Where the prevailing theme is fundamental decencies, from the judgment of Nick Carraway, and the argument is why Jay is exempt from all that Nick holds in contempt, and Tom is not afforded the same privilege. Fundamental decencies is what is what everyone is expected to have, and yet according to Mr. Carraway, they “...are parcelled out unequally at birth.” (4). To Nick, the concept of fundamental decencies is a leniency to the two richest men in the novel, both from different backgrounds. However, Nick judges the way they choose to behave based on their own sense of fundamental decencies. Nick considers their upbringing, their habits and morals, and their tact when judging the characters. It all comes down to the way both Tom and Jay view
