The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby portrays 1920?s life. The novel?s author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, describes the lives of the upper-class segment of society, a group of which Fitzgerald possesses first-hand knowledge. Although they lead glamorous and seemingly carefree lifestyles, the characters in the novel possess many glaring moral deficiencies and personal insecurities. They endlessly seek personal advancement and overall happiness by any means necessary, yet in the end, they fall short of true happiness. Throughout the novel, moral decadence, frequent exploitation, and the unobtainable American Dream represent significant themes in understanding various interpretations of The Great Gatsby?s storyline.
Throughout the novel, moral decadence is displayed by many members of the wealthy, ruthless upper-class society. For example, blatant adultery takes place throughout the novel. Tom Buchannan and Myrtle Wilson, both of whom have marriages with other people, arrange a meeting together in New York (Fitzgerald 30-31). Both Tom and Myrtle treat their spouses as their inferiors, and neither really respects his or her marriage at all. According to Kate Maurer, Tom openly participates in the affair with Myrtle. His wife Daisy has come to accept it, however (78). Tom clearly does not respect or
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