Theme Of Rebellion In The Great Gatsby
3762 Words16 Pages
Throughout the novels Night by Elie Wiesel, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee and Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton, there are clear themes of rebellion, revolution or both. A rebellion is defined as an effort by many people to change the government or leader of a country by use of protest or violence. It may also be defined as open opposition towards a person or group in authority or the refusal to obey rules or accept the normal standards of behavior. A revolution is defined as a forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system. It may also be defined as a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure; it is usually sudden and accompanied by violence. The difference between the two is that a revolution calls for the complete overthrow and replacement of a specific government, political system or social structure. Whilst a rebellion is an outward protest to a specific restriction, requirement, or ideology placed by the government or leaders on a people group; it does not call for complete abolition of the current system as a whole. This essay will discuss the theme of rebellion in the novel Night and how Elie Wiesel changes from a deeply religious boy studying the Talmud (Jewish Oral Law of the Torah) to rebelling against g-d as he begins to question if g-d even exists. This essay will also discuss the theme of rebellion in The Great Gatsby by showing the rebellion of Jay Gatsby in his