The American Dream
... Dream by implying that the occurrences in the story are an indictment of the American Dream. Fitzgerald, focuses on Gatsby and the other rich characters and how these characters, Gatsby specifically, came about gaining so much wealth. The American Dream would be to work hard and honestly earn the money that one makes, but as Fitzgerald points out, this is an illusion because these idol rich have not made their money honesty. Fitzgerald examines each character and how there are examples of the decay of America. These characters only seem to be concerned with money, drinking, being seen, and committing adultery because they have nothing else to do. Everything they have has been given to them and they do not have to work to acquire anything else that they may need. They do nothing to better society but engage in the activities that will continue to contribute to the illusion that American is so honest and pure. There is a disparity during this time between the rich and the poor. The rich have been born into their richness and remain idol while the poor are more so a reflection of the American Dream because the are working in order to become successful or rich. The rich have money but are not necessarily successful because they have not accomplished anything. The working class can be considered to be the successful because they are working and contributing to the economy and trying to make more money, or as much as they can to be able to live, at least a comfortable life. Fitzgerald also focuses on how the characters of the story are consumed with corruption. There is corruption of marriage shown and disrespect for the legal system. Tom and Daisy Buchannan are both committing adultery, Tom with Myrtle Wilson and Daisy with Jay Gatsby. The corruption here is that one of the American Dreams was and still is to be committed and to and respect a marriage which is sacred. Fiztgerald is utilizing these characters to bring to sight how Myrtle, Daisy, and Jay and Tom are not showing much regard for the sanctity of marriage. Also, regard for the legal system is not shown when Daisy and Gatsby fail to admit to running over Myrtle Wilson. The decline of honesty and fairness off the American Dream is clearly illustrated. Although this story is fictional, it is a parallel to how America really is. Fitzgerald constantly refers to gossip among the characters in the story. Instead of thinking positi...