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2. (a) (i) Name one of your comparative texts and identify the theme you studied in it - Leaving Cert English - Question 2 - 2021
Question 2
2. (a) (i) Name one of your comparative texts and identify the theme you studied in it. Identify one central character in the text and use one or more key moment... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:2. (a) (i) Name one of your comparative texts and identify the theme you studied in it - Leaving Cert English - Question 2 - 2021
Step 1
Name one of your comparative texts and identify the theme you studied in it.
Answer
One of my comparative texts is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The theme studied in this text is the American Dream and its disillusionment. The central character, Jay Gatsby, embodies the pursuit of this dream as he strives to achieve wealth and win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan.
A significant moment that highlights Gatsby's contribution to the theme is his extravagant parties, where he seeks to attract Daisy's attention. These parties symbolize the allure and excess of the Roaring Twenties but ultimately reveal the emptiness behind his lavish lifestyle. Gatsby's tragic end reflects the failure of the American Dream as it becomes evident that wealth does not guarantee happiness or fulfillment.
Step 2
Name another of your comparative texts and identify one central character in it.
Answer
Another comparative text is A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. The central character in this text is Blanche DuBois, who also grapples with the theme of the American Dream but in a different context. Referring to the same theme discussed in The Great Gatsby, we see how Blanche's pursuit of a romanticized past and social status leads to her downfall.
One key moment is when Blanche tries to maintain her facade of gentility and dignity while staying with her sister Stella and brother-in-law Stanley. Her reliance on the kindness of strangers illustrates her vulnerability and disconnection from reality, ultimately contributing to her tragic fate. Like Gatsby, Blanche's dreams come crashing down, demonstrating the destructive nature of the idealized American Dream.
Step 3
Compare the lessons you learned about the same theme when we study it in different texts.
Answer
In studying the theme of the American Dream through The Great Gatsby and A Streetcar Named Desire, we learn that both texts highlight different aspects of this ideal and its inherent dangers. From The Great Gatsby, we see the illusion of success and how it can lead to disillusionment and tragedy. Gatsby's relentless pursuit of wealth and status reveals that the dream is ultimately unattainable and hollow.
Conversely, A Streetcar Named Desire presents a more personal interpretation of the American Dream, showcasing the impact of societal expectations on individual identity. Blanche's tragic quest for love and acceptance serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of living in a world shaped by illusion.
Together, these texts suggest that the American Dream, while alluring, can lead to despair and destruction when pursued without a grounding in reality. The contrasting fates of Gatsby and Blanche illustrate that the dream may differ from person to person but universally exposes the human condition and our vulnerabilities.