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Research Paper On The Great Gatsby

796 Words4 Pages

In a time of opportunity and despair, the 1920s were filled with lavish lifestyles yet also devastating unfulfilled prosperity. This perception is acknowledged all too well in the unfortunate novel of Jay Gatsby, a millionaire harboring secrets, who is head over heels in rekindling the light he once had 5 years ago with Daisy Buchanan, a married woman from his past. Gatsby is determined to win over Daisy’s love through ostentatious parties and over-the-top gestures, but his approach is ultimately declined. Overall, Gatsby's actions and conflicts during the novel uncover the illusion and reveal the other perspective of the American Dream in the 1920s. In his novel The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses his characters to critique the American Dream through their moral choices. Specifically, the character Jay …show more content…

These events demonstrate the harsh truth that despite Gatsby's ambition and hard work, he remains once again stuck in the lower ranks of society based on the lack of a luxurious background. To further develop the devastating truth of the American Dream, Fitzgerald illustrates the character Jay Gatsby as a symbol of the corrupting influence of wealth in the 1920’s. Gatsby's extravagant displays of wealth, such as his lavish parties and his luxurious mansion, mask his shady dealings and morally questionable pursuits. The quote, "Taking a white card from his wallet, he waved it before the man's eye." 'Right you are,' agreed the policeman... 'know you next time'" (Fitzgerald 68), demonstrates how Gatsby's wealth affords him a sense of privilege. By flashing a mere card, Gatsby manipulates authority, highlighting how money can buy not only luxury items but also power and influence. This incident underscores the unfairness of society and corrupted ways in a society where wealth reigns supreme, ultimately leading to Gatsby's tragic

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