The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a fictional novel that accurately depicts America during the roaring twenties. The 1920’s in America marked a period of dramatic social and political change. After World War one the stock market suddenly increased significantly, increasing national wealth and consumerism. America was introduced to extreme economic change, which redistributed wealth unequally among certain people. The Great Gatsby encompasses a story of love between a man and a women, however, entails a larger theme about the corruption behind the idolized American Dream.
In this novel the narrator, Nick Carraway, moves to New York from the Midwest in search of fortune. Nick moves into a small house in a town called West Egg in Long Island. Nick Carraway relocates next to a lavish mansion owned by a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is introduced as a wealthy man that throws wild luxurious parties almost every week at his mansion. As Nick immerses into New York’s wealthy social scene he gradually gets to know Gatsby. Nick eventually learns that Gatsby rose from an impoverished family in Minnesota and reinvented himself as a wealthy bootlegger. During the novel it becomes apparent that Gatsby is motivated to become wealthy and throws parties to attract Nick Carraways cousin, Daisy Buchanan. The two met prior to the war and fell in love as Gatsby was a commander in the army. However, after departing for war Daisy moved on and married a rich man named Tom Buchanan. Although Daisy Buchanan is married, Jay Gatsby is determined to win her over. In an attempt to win Daisy over Gatsby reinvents himself as a wealthy socialite by illegally distributing liquor. Even though Gatsby becomes extremely wealthy and throws lavish parties every weekend he is sad and lonely without Daisy. In this novel it becomes apparent that Gatsby cannot live without Daisy.
Although The Great Gatsby displays a romanticized story about a man and women it also reveals the larger picture behind the corruption of the American Dream. The American Dream represents the freedom of bountiful opportunities to achieve economic prosperity and success. The idea that anyone from any social background could potentially become wealthy was immensely attractive to the common man. However, in this novel the author uncovers the truth behind the unfair realities of the American Dream. Fitzgerald portrays the roaring twenties as an era of decayed social and moral values. The desire to obtain wealth and power surpasses moral and noble values. Money and stagnant social values corrupt the American ways in the roaring twenties. Throughout this novel Fitzgerald displays the greed and selfishness behind the ultimate goal of achieving the American Dream. Becoming rich by any means corrupted American society in the roaring twenties.
I agree that Fitzgerald wanted to really focus on the decay of American society at the time. I would even go as far as to say as it dies in the novel along with Myrtle. I think this is really proven by the people in attendance of Gatsby’s lavish parties and in general how Gatsby displays himself. There’s a lack of intelligent discourse and, in general, thought among these people, they seem to mindlessly enjoy the materialistic aspects of life. They attend the parties of a man none of them know or care about (as proven by them not attending his funeral in the end.) Gatsby was hinted to be more than these people, but gave up what made him unique in order to reach Daisy again, he put effort into being fake like the party goers, as evidenced by the books Owl-Eyes was obsessed with. He could have avoided the entire mess (especially his death) if he had just reveled in his individualism rather than try to fit in with the mindless party goers. Overall, I think Fitzgerald felt Americans were greedy and kind of brain dead, he felt gaining wealth just to obtain materials to be a pointless goal and felt that this was the society that surrounded him.
Pretty slick post James, I agree that The Great Gatsby does serve to represent moral degradation in characters like Tom and Daisy, but Nick Caraway makes a point in acknowledging the respect he has for Gatsby’s hopeful disposition. Perhaps this is Fitzgerald’s advice to create a better future; never lose hope.
It seems like many people in this story are hoping for and working for a better future. In Gatsby’s case, he is trying to get Daisy back in his life but ultimately he fails to do so. I would find it curious as to why this would be Fitzgerald’s advice.
In a way though, I think that Gatsby can be seen as just as broken and decayed as everyone else. It could be argued that the hope that Gatsby has is pointless as what he is chasing may not really exist. The way he sees Daisy may not be how she is in reality, just as the American dream might not be what it seems.
I like how you talk about the unfair realities of the American Dream during this time. The 1920’s were a time of moral and social corruption which led to people trying to acquire wealth by any means necessary. This generation’s desire to make money was much greater than their desire to uphold social and moral values, so they became greedy and lost these values. Many Americans, like Jay Gatsby, gained their fortunes through organized crime and other illegal activities like bootlegging because the money was more important to them than being respectful, law abiding citizens.
It is interesting to see how respectful, law abiding citizens are more or less left in the dust. It really describes how the roaring 20’s were a dog eat dog kind of world.
George Wilson really embodies that (up until he takes matters into his own hands). He’s a hardworking mechanic and Tom, using his influence and power, seduces Myrtle for really no gain other than exert his power over others. So even the corruption within the elite society trickled down into the laboring class.
I agree with how crazy it was to live in NY in the roaring 20’s. The Great Gatsby represents the American Dream, gone wrong. Some people were earning their wealth illegally, while others sit on their “old money”. People wanted the respect of those with “old money”, but many people failed to gain the honor and respect that came with the riches.
I feel like even though Gatsby became rich, he was never respected by the others. They did go to his parties, but they also acted so indifferently and they did not want to come to Gatsby’s funeral.