• Assess The Theme Of Self-Deception In The Great Gatsby, And

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Self-deception is a fundamental aspect of human nature, which is common to most characters or people to some degree and is used to attempt to cope with an unfacable or undesireable reality. In fact, it is almost impossible to find characters in literature who are almost entirely self-aware. Although it is far easier than facing difficulties fully conscious of them, self-deception often leads to a warped sense of self, and missed opportunities that could deeply impact both yourself and others. As well as being a very prevalent in our news today, this theme plays a central role in texts like the Great Gatsby, Macbeth, and The Crucible. In the Great Gatsby, nearly every one of the characters appears hugely dissatisfied with their lives and …show more content…
Lady Macbeth has a plan in mind by the time her husband arrives home and when the current king Duncan visits them, the pair work together to ensure their crime is not discovered. Through helping her husband, she appears to feel that they have been brought closer while she guides him through the process and the immediate aftermath. When Duncan has been killed, Macbeth still has doubts about what they have done and immediately is very panicked and remorseful. He tells her that he feels no ocean would have the ability to wash away the blood on his hands. Lady Macbeth, however, trivializes the gravity of their crime by arguing that, “A little water clears us of this deed.” (II.ii.85). As the play moves forward, Macbeth goes on to commit numerous other murders without his wife’s involvement, distancing himself from her and spiralling into greater isolation and paranoia. Lady Macbeth, while watching this, falls into a state of depression and sleepwalks frequently, all the while exposing to anyone within earshot her inability to free herself from her guilt. One night, shortly before killing herself, a doctor and her lady-in-waiting observe Lady Macbeth furiously washing her hands clean in her sleep of imagined blood, crying that, “...all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.” (V.i.46-47). …show more content…
The man who claimed that he, “will be so good at the military, your head will spin." and stated that he is “the best at the military” showed a great deal of ignorance and ineptitude by fooling his way through a important question about the nuclear triad asked during a republican debate. When asked if he had a priority within the three legs of the triad, (land based missiles, aircraft, or sea transport) the candidate clearly misunderstood the question. But rather than ask for clarification, he began a dizzying, exceptionally long ramble that included his views on relations with Iran, the power nuclear weaponry, and the importance of leadership. He added that “...nuclear changes the whole ball game… the power is so massive.” The question never would be answered even remotely by Trump. Someone who considers his capacity for military leadership one of his greatest assets as a

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