“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- They smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made…” (Fitzgerald 179). Quite typical of the wealthy class citizens in this novel. As the economy increased rapidly during the 1920’s , American morality decreased. The deviation from the true meaning of the American Dream is evident during this time period, and is reflected through characters Tom, Daisy, and he himself, the Great Gatsby. Tom is seen as the adversary in The Great Gatsby, However, based on Gatsby's actions, he appears to be just as corrupt as Tom. Americans during this era as a whole …show more content…
Daisy was never in love with him, she was in love with wealth and fortune. Notice how she can’t decide on Tom or Gatsby when the confrontation occurs. Gatsby makes Daisy tell Tom that she never loved him, but soon after she says, “I love you now- isn't that enough? I can’t help what’s past” (Fitzgerald 132). Gatsby is very manipulative, and it is expressed in this scene. He is playing with Daisy’s feelings at a time where she is clearly emotionally unstable. Gatsby became successful for all the wrong reasons, and through all the wrong methods. He was a bootlegger and was involved in the gangster business with Wolfsheim. His lies and charm cover up his illegal past all too well, and Ranking the Morality of The Great Gatsby’s Characters couldn’t have stated it any better, “Even though he’s a handsome, well-dressed gangster, he’s still a gangster” (“Ranking the Morality of The Great Gatsby’s Characters” 1). Even though Gatsby’s actions are an act of love and passion for Daisy, he still knowingly attempts to tear apart a marriage. Gatsby does not have the morality that he portrays; his lies, manipulation, and illegal activity exemplify that his corrupt character is in the same playing field as