“This is a wonderful planet, and it is being completely destroyed by people who have too much money and power and no empathy” (Alice Walker). The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, contains many characters that possess such qualities described by Walker, and in return they suffer severe consequences. Fitzgerald develops the theme, money destroys people, through the use of characterization and narration to expose the natures of the rich in the 1920s. Fitzgerald 's words exemplify society today in how money often consumes lives and alters worlds. By utilizing an outside character, Nick Carraway, as the narrator, Fitzgerald offers a unique point of view of the events taking place to truly showcase the unforgiving trail money leaves behind.
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Daisy had money her whole life and as a result she was selfish and careless. Daisy’s lack of selflessness led her to destroy everything in her wake: “They were careless people...they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made” (Fitzgerald 179). Fitzgerald uses Nick’s realization of Daisy’s true character to further the idea that money causes people to care only about themselves with no regard to the consequences they force onto others. Fitzgerald uses diction by using “smashed”, “vast carelessness”, and “or whatever”, to develope an angry tone and Nick’s realization of Daisy’s power to destroy. Her selfishness, caused by wealth, leads to Gatsby’s death and with that the death of their affair. Daisy, like many people today, is a perfect match to Walker’s words. They use their power for their own benefit and have little care as to what havoc they cause in the process. It is not uncommon to hear stories of murder, marriage, or thievery in the name of wealth. Gatsby thought that if he made enough money he could win Daisy’s love, however this only leads to loneliness and death. Gatsby said “She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me” (Fitzgerald 130). Gatsby had this allusion that if he made …show more content…
In the 1920’s, the gap between the rich and the poor was larger than it had ever been before and was depicted in the valley of ashes. By using imagery, Fitzgerald developes this gap: “This is a valley of ashes-a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens...” (Fitzgerald 23). East/West Egg and the valley of ashes are used to demonstrate the new money of the West, the old money of the East, and the absolute poverty that lies between them. In the 1920’s, the rich were getting richer and the poor were getting poorer, much like today. Although the gap is not as severe, it is likely that history will soon repeat itself. Fitzgerald uses this grotesque description of the valley of ashes to describe the way of life of the poor, their dreams, and how they were perceived during this time. Myrtle is used as an example as her desperation to climb her way out of the valley and into riches leads to her death and therefore the destruction of her dream. Money and the 1920’s often lead to the idea of The American Dream and ultimately the stark reality that comes with it. Nick realizes the end of Gatsby 's dream even though Gatsby doesn’t: “So I walked away and left him standing there in the moonlight---watching over nothing” (Fitzgerald 145). When Gatsby is first introduced he is depicted reaching toward the green light at the end of
Daisy had money her whole life and as a result she was selfish and careless. Daisy’s lack of selflessness led her to destroy everything in her wake: “They were careless people...they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made” (Fitzgerald 179). Fitzgerald uses Nick’s realization of Daisy’s true character to further the idea that money causes people to care only about themselves with no regard to the consequences they force onto others. Fitzgerald uses diction by using “smashed”, “vast carelessness”, and “or whatever”, to develope an angry tone and Nick’s realization of Daisy’s power to destroy. Her selfishness, caused by wealth, leads to Gatsby’s death and with that the death of their affair. Daisy, like many people today, is a perfect match to Walker’s words. They use their power for their own benefit and have little care as to what havoc they cause in the process. It is not uncommon to hear stories of murder, marriage, or thievery in the name of wealth. Gatsby thought that if he made enough money he could win Daisy’s love, however this only leads to loneliness and death. Gatsby said “She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me” (Fitzgerald 130). Gatsby had this allusion that if he made …show more content…
In the 1920’s, the gap between the rich and the poor was larger than it had ever been before and was depicted in the valley of ashes. By using imagery, Fitzgerald developes this gap: “This is a valley of ashes-a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens...” (Fitzgerald 23). East/West Egg and the valley of ashes are used to demonstrate the new money of the West, the old money of the East, and the absolute poverty that lies between them. In the 1920’s, the rich were getting richer and the poor were getting poorer, much like today. Although the gap is not as severe, it is likely that history will soon repeat itself. Fitzgerald uses this grotesque description of the valley of ashes to describe the way of life of the poor, their dreams, and how they were perceived during this time. Myrtle is used as an example as her desperation to climb her way out of the valley and into riches leads to her death and therefore the destruction of her dream. Money and the 1920’s often lead to the idea of The American Dream and ultimately the stark reality that comes with it. Nick realizes the end of Gatsby 's dream even though Gatsby doesn’t: “So I walked away and left him standing there in the moonlight---watching over nothing” (Fitzgerald 145). When Gatsby is first introduced he is depicted reaching toward the green light at the end of