Assignment Question
Topic for Paper Three Compare and contrast Jay Gatsby and Charles Foster Kane. The general topic of the paper is: (1) the American dreams of Jay Gatsby and Charles Foster Kane in Citizen Kane in terms of three issues that relate to Jay Gatsby and Kane. Examples: 1. Title: Charles Foster Kane and Jay Gatsby Share a Fatal Flaw of Blindness about Failure Thesis example: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane have heroes with great faith in their American dream and a fatal incapacity to accept their failure. Conclusion: In conclusion, Kane and Gatsby share a great capacity to achieve objectives, but they cannot see their failure. 2. Title: The Great Gatsby and Citizen Kane’s Heroes: Their Fatal Flaw of Self Knowledge Thesis example: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane create dreamers who have a vast reservoir to achieve and accomplish, but whose lack of self-insight is a tragic flaw. Conclusion: In conclusion, Gatsby and Kane fail to see that their dreams send them in directions away from the love they truly need. Please look at Paper Three: Sample Student Paper. It will be contrasting and comparing Kane and Gatsby to analyze them in terms of three things, such as fortune, power, love, solitude, friendship, or women. Use two new quotes from The Great Gatsby [the quotes from the novel must be from the novel, not a film of The Great Gatsby, and two quotes from Citizen Kane [four quotes in total]. The quotes from Citizen Kane must be from the film. Add one quote from an outside source for the novel and one additional quote from an outside source for the film. How many quotes in total? Six quotes: The novel: two quotes from the novel and one quote from an outside source= 3 quotes The film: two quotes from the film and one quote from an outside source= 3 quotes Total quotes? Six quotes. Planning Consider that your paper is about The Great Gatsby and Citizen Kane, so the overall idea of your paper, its opening thesis statement of the paper, and the overall conclusion should be about both dreamers. Note how to phrase the introduction of the novel and the film Citizen Kane in your thesis: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane [verb of your choice]…. Examples: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane are about great dreamers who mix up their pursuit of dreams with their true happiness. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane share heroes whose ideal of love is divorced from the reality of the lovers they pursue. How are papers evaluated? Six Evaluation Criteria Elements of Organization, Methods of Development, Modes of Order, Transitions, Editing and Proofreading, MLA Standards Sample Outline with Examples of Five Key Sentences Opening PP: 5-10 sentences. Thesis, three organizing sentences, statement of significance Example of a thesis: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane have heroes with great faith in their American dream and a fatal incapacity to accept their failure. 2. First body PP: 20 sentences. Take an issue that Kane and Gatsby share. Analyze how they are similar and different. Example? Choose the issue of love and how they are similar and different in terms of love.. Example of a topic sentence for body PP 1: First, Gatsby and Kane share a great strength of will and ambition to create immense fortunes and power that ironically undermine them. Second body PP: 20 sentences. Take a second issue, and apply it analytically using comparison and contrast to the two heroes.]
Answer
Introduction
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby” and Orson Welles’ film “Citizen Kane” are quintessential works of American literature and cinema that delve deep into the complexities of the American dream through their respective protagonists, Jay Gatsby and Charles Foster Kane. This paper aims to undertake a comprehensive comparative analysis of these two iconic characters, examining their experiences in terms of three crucial aspects: fortune, power, and love. Both Gatsby and Kane are characterized by an unwavering belief in their American dreams, yet they are tragically hindered by their fatal flaws, preventing them from accepting the inevitability of failure. This analysis will shed light on the intricacies and illusions that surround the pursuit of the American dream.
The Pursuit of Fortune
Gatsby and Kane’s relentless pursuit of immense fortunes is a striking parallel in their narratives. Gatsby’s grandiose parties and mysterious wealth are fueled by his unshakable determination to win back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. As Fitzgerald writes, “He knew that when he kissed this girl, and forever wed his unutterable visions to her perishable breath, his mind would never romp again like the mind of God” (Fitzgerald, 98). Gatsby’s accumulation of wealth is intrinsically tied to his aspiration to recapture the love he lost. In contrast, Charles Foster Kane’s financial success and media empire are emblematic of his relentless pursuit of power and influence. In “Citizen Kane,” the character Jedediah Leland remarks, “You know, Mr. Bernstein, if I hadn’t been very rich, I might have been a really great man” (Welles, 1941). Kane’s wealth is an instrument of control and domination, reflecting his aspiration for power rather than love. Both men display a willingness to go to great lengths to amass wealth, but their motivations differ significantly, with Gatsby’s fortune intricately linked to his pursuit of love, while Kane’s wealth is a means to achieve power and control.
The Illusion of Power
Gatsby and Kane share the tragic misconception that power equates to happiness. Gatsby’s infatuation with Daisy leads him to believe that accumulating wealth and social status will win her love and, ultimately, bring him happiness. However, his relentless pursuit of this illusion results in his tragic downfall. In “The Great Gatsby,” Nick Carraway, the novel’s narrator, observes, “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther” (Fitzgerald, 180). Gatsby’s obsession with the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolizes his unattainable dream of love and happiness. Similarly, Charles Foster Kane’s fixation on his media empire and political ambitions blinds him to the genuine sources of happiness and love. Kane’s character himself utters the famous line, “Rosebud,” as a representation of his misguided pursuit of power and material possessions (Welles, 1941). Both characters become ensnared by their own success, believing that power is the ultimate path to fulfillment. However, their journeys poignantly reveal the emptiness of such pursuits, as they find themselves isolated and unfulfilled.
The Elusive Nature of Love
Gatsby and Kane both grapple with a shared misconception regarding love. Gatsby idealizes Daisy as the embodiment of his American dream, leading him to pursue her relentlessly. Yet, their relationship is built upon illusions and unattainable ideals, and Gatsby fails to realize that love cannot be won through extravagant parties and material wealth. As Fitzgerald writes, “There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams—not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion” (Fitzgerald, 92). Gatsby’s romantic obsession with Daisy blinds him to the genuine love he craves. Similarly, Charles Foster Kane’s multiple failed marriages and tumultuous personal life exemplify his inability to find authentic love and happiness despite his immense power and wealth. He consistently confuses love with control and dominance, failing to recognize that his wealth cannot replace genuine emotional connection. Both characters mistake the object of their affection for the source of their happiness, ultimately leading them away from true love and emotional fulfillment.
The Isolation of Solitude
Beyond the realms of fortune, power, and love, another striking similarity between Gatsby and Kane is their experience of solitude. Despite their extravagant lifestyles and social circles, both characters grapple with profound loneliness. Gatsby’s ostentatious parties, attended by countless guests, are a façade to hide his underlying isolation. Fitzgerald portrays this loneliness when Nick Carraway reflects, “There was loneliness in his luxury, and his career was haunted by the relentless, beating question of what it amounted to” (Fitzgerald, 96). Gatsby’s extravagant lifestyle and constant pursuit of Daisy isolate him from genuine human connection.
Similarly, Charles Foster Kane, despite his immense wealth and influence, finds himself increasingly isolated as he becomes more consumed by power. His newspaper empire and political endeavors serve to isolate him from those he once held dear. Kane’s close associate, Jedediah Leland, observes, “You’re right, I did lose a million dollars last year. I expect to lose a million dollars this year. I expect to lose a million dollars next year. You know, Mr. Bernstein, if I hadn’t been very rich, I might have been a really great man” (Welles, 1941). Kane’s relentless pursuit of power leads to estrangement from his closest confidantes, deepening his isolation.
The Ephemeral Nature of Friendship
Friendship, or rather the lack thereof, is another aspect where Gatsby and Kane exhibit parallel characteristics. Gatsby’s quest to regain Daisy’s love overshadows his ability to forge genuine friendships. His parties are filled with acquaintances but lack true friends. Nick Carraway, his closest connection in the novel, maintains a distant relationship with Gatsby, unable to penetrate the facade of wealth and illusions surrounding him.
Similarly, Kane’s ascent to power and wealth leaves him with few genuine friends. His pursuit of success and control often puts him at odds with those around him. As his empire grows, the loyalty of his inner circle dwindles. The relationship between Kane and Jedediah Leland, once a close friend, sours as Kane’s ambition takes precedence. Leland’s ultimate departure from Kane’s life underscores the ephemeral nature of friendship in the face of relentless ambition and power.
The Role of Women
In both narratives, women play pivotal yet complex roles. Gatsby and Kane share a tendency to idealize and objectify women, ultimately to their detriment. Gatsby’s infatuation with Daisy goes beyond love; he perceives her as a symbol of the American dream itself. His idealized image of her prevents him from seeing her flaws or understanding her desires. Daisy, in this context, becomes a symbol of unattainable perfection.
Kane, on the other hand, has complicated relationships with women throughout his life, as portrayed in his marriages and affairs. His pursuit of women is often intertwined with his desire for power and control, leading to strained relationships and, ultimately, isolation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” and Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane” provide profound insights into the American dream through the lenses of their iconic characters, Jay Gatsby and Charles Foster Kane. These two individuals, while sharing an unyielding faith in their American dreams, are tragically hampered by their fatal flaws. Gatsby and Kane’s relentless pursuit of fortune, their misguided quest for power, and their misunderstanding of love serve as powerful cautionary tales, illustrating the intricate complexities and pitfalls of the American dream. Despite their remarkable capacity to achieve objectives, both men tragically fail to recognize their ultimate failure in achieving genuine happiness and fulfillment. Their stories remind us of the illusions that can ensnare those who chase the elusive American dream without a genuine understanding of its true essence. Through the juxtaposition of Gatsby and Kane, we gain a profound understanding of the blurred line between aspiration and delusion in the pursuit of the American dream.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who are Jay Gatsby and Charles Foster Kane?
Jay Gatsby is a fictional character from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby,” while Charles Foster Kane is a fictional character from Orson Welles’ film “Citizen Kane.” Both characters are iconic figures in American literature and cinema.
What is the main focus of the comparison between Gatsby and Kane?
The comparison primarily focuses on three key aspects: fortune, power, and love, and how these themes are portrayed in the lives of Jay Gatsby and Charles Foster Kane.
How do Gatsby and Kane pursue fortune differently?
Jay Gatsby’s pursuit of fortune is intricately tied to his desire to win back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan, while Charles Foster Kane seeks power and influence through his newspaper empire and financial success.
How do Gatsby and Kane view power and its relationship to happiness?
Both Gatsby and Kane mistakenly believe that power equates to happiness. Gatsby believes that accumulating wealth and social status will win him the love he seeks, while Kane’s pursuit of power isolates him from true happiness.
