The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald has its setting in the fictional town of West Egg and presents societal problems caused by greed and obsession for status and money. Through the book, Fitzgerald addresses various themes including resistance to change and social upheaval that contribute to the disruption of the American dream. The novel creates an impression of the history of America including how economic prosperity became part of the US and how the evolution of jazz music and criminal activities were the results of individualism and obsession for wealth. Through the main character, the novel shows how excess riches can lead to recklessness among the youths. Gatsby throws huge lavish parties where “the bar is in full swing with rounds of cocktail permeating the garden outside” . Moreover, “men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars” thereby proving that the lavish parties greatly interfered with moral values among young people. Fitzgerald also shows the extent to which rich people lived a careless life and were less interested in the welfare of those from lower classes. Both Tom ad Daisy were careless because of their riches, “they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated into their money and let other people clean up the mess they had made”. Fitzgerald through his novel portrays an era where there was decayed moral and social values driven by greed and pursuit for wealth.
I agree with Fitzgerald that individuals are driven by their hopes and dreams to accumulate wealth as a way of exerting influence on others. Through Gatsby and the fact that he eventually acquires excessive wealth, Fitzgerald makes the impression of the extent to which human beings reinvent their spirit in their pursuit of dreams and goals. The Great Gatsby also address tribulations related to gender expectations where Daisy, through her character, brings out marginalization of women within the social class. According to the Fitzgerald, a woman’s role in the society is fulfilling the responsibilities of a dutiful wife, ensuring she takes care of her house as well as exhibiting excellent motherhood traits. The fact that a woman’s place is at home means that she is dependent mostly on her husband for financial and social security. Daisy chose to remain with Tom Buchannan in spite of her feelings towards Gatsby since she felt more secure financially and socially with the former. The novel is, therefore, reflective of the feminine role women were required to play and the fact that their source of sustenance depended on the financial stability of their husbands.
I also agree with Fitzgerald that criminal activities contribute to disruptions in the society. Gatsby accumulates his wealth by taking part in organized criminal activities where he is involved in illegal distribution of alcohol as well as trading in stolen security shares. Gatsby involvement in the sale of illegal alcohol could be attributed to banning of the sale of alcohol which contributed to thriving of underworlds trade and higher demand for bootleg liquor. The lust for wealth is also depicted by Daisy as she is in love with money and material luxury that makes her fail to wait for Gatsby to return from war. The moral decay from an obsession with wealth is proven by the character of Nick Carraway when he feels that there is a moral emptiness in the town hence the need for him to look for a new place where life was structured based on traditional moral values.
The novel is important in addressing social disparities and the moral implications of engaging in illegal wealth accumulation. The fact that individuals in the novel were obsessed by the desire for pleasure and money means that more noble goals were neglected thereby interfering with socially acceptable values. Immorality among the youths who involve themselves in attending lavish parties is also a reason why young people fail to realize their dreams since they spend much of their time on issues that do not add value to their lives.
Works Cited
Fitzgerald, Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Dead Dodo Vintage, 2013. Document.
