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Corruption In The Great Gatsby

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Moral corruption is a theme that is present in the novels Crime and Punishment, Hamlet, and The Great Gatsby. Each of these books explores the ways in which individuals are affected by corruption, whether it be through the abuse of power, greed, or a desire for revenge. In Crime and Punishment, the protagonist Raskolnikov is consumed by his own moral justification for committing murder, ultimately leading to his downfall. Hamlet is plagued by his own indecision and desire for revenge, causing him to become increasingly morally corrupt as the play progresses. Similarly, in The Great Gatsby, the characters' obsession with wealth and status leads to their moral decay. Each of these novels illustrates the destructive effects of moral corruption …show more content…

Raskolnikov is a man who believes that he is above morality, and that he can justify committing murder based on his own moral beliefs. He believes that the ends justify the means, and that the murder of the pawnbroker will ultimately lead to a greater good. However, as the novel progresses, Raskolnikov's guilt and conscience begin to catch up with him, leading him to become increasingly morally corrupt. He becomes paranoid and isolated, consumed by his own guilt and fear of being caught. The novel illustrates the destructive effects of moral corruption, as Raskolnikov's actions lead to his downfall. One notable quote on moral corruption in the novel is when Raskolnikov says "I did not kill a human being, but a principle!" It highlights his moral justification for the murder and how it led to his downfall. Another quote is "By nothing but a fantastic theory that you've made up, you've taken away the life of a poor, decrepit creature, the drunken brute," it shows how the moral justification led to a terrible crime. Another quote that highlights the moral corruption is "The more I think of it, the more plainly I see that I have been a fool, that I have been duped, that I have been utterly in the dark about myself." It shows how Raskolnikov eventually realized the gravity of his crime and the moral corruption it entails. In Hamlet, the theme of moral corruption is also present, but …show more content…

The characters in the novel, particularly Gatsby, become consumed by their desire for wealth and status, leading to their moral decay. They engage in illegal activities, such as bootlegging, and become blinded by their own greed and desire for success. This leads to the downfall of not only themselves but also those around them. The characters in the novel, particularly Gatsby, are all driven by their desire to attain the American Dream, which is portrayed as an ideal of success and wealth. This desire, however, leads them to indulge in illegal activities, such as bootlegging, and morally questionable actions, such as lying and deceit. Gatsby, in particular, becomes consumed by his desire to win back his former love, Daisy, and his obsession with wealth and status leads to his downfall. The other characters, such as Tom and Daisy, are also driven by their own greed and desire for status, and their actions lead to the moral decay of not only themselves but also those around them. The novel also highlights the moral corruption of the society of the time, where the wealthy and powerful are able to act with impunity and the poor and marginalized are left to suffer the consequences. The moral corruption in The Great Gatsby is portrayed through the characters' gradual moral decay due to their obsession with wealth and status. The novel also serves as a commentary

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