GREAT GATSBY

A detailed Summary of GREAT GATSBY

Aristotle's definition of tragedy says that the story in question should evoke both pity and fear in the reader. The tragic character must be one who is highly renowned and prosperous. This character must also have a fall from glory. He doesn't have to die, but must have a fall from glory caused by his own fatal flaw. Two stories, which fit this definition, are The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, and The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

In The Awakening, Edna Pontellier dies because of her tragic flaw. Her tragic flaw is wanting to be free, and she does everything possible to achieve this. Mrs. Pontellier and her family are very well regarded. Mr. Pontellier supports her and the family very well, and everyone believes him to be the perfect husband. But Edna isn't happy. She doesn't want to have to conform to being the perfect mother, perfect wife, and a perfect lady. She wants to be her own woman. This is what brings about her downfall.

Her life had become very repetitious and boring. "...As we walk, move, sit, stand, go through the daily treadmill of the life which has been portioned out to us" The treadmill is symbolic of a dream, and her life. She doesnt have to think to go through her life, it's too repetiti

Committing suicide was the only way she could be free. Death sets her free. She no longer has to conform to what society wants. She doesn't have to listen to, or take care of anyone. "Edna had once told Madame Ratignolle that she would never sacrifice herself for her children, or for anyone." She realized that she had basically been sacrificing her life this whole time and death would be the only thing to set her free.

In The Great Gatsby, Gatsby himself ends up dying because of his flaw. He would have done anything to win over the woman of his dreams, Daisy. He devoted his whole life to her. He did everything he could to be near her, and impress her. He built his house close enough to her, so that he could see the green light on her dock. He threw huge parties in hopes that she would come. He was basically living a fake life, just for her.

When he tells her to come in she responds with "Don't speak to me like that again; I shall not answer you." She is standing up for herself. She winds up falling in love with Robert, and she eventually moves out of the Pontellier house, and moves into her own house, and lives there alone. She does everything she can to be free.

Edna starts to free herself form her marriage, and her life. She starts to do all the things she wants to. She has Robert teach her how to swim. She doesnt listen to Mr. Pontellier when he requests her to come inside. In fact she stands up to him.

There is also a great deal of f

Some common words found in the essay are:
Edna Pontellier, Gatsby Gatsby, Myrtle Wilson, , Daisy Daisy, Madame Ratignolle, impress daisy, living life, Awakening Gatsby, tragedy story, isn't happy, aristotle's definition, tragic flaw, feel pity, pity fear, fall glory, wasted life,

Approximate Word count = 995
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous