In the novel, Gatsby has reinvented himself to the point where he is no longer an individual, but a materialistic shell. “He was balancing himself on the dashboard of his car with that resourcefulness of movement that is so peculiarly American… This quality was continually breaking through his punctilious manner in the shape of restlessness.” In attempting to project the image of the perfect gentleman to impress Daisy, whose relationship with Tom is completely superficial, Gatsby lost his own sense of self and morals, earning his wealth through bootlegging. Instead of striving to better themselves as individuals, the characters’ only concern are their images, or a selfish need to be more wealthy than others. An example of this is how “East Egg” is seen as superior to “West Egg,” for no other reason except that East Egg has more wealth. Fitzgerald is attempting to show how this shallow quality will not bring prosperity, but
In the novel, Gatsby has reinvented himself to the point where he is no longer an individual, but a materialistic shell. “He was balancing himself on the dashboard of his car with that resourcefulness of movement that is so peculiarly American… This quality was continually breaking through his punctilious manner in the shape of restlessness.” In attempting to project the image of the perfect gentleman to impress Daisy, whose relationship with Tom is completely superficial, Gatsby lost his own sense of self and morals, earning his wealth through bootlegging. Instead of striving to better themselves as individuals, the characters’ only concern are their images, or a selfish need to be more wealthy than others. An example of this is how “East Egg” is seen as superior to “West Egg,” for no other reason except that East Egg has more wealth. Fitzgerald is attempting to show how this shallow quality will not bring prosperity, but