The Power Of Money In The Great Gatsby

The concept of money creating power is a characteristic seen far too often in society. The news always has different stories of wealthy individuals acting irresponsibly or obtaining money unethically. This is a trait highlighted in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. In this fast-paced novel about the life and struggles of the 1920s elite, it is clear to see the idea of money causing character to darken and motives to become less ethical. Whether it is Tom abusing the system of marriage and the lower class or Gatsby’s suggested illegal income source, the flaws money creates are entirely shown. While Fitzgerald’s main purpose of writing such a novel may not have been to highlight these flaws, he accurately portrays questions of character in and out of the family and the greed driven questionable business ideas that have perpetually plagued society within his novel. Money is quick to corrupt the morals of man, and the first place this can be visible is within the family. The character of Tom Buchanan is the man that Fitzgerald chooses to represent this idea. Tom represents all the cravings of the time period; a rich, athletic, charming man with a large and successful business, a tremendous house in the suburbs,
It can turn people against their family and the society in which they live. It can create illegal businesses, which thrive on the desire of money. Regardless of the ways in which the corruption occurs, it is abundantly clear that the power derived from money can corrupt people. Fitzgerald demonstrates these flaws of society with Tom and Gatsby and how the wealthy life has driven them to go against the morals founded by society. This being said, not everyone who is rich has not morals, but the truth is that money can break any man at any moment, for when the desired object can fulfill dreams, many will disregard all others to obtain