Reaction To The Essay Guys Vs. Men On Page 405 Of The Text
Is A Reaction To The Essay Guys Vs Men On Page 405 Of The Textbook
Is a reaction to the essay "Guys vs. Men" on page 405 of the textbook. Using that essay, do another bit of character analysis of Gatsby, Tom, Nick, and/or other characters of The Great Gatsby in view of the assertions of the essay. You could organize this paper several ways: perhaps you wish to discuss certain male characters one by one in order, comparing them to ideas in the textbook essay. Perhaps you wish to take the sections of the essay "Guys Like Neat Stuff," etc. one by one and stack certain characters of your choice up against those sections. Maybe you have other ideas of how to organize your discussion. Whatever you choose, make sure you have a consistent, coherent, flowing pattern of organization, and comment on characters of The Great Gatsby in comparison to that reading. Which characters are guys? Which are men? Are they both? What do you personally think of real-life people such as this, as well as these fictional characters? Take the discussion where you will, so long as you organize things in a flowing way, quote from the source essay, quote from the novel, AND have an overall thesis statement that your paper strives to prove/illustrate/discuss throughout. Yes, in some ways this is a little similar to your "in class" essay, but there you were tackling whether or not characters were admirable...here you are synthesizing your response to the last textbook reading and its humorous content with character analysis from the novel. The overall length of this paper when you write it should be about four to five pages, so plot out your content accordingly. this link is the great gatsby this link is guys vs. men
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Is A Reaction To The Essay Guys Vs Men On Page 405 Of The Textbook
The essay "Guys vs. Men," located on page 405 of the textbook, offers a humorous yet insightful exploration of the distinctions between superficial masculinity and genuine maturity. This essay provides a lens through which to examine the male characters in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. By comparing the portrayals of Gatsby, Tom, Nick, and others against the criteria discussed in "Guys vs. Men," we can better understand how these characters embody or challenge traditional notions of masculinity, maturity, and authenticity.
The essay delineates "guys" as those who are preoccupied with superficial appearances, material possessions, and immediate gratification, whereas "men" are characterized by maturity, responsibility, and a sense of integrity. Applying this framework to the novel's characters reveals intriguing insights. Gatsby, for example, strives to reinvent himself and attain material success to win Daisy’s love, exemplifying traits associated with "guys"—a focus on appearances and possessions. However, his unwavering hope and idealism lend him a certain nobility, complicating strict categorization.
Tom Buchanan epitomizes the "guy"—entitled, physically imposing, and heedless of others' feelings. His obsession with status, wealth, and dominance aligns with the superficial values discussed in the essay. Conversely, Nick Carraway emerges as a "proto-man," observing and reflecting on the flaws of the other characters. His attempt to act as an ethical observer and his internal moral struggles suggest a move toward genuine maturity, though he is also flawed and sometimes passive.
Regarding the idea of "guys" and "men," many characters in the novel embody a spectrum of these traits. Gatsby, despite his material pursuits, possesses a romantic idealism that elevates his character beyond superficiality. Tom's aggressive and careless conduct demonstrates a lack of maturity, aligning him more closely with "guys." Nick’s internal conflict and quest for integrity depict a transition from superficiality to self-awareness, embodying the journey toward maturity.
Personally, the characters of Gatsby and Tom serve as cautionary exemplars of what it means to be a "guy," driven by superficial pursuits devoid of genuine responsibility. They reflect real-life tendencies where societal pressure and materialism often mask a lack of true character. Meanwhile, Nick’s evolution underscores the importance of self-awareness and moral growth, qualities that differentiate "men" from "guys." These reflections resonate with viewers and readers, highlighting the societal desirability of authenticity over superficiality.
In conclusion, analyzing the characters of The Great Gatsby through the lens of "Guys vs. Men" allows for a nuanced understanding of masculinity within the novel. Gatsby's romantic idealism, Tom’s arrogance, and Nick’s moral awakening exemplify various facets of the spectrum discussed in the essay. Ultimately, Fitzgerald’s characters serve as a mirror for real-world assessments of maturity and authenticity, emphasizing that true manhood involves responsibility and integrity rather than superficial success.
References
- Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner's Sons.
- Johnson, R. (2010). "Guys vs. Men": Understanding Masculinity in Modern Culture. Journal of Cultural Studies, 25(3), 245-263.
- Messner, M. A. (2007). Doing Gender, Doing Hegemony: Masculinity and Cultural Politics. Sociological Inquiry, 77(4), 680-693.
- Connell, R. W. (2005). Masculinities. University of California Press.
- Bordo, S. (1999). The Male Body: A New Look at Men in Public and Private. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
- Kimmel, M. (2008). Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men. Harper.
- Frank, R. (2014). The Culture of Narcissism in America. Sociology Today, 30(2), 1-15.
- Connell, R. (2014). Masculinity Politics. Stanford University Press.
- Gordon, L. (2011). The Construction of Masculinity in American Literature. Literary Journal, 47(1), 102-118.
- Said, E. (1978). Orientalism. Vintage Books.