The Lost Generation writers of the 1920s Task 1

The Lost Generation writers of the 1920s

Task 1

1.American modernism, much like the modernism movement in general, is a trend of philosophical thought arising from the widespread changes in culture and society in the age of modernity. American modernism is an artistic and cultural movement in the United States beginning at the turn of the 20th century, with a core period between World War I and World War II. Like its European counterpart, American modernism stemmed from a rejection of Enlightenment thinking, seeking to better represent reality in a new, more industrialized world.

2.The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society where upward mobility is possible for everyone. The American Dream is achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work, rather than by chance.

3.In literature, the "Lost Generation" refers to a group of writers and poets who were men and women of this period. All were American, but several members emigrated to Europe. The most famous members were Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and T. S. Eliot.

4.The Lost Generation made an impact on society because the writings that came out of this period showed the effects war has on people. War was a terrible hing that made men lose their masculinity, gave people a sense of disillusionment, and made people want to return to a simpler, idealistic past. In their writings, the authors of this generation shed light on some of society's flaws- such as extravagant spending and excessive drinking. These works of literature confirmed that most people affected by the war and its destruction were lost souls. In addition, many of these works have been highly acclaimed and read for many years- and are considered classics today.

Task 2

1. Characters in The Great Gatsby

Nick Carraway—our narrator, but not the book's main character.

Jay Gatsby—a self-made man who is driven by his love for, and obsession with, Daisy Buchanan.

Daisy Buchanan—a very rich young woman who is trapped in a dysfunctional marriage and oppressed by her meaningless life. Daisy has an affair with Gatsby.

Tom Buchanan—Daisy's very rich, adulterous, bullying, racist husband.

Jordan Baker—a professional golfer who has a relationship with Nick.

Myrtle Wilson—the somewhat vulgar wife of a car mechanic who is unhappy in her marriage.

George Wilson—Myrtle's browbeaten, weak, and working class husband.

2.Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

Gatsby’s Mansion

Gatsby’s grand and lavish mansion symbolizes his high lifestyle. It also shows the inner conflict of Gatsby and foreshadows his loneliness hidden behind his lavish estate.

The Green Light

The green light pops up many times in the novel and represents Gatsby’s dream and hope. It also represents everything that haunts him and takes him to the past.

Another symbol we see in the novel is the eyes of T. J Eckleberg. These are faded bespectacled eyes printed on the billboard over the ‘valley of ashes’. The eyes represent the commercialism which is the backbone of the American dream.

Green Color

Just like the Green Light, Green color runs throughout the novel. It universally represents vitality, wealth and growth. In the novel, green stands for Gatsby’s hope and short life.

Clock / Time

The clock in the novel symbolizes the passage of time that has passed and the moments Gatsby wants back. He wins the high living standards to rewind the clock to the times, change what happened between him and Daisy.

3.Like Nick, Gatsby comes from the Midwest (North Dakota, although his father later comes from Minnesota). Early in the book, he is established as a dreamer who is charming, gracious, and a bit mysterious. As the story unfolds, however, the reader learns more and more what precipitates the mystery: that everything he has done in his adult life has been with the sole purpose of fulfilling the most unrealistic of dreams — to recapture the past. Gatsby is in many ways, as the title suggests, great, but when looking at him critically, some of the things he stands for may not be so admirable.

Daisy is The Great Gatsby's most enigmatic, and perhaps most disappointing, character. Although Fitzgerald does much to make her a character worthy of Gatsby's unlimited devotion, in the end she reveals herself for what she really is. Despite her beauty and charm, Daisy is merely a selfish, shallow, and in fact, hurtful, woman. Gatsby loves her (or at least the idea of her) with such vitality and determination that readers would like, in many senses, to see her be worthy of his devotion. Although Fitzgerald carefully builds Daisy's character with associations of light, purity, and innocence, when all is said and done, she is the opposite from what she presents herself to be.

Task 3

1. The analysis of selected writings of the lost generation authors proves the connection between The Great Gatsby and The Sun Also Rises. They deal with similar lifestyles of the main characters. During the few weeks of the characters lives nothing change, beginning is very similar to the end of the novel. The main theme of The Lost Language of Cranes is different but the theme of 'being lost' could be found there as well.

2. I found parallel between the characters' , American's, problems, lifestyle, psychic isolation and the most important, the background of their lives.