Similarities Between The Old Man And The Great Gatsby

Leal to Gold The process of alchemy is “the medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter. It was concerned particularly with attempts to convert base metals into gold or to find a universal elixir. And a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination.” In the book The Alchemist, Santiago's journey is like alchemy because alchemy is the process of turning lead to gold and this is what Santiago did with his life when he had his personal legend and he transformed his life.

To start off, the theme of pride and ambition against fate and chance is shown throughout the novel, especially when Santiago continues to go fishing without making a catch. Although, some may see this as an act of perseverance due to Santiago’s diligence, this action is best interpreted through the theme of pride and ambition. First of all, Santiago is considered to be one of the worst forms of unlucky. As the novel states, “he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish. . . but after forty days without a fish the boy’s parents had told him that the old man was now definitely ad finally salao, which is one of the worst forms of unlucky” (9).

The Importance of Perseverance At many times in people’s lives, they consider giving up. This is also true for Santiago, the protagonist in Paulo Coelho's fantasy novel The Alchemist. Santiago is on a journey to find a hidden treasure he saw in a dream. Along this journey he continues to contemplate whether he should just give up, or continue his adventure.

Allusions to Christ or other aspects of religion are found in literature all throughout history. There are many different reasons why authors tie in these elements of religion. It could be to provide characterization or help provide reasoning and explanation for the overall theme. Two well known authors do this in some of their most famous pieces: Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

When we read these two books, Walden and The Old Man and The Sea, we are able to realize the importance of dignity for Thoreau and Santiago, the main character of The Old Man and The Sea. I will consider what their dignity is and how they get dignity. Santiago and Thoreau seem to live for their dignity and they act to protect their dignity. Dignity becomes their core. Then, for Santiago, It seems that his dignity is being a fisherman.

We all like to believe that hard work and persistence pays off. The Great Gatsby is a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that includes many themes such as wealth, love, dissatisfaction, and most importantly, the American dream, and how it’s really only a dream. The characters, especially Gatsby, are trying to achieve this dream of a perfect life throughout the entire book. It becomes apparent that instead of reaching the success they desire from the hard work that they put in, they destroy their entire lives and relationships with one another in the process. Unfortunately, this story is not too far off from something that could happen today.

Jacobo Delara Mr. Horner English II CP September 15 2014 The Great Gatsby The classic American Novel Nick Carraway is man from a wealthy family in Minnesota moving to west egg to learn about the Bond business. Then he gets involved with Mr. Gatsby which then sparks the beginning of the novel.

Ernest Hemingway had many accomplishments and experiences all through his life. He was made a decorated hero in World War I after being injured as an ambulance driver for The Red Cross, earned the Nobel Prize for literature in 1954, resided in many different places such as Paris and Cuba, and was well traveled. Before becoming an author, he was a reporter until his first important book, In Our Time, was released in 1925. Philip Young makes it clear that many of Hemingway’s works were inspired by his life and his interests in war time, big game hunting, and bull fighting (”Ernest Hemingway”).

Adversity occurs in everyone’s life. The book, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho that transpires before technology, about a shepherd named Santiago, who has a dream about a treasure in Egypt. The movie, Good Will Hunting transpires in 1997, about a man named Will who had a horrible childhood but would read to escape the problems of his childhood. As he grew older he turned out a genius but did not want the knowledge he had. When personal legends and goals come into question, adversity will always come right around the corner.

With the growing number feminist movements and equality promoting campaigns, which are saying that women are inferior to men in many aspects, even going as far as to say they have less privileges than men. It is clear that masculinity is not seen or portrayed the way it once was. Since ancient times it has been clearly shown that men have always had to be the gender that is superior in the sense that they must be strong and must know how to handle whatever it is they need to do. The Hebrew Bible declares that King David of Israel told his son to “be strong, and be a man”, before David died. Men have always needed to have that extra mile to go in order to be men.