So we watched "Citizen Kane" in class the other day. Good movie, very deep. Lots of interesting angles and symbols.
But what does it have to do with "The Great Gatsby?" I mean, I understand the obvious connection between the crazy, declining millionaires, but beyond that, what is their connection? The two tales are of very different subject. "Gatsby" is a tale of longing for a person, of a relationship that Gatsby could never have. "Kane" was about a millionaire who was happily married not once, but twice. Kane longs for his childhood, which was taken from him. Gatsby longs for Daisy, with whom he screwed up his relationship.
I just don't really understand why the connection. We usually avoid the obvious and dive in to the subtle, but the only connection I see is obvious... any help B'Oconnolos?
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The "differences" you point out are superficial, and actually act as similarities.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Kane and Gats are different stories, having different characters/plot/details, the differences are still metaphors for the same things. Gatsby may be in pursuit of Daisy while Kane is in pursuit of his childhood, but Daisy is a person from his youth/past who he no longer relates to, and both characters pursue wealth and riches and social climbing from an early age. By the end of The Great Gatsby and the end of Kane's life, both have similarly distanced themselves from their loved ones. Both forget their families and move east and lose happiness. Both have really hollow personas. Both are unhappy and alone. Etc.
Clearly, whether or not one character married more than another does not make a difference, especially considering that Kane's marriage was basically loveless-- it's not like Kane was ever more successful than Gatsby when it comes to love/relationships.
"I understand the obvious connection between the crazy, declining millionaires... We usually avoid the obvious and dive in to the subtle, but the only connection I see is obvious."
And yet, the only difference you pointed out between Gats and Kane was obvious (marriage status-- a surface detail) and not subtle (the meaning behind and quality of Gats'/Kanes' respective relationships).
Well said, Michelle. It's not a note-for-note kind of comparison, of course. That's what makes it "subtle". Does that help, Batman?
ReplyDeleteBTW, this kind of p2p commenting is what makes our class so rewarding. That the two of you are questioning and teaching one another is absolutely fantastic.
Thanks much Michelle! Real help!
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