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Examples Of Contradictions In The Great Gatsby

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F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby," portrays two significant contradictions that exist within the characters of the story. The first contradiction is the theme of affairs, which permeates the novel, and the second is the idea of being a gentleman, which the characters strive to embody. Symbolism and imagery are crucial in depicting these two contradictions in the novel. The theme of affairs is prevalent throughout the novel, with several characters engaging in extramarital affairs. The most significant affair is that between Gatsby and Daisy, which is at the heart of the novel. Gatsby, who is a romantic and idealistic character, is deeply in love with Daisy, even though she is married to Tom Buchanan. This affair represents a contradiction between the romantic idealism that Gatsby represents and the reality of the society in which he lives, where adultery is not condoned. …show more content…

Tom Buchanan is a wealthy man who sees himself as a gentleman, but he is arrogant and chauvinistic. Gatsby, on the other hand, embodies the gentleman ideal with his impeccable manners and style, but his past is shrouded in mystery, and he has made his fortune through illegal means. This contradiction is symbolized by Gatsby's mansion, which is grand and luxurious, but also vulgar and lacking in taste. The symbolism and imagery in the novel also highlight the contradictions between the themes of affairs and being a gentleman. The green light at the end of Daisy's dock represents Gatsby's dream of being with Daisy, but it is also a symbol of the corruption and decay that exists within the wealthy class. The billboard of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, with its all-seeing eyes, represents the moral decay and corruption that exists in society, which is a contradiction to the ideal of being a

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One way to cope with problems is to simply deny there is a problem in the first place. For example, Gatsby was impatient to Daisy when they decided to tell Tom about the affair. On the day that Daisy, Gatsby, Nick, Jordan, and Tom met up for lunch, Gatsby and Daisy agreed that she was supposed to tell Tom that she never loved him and that she was in love with Gatsby. Although, it was not true that Daisy never loved Tom. Gatsby simply wanted her to confess this to Tom because Gatsby was in denial that she could ever love anyone except for him.

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