The roaring twenties was a new era in response to World War 1. Most people seeing the wounded come back and families knowing they lose their loved ones felt like they lost a major aspect in their lives. This resulted in many young people to let loose and feel more relaxed against traditional values. This typical 1920’s society is presented in Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. In this novel, Fitzgerald reveals how money and materialism was an important factor in the 20’s. In the 1920’s, Americas economic status was at an all-time high, this lead to an unorthodox lifestyle and corruption of society. That is why money and materialism lead to the corruption of societies and everything around it.
Money and materialism lead to corruption. One’s …show more content…
In the case of The Great Gatsby cockiness is the result of wealth. In the text, Nick states, “He took out a pile of shirts and began throwing them one by one at daisy… green and lavender and faint orange”(98). His action of showing his different colored silk shirts to Daisy states his wealth that he has gained. During the process of impressing him he becomes materialistic to pursue her. This triggered Gatsby to start taking action in illegal contributions. In the text Tom tells Daisy, “He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug stores here in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter” (141). Gatsby’s materialistic desire of winning daisy’s heart causes him to be involved in some shady businesses with Wolfshiem. This causes some of the paths people take to be untruthful and dishonest. Nick states, "Daisy...smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into money or vast carelessness..." (188). Daisy’s carelessness reveals her corruption. She fixes all her problems using her wealth. In this case, after killing Mr. Wilson’s wife, Myrtle, she lets Gatsby take the blame of her own murder as she cares only for herself and no one else. This shows that some people need to reevaluate what they believe …show more content…
When money comes into play people start having more wants then needs. In the play Tom’s mistress, Myrtle, is the opposite of Tom. She is poor and lives in the Valley of Ashes but has expanded her need and desire to be of some sort of significance. She thinks that being with Tom will result in rising up in social status and moving from her poor house in the Valley of Ashes to the rich East Egg. She is indirectly corrupted in the way that she looks at wealth, only wanting to be with a rich man for her own good. This relates to how people start to have a different perspective of morals and values. In the text Tom states, “Nowadays people begin by sneering at family life and family institutions, and next they 'll throw everything overboard and have intermarriage between black and White"(137). Tom’s life has always been filled with money and a high social status. This leads to his corruption as he thinks he is superior than everyone not only because of his wealth but also from his belongings, Daisy. Tom does not get corrupted throughout the book as he is corrupted from the beginning and thinks he has the authority and power to be racist. People, money and materialism have a substantial impact on the way people
Money and materialism lead to corruption. One’s …show more content…
In the case of The Great Gatsby cockiness is the result of wealth. In the text, Nick states, “He took out a pile of shirts and began throwing them one by one at daisy… green and lavender and faint orange”(98). His action of showing his different colored silk shirts to Daisy states his wealth that he has gained. During the process of impressing him he becomes materialistic to pursue her. This triggered Gatsby to start taking action in illegal contributions. In the text Tom tells Daisy, “He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug stores here in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter” (141). Gatsby’s materialistic desire of winning daisy’s heart causes him to be involved in some shady businesses with Wolfshiem. This causes some of the paths people take to be untruthful and dishonest. Nick states, "Daisy...smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into money or vast carelessness..." (188). Daisy’s carelessness reveals her corruption. She fixes all her problems using her wealth. In this case, after killing Mr. Wilson’s wife, Myrtle, she lets Gatsby take the blame of her own murder as she cares only for herself and no one else. This shows that some people need to reevaluate what they believe …show more content…
When money comes into play people start having more wants then needs. In the play Tom’s mistress, Myrtle, is the opposite of Tom. She is poor and lives in the Valley of Ashes but has expanded her need and desire to be of some sort of significance. She thinks that being with Tom will result in rising up in social status and moving from her poor house in the Valley of Ashes to the rich East Egg. She is indirectly corrupted in the way that she looks at wealth, only wanting to be with a rich man for her own good. This relates to how people start to have a different perspective of morals and values. In the text Tom states, “Nowadays people begin by sneering at family life and family institutions, and next they 'll throw everything overboard and have intermarriage between black and White"(137). Tom’s life has always been filled with money and a high social status. This leads to his corruption as he thinks he is superior than everyone not only because of his wealth but also from his belongings, Daisy. Tom does not get corrupted throughout the book as he is corrupted from the beginning and thinks he has the authority and power to be racist. People, money and materialism have a substantial impact on the way people