"Evaluate The Great Gatsby as a criticism of the corruption of the American Dream."
Quoted, the American Dream is “a national ethos of the United States of America in which democratic ideals are perceived as a promise of prosperity for its people.” The American Dream is seen as a state of life thought up in the birth of the American nation, believed to be in the near-distant future and be fulfilled for all. The dream was of a land in which life would be democratic, and life richer, fuller, and with opportunity for everyone as an equal. Simply put, in the words of a famous historian, the American Dream can be summed up as "Life, Liberty and Happiness." This is the American Dream.
In the Great Gatsby, things are quite the opposite. In this book things are seen only from the New York west egg perspective. This side of town is secluded from anyone and everyone else. In the book, The Great Gatsby world centers around the image of east eggers and west eggers in New York. The time is the 1920's, and business is hopping, for those in business. The rich mingle with other wealthy civilians, and the poor dealt with being poor among those similar to them. This reality is as far as possible from an "American Dream."
The American Dream is thought to have hollowed around the time when World War I ended. This can be pinpointed to the time that stocks shot up and wealth was spread. "New money" citizens, not used to such wealth, celebrated and quickly became adapted to living the good, rich-spent life -- a little too quickly adapted. Soon, socializing became the only concern. As said in Gatsby, when people realized Gatsby wouldn't be holding any more parties, they wasted no time waiting. Even at Gatsby's funeral, none of the regular party-goers came. After all, who would want to waste time at a funeral for a man who on the surface is a man whose party you'd attend?
Surely, you'd think, that the love story between Daisy and Gatsby for a time, at least, seemed natural. However, this "love" was only skin deep. The two came from separate social statuses, as Gatsby is actually not the riches he seems to be. Gatsby, strung up on this love for Daisy, goes as far to resort to a criminal lifestyle in order to keep his parties every saturday night in order to get Daisy's attention. Daisy hordes material goods, crying at the mere sight of "beautiful shirts" flung around by Gatsby. The two, alone or together, are a corruption of the Dream.
Could this be fulfilling to the so-called, "equal, democratic, prosperous American Dream," the type of life America was expected to be? Well, it should be obvious at this point that the Great Gatsby defied this. At this time it becomes apparent that the entire point of the book was to note how the American Dream has corrupted into a society of selfish arrogant people, only concerned of their reputation and how high they are on the ladder, or how fancy or classy their lives are: an American nightmare.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Blog #24
Blog #9 -- http://www.farallones.org/e_newsletter/2006-04/LaJollaSeals.htm
This isn't my topic anymore so I see no use in how this is helpful in my project. I have no interest in the La Jolla Seal controversy and see it as very overhyped.
"There are two opposing sides on the battle of beach access rights, the ‘shared use’ group and the ‘joint use’ group. ‘Shared use’ of the beach is advocated for by those who wish the area to be secured for the seals. It involves allowing seal watching from the coastal wall and protecting the seals hauled out on the beach. Alternatively, others who wish to use the beach and water for recreation and swimming propose a ‘joint use’ policy."
It amazes me that people actually want to share the beach with the seals, and actually want to swim in the water that could potentially kill them. Not literally. But get them sick if you know what I mean.
Blog #23 -- http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/science/10patch.html
This article is all about the pacific garbage patch and hwo big it's gotten.
"Many scientists believe there is a garbage patch off the coast of Japan and another in the Sargasso Sea, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. "
This just shows how many garbage patches are in the ocean. Not just one large one, but many small ones. The extent of man's impact on the earth.
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http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2009-11-16-plastiki16_VA_N.htm
Birds, boats? of all things, boats? How could boats be affected by this garbage patch? I'd think that boats would overpower this patch. Not super interesting or helpful but still interesting somewhat. And strange.
http://www.tonic.com/article/cleaning-great-pacific-garbage-patch/
Ways to help and reverse the effects of the garbage patch, if there is a way at this point. Very relevant to my topic and helpful for my artist's statement.
This isn't my topic anymore so I see no use in how this is helpful in my project. I have no interest in the La Jolla Seal controversy and see it as very overhyped.
"There are two opposing sides on the battle of beach access rights, the ‘shared use’ group and the ‘joint use’ group. ‘Shared use’ of the beach is advocated for by those who wish the area to be secured for the seals. It involves allowing seal watching from the coastal wall and protecting the seals hauled out on the beach. Alternatively, others who wish to use the beach and water for recreation and swimming propose a ‘joint use’ policy."
It amazes me that people actually want to share the beach with the seals, and actually want to swim in the water that could potentially kill them. Not literally. But get them sick if you know what I mean.
Blog #23 -- http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/science/10patch.html
This article is all about the pacific garbage patch and hwo big it's gotten.
"Many scientists believe there is a garbage patch off the coast of Japan and another in the Sargasso Sea, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. "
This just shows how many garbage patches are in the ocean. Not just one large one, but many small ones. The extent of man's impact on the earth.
-----
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2009-11-16-plastiki16_VA_N.htm
Birds, boats? of all things, boats? How could boats be affected by this garbage patch? I'd think that boats would overpower this patch. Not super interesting or helpful but still interesting somewhat. And strange.
http://www.tonic.com/article/cleaning-great-pacific-garbage-patch/
Ways to help and reverse the effects of the garbage patch, if there is a way at this point. Very relevant to my topic and helpful for my artist's statement.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Blog #23 -- Environmental Current News
Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/science/10patch.html
A dreary article about how mankind has polluted all parts of the earth, even in the middle of the ocean. This explains how there are plastic gyres all over the ocean, the largest being in the North Pacific.
This article includes helpful pictures that gives us a visual image of what this garbage patch is like now.
The least helpful element in this article is how we can stop this, all it mentions is how horrible it is now but, as a news writing, nothing that we can do to help is mentioned.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/10/science/10patch.html
A dreary article about how mankind has polluted all parts of the earth, even in the middle of the ocean. This explains how there are plastic gyres all over the ocean, the largest being in the North Pacific.
This article includes helpful pictures that gives us a visual image of what this garbage patch is like now.
The least helpful element in this article is how we can stop this, all it mentions is how horrible it is now but, as a news writing, nothing that we can do to help is mentioned.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
war and industrialization
Shanna McCue
11/11/09
The War between Capital and Labor
“Historian Page Smith referred to a period of American industrialization as 'the war between capital and labor.' In a thoughtful essay supported by informative references to relevant history, describe the extent to which you believe this statement is an accurate portrayal of American society between 1850 and 1900.”
Personally, I believe that Page Smith's metaphor that compares American industrialization to a war between the mentioned 2 defying elements is accurate in some points, but not all. Like a war, the constant fights and disagreements were over something: In this case, at least for the most part, the disagreements were over poor working conditions, dreadfully long working hours, and low wages. The laborers acted violently and the capital side never hesitated to fire the power they have over the laborers back at them.
Aside from this, war-like qualities were shown in the decades between 1850 and 1900. Not only hundreds, perhaps thousands of people's lives lost or destroyed in some way, but millions of dollars' worth of damage was done all across America – from rioting sites to corpses strewn across American land. It was estimated that, from a single strike (The pullman strike of 1894, to be exact) there was $340,000 worth of damage (estimated $6,800,000 nowadays) caused only by one side of the war: the laborers. This single strike – a single battle – can compare and even go beyond the amount of damage done by other battles in American wars' history.
The 1886 Haymarket affair was a battle-like event very similar to a war's battle. A strike on Haymarket square, started by angry laborers that demanded an 8 hour work day. Over a thousand workers participated in the angry riot, and when an anonymous bomb blew up in the crowd, the police opened fire in the riot. Several were killed, and 8 of the anarchist leaders that took part in leading the event were tried. These men were tried and even given the death penalty after being convicted of inciting violence. Inciting violence, as in, creating and carrying out intentions to bring violence during the riot. This trait it similar to those of a general's in war.
However, I don't agree entirely with the metaphor that American industrialization was all like a war. For example, during a war, one side typically wins, after both sides suffer great losses and some wins alike. In this instance, the other side would lose terribly and have horrible debt to pay, not to mention a cruel aftermath to live through once the battles are finished. However, during the American Industrialization era, both sides managed to lose some and win some all in the end, assuming that these “sides” are the Capital side and Laborer side.
In conclusion, I find Page Smith's metaphor of the war between Capital and Labor, mostly accurate. As mentioned, most points I can see relate to each other, but other points are irrelevant and not in comparison at all.
Sources:
http://www.archaeolink.com/19th_century_american_industrial.htm
http://www.sagehistory.net/gildedage/capitalandlabor.htm
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1029.html
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0823059.html
11/11/09
The War between Capital and Labor
“Historian Page Smith referred to a period of American industrialization as 'the war between capital and labor.' In a thoughtful essay supported by informative references to relevant history, describe the extent to which you believe this statement is an accurate portrayal of American society between 1850 and 1900.”
Personally, I believe that Page Smith's metaphor that compares American industrialization to a war between the mentioned 2 defying elements is accurate in some points, but not all. Like a war, the constant fights and disagreements were over something: In this case, at least for the most part, the disagreements were over poor working conditions, dreadfully long working hours, and low wages. The laborers acted violently and the capital side never hesitated to fire the power they have over the laborers back at them.
Aside from this, war-like qualities were shown in the decades between 1850 and 1900. Not only hundreds, perhaps thousands of people's lives lost or destroyed in some way, but millions of dollars' worth of damage was done all across America – from rioting sites to corpses strewn across American land. It was estimated that, from a single strike (The pullman strike of 1894, to be exact) there was $340,000 worth of damage (estimated $6,800,000 nowadays) caused only by one side of the war: the laborers. This single strike – a single battle – can compare and even go beyond the amount of damage done by other battles in American wars' history.
The 1886 Haymarket affair was a battle-like event very similar to a war's battle. A strike on Haymarket square, started by angry laborers that demanded an 8 hour work day. Over a thousand workers participated in the angry riot, and when an anonymous bomb blew up in the crowd, the police opened fire in the riot. Several were killed, and 8 of the anarchist leaders that took part in leading the event were tried. These men were tried and even given the death penalty after being convicted of inciting violence. Inciting violence, as in, creating and carrying out intentions to bring violence during the riot. This trait it similar to those of a general's in war.
However, I don't agree entirely with the metaphor that American industrialization was all like a war. For example, during a war, one side typically wins, after both sides suffer great losses and some wins alike. In this instance, the other side would lose terribly and have horrible debt to pay, not to mention a cruel aftermath to live through once the battles are finished. However, during the American Industrialization era, both sides managed to lose some and win some all in the end, assuming that these “sides” are the Capital side and Laborer side.
In conclusion, I find Page Smith's metaphor of the war between Capital and Labor, mostly accurate. As mentioned, most points I can see relate to each other, but other points are irrelevant and not in comparison at all.
Sources:
http://www.archaeolink.com/19th_century_american_industrial.htm
http://www.sagehistory.net/gildedage/capitalandlabor.htm
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1029.html
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0823059.html
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Honors History Essay #2: The Roaring Twenties
The Roaring 20's ushered in many new changes for American society, culture, the US economy, technology and more. Describe the most significant changes during the 1920's. Support your essay with direct evidence (quotes, statistics, etc.) from relevant history texts such as Nation of Nations and A People's History of the US.
The 1920's, otherwise known as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of change in America. There were major changes in not only the economy, technology and education, but the overall lifestyle of American citizens.
Things got more lenient in the 1920's. The average hours of a job, each week, decreased from over 47/week to 42/week during this decade. With all this extra time, people spent more time engaging in activities of recreation, such as spectator sports. With this, football got big, and baseball got bigger. Stadiums were built larger to accommodate the large fan count. Ohio's state notable 64,000 seat stadium is an example of such.
The concept of "dating" took over the 19th-century tradition of courtship. Premarital intercourse became more of a talked subject (although casual sex was rarely admitted). Tea parties went out of fashion, and "petting parties" were in. Similar frilovity occurred in the younger culture of the 1920's, where teenagers in high school took part in newly created school events, such as athletics, proms and clubs. Young adults in college joined sororities and fraternities. People of all ages enjoyed the popular new thing: dancing. In the mid-20's, new dances such as the charleston and the camelwalk spread in popularity, along with the growing new sound of jazz. Jazz was a different type of music that nobody had understood before. The new music fad started when blues players from New Orleans played in Carnegie hall.
The roaring twenties was also an era for Harlem Renaissance. Starting in the early decade, this renaissance consisted of artwork, sculptures and literature created by the black American citizens, inspired by the previous "first mass movement of African Americans in history" (the Universal Negro Imporvement Association, created by Marcus Garvey, in the previous decade). These artists found their subjects for writing, sculpting and painting on the streets of cities and preindustrial cultures. The topics are seen as a pattern in the works done during this time. This renaissance was supported by a minority of white patrons, but was overall seen as an alienation from white Americans.
The 1920's, otherwise known as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of change in America. There were major changes in not only the economy, technology and education, but the overall lifestyle of American citizens.
Things got more lenient in the 1920's. The average hours of a job, each week, decreased from over 47/week to 42/week during this decade. With all this extra time, people spent more time engaging in activities of recreation, such as spectator sports. With this, football got big, and baseball got bigger. Stadiums were built larger to accommodate the large fan count. Ohio's state notable 64,000 seat stadium is an example of such.
The concept of "dating" took over the 19th-century tradition of courtship. Premarital intercourse became more of a talked subject (although casual sex was rarely admitted). Tea parties went out of fashion, and "petting parties" were in. Similar frilovity occurred in the younger culture of the 1920's, where teenagers in high school took part in newly created school events, such as athletics, proms and clubs. Young adults in college joined sororities and fraternities. People of all ages enjoyed the popular new thing: dancing. In the mid-20's, new dances such as the charleston and the camelwalk spread in popularity, along with the growing new sound of jazz. Jazz was a different type of music that nobody had understood before. The new music fad started when blues players from New Orleans played in Carnegie hall.
The roaring twenties was also an era for Harlem Renaissance. Starting in the early decade, this renaissance consisted of artwork, sculptures and literature created by the black American citizens, inspired by the previous "first mass movement of African Americans in history" (the Universal Negro Imporvement Association, created by Marcus Garvey, in the previous decade). These artists found their subjects for writing, sculpting and painting on the streets of cities and preindustrial cultures. The topics are seen as a pattern in the works done during this time. This renaissance was supported by a minority of white patrons, but was overall seen as an alienation from white Americans.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Blog #22 Organizations
San Diego Regional Water Quality Board
"Our mission at the San Diego Regional Board is developing and enforcing water quality objectives and implementing plans that will best protect the area's waters while recognizing our local differences in climate, topography, geology and hydrology.
The San Diego Regional Board is comprised of nine part-time members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The San Diego Board's "basin plan" encompasses our hydrologic areas, issuing waste discharge requirements, enforcement action against violators, and monitoring water quality.
The task of protecting and enforcing the many uses of water, including the needs of industry, agriculture, municipal districts, and the environment is an ongoing challenge for the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board."
3a. and 3b.
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/
--
Their programs that they have available.
Coastkeeper information
info@sdcoastkeeper.org
"Our mission at the San Diego Regional Board is developing and enforcing water quality objectives and implementing plans that will best protect the area's waters while recognizing our local differences in climate, topography, geology and hydrology.
The San Diego Regional Board is comprised of nine part-time members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The San Diego Board's "basin plan" encompasses our hydrologic areas, issuing waste discharge requirements, enforcement action against violators, and monitoring water quality.
The task of protecting and enforcing the many uses of water, including the needs of industry, agriculture, municipal districts, and the environment is an ongoing challenge for the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board."
3a. and 3b.
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/
--
Their programs that they have available.
Coastkeeper information
info@sdcoastkeeper.org
Blog #21 GATSBY
Gatsby and Nick are both somewhat detached from their surroundings. Compare and contrast this sense of detachment. How are they similar and/or different in this respect?
Gatsby, I believe, feels somewhat detached because he may be living a lie, noticed by Nick. he comes up with interesting ways to explain things and get out of situations, which makes him uncomfortable. In this sense he feels detached from his surroundings when he goes out to brunch/lunch with Nick.
Nick feels detached, perhaps because he doesn't know what is a lie and what's truth with Gatsby. He suspects that something is wrong with how he explains things, like how he went to Oxford college, but with other things he sounds sincere, as described in detail by Nick.
Gatsby, I believe, feels somewhat detached because he may be living a lie, noticed by Nick. he comes up with interesting ways to explain things and get out of situations, which makes him uncomfortable. In this sense he feels detached from his surroundings when he goes out to brunch/lunch with Nick.
Nick feels detached, perhaps because he doesn't know what is a lie and what's truth with Gatsby. He suspects that something is wrong with how he explains things, like how he went to Oxford college, but with other things he sounds sincere, as described in detail by Nick.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Blog #20 : Beginning the Great Gatsby
1. The narrator is Nick. He comes from a somewhat-wealthy class and attended Yale. He moves to the West Egg in New York City in a cheap (at least, cheap for that area) $80/month "eyesore" of a house. He is somewhat apologetic to new people he meets and in a way judgmental (to Tom), which contradicts what he says at the beginning of not being judgmental.
2. By having the story told in 1st person, it's more personal and flows better in a story-telling way. This is like a normal person's point of view, making the story more relatable.
2. By having the story told in 1st person, it's more personal and flows better in a story-telling way. This is like a normal person's point of view, making the story more relatable.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Blog #19 Critiquing a professional video
http://www.youtube.com/v/DEnlrE4iMBU
1. This video shows a clear message, clearly detailed and even explains what is happening in Africa, and how we can help (by donating).
2. There is really dirty water in Africa, and the water is too deep down underground to get out cheaply. Money needs to be donated to drill down and get the water for thousands of people.
3. American citizens maybe, because the words are in English and the vintage video in the beginning is an American one. Also an American website at the end.
4. It shows various pictures of the water that people in Africa are drinking, compared to pictures of clean water they could be drinking.
5. They used stop motion animation at one point. It shows a little boy "drilling" into the water and then coming up with a clean glass of water. This technique doesn't really have a point except for maybe humor or some sort of symbolism I can't really describe.
6. This work sample is different from the other works i've seen before. It included vintage videos, just music as the audio, stop motion animation, and cheery videos in Africa that you'd think would have a dark impact.
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