Examples Of Dishonesty In The Great Gatsby

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Thesis: F. Scott Fitzgerald accurately depicts dishonestly and hypocrisy within the upper class in his characterization of the West Eggers within “The Great Gatsby”.

In the 1920’s American morality changed drastically as a result of World War I. Many young men and women were forced to leave their comforts zones, and as a result, experienced a freedom they had never experienced. Men experienced women and drinking at a young age, and women finally had a chance to enter the workforce, and as a result the mind-set shifted from family and other orientated to focusing on one the self. Many people became hypocritical, unfaithful, and dishonest, especially in the upper class. F. Scott Fitzgerald accurately depicts dishonestly and hypocrisy within the upper class in his characterization of the West Eggers within “The Great Gatsby”. …show more content…

During one tournament, she was accused of “moving her ball from a bad lie in the semi-final round,” and then paying off people to keep the win (57). Her actions, not only in the tournament, but also at various other occasions, such as when she left the car top down and blamed someone else, show her inherent dishonesty and entitled, upper class attitude. Most people of the Roaring 20’s also subscribed to the personal gratitude first attitude, making her actions seem not that out of place. To her, dishonesty is the easiest way to get what she wanted without actually having to put in the work, like most other people of the West Egg, or upper class. She is concerned only with herself and how she can get ahead in life, even if that means lying and cheating to get what she wants. After the war and as a result of their newfound freedom, many people started leading dishonest and hypocritical