How Does Shakespeare Present Internal Conflict In The Great Gatsby
Compare and Contrast how Fitzgerald and Shakespeare present Internal Conflict in order to progress the plot in "Othello" and "The Great Gatsby". How far do you agree that Wilde uses a lack of Internal Conflict to achieve the same effect?"
In literature the theme of internal conflict is explored in a variety of ways, specifically through; asides, monologues and the use of the first person. “Othello” does this very well in that it has many asides and is a play, therefore internal emotions can be easily seen, and it also fits in with the time period as this is one that has been heavily romanticised, Shakespeare also moves the plot through these conflicting emotions in that they directly affect other characters and are the catalyst needed to create an interesting plot line. In contrast, “A Woman of no Importance” has a lack of internal conflict which is very unusual in the love genre; however Oscar Wilde could have been using it to show the wrongs with society, he also does it in such a way that it progresses the plot line, and strengthen his attack upon Victorian society. F.Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby” has a lot of internal conflict which is shown through the use of the first person and the reflective tone that is used throughout the book; Fitzgerald also personifies this in some of his characters, whilst all the while progressing …show more content…
the story with clever oxymoron’s and juxtapositions..
Throughout all these texts we see internal emotions and conflicts develop or become less evident, this happens as we learn more about the characters
and as the plot line becomes clearer. The time periods affect the conflicts as certain constraints of society are evident in both “Othello” and “A woman of No Importance”, whereas these are less evident and less important in “The Great Gatsby.
In “The Great Gatsby” by F.Scott Fitzgerald, characters are often used in order to personify the narrator’s (Nick Carraway’s) opposing views of modern 20’s life, Jordan Baker for example, is portrayed as beautiful and witty, however she is also a lie and a cheat; “Her wan, scornful mouth smiled,”. This is a perfect example of the conflicting emotions Nick has, the clever juxtaposition of the words shows the two sides of Jordan; the side nick loves in that she “smiles”, and the side that he can see is more dastardly in the description of her mouth, described as “wan, scornful”. Jordan is used here as a way for Fitzgerald to have a physical representation of the conflicting emotions regarding 20’s life. I have gained some critical material from spark-notes (1) that supports my point perfectly, “This inner conflict is symbolized throughout the book by Nick’s romantic affair with Jordan Baker. He is attracted to her vivacity and her sophistication just as he is repelled by her dishonesty and her lack of consideration for other people.” The fact that this is a novel in the first person helps the reader understand these confused emotions, this is due to the fact that Nick speaks about both sides of his feelings for Jordan, therefore the message is clear to the reader.
In literature the theme of internal conflict is explored in a variety of ways, specifically through; asides, monologues and the use of the first person. “Othello” does this very well in that it has many asides and is a play, therefore internal emotions can be easily seen, and it also fits in with the time period as this is one that has been heavily romanticised, Shakespeare also moves the plot through these conflicting emotions in that they directly affect other characters and are the catalyst needed to create an interesting plot line. In contrast, “A Woman of no Importance” has a lack of internal conflict which is very unusual in the love genre; however Oscar Wilde could have been using it to show the wrongs with society, he also does it in such a way that it progresses the plot line, and strengthen his attack upon Victorian society. F.Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby” has a lot of internal conflict which is shown through the use of the first person and the reflective tone that is used throughout the book; Fitzgerald also personifies this in some of his characters, whilst all the while progressing …show more content…
the story with clever oxymoron’s and juxtapositions..
Throughout all these texts we see internal emotions and conflicts develop or become less evident, this happens as we learn more about the characters
and as the plot line becomes clearer. The time periods affect the conflicts as certain constraints of society are evident in both “Othello” and “A woman of No Importance”, whereas these are less evident and less important in “The Great Gatsby.
In “The Great Gatsby” by F.Scott Fitzgerald, characters are often used in order to personify the narrator’s (Nick Carraway’s) opposing views of modern 20’s life, Jordan Baker for example, is portrayed as beautiful and witty, however she is also a lie and a cheat; “Her wan, scornful mouth smiled,”. This is a perfect example of the conflicting emotions Nick has, the clever juxtaposition of the words shows the two sides of Jordan; the side nick loves in that she “smiles”, and the side that he can see is more dastardly in the description of her mouth, described as “wan, scornful”. Jordan is used here as a way for Fitzgerald to have a physical representation of the conflicting emotions regarding 20’s life. I have gained some critical material from spark-notes (1) that supports my point perfectly, “This inner conflict is symbolized throughout the book by Nick’s romantic affair with Jordan Baker. He is attracted to her vivacity and her sophistication just as he is repelled by her dishonesty and her lack of consideration for other people.” The fact that this is a novel in the first person helps the reader understand these confused emotions, this is due to the fact that Nick speaks about both sides of his feelings for Jordan, therefore the message is clear to the reader.