Corruption and Failure in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby :: Great Gatsby Essays

Corruption in The large Gatsby The prow of human degeneracy, its sources and consequences, is a common concern among writers from Shakespeare through J.D Salinger. Some conjure up that it attacks from outside, while others depict corruption occurring from within the individual. In the case if The Great Gatsby and its protagonists point, Fitzgerald shows both factors at work. The moral climate of the Roaring Twenties, Daisy Fay Buchanans pernicious view as on him, and Jay Gatsbys own nature all generate to his tragic demise. First, the large-minded morality of Dan Cody, Gatsbys unfortunate role model, and superficial people who flock to Gatsbys parties contribute to Gatsbys downfall. Their examples encourages Gatsbys interpretation of The American Dream- his naive belief is that money and social stand up are all that matter in his quest for Daisy. The self-absorbed debetants and their bibulous escorts are among those who crash his extravagant soirees. As Nick C arroway tells us, People were not invited- they went there. (pg.40) Shallow, corrupt people like Jordan Baker gossip with reckless dispose about their mysterious host. Their careless, superficial attitudes and wanton behavior represent Fitzgeralds personation of the corrupt American Dream. Another force of corruption responsible for Gatsbys fate is his obsession with a woman of Daisys nature. Determined to marry her after travel from the war, he is blind to her shallow, cowardly nature. He is unable to see the corruption which lies beyond her physical beauty, charming manner and playful banter. That she is incapable of sledding her brutal husband, Tom, of committing herself to Gatsby despite his sacrifices escapes him. As Nick observes, Gatsbys expectation is absurdly childlikeHe only wanted her to tell him Tom that she never loved him. (pg.91) Daisy is not worthy of the pedestal on which she is placed. Since she is hallow at the core, so is his romance which is b ased on a brief flirtation, nothing more. Finally, Gatsbys own character-especially his wilful obsession-contributes to his fate. Despite his naivet about Daisy and her friends who are rich and play polo together, he, too, has been seduced by the tempt of money and fame. Unable to control his obsessive desire to have Daisy, he cares little about the