The debate of whether or not Nabokov's novel is in fact anti-American can be, to an extent, attributed to our perceptions of Humbert. Some observers would argue that Humbert, as a Swiss citizen but of French-Austrian descent, is representative of the Old Europe, a traveler who corrupts the American Dream through his entrapment, possession, rape and coercion of Dolores. In this instance Dolores represents the American Dream through her youth, innocence (although this itself has been vociferously debated) and slavish love to all modern conveniences. Critics might also suggest that Humbert's savage criticism of Americana through his derision of Dolores is a further sleight on the land of the free. However, Humbert's lyrical rapture over the great American landscape (as well its the banal motels) suggest there is more than just a passing affection for America.
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.
The Great Gatsby may appear to be a simple tragic romance, however this may not have been the case had the aspect of social status not come into play. Social status, or class, played a large role in corrupting the original idea of the American Dream in the story of The Great Gatsby. With the goal to gain the attention from Daisy Buchanan and the East, Jay Gatsby experiences love, tragedy and moral struggle throughout the novel, resulting in the harsh reality that social class is distinguished by more than just wealth. The Great Gatsby teaches a fine lesson on how money cannot buy happiness and therefore, cannot buy love. In the beginning, very little is known about the life of Gatsby but the reader is quickly introduced to his goal of gaining the attention and ultimate love from the woman which he claims to be
The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception is a critique of popular culture by critical theorists Theodore Adorno and Max Horkheimer. This reading is a look into the development and organization of the culture industry as a tool of mass control and conditioning. For Horkheimer and Adorno, the culture industry was basically what we refer to today as popular culture. However, to them culture was only genuinely popular when the people had actually produced it, not just consumed it. Simply put, the culture industry is a factory that mass-produces inadequate cultural goods.
Another way in which Birling tried to make himself seem important by mentioning his connections with influential people – playing gold with the ‘Chief inspector.’ The Inspector is used within ‘An Inspector Calls’ is used to express the views and opinions of JB Priestley, as he contrasts/threatens Arthur Birling’s middle class values (the reputation of his company, his important connections). Arthur Birling reacts to these views ‘(angrily)’ and ‘(savagely)’. This then shows the selfishness of Arthur’s personality. Another sign of Arthur Birling being selfish would be that he dismisses the idea of social responsibility – a
Both the text 1984 and the film V for Vendetta are satires that criticize humanity, society, and individual thought. Orwell and Brothers both make an effort to criticize each of their government’s practice of manipulation. For example, “Ignorance is Strength” sheds light on the oxymoronic messages the government expresses that manipulate their people. It shows that the government wants people to be ignorant and not to second think their actions or what is being fed to their minds, particularly. Thereby, it makes the government superior and in control of what people know about itself, its affairs, and even what they know about themselves.
Marchand is implying that the retailers are convincing the consumers that to be a part of American society, buying these products is necessary, no matter what social class they belong to. Solomon points out a similar view about influencing the American consumer. He contends, “American companies manufacture status symbols because American consumers want them” (162). Solomon is suggesting that the American consumer wants products that can set them apart from the rest of society when
The basis of the moral judgments made by Samuel Adams and Thomas Hutchinson is presupposed by the fact that they acted with other Patriots for greater good, as British Parliament did not have to raise taxes and result in such struggle between Britain and American colony. They wanted to lower taxes and make the life of people more prosperous and safe. Dolan stated that one of the most hated taxes of all was contained in a law passed in 1767. Due to the present tax Americans had to pay huge
He then explains that his duty will be to catch any child who starts to go over the cliff. With this in mind, Salinger creates this image of children falling off the cliff to symbolize them losing their innocence; therefore explaining Holden’s desire to save them. In addition to wanting to be the catcher in the rye, Holden displays his appreciation for innocence when he is truly disturbed by profanity on a school wall. He anxiously wonders what Phoebe and the other kids would think if they saw it and fears that its meaning would be unfolded by an older kid. Holden is so enraged by the profanity that he exclaims, “I kept wanting to kill whoever’d written it” (201).
The variability in prices in the market was due to the business practices of speculators, who used their abundant resources to manipulate prices to their advantages. This led to more extreme booms and busts and overall hardships for the average American. This was perceived as an oppressive system and led to the growth of new economic theories promoted by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels who called the dissolution of custom, tradition and morality “in the icy waters of egotistical calculation” the reason for humanities