In this essay, I will compare and contrast two books: "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald and "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen.
On the surface, these two novels may seem quite different. "The Great Gatsby" is a tale of excess and decadence set against the backdrop of the roaring twenties, while "Pride and Prejudice" is a classic romance set in early 19th century England. However, upon closer examination, the two books share many similarities in terms of themes and character development.
One major theme that is present in both novels is the corrupting influence of wealth. In "The Great Gatsby," the main character, Jay Gatsby, is a self-made millionaire whose wealth is acquired through illegal means. Despite his wealth, Gatsby is ultimately unhappy and unfulfilled, and his pursuit of the wealthy and beautiful Daisy Buchanan leads to his downfall. Similarly, in "Pride and Prejudice," the characters of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are both wealthy and highly sought after by the women of their social circle. However, both men struggle with their own pride and prejudices, which ultimately causes conflict and misunderstandings within their relationships.
Another theme present in both novels is the idea of societal expectations and the pressure to conform. In "The Great Gatsby," the characters are constantly trying to live up to the expectations of their social class and to maintain a certain image. Gatsby, in particular, is obsessed with the idea of winning back Daisy and becoming a part of her social circle, even though it means sacrificing his own values and morals. In "Pride and Prejudice," the characters are similarly concerned with maintaining their social standing and finding suitable marriage partners. The main character, Elizabeth Bennet, rejects the idea of marrying for social status and instead follows her heart, leading to conflict with her family and society as a whole.
In terms of character development, both novels feature complex and dynamic characters who undergo significant growth and change throughout the course of the story. Gatsby, for example, starts out as a mysterious and enigmatic figure, but as the novel progresses, we learn more about his past and his motivations. Similarly, Elizabeth starts out with a strong sense of pride and prejudice, but through her interactions with the other characters and her own personal experiences, she learns to be more understanding and open-minded.
Overall, while "The Great Gatsby" and "Pride and Prejudice" may seem quite different at first glance, they share many similarities in terms of themes and character development. Both novels explore the corrupting influence of wealth and the pressure to conform to societal expectations, and both feature complex and dynamic characters who undergo significant growth and change.
