The Great Gatsby Moral Analysis

Words: 1527
Pages: 7
Open Document
The Ideals of the American Dream are often celestial mirages covering the obscure filth of the reality and its inherent consequences. One must always remember to conserve their right of mind so one can avoid getting poisoned by the glamour of society. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, examines an ensemble of high class citizens whom are free of any morals and continuously glide through obstacles using their looks and riches. One can see by examining Tom, Daisy, and Myrtle that the characters’ selfishness is built on a lack of moral foundation driven by greed which leads to each of them losing an entity of their life. By examining Tom, one can see how ungrateful he is of the luxury and family he has in his life. Greediness clouds …show more content…
When wrongful acts are committed, having a negative consequence on others did not seem to cross Tom’s mind, as his excessive greed blankets it. It is discovered that Myrtle’s husband, George, found out about the affair. The infidelity committed by both parties caused by lack of morality is what led to the death of Myrtle and her husband as Gatsby recaps, “...but it seemed to me that she wanted to speak to us, thought we were somebody she knew. Well, first Daisy turned away from the woman toward the other car, and then she lost her nerve and turned back… killed her instantly” (Fitzgerald 137). If it were not for the affair, Daisy would have continued to dodge Myrtle and sped on home. It is the fact that Daisy recognized her as the woman Tom was sleeping with, and it caused her turn around and proceed to kill her. Tom should have never been unfaithful but the greed of having more than a wife is what drove him to keep Myrtle which ends up becoming bound to her death. Losing Myrtle meant losing one of his prized possessions, and her life was paid as a result to this selfish …show more content…
The charm she possesses veils the vanity and self-centeredness within and gets her anything she wants. Since Daisy is easily persuaded by money, it is undoubtful that she will be swept off her feet by any man who promises her riches and constant admiration. Gatsby was one of those men, but when he went off to war, it failed to satisfy Daisy’s needs and in that moment “She wanted her life shaped now, immediately - and the decision must be made by some force - of love, money, of unquestionable practicality - that was close at hand” (Fitzgerald 144). This illustrates how Daisy could not wait for Gatsby as she needed fulfillment for her needs at the palm of her hands. Since Tom was the closest option, she quickly moved on to him without any remorse for Gatsby as she knew her own needs would be satisfied. When one’s actions are based upon the benefits it may bring to them and none other, it is evident that the character lacks the morality to value anyone except those who may have something to
Show More

Related Documents: The Great Gatsby Moral Analysis

Keshmiri Great Gatsby

In Keshmiri’s critical analysis of The Great Gatsby, “The Disillusionment of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Dreams and Ideals in The Great Gatsby,” Keshmiri emphasizes the key factors that portray the theme of the novel. Fitzgerald’s creates an idea of realism that is portrayed by the characters and symbolism within the novel. Keshmiri calls the novel an “existentialism work,” demonstrating that Gatsby sets himself up for corruption and is responsible for the developing conflicts in the novel and for his…

Words 343 - Pages 2

What Is The Dishonesty In The Great Gatsby

people; if one cannot be found, become one. Nick Carraway, of The Great Gatsby, chose to be one of these people when he discovered that the East was full of selfish and dishonest people. “As we see throughout the novel, Nick does inspire people to moments of candor, of confession, such that he is not only a witness but he’s the only person privy to the real characters of individuals he encounters” (“List of Characters and Summary Analysis”). F. Scott Fitzgerald intended Nick to be the most honest character…

Words 822 - Pages 4

‘the Great Gatsby Depicts a Society Which Exists in a State of Confusion and Moral Chaos.’ Discuss. Essay

SAC: Critical written response to The Great Gatsby 2. ‘The Great Gatsby depicts a society which exists in a state of confusion and moral chaos.’ Discuss. The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald set during the 1920s about a man named Jay Gatsby through Nick Carraway’s eyes, and is considered one of the great pieces of American literature of all-time. The Great Gatsby shows a society that is in an immoral and crazed state. Jay Gatsby himself shows the corrupt American society…

Words 1028 - Pages 5

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Great Gatsby Essay example

Thomas Mclamb Mr. Evans AP English 110 29 October 2014 The Great Gatsby Analysis Essay The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald presents in his story two distinct female characters that are represented as “modernize” women during the Jazz Age. Those two women are Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker. Each has their own unique personality and way of life. However, both show the type of woman that escapes from the traditional role and become more progressive. Daisy Buchanan represents the women in the 1920’s…

Words 825 - Pages 4

Desire In The Great Gatsby

Gatsby Essay Does the treatment of individual desire in The Great Gatsby and Barrett Browning’s poetry reveal similarities or reinforce the texts’ distinctive qualities? The pursuit of happiness a universal concern that effects people in different ways and the ideologies of ideal love, social ethics and morals are thought to be of relevance to these people that affect their values and the values of society. This is evident in Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poetry, “Sonnets from the Portuguese” written…

Words 1317 - Pages 6

The Great Gatsby Research Paper

the Long Island, New York area, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is an emblematic reflection on 1920s America, specifically the deterioration of the American dream in a period of revolutionary affluence and worldly decadence. Fitzgerald depicts the Roaring Twenties as a period of decomposed moral and social principles, confirmed in its comprehensive avarice, cynicism, and hedonism. Dreams can often be corrupted by unworthy pursuits. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald an understanding…

Words 698 - Pages 3

The Great Gatsby Analysis Essay

Introduction “The Great Gatsby” is a novel by the American author F. Scott Fitzgerald. First published in 1925, it is set on Long Island's North Shore and in New York City from spring to autumn of 1922. The novel takes place following the First World War. American society enjoyed prosperity during the “roaring” as the economy soared. At the same…

Words 5604 - Pages 23

The Great Gatsby Influence

The Influence Of The Past: A Literary Analysis In the legendary novel, "The Great Gatsby" by F.Scott Fitzgerald, the main character, Nick, meets a bewildering man who lives a mysterious life. As the book progresses the reader gains a greater understanding of Nick's aquiantance, and how he gains a glamorous and luxorious life. Simultaniously, the story of, "A Rose for Emily" dabbles with a similar concept, as the main character's life is told through the eyes of the town, and their curiousness as…

Words 1606 - Pages 7

Chapter 1 Analysis Essay example

Chapter 1 Analysis Fitzgerald opens his novel by introducing Nick Carraway, the story's narrator. Nick has, by his own admission, come "back from the East last autumn," jaded and embittered by his experiences there. The reader knows immediately that the story has already taken place and that Nick is telling it to us through the filter of time. He is distanced from the events at hand and is recounting them by way of memory. It is imperative that readers trust him, then, because time can distort memories…

Words 1641 - Pages 7

Character Analysis The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby begins with Nick Carraway stating that he learned to reserve judgement about other people because he will misunderstand them if he holds them to his standards from his father. Gatsby, the hero of the story, represents everything he doesn’t believe in. Nick excludes Gatsby from his usual judgments because his personality is appealing to him. In 1922, Nick arrived in New York for business. Unlike East Egg, where he moved from, West Egg is home to the new rich. Those who live there…

Words 1405 - Pages 6