At first glance, the Young Man in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “The Poet,” Mrs. Baroda” of Kate Chopin’s “A Respectable Woman,” and Amory Blaine of Fitzgerald’s “This Side of Paradise” seem to have very little in common. After all, what do a budding artist, a housewife and a laze-a-bout collegiate share in terms of lifestyle, education, and day-to day activity? But, on closer examination, it becomes clear that what each of them have in common are the desires set in the deep recesses of their mind that are shaping who they will become. Each character begins at Continue reading...