Organized Crime
Throughout the 1900’s, with the rise of prohibition, organized crime rapidly became more prominent. Organized crime is defined as “a group of individuals working together to illicit profit through illegal and often violent methods.” (National Museum of Crime & Punishment). The rise of organized crime led to a lot of problems and corruption in society. Various types of people came together and formed these groups in order to commit all sorts of different illegal activity. In the novel, The Great Gatsby, the topic of organized crime is discussed sporadically over the course of the story. These discussions and involvement in the crime give just a glimpse of what it was really like to live in this era. Throughout the novel, characters …show more content…
With the abundance of people living in the cities that were involved with organized crime, it began to be hard to tell who was and wasn’t involved. While Gatsby never outwardly says that his apart of organized crime, it can be inferred by his comments and the people that he is involved with. The idea that Gatsby might be involved with organized crime is first introduced with the introduction of Meyer Wolfsheim. Wolfsheim is first introduced when Gatsby and nick go to lunch in New York. Gatsby tells nick that Wolfsheim is his “business associate.” As the story continues, it is revealed that Wolfsheim is a gambler. “He’s the man who fixed the world series” (Fitzgerald 73). These activities are extremely illegal, so it raises the question if Gatsby associates himself with these type of people, is he one of them? Many of the party goers all question what type of businesses Gatsby is involved in as well. They make up rumors about who he is and what he is involved with. When Nick meets Wolfsheim, Wolfsheim mistakes Nick for the man that was looking for business gonnegtion. Gatsby assures Wolfsheim that this is not the man. However, this shows that Gatsby knows other people that are interested in working with Wolfsheim. This reiterates the idea that Gatsby might be involved in some of this shady business. Later on in the story, it is revealed that Gatsby is involved in bootlegging. “I found out what your 'drug-stores' were." He turned to us and spoke rapidly. "He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That's one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn't far wrong" (Fitzgerald 133). Bootlegging was a common practice during the 1920’s. It was an excellent way to instantly make money. Gatsby’s involvement in these illegal practices, is
Throughout the 1900’s, with the rise of prohibition, organized crime rapidly became more prominent. Organized crime is defined as “a group of individuals working together to illicit profit through illegal and often violent methods.” (National Museum of Crime & Punishment). The rise of organized crime led to a lot of problems and corruption in society. Various types of people came together and formed these groups in order to commit all sorts of different illegal activity. In the novel, The Great Gatsby, the topic of organized crime is discussed sporadically over the course of the story. These discussions and involvement in the crime give just a glimpse of what it was really like to live in this era. Throughout the novel, characters …show more content…
With the abundance of people living in the cities that were involved with organized crime, it began to be hard to tell who was and wasn’t involved. While Gatsby never outwardly says that his apart of organized crime, it can be inferred by his comments and the people that he is involved with. The idea that Gatsby might be involved with organized crime is first introduced with the introduction of Meyer Wolfsheim. Wolfsheim is first introduced when Gatsby and nick go to lunch in New York. Gatsby tells nick that Wolfsheim is his “business associate.” As the story continues, it is revealed that Wolfsheim is a gambler. “He’s the man who fixed the world series” (Fitzgerald 73). These activities are extremely illegal, so it raises the question if Gatsby associates himself with these type of people, is he one of them? Many of the party goers all question what type of businesses Gatsby is involved in as well. They make up rumors about who he is and what he is involved with. When Nick meets Wolfsheim, Wolfsheim mistakes Nick for the man that was looking for business gonnegtion. Gatsby assures Wolfsheim that this is not the man. However, this shows that Gatsby knows other people that are interested in working with Wolfsheim. This reiterates the idea that Gatsby might be involved in some of this shady business. Later on in the story, it is revealed that Gatsby is involved in bootlegging. “I found out what your 'drug-stores' were." He turned to us and spoke rapidly. "He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That's one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn't far wrong" (Fitzgerald 133). Bootlegging was a common practice during the 1920’s. It was an excellent way to instantly make money. Gatsby’s involvement in these illegal practices, is