Corruption and Failure in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby :: Great Gatsby Essays

Corruption in The Great Gatsby The theme of human corruption, its sources and consequences, is a parkland concern among writers from Shakespeare through J.D Salinger. Some suggest that it attacks from outside, while others depict corruption occurring from within the individual. In the case if The Great Gatsby and its protagonists fate, Fitzgerald shows both factors at work. The moral humour of the Roaring Twenties, Daisy Fay Buchanans pernicious hold on him, and Jay Gatsbys own nature all contribute to his tragic demise. First, the loose morality of Dan Cody, Gatsbys unfortunate role model, and superficial raft who flock to Gatsbys parties contribute to Gatsbys downfall. Their examples encourages Gatsbys interpretation of The American Dream- his naive belief is that money and social standing are all that matter in his quest for Daisy. The egoistic debetants and their drunken escorts are among those who crash his extravagant soirees. As Nick Carroway tells us, People were not invited- they went there. (pg.40) Shallow, corrupt people like Jordan Baker gossip with reckless empty about their mysterious host. Their careless, superficial attitudes and wanton behavior represent Fitzgeralds depiction of the corrupt American Dream. Another force of corruption responsible for Gatsbys fate is his infantile fixation with a woman of Daisys nature. Determined to marry her after returning from the war, he is blind to her shallow, cowardly nature. He is unable to see the corruption which lies beyond her physiological beauty, charming manner and playful banter. That she is incapable of leaving her brutal husband, Tom, of committing herself to Gatsby despite his sacrifices escapes him. As Nick observes, Gatsbys expectation is absurdly simpleHe only wanted her to tell him Tom that she never loved him. (pg.91) Daisy is not worthy of the pedestal on which she is placed. Since she is hallow at the core, so is his dream which is based on a instruct flirtation, nothing more. Finally, Gatsbys own character-especially his willful obsession-contributes to his fate. Despite his naivet about Daisy and her friends who are rich and play polo together, he, too, has been seduced by the lure of money and fame. Unable to control his obsessive trust to have Daisy, he cares little about the