Examples Of Carelessness In The Great Gatsby

‘The Great Gatsby presents the notion that carelessness is responsible for the damage that occurs in the novel.’ Discuss.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, published in 1925, The Great Gatsby is set on Long Island and follows a narrator who is attempting to find his way amongst an unfamiliar and damaging crowd. The carelessness that plagues the upper class shines through the use of money to evade the consequences of immorality and disloyalty. However, Fitzgerald presents that carelessness is not the only notion that is damaging society, but the obsession with the American Dream which clouds characters’ judgement.

Fitzgerald relays to the reader that having copious amounts of wealth and status leads people to become careless. Individuals' vulgar

The self-made Jay Gatsby urges himself to take every opportunity he gets, whether they are immoral or illegal, to maintain the appearance of an individual coming from old money with the inheritance of class and elegance. Gatsby imitates this selective society, craving his final possession of the American dream, in which every decision chosen is to strive closer to his goal for his own personal benefit. Therefore Gatsby “pick[s] his words with care” in an effort to not slip up on his complicated lie. Fitzgerald also uses Myrtle as a way to convey to the audience the greed and immorality of individuals that arise in the pursuit of the American dream . Myrtle, similar to Gatsby, idolises the lavish lifestyle of the upper class due to this, using Tom to her advantage in order to have access to materials she wouldn't have been able to afford without his generosity – him attempting to buy her pleasure within the relationship – “Here’s your money. Go buy 10 more dogs with it”. Although these characters had the American dream to an extent, they never could quite grasp “the green light” and allowed the thought of a [better life] to dictate their ethics, telling the dream to take control and lead them to their deaths as they were willing to sacrifice everything for an

Fitzgerald represents Jay Gatsby as a ruthless character that neglects and disrespects his moral compass so that he can create a rift between Daisy and Tom, despite the couples existing marital problems in which “neither of them can stand the person they’re married to” as they aren't fulfilling each other needs and both have their own personal issues. As Daisy holds onto the old Gatsby that “looked at her the way all women want to be looked at by a man” the relationship that's based on love instead of convenience in order for Daisy to pursue a future with Gatsby she risks her old money title and elegance that eludes it. While Tom spares no effort to suppress all allegations of his current affair with Myrtle “I thought everyone knew”. It is quite visible that there are strains pressed on the two which can result in severe impacts on their influence within society though neither makes an attempt to salvage their societal position ultimately giving up the American dream for lack of