Great Gatsby
This enigmatic millionaire throws lavish parties but is ultimately consumed by his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan.
Who is Jay Gatsby?
Fitzgerald's belief that the American dream had been corrupted by this pursuit represented by gatsby's extravagant parties
What is material wealth
This lanky school teacher becomes obsessed with wealth and marries into a prosperous family.
Who is ichabod crane
Irving critiqued the American dream by portraying ichabod's downfall as caused by his excessive pursuit of this.
What is material wealth?
Both Fitzgerald and Irving portray the American dream as corrupted by this excessive pursuit.
What is wealth
This narrator observes the unraveling of the American dream while renting a small house next to gatsby's mansion.
Who is nick carraway
This character's inability to find fulfillment and wealth reflects Fitzgerald's critique on the American upper class
Who is Daisy Buchanan
This wealthy farmer's daughter is the object of ichabod crane's affection
Who is Katrina van tassel
The contrast between ichabod and brahmones reflects irving's skepticism about achieving the American dream through this quality alone.
What is intellect or education?
Both authors suggest that the pursuit of the American dream often leads to this negative outcome.
What is disappointment or failure
"I'd like to just get one of those pink clouds and put you in it and push you around"? was said by this character
who is daisy
Fitzgerald saw this false promise at the heart of the American dream as shown by gatsby's tragic attempt to achieve it
What is the idea of limitless success or happiness
The Headless Horseman represents this element of early American Society, clashing with the ideals of progress and rationality
What is superstition
Irving believed the American dream should be rooted in moral character, not the reckless pursuit of this.
What is status or power?
While Fitzgerald's Jay Gatsby represents the romantic pursuit of a lost love irving's ichabod crane primarily seeks this as his primary goal
What is financial security or social status
the themes throughout The Great Gatsby?
What is Society & Class
Love
Visions of America
Wealth
Memory & the Past
Dissatisfaction
Isolation
Mortality
Gender
Lies & Deceit
Education
Compassion & Forgiveness
The contrast between East egg and West egg highlights the social critique central to Fitzgerald's view of the American dream
What is class division or inequality?
Sleepy hollows eerie atmosphere contrasts with the bustling cities of irving's time, symbolizing this tension in the American dream
What is the rule versus urban divide
The chaotic and humorous conclusion of the story suggests irving's doubts about the central promise of the American dream.
What is upward mobility?
Fitzgerald presents the American dream as tied to an unattainable ideal, symbolized by this object, whereas irving's dream focuses on tangible material wealth
What is the green light
"I've been drunk for about a week now, and I thought it might sober me up to sit in a library"? was said by this character
owl eyes
Fitzgerald's portrayal of the American dream suggests that this quality represented by Gatsby is both admirable and ultimately destructive
What is ambition or idealism?
This narrator recounts the tale of Sleepy Hollow, framing it as a local legend.
Who is Dietrich knickerbocker
By framing the story as a local legend Irving critiques this idea that defines the American dream as universal
What is individualism?
While both see the American dream as flawed Fitzgerald emphasizes the dangers of excessive ambition whereas Irving highlights this obstacle to achieving the dream
What is human folly or superstition