preview

Role Of Corruption In The Great Gatsby

Decent Essays

The "American Dream" is a term coined after America became a free nation ready for growth and prosperity. It was and continues to be used frequently in reference to the opportunity to move up in social status, create a family, and live a comfortable life. In the roaring twenties this household term put on a new meaning, one filled with greed, overindulgence, and materialism. In his most exemplary work the, The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald portrays the corrupt nature of the American Dream through the fall of his characters. The author portrays the frailty of the American Dream with protagonist of the story, Jay Gatsby, the love of his life Daisy, and her husband Tom. Gatsby's undying desire to succeed quickly to impress Daisy turns into greed just as the American dream suddenly becomes unattainable due to corruption.
Gatsby's slow demise serves as the ideal portrayal of the faulty American dream. Fitzgerald's characterization of Jay Gatsby as the hopeful and ambitious man parallels the original values of the American dream. Like the American Dream, reputation precedes Gatsby. The author conceals Gatsby's personal narrative until chapter three which leads to the reputation of wealth and success. It is not until later in the novel where the reader is able to see Gatsby's true flaws. By using this technique Fitzgerald is able to convey the role of reputations in modern society and how greatly they can differ from reality. Although the reader was first led to believe that

Get Access