A Comparison of the Ways in Which Fitzgerald and Bronte Present Their Heroes. (2742 Words)

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A comparison of the ways in which Fitzgerald and Bronte present their heroes. (2742 words)

In both "Wuthering Heights" and "The Great Gatsby", the authors have put the central focus for the readers on the romantic heroes of the text. The romantic heroes in the two texts are Gatsby and Heathcliff. These two characters are both very similar and very different and the following is a comparison of how each of them is presented in the novels.

One thing which both Gatsby and Heathcliff have in common is that they both have a mysterious past, which the readers know very little about. In Heathcliff's case, we are aware that he was an orphan living on the streets of Liverpool when he was adopted by Mr Earnshaw. Coming from such a humble and deprived background Heathcliff was not fully accepted by the inhabitants of Wuthering Heights. Mrs Earnshaw, Hindley and even Catherine resented him at first. Although Catherine grew to love Heathcliff as much as her father, Hindley's contempt for him grew after the death of his mother, who was an ally against Heathcliff. Hindley's hatred of Heathcliff was further provoked when it became obvious to him, that he was not his father's preferred son. As readers we know very little about Heathcliff's past before this point, and this adds to the aura of mystery which surrounds him.

Similarly, we know very little about Gatsby's past. Fitzgerald delays introducing Gatsby until late in the book, by doing this he his added to the sense of mystery and secrecy which surrounds him. During the opening chapters of the book, the only information which the readers are privy to, are the rumours and gossip from the guests at Gatsby's parties. At the end of the book we learn the truth about Gatsby, that he was ...

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...tery surrounding them, as the readers know very little about the background of the characters. Bronte introduced Heathcliff as a vulnerable and defenceless young boy, however as the novel progress he becomes obsessed with revenge on those who wronged him. In contrast Gatsby was never obsessed with getting revenge on Daisy even though she broke her promise to him. Because of this, Gatsby comes across as a decent and respectable man, who had a dream that was beneath him. Gatsby was devoted to Daisy, but she did not care for him the same way, "Daisy hasn't sent a message or a flower" to the funeral. Heathcliff, on the other hand, ends the novel as the villain, he was the instigator of many wicked acts throughout the book, however the readers do feel pity for him as he, like Gatsby, never achieved in his lifetime a loving unified relationship with the woman he loves.

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