The Great Gatsby Corruption Analysis

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, “The Great Gatsby”, corruption and hypocrisy seem to be as normal as waking up in the morning. It seemed as if every high hope that one had for a character was proven to be wasted. Fitzgerald brought the ugly truth to light about those believed to be pure as pure can be. F. Scott Fitzgerald was trying to show the reader that even the darkest traits can live among the “high and mighty”. He used the character, Jordan Baker, as a way to convey corruption. Fitzgerald also used Mr. Tom Buchanan as an example of corruption as well as hypocrisy. Fitzgerald used Gatsby to best convey corruption amongst the wealthy. These character were not the only ones to hold these traits, but they are a good way to show how dark people …show more content…
From the minute Tom was introduced, his cards were already on the table. Fitzgerald made Tom a disloyal, stubborn, wealthy, and arrogant man. Throughout the story Tom’s personality just got worse and worse. Tom is cheating on Daisy with a mechanic’s wife named Myrtle Wilson. Fitzgerald used Tom as a way to show the reader how much darkness could fit into one single character. Both corruption and hypocrisy flowed through Tom’s veins.Tom saw no problem with having an affair with Myrtle, but the minute Gatsby steps into the picture, it’s unacceptable. While on their way to town, Tom rants to Nick and Jordan which only proves his hypocrisy and absurdity. Tom covers up his jealousy with nonchalance and says,"Self-control!" Repeated Tom incredulously. "I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife. Well, if that's the idea you can count me out […] Nowadays people begin by sneering at family life and fam institutions, and next they'll throw everything overboard and have intermarriage between black and white.” Fitzgerald made Tom to show that some can do but not take. He wanted the reader to know that even a fun wealthy tycoon can have a dark side underneath all that