Indifferent Proximity?
"Did you ever see an amusement park?"
"No, Father."
"Well, go and see an amusement park." The priest waved his hand vaguely. "It's like a fair, only much more glittering. Go to one at night and stand a little way off from it in a dark place- under dark trees. You'll see a big wheel made of lights turning in the air, and a long slide shooting boats down into the water. A band playing somewhere, and a smell of peanuts-and everything will twinkle. But it won't remind you of anything you see. It will all just hang out there in the night like a colored balloon-like a big yellow lantern on a pole." Father Schwartz frowned as he suddenely thought of something. "But don't get up close," he warned Rudolph, " because if you do you'll only feel the heat and the sweat and the life."
-F. Scott Fitzgerald, from Absolution
What does the aformentioned passage imply about the "American Dream", and what is your reaction to this possible modernist (pgs. 523-536 in Am. Lit. text) commentary? Please comment and incorporate specific references to lines from the passage. (Due By 3:30p.m. On Wednesday, Feb. 17th.)
"No, Father."
"Well, go and see an amusement park." The priest waved his hand vaguely. "It's like a fair, only much more glittering. Go to one at night and stand a little way off from it in a dark place- under dark trees. You'll see a big wheel made of lights turning in the air, and a long slide shooting boats down into the water. A band playing somewhere, and a smell of peanuts-and everything will twinkle. But it won't remind you of anything you see. It will all just hang out there in the night like a colored balloon-like a big yellow lantern on a pole." Father Schwartz frowned as he suddenely thought of something. "But don't get up close," he warned Rudolph, " because if you do you'll only feel the heat and the sweat and the life."
-F. Scott Fitzgerald, from Absolution
What does the aformentioned passage imply about the "American Dream", and what is your reaction to this possible modernist (pgs. 523-536 in Am. Lit. text) commentary? Please comment and incorporate specific references to lines from the passage. (Due By 3:30p.m. On Wednesday, Feb. 17th.)
posted by Greg T at Tuesday, February 16, 2010
15 Comments:
This passage shows that you can choose to do things that you have never done before. The kid had never gone to an amusement park before but he can choose to go to one whenever he decides to. When he does go to the amusement park though, he is not going to take part in the excitement. He would rather just sit and enjoy the sight of other people enjoying themselves. This is showing that if you sit back and enjoy life, you are going to have more fun. This passage implies that making choices is part of the American Dream because it is up to you on what you do with your life and where you go.
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Jordan Lawler
This passage says alot about the opinion of the priest about life, and how perspective can change your opinion on something 180 degrees. From far away the park looks amazing, from afar the lights are glittering and music is playing, from what the priest is describing the carnival sounds amazing. But when you hear his warning about going up close the truth is revieled. Being a spectator from outside is glorious, all you see is the good things, but being part of this thing is not all it is cracked up to be, all the imperfections show themselves. This can be a metaphor to the american dream because to people outside the states, america seems like the golden ticket, the perfect place. When inside america, the imperfections start to show, not everyone has the privilege of being successful, our country is divided, and there are numerous cultural problems. Now dont get me wrong, I am extremely thankful to be living in america with the rights we have, and the situation I was fortunate to be born into, but its not like america is the solve all savior it is sometimes seen as.
This passage shows how the American Dream is different for everyone. The kid has never been to the amusement park and he is going to try it for the first time. Trying new things for the first time is a part of the American Dream. If you never try new things you won't know what you are missing, and you will pass up exciting things in life. Even though he is excited to go to the amusement park he is not ready to try all the rides and games. He is taking one step at a time. He is doing something that he enjoys and is not doing anything he doesn't enjoy. The American Dream is about enjoying life wether that be you being part of the action or watching the action. Either way you need to do what is best for you and thats what makes the American Dream unique to you.
This passage may suggest many things about the American dream. It is definitely a different view on the American Dream though. This passage is describing a very beautiful thing that is comparable to the American Dream. The American Dream may look beautiful to the outsider. It may look like the thing that everyone desires and wants...If only you ccould achieve the American Dream...THEN you could be happy. But as good as it sounds and looks on the outside, it may not be what we think it is. If we let the desire to have something more then we have now consume us then achieving the American Dream may be pointless. Maybe the American Dream is to be satasfied with what we have. Maybe the American Dream is doing the most with what you have and finding true happiness in that. Then again, the American Dream is technically opinion based, Anyone can 'achieve' this American dream.
This passage may be taken as a negative implication towards the American Dream, but it also can be thought of as a positive implication towards it. Although it says the if you get too close you will only feel the heat and sweat of it, it also notes that you will feel the life of it. So maybe achieving the American dream isn't all bad. Maybe it will bring at least temporary satasfaction and happiness to you. It might make you feel alive and accomplished, but you will always feel the 'sweat and heat' of it. So maybe there is no perfect American Dream. Maybe the search for the American Dream is a lost cause...maybe...
The American Dream is called that precisely because it is a dream, not a reality. To me this quote brings up the idea of the grass always being greener on the other side. People come from all over the world to live in America but the reality of it is that life can suck no matter where you are. Sure America is great and some people are supremely happy here and have taken advantages of the opportunities. But there are bums and alcoholics on the street in this same country. The idea of an American Dream sounds good and looks great on paper but in reality for most people life in America is pretty mediocre.
This passage shows that the American dream is there waiting for everyone. He describes the American dream as a great beautiful thing. But it's up to you to decide what you want to do about achieving it or not. I believe that this man failed to have a good time at an amusement park because he is telling Rudolph not to get to close or to go inside. Father Schwartz expresses the amusement park or "American Dream" as a great wonderful thing however to him and his personal experiences it is not so great.
This passage shows that the "American Dream" is different for everyone and you can choose the path it takes you. The kid wants to go to the amusement park because he has never gone before. When he goes he just observes his surroundings and the people. He is taking one step at a time to achieve his American Dream. The priest influences the boys decisions on whether or not to go in. This shows that we have the choice to do what we are told to do. This decision makes your "American Dream" unique.
"If you do you'll only feel the heat and the sweat and the life." The American dream is good from other countries and view points but when you get closer to it and see what it really has in store for you its not all that perfect. Once you actually achieve the "American Dream" it’s not actually all that good and it’s not the best thing for you. It could be a lot better than what it just seems" If you really want to have the greatest American dream it takes sweat and hard work to achieve something that would make you happy. There are many other people in this world that would much rather take your job for half of the pay you get to just have money for food and support of the family. So if it’s going to be the American dream make it worthwhile and work hard and do something that makes you stand out from every other person.
This passage implies that the "American Dream" is out there for everyone; however, some people can see it but don't have the opportunity to take it. I think of this as a person from another country that can't become a legal American resident, therefor their dream can never be fulfilled. I find this passage a little depressing because it is explaining how someone can't get to where they want to be. The amusement park is a good comparison to America, and the kid is a good comparison to one that seeks the American Dream. Also, this passage shows that in a way YOU have to be the one to get yourself to the places you want to be, and that YOU have to believe and experience whatever that is to make it a reality. Although sometimes things are too good to be true in certain circumstances.
This passage implies the “American Dream” as a pretty image seen form far away, however, as the picture is blown up or zoomed in the minute details that are hidden, can be ugly. Fitzgerald uses a caravel as an example of a beautiful ideal place of joy and fun. The “American Dream” is also thought of as a great idea for people to achieve their goals and succeed in life. Never the less, Father Schwartz tells the boy not to get close to the caravel because he will then see the hard work, dirtiness, and true nature of what makes up a caravel. Again looking at the “American Dream,” people can interpret the main philosophy differently but the flaws in America will and are always prevalent at a second glance.
"But don't get up close," he warned Rudolph, " because if you do you'll only feel the heat and the sweat and the life." (Fitzgerald) This quote can relate to the American dream in a very cruel way. At a far away glance the American dream can seem perfect and obtainable. However, when someone tries to make the dream reality they find that is it only a mirage. The man is warning Rudolph that if he actually goes to the carnival he will not expierence the pleasure that he is dreaming of. Just like in America. You could point out the immigrints who look at our country and believe we all live in golden houses, but that would be cliche. All that needs to be inspected is our inner city. Those without money in America dream of making money, but their desparity often leads to resorting to illegal activities. Instead of expierencing the American dream they expierence the harsh reality of life.
This passage provides a sort of symbolical sense of life. Fitzgerald uses this passage to describe life in a way of appreciating things while most of the time people are just caught up in its events. When he says, "But don't get up close," he is implying that more time should be taken to grasp the events of life wholely, then proceed. For example, when a person is in the moment of something fun and incredible, such as an amusement park, they are only enjoying the small things that provide a source of entertainment like the part, "because if you do you'll only feel the heat and the sweat and the life." Stepping back, or reminiscing, allows for the individual to grasp all the moments, feelings, and other emotions involved with such an experience.
This passage shows how the American Dream is different for everyone. The child has never been to an amusement park and he is going to experience it for the first time. Trying new things for the first time is a way to figure out your own American Dream. If you never try new things you won't know what you are missing, and you will pass up exciting things in life. Even though he is excited to go to the amusement park he is not ready to try all the rides and games. He is taking one step at a time. He is doing something that he enjoys and is not doing anything he doesn't enjoy. The American Dream is about enjoying life and being happy, wether that be you being part of the action or watching the action. Either way you need to do what is best for you and thats what makes the American dream differ from person to person.
I think this refers to Father Schwartz's view of the American dream. I think he is comparing the fair to the American dream. He depicts an image of something amazing. Something that uses all senses of the imagination. After this he says, "But don't get up close." I think this line is suggesting that if you look to deeply into things you will see too deeply into them as well. There is such thing as the American dream but there are also the "American dreams" that people make up for themselves. If you take the American dream as a basic vision to better your future, like Father does with the fair then you are fine. You allow yourself to experience new things that can lead you to better things in life. But if you focus too much on the little things involved in that life changing vision you begin to pick apart the things that no longer matter. You see competition and hate. You see things that will only lead to negativity in life. Personally I completely agree. I think the idea of us all living the American dream is beautiful. But there are always going to be those people that pick everything apart and have to be better. They have to rise above everyone else because it is in our human nature to be competetive. But it is those people that created the distorted visions of the world.
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