Group+1

Formal Outline The Desire to Live in the Clouds: Lovely Idealistic Visions Distort Reality Introduction Paragraph: "Illusions commend themselves to us because they save us pain and allow us to enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality against which they are dashed to pieces." This quote by Sigmund Freud accurately demonstrates the somewhat melancholy theme of __Doctor Zhivago__, a film directed by David Lean. __Doctor Zhivago__ is the story of Yurii, an idealistic man living amidst the harsh reality of the Russian Revolution. Idealism, whether on a personal, national, or global level, often creates a curtain blinding those who do not want to face reality. __Doctor Zhivago__ cleverly illuminates the conflict of idealism versus realism on these three levels. The characters in many older and modern works such as “The Bachelor,” __The Titanic__, __Animal Farm__, and “Romeo and Juliet” strive to maintain their ideals while struggling against reality. Idealism isn't all it is made up to be when the realization of reality hits. I. Instead of anticipating difficulties and facing reality, people tend to allow their ideals to consume them by living in their fantasies. A. In __Doctor Zhivago__, Yurii wants to believe that he can live a double love life. 1. Even though he is married to Tonya, he shows no commitment to her or to their children. 2. He lives with Laura and refuses to accept that he must choose between the two women. B. When it comes to love, it's difficult to take a reality check. 1. In the movie __The Titanic__, directed by James Cameron, the difficulty in facing reality and accepting the consequences of one's actions is portrayed. 2. Rose, the vanguard, refuses to accept the role her mother has chosen for her. She lives in her ideal world and, although she is engaged, chases an affair with Jack. 3. The viewers of the movie sympathize with Rose because everyone wants to believe complete happiness is attainable. C. In many people's ideal world they would get to "play" with whomever they wanted and not have to deal with consequences. Many of these ideal worlds lack commitment. 1. A very popular show today is “The Bachelor” (ABC). In “The Bachelor,” a man dates twenty- five girls in hopes of finding his true love. The show sounds like a quick and easy fix to a single lifestyle. 2. Only two couples in the entire history of the show have stayed together. As wonderful as true love at first sight sounds, it is often puppy love that lacks the strength to face real life. II. The essence of idealism and realism are exemplified throughout George Orwell's novel, __Animal Farm__. A. One of the main points of the book is that a perfect society where everyone is treated equally is impossible. 1. The animals' view of Animal Farm, where everyone is equal, is too idealistic—it just can’t happen. 2. Snowball's view of the future of the farm is realistic—he has ideas that could actually work and help the animals. B. Even though the animals start off being equal, there are some animals that eventually come to have more power than others, such as Napoleon and Squealer. 1. A nation cannot be composed of people being treated completely equal. 2. There will eventually be problems with equality because a nation must have leaders, who naturally have more power than other citizens. C. It is very evident that the author, George Orwell, thinks that a nation cannot be based on idealism and equality—there will always be problems, unfairness, and those who are natural born leaders. III. On the global level, the pursuit of an ideal can lead to the creation of conflicts and the destruction of nations. A. Adolf Hitler believed that the Germans were the master race and attempted to take over the world. 1. The Germans, led by Hitler, started World War II when they invaded Poland. 2. This conflict resulted in the deaths of millions of people. B. The eventual outcome of World War II was the defeat of the Germany and Japan. 1. Germany was economically destroyed by WWII, and has still not recovered fully from the war. 2. Japan is still recovering from the dropping of the atomic bombs at the end of    the war, and U.S. troops were positioned in Japan for nearly fifty years after the end of WWII. IV. Although a perfectly ideal world would be exceptionally convenient, reality doesn’t make room for it. A. Most people want to meet their love in a "Romeo and Juliet" fashion. 1. People idealize love at first sight and infatuation over the reality of commitment through hardships. 2. Like in the tragedy of "Romeo and Juliet" people want to only focus on their love life. In their ideal world, love is the antidote for all problems. B. Throughout George Orwell's novel, __Animal Farm__, one can see that, on a national level, being realistic is much better than wanting idealism. 1. The reader can follow the society of Animal Farm throughout the book and see that the ideal nation is not possible. 2. Just like in the novel, a nation that sets out to be perfect and equal does not stay that way for long. The people of a society cannot all be treated equally, no matter how ideal it seems. C. Nations and their search for the idealistic society often face conflicts.