The Theme Of Corruption In The Great Gatsby

In Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, corruption and illusion dominates the characters throughout their lives. The characters in the novel are trying to follow the American Dream. Fitzgerald describes the American Dream as being successful in life and having a true, fighting spirit. However, the characters do unethical and extraordinary things in order to pursue their dream. The character’s corruptness and illusory are shown clearly through their actions and perspectives. To achieve the American Dream, the characters become corrupt and fall into illusions or even become an illusion to conceal the truth and mislead other characters. Jay Gatsby represents a person who is blinded by his imagination and wealth. Gatsby’s entire life has been an illusion. At an early age, Gatsby’s parents were unsuccessful and Gatsby was not very proud of that. Gatsby changes his name from James Gatz in order to create a new identity. With his new identity, he “witness[es] the beginning of his career” (Fitzgerald 104), where he begins his new journey to a wealthy life, thus, creating an illusion. This illusion tricks characters like Nick into believing that Gatsby “inherited money” (Fitzgerald 107), but in reality, he never got the money. Gatsby gets involved with people who would help him achieve his American Dream by getting him wealthier. His dream includes trying to get back with Daisy. In order to do this, he buys a huge house across from Daisy’s, obtains a Rolls Royce, wears fancy clothing, and hosts parties; all in hopes of trying to make Daisy fall back in love with him. Meyer Wolfshiem, Gatsby’s business associate helps Gatsby make his dream possible. Although Meyer Wolfshiem’s presence is somewhat limited in the novel, Wolfshiem symbolizes corruption and crime in The Great Gatsby. As Gatsby’s business partner, Wolfshiem creates a suspicious and sinister atmosphere with his “specimens of human molars” (Fitzgerald 77) and his “cuff buttons” (Fitzgerald 77). Everything about Meyer leads to that idea that he is the epitome of corruption and violence. Wolfshiem also supposedly “fixed the World’s Series” (Fitzgerald78). This represents what happens when someone goes too far and passes the line of corruption and greed. The actions of Wolfshiem raise questions about the relationship between Gatsby and Wolfshiem. Nick begins to find out that Wolfshiem is an ominous symbol of Gatsby’s shady affairs and wealth. Nick gets a glimpse of what happens behind those mysterious phone calls and how Gatsby obtained his wealth. Later on, Tom and Nick make “a little investigation into [Gatsby’s] affairs” (Fitzgerald 141). As they concluded their investigation, they find out that Gatsby is a bootlegger. Gatsby and Wolfshiem sold “grain alcohol over the counter” (Fitzgerald 141) which is illegal during Prohibition. This highlights the corruption of Gatsby’s moral from being associated with Meyer Wolfshiem, who is also corrupted. With his newly found wealth, Gatsby’s main goal is obtaining Daisy’s heart. Gatsby’s lifelong dream, winning Daisy’s love, is an illusion that he is under. Gatsby believes that he is able to change the past. His previous relationship with Daisy was a failure because “[he] was poor and she was tired of waiting for [him]” (Fitzgerald 137). Gatsby doesn’t have enough money to support Daisy’s financial needs, which are materialistic things. She chooses Tom for the wealth status. Tom is socially and economically superior to Gatsby and he represents money. Gatsby realizes that he needs to change in order to win Daisy’s love which includes buying an extravagant house that is right across from her house and hosting parties to try to lure her in. He believes that his new identity can rectify his past mistakes and can create a better future …show more content…
The main character, Jay Gatsby, is an illusion to all the characters in the novel. Meyer Wolfshiem, the business partner who helped Gatsby gain his wealth, represents corruption because of his illegal activities. The theme of illusion is also reinforced when Gatsby is under the illusion that he can win back Daisy. The Valley of Ashes is a desolate place where people’s dreams are abandoned because of their corrupted minds. The themes of corruption and illusion dominate the whole novel because of how the characters react to each other and their