Excess, Irresponsibility, And Carelessness In The Great Gatsby

Excess, irresponsibility, and carelessness can often be shown in the world of wealthy America where a blurred line between riches and morality exists. Former U.S. Congressman, Clare Boothe Luce said, “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can make you awfully comfortable while you are being miserable,” (Clare Boothe Luce). Boothe brings attention to how money has its benefits, but also brings out the worst in people. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald criticizes the selfish and immoral behaviors of those in the upper class. The story focuses on Jay Gatsby, who tries to win the affections of Daisy Buchanan with his newfound wealth. The entire novel is told by Nick Caraway, a relatively wealthy, but moral, man. Fitzgerald highlights the value …show more content…
When Gatsby first meets Daisy, he is dazed. Nick briefly talks about what Gatsby felt upon meeting Daisy, “It excited him, too, that many men had already loved Daisy- it increased her value in his eyes,” (149). According to Nick, the moment Gatsby lays eyes on Daisy, he sees her as an object. It is evident that he was not fond of her personality, but rather her money, status, and popularity. To him, she symbolizes achievement, making her a trophy of sorts. Gatsby acts selfishly towards her by trying to pursue Daisy as a reward. Moreover, selfishness is also seen when Gatsby confronts Tom with Daisy. He forces Daisy say she “never loved him,” (132). When Daisy says this, she finds it difficult to not admit that she is lying because she did love Tom at one point in time. Gatsby knows this, yet still urges her to say it. All Gatsby wants is for Daisy to leave her husband so that they can be together. His desires in this situation only appeal to himself, making his behavior selfish. Besides Gatsby’s behaviors, many surrounding him also display a sense of self-indulgence. After Gatsby’s death, Klipspringer calls Nick on the phone. Nick was expecting him to say a few words of remorse for Gatsby, but instead, Klipspringer casually says, “What I called about was a pair of shoes I left there. I wonder if it’d be too much trouble to have the butler send them on,” (169). Though only an acquaintance of Gatsby’s, Klipspringer’s call implies his inconsiderate nature. For some reason, his tennis shoes seem more important than Gatsby’s funeral. The way that Klipspringer puts a material item over a person’s death reveals his true personality. His actions reflect his selfishness, in the same way Gatsby’s