The friends Gatsby surrounded himself were fabricated; no true friendships existed, shown by his acquaintances’ attitudes after his death, specifically Klipspringer and Wolfshiem’s. Klipspringer is more concerned with the loss of his tennis shoes than attending Gatsby’s funeral. The general consensus from all Gatsby’s connections was, “he had got what he deserved.” (176) Wolfshiem reveals a great deal of Gatsby’s past, explaining the true character of Jay. We learn that when Jay emerged from the army he was penniless, but determined to make his mark on the world. Wolfshiem made this dream possible (although most of his business by implication was illegal) making Gatsby a rich man. Despite the length of time Gatsby knew Wolfshiem, Wolfshiem wished to regard him as strangers. This is an extraordinary concept for Nick to grasp as he only knew Gatsby for a short time but respects him more than any other people he has had dealings with since Gatsby’s death.
Gatsby’s father’s revelations of Gatsby’s dream are very emotional; we realise that Gatsby was a loveable young man with desires and ambitions as any child has. This is indicated by the precise schedule he wrote in order to achieve success. Gatsby’s determination oozes through his plan; making himself academically wiser, physically fitter, broadening all his horizons, building a reputable social life, and improving his general appearance – he realises initial appearance is an utmost priority for success. He initiates private improvements, “Bath every other day” (180), and public developments, “no more smokeing or chewing,” these would have given the impression of a common upbringing which would counter act his new ambitious image.
Maggie employs different strategies in her desire to persuade Brick to sleep with her. Firstly she tries reverse psychology, implying other men crave for her even if Brick does not: “They still see me, Brick, and they like what they see. Uh-huh. Some of them would give their -” (Act 1). When Brick’s concentration wavers (indicated by distant whistling) Maggie shocks Brick back to reality by discussing Big Daddy’s ill-health. This is successful as, “a realization of Big Daddy’s doom seems to penetrate to Brick’s consciousness” (Act 1). Maggie then begins a “liturgical chant” (Act 1), about Big Daddy’s cancer and the prospect of Brick not inheriting part of the Poliett estate, which Brick seems uninterested in; this lack of anxiety could initially be interpreted as callously unconcerned for his father and his inheritance.
Maggie has exhausted simplistic reasons for Brick not sleeping with her and is forced to delve into Brick’s elusive past for an explanation. She obtains Brick’s attention by the mention of Skipper indicated by Brick’s his most emotional sentence to date, “Maggie, shut up about Skipper. I mean in, Maggie; you got to shut up about Skipper.” (Act 1) Brick’s short sentences directed at Maggie convey his desperation to avoid the topic. However, Maggie has finally got his attention she is forcing the past to be dragged out from under Brick not only for herself but also for Brick. Brick is currently anesthetising himself from his past of homosexuality and the shame and degradation that is linked with it. This excessive boozing is self-destructing and Brick is killing not only himself but Maggie. The revelation of Brick’s past and Maggie’s attempts at banishing Skipper are needed as a form of therapy and emotional cleansing for Brick and Maggie to try and revitalize their relationship.
In comparison to the passive exposure of Gatsby’s past by his father is the active Maggie, pressurising Brick to admit his true feelings towards Skipper. Maggie frequently pushes him beyond what the emotionally paralysed man is capable of, making him react violently, “Brick strikes at her with a crutch, a blow that shatters the gemlike lamp on the table.” (Act 1) Maggie does encourage a confession from Brick, but she makes this hard as she refers to homosexuality as undesirable (practising homosexuality was illegal and socially totally unacceptable). Maggie’s immaculate scrutiny in examining Brick and Skipper’s relationship is never explained: a desperate bid to make Brick realise he loves her, frantically searching for a reason for Brick not sleeping with her, or simply trying to exorcist Skipper from their lives.
Through the past, the highs and lows of the main characters are revealed. Gatsby’s life story is very depressing and unfulfilled. His high point was obtaining his greatest desire, Daisy. Unfortunately, this was short lived as her attitude was too self-indulgent: essentially, Gatsby died for her. In normal circumstances, this would have been a low point but Gatsby’s whole life story was sad, indicated by his need to conceal the truth. He did not wish people to know that he came from a poor family; so he fabricated a past of high standards of education and social background. Factors that appear high points have prices to pay. Although Gatsby made his fortune, it was illegal. All his friendships were superficial, even his beloved Daisy who, “hadn’t sent a message or a flower,” (181) for Gatsby’s funeral. Another supposed high was Nick learning of the uncaring and greedy attitude of the rich; the irony in this is that Gatsby spent his whole life desperate trying to fit into it. Lastly, Gatsby dismissed his relationship with his father throughout the novel but there is evident love from his father at the end. Gatsby inflicted pain on himself in an attempt to be someone else; paradoxically if he had been himself, his life probably would have been satisfactory.
CHTR is just as depressing as GG. The high point is the fact that Brick truly loved Skipper. However, because of the opinion of society at the time, their relationship was never consummated, leading to Skipper’s suicide. Brick was emotionally scarred after this, left with the guilt. This in itself is a low, the resulting consequence is that Brick and Maggie are trapped in a loveless marriage: Maggie, “Trapped in same cage” (Act 2)
The pessimism of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Tennessee Williams is prominent as the highs are out-numbered by the lows. Pessimism is introduced into CHTR in the difficulties of being homosexual in a society disgusted by it (Williams may be speaking from experience, as he was homosexual). Secondly, there is a very strong feeling of being trapped. Maggie loves Brick it is not reciprocated; Brick loves Skipper, who does reciprocate it but they cannot be happy together without disapproval and speculation. F. Scott Fitzgerald pessimism is mainly shown through Gatsby’s life; he implies it is impossible to fulfil deepest dreams and desires. This leads to a second pessimism, the struggles endured by characters in their attempts to integrate into an established society. Through Nick, Fitzgerald suggests disgust at the morals followed by the rich society. He disagrees with their internal corruption, spurious friendliness towards outsiders without the ‘correct name’, and lastly, their blatant superficiality upon Gatsby’s death. These extracts expose an inherent pessimism in both the works of Tennessee Williams and F Scott Fitzgerald. Their cynical opinions are introduced through the lows of the plots. Both indicate scepticism of the past and the characters’ fate that Gatsby, Maggie and Brick will have to endure.
