I cannot help but to connect one novel with another. As I did after reading The Road and blogging about it I am doing with Pride And Prejudice. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby has jumped to my mind more than once in my reading. The big parties, the fancy house, the wealth importance, the social status, the society characteristics and the unending desire for material things are some of the themes that Fitzgerald’s and Austen’s novels share.
Gatsby’s character compares with Mr. Darcy’s. They are both wealthy, yet they have no particular drive and passion for their wealth. This could be misunderstood with Gatsby, he seems to love his wealth but he actually is indifferent towards it, he continuously tries to fill his self hollowness with money and fails. Mr. Darcy’s pride does not involve him being proud of his money, instead he is humble. They both seem to be lonely and are searching, in their particular ways, for a female companion. Apart from the similar themes stated above, both novels share the search for an emotional companion. Both characters happen to have one whose love is not easy to be corresponded and the relationship seems to be impossible to happen: Gatsby with Daisy and Mr. Darcy with Elizabeth.
The balls in Pride and Prejudice and the big parties in Pride and Prejudice are both an excuse to rank each member in the society in a social status. Not only in terms of their wealth, but their relationship status (like Facebook), accomplishments, dance skills, behavior, countenance, and based on come up with a detailed analysis of each person attending. Fitzgerald’s opinion of society differs to Austen’s opinion. Fitzgerald evidently criticizes it while Austen seems to like it. Fitzgerald finds the social ranks and superficial mentality of the time ridiculous. Austen seems to find a reason for it, and maybe she does not agree with all of what characterizes XVIII century society she does not find it ridiculous. Her biography influences in her point of view. Her parents were members of “substantial gentry families.”
I hope that among the similarities of both novels, Gatsby’s end differs to Darcy’s. And I hope Darcy’s love is not only corresponded (because I know it is) but successful.
(...)'The big parties, the fancy house, the wealth importance, the social status, the society characteristics and the unending desire for material things are some of the themes that Fitzgerald’s and Austen’s novels share.'
ResponderEliminarMoreover than novel it self, both, I am quite interested about your opinion of it.
Why it is so important, I mean, the parties, the social status and so.
Never-mind...