Both versions have similarities, but at the same time those similarities contrast both movies to show just how different they really are. The original sets a guideline for the plotline, scenes, and characters, but the remake of the movie added its own twist on those three categories. Another difference, and probably the most drastic, is the differences in the portrayals of the characters. In the original, the main character seemed to focus more on the production and magnitude of the movie he is producing. The main character was focused on making a movie that people will remember, rather than making a movie to get him rich.
F. Scott Fitzgerald uses this to describe American life as an illusion of prosperity instead of the traditional place where dreams are made. Fitzgerald’s own experience of failing to achieve the American Dream gave him a greater understanding of the American Dream as a fake, and helped him to skillfully write his greatest work, The Great Gatsby. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, carelessness results from extravagant lifestyles, and happiness is never achieved, which shows the American Dream is a fake and does not actually exist. Most of the characters in the novel live rich and expensive lives. Parties, selfishness, disdain for material wealth, and other careless aspects are what result from these lives.
Essentially we see the use of Octavia by Caesar as a political tool from which Caesar is able to create a ‘win win’ situation for himself. We can assume Caesar is well aware of the fact Antony would despite a marriage with Octavia, run back to Cleopatra hence it becomes very clear that Caesar saw the opportunity to form a marriage alliance with Antony and his sister as if Antony was to stay faithful to her, Caesar would gain an extremely powerful alliance and if he were to betray Octavia, there would be a viable reason for Caesar to declare war with Antony and essentially gain power by removing Antony from the Triumvirate. We see this as an explicit example of Caesars lack of compassion for his close family and friends but also a sign of his ruthlessness. Caesar claims Octavia is “abused beyond the mark of thought” however to some degree we can blame Caesar for this abuse and henceforth deem Caesar’s desire for power as the source of Octavia’s suffering. Gordon Ross expands on this idea in ‘The Melting of Authority in Antony and Cleopatra’ where he states Caesar “Ruthlessly pursues power, even to the
Contrary to his unwavering independence in technique and style Spike Lee has taken on the challenge of film remake. Remaking a movie is always tricky, particularly when the original has an already strong following. The 2013 remake of the Past Chan-wook’s classic, Old Boy had Lee’s critics wondering why he engaged in such a dark film. When Chan-wook’s Old Boy hit theatres in 2003, it was praised for its unique structure, it’s magnificent and action packed fight scenes, and it’s visual flair, making Spike Lee a very bold choice to adapt the film for an American audience. It’s not a shot for shot remake of the original or the 2003 version, but like Chan-wook’s version, it’s graphic so don’t watch this on a fall stomach.
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.
Who would have suspected that the man to succeed Woodrow Wilson, America's most visionary President, would be a man who some considered one of the worst? Decidedly conservative on trade and economic issues, Harding favored pro-business government policies. He allowed Andrew Mellon to push through tax cuts for the rich, stopped antitrust actions, and opposed organized labor. Harding knew little about foreign affairs when he assumed office, preferring to give Secretary of State Hughes a free hand. Hughes was concerned with securing foreign markets for wealthy American banks, such as the one run by John
These two projects became the key issues of the elections. The main difference between them was that in Roosevelt’s the government should control the bad trust, leaving the good one alone and free to operate while Wilson’s objective was to break up all trust and basically shun social-welfare proposals. Wilson won manly because the Republican party devided, because of this he’s also called a Minority President. During his ministry he tackled the “triple wall of privilege”: the tariff, the banks and the trusts. This benefited the American public.
The Vulgar, the Cheap, and the Tawdry: What was the Hays Code and how did Filmmakers get around it Film as an art form suffered what could have been a severe setback from the reign of the Motion Picture Production Code (more commonly referred to as the Hays Code.) Hollywood used the Hays Code from 1930 until 1968 as a way to sort of self police itself. The code protected the industry from government or other outside intervention but sacrificed the artists and their visions. Luckily for cinephiles these artists found numerous and ingenious ways around this. Filmmakers’ subverted the censorship of the hays code through story implications and film techniques.
The adage, “History repeats itself” may seem hackneyed but it is indeed true. Many instances of history show that the powerful can do what they wish. The Monroe Doctrine and the dropping of the Atomic Bomb are just a few of the instances. The strong can do what they wish because they use their wealth, social status, and military prowess to manipulate others. For example, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby, Tom and Daisy ruthlessly ruin other people’s lives; however, their wealth and high social rank allow them to avoid punishment.
Through Fitzgerald's dealings with high society, readers are shown how modern values have transformed the American Dream's pure ideals into a scheme for materialistic power and further, how the world of high society lacks any sense of morals or consequence. Money is clearly identified as the main culprit in the dream's betrayal. It becomes easily entangled with hope and success and replacing their positions in the American Dream with materialism. This is shown through Gatsby's use of illegal practices and underground connections to make money. The story takes place during the time of prohibition and Gatsby has profited greatly from selling liquor illegally.