"Ideals are located in an exhausted past that gives the future all the palpability of a mirage," as once stated by Richard Lehan, proves that holding on to the past can produce false hopes for the future. Through both The Reader by Bernhard Schlink and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Michael Berg and Jay Gatsby cling to their pasts, making progression and development in the present seemingly impossible. Through the utilization of both characterization and symbolism, both authors are able to portray this idea, demonstrating the lasting effects of both characters' past.
             Hanna's effects on Michael's early development carry out to his adult life, proving he was unable to let go of a misguided hope for their future. As his initial relationship with Hanna nears its end Michael thinks, "When an airplane's engine fails, it is not the end of the flight; they glide on." Although there is a growing distance between him and Hanna, he clings to the idea that they will be able to work everything out. He does not consider that the relationship might come to an end because he believes it will last indefinitely. When Michael and his new wife Gertrud "would hold each other, [he] would feel that something was wrong, she was wrong, she moved wrong..." Michael's desire for Hanna's return created impossible standards for any other women to be able to measure up to. His past relationship with her made immovable barriers between him and any chance he may have had at creating a functional relationship without involving Hanna. Upon seeing Hanna again, Michael immediately fell back under her control by sending her tapes on a regular basis, sticking to the routine that, "when the tape was finished, [he] waited a moment, closed the block and pressed the stop button." Even though years has passed without contact with Hanna, she still maintained a firm grip over Michael because he allo...