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The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Decent Essays

Abuse! Betrayal! Deception! These words read like a headline in The National Enquirer. However, the words denote connotations woven through the pages of Scott
Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. The voice of Nick Carraway, chronicles the summer of 1922 that transpires in the vicinity of Long Island, New York. This locale is divided into the East Egg, populated by those with old money and the West Egg, inhabited by those with new money. The pursuit of money and pleasure mark this era and far exceed the pursuit of more noble goals. The interactions of Nick Carraway, Jay Gatsby, Daisy and Tom Buchanan and Myrtle and George Wilson propel the novel and reveal them as insignias of this social trend. (SparkNotes, 24) The amoral pursuit of money and pleasure through abuse, betrayal and deception leads to greater depravity and misery. Unquestionably, Tom uses his overall strength and intimidating presence to emotionally and physically abuse Daisy and Myrtle. A man from an aristocratic family with great wealth, Tom’s arrogance and bully tendencies empower him to treat women abusively. Habitually, Tom’s behavior toward Daisy involves tormenting her emotionally by treating her like an object he possesses. Daisy willingly accepts Tom’s treatment because she deems the benefits of his money and position outweigh any feelings of unworthiness he projects to her. Myrtle, a willing to participate in an adulterous relationship with Tom, overlooks his abuse, while

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