How a Person is Defined
The first text, Kit’s Law (2001) written by Donna Morrissey, told the story of a young girl, Kit Pitman, who had been going through difficult times with losing her Nan, taking care of her mentally unstable mother, and avoiding murderers. This was all happening while she was trying to grow up and find herself. Kit dealt with many things that life threw at her, yet she demonstrated traits of resilience, and the ability to adapt to anything. She managed to cope with discovering her husband to be her half-brother, and came out happy with a supportive brother by her side. The second text, The Great Gatsby (1925) written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, tells the story about Jay Gatsby and his epic battle to win back his long lost love, Daisy Buchanan. In the end, Gatsby was unsuccessful because Daisy retreated back to her husband and his money. Gatsby was killed by George Wilson, the husband of the woman Daisy hit with her car. He died trying to protect Daisy, by admitting to a murder that Daisy committed. The third text, King Richard III (1597) written by William Shakespeare tells the story of Richard, who planned to take over the throne of England, with his brothers ahead of him in line. He believed that the throne was his legacy, and was willing to do anything and kill anyone in order to obtain it. However, he was overthrown and killed, but not until after he murdered most of his family. All of the characters from these three texts, have very strong personalities and opinions. A person is not defined by one’s situation or reputation. They are defined by their choices, actions, who they choose to surround themselves with, and how they choose to deal with the situations they are given. Independence, and strong family bonds, positively strengthen the personalities of various characters within Kit’s Law, The Great Gatsby, and King Richard III. Insecurity, dominance, fervid desires, and marriage for status, were also considerable contributions to the personalities of the characters within the Kit’s Law, The Great Gatsby, and King Richard III texts.
Independence is possessing the ability to develop relationships without having to constantly depend on one another, and ultimately find happiness within one’s own self. It defines a person by displaying one’s strength, and ability to do things on their own. Kit, from Kit’s Law, is an example of a strong and independent character. She had lived a very independent life after her Nan died, which had left her to survive alone with her mother. However, this left Kit to do all the work around their secluded house. For example, Kit had to learn how to cook meals, chop wood, clean the house, and make Nan’s special jam, after Nan died (Morrissey, 70). These new tasks proves that Kit had to learn how to do everything on her own, after Nan died. Kit learned all of the new tasks she was required to complete, in order to care for herself and her mother. Kit did not choose her independence. However, Nick Carraway, from The Great Gatsby did. He himself had chosen to move to New York City for work. From the beginning, Nick preferred to do things on his own, for example, he watched his neighbour’s grand parties from his window. As the story progresses, Nick started to interact with people, but had still managed to remain separate from society. “Thirty – the promise of a decade of loneliness, a thinning list of single men to know, a thinning brief-case of enthusiasm, thinning hair. But there was Jordan beside me, who, unlike Daisy, was too wise ever to carry well-forgotten dreams from age to age. As we passed over the dark bridge her wan face fell lazily against my coat’s shoulder and the formidable stroke of thirty died away with the reassuring pressure of her hand” (Fitzgerald, 135-136). Nick felt he was only witnessing his life tick away. Nick’s independence was one of his strong qualities and led him towards his best friend, Jay Gatsby. Nick’s independence opened up his opportunities and friendships at Gatsby’s parties whereas, from King Richard III, Richard’s independence isolated him from society. Richard was an independent person. He had to hire people to assist him, because of his own mindset, and thoughts that no one would ever dare to think of;
“O bitter consequence
That Edward still should live “true noble prince”!
Cousin, thou wast not won’t to be so dull.
Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead,
And I would have it suddenly performed.
What sayest thou now? Speak suddenly. Be brief” (Shakespeare, IV.II.16-21).
In this quote, Richard ordered the two young princes to be killed, for no reason, other than their higher placement in line for the throne. Richard exhibited independent traits, because he possessed a strong opinion based personality, when he wanted something, he made sure he got it. No one from Richard’s family wanted to be associated with him, creating his independent personality. Richard, Nick, and Kit’s independence was a result of how they chose to positively handle their life events. Therefore proving, their independence reflects positively, and is a strong example of what kind of people they are.
Strong family bonds defines a person’s character, because family are the people they choose to surround themselves with. Families work together to sustain healthy relationships, which result in happiness. In Kit’s Law, Kit and her mother barely knew each other at the beginning of the novel. Kit was never given the opportunity to experience a “typical family life,” due to her mother’s condition. However, she grew closer to her mother by developing an understanding of her mother’s mentality, as opposed to resenting her for it. In the end, when Kit left unannounced, her mother tried to kill herself. She thought her daughter was dead; “A tightening of my heart as she continued to stand there, sullenly blinking back tears, told me what Sid had tried to tell me all along, that it was never her. It was always me… And without knowing I was going to, as if the movement towards her was too great to halt, I leaned even closer and kissed her cheek” (Morrissey, 378). This quotation is an example of Kit and her mother’s relationship having developed, causing her to act the way she had. This was something she would not have done at the beginning of the novel. It was also the reunion of Kit and her mother. At that time, they both realized that their mother-daughter bond could get them through anything. Similar to Jay Gatsby’s “family” bonds in The Great Gatsby that were shown after his life had ended. Although Jay was not close with his father, the strong family bond remained, bringing his father back for his funeral; “After a little while Mr. Gatz opened the door and came out, his mouth ajar, his face flushed slightly, his eyes leaking isolated and unpunctual tears. He had reached an age where death no longer has the quality of ghastly surprise, and when he looked around him now for the first time and saw the height and splendor of the hall and the great rooms opening out from it into other rooms, his grief began to be mixed with an awed pride” (Fitzgerald, 167-168). Despite grieving for his son, Jay Gatsby’s father was also proud of Jay and his accomplishments. Even though they lost touch for many years, the family bond was never broken, and love was always present. No matter how deep under the surface family bonds are, they will still flourish whether one wishes them to or not. Richard from Shakespeare’s King Richard III, displayed no family bonds as a result of his murders. However, the remorse for his dead family members was revealed in his dreams; “GHOST OF CLARENCE (to RICHARD) Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow,/ I, that was washed to death with fulsome wine,/ Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death” (Shakespeare.V.III.138-140). In this quotation, the ghost of Richard’s dead brother had haunted him. Clarence, his brother whom he killed, had the power to get inside Richard’s head, displaying that Richard had some sort of emotions. This made him feel uneasy and guilty for his actions, showing that Richard still cared. His nightmare had been proof of his crucial family bonds. Family bonds are genuinely important. They show how a person is shaped and defined. No matter what form, a person’s family is always there for them, and will always be the strongest relationships they endure.
Insecurity is the lack of confidence and uncertainty in one’s self. It is easy to develop when someone is surrounded by people who are intimidating, patronizing, and negative towards them. Insecurity can easily consume a person, thus proving it as a defining feature of a person. In Kit’s Law, after Kit’s husband discovered he was her half-brother, he had abandoned her. She was consumed by thoughts of him leaving, to be her own fault; “I want you to fix it so’s I can never have babies.”… “It’s the only way I can be with Sid” (Morrissey, 349). Kit thought that being unable to get pregnant was the only way she could be with Sid. She took the blame of Sid leaving; and the other people who never told them they were siblings, and put it all on herself. The guilt of driving Sid away completely consumed Kit. She still loved him, and believed if she had a different father, and changed herself, he would have still loved her. Kit’s lack of confidence in herself, drove her to believe that she needed to change herself, in order to be loved. This was alike to Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby, whose character had no self-confidence. She lost her confidence as a result of her abusive husband, Tom, and long lost love, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby tried to convince Daisy and Tom that Daisy has only ever loved him; “I’ve got something to tell you old sport… Your wife doesn’t love you… She never loved you. She loves me” (Fitzgerald, 130). This quotation displays Gatsby speaking to Tom. Daisy, however, did not have the courage or self confidence to stand up to Gatsby. This prevented her from saying that she had not been waiting around her whole life for Gatsby to come back to her. But that she had moved on from him and made a living for herself. However, her insecurity consumed her, causing her to allow other people to speak for her. Daisy’s insecurity was due to other people, but Richard from King Richard III’s, was an internal means of insecurity. Richard believed that he was ugly, and a burden to the world because of his appearance;
“I, that am rudely stamped and want love’s majesty To strut before a wanton ambling nymph;
I, that am curtailed of this fair proportion,
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature, Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time
Into this breathing world, scarce half made up, And that so lamely and unfashionable
That dogs bark at me as I halt by them— Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace, Have no delight to pass away the time, Unless to see my shadow in the sun
And descant on mine own deformity” (Shakespeare.I.I.16-27).
Richard believed he was so ugly that dogs would bark at him. His body was out of proportion, and deformed. The insecurity about his appearance consumed him, and made him believe that he was not deserving of anything. Kit, Daisy, and Richard’s lack of self-confidence, and uncertainty of themselves, led them to be consumed by the negative aspects of their lives. These insecurities defined the characters to be less confident in themselves.
Dominance characterizes a person because others are automatically intimidated by it. Power is very strong and intimidating. It means one feels the need to control others’ future. However, when dominance is relevant, that is when power is abused. Shine, from Kit’s Law, was constantly seeking power and dominance throughout the novel. He was an alcoholic with no friends, or family, as a result of supposedly murdering his only friend. When he came back to town to pursue a relationship with Josie Pitman, he had been rejected. He did not take Josie’s rejection lightly; “It was a sight that drew a gut-wrenching shriek out of us both that petrified us in its horrifying cruelty. Pirate was skivvered to the floor with a pig knife, his blood in a thick pool around him and his eyes and mouth shocked open, staring at us — as if he too, was witnessing the horror of his death alongside us” (Morrissey, 184). Shine had broken into her house, and had killed her daughter’s cat. Later that day, Shine also came back and attempted to rape Josie’s daughter. He would not settle for anything or anyone whom he could not control. Since Shine didn’t have his dominance over Josie, he was willing to do anything to get her under his control again. By killing her daughter’s cat, this was his way of sending a message, that he had dominance over her. In the end, Shine turned towards physical abuse to display power over his partner. This was similar to Tom Buchanan from, The Great Gatsby. Tom abused his mistress, Myrtle, to keep her from bringing up his wife. He felt a need to hold dominance over Myrtle because she knew he was married, and although he promised Myrtle he would leave his wife, he remained married. He managed to stay with Myrtle Wilson by abusing her. “Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face discussing, in impassioned voices, whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy’s name. “Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!’ shouted Mrs. Wilson. ‘I’ll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai ––’Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand” (Fitzgerald, 37). The physical abuse was to ensure that Myrtle was scared of the consequences that would follow the mention of Tom’s wife. This clearly displayed that Tom needed the dominance over his mistress, because it was the only way he saw fit to ensure that Myrtle wouldn’t leave him. In his mind, dominating his loved ones was the only way they would stay with him, which was the opposite to Richard from King Richard III. Richard didn’t need dominance for love, but for power. He unquestionably had no desire for love in his life; only for dominance, that could be achieved by obtaining the power of becoming King. Richard was more than willing to hire people to kill his family for him in order to gain power;
“Well thought upon. I have it here about me.
He gives a paper
When you have done, repair to Crosby Place.
But, sirs, be sudden in the execution,
Withal obdurate; do not hear him plead,
For Clarence is well-spoken and perhaps
May move your hearts to pity if you mark him” (Shakespeare, I.III.350-356).
Richard told the murderers to ensure that they kill his brother, Clarence, quickly. This proved that Richard would take extreme measures to ensure that he had dominance over others by demanding and killing others. Shine, Tom Buchanan, and Richard were all characters who were not satisfied with the power they already had. They believed they needed to abuse their power, and obtain dominance.
Fervid desires is the intense passion towards someone or something. Once someone is introduced to this person or opportunity, the devotion and drive to get it consumes them. Kit, from Donna Morrissey’s novel, is an example of a fervid person. After she found out she had the same father as her husband, she remained strongly devoted and committed to him, and had committed her entire life to win him back. She did this knowing it was breaking so many laws for them to be together; “I don’t care, I don’t care, I’m comin’ with you.” “Sshh, no.” He pulled back and looked at me, his rain-soaked face made all the more wet with his crying. “It’s more laws, Kit.” “Damn the laws, Sid Ropson! Since when do you care about laws?” (Morrissey, 289). Kit was willing to forget about laws and her values in order to win Sid back. She devoted her life to brainstorming ways to win him back after he left her for another woman. Similarly, this is what Jay Gatsby from, The Great Gatsby, did as well, when he lost his beloved Daisy to another man. He had bought the house directly across the bay from Daisy’s to ensure that he could see the greenlight from their dock, in hopes that she would see his parties across the lake and come to see him; “If it wasn’t for the mist we could see your home across the bay,” said Gatsby. “You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock.” Daisy put her arm through his abruptly, but he seemed absorbed in what he had just said. Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever. Compared to the great distance that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close as a star to the moon. Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one” (Fitzgerald, 92-93). Gatsby had one great love and when he was away at war, she moved on. This resulted in his devotion to get her back, upon his arrival home. Daisy blindly consumed Gatsby’s life, just like power consumed Richard’s life. Richard was so consumed by the thought of power, that he had killed almost his entire family to obtain it;
“Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow,
I, that was washed to death with fulsome wine,
Poor Clarence, by thy guile betrayed to death.
Tomorrow in the battle think on me,
And fall thy edgeless sword. Despair, and die!” (Shakespeare.V.III.138-142).
This quotation was the ghost of Richard’s brother in his dream, haunting and cursing Richard for killing him. Richard did not care whether it was his family he was killing or not. He would do anything for the power of the throne, thus proving that his fervid desires towards power was strong. Passion is a strong attribute to a person. However, when it becomes fervid towards unhealthy and unrealistic things in one’s life, it negatively characterizes a person.
Marriage for status accentuates what kind of a person someone is; love is a fragile thing and is proven to be difficult to find. Some people may pretend to love someone, only to marry them for the status of being their spouse. This action reflects poorly on the kind of person that would do this to someone’s heart. This happened with Kit and her husband Sid, in Kit’s Law. Sid was in prison for one year, he had come home, and proposed to Kit out of the blue when they were sixteen years old. At the time, Kit did not know if she loved Sid, let alone wanted to marry him; “It’s… It’s the runnin’ I don’t like. The runnin’ in the middle of the night and gettin’ married” (Morrissey, 269). Kit knew that marriage was a last minute decision, and she was pressured into saying yes. Sid made it sound as if Kit should be at fault, if she did not want to marry him. She only married him to become his wife and to please him, just like Tom and Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby were pressured into marriage. Tom and Daisy were pressured by their parents, and most importantly, by each other’s inherited money. Tom and Daisy were not together as a result of love, but for the status of being “old money rich.” Tom and Daisy tried to pretend that everything was okay in their relationship, “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made. . . .” (Fitzgerald, 179). Tom and Daisy Buchanan’s relationship was toxic. They ran away from their own problems and forced other people to resolve them. Both Daisy and Tom had affairs with other people, whom they both claimed to have loved. This proved they did not marry each other out of pure love. Comparable to Lady Anne from King Richard III, marrying Richard; “RICHARD: Vouchsafe to wear this ring./ ANNE: To take is not to give” (Shakespeare.I.II.207-208). Richard had to convince Anne to marry him, by threatening to kill himself if she would not have agreed. They had barely known each other. They only saw each other because Richard had murdered Anne’s husband. Anne despised Richard and wished him dead. As a result, their marriage lacked love. Kit, Daisy, and Anne, were all pressured into pretending they loved their spouses. When in reality, they only married them for the status, or to please their partner. None of these women were ready for marriage, making them appear foolish.
A person is not defined by one’s opinion of them. Independence, and strong family bonds, positively strengthen the personalities of various characters within Kit’s Law, The Great Gatsby, and King Richard III. Insecurity, dominance, fervid desires, and marriage for status, were also considerable contributions to the personalities of the characters within the Kit’s Law, The Great Gatsby, and King Richard III texts. These various attributes contribute to how a person is defined. Although the characters believed they were individually doing the right things, the outcome and impact on others was not always the desired result. However, a person is not defined by their situation, mistakes, or reputation. It is their actions, choices, who they choose to surround themselves with, and how they choose to deal with the situations they are given. These are the traits that truly define a person.
Works Cited
- Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2004. Print.
- Morrissey, Donna. Kit’s Law. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001. Print. Shakespeare, William. King Richard III. Toronto: Edited by W. F. Langford, Longmans Canada Ltd., 1966. Print
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