Decay And Corruption In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

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The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a commentary on the moral decay and corruption that frequently accompany the pursuit of the American dream. This concept is explored through the story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire who tries to woo Daisy Buchanan, his former love. Fitzgerald exposes the excesses and decadence of the Roaring Twenties and the hollowness of the wealthy elite by utilizing Gatsby's character and the society in which he lives. Consequently, arguing that The Great Gatsby is a social commentary on the sinister aspects of the American Dream and the moral decline of 1920s society in the United States. Fitzgerald exposes the excesses and decadence of the Roaring Twenties as well as the emptiness that lies beneath …show more content…

Gatsby's desire to be reunited with Daisy and his hope for a better future are symbolized by the green light at the end of Daisy's dock. However, the green light is also a representation of the American Dream's unattainable nature. The light is never within Gatsby's reach, no matter how hard he tries. Nick sees the green light for the first time in Chapter 1, when he visits Tom and Daisy's house across the bay. "The orgastic future that year by year recedes before us" is another description of the light. This description shows how far Gatsby is from his dreams and how the American Dream is impossible to achieve. Gatsby's pursuit of the green light throughout the book becomes a symbol of his pursuit of the American Dream. He is of the opinion that if he has sufficient wealth and status, he will be able to get past the obstacles that stand between him and Daisy and lead the life he wants. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the green light is a representation of the American Dream's unattainable nature. The light is never within Gatsby's reach, no matter how hard he tries. Additionally, the corrosive influence of wealth and status is represented by the green light. In order to achieve the American Dream, Gatsby has compromised his integrity and engaged in illegal activities, which ultimately led to his tragic demise. The light, which at first stood for hope and possibility, now …show more content…

Fitzgerald warns about the dangers of pursuing wealth and status at any cost by exposing the excesses and moral decay of the Roaring Twenties through symbolism and character development. In the end, The Great Gatsby is a classic novel that readers still enjoy today. The corrupting power of wealth and status is one of the novel's main themes. Fitzgerald demonstrates how, in the end, the pursuit of these goals can cause individuals to compromise their integrity and engage in immoral or illegal activities that lead to their demise. For instance, Gatsby becomes morally bankrupt in his pursuit of wealth and status, using illegal means to acquire his fortune and attempting to purchase Daisy's love. Fitzgerald also criticizes the hollowness of the American Dream beneath its surface. He demonstrates how material success can lead people to neglect their relationships and happiness in favor of wealth and status. Despite their wealth and status, the characters in the novel are all deeply unhappy, and their pursuit of pleasure and entertainment only serves to highlight their emptyness. Fitzgerald emphasizes the unattainable nature of the American Dream through his use of symbolism. Gatsby's desire to be reunited with Daisy and his hope for a better future are symbolized by the green light at the end of Daisy's dock. However, as a metaphor for the elusive