Tainted Dream

The 1920s was a time of excess and growth. Economically, it was a time for great financial gain. Largely because of improvements in technology, productivity increased while overall production costs decreased, and the economy grew. Not only was this time filled with prosperity, but corruption as well. People finally acquired leisure time, and it was filled with gluttony and lust. Many authors during this time believed that society was living in excess and without curbing its appetite somewhat, ruin was just around the corner. Although most people associate good times and carefree abandon with the reverie of the 1920s, some also suggest a hidden, much darker side. In his novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald, conveyed his belief that wealth and materialism corrupted the American Dream by depicting the immorality through characterization.

In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows his disapproval of the times by portraying characters attempting to achieve their American Dream by any means possible. Myrtle Wilson, a low class inhabitant of the valley of ashes, puts her morals to the side when pursuing the wealthy life. Not even marriage stops Myrtle from having an affair with Tom Buchanan-- a rich man who enables her to finally buy the life she thinks she deserves. Not only does Myrtle cheat on her own husband, but she has an affair with someone who caught her eye with "a dress suit and patent leather shoes and [she] couldn't keep [her] eyes off him" (Fitzgerald 40). It is not a love for Tom that attracted Myrtle, but his money and power that she lusts after.

Jay Gatsby-- a man actually in love with Daisy Buchanan and not simply the money she represents-- aspires to achieve his dream of wealth in order to win the love of Daisy. Because Gatsby does not have the fortune of "old" money-- money existing within a family for years that represents the ultimate success-- he must somehow make money for himself in order to win the love of Daisy Buchanan. Although Gatsby claims he just does some business on the side, after Gatsby's death a caller intending to talk to Gatsby declares to Nick, "Young Parke's in trouble... They picked him up when he handed the bonds over the counter. They got a circular from New York giving 'em the numbers just five minutes before" (Fitzgerald 174). This call signifies that Gatsby is not only involved in bootlegging, but also in securities fraud, a serious federal offense. Gatsby's participation in illegal activities in order to achieve his dream of love shows how corrupt the American Dream became. These illegal acts required to obtain the American Dream lower the American Dream onto an immoral path leading to even more corruption.

This path of obtaining the American Dream shows further corruption when Jay Gatsby, who finally acquires the fortune necessary to win the affection of Daisy, partakes in an affair with Daisy. When trying to make his dream of acquiring Daisy come true, Gatsby's immoral actions continue even though he is fully aware of Daisy's husband. This disgusting display of infidelity is further acknowledged when Daisy, upon Tom leaving the room, "pulled [Gatsby's] face down kissing him on the mouth" (Fitzgerald 122). This mutual display of affection in front of friends and family symbolizes the immoral actions people will take during this time just to satisfy their dream. The continual demonstrations of corruption within the American Dream throughout The Great