The thematic lesson I received from your presentation was that “wealth and social background make up the American dream and are the fate to one’s success”. This connects thematically to the poem you chose, and I agree that the portrayal of this theme is contrasting through both authors’ writing styles. The American dream is shown through The Great Gatsby as materialism; those who have the most are closer to the dream. You explained very clearly how the language of Hughes contradicts Fitzgerald’s. Fitzgerald has a more negative tone, and is cynical to the upper class, whereas Hughes is hopeful and optimistic, as you said. I agree with both of these tonalities; however I think that exploring the language of both authors will help to decipher what makes their tones seem this way. It’s possible that both author’s views are correct about the American Dream, and they leave it up to their readers to create their own opinions about it. I wonder if it makes a difference how it comes across, maybe the way that the authors write comes from who they are as people. Was Fitzgerald cynical about most things? Was he poor? What about Hughes? It’s possible that Hughes lacks money, but also the jealousy of those who have what he wants, unlike Fitzgerald who seems bitter towards those who are more fortunate than him. Hughes is very optimistic, my favorite quote at the end of the poem, that you talked about, was “make America again!” (Hughes). It’s as if we had lost it, and he knows we can find our way back. Overall great job Stephanie!
Langston Hughes showed his true patriotic side through this poem. He voiced his opinion of what America should really be and how his views on America can have an impact on others. Hughes never saw America for what everyone gloats about; the biggest saying being 'Land of the free'. American is land of opportunity for many people who foresee having a better life and making a place to call home for themselves as well as their families. Langston sounds as if he has many questions of why America isn't really the place it's portrayed to be. He portrays it as a fantasy land that is talked about but never really exists. He also mentions that in a way (being from America or not) our roots are all the same, we all bleed the same blood. When living in another country, the main reason in my opinion why people seek voyage to America, would be freedom of some kind. But some people don't see what we see. Does freedom come at a price? Is freedom really free?
The thematic lesson I received from your presentation was that “wealth and social background make up the American dream and are the fate to one’s success”. This connects thematically to the poem you chose, and I agree that the portrayal of this theme is contrasting through both authors’ writing styles. The American dream is shown through The Great Gatsby as materialism; those who have the most are closer to the dream. You explained very clearly how the language of Hughes contradicts Fitzgerald’s. Fitzgerald has a more negative tone, and is cynical to the upper class, whereas Hughes is hopeful and optimistic, as you said. I agree with both of these tonalities; however I think that exploring the language of both authors will help to decipher what makes their tones seem this way.
ReplyDeleteIt’s possible that both author’s views are correct about the American Dream, and they leave it up to their readers to create their own opinions about it. I wonder if it makes a difference how it comes across, maybe the way that the authors write comes from who they are as people. Was Fitzgerald cynical about most things? Was he poor? What about Hughes? It’s possible that Hughes lacks money, but also the jealousy of those who have what he wants, unlike Fitzgerald who seems bitter towards those who are more fortunate than him. Hughes is very optimistic, my favorite quote at the end of the poem, that you talked about, was “make America again!” (Hughes). It’s as if we had lost it, and he knows we can find our way back. Overall great job Stephanie!
Langston Hughes showed his true patriotic side through this poem. He voiced his opinion of what America should really be and how his views on America can have an impact on others. Hughes never saw America for what everyone gloats about; the biggest saying being 'Land of the free'. American is land of opportunity for many people who foresee having a better life and making a place to call home for themselves as well as their families. Langston sounds as if he has many questions of why America isn't really the place it's portrayed to be. He portrays it as a fantasy land that is talked about but never really exists. He also mentions that in a way (being from America or not) our roots are all the same, we all bleed the same blood. When living in another country, the main reason in my opinion why people seek voyage to America, would be freedom of some kind. But some people don't see what we see. Does freedom come at a price? Is freedom really free?
ReplyDelete