How do the two works you have studied challenge cultural values?
Cultural values are often viewed as a set of rules or common understandings and beliefs that society
abides by. In many cultures, the values can vary drastically, but are often entrusted as the backbone
of society. Despite that, as cultural values are set since the beginning of civilizations and are
influenced by the socioeconomic status of the time, it can often be difficult for all to abide by and is
criticised by many. In both works of literature, The Great Gatsby (TGG) by F.Scott Fitzgerald and A
View from the Bridge (AVFTB) by Arthur Miller, the authors have successfully challenged these
cultural values in many ways. Both of these works were set in the 1900s, with TGG taking place
during the Roaring Twenties and AVFTB taking place later in the 1950s. However, despite the gap in
time, both authors have successfully challenged cultural values and beliefs through their depiction of
the failure of the American Dream as well as the patriarchal and class-based systems at the time.
Firstly, Miller and Fitzgerald both challenged the cultural values at the time by depicting the failure
of the American Dream. In both texts, the United States is considered the new world and an area
where people can transform themselves and go from rags to riches. Therefore, many people have
immigrated to the area, not simply just from within the country itself, moving to either coast, but
also from countries abroad. In AVFTB, Miller highlighted the failure of the American Dream through
the usage of structural parallelism. Eddie Carbone, whose home is where Rodolpho and Marco reside
during their time in the United States, was carefully depicted by Miller as a man of honour, someone
who follows the Sicilian laws in the Red Hook area. The author carefully showcased Eddie’s strong
opinion as he told his niece the story of Vinny Bolzano and the consequences of betraying the
Sicilian law and snitching. However, as the play progresses, Miller uses dramatic irony to showcase
Eddie’s personality and characteristics as he begins to contemplate turning in Rodolpho and Marco
due to his feelings about Rodolpho and his niece’s relationship. Whilst at the beginning of the play,
Eddie showcases his loyalty to the Sicilian law through his acknowledgement of “stool pigeons” in
the area and warning Catherine to always be careful, his corrupted morals start to show through
frequent conversations with Alfieri, where he contemplates turning in Rodolpho so he will be
deported. The climax of the play is reached when Eddie goes to the telephone booth and calls the
Immigration Service. Miller highlights the corruption of Eddie’s morals through his actions as he
spoke on the phone with immigration officers, but “with greater hesitation” and “slowly hangs up”.
His actions imply a sense of hesitation and nervousness, as Eddie is aware of what he is doing and
how it goes against his personal and communal values, yet still chooses to do it. The action
symbolizes how the American Dream can lead to moral corruption and is tactfully used by Miller to
criticize the fragility of the American Dream and how it falsely brings hope to those who want a
better opportunity for life. The consequences that Eddie faces parallel the stories that he shared at
the beginning of the play. Eddie’s tragic downfall, as he was ostracized by the community he once
was familiar with, mirrors that of Vinny Bolzano, showcasing the irony of the lessons that he once
taught Catherine to be aware of are now applicable to himself. Miller has used irony to highlight the
tragedy that occurred as a direct result of the falsified American Dream.
Similar to AVFTB, Fitzgerald has also used symbolism and motifs throughout the novel to portray
how the failure of the American Dream can lead to moral corruption and challenge its beliefs. Jay
Cultural values are often viewed as a set of rules or common understandings and beliefs that society
abides by. In many cultures, the values can vary drastically, but are often entrusted as the backbone
of society. Despite that, as cultural values are set since the beginning of civilizations and are
influenced by the socioeconomic status of the time, it can often be difficult for all to abide by and is
criticised by many. In both works of literature, The Great Gatsby (TGG) by F.Scott Fitzgerald and A
View from the Bridge (AVFTB) by Arthur Miller, the authors have successfully challenged these
cultural values in many ways. Both of these works were set in the 1900s, with TGG taking place
during the Roaring Twenties and AVFTB taking place later in the 1950s. However, despite the gap in
time, both authors have successfully challenged cultural values and beliefs through their depiction of
the failure of the American Dream as well as the patriarchal and class-based systems at the time.
Firstly, Miller and Fitzgerald both challenged the cultural values at the time by depicting the failure
of the American Dream. In both texts, the United States is considered the new world and an area
where people can transform themselves and go from rags to riches. Therefore, many people have
immigrated to the area, not simply just from within the country itself, moving to either coast, but
also from countries abroad. In AVFTB, Miller highlighted the failure of the American Dream through
the usage of structural parallelism. Eddie Carbone, whose home is where Rodolpho and Marco reside
during their time in the United States, was carefully depicted by Miller as a man of honour, someone
who follows the Sicilian laws in the Red Hook area. The author carefully showcased Eddie’s strong
opinion as he told his niece the story of Vinny Bolzano and the consequences of betraying the
Sicilian law and snitching. However, as the play progresses, Miller uses dramatic irony to showcase
Eddie’s personality and characteristics as he begins to contemplate turning in Rodolpho and Marco
due to his feelings about Rodolpho and his niece’s relationship. Whilst at the beginning of the play,
Eddie showcases his loyalty to the Sicilian law through his acknowledgement of “stool pigeons” in
the area and warning Catherine to always be careful, his corrupted morals start to show through
frequent conversations with Alfieri, where he contemplates turning in Rodolpho so he will be
deported. The climax of the play is reached when Eddie goes to the telephone booth and calls the
Immigration Service. Miller highlights the corruption of Eddie’s morals through his actions as he
spoke on the phone with immigration officers, but “with greater hesitation” and “slowly hangs up”.
His actions imply a sense of hesitation and nervousness, as Eddie is aware of what he is doing and
how it goes against his personal and communal values, yet still chooses to do it. The action
symbolizes how the American Dream can lead to moral corruption and is tactfully used by Miller to
criticize the fragility of the American Dream and how it falsely brings hope to those who want a
better opportunity for life. The consequences that Eddie faces parallel the stories that he shared at
the beginning of the play. Eddie’s tragic downfall, as he was ostracized by the community he once
was familiar with, mirrors that of Vinny Bolzano, showcasing the irony of the lessons that he once
taught Catherine to be aware of are now applicable to himself. Miller has used irony to highlight the
tragedy that occurred as a direct result of the falsified American Dream.
Similar to AVFTB, Fitzgerald has also used symbolism and motifs throughout the novel to portray
how the failure of the American Dream can lead to moral corruption and challenge its beliefs. Jay
