Introduction

The works of Zora Neal Hurston in “Their Eyes Were Watching God” and of F Scott Fitzgerald in “The Great Gatsby” may appear to be very distinct. Yet the characterization that both authors place upon their female leads makes the novels appear similar in a deeper aspect.

        In “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, Zora Neal Hurston presents the reader with Janie a strong round and dynamic protagonist. In “The Great Gatsby”, F Scott Fitzgerald introduces us to Daisy a static and flat main character who is essential to the plot of the novel.

        Janie is an African American woman living in the South, who grew up during times  racism was present and when females were oppressed and subjugated by men, and life for African Americans was very hard and difficult. Daisy is an upper class, east coast, socialite, who grows up in a time of change marked by the devastating traces that the Great War left behind, and surrounded by a world of sinful passions, immorality, jealousy, and ambition.  

        As we examine both characters we discover that though they have many differences they are very much alike.

Similarities

        

Aspirations

         Samuel Johnson once said “Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion”. Janie and Daisy both had dreams and aspirations which became at a climatic point the reasons for their being. Janie longed to find true love and throughout the novel, Zora Neal Hurston, presented us with her journey in finding her true love which in the end became a journey of self discovery and appreciation. In the second chapter of “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, Janie often sits by a pear tree contemplating the horizon and her dreams. Daisy has dreams and aspirations as well. She dreams of a luxurious life style and a prominent and stable future that will secure her well being, as it is demonstrated when she chooses to not wait for Gatsby when he is sent to war and instead marries Tom Buchanan, who will fulfills her dreams and ambitions. Later another dream for Daisy will appear which will be getting together with Gatsby again and staring her life over. The dreams of the two women mold and shape the paths that their lives follow, as well as their outcomes and their relationships.

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Impact of Men

        Another similarity that we can understand from the novels is the fact that both characters are in a way mistreated and used by the men in their lives. Daisy who is sophisticated, graceful, charming and refined becomes the ideal trophy wife for Tom who controls the aspects of her life and knows how to manipulate through her weaknesses such as her ambition as it is represented in the scene where he convinces her into staying with him. Tom also cheats on Daisy and often ignores her. Janie has more to be talked about in this ...

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