Corruption of the Rich Based on the Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Corruption of the rich based on The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Written during the roaring twenties, a time when individuals felt the need to surpass the ideals of the American Dream, F. Scott Fitzgerald 's renowned novel, The Great Gatsby, explores how wealth ultimately leads to corruption within a society. In his novel Fitzgerald displays situations that may be invoked by the theme; individuals will most likely show signs of corruption as they come into wealth. If there is one character easily pointed out as showing signs of corruption brought on by wealth, it would be Tom Buchanan. Throughout the novel nick defines tom as an arrogant character by putting emphasis on his demeaning manor and his inability to respect anyone but himself. Some may argue that Tom 's football days and his physical size may add to the arrogant nature associated with Tom. However in the comments made about him by Nick and by the comments made himself it is made clear that the power of money has blocked his sight of everything but himself and what makes him happy. This wealth has also corrupted Daisy, who stays with Tom because of his wealth and the lifestyle she has become accustomed to, although Tom treats her very poorly. Tom treats Daisy as material possession along with the woman he is having an affair with. "He displays his mistress in much the same way as he parades his horses, almost as if he believes her to be his property" (Carey 21). Together Tom and Daisy made a
despicable duo. An example of this is exhibited when Nick states "they were careless people, Tom and Daisy - they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back to their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made..." (188). In contrast to the manner in which Tom is defined, Gatsby is pictured as a kind hearted man who lives for nothing but his love and devotion for Daisy. However in his
Written during the roaring twenties, a time when individuals felt the need to surpass the ideals of the American Dream, F. Scott Fitzgerald 's renowned novel, The Great Gatsby, explores how wealth ultimately leads to corruption within a society. In his novel Fitzgerald displays situations that may be invoked by the theme; individuals will most likely show signs of corruption as they come into wealth. If there is one character easily pointed out as showing signs of corruption brought on by wealth, it would be Tom Buchanan. Throughout the novel nick defines tom as an arrogant character by putting emphasis on his demeaning manor and his inability to respect anyone but himself. Some may argue that Tom 's football days and his physical size may add to the arrogant nature associated with Tom. However in the comments made about him by Nick and by the comments made himself it is made clear that the power of money has blocked his sight of everything but himself and what makes him happy. This wealth has also corrupted Daisy, who stays with Tom because of his wealth and the lifestyle she has become accustomed to, although Tom treats her very poorly. Tom treats Daisy as material possession along with the woman he is having an affair with. "He displays his mistress in much the same way as he parades his horses, almost as if he believes her to be his property" (Carey 21). Together Tom and Daisy made a
despicable duo. An example of this is exhibited when Nick states "they were careless people, Tom and Daisy - they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back to their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made..." (188). In contrast to the manner in which Tom is defined, Gatsby is pictured as a kind hearted man who lives for nothing but his love and devotion for Daisy. However in his
Cited: Fitzgerald, Francis Scott. The Great Gatsby. 1925. 10, Apr. 1995 http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/f/fitzgerald/f_scott/gatsby/index.html Carey, Gray, ed. Robert, James L., Assistant ed. Cliffs Notes on Fitzgerald 's The Great Gatsby. Lincoln: Cliffs Notes Inc., 1990 page 21. Fortescue, Jonathan. "Thematic and Structural Analysis." Bloom 's Notes on F. Scott Fitzgerald 's The Great Gatsby, ed., Harold Bloom. Broomall: Chelsea House Publishers, 1996 pages 15,17.