Post by dominique02 on Apr 4, 2008 21:56:04 GMT -5
DG
Period 2
The Great Divide:
An analysis of the disassociation within the American Family in 20th century society
In August Wilson’s Fences, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, and Scott F. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the complex and increasingly detached nature of the American family is intricately examined. These works, written under the influence of racism, capitalism, and several other harsh realities of the 20th century, come to mirror this dispiriting environment as each demonstrates how the negative elements of society inevitably retain tragic effects on the family as well. In examining the severe disassociation existent within the American family, each work is able to expose the underlying disassociation of the turbulent society in which each was written.
The disconnection of society due to the cruel influence of racism in the 20th century is embodied within Wilson’s bleak portrayal of the American family. Due to harsh discrimination and racial prejudice, the Maxons struggled to progress within an oppressive existence from which they could not escape. This concept is illustrated in Troy’s inability to accept his son’s potential success. Despite Troy’s love for Corey, the harsh societal influence of racism ultimately overwhelms him, and as a result, Troy painfully comes to believe that advancement was unachievable for African-Americans in the hostile environment that he was brought up in. In this realization, Troy’s frustration with his environment is directed towards Corey, who, as the rest of the members of the family, becomes increasingly distant, until they are all ultimately torn apart. This collapse of the American family comes to mirror society, as there was an inescapable feeling of hopelessness in the environment, which was devoid of opportunity for many. Denied the rights that other citizens were afforded, many African-Americans, as well as other minorities, found themselves both physically and emotionally detached from the rest of society. This fostered detachment within the African-American population, as the inability to fully participate in American society inevitably hindered their involvement within their own race. This separation existent within the African- American community retained a large impact on this American family, and within the collapse of each, the role of detachment and disassociation is undeniably prevalent.
The economical detachment generated by capitalism during this era is portrayed within Miller’s dark examination of the collapse of the American family. In an environment dictated by wealth and relentless competition for opportunity, those unable to sustain this unforgiving environment, such as the Lomans, were unfortunately devoured by the system. Primarily exhibited by Willy, the dehumanizing effects of capitalism are demonstrated. Despite Willy’s long and hard-working dedication to his job, his inability to produce caused his demise in the business world. However, this economical collapse transfers into all aspects of his life, as he is continually unable to find worth in any other facet of society. As a result, he wishes to end his life and permanently sever the ties between himself and his environment. These painful suicide attempts come to impact his family deeply, as Willy’s detachment with both his family and reality inevitably cause such pain that they are unable to connect with each other. This disconnect inevitably causes the demise of the family, as the harsh effects of the society around them, and their refusal to simply cope with these effects, devastates them. This separation within the American family serves to show how, much of society, at this time, was simply unable to persevere through the demands of a capitalistic environment. As countless Americans met their downfall or their rise at the hands of the system, a division formed within the nation that caused a vivid disassociation between these two groups, as the barriers of wealth and class prohibited any unity between them. The detachment of America due to capitalism retained drastic impacts on the American family, as the influence of this cruel system was inescapable for all within society.
The disassociation existent within American society following the end of World War I is captured in Fitzgerald’s melancholy depiction of the American family. In attempting to endure the often-intense impacts of the post-war period, many, such as the loosely connected Buchanan family in the play, are simply unable to maintain their relationships in an environment so devoid of true human compassion. This impact is seen primarily within the troubling relationship between Daisy and Tom. Daisy, while knowledgeable of her husband’s deceit, fails to take any action and instead internalizes her feelings. Tom, in accordance, fails to connect with Daisy as he seeks the comfort and compassion that he lacks from her in other arms. Unable to cope with the harsh realities of the real world, both Tom and Daisy escape to their own affairs in seclusion, and as a result, they are prevented from forming any kind meaningful relationship. The detachment existent between Tom and Daisy is reflected in the dehumanizing environment created by the war. Countless Americans were faced with the reality that much of the world was in constant battle, in the pursuit of destroying human lives. This led many to question not only their role in society, but more importantly, their existence. These doubts in humanity caused a large disconnect within much of America, as many came to question the point of attaching themselves to others when the world was already in disastrous ruin. Inevitably, this collapse in society affected the American family, whose ties were unable to withstand the highly impersonal environment of the time.
Through their portrayal of the collapse of the American family due to intense detachment within the family, each work is able to expose an environment equally deficient of meaningful human relationships. Due to countless societal pressures, the American family, just as all other relationships within society, was severely tested, and many were unfortunately unable to withstand such tragic external influences. This remains true for modern times, as constant wars, poverty, and several other key issues cause increasingly deeper rifts within humanity. In such trying times as these, many tend to retreat to their own personal world of comfort and security, due to the fact that the reality of our present day society is too bleak to acknowledge. As a result, with the world’s unrelenting problems, relationships, in turn, also become weaker, and the environment becomes increasingly impersonal for future generations.
Period 2
The Great Divide:
An analysis of the disassociation within the American Family in 20th century society
In August Wilson’s Fences, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, and Scott F. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the complex and increasingly detached nature of the American family is intricately examined. These works, written under the influence of racism, capitalism, and several other harsh realities of the 20th century, come to mirror this dispiriting environment as each demonstrates how the negative elements of society inevitably retain tragic effects on the family as well. In examining the severe disassociation existent within the American family, each work is able to expose the underlying disassociation of the turbulent society in which each was written.
The disconnection of society due to the cruel influence of racism in the 20th century is embodied within Wilson’s bleak portrayal of the American family. Due to harsh discrimination and racial prejudice, the Maxons struggled to progress within an oppressive existence from which they could not escape. This concept is illustrated in Troy’s inability to accept his son’s potential success. Despite Troy’s love for Corey, the harsh societal influence of racism ultimately overwhelms him, and as a result, Troy painfully comes to believe that advancement was unachievable for African-Americans in the hostile environment that he was brought up in. In this realization, Troy’s frustration with his environment is directed towards Corey, who, as the rest of the members of the family, becomes increasingly distant, until they are all ultimately torn apart. This collapse of the American family comes to mirror society, as there was an inescapable feeling of hopelessness in the environment, which was devoid of opportunity for many. Denied the rights that other citizens were afforded, many African-Americans, as well as other minorities, found themselves both physically and emotionally detached from the rest of society. This fostered detachment within the African-American population, as the inability to fully participate in American society inevitably hindered their involvement within their own race. This separation existent within the African- American community retained a large impact on this American family, and within the collapse of each, the role of detachment and disassociation is undeniably prevalent.
The economical detachment generated by capitalism during this era is portrayed within Miller’s dark examination of the collapse of the American family. In an environment dictated by wealth and relentless competition for opportunity, those unable to sustain this unforgiving environment, such as the Lomans, were unfortunately devoured by the system. Primarily exhibited by Willy, the dehumanizing effects of capitalism are demonstrated. Despite Willy’s long and hard-working dedication to his job, his inability to produce caused his demise in the business world. However, this economical collapse transfers into all aspects of his life, as he is continually unable to find worth in any other facet of society. As a result, he wishes to end his life and permanently sever the ties between himself and his environment. These painful suicide attempts come to impact his family deeply, as Willy’s detachment with both his family and reality inevitably cause such pain that they are unable to connect with each other. This disconnect inevitably causes the demise of the family, as the harsh effects of the society around them, and their refusal to simply cope with these effects, devastates them. This separation within the American family serves to show how, much of society, at this time, was simply unable to persevere through the demands of a capitalistic environment. As countless Americans met their downfall or their rise at the hands of the system, a division formed within the nation that caused a vivid disassociation between these two groups, as the barriers of wealth and class prohibited any unity between them. The detachment of America due to capitalism retained drastic impacts on the American family, as the influence of this cruel system was inescapable for all within society.
The disassociation existent within American society following the end of World War I is captured in Fitzgerald’s melancholy depiction of the American family. In attempting to endure the often-intense impacts of the post-war period, many, such as the loosely connected Buchanan family in the play, are simply unable to maintain their relationships in an environment so devoid of true human compassion. This impact is seen primarily within the troubling relationship between Daisy and Tom. Daisy, while knowledgeable of her husband’s deceit, fails to take any action and instead internalizes her feelings. Tom, in accordance, fails to connect with Daisy as he seeks the comfort and compassion that he lacks from her in other arms. Unable to cope with the harsh realities of the real world, both Tom and Daisy escape to their own affairs in seclusion, and as a result, they are prevented from forming any kind meaningful relationship. The detachment existent between Tom and Daisy is reflected in the dehumanizing environment created by the war. Countless Americans were faced with the reality that much of the world was in constant battle, in the pursuit of destroying human lives. This led many to question not only their role in society, but more importantly, their existence. These doubts in humanity caused a large disconnect within much of America, as many came to question the point of attaching themselves to others when the world was already in disastrous ruin. Inevitably, this collapse in society affected the American family, whose ties were unable to withstand the highly impersonal environment of the time.
Through their portrayal of the collapse of the American family due to intense detachment within the family, each work is able to expose an environment equally deficient of meaningful human relationships. Due to countless societal pressures, the American family, just as all other relationships within society, was severely tested, and many were unfortunately unable to withstand such tragic external influences. This remains true for modern times, as constant wars, poverty, and several other key issues cause increasingly deeper rifts within humanity. In such trying times as these, many tend to retreat to their own personal world of comfort and security, due to the fact that the reality of our present day society is too bleak to acknowledge. As a result, with the world’s unrelenting problems, relationships, in turn, also become weaker, and the environment becomes increasingly impersonal for future generations.