, a blue Dodge van. (I could not resist.) In the summer of 1999, Stephen King was hit head-on by a van while walking on the side of the road in Maine. His recovery was painful and tiring. A lack of the will to write would be completely understandable under these circumstances; instead, King held the pen with tenacity and kept writing. He was actually in the middle of On Writing when the accident happened, so his completion of the book in the midst of physical pain is the perfect ending to a book about the power and techniques of writing. Of course, I am not inferring that I am glad King was injured. I am glad, however, that King did not let physical damage harm his capacities as an influential author and teacher. Stephen King wrote regardless of his circumstances. He did not write with bitterness or robotic anger, though. He wrote with the gratitude and passion that every author should have for the craft. His last few remarks in the book showed me that writing is supposed to make people happy. Its essence should make the author rejoice that he has words and the creativity to arrange them any way he wants, whenever he wants.
On Writing has shifted my perspective on every assignment I receive and every quiet moment I have to express my thoughts. I have wanted to be an author for a while, but this book has made me realize that I already am. Every paper, every poem scribbled in the margins, every half-finished short story about that one old lady that I simply cannot stop characterizing, is a reflection of my commitment to the craft. I now approach assignments like these with more joy than I previously have because they are just opportunities for me to use my words. Stephen King could write with rejection, alcohol, and pain medication pumping through his veins; surely I can forget my big toe and lose myself to the clicking of keys and the grinding of ideas for just a little while.
King's love of writing began when he was a child. At first, he imitated his favorite science-fiction stories with elementary precision. As he found himself in the pit of confusion known as adolescence, Stephen King approached his writing career with great ambition. He began to submit his stories to magazines and continued to submit even after they were rejected. King recognized his passion for the craft at a young age and resolved to keep writing throughout his life. His early writing career shows the aspiring author that not all projects will be glamorous or successful. Often, they are copies of the successes of others or rough blueprints of the young author's potential.
Stephen King's personal life was not quite as horrifying as some of his novels, but his battle with addiction was dismal. As an adult, King found himself drinking at alarming frequency and experimenting with cocaine. If his wife, Tabitha, had not interfered with the drugs that were killing him, he might not be here today. King's writing career, although darkened by addiction, never stopped. He mentions that he kept writing novels throughout this period; sometimes he wrote in a drunken stupor. King even notes that there are certain books and parts of books that he does not clearly remember writing. The quality of his writing was diminished by the quality of his liver, but he never gave up the craft. King's battle has shown me that writing, if done correctly, becomes a part of the author's life. Writing often saves the author, just as King realized while writing Misery that he was writing about himself. His wife and his writing saved him from a flat, dull life of addiction. Writing is therapeutic, and, most importantly, it sustains the will to eke purpose out of life.
The last few pages of Stephen King's On Writing really hit me like a truck, or, rather, a blue Dodge van. (I could not resist.) In the summer of 1999, Stephen King was hit head-on by a van while walking on the side of the road in Maine. His recovery was painful and tiring. A lack of the will to write would be completely understandable under these circumstances; instead, King held the pen with tenacity and kept writing. He was actually in the middle of On Writing when the accident happened, so his completion of the book in the midst of physical pain is the perfect ending to a book about the power and techniques of writing. Of course, I am not inferring that I am glad King was injured. I am glad, however, that King did not let physical damage harm his capacities as an influential author and teacher. Stephen King wrote regardless of his circumstances. He did not write with bitterness or robotic anger, though. He wrote with the gratitude and passion that every author should have for the craft. His last few remarks in the book showed me that writing is supposed to make people happy. Its essence should make the author rejoice that he has words and the creativity to arrange them any way he wants, whenever he wants.
On Writing has shifted my perspective on every assignment I receive and every quiet moment I have to express my thoughts. I have wanted to be an author for a while, but this book has made me realize that I already am. Every paper, every poem scribbled in the margins, every half-finished short story about that one old lady that I simply cannot stop characterizing, is a reflection of my commitment to the craft. I now approach assignments like these with more joy than I previously have because they are just opportunities for me to use my words. Stephen King could write with rejection, alcohol, and pain medication pumping through his veins; surely I can forget my big toe and lose myself to the clicking of keys and the grinding of ideas for just a little while.
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