Corruption In The Great Gatsby

Shakespeare seems to stress his independence of the medieval idea of tragedy and shows in the true Renaissance spirit that man is an architect of his fate and not a victim of the blind goddess fortune.(Frnaham, 1963:18). In Act, I scene I its seem the blindness begins in Lear 's selfishness makes him blind to see the reality of his daughters, he is unaware of the fear and hatred that Goneril and Regan have for him as a consequence of his preference for Cordelia. His physician and consultant Kent gives him the following advice: "see better, Lear: "see better, Lear"(I.I.14). In addition, Kent implies that Lear is blind -"blind" to the fact that Cordelia is the loyal daughter while Goneril and Regan are the evil spawn. So it can be said that the roots of all Lear 's problems are his lack of good judgement and blindness.

He is neither a hero nor a villain rather he is a victim of his self-indulgence. (Bloom. 249-150) In Shakespeare 's view, Richard is a failure as a king not because he is immoral, nor because he is too sensitive and refined for the job, but because he misunderstands the nature of kingship. (Elliott. History and

In his essay, Emerson describes the quality of materialism and suggests that a self-reliant man must not be materialistic, and this is a fault of Gatsby that is expressed in the novel. Emerson believes that materialism leads people to belittle their own value due to the misguided importance of extravagance, and writes, “Let a man then know his worth, and keep things under his feet,” (p. 6). He condemns materialism and explains that the true value of a person is found in his morals and not the amount of expensive items he possesses. This flaw of excessive materialism that prevents self-reliance is displayed by Gatsby as he constantly boasts about his wealth.

Lionel Trilling, an influential critic on the literature of the twenties, insisted that “Gatsby, divided between power and dream, comes inevitably to stand for America itself” (251). Edwin Fussell in his essay “Fitzgerald’s Brave New World” interprets the novel based on the “connection between Gatsby’s individual tragedy and the tragedy of American civilization” (48). Gatsby pursues a dream which not only destroys his fantasies but a glamorous world he recreated by amassing wealth through boot

“Concerned exclusively with oneself: seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage in disregard of others-” this is the definition of selfishness (Merriam-Webster 's Collegiate Dictionary, 2003). Self-centeredness can often cause people to be blind to those around them, and causes them to neglect others in pursuit of their own desires and wishes. Jay Gatsby only thinks of himself and views himself to be the center of his own reality he lacks the ability to think about how his actions affect those around him. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby’s ego and self-centered personality stifles any consideration he may have for others. Throughout the novel Gatsby’s actions towards others are used to support his own amusement and pleasure, and once that person served their purpose Gatsby cut them out of his life forever.

Fitzgerald uses Gatsby to display corruption through his procurement of riches. He tells his neighbor, Nick Carraway, that he indulges in the ‘drug business’. During Prohibition, persons involved in this business implied that the individual was a bootlegger. Bootlegging was a profoundly beneficial business and bootleggers were generally associated with criminals who practiced cruel deeds. Gatsby often felt that he must be apart of a society based on wealth and power not confidence.

The Great Gatsby presents its characters as having living the American Dream. However, it is only a belief; the behaviors they have and decisions they take only leave them with a false perception of life and lifestyle. The Great Gatsby relates to the corruption of the American Dream for those materialistic people who were after money. Fitzgerald reveals the idea of corruption in the American Dream through conditions such as wealth and materialism, power and social status, and relationships involving family and affairs. He uses examples of this corruption to show the reader that people are willing to lie, betray others, and commit crime to be able to live a ‘better and fuller’ life.

However, the phrase “But come, young waverer, come, go with me,//In one respect I’ll thy assistant be,//For this alliance may//so happy prove//To turn your households ' rancor to pure love.” suggests that Friar Lawrence completely ignores his own advice when agreeing to marry Romeo and Juliet. He directly contradicts his own words and does not practice what he preaches by

The first reference demonstrating the link between lies and deceit and hypocrisy is how Tom doesn’t question the mortality of his actions. Tom referencing to Gatsby says the “latest thing is…to let Mr. Nobody from nowhere make love to his wife” (Fitzgerald 99). He kept repeating the words “self-control” (99) to daisy because he was outraged

”(Fitzgerald pg. 21). The green light is a symbol of Gatsby’s dream to be with Daisy and that he is willing to do anything like living across from her house. Finally, Gatsby is careless by trying to live a reality that is all an illusion, which is affecting Daisy’s life by messing with her marriage with Tom. For example, “I wouldn’t ask too much of her, I ventured You can’t change the past? He cried incredulously Why of course you can!”

In the beginning of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Nick perceives Jay Gatsby as a mysterious yet typical rich man. Nick’s limited knowledge of Gatsby leads him to view Gatsby by his belongings, as he refers to Gatsby’s mansion as “a mansion… inhabited by a gentleman of that name” (5). However, building a relationship with Gatsby, Nick quickly distinguishes Gatsby’s personality from that of the typical rich man in 1920’s New York. Therefore, despite the dubious source of his wealth, the reader discerns Gatsby as “great” because of his extreme generosity, remarkable attitude and motivation, and everlasting love for Daisy. Unlike other rich West- and East-Egg citizens, Gatsby uses his wealth to benefit others and offer them opportunities.

The Great Gatsby The Roaring Twenties was an era of embracing new trends that were foreign to everyone, especially in the aftermath of a major war. A reflection of these new and unique trends of the 1920’s can be found in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s most famous novel, The Great Gatsby. The novel revolves around a mysterious character named Jay Gatsby, who built himself up from practically nothing. Jimmy Gatz was born into a family of unsuccessful farmers in the Midwest. While growing up, he discovers bigger dreams and aspirations that force him to leave his family.

The 1920s were hard times for some United State citizens. With the ending of World War I a housing boom in Britain and the United States leads to an increase in homeownership. The League of Nations is founded but the United States votes against joining. The Russian Civil war ends but the country struggles as a famine begins in 1920 and worsens the following year. The 18th Amendment ( Volstead Act / National Prohibition Act ) goes into force at the beginning of the decade which in turn leads to increased black market alcohol that is sold in speakeasies and run by mobsters who pay off local politicians.

Throughout history people have debated what economic system will most benefit humanity. However, this debate is still raging on and civilization cannot survive waiting for the results before it begins trade. Therefore, countries choose which system they think will best suite its population for the time being. The United States has chosen to base its economy on capitalism. Capitalism has worked well for the United States, allowing people to pursue what has become known as the American Dream.

In chapter one, Nick Carraway says, “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” (Fitzgerald 1). Here, Nick is trying to explain to Gatsby how the upper class rarely seems to realize the problems that the lower classes face. Due to Jay Gatsby’s higher standing within society, he rarely seems to fully comprehend the atrocities of the lower class. Gatsby bases his so-called ‘superiority’ on his money, rather than his actions.