A Study of the Gilded Age Essay - 2260 Words

A Study of Social and Economic Aspects of the Gilded Age Henry James and Abraham Cahan lived in the turn of the twentieth century, where social and economic corruptions were gilded by the extreme wealth of the few. This period also marked the beginning of a distinction between the European and American culture. Both authors artistically create in their stories the tragedy and drama of Americans in Europe and Europeans in America. James lived comfortably in both America and Europe, and it showed in his work Daisy Miller: A Study in which he creates a fairy tale land full of extravagant hotels, beautiful sceneries, sparkly blue lakes and well dressed people. Cahan was an immigrant living during the time of mass Americanization of†¦show more content†¦James described Veney as for the entertainment of tourists is the business of the place (James 1501) from the beginning James hints the way American foreigners are perceived does not fit with the outer appearances of Veney. It is a place for the entertainment of the tourists but Daisy and her family, who are tourists, but they are not allowed much entertainment, for everything they did, they get criticized for. When Randolp describes his new home in Rome he says its all gold on the wall (James 1520), since James was a writer during the Gilded Age, it was a way to describe the Miller family. On the outside the Miller looked like they would fit into the social circles because they are wealthy and dresses extremely well. However, their wealth gilds the fact that they are dislike by other Americans. Through this James presented the double standard a society has; society looks down upon the poor folks, but the Millers are still looked down upon because of how they earn their wealth, which is one of the reasons Mrs. Costello used to reject Daisy. It implies James own dislike for the European Americans social circle. James displays his aversion and the hypocrisy of the European Americans social circle. He describe s Mrs. Walker as one of those American ladies who while residing abroad make it a point, in their own phase, of studying European society (James 1528), the social circle thought they are doing what was right or courteous byShow MoreRelatedTransformation Of Urban Life During The Gilded Age And The Development Of Suburbs1423 Words   |  6 PagesTopic 3: The Transformation of Urban Life in the Gilded Age and the Development of Suburbs for the American Middle Classes This historical study will define the increased economy prosperity of the Gilded Age and the development of suburban planning in the American middle classes. During the late 19th century, the massive growth of the American economy was dominantly formed in urban industrial centers, yet the wealth generated from the upper and middle classes allowed them to move out into ruralRead MoreAncient Gilding Methods and Their Chemical Structure Essay646 Words   |  3 PagesIntroduction: The article seeks to inform the reader not only about ancient gilding methods, but also about their chemical structures. The article does this by examining gilded artifacts from each gilding methodology and studying the components in the metal. The article also attempts to explain how the chemical structures in the object came about, using technology and analysis. Main points of article: The first paragraph sets out to explain ancient gilding and why it occurred, as well asRead MoreEdith Wharton: Exposing Aristocratic Society Essay1136 Words   |  5 Pagesexperiences have definitely had a huge impact on her writing. Her high social status, the Gilded Age in America, and her love for nature influenced Edith Wharton to write The House of Mirth. Wharton’s noble social background was very influential on her writing. It allowed Wharton to give an insider’s perspective on the wealthy people of New York during this time. Due to her first hand view of society during the Gilded Age, Wharton was able to satirize this society and also reference the tragedies that goRead MoreGilded Age Dbq Essay1643 Words   |  7 PagesThe Gilded Age was the time of rapid economic growth for the United States. The period where little corporations turned into a millionaire company. The time of one of the most dynamic, contentious, and volatile periods in American history happened. National wealth increased dramatically but their was a problem for the poor and the farmers of the U.S. People may say that the Gilded Age was the era of corruption, harsh labor and brutal industrial competition, but others think that the Gilded Age isRead MoreThe Great Impact On Intellectual And Artistic Endeavors And Theses Ideas Essay1262 Words   |  6 Pagesare many important events that occurred during the Gilded Age. This age was birthed at a time following the Civil War, around the Reconstruction Era and it would continue to rise until its last breath before the dawn of the Progressive Era . It is the age that brought us Mark Twain and Huckleberry Fin, yet it is almost a forgotten era as the time periods before and after absorbs all the glory . Even though Mark Twain coined the name, â€Å"the Gilded Age,† it may be easier to remember the Industrial RevolutionRead MoreA Gilded Age : A Gilded Age1055 Words   |  5 Pagesthe time 1870-1900 yes,it was a gilded age. Because the rich lived good without any problems and the truth is deeper in because the poor were getting worser. And thats what gilded was like covered thinly with gold but rusty on the inside. But it was important in society because the political and the showing of wealth were so good but on the other side the poor were really bad. The workers are the ones that had terrible lives. The 20th Century was a Gilded age. For example the worst jobs wereRead MoreFreedom During The Gilded Age922 Words   |  4 PagesFreedom during the Gilded Age The meaning of freedom for black Americans have changed over time, during the Gilded Age Blacks’ definition of freedom was defined as a new â€Å"social order† still driven at the hope of an American society breaking free from the anti-democratic restraints imposed by a corrupt government. This concept of freedom changed when WWII and the 1960’s Conservative Revolution started ,allowing blacks to reap the benefits of social, political and economic prosperities by having theRead MoreWorkers of the Progressive Era1047 Words   |  5 PagesProgressive Era: Working Class Workers during the gilded age were marginalized by their working conditions, low income, and limited working hours. To overcome the marginalization for the working class, they created labor movements and went on strikes. Although the workers had created many strikes and labor unions, they were at the least successful. Workers were marginalized by the poor working conditions they had. A lot of the time the workers feared goingRead MoreHistory Is The Study Of Fast Event931 Words   |  4 Pages History Final Assignment History is the study of fast event or information about fact what people did to make this world beautiful. From this class or especially from my professor Amy Bell I learn that what written in the books are not all fact. Before I used to hate history subject because of date, but after taking history two I started to love to study different history books to know the fact. Especially I read the united states history booksRead MoreExtent to which the Republican Party Liberalized1502 Words   |  6 PagesA. Plan of Investigation The Progressive Era was a time characterized by a multitude of reactions to the inherent problems in American society and politics. The previous age of â€Å"gilded† politics had left the American political system fraught with corruption and inefficiency, and the rise of industrialization made clear the socioeconomic divide between the lower and upper classes. Progressivism became a loosely connected movement of legislation, ideas, and people striving to improve the