Rachael Newell

Compare and Contrast Essay

Disillusionment is a fact of life that you must learn to deal with. It is an evolving understanding
of the world and your place in it.-Dr. James T. Webb. The definition of disillusionment is: a feeling of
disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be.
When someone experiences this feeling, they tend to isolate themselves in an effort to overcome the
pain. It creates a need of independence or deepens the necessity of nurture. In The Great Gatsby by F.
Scott Fitzgerald, the author uses the themes of disillusionment and isolation to bring the roaring
twenties to life. Today, the ideas of these two themes are very similar to that of the twenties. The ideas
of disillusionment and isolation of the early twentieth century are still prevalent today through the
effects on the lost generations, the effect of youth postponing adulthood, and the expansion of
womens freedom.
According to the article by Kathryn VanSpanckeren, when the young soldiers returned to the US
after the brief involvement in WWI, shocked and lacking innocence, they experienced a disillusionment
that permanently changed them and their future. They no longer had desires to farm but yearned for a
modern, urban life that would lead them to a broader success. Because of the way they changed
traditional living, they were referred to as the lost generation, and isolated from established society.
Today, youth face the same lack of innocence; not through war, but through economic hardship. In the
article Census, they state that, Richard Freeman, an economist at Harvard University, said young people
will be scarred and they will be called the lost generation-in that their careers would not be the same
way if we had avoided this economic disaster. The drastic increase of unemployment in teens limits
their future potential of a successful career. This isolates them from older generations because they will
have to compete for jobs rather than just earning them through education. Teenagers experience the
hard disillusionment that they have an unclear and unforeseeable future, and they dont have a say in it.
Although the youth of today have different experiences as to those of the twentieth century, the effects
of disillusionment and isolation are the same and reflect the same ideas.
In The Great Gatsby, Mr. Gatsby is known for his fabulous and over-the-top parties, where
hundreds of uninvited guests take advantage of his hospitality by doing whatever it is they want to do.
Young wives had to be lifted, kicking, into the night (52). Old and young came to Gatsbys parties,
seeking refuge to a better place outside of their world that they thought was good. Gatsby provided
innumerable drinks, even though the 18
th
amendment concerning prohibition was intact, and his guests
got savagely drunk in effort to forget their responsibilities. Today, according to Census, Many young
adults are essentially postponing adulthood and all of the family responsibilities and extra costs that go
along with it. The youth of both the twentieth century and today fear the responsibilities of being an
adult, so they seek something that will keep them from getting there. Back then, they also feared being
isolated and being locked up in work. Today, they also fear that family life will hold them back from
success and deter their wealth. Although they dont face the same fears the ideas of disillusionment and
isolation in their lives are the same.
American women value equality in gender roles and diligently strive for it. In the article by
Kathryn VanSpanckeren, she says during the roaring twenties, American women, in particular, felt
liberated And had become resolutely modern They boldly spoke their mind and took public roles in
society. Many women face disillusionment through sexism. Even though they have equality by law,
men still tend to discriminate and fight for their superiority. Because of this, women take advantage of
any power they can get in order to avoid being disillusioned by society. Today, women face the same
discriminatory problems. Also, they sometimes face the sadness of isolation because of the
independence they seek. In Census, it states that, men are now nearly twice as likely as women to live
with their parents. Women seek independence to prove that they are just as capable as men, but
sometimes in turn they face isolation from family and friends because of their dignity. However different
the effects of isolation come to women today as opposed to the twenties, the impression and idea of
disillusionment in women is the same.
The newfound strength of women, the resistance of youth to become adults, and the
experiences of lost generations, all show how prevalent the twentieth century ideas of disillusionment
and isolation are today. Both ideas contribute to depression and resentment, causing doubt in ones
self. However, when they are brought to light they can change someone for the better! They can
improve society and show the world that improvement is possible. These connections made with the
past can aid to the preparations of a better future. Dont ever skip a history class, because the
opportunity to change the world might then be lost.