Exam Flashcards
How does the American Dream lead characters away from what’s important?
The American Dream ties into unrealistic expectations and makes people focused on money and professional success instead of personal success. This is shown through Gatsby and his idea that having money will make Daisy love him. It is also shown through Willy and Happy as they thinks being a salesman is all that matters.
Why is lack of awareness important when discussing dream vs. reality?
If the characters are aware of their dream and how realistic it is, they will never be let down. If Willy and Gatsby knew what they were capable of and what their full potential was, they would not be constantly disappointed by their reality.
How was Gatsby unaware of his reality? Did he want to be aware?
Gatsby was unaware of the reality that Daisy would never leave Tom for him because he doesn’t have a pedigree. He did not want to be aware because that would mean that everything he sacrificed was for no reason (Oxford and all the other things he had planned).
Daisy’s moved on from Gatsby so why keep going after it?
He did not want to be aware because that would mean that everything he sacrificed was for no reason (Oxford and all the other things he had planned).
How does Willy express his belief in the popularity accepted American Dream?
America is “the greatest country in the world”, and Biff does not succeed as a salesman, therefore his failure must be spite. Willy does not want to accept that his son is not talented because that’s a poor reflection on him.
What function do the daydreams of Willy Loman serve?
They represent his dream, and his attempt to escape from his reality.
The pressure to make good in a country that supposedly offers the opportunity to do so. Explain this.
Unrealistic expectations and the reality of the dreams that people set out to achieve.
Willy Loman commits suicide because of the pressure, whereas Gatsby is complicit in his death which is it’s own kind of suicide. DO NOT BE A VICTIM OF YOUR OWN FANTASY.
Jack’s outlook on things is based on tangible things. Explain.
Jack did his last fight because he knew he was getting too old to fight anymore. Also, he bet against himself because he knew that if the fight was fair, he would’ve lost. Jack tries to make the most out of his reality, which is something Willy and Gatsby can’t do.
What corrupted the American Dream and what has the corruption produced?
The idea that we are all supposed to be wealthy had created an emphasis on materialism that undermined the concept of equal opportunity.
The existence of WE and EE depended on the existence of the VA
What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize?
Emotional bankruptcy and spiritual emptiness.
Why must attention be payed to Willy?
He is a hero.
He has personal success.
He just wants his boys to do well but to him doing well mens making money and that’s what his kids are trying to tell him, that money isn’t everything.
What does Daisy represent?
Money
What does Daisy’s voice represent?
Her voice is “full of money” and so her voice represents the appeal of money.
What does Gatsby represent?
The United States
Is it worth the sacrifice or is sacrificing the thing he desires most the better option? (SSOS)
Sacrifice is a part of the human experience. In Sydney’s case, it is better to sacrifice the thing he desires most because trying to be like JJ hunsecker is sacrificing his dignity and morals.
