Compare two novels:The Great Gatsby vs Ceremony - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages This time period was dubbed the “Jazz Age” by Fitzgerald himself. This novel demonstrates how materialism affects various characters. For example, Jay Gatsby only pursued material things to gain his love, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby’s love Daisy married Tom Buchanan solely because he was rich. Nick Carraway, the narrator, was fascinated by the riches of Gatsby and the Buchanans, but frightened by the immorality that came with this materialism.
Ceremony, written by Leslie Marmon Silko, describes the story of Tayo, a war veteran of mixed ancestry, a half white, half-Laguna Native American, who returns from fighting against Japan in the Second World War. After returning to the Laguna Pueblo, Tayo feels estrangement and alienation. After finding the pain overwhelming, Tayo takes comfort in alcohol. Subsequently, Tayo seeks a different kind of comfort. This journey leads him to find understanding of the world and his place through the help of the mixed-blood shaman, Betoni.
In The Great Gatsby, the narrator, Nick, explains the situation of Gatsby and his friends through fresh eyes being from a Midwestern state. Nick is the moral compass of the book. He embodies a solid belief in the American ideal. Gatsby confided to Nick that he “committed himself to the following of the grail” (Fitzgerald, 149). This grail was the ultimate goal of love. In order to achieve this ultimate goal, Gatsby needed money and material objects. By living the American Dream, Gatsby garnered these objects for is love. Daisy would never have looked at him if he remained poor. Gatsby’s vision was to have Daisy’s affection. Gatsby was determined to have Daisy at all cost.
When Daisy and Gatsby meet, it is before World War One. Daisy rejects Gatsby due to his lowly status as a poor soldier. After the war, Gatsby wants to join Daisy in this wealthy world. Gatsby equates success with money. After obtaining the money all that is left to gain was Daisy. ...Download file to see next pagesRead More