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Comment
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gigi
Unregistered User
(5/31/05 7:53 pm)
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Faeries and THe Great Gatsby
I recently presented my thoughts on how Daisy Buchannan of THe Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald is like a Siren or a Sylph of mythology and folklore.
I have spotted much faerie imagery and Daisy's voice is very alluring and musical.
Do you have any thoughts as to the subject? Also
My art teacher mentioned that I should google the Great Hoax as it mentions the faeries and can be related to the great Gatsby.
I don't see the connection. If you do could you post a note and eplain it to me?
gigi
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mpmann
Registered User
(6/22/05 5:25 pm)
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Re: Faeries and THe Great Gatsby
I love Googling stuff and so tried The Great Hoax, but admit I'm mystified... It's a nonspecific title given to several largish hoaxes perpetrated in the late 1800's, early 1900's. I found no connection with either the Folk or The Great Gatsby.
I find your idea intriguing, by the way, but would be more likely to see Daisy as a case of the leenane sidhe (anglicised spelling) than a sylph.
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gails
Unregistered User
(6/23/05 6:08 pm)
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Fairies & The Great Hoax
Well, Emerson speaks of Fairies in his essay “History” and the great hoax in his essay “Heroism.”
You can find more on his essays here:
http://emerson.thefreelibrary.com/
From the site:
Emerson emphasized individualism and rejected traditional authority. He invited the world to "enjoy an original relation to the universe" and emphasized "the infinitude of the private man." All creation is one, he believed - people should try to live a simple life in harmony with nature and with others. "
From History:
The trivial experience of every day is always verifying some old prediction to us, and converting into things the words and signs which we had heard and seen without heed. A lady, with whom I was riding in the forest, said to me, that the woods always seemed to her to wait , as if the genii who inhabit them suspended their deeds until the wayfarer has passed onward: a thought which poetry has celebrated in the dance of the fairies, which breaks off on the approach of human feet. The man who has seen the rising moon break out of the clouds at midnight has been present like an archangel at the creation of light and of the world. I remember one summer day, in the fields, my companion pointed out to me a broad cloud, which might extend a quarter of a mile parallel to the horizon, quite accurately in the form of a cherub as painted over churches,--a round block in the centre, which it was easy to animate with eyes and mouth, supported on either side by wide-stretched symmetrical wings. What appears once in the atmosphere may appear often, and it was undoubtedly the archetype of that familiar ornament. I have seen in the sky a chain of summer lightning which at once showed to me that the Greeks drew from nature when they painted the thunderbolt in the hand of Jove. I have seen a snow-drift along the sides of the stone wall which obviously gave the idea of the common architectural scroll to abut a tower.
From Hero:
Self-trust is the essence of heroism. It is the state of the soul at war, and its ultimate objects are the last defiance of falsehood and wrong, and the power to bear all that can be inflicted by evil agents. It speaks the truth, and it is just, generous, hospitable, temperate, scornful of petty calculations, and scornful of being scorned. It persists; it is of an undaunted boldness, and of a fortitude not to be wearied out. Its jest is the littleness of common life. That false prudence which dotes on health and wealth is the butt and merriment of heroism. Heroism, like Plotinus, is almost ashamed of its body. What shall it say, then, to the sugar-plums and cats'-cradles, to the toilet, compliments, quarrels, cards, and custard, which rack the wit of all society. What joys has kind nature provided for us dear creatures! There seems to be no interval between greatness and meanness. When the spirit is not master of the world, then it is its dupe. Yet the little man takes the great hoax so innocently, works in it so headlong and believing, is born red, and dies gray, arranging his toilet, attending on his own health, laying traps for sweet food and strong wine, setting his heart on a horse or a rifle, made happy with a little gossip or a little praise, that the great soul cannot choose but laugh at such earnest nonsense. "Indeed, these humble considerations make me out of love with greatness. What a disgrace is it to me to take note how many pairs of silk stockings thou hast, namely, these and those that were the peach-colored ones; or to bear the inventory of thy shirts, as one for superfluity, and one other for use!"
From Spark Notes:
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gatsby/themes.html.
As Fitzgerald saw it (and as Nick explains in Chapter IX), the American dream was originally about discovery, individualism, and the pursuit of happiness. In the 1920s depicted in the novel, however, easy money and relaxed social values have corrupted this dream, especially on the East Coast.
Since the two themes deal with individualism, perhaps your teacher wants you to compare and contrast the themes. Or to explore the concept of Heroism, as defined by Emerson, with the cynicism Nick and Gatsby experienced as the result of their participation in World War I.
It would be best to check with your teacher before exploring these themes though, to make sure you are on the right track.
GailS
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gails
Unregistered User
(6/23/05 6:55 pm)
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Simpler
Or there could be a simpler explanation; the Cottingley Fairies have been referred to as “The Cottingley Hoax.” But I don’t see the relationship to Gatsby.
http://www.randi.org/library/cottingley/.
The event began in 1917 (towards the end of WWI.) Doyle received his letters in 1920. The girls became famous. The Great Gatsby, was published in 1925.
Some have suggested that the post-War environment contributed to the belief in Theosophy, but I still don’t see the link to Gatsby.
GailS
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gigi
Unregistered User
(7/2/05 1:45 pm)
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thx
Thank you for your insight...
I admit the HOax seems not to really gel at all
Thank you all for the googling and research.... The thing with Emerson seems quite plausible....Unfortunately,(Or fortunately) school is out for the summer holiday but I shall ask my teacher next school term...
thank you
gigi :rollin
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