Examples Of Moral Decay In The Great Gatsby

In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald the theme of moral decay is best displayed through lying, adultery, and manipulation. Throughout this piece of literature the characters morality is in constant question. The first introductions of the characters they give the impression to have morals with little fault. However throughout the novel the characters morality or ethics begin to decay and the true nature of the characters begin to arise. Fitzgerald uses lying, adultery, and manipulation to portray the decay of morality in the characters of the novel. The theme of moral decay is best represented by the excessive use of lying by the character Jay Gatsby. Gatsby entire existence is an absolute lie that he created in hopes to make his American dream a reality. Fitzgerald reveals to the reader that Gatsby was not his actual name stating, “James Gatz- that was really, or at least legally his name.”(Fitzgerald98). Gatsby changed his name in hopes that the real him, James Gatz, would have ceased to exist because he

Fitzgerald reveals Mrs. Buchannan’s manipulative tendencies by stating; “I’ve heard it said that Daisy’s murmur was only to make people lean toward her; an irrelevant criticism that made it no less charming.”(Fitzgerald9). Mrs. Buchannan uses her power of manipulation on whom ever in order to get what she desires regardless of the effect it may have on the other individual. She manipulates Mr. Gatsby by saying she loves him but yet remains married to Mr. Buchannan. Mrs. Buchannan also will speak in a low tone so that whoever may be trying to hear her will have to lean closer so that they will be consumed by her and nothing else. This allows her to grasp their full attention so she may receive whatever she desires. Throughout the narrative Mrs. Buchannan’s manipulation became more severe representing the rapid lose of morals within