Examples Of Double Vision In The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald once stated that the test of a first rate intelligence was the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. This intelligence he describes is characterized by the principle of “double vision.” An understanding of this is essential to the understanding of Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. “Double vision” denotes two ways of seeing; it suggests two things in opposition. The foundation of double vision is polarity, the setting of extremes against one another, which results in dramatic tension. For example, Fitzgerald utilizes a double vision motif with money to illustrate how it can be positive and constructive, but at the same time it can be very negative
He lives in a huge ornate mansion; he owns a Rolls Royce and a Hydroplane. He wears custom made clothing from Europe made out of 100% silk. He has servants, gardeners, and chauffeurs to carry out his every whim. Lastly, but probably the most extravagant of all, he frequently hosts enormously lavish parties for his hundreds of guests. To attend one of Gatsby's parties is to be accepted into the jet set. Gatsby's generosity is legendary as he will provide anything the party goers need. For example, his guest Lucille states: "When I was here last I tore my gown on a chair, and he asked me my name and address- inside of a week I got a package from Croirier's with a new evening gown inside it" (page 45). Gatsby is also depicted as a heroic and loyal individual, a true gentleman. He illustrates this level of self sacrifice by assuming the blame of Myrtle's fatal accident thereby protecting the true culprit, Daisy, the love of his
For example, when Nick visits Tom's house the first time, Tom literally pushes Nick around. Tom demonstrates his egocentricity when he was showing off his possessions to Nick: "I've got a nice place here. It belonged to the Demaine man"(page 13). Tom's wealth gets to his head and makes him think he is superior to other people. He's racist and his goal in life is to keep the lower class from rising. Tom thinks that poor people are inferior to him and he is quite a snob. Sometimes he is nothing more than a bully and other times he can be downright cruel. When he talks to George Wilson, his mistress' husband, about selling his car to him - he is simply playing with the man, since he never actually intends to do so. Tom becomes angry when Wilson tries to talk to him about it: "Very well then, I won't sell you the car at all...I'm under no obligation to you at all...and as for your bothering me about it at lunch time, I won't stand that at all!" (page 111). Tom was being extremely cruel at that moment because Wilson needed the money that would come from the car, but Tom didn't care. There are times when Tom loses his temper when people don't obey him. For example, when Myrtle Wilson started shouting Daisy's name, Tom punched her in the face, and broke her nose. Morality is one of the values that Tom preaches, but doesn't practice. He condemns the affair between Daisy and Gatsby - while he goes and cheats on his own wife!! Tom is the