Gatsby's Devolution

            Jay Gatz/Gatsby, the main character from the novel The Great Gatsby, is a character that never really reached full development. From the very beginning he is simply an enigma to the reader, but not to the narrator of the book Nick. He tells us about this character from the point of view of any outsider. However, as Nick become more involved within the complex story line, so does his interpretation of Gatsby. 

In the first few paragraphs, we are presented with the man of mystery, the man who might have killed someone, and simply the man who throws the parties in West Egg. All of these stereotypes encircle a man with a dream, Jay Gatsby. We know for sure that he is a millionaire who spends all of his money on the most luxurious things. He wants to appeal to everybody, he wants to be everyone’s friend, and he seems to accomplish this through is eloquent festivities to which everybody, who’s anybody attends. 

As the novel progresses, we learn that Gatsby ison a mission. He wants to recapture the heart of his ex-lover Daisy Buchanan. She is now married to a man named Tom Buchanan. We soon find out that he has built his life upon a pedestal simply to lure Daisy away from Tom in-order-to grace her with the luxurious eloquence that he was not able to provide before the war. But, what exactly happened before the war? Why did Gatsby and Daisy not marry? Gatsby was a poor, your soldier who was not able to provide for a spouse because he was poor. We are not told about his humble background until the climax of the story where all his skeletons are dragged out of the closet. He continues living for Daisy, whom he never obtains in the end, causing him to never develop into what he could have been for he is simply stuck in the past. The idea that the novel is a foreshadow is the perfect element to create the metaphor that Gatsby never progresses, but rather remains a memory. 

The greatest conflict seen in the novel is just that, Gatsby is nothing but a memory of the past, yet he cannot seem to let go of what he once had. He believes that he can change all that has happened with money and charm, but the theme that money does not buy happiness proves to be the downfall of this character. All his fantasy money, and luxury is extinguished along with him. Gatsby becomes completely vanquished with his dream.

Abortion, moral? Immoral?

            This question has been debated over-and-over again. Whether it be in a social gathering, or a political gathering, the term "abortion" has created heated discussions all deriving from whether-or-not it should be outlawed. Just how immoral is this act and how far do it's effects extend? Well, this answer has many answers. It's not something that is moral, but it's also not something that can be outlawed.

           If this act is outlawed, it will be done either way in very unhygienic conditions that could pose a public health threat. More people will continue to attempt this procedure illegally and dangerously. If it is not outlawed, the risk of it becoming a form of birth control is presented. More people will visit these clinics when presented with the responsibility of a child. However, couldn't the government allow this process under certain guidelines? The idea of morality would remain subjective, but ultimately that decision is completely left to the person facing that situation. The people who make the laws do not necessarily understand the demands of all people, but they should meet the demands of the people affected by these laws. 

     To put it in situational terms, lets say a sixteen year old girl is raped by her step father. She becomes pregnant with a child that is clearly a product of a very heinous crime. How could a young girl, with her life ahead of her, take care of a child that was forced upon her? Becoming pregnant does not mean you are prepared to be a mother. Having that ability does not guarantee that the child will have a good life. Some people argue that adoption would be the better choice in this situation, but what about the child? Children are curious by nature and they would only become more curious about their origin as they grow and learn. The process for adopting a child is incredibly difficult, this reduces the chances of a child being put into a bad family, but it also reduces the chances of a child being adopted. More importantly, it takes away the chances of a child to live a stereotypical good life with two parents that care for him and are able to support him. In this circumstance, the choice is ultimately the mothers.

       Let's look at another example. A twenty-five year old woman become pregnant after engaging in irresponsible promiscuous behavior. She decides that an abortion would be best because she simply does not want the child. She is fully capable of taking care of and raising a kid, but she doesn't find it in her heart to be responsible enough to look after it. She continues procrastinating her abortion until the child has grown a full 24 weeks. By this time the fetus has a heartbeat and by following through with an abortion you would consciously be killing a living, breathing human being. Abortion would be as heinous of a crime as the one listed in the above example. Adoption would be the only choice this woman would have. Abortion is simply not a choice for everyone, but regulations and laws which determine who can and cannot have one could be implemented for the well-being of the people as a whole.

      "What can the mother do and provide for her child?" This question is ultimately what it boils down to. One will never be able to understand what is is like to be in that situation unless they experience it. We cannot make decisions for other people based on our own personal beliefs. There are things that must simply be set aside for our decision making process to take care of. Regulations should be strongly enforced, but how can we judge what is morally right when we would probably find ourselves making the same decision had we been in that situation. Abortion is neither moral or immoral. It's neither wrong or right. It is a choice that can only provide hope for one person. A choice that will remain a memory to the individual that makes it. 

The Mask of our Society

Criticism, lies, and rumors. Three simple verbs that could ruin somebody in a matter of seconds. Are we meant to be critically judgmental towards others? Or are we down right cruel for no real reason? Can one judge when one is not perfect? Or does one judge because he is judged? I believe these answers lie within our moral codes. We are constantly told to keep certain things in our minds,but those things are eventually let out in negative ways. We as human beings do have a right to judge,but how far does that right extend? When another person gets hurt because of our actions, does that right still qualify as benign? People's reputations are irreversibly damaged with simple word of mouth. Stories change from person to person creating a completely distorted image of who they really are. An image generated purely from the opinions and viewpoints of others who clearly do not know the victim either. People have the ability to see what they are told when presented with a delicate situation. Rumors are the main weapons of the total moral destruction of a person. These malign words spread like a virus that continuously evolves in the presence of defense mechanisms until the host is completely destroyed. It is an irreversible damage that no words can heal and time will not change. In my opinion, actions like these are simply corrupt and unjust. A person’s most prized possession is their self image, an invisible object which people often work hard to build and preserve.  In The Great Gatsby, rumors about the mysterious Gatsby, are spread around and even follow him into his own home, at his own party. If we shielded our real identity with mystery. If we closed our homes to strangers and walked around with a mirage of perfection upon us would the world be less judgmental? Or would we be trapped in a web of lies.

Dear distant life forms,

Earth is beginning to feel pretty crowded. We now have 6,798,500,000 human beings all mushed onto 148.9 million square miles of land. Why yes, that is less that one square mile per person! To top things off, pollution and global warming are beginning to make a major print on our planet. What will we do when our planet begins to wheeze and cough? Will there be a fix? I sure hope so, we have nowhere else to go. Don't take this the wrong way! I'm writing this letter not to complain, but to entice you to visit our home while it continues to radiate splendor! We have beautiful landforms like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls, you should really visit those all-natural beauties. As for man-made things, I believe we have a right to brag about places like New York City and even the less cosmopolitan places like Machu Picchu. We have seven man-made wonders to pick from! I love my home planet, but occasionally I do wonder what lies beyond the milky way. We've only taken a  stroll around the moon and snapped a couple of photographs around in space,but never have we encountered intergalactic networks! The most extensive contact we have created is the internet! I bet your life forms laugh at our "advancements" in technology. I guess if you visit we can compete in all friendly intergalactic olympics to see who the "better" species is! I wonder what your planet is like, does it overflow with an abundance of life like our forests? Or does it conceal all life forms beneath a sheet of lifeless elements? Does it abound in culture, or is everything limited and consistent? I wonder what hobbies your people engage in, or if there is even any time for hobbies. Speaking of time, does that concept even exist for your society? Ah! I have so many questions,but limited answers, one can only assume everything outside of our lives is the same. One thing I sure hope you have is music! Simple notes and sounds that seem to just heal the soul and make memories much more memorable! Maybe you can share your music with the world, I'm sure it's different,but in the end it is harmonious!  Well, I could say so much more,but I'd run out of space in this little box to type away every little thought while I'm sitting here pondering even more and more, so you'll just have to visit me to find out!

Just another curious Earthling, 

Maria 

P.S. I provided you with a picture of our little planet! In case you get lost on the way here!