Entrapment In The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams explore themes of imprisonment through use of different narrative techniques. Exploring these themes of imprisonment, the authors use the techniques of characterisation so to investigate illusion and reality. Symbolism to emphasise how following the American Dream leads to entrapment, and entrapment by responsibility through use of narration structural techniques.
Throughout the texts, a theme of imprisonment is explored by illusion and reality, where the authors employ characterisation techniques to express imprisonment. In the texts, Gatsby and Amanda are established as lost in illusions of reality, choosing to deny truths over illusions that better suit

Gatsby, victimised by the American Dream, invests much of himself and his money into the perusal of the American Dream. Gatsby’s immaculate mansion, his change of name from Jay Gatz to James Gatz, and his perusal of Daisy is all symbolic of his devotion to the American Dream. For they represent power, wealth and security. However, in his devotion to the American Dream, Gatsby has become enslaved by the need for this power, and money “"Her voice is full of money," he said suddenly. That was it. I'd never understood before. It was full of money—that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals' song of it.”. For Gatsby, Daisy is the ultimate symbol of fulfilment in the American Dream. Likewise, Amanda also actively pursues the American Dream, however what she associates with the American Dream is symbolic in cherishment of the past. Because Amanda is always reminding herself and her family of her past, symbolising her entrapment in the past and the American Dream “One Sunday afternoon in Blue Mountain—your mother received—seventeen!—gentlemen callers!”. Because Amanda was once living the American Dream when she was a girl, she denies that she is no longer living the American Dream. Thus Amanda’s recollections on the past symbolise her yearning for the past, and the want to continue living in

Nick Carraway, the narrator for The Great Gatsby, has his narration structured in a diary like manner so to simulate a personal inner-voice from Nick. This structure creates a different perspective for the reader, instead of being told from an on-looker such as the author the story is read through the eyes of a character. This technique uses the first person, and is commonly from just one character’s perspective. This structure can also be seen in The Great Gatsby, where Tom’s narration is recalled in a sequence of recollections as the play is depicted from memory. However, both characters in these texts become entrapped in responsibility through their narration. Because Nick uses his narration as means to express his suppressed opinions about Gatsby, since Nick cannot bring himself to the idea of letting go Gatsby down “"They're a rotten crowd," I shouted across the lawn. "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together."” I've always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end.” Although Nick disapproves of Gatsby, he cannot help but become caught up in Gatsby’s dream. Nick feels responsible for Gatsby, he feels that he must give Gatsby support and encouragement. Because Nick and Gatsby are friends, and Nick understands that he must do all that he can to help