In The Great Gatsby, by F, Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby is a native Midwesterner who dedicates his life to earning enough money to live in the affluent West Egg. Gatsby does not grow up wealthy, but becomes intrigued by the superficial lifestyle of the elite. He surrounds himself with luxurious belongings, upscale people, and even changes his name, all to win back the lost love of his life, Daisy. Gatsby attempts to attain the American Dream, but in the process, his temperament transforms into one of an elite: materialistic and superficial. The friendships and decisions that Gatsby makes while obtaining the American Dream, however, are unethical and prove to be detrimental. Gatsby’s devotion leads to his yearning to achieve the superficial
…show more content…
Gatsby demonstrates examples of immortality through his acquisition of wealth. Jay Gatsby notifies people that he is "in the drug store business" during the prohibition, hinting that he is a bootlegger (95). Gatsby is willing to do essentially anything, including illegal activities, for the price of wealth. Gatsby further alludes to his participation in illegal activities when Nick meets Gatsby’s friend, Meyer Wolfshiem, for the first time. Gatsby informs Nick that “He’s [Wolfsheim] a gambler. He’s the man who fixed the World’s Series back in 1919” (78). Nick is surprised by the fact that Gatsby knows someone so scandalous. In addition to being immoral, Gatsby surrounds himself with corrupt people. Moreover, Gatsby lies about his past, as it is a hindrance to his future. The only reason that Gatsby desires wealth is to impress Daisy, and he cannot do that if society knows about his upbringing. He tells the Nick, that he is “the son of some wealthy people in the Mid West- all dead now” (64). When questioned further about his family, Gatsby answers that his family is specifically from San Francisco, which is not in the Midwest. His lie is further proven when Gatsby’s father attends his funeral. Additionally, (racism quote)Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s husband, shows signs of immorality when he cheats on his wife. Tom and Daisy are of old money and live on East Egg. Tom has an affair with a woman named Myrtle and says her husband, “thinks she goes to see her sister in New York. He 's so dumb he doesn 't know he 's alive" (23). Fitzgerald describes Tom and Daisy as “careless people — they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money of their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made" (179). Fitzgerald represents
Gatsby demonstrates examples of immortality through his acquisition of wealth. Jay Gatsby notifies people that he is "in the drug store business" during the prohibition, hinting that he is a bootlegger (95). Gatsby is willing to do essentially anything, including illegal activities, for the price of wealth. Gatsby further alludes to his participation in illegal activities when Nick meets Gatsby’s friend, Meyer Wolfshiem, for the first time. Gatsby informs Nick that “He’s [Wolfsheim] a gambler. He’s the man who fixed the World’s Series back in 1919” (78). Nick is surprised by the fact that Gatsby knows someone so scandalous. In addition to being immoral, Gatsby surrounds himself with corrupt people. Moreover, Gatsby lies about his past, as it is a hindrance to his future. The only reason that Gatsby desires wealth is to impress Daisy, and he cannot do that if society knows about his upbringing. He tells the Nick, that he is “the son of some wealthy people in the Mid West- all dead now” (64). When questioned further about his family, Gatsby answers that his family is specifically from San Francisco, which is not in the Midwest. His lie is further proven when Gatsby’s father attends his funeral. Additionally, (racism quote)Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s husband, shows signs of immorality when he cheats on his wife. Tom and Daisy are of old money and live on East Egg. Tom has an affair with a woman named Myrtle and says her husband, “thinks she goes to see her sister in New York. He 's so dumb he doesn 't know he 's alive" (23). Fitzgerald describes Tom and Daisy as “careless people — they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money of their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made" (179). Fitzgerald represents