“‘Open the whiskey Tom…and I’ll make you a mint julep”’ (129). -The Great Gatsby
The first quote above is from JT in “The Kentucky Cycle”, which we read today. JT and the Rowen’s sit down and drink while having a good time and telling stories. This scene ends with Tommy attacking JT, and both of them almost ending up killed. The second quote is from “The Great Gatsby”. This scene involves Tom, Daisy, Nick and Gatsby all drinking and talking in the city. This scene ends with Myrtle getting hit by a car and dying.
Both scenes involved alcohol and ended in very similar, tragic ways. We have been discussing cycles frequently in class, and I have noticed that the troubles of drugs and alcohol has been a cycle echoed in the U.S.
Recently there have been quite a few moments where drugs have directed people into danger or some type of trouble. One example is the envelopes sent to New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg containing ricin. Ricin “can be fatal in small doses if inhaled or swallowed”. Fortunately, the envelopes never made it to the mayor, and no one died. But this intent of creating fatalities reminds me of the near deaths in “The Kentucky Cycle” which may have been partly due to the strong liquor the men had drank before fighting. Although different scenarios, the drugs and alcohol both lead to near death experiences. Click here to read more on the mayor’s experience.
And this is not the only example! One can hear of trouble caused from drug or alcohol use on an almost daily basis. In fact, I just read about a Mormon mom of 7 getting caught for smuggling marijuana into the U.S. She is most likely not at fault (because she might have been used by someone else), but it is another interesting example on how drugs are used to hurt another person. So do you think there is a cycle of how drugs and alcohol is used in society, and their consequences? Since we have been discussing cycles for a while in class now, can you think of any other good examples of cycles in America? Feel free to comment bellow.
Recently there have been quite a few moments where drugs have directed people into danger or some type of trouble. One example is the envelopes sent to New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg containing ricin. Ricin “can be fatal in small doses if inhaled or swallowed”. Fortunately, the envelopes never made it to the mayor, and no one died. But this intent of creating fatalities reminds me of the near deaths in “The Kentucky Cycle” which may have been partly due to the strong liquor the men had drank before fighting. Although different scenarios, the drugs and alcohol both lead to near death experiences. Click here to read more on the mayor’s experience.
And this is not the only example! One can hear of trouble caused from drug or alcohol use on an almost daily basis. In fact, I just read about a Mormon mom of 7 getting caught for smuggling marijuana into the U.S. She is most likely not at fault (because she might have been used by someone else), but it is another interesting example on how drugs are used to hurt another person. So do you think there is a cycle of how drugs and alcohol is used in society, and their consequences? Since we have been discussing cycles for a while in class now, can you think of any other good examples of cycles in America? Feel free to comment bellow.
Tom,
ReplyDeleteGood to hear the parallel between Gatsby and TKC. (And Daisy's from Louisville). This post has great potential, but you take on a huge topic and reach a rather banal conclusion, no? Drugs are bad and have been around forever. A picky point: is the reference to Mormonism relevant to your story?
Fine job blogging throughout the term, though!
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ReplyDeleteproblems locating it but, I'd like to shoot you an email.
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