The Date Plam as Big as The Ritz

So I think I did pretty well on the compare and contrast essay, but my grade will probably show otherwise. So as I wrote my essay on The Diamond As Big As The Ritz, I thought I would be able to talk about the other examples of the story that I didn't get to write about. First is the fact that John is from Hades. The name also belongs to the god who is the gate keeper of hell. This creates a symbolic connection between John and where he is from. It says that because John is not as wealthy as the others that go to his school, he is considered under them, and therefore he is from Hades (representing the underworld). This connection also showed the decline of morality within society as its corruption from wealth extends onward. The mention of Hades can also be compared to The Valley of Ashes in The Great Gatsby. As they both might represent the lower classes compared to those around them, they are seen as inferior and come from a dark place. This is on the contrary to those with a lot of wealth, as they are seen as coming from above, from the bright white lights. The next example was about the name Washington itself. Because the name Washington is associated with the start of our country and the creation of the basis of which society lives on today, it was shocking that the rich family was given such a powerful and meaningful name. This naming symbolizes that our nation was built on corruption, like the family, and that it was made from the power of wealth. This, on the other hand, represents the decline of the reality that our country is perfect and is above all others. Both the decline of reality and morality is seen throughout The Diamond as Big as The Ritz and The Great Gatsby.