The Great Gatsby: The Morally Corrupt American Dream . . F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous novel, The Great Gatsby, contains themes and moral values that remain relevant today. In his novel, Fitzgerald criticizes the American dream by describing its negative characteristics: the class struggle between rich and poor, the superficiality of the rich, and the false relationship between money and happiness. Additionally, the main character also serves as a metaphor for the inevitable fall of the American dream. Because if American democracy is based on the idea of equality between people, the truth is that social discrimination still exists and that divisions between classes cannot be overcome” (Internet 1). It is impossible for everyone to become rich, since material wealth is based largely on social position and class divisions prevent the poor from succeeding. “One thing is sure and nothing is sure / The rich get richer and the poor have children” (Fitzgerald 101). Myrtle's attempt to break into the group to which the Buchanans belong is doomed to failure. She forms an affair with Tom, and takes on all the negative qualities of her social group; not only does she become corrupt and immoral, but she despises people of her own class. “I thought he knew about breeding, but he wasn't made to lick my shoe” (Fitzgerald 39 years old). Myrtle and Tom's adulterous behavior,...... middle of paper...... The American dream of success and money is nothing more than a morally corrupt fantasy. Works Cited Fahey, William A.F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The American Dream. Toronto: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited, 1973. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Ed. Matthew J. Bruccoli. Toronto: Simon & Schuster Inc, 1995. Internet 1. "http://www.uni-ulm.de/schulen/gym/sgu/gatsb/klaus2.htm". F. Scott Fitzgerald Centennial Home Page. "The Great Gatsby Theme". University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, 1997. Internet 2. "http://www.clunet.edu/engdept/ad/gatsby2.html". Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. "The Great Gatsby: Chapters 5-9".Infonautics Corporation, 1998.Internet 3. "http://www.clunet.edu/engdept/ad/gatsby3.html". Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. "The Structure of The Great Gatsby". IT company, 1998.

Essay / The Great Gatsby: The Morally Corrupt American Dream . . F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous novel, The Great Gatsby, contains themes and moral values that remain relevant today. In his novel, Fitzgerald criticizes the American dream by describing its negative characteristics: the class struggle between rich and poor, the superficiality of the rich, and the false relationship between money and happiness. Additionally, the main character also serves as a metaphor for the inevitable fall of the American dream. Because if American democracy is based on the idea of equality between people, the truth is that social discrimination still exists and that divisions between classes cannot be overcome” (Internet 1). It is impossible for everyone to become rich, since material wealth is based largely on social position and class divisions prevent the poor from succeeding. “One thing is sure and nothing is sure / The rich get richer and the poor have children” (Fitzgerald 101). Myrtle's attempt to break into the group to which the Buchanans belong is doomed to failure. She forms an affair with Tom, and takes on all the negative qualities of her social group; not only does she become corrupt and immoral, but she despises people of her own class. “I thought he knew about breeding, but he wasn't made to lick my shoe” (Fitzgerald 39 years old). Myrtle and Tom's adulterous behavior,...... middle of paper...... The American dream of success and money is nothing more than a morally corrupt fantasy. Works Cited Fahey, William A.F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The American Dream. Toronto: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited, 1973. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Ed. Matthew J. Bruccoli. Toronto: Simon & Schuster Inc, 1995. Internet 1. "http://www.uni-ulm.de/schulen/gym/sgu/gatsb/klaus2.htm". F. Scott Fitzgerald Centennial Home Page. "The Great Gatsby Theme". University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, 1997. Internet 2. "http://www.clunet.edu/engdept/ad/gatsby2.html". Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. "The Great Gatsby: Chapters 5-9".Infonautics Corporation, 1998.Internet 3. "http://www.clunet.edu/engdept/ad/gatsby3.html". Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. "The Structure of The Great Gatsby". IT company, 1998.

Navigation

« Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

Get In Touch