Theme Of Corruption In The Great Gatsby

Rumors create this great spectacle of Gatsby. No one truly knows his past or what he has done. Many don’t know what he does in the present, though it can be inferred that he is a bootlegger. During the party at Gatsby’s house on page forty-four the two girls with Jordan talk about him, “‘Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once.’” People who attend his parties don’t know much about him but the rumors make him seem like this great mobster. They contribute to the aura that surrounds Gatsby. Again, on page forty-four, it says, “‘I don’t think it’s so much that,’” argued Lucille skeptically; ‘it’s more that he was a German spy during the way.’ One of the men nodded in confirmation.” There is a group of people who all believe different things about Jay.

He is a mystery which creates an image of greatness. He has money and no one knows where he got it, he has a huge mansion with a bunch of servants, and he has gigantic parties every weekend with alcohol; during the prohibition. People view him as somewhat dangerous and fear him but not too scared to go to his parties or spread rumors about him. In chapter two on page, Catherine speaks of more rumors about Gatsby, “‘Well, they say he’s a nephew or a cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm’s. That’s where all his money comes from.’ ‘Really?’ She nodded. ‘I’m scared of him. I’d hate to have him get anything on me.’” Nick is in Manhattan with Tom and his mistress’s family, who, as far as we know, have never met Gatsby. They have heard rumors all the way in Manhattan and have this anxiety over a man they have never interacted with. This proves that the rumors surrounding Gatsby give him this power over others which contribute to the image of his