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Corruption In The Great Gatsby Essay

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In "The Great Gatsby," by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a variety of symbolism, complicated character development, and vivid visuals combine to describe the downfall of 1920s American society and the failure of the American Dream. "The Great Gatsby" takes place in the 1920s in Long Island, New York, where Nick Carraway, Gatsby's neighbor, becomes obsessed with Gatsby and his mysteriousness. Nick finds out Gatsby's obsession with the past and his obsession with Daisy Buchanan, an unreachable woman from his past, while he gets caught in the world of luxurious parties and unattainable dreams, also known as The American Dream. "The Great Gatsby," a book written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author uses visuals, character development, and symbolism in order …show more content…

"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, 165) This quote supports the trend that the wealthy characters in the book share, they almost all are shown to be selfish and self-centered, just like Tom and Daisy. In the book, having money gives you the right to live without consequences where you can get away with anything, just as Tom and Daisy's actions show. Just how Gatsby's life is empty and unhappy, even with his large amount of money and high social status, Daisy also symbolizes the fall of the American Dream since she gives in to the attraction of a consumer society and societal status, losing her values and love for privilege and money. Each part of Fitzgerald's book is filled with symbolism, which acts as an important way to express bigger themes and ideas. Daisy's dock's green light represents both the American Dream's false reality and Gatsby's unrealistic …show more content…

Fitzgerald uses visuals and images to express the moral decline and corruption that identify 1920s American culture. The extravagant parties at Gatsby's home, with their crazy displays of luxury and wealth, provide a contrast to the economic inequality and poverty that are kept out of sight. In the beginning of the story Nick’s father says, "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages you've had" (Fitzgerald, 5), which sets the mood for the rest of the book. The meaning is that not everyone has had their go at life as easy as you, and that you should not judge someone for how they look or what clothes they dress in since there is much more to a person than what is on the

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