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Bibliography
"20 Interesting Real Life Cases of Deception and Trickery." KickassFacts.com. N.p., 25 Apr. 2016. Web. 23 Apr. 2017.
Hatfield, Heather. "10 Ways to Catch a Liar." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.
"Pamela Meyer: How to Spot a Liar." TED Summaries. N.p., 02 Aug. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.
Mabillard, Amanda. Deception in Shakespeare's Hamlet. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.
"20 Photos To Remind You That Photoshop Is One Big Lie." So Bad So Good RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.
Staff, Creative Bloq. "30 Mind-bending Trompe L'oeil Illusions." Creative Bloq. Creative Bloq ART AND DESIGN INSPIRATION, 29 Mar. 2017. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.
(www.dw.com), Deutsche Welle. "How 25 Years of Photoshop Changed Our Perception of Reality | Digital Culture | DW.COM | 27.02.2015." DW.COM. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2017.
"10 Things You Didn't Know About Lying." Gizmodo. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2017.
Deceit in The Great Gatsby
In the Great Gatsby deceit is very much present not only through the story but within each character as well.
The 20’s, which is the time period in which this story is taken place in, was an era in which it every person strived to achieve the American dream which meant having the best of everything. However, it is known that luxury is far from easy to get and people would very often cut corners and lie to get what they want.
As rumors spark up about Jay Gatsby, Gatsby begins acting in a very secretive way as if he was hiding something or keeping people from knowing his past.
Meyer Wolfsheim simply uses Gatsby’s success to carry on his own wealth and doesn't care about Jay Gatsby’s own dreams and successes he wished to have.
Tom Buchanan deceives Myrtle Wilson into believing that he actually cares for her when in reality it is all a lie.
Deceit in Hamlet
In Shakespearean dramas, deception is a critical element that makes his plays what they are. One play that emphasizes that element is Hamlet. Right away one can tell that Hamlet's madness is an act of deception. In order to draw attention away from him he goes out of his way to make sure that Claudius is one to blame.
Claudius lies to everyone about the murder of Hamlet's father. He expresses guilt over his deception in an aside:
"The harlot’s cheek, beautied with plastering art,
Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it
Than is my deed to my most painted word:
O heavy burthen!"
Polonius deceives Laertes when he gives him his blessing to go to Paris but sends Reynaldo to spy on his every action.
Conclusion
The truth of the matter is that deception is everywhere.
At times, it may be easy to lie, but it is also easy to be deceived.
So, be careful where you place your trust...
"Oh! what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise [sic] to deceive!"
- Walter Scott, Marmion
Deceit in Grapes of Wrath
During the time period in which Grapes of Wrath is set, the nation is placed in a financial crisis due to the effects of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Because of this, the theme of deception comes in. Many people were desperate to get enough money to simply feed their families, even if it meant ruining the lives of people left worse off than them. For example, Chapter 7 talks about cars. More specifically, how they’re sold by crooked salesmen. Throughout the chapter, the salesmen tell lies about the cars to get them sold. For instance, a car salesman tells a family: “Goin' to California? Here's jus' what you need. Looks shot, but they's thousan's of miles in her” This is a lie, as the car does not have thousand’s of miles on it. In fact, the only “truth” told in this sentence was that the car looked “shot”. But, they took this negative fact and watered it down with a “shiny,” positive lie, making their claim believable to gullible families.
"A truth can walk naked, but a lie always needs to be dressed."
- Khalil Gibran
Deceit in Telling Lies:World of Doublespeak
In this piece, Lutz talks about different kinds of doublespeak, which are: euphemism, jargon, bureaucratese (gobbledygook), and inflated language. Euphemism is, basically, watering down a harsh truth. For example, the US government using the phrase “radiation enhancement device” to describe a neutron bomb (Lutz 349). Jargon is a specialized language used by professionals of a similar profession. It often makes the simple appear seem complex, making it a form of deception. For example, calling theft an “involuntary conversion” (Lutz 349). Bureaucratese is piling words onto a sentence so the listener becomes overwhelmed. In other words, it’s making a lie really long. For example, Sir Humphrey Appleby says: “Sometimes one is forced to consider the possibility that affairs are being conducted in a manner which, all things being considered and making all possible allowances is, not to put too fine a point on it, perhaps not entirely straightforward.” In short, he’s actually saying: “You’re lying.” Like jargon, inflated language is language that is used to “make everyday things seem impressive” (Lutz 351). For example, the phrase “initiating a career alternative enhancement program” is inflated language for “We’re laying off thousands of workers.” All these types are meant to deceive the listener, and often work, as most people won’t over analyze something that looks or sounds trustworthy.
"It is the congruity between the word and referent, between seem and be, between the essential function of language -- communication -- and what doublespeak does -- mislead, distort, deceive, inflate, circumvent, obfuscate."
- William Lutz
Video
Pamela Meyer: How to Spot a Liar
Deceit in Psychology
There is science to lying. From studying fMRI's, scientists have figured out the physiological aspects that accompany deception. When lying, activity in one's prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain responsible for thinking and problem-solving, increases. This only proves that is takes more effort to lie than it does to be honest.
Evidence of lying also include:
- Longer response times
- Anxiety/sweating
- Increased rate of blinking
- Changes in blood pressure
- Lack of eye contact
- Use of too many details
- Microexpressions/Body language
- Change in tone of voice
But don't be deceived: "It's more important to recognize when someone is telling the truth than telling a lie because people can look like they're lying but be telling truth," says federal agent Newberry.
Deceit
Deceit in Politics
In order to obtain a desired status, politicians often trick ordinary people through the art of deception. Whether their methods be by using empty promises or extravagant half-truths, they give unsatisfactory solutions to the most basic issues and are yet still able to gain a large following. For example, take Donald J. Trump. Throughout his campaign, he made many promises which could (obviously) not be fulfilled to gain votes (For example, "We're going to build a wall and Mexico's going to pay for it!!!"). However, rather than lose credibility, he gained a very large group of supporters in effect. This is deception because he only said what people wanted to hear, but he did not actually intend to do everything he promised.
"Integrity is the lifeblood of democracy. Deceit is a poison in its veins."
- Edward Kennedy
What is Deceit?
Deceit is the action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth.
Deceit in the World
Deceit is everywhere. We all have deceived and been deceived. In fact, The average American lies at least once a day. However, not only do individuals lie, but groups and organizations do as well.
By: Rachel E, Rachel M & Crystal S
Real World Example: Between 1932 and 1972, the US government tricked around 600 black citizens from Alabama into believing that they were receiving free healthcare when in reality they were test subjects to study the natural progression of untreated syphilis. ("Tuskeegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male")
Deceit in Art
Artists, too, are masters of deception. Deceit is seen in many different art forms, including photography, art, and even music.
Art
Photography
People use deception in photography to alter realities and shape perceptions to appeal to the viewer.
The art of deception is seen through art in forms of optical illusions. Artists have the ability to depict an object as close to reality as possible or to display a variety of images in a single image.
Illusionism, also known as trompe l'oeil art, began to flourish in the Renaissance period and is still seen today.
Photoshop is a computer program used to modify pictures. In modeling, this software is utilized to erase cellulite, remove skin blemishes, or to reshape one's body to comply to society's definition of beauty.
Music
Deceit in music comes in many forms. Firstly, many musicians opt to use a name other than their own, creating a mask and giving themselves a whole new persona.
Also, it is common for musicians, especially rappers, to lie about their wealth to appeal to their listeners. For example, in the hit song "Live This Moment", rapper Pitbull claims to make "billions", when in Business Week he was reported to have only earned $9.5 million in 2012, when the song was released.
Musicians deceive their audiences all the time with implications of wealth, status, and power to appeal to those who aspire to gain those things as well.
AP Language & Composition
Mrs. Bellot
4/24/17
Deceit in Literature
The theme of deceit is common among many titles.
From the story of Adam and Eve in the Bible to the tale of the Odyssey, deception plays a large role in numerous literary plots.
EXAMPLES:
1. Telling Lies: World of Doublespeak - William Lutz
2. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
3. Hamlet - Shakespeare
4. The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
“A bullsh*t artist isn't concerned with the truth, but instead makes things up to suit his purpose. He doesn't care if the things he says describe reality accurately.”
- Jeff Hancock