Holden explores the concept of relationships through the similar attitudes displayed towards popular society and his repulsion of their values. Holden is seen throughout the novel to have difficulty accepting people due to their pretentious nature and expresses this through the constant use of the word “phony.” “…very phony, Ivy League voices, one of those very tried, snobby voices” this quote by Holden displays his criticism of middle to upper class America. Holden’s relationship with his own parents is one that he deems
Even from the opening of the play the Birlings are presented as a selfish middle/upper class family with friends, Gerald, also of high class, so they fit their stereo type for their social status. One of the main methods priestly uses to present the selfishness of the family is dramatic irony; it is used throughout the play and in Mr Birlings speeches particularly dramatic irony is used strongly which priestly uses to show how selfish Mr Birling is and used to humiliate people like the birlings, and by seeing the birlings being able to relate to them and seeing how you really are. In the play we see sheilas lack of consideration for working class people we see this when she gets eva smith fired because she didn’t like the way she was looking
On one level The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald comments on the careless gaiety and moral decadence of the period in which it was set. It contains innumerable references to the contemporary scene. The wild extravagance of Gatsby's parties, the shallowness and aimlessness of the guests and the hint of Gatsby's involvement in crime all identify the period and the American setting. But as a piece of social commentary The Great Gatsby also describes the failure of the American dream, from the point of view that American political ideals conflict with the actual social conditions that exist. For whereas American democracy is based on the idea of equality among people, the truth is that social discrimination still exists and the divisions among the classes cannot be overcome.
Both Jack and Algernon are admired by two young ladies who mistakenly believe the men's names to be Ernest, and who adore the men for this very reason. In relating the story of mix-ups and mistaken identities, the ideals and manners of the Victorian society are satirized in a comedy where the characters "treat all the trivial things of life seriously and all the serious things of life with sincere and studied triviality" (Wilde back cover), in the words of the author himself. Oscar Wilde’s comical scenes often take their source in social satire and non-conformism (Baselga 15). Throughout his play, In The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde satirizes education, women, and morality. Oscar Wilde satirizes the British education by using Lady Bracknell.
The Great Gatsby compared to The Roaring Twenties The Great Gatsby and the Roaring Twenties are two sets of literature that are based on money and class disparity. If you don’t have money then you don’t really have anything in common, but if you aren’t in the same class, then you definitely don’t have anything in common. F. Scott Fitzgerald and Kenn Allen both use foreshadowing, symbolism and setting to show the importance of wealth, while living in the 1920’s. In the Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald foreshadows that something bad will happen from people’s carelessness and greed. He writes, ”Her voice was filled with money” (Fitzgerald, P. 187) referring to Daisy talking with the other townspeople.
Because people are making fun of his nose he is able to provide witty humor that makes the book become a comedy. Valvert says “Ah…your nose…hem!...Your nose is…rather large!” “Rather” “Oh well” “Is that all” “Well of course.”(35-36 Act 1) But Cyrano does not leave it like this he replies by insulting Valvert and ultimately making him angry by telling him all the better insults that he could have had. He threw it right back in his face by making it a joke. Throughout the story comedy like this occurs and that is why I believe it is a
Marxism identifies the inequality in Porphyria’s Lover through sociological symbols. This is seen in ‘Porphyria's’ bourgeois characterisation through her attire. ‘Withdrew the dripping coat and shawl/and laid her soiled gloves untied...’, adheres ‘Porphyria’ to the description of aristocratic Victorians due to the luxurious imagery. Furthermore, Browning’s archaic sociolect, such as the noun ‘shawl’ instead of scarf, adds elegance to the figure enhancing her high echelon image. ‘Porphyria’s’ middle class characterisation is heightened as she is arriving from a ‘gay feast’; demonstrating a precise impediment within their relationship, as feasts were only approved by lower classes on festival days.
Although the two novels share a common theme, the authorial purposes contrast in nature. Both Steinbeck and Fitzgerald depict the illusion of the American Dream; Steinbeck however conveys the belief that American society in the early 20th century severely retards individuals’ opportunity of attaining the American Dream. Fitzgerald focuses on expressing his disdain toward the wealthy, and uncovers the downside of the extravagant lifestyle the rich possess. Nonetheless, Of Mice and Men and The Great Gatsby encompass the fallacy of the American Dream and tell a story of desperate individuals struggling to capture a dream just out of reach. Throughout The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald consistently uses characterization to provide an in depth view of the characters in the story.
28) In this confrontation the difference between the social classes are shown. It shows how Tom looks down on gorge just because he is poor, and how Tom thinks that because he has a higher social status and because he is rich has the power to treat him badly. Tom’s self center and prepotent attitude is shown in the dialogue, and thus representing the moral and social decay that the wealthy people had due to their excesses. In conclusion Fitzgerald exclude the middle class as a critique to the extremes in the social classes, because he wanted to show the contrast between them and the repercussions the social class had on the characters. Through the novel the duality between the rich and the poor is always present, and the effects of the extremes and the insatiable aim of wealth is represented by the valley of ashes.
Money is also a factor in Shylock’s lust for revenge. The casket test is also symbolic of the power of money and wealth. The two rich people (Morocco and Arragon) fail to win Portia’s hand in marriage because they choose the caskets symbolic of wealth and superiority (gold and silver). Bassanio chooses the lead casket and wins Portia’s love despite being quite poor. To me this shows that the message of the play is: ‘All that glisters is not gold’ The play ends on a happy note, in Belmont where love finally wins over money.