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Corruption In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

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One of the strongest recognized themes In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is God’s harsh judgment of man’s immorality and corruption, resulting in just consequences. However, If readers further examine the plot and events of the novel it becomes evident that the theme is the lack of Godly judgment and presence of human criticisms. Fitgerald utilizes symbols such as Gatsby’s pool, the billboard, and Nick’s commentary to subtly manifest the theme that humanity is beyond the reach of God’s judgment, and all actions and reparations are direct results of the people themselves, with no influence but their own corruption and lawlessly destructive nature. This is a satirical work that pokes at religion; the concept that God delivers justice in the end is slowly torn …show more content…

Right before Nick and Tom’s group discover Myrtle's body, he heeds them once again. “Over the ashheaps the giant eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg kept their vigil… “ (Fitzgerald, Pg 124.) Despite having these previously appointed “Eyes of God'' keeping watch, Myrtle has just been killed in an automobile accident. This plays up the fact that even under the watchful eyes of God bad situations can occur, highlighting the powerlessness of a religion and its ineffective role in society. After a heated interaction with George, Tom realizes that Gatsby and Daisy, taking the yellow car home from New York, must have been the ones to kill his mistress. These eyes are present and important enough to be featured during two sinful chapters - one revolving around an affair between Tom and Myrtle, and one revolving around Gatsby’s and Daisy’s affair-turned-muder. They overlook a complicated web of human emotions, sins, and corruption. The simultaneous existence of so many human mistakes and the symbol of a greater power is contradictory. F Scott Fitzgerald is poking fun at the fact that even under surveillance and assumed judgment, people will continue to make choices that negatively impact others and

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