Flaws In The Great Gatsby

Perry Gratsias

Mr Sarracini

ENG4U1

June 2, 2023

Unveiling the Flaws of the American Dream through Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a powerful indictment of the American Dream, showing the corruption and emptiness that may emerge from its pursuit. In order to examine how Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby's perspectives towards the American Dream differ and how they play a part in highlighting Fitzgerald's critique, this essay will compare and contrast the two main characters. Gatsby stands for the optimism and hope that inspire people to chase the American Dream, whereas Tom represents the upper class's disenchantment and materialistic tendencies. The opposition of Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby reveals Fitzgerald's

Tom, who belongs to the ruling class, takes great pleasure in his inherited money and displays an attitude of entitlement. He exhibits a lack of empathy and an unethical disposition by using his money to exercise dominance over others. He says, "I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife," as he debates Daisy. You may rule me out if that's the plan, then" (Fitzgerald 130). This passage emphasizes Tom's sense of superiority and his dismissal of Gatsby's newly acquired money and social standing. The self-made Gatsby, on the other hand, amasses his money by illegal methods because he wants to win back Daisy, his ex-girlfriend. Although Gatsby seems to have a great goal, his obsession with material things ultimately leads to his corruption. "There was music from my neighbor's house through the summer nights," Nick recalls of his lavish gatherings. Men and women came and departed in his blue grounds "like moths amid whisperings and champagne and stars" (Fitzgerald 39). This quotation sums up Gatsby's extravagant and showy parties, where his money and extravagance hide his underlying desperation and lack of meaningful

Tom prides himself on his riches as a sign of his superiority and is confident in his place in society. He adheres to social norms and cherishes relationships, never challenging the status quo. Tom says, "I've got a nice place here... It belonged to Demaine the oil man" as he exerts his authority during a confrontation with Gatsby (Fitzgerald 109). This passage emphasizes Tom's attitude of entitlement and his desire to outrank Gatsby in society. In contrast, Gatsby's constant quest of money and fame is motivated by his ambition to rise above his lowly background and win the respect of society. He creates an ostentatious image and organizes expensive parties in an effort to blend in with a society that will never truly embrace him. Gatsby had traveled far to reach this bluegrass, and Nick muses on his dreams, "He had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it" (Fitzgerald 180). This quotation captures Gatsby's intense desire for social approval and his conviction that material success and social standing will help him bridge the gap between his present and the future he dreams